Author Archives: Bigelow PTO

8th Grade NYC Trip Update

Dear Eighth Grade Parents,

I  am reaching out to you with an update regarding our New York City trip with EF in June.  In response to health concerns there and everywhere, we  are NOT going on this field trip as originally planned. Thank you for your patience while we worked out the best refund options possible for you. The options provided by EF Explore America are the following:

  1. Receive a Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid to EF, including non-refundable fees such as the program fee and insurance. Travel vouchers may be used to travel on any EF Tours or Language Schools program through September 30, 2022.  They are transferable at the face value of the voucher to  an immediate family member or through a private transaction with another traveler at Bigelow in the future at no extra cost. You can learn more about Future Travel Voucher redemption options and review Future Travel Voucher FAQs to answer your immediate questions. When we plan the trip again next year, as we expect to do, you may re-sell this voucher to another Bigelow family.
  2. Or you may redeem this voucher for a cash refund of all monies paid less 25% of the Program Fee ($174.75). You have until September 29, 2022 to make a decision of whether you want to redeem the voucher for cash, so EF encourages you to wait and see. It usually takes at least 4 weeks to receive the refund.

You will not need to call the EF Traveler Support line to receive your voucher or refund; you will receive an email from them with your electronic voucher,  including instructions should you opt to cash it in for a refund.

This same information will be live on your EF Explore America online account if you log in at www.efexploreamerica.com/login. Please note: the website will reference a cancellation fee of $250 instead of the $174.75.  That is just due to the fact that EF’s cancellation policy terms changed for groups who had to cancel due to COVID-19.

Believe me, this was a disappointing decision to make. I am sorry the 8th graders will miss this opportunity at this time in their lives.  But of course, keeping them healthy and safe is more important.  These are extraordinary times. I appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we’ve worked through this with EF.

Best regards, Todd

Message from Nurse Schy

Video Message from Nurse Schy

Video Message from Nurse Schy

Nurse Petry and I have been working hard at our attempt at virtual communication with your children.  We’ve missed them all and would love to check-in with them in person.  We’ve created two chat rooms on Wednesday and Thursday starting April 8 for them to come to us with a question, a comment, or just to say hello. We’ll be there at the appointed time waiting for them.  Parents, if you have a specific question or concern, please either call or text Sue at (617) 564-1008, email her, or request a private chat.

Wednesday: : Let’s chat (with Bigelow’s nurse)
Time: Apr 8, 2020 02:00 PM
Every week on Wed: 04/08, 04/15, 04/22, 04/29		 Join Zoom Meeting HERE
Meeting ID: 308 421 596
Password: 183680
Thursday:  Let’s chat (with Bigelow’s nurse)
Time: Apr 9, 2020 02:00 PM
Every week on Thu: 04/09, 04/16, 04/23, 04/30		 Join Zoom Meeting HERE
Meeting ID: 206 459 263
Password: 990033

Keep washing those hands and I hope to see you all soon.

Nurse Schy: schys@newton.k12.ma.us

Superintendent Update: NPS Distance Learning Plan – 4.2.20

Dear NPS Families,

[In this message] you will find details of our distance-learning plan, which will move into its next phase on Monday, April 6th. We know that our families have been anxious for a more structured schedule that re-engages students in learning, reconnects them to their school community, and provides clear direction and support. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we have embarked upon the challenge of moving a large organization centered upon in-person connection to a distance learning environment.  Continue reading….

Translated versions are provided through Google Translate and may contain awkward phrasing and structure.

NPS Calendar Update

Currently, school is closed until May 4th. As we know, the situation is continuing to evolve. We will keep you informed should this date change.

NPS will be closed on Friday, April 10th for Good Friday, as previously scheduled.

April vacation is cancelled. We will observe Patriot’s Day on Monday, April 20th and then continue our distance-learning plan for the remainder of the week. 

Because we will be holding school during April vacation, the official last day of school for students will now be Thursday, June 18th. This proposal follows guidance from DESE of a 185-day school year.

Newton COVID-19 Care Fund is Open

The Newton COVID-19 Care Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to Newton residents, people who work in Newton, and families with children receiving childcare services in Newton or enrolled in Newton Public Schools who have been financially burdened by the pandemic. City of Newton First Responders who incur new childcare expenses or other expenses as a result of the crisis are also eligible.

The funding is available for basic needs, including rent/mortgage, childcare, health care, utilities, or other immediate needs. The application asks for documentation of the need and also of the change in income in the home. Please apply; so many people here in Newton have had and are anticipated to have significant setbacks due to the pandemic. The people reviewing the applications at Family ACCESS – want to make this fund as accessible as possible.

