Please join us for our first planning meeting for our Big Night Online Auction, this Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021 07:00 PM.

The Big Night Online Auction will be held sometime during the middle of May. As you know, we are not able to host the in person social event this year, but we are excited to hold our online auction once again. Big Night is our largest and most important fundraiser for the Bigelow PTO, and we are hoping to raise as much money as possible so we can keep funding programs that support our students, teachers and school.

We hope you can make this meeting to find out how you can get involved. Time spent can be as much or as little as your schedule allows. And we are very grateful for any and all help!

We are thrilled that Alexia Giannakopoulos will once again chair this event. So get your glass of wine and cheese platter ready and click on the Zoom link below to join us!

Zoom meeting Info:

Topic: Big Night Online Auction Meeting
Time: Mar 9, 2021 07:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81287469773?pwd=bVBzRWNKN1pubTM4T0RFeS9wRW1jZz09

Meeting ID: 812 8746 9773
Passcode: 913209
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81287469773#,,,,*913209# US (Chicago)
+19294362866,,81287469773#,,,,*913209# US (New York)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81287469773?pwd=bVBzRWNKN1pubTM4T0RFeS9wRW1jZz09

On March 10, 2021 (10:15am – 11:15am), the 7th grader will have the opportunity to virtually attend a presentation by Corey DePina.

From its origins in Latin, African, funk, and soul music, hip hop has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. But did you know that it all started in one neighborhood in the South Bronx? Corey DePina will take students through the early history of hip hop and its four elements – MC-ing, DJ-ing, break dancing and graffiti – to inspire them with the possibilities of creating something positive out of nothing. This workshop features storytelling, rap performance, free-styling demonstration and activities that bring groups together to improvise beats verse or movement, adding in their own style and spin.

Corey DePina is a skilled rapper and workshop leader who hosts Boston’s largest and longest running all age open one mic event: Critical Breakdown. His work as a facilitator for local and national non-profits and community centers has earned him numerous awards, including: the 2008 Good Neighbor Award from East Boston’s NOAH, the 2008 Community Leadership Award from Jamaica Plain’s Hyde Square Task Force, the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the 2014 Best Initiative, Best Youth Worker of the Year. Corey is also the director of programs for ZUMIX.

This session will be presented to Bigelow’s 7th grade students.

This CAS program is sponsored by the Bigelow PTO thanks to your contributions!

In our most recent meeting with the PTO Board and Mr. Harrison, we discussed ways that we can reach out and help those members of the Bigelow community that are vulnerable and currently in need of a helping hand during this pandemic. To that end, we have decided to create a Bigelow Cares Fund to assist the families or individuals who need our help.

We are part of an extraordinarily kind and giving community at Bigelow, one that has always shone in its generosity. We hope that you will consider making a donation to fund this effort, no matter the amount.

$20 | $50 | $75

$100 | $150 | $250

The PTO will make an initial donation of $500 to the Bigelow Cares Fund.

Disbursement of funds will be overseen by Mr. Harrison, respecting the privacy and dignity of the recipients.

Many thanks for considering this request, and as always, we are grateful for your support of the Bigelow community.

Sincerely,
The Bigelow PTO Board

Please join Newton SEPAC on Tuesday, March 2, at 7:30 pm for a virtual presentation on: Basic Rights under Special Education Laws

Whether you’re new to the world of special education or a seasoned (scarred?) special education parent, there are always new and helpful insights from each Basic Rights presentation!

We’re excited to have Leslie Lockhart as our presenter. Leslie is the Mass Advocates for Children’s Helpline Coordinator. She was also a founding member and driving force of the original Newton SEPAC.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://middlesex-mass-edu.zoom.us/j/98538291113?pwd=eW0yMzRPd3lSR0RZbHNtSmw2ZFVKdz09

Meeting ID: 985 3829 1113
Passcode: 457897
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,98538291113#,,,,*457897# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,98538291113#,,,,*457897# US (New York)

Crossing guards play an important role supporting our families’ safety as they access schools and neighborhoods across the Commonwealth. This first ever Annual Crossing Guard Appreciation campaign begins with a crossing guard of the year nomination process, followed by Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, and culminates with announcing the Crossing Guard(s) of the Year award winners at the Annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony in June. The overall goal is to draw attention to and honor the hard work of crossing guards across Massachusetts and to recognize those crossing guards who go above and beyond. Brought to you by: MA Safe Routes To School

