Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon 2021

Dear Bigelow Families,

We are in the final stretch before the Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon which is only four days away! We appreciate all the donations we have received so far.

One thing we are still really in need of, however, is desserts. We are looking for desserts packaged in single servings (as you would for a bake sale). Please consider making something… Or buying something and packaging it up… No one will know 😉

Please sign up to donate a dessert on our Google Spreadsheet.

Desserts and other decor items can be dropped off at the home of Charlene Gillespie (42 Waterston Rd) the evening before (Wednesday Feb 10th) or the morning of the luncheon (Thursday Feb 11th) before 10am. You are also welcome to bring them directly to Bigelow on Thursday the 11th by 10:30am. Please remember to put the desserts into individually wrapped portions.

Still want to donate money? It’s not too late, and we can definitely use it!

$10 $20 $50

$75 $100 $150

Many many thanks in advance!!

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

Questions? Email Susan at sestpierre@gmail.com

Spring Survey from Families Organizing For Racial Justice @ Bigelow

Bigelow FORJ is a school-based chapter of Newton’s Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ).(See more at www.forjnewton.com).  We are a group of devoted parents and faculty committed to raising anti-racist children who acknowledge the pervasiveness of oppression and marginalization.  We invite parents and children to engage in critical conversations that support questioning, interrogating, and dismantling of white supremacy, including anti-Blackness and all forms of racial injustice.

We were so excited to have many parents attend our discussion sessions in November (about having conversations about the book “New Kid” with your child).

Now we are looking to plan other activities that would be of interest for the rest of this school year. Please help us understand your interests and needs by completing this brief survey.  We would like your response by 2/5/21.

Thank you!

Bigelow FORJ

https://forms.gle/13jK17tah7gLGCVa9

Bigelow is participating in the 4C Tree Project

Bigelow will sponsor 3 trees to honor the memory of lives lost to COVID-19: one in the name of the Class of 2021, another in the name of the Class of 2022 and the third in the name of the Class of 2023, our current 8th, 7th and 6th grade classes.

The trees will be planted in the spring by the City of Newton. The locations have not been determined yet, but they will be in the school grounds or close by. The PTO has committed to take care of the trees for 2 years, making sure they get enough water, so they will grow strong to memorialize this year with life.

The 4C Tree Project (Capture Carbon Commemorate COVID-19 ) is spearheaded by Green Newton’s Environmental Youth Leadership Program. The goal is to demonstrate the resilience of our City through difficult times and its commitment to a healthy ecosystem.

Everyone can make a gift to help them plant trees in public spaces throughout Newton as memorials to loved ones lost and as reminders of the importance of caring for our world.

The PTO joined the project and we invite families to also participating in it by giving to create a sustainable memorial in Newton.

Sponsor a Tree

 

Bigelow Trivia Night was a lot of fun!!!

We had a great evening of Trivia, BBQ and fun last Friday! 23 families joined the games along with Mr. Harrison, Mr. Mogenson, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Fitzgerald and Ms. Mercado, competing in 8 teams: A Trivial Pursuit, Game Stop – Won’t Stop!, Send it to Zoom-02134, Smallehigh, The Bigelow Teabags, The Burnt Ends, Monkeys in the Room, You’re on Mute, and Pharaohs’ Slaves.

We thank James Marohn, who is a fantastic host, and came up with great questions about history, music, pop culture, Newton, Bigelow and, of course, The Office! Did you know that Mr. Harrison was Mr. Leone’s and Ms. Cavicchio’s social studies teacher before becoming Bigelow’s principal?  And that Mayor Warren went to Bigelow? I guess you don’t know what was Dwight’s nickname for Angela, though.

Thanks to an impeccable run, first prize went to the Game Stop – Won’t Stop!, the Bigelow teachers’ team. They schooled us!!!! We hope the market doesn’t crash on Monday.

Second and third places went to teams Send it to Zoom, 02134 and Monkeys in the Room. The Bigelow Teabags got a prize for their Bigelow spirit!

The night was completed with yummy food from Blue Ribbon BBQ. If you did not have a chance to order on Friday, or would like to order again, they will give the PTO  20% off all restaurant orders and 10% on the catering and At Home Cookin, if you mention Bigelow. Orders are being accepted for the Super Bowl! More information here.


