Please review the proposed slate for the 2021-2022 school year that will be presented for a vote at the Annual PTO meeting, Thursday, June 10 at 7pm. Board members are approved at the Annual Meeting via a vote of present PTO members. Committee chairs are appointed (not subject to vote).

If you are interested in joining the board in any capacity – sharing an executive  position or chairing a committee – please contact us @ bigelowbulldog@gmail.com. We are always grateful for parents and guardians who volunteer their time and really make a difference for the PTO!

Executive Board

President – Gabriela Kroszynski 
Vice-President – May Chen
Treasurer – Linda Gillespie
Secretary  – Sukanya Ghosh

Committee Chairs

Directory – Sarah K. Lenz and Heather Thiessen Philbrook
Communications – Gwen Hautefeuille
CAS – Caryn Izhar
Teacher Appreciation – Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie
Ten Tables – Julie Landesman
Big Night – Julie Landesman
METCO Liaison – Jeanne Choe-Arrieta
POPs (Band) – Sarah Hirzel
SEPAC Liaison – Brigette LaMarche
Newton Schools Foundation Liaison – Julie Kane

Open positions here.

We hope ALL 8th graders and families will join the celebrations for the Class of 2021!!! They sure deserve it! If you have not signed up yet, please do it now!

• Step Up Day: Wednesday, June 16. More information here
• Class of 2021 “moving on” ceremony: Monday, June 21, outdoors in Burr Park.The tentative time of the ceremony is 9:00-10:15am. More information here.
• Afternoon Activities: Monday, June 21,  12:30-2:50pm. An afternoon of indoor and outdoor activities, such as yearbook signing, an 8E vs 8F “Turkey Bowl” flag football game, ping pong on the new tables purchased as a class gift by the PTO, and more.
• Cruise Celebration for Students: Monday, June 21 Boston Harbor on the Odyssey, from 6-9 pm. The PTO is organizing a special outing for 8th graders on a Boston Harbor cruise boat to cap off this special day. Dinner will be served and a DJ will provide music (please contact Gabriela Kroszynski if your child has special dietary needs). Transportation to and from the wharf is parents’ responsibility; carpools are encouraged. THE PTO can help with organizing them. Just let us know.SIGN UP NOW!
  Here is all the information you need:  https://bigelowpto.org/2021/05/8th-grade-end-of-year-activities/
• 8th grade gift to the school: Class of 2021 gave 2 ping pong tables, along with balls and paddles, which will be used in the gym. They arrived at school this week. Photos to come!

Our goal is to make this a very memorable celebration for the class of 2021 and we look forward to seeing you soon! If you have any questions or concerns, please email Gabriela Kroszynski, 8th Grade Activities Chair.

Every year, the Newton Public Schools partner with the Newton Free Library to develop book lists for summer reading. These are books NPS librarians and staff, together with our City librarians, believe would be age-appropriate, meaningful, and enjoyable books for students to read over the summer. Here are the booklists linked below:

1st – 5th Grades: 2021 Newton Free Library Summer Reading Lists–Going into First through Going into Fifth

6th Grade: 2021 Newton Free Library–Going Into Sixth Summer Reading List

6th – 8th Grades: 2021 Newton Public Schools Grades 6-8 Summer Reading Lists
Visit the Summer Reading page on the Bigelow Library website to view book covers and read summaries for all the suggested books.

Bigelow will be requiring all students to read From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks as part of our One School, One Book Program.  Students will get the book before the end of the year. The goal of Bigelow’s One School, One Book Program is to create a more inclusive community through participation in a common reading experience as a whole school. Through discussion and advisory activities, staff and students will share a common experience of reading and learning together.

Registration for bus transportation for the 2021-22 school year will open the week of June 14. You will receive an email when the registration portal officially opens. Please note the following:

Did you know that Bigelow has a literary magazine?

The Bulldog is Bigelow Middle School’s own literature and arts magazine that encourages students to share the work they are proud of. It is made up of a group of students who enjoy reading and writing, and believe that others should have the opportunity to share this joy.

Mission Statement: As Bigelow’s only Literary Magazine, The Bulldog strives to spread student achievements in writing for the school community to read and enjoy. We hope that our magazine inspires students at Bigelow to write and share their work for our community to see.

Goals: As a Literary Magazine, we encourage more students to share their work, whether it is artwork, photography, poems, or short stories.

READ IT HERE!

The 2021-22 School Calendar is now available on the NPS website. School hours have also been published on the site as well. Please see links below for details:

We would like to thank each and everyone of our amazing families for the generous contributions to this year‘s big night online auction!

With your help this year we have raised close to $7,000! We could not have done this without you and are so thankful for having a wonderful community that donated in these unprecedented times!

We would love to get everyone their winning items starting next week. Firstly, we ask that everyone who has not paid for their winning auction items please do so. Additionally if you have won an item that needs to be delivered/picked up please email Alexia Giannakopoulos at alexiag5@yahoo.com to coordinate.

We appreciate everyone’s generosity!

Best,
The Big Night Committee

Dear Bigelow Families,

Many thanks to all who have donated cash and signed up to bring food and decorations to the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Tea on Wednesday June 2nd.

We could probably use some more food donations. While we will supplement with sandwiches and treats purchased with donated money, it makes the event much more special when it has a homemade touch! I know it’s hard with the holiday weekend, but if anyone is able to make a platter of tea sandwiches, cookies, etc. we would be very grateful.

The spreadsheet to sign up to donate food is here.

Donations of food and decor can be brought to Bigelow the morning of the event, or can be left at Susan’s house (28 Ballard St.) the night before or the morning of the event.

Many thanks in advance!

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

Join the Resilience Project for a screening of this inspirational documentary of the only ambulance service in Darien, Connecticut, which is run by high school students! This highly acclaimed film aims to inspire and motivate teens and the adults who support and guide them, as it highlights the impact of teens becoming active and positive contributors to their communities.

Panel discussion featuring NWH physicians, The Resilience Project staff, and community leaders to follow.

Click here to register

Click here to learn more about the Resilience Project

Thank you all who dined in or ordered from our partners at BLUE RIBBON , FIORELLA’s  and YOGURT BEACH  last week! We raised over U$300.

Here is a note from Leslie, at Blue Ribbon:

“I’m happy to say you had your best turnout to date!  15 restaurant orders were placed, plus one large catering order for the Bigelow Middle School, being held on 6/21. It’s always a pleasure working with the PTO and seeing your school supporters visit our restaurants.  Thank you and we hope to work with you again in the future.”