Ways to Show Crossing Guard Appreciation

1. Take a picture with your favorite crossing guard and nominate them here.
2. Post the photo on social media and be sure to use our hashtag #MACGAppreciationDay when posting on Instagram and/or Facebook.
3. Send a thank you card showing that you care and acknowledge their hard work. Click here to print out a card we have created for you.
4. Simply say “Thank You” as you pass them in the crosswalk.
5. Work with your school’s PTO or PTA to organize a thank you breakfast for your crossing guards or bring them their favorite warm beverage in these chilly winter months.
6. Gift them their favorite snack, a pair of hand warmers to stay warm during winter, or a mini pocket-fan to stay cool during summer.
7. Schools can download the PDF flyer in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole and distribute to parents/guardians via email or backpack mail here.

In March, grades 6th, 7th and 8th will have CAS presentations.

CAS programs are sponsored by the Bigelow PTO thanks to your contributions!

Wednesday, March 10, 2021
7th Grade Presentation by Corey DePina
“Something from Nothing – A History of Hip Hop”

Tuesday, March 16, 2021
6th Grade Author Visit with Julie Berry
“Adventures with Books”

Thursday, March 18, 2021
8th Grade Visit with Civil Rights Leader Ruby Bridges

From NPS Health Services

As we return to school, Newton Public Schools families & staff are urged to take responsibility and do their part to help keep us all safe. Everyone is required to follow Governor Baker’s orders.

Massachusetts Travel Order requirements:

All visitors (even children) entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, from higher risk states must complete a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Massachusetts or produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.

• This order applies even “just for the day” for celebrations or a ski tip.
• Owning/renting a home in another state is NOT an exception.
• This order applies to all US states except Hawaii as of 2/8/21 – this can change. Check the website for a full, up-to-date, list of COVID risk designation per state at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-
• If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arriving in Massachusetts, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
• Children age 10 and younger who travel must follow the quarantine or testing plan their parent elects (testing option or 10-day quarantine option). Testing for children, 10 years and younger, who are traveling with an adult from their household is not required.
• Individuals who are COVID-19-recovered, meaning individuals who tested positive more than 10 days but less than 90 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative PCR test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts.  COVID-19 recovered individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of the positive PCR test result, including the date it was taken, available if asked. This exception does not include COVID-19-recovered individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, who must follow all testing and quarantine guidance outlined in the travel rules.

Returning to school:

• If you traveled, you must have received your negative COVID-19 test results before returning to school. Or, for children 10 and younger, their parents have received negative PCR results, unless the whole family is quarantining for 10 days.
• Complete your Daily Health Assessment every morning and stay home to seek medical advice if you have any symptoms and inform your child’s School Nurse.
• Contact your child’s School Nurse if you have questions.

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

From the Superintendent’s office

Dear Bigelow Families: 

The principal search process is officially underway. Attached is the presentation that was shared at the meeting.

I am very interested in gathering as much input as possible from the Bigelow community. To that end, I ask you to please complete the following online survey by March 1, 2021. As I mentioned at the parent meeting, the information gleaned from the surveys will not only be valuable during the search  process, but will be an excellent resource for the new principal.  

Please note that parents/guardians can participate in the search process as a member of the Selection Advisory Committee (SAC), and/or during the “finalist days” when the candidates will spend a good part of the day at Bigelow. The SAC will take into consideration the needs of the school and be advisory to me as I appoint the next principal. The primary responsibility of SAC members is to craft interview questions, interview candidates, and recommend semi-finalist candidates. If you are interested in participating in the SAC, you will need to be available on the dates listed below.  

• • March 3 – 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • March 10: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • March 12: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In addition to the SAC, parents/guardians may also volunteer to participate in small group interviews and larger meet and greets with the finalist candidates the mornings of March 24 and 25. Please notify the Bigelow PTO at Bigelowbulldogs@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in the SAC or the small group interviews. 

We are deeply committed to hiring an excellent leader for Bigelow and plan to devote significant time to this task in the coming weeks. I will be sure to keep you updated and look forward to working with the Bigelow Community as we begin this very important process. 

Sincerely, 

David Fleishman, Superintendent of Schools