Category Archives: From Newton Public Schools

School Committee Update

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 10/7/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update:

  • Staff training during the first early release of the year went smoothly.

  • On October 22nd, 5:30-7pm at Newton North, State Senators Cindy Creem and Jason Lewis, Senate Chair on the Joint Committee of Education, will be presenting information about the Student Opportunity Act. The public is welcome.

  • The Boston Globe published an article about civics education, which featured students and faculty from Bigelow Middle School.

NPS Updates

  • Liam Hurley, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, presented a draft of the updates to the FY20 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which included, among other things:

    • A higher estimate of construction costs for the Countryside and Franklin schools due to construction cost escalation.

    • A Recommendation for Oak Hill Addition to accommodate higher enrollment projections. Currently, $3,000,000 of that funding would be requested in the CIP, with an addition $500,000 from NPS over three years.

  • EDCO Update: School Committee Member Diana Fisher Gomberg presented a summary of updates.

Other Updates

Consent Agenda

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be Monday, October 21st at 6:00pm.  Please note this meeting begins at 6pm instead of 7pm.  There will be no public comment at this meeting to ensure that the Committee members can address the agenda items and leave promptly at 7:45pm to attend the Mayor’s Budget and CIP meeting at City Hall at 8:00pm. Extended public comment time will be available at the following meeting (November 4.)

At the meeting, we will receive the Preliminary Enrollment Report as well as data from our Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org. On the district Facebook page, you can find videos of past “Virtual Office Hours,” which are held once a month and provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions through the FB Live format.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Sincerely,

The Newton School Committee

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

I write to you to share information on the precautions we are taking in the Newton Public Schools related to EEE and West Nile Virus. Newton remains a LOW risk community in the state for both EEE and WNV. Given the LOW risk level, the Newton Health and Human Services Department advises precautions as listed in the attached fact sheet.

NPS has taken the following actions given the elevated risk levels in other parts of the state:

  • Outdoor field trips to locations in “high” or “critical” risk areas have been cancelled.
  • Planned outdoor evening activities will be moved indoors if possible. If held outside, the Newton Health and Human Services Department advises wearing insect repellant and long sleeves/pants. (Parents/caregivers should apply/provide repellant.)
  • At this time, the Newton Health and Human Services Department is not advising cancelling outdoor evening activities.
  • At this time, outdoor activities during the day (recess and physical education) do not require modification.
  • Should the risk level change, these actions will be re-evaluated.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.newtonma.gov/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1124&TargetID=31

https://www.mass.gov/guides/eee-in-massachusetts

We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Newton Health and Human Services Department to monitor the situation and will make adjustments as necessary. Newton HHS is working together with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to assess the situation in our community. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

FAQ Mosquitoes 9.10.19.pdf

Bus Transportation Update

Dear NPS Families,

The first two days of school have presented some significant challenges for our bus transportation. We apologize to those of you who have experienced delays, frustrations, and anxiety related to transportation on these first days of school.

Please know that we are receiving your voicemails and emails and will respond as soon as possible. There will be some delay in response given the extremely high volume of communications we are receiving. Our first priority is to resolve the issues related to bus routes so as to ensure your student’s timely transportation to and from school. Eastern Bus, our transportation vendor, has shared with us that the shortage of bus drivers is impacting operations. They are working diligently to get all drivers up to speed as soon as possible.

We know that many families have not received their bus passes and significant numbers of applications are still being submitted. All applications submitted prior to the August 16th deadline were processed, printed, and mailed. Please know that bus passes WILL NOT be checked until several weeks into the school year. This information has been communicated to all schools.

For families utilizing special education transportation, we are resolving issues on an individual basis as each student and ride is unique.

Given the significant construction projects in process throughout the City of Newton, additional bus delays may occur throughout the year. Because our buses operate on a tiered system (same buses are used for high school, middle school, elementary school), delays in one tier impact schools throughout the system.

Next year, we plan to implement changes to the registration process and timing to address the challenges we have experienced this year. Please look for additional information later this year.

We know this is a time of transition for all families. Lack of certainty in transportation makes that transition more difficult. Please know we are working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Sincerely,

Liam Hurley, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Regina Moody, Director of Transportation

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

I hope you have enjoyed the summer. It is a great pleasure to welcome both our returning families and those new to our schools.

The start of a school year is a wonderful time for anyone involved in education because it represents a new beginning. It is an opportunity to share our experience and our skills with new colleagues, new families, and new students. There is also a special excitement knowing how much we will learn from each other and from our students over the course of the year.

Summer is an important time for adult learning in Newton. We began this summer again with a powerful conference on race and achievement for Newton Educators. Among the many terrific sessions led by Newton faculty and staff, were workshops on Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain and Tackling Implicit Bias. We are committed to creating welcoming and inclusive classrooms and school communities, and we will continue this work with faculty and staff, as well as students throughout the year.