  • More information and apply for assistance here.
  • More information and donate here.
  • More opportunities to get some help and/or to make a donation, click here.

Family Illnesses

The goal of social distancing is to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone as healthy as possible.  If you, or someone you have direct contact with, become ill and require testing for COVID-19, please reach out to Ruth Hoshino, the Director of School Health Services, hoshinor@newton.k12.ma.us.

Food for students and families

Grab ‘N Go Meals for Students

School closures may significantly impact families in many ways, especially those experiencing food insecurity. Grab ‘n Go meals are available to NPS students in need at both Newton North and Newton South High Schools. Please see details below:

  • Time: Between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Location at South: Front parking loop
  • Location at North: Parking area near auditorium entrance

The Corner Café, 321 Washington St., is providing free, hot lunches to Newton students pre-K through grade 12. Text “School Lunch” to 617-527-9835 for a no contact pickup. In addition, check some local Newton and Boston resources for food on the NPS website https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3632.

Food for Families

The Food for Families program has free bags of non-perishable food available for pickup for anybody in need at five locations in Newton. Find the bags in large “pod” containers here:

  • Fire Station 2: 1750 Commonwealth Ave., Auburndale
  • Fire Station 4: 195 Crafts St., Nonantum
  • Fire Station 7: 144 Elliot St., Newton Upper Falls
  • Fire Station 10: 755 Dedham St. Newton/Oak Hill (on the south side of the City)
  • American Legion Nonantum Post 440: 295 California St., Nonantum (near Watertown)

Please, only 2 bags per family to allow for more families to access food. Also, remember to maintain proper social distancing when picking up the bags (allow a person who is in the pod to exit before entering). Bags can be picked up at any time.

More information here: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3632

Parent Tips for at Home Structured Learning Environments

By Alison Malkin, NNHS Prevention/Intervention Counselor

This is an unprecedented time that is causing uncertainty and worry. Parents/guardians are juggling their own employment and familial health concerns and are asked to assist their children and teens with academic enrichment. The CDC states that “consistency, predictability, and follow-through” are the keys to creating structure (CDC, 2019) and it matters little that the focus of this article is for younger children. This list provides suggestions and resources for building that structure.

1. Acknowledge that this is a surreal and stressful time and that having a schedule and routine can truly help normalize what is atypical.

2. Establish a time to wake up. Creating a wake/sleep routine prepares everyone for the day ahead. Although teens would love to sleep until 3pm and go to sleep at 3am it is very important to maintain a healthy wake/sleep pattern. And they may well argue with you but remember it is their job to push the envelope and your job to set limits and say no. The longer they are able to have a relatively healthy sleep and wake routine the easier it will be for them to access their muscle memory of learning.

3. Agree on a time to have a “family meeting” to plan out the day and the expectations.

4. Showering and changing clothes each morning helps prepare for the day.

5. Be sure to include time for breaks, meals, and a walk outside or virtual time with friends or exercising or meditation and, if possible, include some humor together. “Lightening the mood” does help.

6. Make a plan for where your children/teens will complete the enrichment work. It is all too easy for teens to seek their beds when doing work but that will only accomplish creating fatigue and a desire to fall asleep (Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University, 2007). Encourage them to use a desk or table – somewhere their bodies/brains will learn that this is the place to be focused and learn.

7. Ask about the work they are doing and talk about the process. This is new to them and if you are working from home there may be new tasks you are learning. Share with them your challenges and frustrations. [My 20 year old had to help me with the camera of my laptop. He’s still laughing.]

8. The ages of your children will determine how long they can stay focused and absorb material. For younger children, 20 minutes of an assignment followed by 10 minutes of physical exercise may work effectively and longer stretches for older children (healthychildren.org, 2020).

9. Let your children know what your work schedule is (either from home or from work) so they are aware of your availability and when your work day is over.

10. Encourage everyone in the home to stay hydrated: drinking water is so important.

11. Reach out to your children’s teachers, counselors, administrators. Please know you are not alone and we are a community working together.

References and Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020. Working and learning from home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Retrieved on March 25, 2020 from www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Working-an d-Learning-from-Home-During-the-COVID-19-Outbreak.aspx

CDC, 2019. Building structure. Retrieved on March 25, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/structure/building.html

Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University. Twelve simple tips to improve your sleep. Retrieved on March 25, 2020 from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips

Quartz, 2020. We are all teachers now: resources for parents and kids cooped up at home. Retrieved on March 25, 2020 from https://qz.com/1819166/how-to-teach-your-kids-at-home/