Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Staff Wellness Day

From the Principal’s Office:

On Wednesday, March 23rd, Bigelow teachers & staff prioritized self-care & engaged in a wellness day for their professional development. Staff were able to choose from wellness stations such as yoga, meditation/stress relief, cookie decorating, origami, volleyball, flag twirling, line dancing & more.

Special thanks to PTO parents Susan St. Pierre, Gwen Hautefeuille, Elizabeth Gagnon, and Michelle Gagne-Bourque for volunteering their time & talent to help make Bigelow’s first Staff Wellness Day a success. We support opportunties like these that will re-energize our teachers to be their very best selves for our students.

Todd Harrison Cares Fund for a Bigelow Staff Member

Dear Bigelow Community,

We have come to learn that an integral member of the Bigelow staff is going through a very tragic situation.

Tim Curry, our Bigelow head custodian for the last 7 years and an employee of the Newton Schools for the last 39 years, lost his daughter after a motor vehicle accident. Tim’s daughter Cheryl Leanne Curry passed away on February 1, 2022 at the age of 29. She was a devoted mother to her two sons, Colton and Morgan.

The PTO is raising funds for the “Todd Harrison Cares Fund” to help Tim and his 2 little grandchildren get through this hard time.



Please help us by donating in one of 3 ways:

  • Venmo: @BigelowPTONewton
  • Credit Card:
$20 $50 $75 $100 $150 $250
  • Check: Made out to the Bigelow PTO and mailed to the school at 42 Vernon St., Newton Ma 02458.

Please make your donation to the “Todd Harrison Care’s Fund”.

CAS AuthorFest 2022 is coming!

CAS AuthorFest is returning to Newton elementary and middle schools, bringing a wide variety of authors and illustrators to engage students in the writing and illustrating process.

Bigelow is excited to welcome Nathan Hale and Mitali Perkins for in-person presentations on April 11 & 12.

Nathan Hale – Monday, April 116th Grade Presentation at 8:30 am

Nathan Hale is the author and illustrator of the Eisner-nominated, New York Times bestselling graphic novel series on American history Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. He also created the sci-fi horror comics ONE TRICK PONY and APOCALYPSE TACO. He is the illustrator of the graphic novel RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and its sequel, CALAMITY JACK. He also illustrated Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody, The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas, and many others. Nathan lives in Utah.

Mitali Perkins – Tuesday, April 127th Grade Presentation at 9 am 8th Grade Presentation at 9:55 am

Mitali Perkins has written 14 books for young readers. She has been nominated for a National Book Award, honored as a “Most Engaging Author” by independent booksellers, selected as a “Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library, and was invited to serve as a judge for the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize. Mitali was born in Kolkata, India before immigrating to the United States. She has lived in Bangladesh, India, England, Thailand, Mexico, Cameroon, and Ghana, studied at Stanford and U.C. Berkeley, and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Join all participating authors and illustrators for a meet and greet, book sale, and signing event at Cabot Elementary School on April 12, 2022 from 3:15pm to 5:00pm. CAS has partnered with Newtonville Books to make a selection of books available for sale at the event. Books can also be ordered in advance through March 21. Go to:www.newtonvillebooks.com/npsauthorfest to place an order. No purchase is necessary to attend. Vaccine and mask restrictions apply per NPS mandates.

To learn more visit www.facebook.com/newtoncreativeartsandsciences.

CAS AuthorFest is made possible by generous grants from the Newton Schools Foundation, The Village Bank, Harmony Foundation and your donations to the PTO.

Rising 6th Grade Night


All are invited this Tuesday 3/22 at 7:00pm, either virtually or in the Bigelow Auditorium, to our rising 6th Grade Family & Caregivers Night!

We are excited to meet our new parents & guardians, and provide helpful information in preparation for your child’s next 3 years at Bigelow. Come hear from our amazing student panel, meet some of our skilled teachers and staff, and ask any questions you may have.

Prior to the event, we will also share a video virtual school tour via e-mail; be sure to RSVP via the flyer to provide your e-mail address. Masks are welcomed, but not required. We hope to see you there!

Bigelow PTO meeting with Superintendent David Fleishman and School committee members – Wednesday 3/23

The Bigelow PTO meeting with Superintendent David Fleishman and School committee members (Rajeev Parlikar and Paul Levy) will take place via Zoom on Wednesday March 23 at 9amOpen to all Bigelow parents/guardians.

Zoom link: https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/5452808903

Password: bigelow

Interpretation: If a family needs Interpretation for this meeting, please complete this Google form at least 3 days before the meeting: https://forms.gle/daA8qQjm61BJDocD7

Bigelow Big Nights is happening and we need your help!! 

In the past we have been able to raise an impressive amount of sustaining funds for our teachers here at Bigelow thanks to your generosity!

Do you have any items pictured below? 

We are still looking for volunteers to help make this year’s online auction a success.

Call or text Julie Landesman (508-612-7179) or Alexia Giannakopoulos (781-492-4500) for ways you can help! 

                                                     
If giving of your time is too much, your donations are appreciated!

Click one of the buttons below for your contribution towards this event:

$25 $50 $75 $100 $200

or simply send your donation via Venmo to @BigelowPTONewton. Please put “Bigelow Big Night” in the memo line.