Thank you to all who attended Monday’s PTO meeting with Newton Public Schools (NPS) Superintendent Anna Nolin, School Committee Chair Chris Brezski, and School Committee Member Amy Davenport.

During the Q&A from parents, Dr. Nolin talked about several initiatives and changes that she has planned or hopes to see, including:

• a review of math curriculum, standards, and approaches covering K-12 (to begin Fall 2024)
• increased STEM experiences in elementary schools and a review of STEM offerings following the math review
• working groups with staff on many topics, including ways to provide teachers with more curriculum or teaching resources to free time for other tasks such as grading or feedback to students
• reductions in certain high school class sizes and restoration of certain electives made possible by the teachers new contract and added positions

There was also a discussion about cell phone use in classrooms. There were many possible solutions discussed but any approach (including the current Bigelow policy of keeping cell phones in lockers) depends on parental support.