On Friday, June 11th, we will show our crossing guards and bus and van drivers how much we appreciate their help getting to school safely. They have been with us through the pandemic, shifting schedules multiple times and keeping us safe throughout.

Please help your child make a thank you note and give it on your way to school on Friday, June 11th to your crossing guard or write a note to your bus driver. Your note can be simple: “Thanks for helping me get to school safely!” You can also print out a card to decorate. They will appreciate it so much!

Newton Safe Routes to School will organize celebrations with pre-packaged snacks and drinks and Safety Superhero buttons at both the van yard and the bus yard for the 130 bus/van drivers, and will distribute flowers and buttons to the 56 crossing guards spread across the City.

Reminder from Todd Harrison, Bigelow Principal:

Tuesday, June 8: Math MCAS test

Thursday, June 10: Science/Technology/Engineering MCAS test (grade 8 only)

This year, each MCAS test will consist of one session. The expected length of a session is 1.5-2.5 hours, but students have the full school day to complete the test, until 2:50pm, if needed.

These assessments are important. They will provide you with feedback on your child’s progress, and they will give us valuable information about each student, groups of students, and the effectiveness of our curricula, instruction, and programs.

Our emphasis with all students is on individual progress.  We do not want them to feel undo stress about the assessments; at the same time we want them to take the assessments seriously and strive to do their best work.

We want all of the students to approach these assessments in a positive and confident frame of mind. Your help makes a huge difference. Here are a few tips:

• Words of encouragement to your child are especially helpful before the assessments and on the day of it.

• Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep prior to each test, a healthy breakfast on the morning of each test, and arrives to school on time.

• Please make sure your child’s laptop is charged overnight before each test. Here is a computer checklist.

• Bringing a water bottle is also recommended.

Thank you for your assistance in helping your child do their best.

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