Winter weather update for Tuesday and Friday

From the Superintendent’s Office: 

“If we need to close on Tuesday for in-person learning, we will have a traditional snow day. If we need to cancel in-person learning on Wednesday, we will have a fully remote-learning day. The buildings will be closed, and all students will access their learning virtually.”

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon 2021

Many thanks to all of the families who have contributed to the teacher and staff appreciation luncheon! We are well on our way towards reaching our fundraising goal…. So thank you and please keep those donations coming!

 

Two questions have arisen that we’d like to address. First, if you are donating money, there is no need to add that to the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is just for dessert and decor donations (desserts still needed!!). Money donations can be made directly online using one of these links (the money amounts are links).

 

Second, if you’d like to donate by check, please mail it to Bigelow:
Bigelow PTO
42 Vernon St.
Newton, MA 02458
To donate desserts and decor items, please indicate on this google spreadsheet what you are willing to contribute and/or donate here
The luncheon will be on Thursday, Feb 11, from 11:30-12:30.

If you have any questions, please contact: sestpierre@gmail.com 

Free Virtual Introductory Computer Science and Mathematics

Yuen Ler Chow and Elena Su, two seniors at Brookline High School, co-founders of the Greater Boston STEM Program (gbSTEM) offer an enrichment program that delivers free introductory computer science and mathematics courses to elementary and middle school students in the Greater Boston area.
Since March 2020, their team of dedicated high school and college volunteers have brought free virtual lessons to over 250 Massachusetts youth. All classes are held through Zoom, and offer innovative curriculum and collaboration-based learning model.
The spring semester of gbSTEM will run from March 6th to June 19th, 2021.
The registration deadline is February 23, 2021.
Information about the program and registration form can be found at: https://gbstem.org
Questions? Please contact gbstemprogram@gmail.com.

7th Annual Sharon Math and Science Tournament – March 27th, 2021

The 7th Annual Sharon Math and Science Tournament (SMST) will take place on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 from 1 pm to 6 pm EDT on Zoom for a day of friendly competition, problem-solving, exciting lab demonstrations, and an interactive design challenge!.

Students in grades 6-8 may sign up as a team of 4 to 6, or as individuals, where they will be assigned to a team for the day of the competition.

Organized by a team of high school students at Sharon High School, SMST seeks to foster passion for STEM through collaboration and critical thinking, especially in a year like this. Since this year’s tournament will be held remotely, we’re excited to attract and host schools from all around Massachusetts and New England!

Registration deadline is March 11th.To register or find out more, visit our website at https://sharonmathscitourn.wixsite.com/smst.

Questions? Please contact Julia Zelevinsky, Sharon Math and Science Tournament Director at smst.sharonschools@gmail.com.

 

Bigelow Principal Search – Meeting with Superintendent

From the Superintendent’s office: 

Dear Bigelow Families,

As you are aware, Todd Harrison is retiring at the end of the school year after 25 years of distinguished service at Bigelow, 17 of which have been as principal. I know that Todd has cherished his time at Bigelow and his passion for the job remains unwavering. He is deeply committed to ensuring that the school focuses on both the academic and social and emotional needs of students, and that commitment has continued during this incredibly challenging year. Todd’s positive and engaging style has been a constant source of comfort for generations of Bigelow students and families.

It is now time to begin a search for a new principal for Bigelow. Selecting a principal is one of the most critical decisions made by a superintendent. Principals are expected to provide excellent educational leadership, establish a positive school culture, and manage the daily operation of the building. Since the principal’s position impacts the entire school community, it is important that the process provide an opportunity to solicit feedback from a range of stakeholders, including parents/guardians and families. The principal search process that we are about to enter will include opportunities for parents to provide input, serve on a Selection Advisory Committee (SAC), and meet finalists as they visit the school.

Please join me on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. for a discussion on the principal search. I will review the process and timeline for selecting a principal and explain how you may be directly involved in the search process.

Zoom Link:  https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/88617955842?pwd=dkQrTktRQjlPZVRWZ2NzcFJtRFRoZz09

I look forward to working with you to secure an excellent new leader for Bigelow.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools