In addition to the wonderful work completed by our custodial crew over the summer, some former students and their parents helped construct new shelving outside the cafeteria on the Friday before Labor Day. The project was led by Grayson Hargens (Bigelow class of ’16) as a capstone for his Eagle Scout rank from the Boy Scouts.  Also lending a hand was his brother, Holland, their parents Andrew and Melissa, and classmate James Flaumenhaft.  This shelving, which replaces the backpack hooks previously located along the wall, will enable students to safely store their binders and books during lunch. A big thanks to Grayson and his crew. Check out the creative use of school colors and letter B!

The 6th Grade Parents Potluck is a wonderful, low-key, no-stress opportunity to meet with other 6th grade parents and build a community for the next 3 years of middle school!

On Saturday, September 21st, at 6:30pm, 6th grade parents Jennifer Tseng & Marc Sabatine + Rachel & Ron Blankstein will be hosting the evening. More information coming soon!

If you have any questions please send an email to bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

The Bigelow School PTO is excited to announce that we will be using Membership Toolkit to host our Bigelow PTO Family Directory online starting with this 2019-2020 school year. Most of the information from the old system (MySchoolAnywhere) was transferred to the new platform, but each family must create a new account and verify their information. 

You will need to visit https://bigelowpto.membershiptoolkit.com/ to create your Membership Toolkit Account.

Here’s what you need to do: 

• Go to https://bigelowpto.membershiptoolkit.com/
• Click on the “Register/Login” button.
• Use the same email and password used in the past Bigelow Family Directory system.
• Select “Create Account” and fill in the name, email, and password information.
• Click “Verify my email” and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
• Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process. 

STEP 1: Complete the Parent/Family and then Student Information. Most of this information should already be available. Please just confirm it is correct.

STEP 2: Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.

Note: Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can “invite” other email addresses to access his/her account. This allows the Secondary User to have their own login information, but still have access to the family account.

The Directory is run and funded by the PTO, thanks to your support! Access to the online directory is free and it can be used by all Bigelow families.

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan?  Is your child receiving special education services? Are you interested in getting support services for your child? Then check out the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) at newtonpac.org .

We are a volunteer organization of parents of children with special needs from preschool through high school.  We run an online forum where parents can ask each other about special education programs, issues, policies and resources both within and outside of the public-school system.  We work directly with the school administration regarding our childrens’ special education through our school liaisons, meetings with the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and by attending Newton School Committee meetings.  In addition to sponsoring monthly speakers here in Newton, we publicize presentations and conferences held by other SEPACs and organizations in the area.  We also hold monthly board meetings that are open to all parents whose dates are listed on our website – please join us!  In the meantime, you can join our online community at newtonpac.org. 

We are also in need of a parent representative from Bigelow.  If you are interested in the position or would like more information about the SEPAC in general, please contact Liaison Coordinator Kim Gallaugher at momofiggy@hotmail.com

How do your students like the new food vendor at Bigelow? Did you check out the new menu? Your feedback is important as food service continues to improve for our schools. Please use the form at the link below to provide feedback, ask questions or express concerns about the new Food Service provider at Bigelow! Please use one form for each suggestion or concern.

Food Service Community Comment Form

Students and the whole school community can get up-to-the-minute updates on clubs, sports, and other Bigelow events by following the school @BulldogWoofs on Twitter.  You can read the Twitterfeed on the Bigelow website, or click on the blue button to “Follow Us” on Twitter.

By following @BulldogWoofs, families can get timely notifications sent right to their cellphones, tablets and computers! This is a great way to keep informed of meetings for new clubs, changes in sports practices and contests, upcoming events, and much much more.

Food Service will be provided by Whitsons this year at Newton Public Schools. Whitsons was selected as the new vendor in May mainly because they promised to focus on serving nutritious and delicious food, keeping sustainability a priority and ensuring students are at their best. Check out the updated Food Service website where you can find menus, allergy information and more.

Some of Whitsons new offerings are:

• Wholesome, natural ingredients, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy snacks.
• Food Waste Reduction 
• Meatless Monday
• More HERE

September Breakfast Menu | September Lunch Menu

A link to the lunch menu is on the right side bar of the PTO website.

From the 2019-2020 Bigelow Parent Handbook

The Bigelow Parent Handbook is online at our website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/bigelow). It is filled with important information about Bigelow and the upcoming school year. Please read it carefully, especially the information about our core values, operation, and policies. In particular, all sixth grade and new students are required to read our Rules and Regulations and our Safe Busing Checklist. If your child is a sixth grader or new, please make sure that he or she reads these pages before school begins, and that you review this information with him or her. School supply lists for each grade level are printed in the back. Enclosed is a helpful page from the Parent Handbook for parents, “Guidelines for Parents,” about whom to contact when you have a question or concern.

Download the 2019-2020 Bigelow Parent Handbook here.