After a year of careful planning, we are proud to finally offer full-day kindergarten in the Newton Public Schools. Our kindergarten teams, support staff, and administrators have worked over the course of this spring and summer to develop a schedule for our kindergarteners that balances academic learning with age-appropriate social and emotional structures and activities.

In our continuous effort to personalize learning and leverage the use of technology, this year we are expanding our 1:1 initiative to grades 9-11 at both high schools. Students will receive a Chromebook for academic work both in school and at home. We will continue to support our faculty in incorporating best practices for technology use in their classrooms.

While academic achievement is a hallmark of the Newton Public Schools, we are just as firmly committed to the physical and social/emotional health of our students. We seek to work in partnership with you in supporting students as they navigate the pre-K – 12 years. To that end, last year we hosted a well-attended community forum on vaping, the most recent health epidemic to impact our youth. We will continue to address this issue through our health curriculum and through our school support systems. It is our plan this year to host another community forum on a topic that is relevant, timely, and useful to you as parents and caregivers. We look forward to this opportunity and will share more information once it is available.

We continue to achieve milestones on our long-term strategic plan for our school buildings. Our Cabot students will begin the year in their renovated and expanded facility. Horace Mann students will start the year in their new, permanent home at 225 Nevada St. We will continue to keep you apprised of progress as we strive to renovate and update our buildings.

One of the most important parts of my job is to be in our schools on a regular basis working with staff and students. Together with School Committee members, and working closely with our PTOs, I will again visit each of our 22 schools to speak with you about district initiatives and listen to your ideas, questions, and concerns. In addition, I will use my superintendent newsletter and social media to share more with you about all the good work happening in our district. Be sure to follow the Newton Public Schools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

As I enter my tenth year as superintendent of the Newton Public Schools, I know how important your support is to the success and well-being of our students. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,
David Fleishman

For a video message, please follow this link: https://youtu.be/RiMFrrp9MAQ

Newton PTO Council 2019-06-13 19:25:08

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 6/10/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update:

  • Both NNHS and NSHS hosted successful graduation ceremonies. Good luck to the Class of 2019!

Agenda Items:

  • Liam Hurley, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, and Josh Morse, Newton’s Public Buildings Commissioner. presented a facilities update focused on the Newton Early Childhood Program building. Initial cost estimates are over budget so they are exploring options to reduce costs. One key cost is the two classrooms planned to be constructed by infilling the gym. An exterior addition will now be considered. It was noted that none of these changes will affect the plan to have air conditioning, a separate van drop-off loop, and an appropriate playground.
  • Toby Romer, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, presented a School Start Time, Schedule and Transportation Update. Three options were presented for possible shifts to the start time with a goal set of implementing a new start time by Fall of 2020. Steps to get there include community input and negotiating a successful contract with the NTA. The start time presentationoutlines the three options. For a deeper dive, please see the full transportation report.
  • Newton Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) co-chairs Christine Carey and Rajeev Parlikar, presented an End of Year Report.  They also referenced a more detailed report which covered broad  themes, success and areas of improvement.
  • The NPS administrative team gathered to share several year-end reports including Superintendent’s Goals and Systemwide Goals. The School Committee will discuss these in greater detail at the next scheduled meeting.

Consent Agenda

  • The School Committee voted unanimously to re-elect Diana Fisher Gomberg as the EDCO Board Member.
  • The School Committee voted unanimously to approve several grants.
  • The School Committee voted unanimously to approve the 5/13/2019 minutes.

Next Meeting

On Monday June 17 at 7:00pm, we will hear a Fiscal and Operational Update, a Facilities Update, an Equity Committee Update and an Equity Working Group Update. We will also be discussing the Superintendent’s Assessment.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org. On the district Facebook page, you can find videos of past “Virtual Office Hours,” which are held once a month and provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions through the Facebook Live format.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

The Newton School Committee

School Committee Update

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 4/24/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update:

  • Recently, students from Day Middle School had the chance to speak with U.S. Senator Martha McSally from Arizona.
  • Last Friday, students from NNHS had the chance to hear from U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy.
  • Last Tuesday, Newton hosted a state board meeting for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE.)
  • Announcement that Newton North senior Maya Matthews has been serving as the student representative to the DESE Board. Additionally, former School Committee member Matt Hills was recently appointed to the DESE Board.

New Business

  • Members of the Newton Youth Commission reviewed data from a year-long endeavor to study student stress: Youth Commission Presentation.
  • Members of the STSG presented information on policy work and new initiatives to improve transportation: School Transportation Steering Group Update
  • The Food Service Evaluation team provided an update on the vendor selection process. Within the updated Food Service Contract it was announced that Whitsons Culinary Group has been recommended as the new vendor for NPS. The School Committee will vote on the recommendation at our next meeting (May 13.)
  • A new Recycling Policy was introduced and discussed.

