Category Archives: From the PTO

Parent Information: The Cinnamon Challenge

There have been recent reports of young people engaging in an activity called “The Cinnamon Challenge.”  This practice is being promoted via social networking and in You Tube videos.  The challenge involves an attempt to eat or swallow a tablespoon of ground cinnamon in under 60 seconds without drinking.  This often causes coughing, choking, gagging, watering of the eyes and burning of the mouth and throat.

Dr. Karen Sadler, Newton’s School Physician, said the fad is dangerous, particularly for children with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

“For many kids this is probably just a game that would result in coughing and gagging, but others could inhale cinnamon into the lungs and require emergency care,” she said.

Another concern is an ingredient in cinnamon called cassia that may affect blood clotting, blood sugar levels, or worsen liver disease.

“I encourage parents to talk to their children about why this is an unsafe game,” Sadler said. “This is one of those hidden dangers children may be unaware of. We want all of our children to remain healthy and safe.”

Please call your school nurse if you have any concerns or questions.

We are having our track information meeting on Wednesday 3/21 after school.  8th graders should report to room 212 (Ms. Summa), 7th graders should report to room 210 (Ms. Rice) and 6th graders should report to room 102 (Mr. Smalley’s room to meet with Ms. Hall.)  This meeting is mandatory for anyone interested in running this year.

The Newton Partnership is excited to sponsor Dr. Michael Thompson this coming Thursday, March 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Newton South auditorium.  This is a reminder as this presentation has been advertised in the community.   Continue reading →

Mandatory girls lacrosse meeting, Thursday March 8th @ 2:55 in room G02.  All 7th & 8th grade girls are welcome. No experience necessary.

You MUST attend this meeting to receive important paperwork and information regarding tryouts.  If you are unable to attend this date you must inform Mrs. Martin, Ms. Calabria or Ms. Clarke BEFORE the meeting.

If you do not come and do not inform one of us of your absence, you may NOT tryout.

Join us for a committee celebration and thank you party for Big Night Out  - and the March General PTO meeting.  It’s a chance for all of us to have fun and enjoy. We will also be stuffing thank you notes for auction donors.

Thursday, March 1, 2012
7:00 pm
Home of Laurie Gershkowitz

Let us know if you can make it so we can prepare accordingly.

Interested in learning the fantastic game of Field Hockey?? There will be a camp at the end of June for 4 days from 9-11 at Burr Park. This clinic is for elementary and middle school or those students entering their freshman year of high school. If interested, please contact Ms. Myers. Celestine_myers@newton.k12.ma.us

This year’s yearbook, REFLECTIONS, is in the production stages and we would like to have your input!!! We will have a section of the yearbook dedicated to your reflections about your 3 years here at Bigelow. Please write two or three lines that describes your YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF BIGELOW! There is a box in the main office for your convenience Only 25 “Best Memories” will be selected for the book, so, if you are interested get your reflections in soon. The deadline is March 1st.

Thank You

Ms. Myers

ALL 6th graders are encouraged to participate in the March Madness Basketball tournament that will begin on March 1st and will end on March 16th with a final game. The March Madness format requirements are:

1. Every homebase is eligible to participate and only the students in your homebase can play for your homebase.

2. You do not have to play every day.

3. The tournament will run on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-5.

4. Your entire homebase can be on your roster but each homebase must have at least 5 players on each day of the tournament or you will forfeit all games on that day. Each team will play from 3-6 game per day.

5. Games are 10 minutes long and substitutions are made after 5 minutes of play.

6. If you are interested sign-up in your homebase or talk with your homebase teacher.

7. The winning homebase will receive a pizza party and their names on the Reddy Trophy!

The Fitness Unit in P.E. will be ending March 1st. All students will be taking a written Fitness test that will test their knowledge of terms, muscles and principals of Fitness. This test will be fifty percent (50%) of the 3rd term’s grade.  Students have been participating in fitness unit since December.

The study Guide for the test can be found on the Bigelow website under daily assignments. Scroll down to FAA/PE Myers. Click on study guide. All students will have one day of review during PE classes and the test will be given in the next PE class. Testing will be done from March 4 to March 9th. The third term ends on the 16th.

All students are encourage to download this information and to come see either Mr. Prendergast or Ms. Myers if they have any questions.

There are no re-takes of the test.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT BIG NIGHT OUT?

It’s an evening of live entertainment, great food and amazing auction and raffle prizes.

Bigelow parents value a great education and appreciate the hard work of our teachers.  We realize that school system can’t provide all the resources  needed to run a great school. That’s why we support Big Night Out.

Big Night Out is the largest PTO fundraiser of the year. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a much needed sound system for the auditorium and additional laptops for the school.

We need to raise $15,000 from the auction and raffle.  Help us meet our goal.

Click Here to buy your tickets.

February 11^th is a Big Night. Don’t Miss it!