Category Archives: From the PTO

May PTO Meeting Recap

On Tuesday evening, the Bigelow PTO held our fourth and final PTO meeting of the year. We elected board members for 2025-26 school year, reviewed and approved the PTO budget, discussed PTO committee positions, and reviewed the 2025-26 PTO calendar.

We are pleased to announce the 2025-26 PTO Board Members!

  • President: Margaret Silva
  • Vice President: OPEN
  • Treasurer: Rachanee Nelson
  • Secretary: Lanni Isenberg

We are still looking for a Vice President! Interested, or know someone who might be interested? Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

Co-positions are also welcome! If you are interested in a role as Co-Vice President or Co-Treasurer please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

Open PTO Committee Positions
Thank you to the many people who have volunteered for the 2025-26 school year! We are still looking to identify a few key roles now so we are ready to hit the ground running this fall:

  • Communications/Website Send weekly PTO newsletters and other communications. Maintain and update PTO website. **Training available from current volunteer!**
  • School Directory Maintain database of parents/students.
  • Bigelow Back to School Bash Help organize outdoor Fall family event at Bigelow with food truck(s) and music.

There are many ways to get involved beyond roles listed above. The PTO partners closely with our school leadership, teachers, and staff to create meaningful experiences for our students and build a strong, connected community. Whether you are available occasionally or interested in a leadership role, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. We hope you can join us!

Thank you Social at the Social Volunteers!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bigelow Social at the Social! It was a fantastic evening full of lively conversations, laughter, and new connections.

A special thanks to Rachanee Nelson, Victoria Peake, Margaret Silva, and Hai Ly Burke for organizing such a fun community-building event!

Walk & Roll Wednesdays!

Please join us Wednesday, June 4th for our next Walk & Roll first Wednesday!

Every first Wednesday of the month, we encourage students to walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to school with our Walk and Roll days. They get more exercise – great for learning – and it is better for the environment. Does your child have trouble getting up in the morning and need a ride to get to school on time? Drive them partway and have them walk the rest, or drive them in the morning and ask them to walk home. If your route is too dangerous, arrange to carpool with neighbors, friends, or family. The fewer cars idling, the better! 

Be social at the Social! THIS Friday, May 16th @7:15pm

Please join us THIS Friday for one final chance to connect with other Bigelow Parents and Caregivers before the end of the year.

Let’s get social at the Social!

Calling all Bigelow Parents and Caregivers!

Let’s get social at the Social! 
Join us for small bites and an evening to connect.

There’s no cost to join us—just come and be social! Complimentary appetizers and light snacks will be available for grazing. Drinks and additional meals can be purchased individually at the bar.

Please let us know via this form if you plan to attend so we can get a sense of how many guests to expect.

Bigelow Social at the Social

  • Friday, May 16th @7:15pm
  • Social Restaurant and Bar 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA
  • Light snacks provided
  • Drinks and additional food available for purchase
  • This is an adult only event.

Save the Date! Final PTO Meeting: Tues May 20th @7pm

Please join us, Tuesday, May 20th at 7 pm for our final PTO meeting of the 2024-25 school year. We will review the PTO budget, elect officers, and start planning for the 2025-26 school year.

This meeting will be held in person in the Bigelow library and via Zoom: https://mit.zoom.us/j/95846067111

We’re looking ahead to an exciting 2025–26 school year, and we need more volunteers to help us get it off to a great start! In particular, it is important to fill the following key roles now so we are ready to hit the ground running this fall.

  • Vice President/Co-Vice President Work with board chairs and committee chairs to coordinate fundraising activities and PTO events.
  • Communications/Website Send weekly PTO newsletters and other communications. Maintain and updated PTO website. **Training available from current volunteer!**
  • School Directory Maintain database of parents/students.
  • Bigelow Back to School Bash Help organize outdoor Fall family event at Bigelow with food truck(s) and music.

Please see this form or email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com for more information and to express interest in volunteer opportunities.

We partner closely with our school leadership, teachers, and staff to create meaningful experiences for our students and build a strong, connected community. Whether you are available occasionally or interested in a leadership role, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. We hope you can join us!

Thank you Teacher Appreciation Volunteers!

A HUGE thank you to all families who either brought in food or donated to our Teacher Appreciation Celebrations last week! We were able to host 3 wonderful lunches for our amazing teachers and staff throughout the week. Staff felt loved and celebrated, and it is the generosity and support of all of our participants who made it happen- thank you!

A special thank you to the volunteers who organized, set-up, and cleaned up the luncheons: Mandy Carozza, Elizabeth Jenkins, Rachanee Nelson, Laura Goldworm, Lauren Myers, Jillian Feinberg, Margaret Silva, and Cindy Chan.

SEPAC Award Nominations Now Open Until May 19th!

Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

SEPAC Awards – accepting nominations through May 19th!

The annual SEPAC Awards are now open for nominations through May 19th! Interested in nominating an exceptional NPS or Out of District teacher and/or staff member for the difference they have made in your student with a disability’s life this past academic year? Here’s how the process works:

  • Submit a nomination through the nomination form
  • All celebratory nominations will be recognized
  • The week of June 16th, your nominee will receive:
    • An email with the kind words you wrote about them and a short slideshow of anonymized nominations lifting up the good work taking place across the district.
    • A printed SEPAC Award certificate delivered to their school. 
    • Each principal will receive a list of nominees from their school.

Do you need to nominate everyone from your student’s team? Please only nominate the teachers and staff members who you feel have been exceptional!

Questions? Reach out to: newtonspecialeducationawards@gmail.com

Be social at the Social! Friday, May 16th @7:15pm

Calling all Bigelow Parents and Caregivers!

Let’s get social at the Social! 
Join us to for small bites and an evening to connect.

There’s no cost to join us—just come and be social! Complimentary appetizers and light snacks will be available for grazing. Drinks and additional meals can be purchased individually at the bar.

Please let us know via this form if you plan to attend so we can get a sense of how many guests to expect.

Bigelow Social at the Social

  • Friday, May 16th @7:15pm
  • Social Restaurant and Bar 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA
  • Light snacks provided
  • Drinks and additional food available for purchase
  • This is an adult only event.