Old Business

  • CFO Liam Hurley and Director of Business and Planning, Julie Kirrane, presented the FY19 Fiscal and Operational Update, as well as an Updated Facilities Report, which included several summer projects.
  • The Equity Working Group provided an Initial Update about outreach and work towards the idea of a centralized fund for certain Parent Teacher Organization funds.

Consent Agenda

Next Meeting

On Monday, May 13 at 7:00pm, we will review Long and Short Term Space Needs, summer maintenance projects, and Capital Improvement Projects for 2019-2020.  We will also get an update on the Arts program and plans for Full Day Kindergarten, as well as vote on the Food Services Contract.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org. On the district Facebook page, you can find videos of past “Virtual Office Hours,” which are held once a month and provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions through the FB Live format.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee

School Committee Update

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 3/25/2019 Newton School Committee meeting:

Superintendent Update: Khita Pottinger-Johnson was introduced as Newton Public School’s new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education. She most recently served as the executive director for social emotional learning instruction and support services for the Boston Public Schools, and previously served as a principal. She will begin with NPS on July 1, 2019.

New Business

Consent Agenda

Old Business

Next Meeting

On Monday, April 8 at 7:00pm, we will discuss and vote on the FY20 Budget Proposal. In addition to the budget proposal, School Committee will also vote on the equity guidelines revisions, the last day of school, approved field trips, and minutes. We will also receive an update on high school start time, transportation planning, and EDCO.

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee

Letter from School Committee regarding Equity Policy and Guidelines Information


Dear Elementary School Families:

Recently, several questions and concerns have been raised about the revised equity policy and guidelines scheduled for implementation in July 2019. The School Committee would like to clarify the purpose of the policy and guidelines, review the process by which the revised policy was determined, and identify the opportunities for public feedback in the coming weeks.

Equity is a core value of the Newton Public Schools. The School Committee is steadfast in our commitment to elementary students receiving a similar educational experience no matter which school they attend and despite any demographic differences among our school communities. In 1988 when it became clear that a large and increasing disparity in PTO fundraising and provisioning of schools threatened the level playing field, the School Committee instituted equity guidelines and limitations. These are reviewed and updated every few years by an Equity Committee composed of parents, a school committee member, an elementary principal, the director of information technology and the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. The guidelines define three different categories of PTO spending: unlimited, limited and prohibited. This does mean that there continue to be areas of PTO spending that are not capped at all and where PTOs may spend unlimited amounts of money. Expenditures are tracked by PTOs and reported to the Equity Committee annually.

In spring 2018, after an in-depth analysis of PTO spending for the past three years, the Equity Committee recommended changes to the Equity Policy and Guidelines that were passed unanimously by the School Committee in June 2018. The Committee also recommended investigating the possibility of a central fund where donations could be gathered from various sources and distributed to schools to even out funding in key categories. The School Committee’s approval of the new Equity Guidelines reflects our ongoing commitment to close persistent disparities in PTOs’ ability to fund enrichment opportunities that directly impact students’ educational experience.

Implementation of these new guidelines was intentionally delayed until July of 2019 so that people could understand and respond to the new spending limits established. Members of the Equity Committee and several School Committee members have provided several opportunities for all parents to provide feedback, including focus groups and education sessions, as well as informational meetings at individual elementary schools requesting them (8 to date with 2 more scheduled).

On March 25th, the Equity Committee will update the School Committee on the guidelines and as a result, there may be adjustments. On April 24th, there will be a similar update on the proposed central fund. Additionally, the Equity Committee is working on an “FAQ” or Frequently Asked Questions that will provide more in-depth information.

We encourage anyone who is interested to attend the School Committee Meetings in Room 210 at the Education Center. You are welcome to make public comment at the beginning of the meeting. You may also view the meetings at home on NewTV. At any time, feel free to reach out to any of us via email or phone. Contact information can be found on our website: www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Newton School Committee

SC Special Update – Budget Hearings

Dear Friends,

This update is a special edition that covers the upcoming meetings regarding the proposed 2019-20 NPS Budget.

March 13, 2019 (Completed) – Superintendent’s Budget Presentation (Not a School Committee Meeting)

March 18, 2019 @ 7PM – (Special School Committee Meeting – No Public Comment)

  • Budget Review: Instructional Areas: Elementary and Secondary, Teaching and Learning

March 21, 2019 @7PM – (Special School Committee Meeting – No Public Comment)

  • Budget Review: Non-Instructional Areas, Student Services and Special Education

March 25, 2019 @7PM – Regular School Committee Meeting

  • Public Comment
  • Discussion: 2019 – 2020 School Budget
  • Race and Achievement Update
  • Straw Vote: 2019 – 2020 School Budget
  • Equity Committee Update
  • Possible Vote: Bus Loop @225 Nevada Street
  • Vote: Crowd Funding Policy

April 1, 2019 @6:30pm Public Hearing on 2019 – 2020 School Budget

April 1, 2019 @7pm Regular School Committee Meeting

  • Discussion and Vote on 2019 – 2020 School Budget

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Sincerely,
The Newton School Committee