It was a beautiful, sunny Halloween day and 11 Bigelow teams showed up for our first Bigelow PTO Scavenger Hunt.

Teams had to collect over 30 items and answer questions about Bigelow in just four hours. A few teams did really well and got everything right. Oh yeah! But one team did it in less than one hour. The winning team – who received a $25 J.P Licks gift certificate  – was formed of two 6th grade families: the Pumpkin Smashers. Congratulations!!!

Thank you to all the students, family members and friends who participated in our social event yesterday. We hope you had fun and that you – and many more – will join us again next year!

Here are some of the items the teams had to bring back and some questions they had to answer:

• Photos of 3 grave stones
• Any country’s flag
• Turnip
• Video of team singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

• What do these Bigelow-related acronyms stand for: PoPS, CAS, FORJ, METCO, BAC, GSA.
• How many bike racks does Bigelow have?
• What are 3 of the many things that the PTO funds?

Do you know the answers? (The teams did not have the links, of course).

6th grader Alleena P. is the winner! Congratulations!

School Calendar

School will NOT be in session for middle school students on Thursday November 12 and Friday November 13. During these two days, faculty and staff will be trained on the health and safety protocols necessary to transition students to the building and will conduct instructional preparation for the new schedule. Please note that these days will not need to be made up at the end of the year as they had been reserved them for use as professional development days during the 2020-21 school year.

Updated start and dismissal times

Beginning November 16, the start and end times for hybrid students in Cohort A (Monday & Tuesday) and Cohort B (Thursday and Friday) will be 8:15 am – 11:30 am.
Students who return home will have class online in the afternoon with classes ending at 2:50 p.m.

Wednesday is an all distance day for most students and the school day is 8:15am-1:40pm.

All Bigelow students are invited to participate in a virtual presentation with Jerry Craft, Newbury Award-winning author of New Kid, Wednesday, November 4 at 10am.
More details and a Zoom link will be provided closer to the presentation.

The Bigelow PTO funded this program through One School, One Book and Creative Arts and Sciences programs, thanks to our community’s generous contributions!

From the Bigelow nurse’s office

Dear Bigelow families,

I now have only one phone number associated with my office and voicemail attached to that number.  My new number is (617) 559-6819.  Please write that number down if you need to get a hold of me directly as an exchange from the City of Newton comes up on caller ID.

One of the reasons for the change and just a reminder to all parents.  I have hearing loss in both ears and use a cochlear implant and hearing aid to help me hear. Generally, I do fine on the phone and have an app on my own cell phone that will help me caption voices, if necessary.  However, please be patient and speak slowly.  If I don’t appear to be understanding, rephrasing what you are trying to say to me often helps.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email.

Sue Schy, RN, MSN
Bigelow School Nurse
T (617) 559-6819
F (617) 552-7752
webpage- https://sites.google.com/a/newton.k12.ma.us/bigelow-nurse-s-site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewtonHealthandHumanServices/

Split-Hybrid Model Info

• If you could not make the meeting, here is a link to a recording of it. Split-Hybrid Info Meeting Video
• Here is a link to the powerpoint shown during the meeting: Split-Hybrid Info Meeting Powerpoint

Chromebooks

If your middle school student is using a computer laptop device given out IN THE SPRING OF 2020, please complete the form below by October 27, if you have not already done so:  Middle School Device Assignment. If you do not have an NPS device or were given one this  Fall, you do not need to complete this form.

Bigelow is excited to offer Virtual Clubs for the 2020-2021 school year. Check out the website for more information! Your student must be logged into their NPS Google account to view the calendar that contains the Zoom links.

Starting this week:

• Asian American Affinity group – Tuesdays from 4-5 pm on Zoom.
  “Come connect with other Asian & Asian American students at Bigelow! We’ll engage in creative activities, discuss culture/identity, share stories/experience, and more!”
• Bigelow’s GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) – Wednesdays 4-5 pm.
  “Do you want to help make Bigelow a more positive and inclusive place for all students? Join Bigelow GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)! Everyone is welcome!”

Link to Bigelow 2020-2021 Clubs site

Gather your team and join us on our first ever Halloween Scavenger Hunt taking place on Saturday afternoon, October 31st, from 1- 5 pm!  

We will have teams of 1 to 2 families each that will hunt for items on our special list to bring to the school parking lot. The winning team(s) will collect the most items and will be awarded prizes. 

To enter the Scavenger Hunt, please sign up here.
SIGN UP

We are also having a Pumpkin Decorating Contest for families on October 31!

Regardless of whether you participate in the scavenger hunt, you can join the contest. If you would like to enter, please bring a decorated pumpkin – carved, painted or otherwise made special – to the school parking lot on October 31st, from 1- 5 pm.

We will display all the pumpkins on the steps of Bigelow for all to enjoy. During the week, our community will vote online for their 3 favorite pumpkins, with prizes being awarded to the winners!

Dear Bigelow Community,

We are looking for a volunteer to help the PTO with our annual tax filings. It is critical we find someone that can help us do this. If not, the PTO will have to incur a significant cost to hire a firm. The PTO’s return is fairly simple and straightforward, and should not require much time to complete. If you are able to help us file our return we would be most grateful!

Bigelow PTO Board