February 28, 2017

Dear Newton Community:

Over the past few days and weeks, I have received questions from community members about how recent federal actions on immigration and transgender guidelines impact our school community. These messages have expressed anxiety and uncertainty, as well as a desire to know where the Newton Public Schools stands in light of these events.

Regardless of federal actions, the Newton Public Schools strongly reaffirms our commitment to create welcoming, supportive, and safe school communities for all students and staff, no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

Last week, the Newton City Council voted to become a “Welcoming City,” a city that protects all residents, regardless of legal status. In the same spirit, the Newton Public Schools welcomes all students, no matter where they were born or how they arrived in Newton.

As I visit our schools, I find students from all over the world who are learning and thriving in our classrooms. It is this diversity that gives all of our students such a rich and powerful student experience. The global community in our schools is preparing our students to thrive and succeed in a global world.

Diversity is not solely defined by race or ethnicity; it is multi-faceted, affording us the opportunity to teach acceptance, appreciation, and respect for each and every individual. To this end, I am proud of the real progress we have made in creating welcoming and safe spaces for our transgender students at all levels. Just recently, I had the privilege of listening to a transgender student speak about his experience. It was gratifying to hear about the comfort and acceptance he feels among his peers and within his school community. This reflects the commitment of our staff, our students, and our families.

We are fortunate in Massachusetts to be backed by state statute that ensures protections for all students and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Our NPS non-discrimination policy also specifies the rights and protections for gender identity and we have created the appropriate spaces in schools so that transgender students feel safe and comfortable.

We will continue to work hard every day to create school communities in which all students and adults feel safe and supported. Thank you for your partnership and for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

The 2017-18 calendar is now available.

Your generosity can make a difference for thousands of Newton students. Donations from generous Newton businesses and individuals like you are enabling Newton Schools Foundation to fund a vast array of new and enhanced educational opportunities for our kids! Thanks to your support:

• 1,760 elementary school students have deepened their writing skills led by teachers trained by the NSF-funded Summer Writing Institute; this year middle school students are receiving similarly enhanced writing instruction.
• 780 tweens and teens have broader access to social and emotional supports through NSF-funded middle school advisory programs.
• 36 high school sophomores and juniors are taking exciting new interdisciplinary courses in STEAM through the DaVinci Program at Newton South, which was piloted last year and will continue to roll out to include seniors. At Newton North, 20 students/year are enrolled in an interdisciplinary Science and Society elective.
• More low-income students and students of color are achieving in advanced mathematics as 110 middle and high school students participate in the Calculus Project. An additional 30 rising seventh graders will enroll this summer.

Without your support, these programs—and many others funded by Newton Schools Foundation—would not be possible. Your partnership with Newton Schools Foundation will continue the good work of the Newton Public Schools to pilot and launch initiatives that promote academic achievement, social/emotional wellness and equity for Newton students across all grades in our 21 elementary, middle and high schools.

Please consider Newton Schools Foundation in your decisions about charitable giving this year. Donate today!

Dear Families,

Last year, I shared information with you about the important work Newton is doing to examine the impact of high school start times on students. Since Newton began its work, several other districts across the state have begun to investigate whether a change in high school start time is right for their district. The growing interest in high school start time is a reflection of the compelling research demonstrating the unique sleep cycles of adolescents and the potential consequences of sleep deficit.

A working group spent the 2015-16 school year reviewing sleep research, investigating processes in other districts, and gathering survey feedback from Newton students, faculty, and families. Regular updates were provided to the School Committee, posted to the district website, and distributed via email. A final report with survey results and analysis was issued in June 2016. Click here for the full report End of Year Report.

From the research and feedback, the High School Start Time Working Group has created six potential “scenarios” for consideration. These scenarios move the high school start time later. Some impact only the high schools while others impact all schools in the district. These scenarios were presented to the School Committee on Monday, September 19, 2016 and can be viewed here.

The next step is for you, the NPS community, to provide your feedback on the potential changes to the start times. As a district, we want to hear your thoughts on the benefits, costs, and implications of any changes, as well as your feedback on the value of undertaking this effort. We have scheduled a community forum for Wednesday, October 19th at 7 p.m. at Angier (1697 Beacon St.) at which the Working Group will share information and listen to your feedback. We hope you will attend. We will also share information through PTO meetings this fall, as well as through school newsletters. To share you feedback directly with the Working Group, please send an email to: laterstart@newton.k12.ma.us. For more information visit the district website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/page/2553.

I look forward to hearing your feedback this fall as we consider whether a later high school start time is right for the Newton Public Schools.

Sincerely,

David A. Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

New items have been posted on the High School Start Time web page including information about the faculty/staff survey and about the timeline.

Please review the presentation made March 14th at School Committee, or check out the full broadcast on NewTV. Also, the F.A.Q has been updated.

Please visit the web page for more information http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime

Unplugged and Connected! reminds us there is more to life than what is on the other side of a plug. The 2016 calendar provides suggested activities and events for friends, families and neighbors to enjoy together.

Please visit www.familyaccess.org  and click on the Newton Unplugged link on the main menu or go directly to the calendar at

Uplugged-2016.pdf

There will be Q&A with the Newton North principal finalists next week.  All are welcome.

Monday, February 8, 5:30 – 6:15 PM, Newton North Film Lecture Hall

Henry Turner is the principal of Bedford High School. Previously he was a housemaster at Newton South High School. Henry began his career as a history teacher at Lexington High School. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Henry has a master’s degree from Framingham State College, and earned his doctorate from Boston College.

Tuesday, February 9, 5:30 – 6:15 PM, Newton North Film Lecture Hall

Jeffrey Gaglione is a dean and math department head at Cambridge, Rindge and Latin. Earlier he was the math department chair at Lowell High School. Jeff was a math teacher at both Framingham High School, and West Orange High School (NJ). A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), he has two master’s degrees from Boston College.

New items have been posted on the High School Start Time web page at
www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime . To download a copy of the Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q) as of January 2016, please click here: FAQ .

The next update by the HS Start Time Working Group to the School Committee is scheduled for January 25th at 7:00 pm.

Join a workshop to learn useful steps to creating a Responsive Home and gain practical strategies to promote positive behavior at home.

The tools of Responsive Classroom can be used to help create a calm, supportive and encouraging environment at home too!

Two dates coming up soon. Open to the Public – No Registration Required

This workshop will be taught by Amy Kelly, District Leader of Social and Emotional Learning, Newton Public Schools. Please see the RHome Flyer2016 for more information or contact Kathleen at kathleen_marchi@newton.k12.ma.us with any questions.

January 21st, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
February 9th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Room 210, The Education Center
100 Walnut Street, Newton