Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Newton History Series: The Troubled History of Race and Public Education in Massachusetts 

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Location: Druker Auditorium (Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton)
Registration encouraged: here (walk-ins also welcome)

Presenter: Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, Northeastern University

Click HERE for more information on this event


Many of us learn about school desegregation in the context of the mid-twentieth-century South: Brown v. Board of Education, Ruby Bridges, and the Little Rock Nine. Yet a century before that, young Black women in Massachusetts led the fight for equal school rights—the right of all to a quality education on an equal basis. This lecture examines the lives of young Black women whose activism reshaped public education in the Bay State. 

Bigelow Global Diversity Night, March 3rd

Bigelow Global Diversity Night is just 3 weeks away!

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Bigelow Global Diversity Night! We will see you on Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:30pm in the gym.  We have heard from many families and teachers who will host a country/culture table – it’s sure to be a great night for our community!  So far, we have representation from Armenia, Italy, Uruguay, China, Germany, Philippines & Vietnam, and we’ll have teas from around the world (back by popular demand)!  You can still sign up to host a table/join a table and/or volunteer. 

Feel free to contact 8th grade Mom Lanni Isenberg with any questions or suggestions: lanni_harris@yahoo.com (she will grant permission to access the sign up sheet). Thanks so much to everybody who has signed up so far!

Hosts Needed: Ten Tables Event Returns! Saturday, May 2nd

Last year’s restart of Bigelow’s traditional Ten Tables progressive dinner was such a success that we’re doing it again!

On Saturday, May 2, we will join together for appetizers at one Bigelow family’s home and then split into smaller groups for dinner at a number of other families’ homes. This event is a wonderful night of community-building, and a great way to raise money and engagement to support our PTO.

If you are interested in hosting either the appetizers gathering, or one of the dinners, please email the PTO at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com, or the event chairs, Kathy Shields at kburdetteshields@yahoo.com or Amy Davis at amygdavis84@gmail.com.

Call for Volunteers: Newton Serves, Sunday May 3rd

Newton Serves is focused on cleaning and improving our city’s parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. If you are interested in bringing this back to Bigelow, we need your help!

Newton serves logo

Bigelow’s past project leader graduated to NNHS and we need new volunteers to continue to benefit from the program.

Project registration is NOW OPEN.

Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com to express interest and visit the Newton Serves page to learn more.

Mark Your Calendars

  • Feb 25: Community PTO Meeting, 7pm at Bigelow Library
  • UPCOMING EVENTS
    • Mar 3: Bigelow Global Diversity Night
    • May 2: Ten Tables Fundraiser
    • May 3: Newton Serves
  • 8th Graders: NNHS SAVE THE DATES
    • Thursday, February 12 – 8th Grade Night Part #2 at NNHS
    • March 5th – 8th Grade Parents’ Meeting w/ Principal Turner at Bigelow, 8:30am
    • Monday, August 24 – First Day of Fall Sports Try-Outs

Bigelow Global Diversity Night, March 3rd

Help us celebrate Bigelow’s beautiful and diverse community!

Sign up in this worksheet to host a table or join a table, help plan and/or bring supplies. (You will be granted worksheet access upon request.)  Contact 8th grade parent Lanni Isenberg if you have questions, lanni_harris@yahoo.com.

Mark your calendars for the Bigelow Global Diversity Night to celebrate our school’s diversity through delicious foods and diverse displays. Save the date for Tuesday, March 3rd in the gym from 6:30-8:00pm.

Last year was our first Global Diversity Night celebration, and we are looking forward to continuing this new tradition with food, interactive demonstrations, displays of textiles, art, music, musical instruments or whatever makes the night meaningful to you, our community!

8th Graders: Upcoming NNHS Transition Events

Current 8th graders are preparing for the transition to Newton North High School. This month 8th graders will begin to choose their classes in collaboration with their 8th grade teachers!

The second of the NNHS transition events, In Person Open House for students and families, is coming up quick:

When: Thursday, February 12, from 5p-7pm

Where: IN PERSON –– NNHS

What: This evening is for students AND families. 

The Class of 2030 Website is up and running!

Please mark your calendars for all upcoming events designed to prepare our current 8th graders and their families for the transition to Newton North High School:

  • Thursday, February 12 – 8th Grade Night Part #2 – Elective Open House – 5pm-8pm
  • March 5th – 8th Grade Parents’ Meeting w/ Principal Turner at Bigelow, 8:30am
  • Monday, August 24 – First Day of Fall Sports Try-Outs. If your student wants to play a fall sport, they need to be available for fall sports try-outs.
  • Wednesday, September 2 – First Day of School for Students

Volunteers Needed: Newton Serves, Sunday May 3rd

Newton Serves is focused on cleaning and improving our city’s parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. If you are interested in bringing this back to Bigelow, we need your help!

Newton serves logo

Bigelow’s past project leader graduated to NNHS and we need new volunteers to continue to benefit from the program.

Project registration opens February 1st.

Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com to express interest and visit the Newton Serves page to learn more.