Skate night on Friday, December 5th was a hit! Bigelow students and families had a blast gliding around the Warrior Ice Arena.

Please join us for the next Ice Skating Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Arena Friday, January 9th 2026 from 9-9:50 pm. Tickets are $18 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event starting at 8:30 pm.

Each year, the PTO runs events and programs that support our students, our teachers, and our school community.  This collective effort enriches the middle school experience for everyone.  To make it happen, the PTO depends on community donations of time, money, and other contributions. 

We launched our annual fundraising drive in November. The Annual Appeal is our biggest fundraiser and covers the bulk of our programming expenses for the year. We are suggesting a gift of $110, which amounts to PTO spending for one student, but a donation amount of any size would be incredibly helpful.

Thank you, as always, for your support!
2025-2026 Bigelow PTO Board

How to Donate:

• via Venmo @bigelowtreasurer (include your email in the memo to receive a receipt)
• via the website at bigelowpto.org/donate/
• write a check and mail to Bigelow Middle School c/o PTO

How Your Donation Works for Bigelow

Please consider adding Bigelow PTO to your company’s annual donation matching program, if applicable. Bigelow Middle School PTO is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #20-0348453. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

We are collecting gift cards to help provide for Bigelow families in need. If you are able to help, please purchase gift cards for local grocery stores such as Wegmans, Star Market, Target, etc. Please put them in an envelope labeled “Supermarket Gift Card” and drop off or send it in to our main office.

If your family is in need of assistance, please email your student’s school counselor. They will keep requests confidential and coordinate with you to provide support.

8th Grade: Molly Morrow (morrowm@newton.k12.ma.us)

7th Grade: Jessica Pierce (piercej@newton.k12.ma.us)

6th Grade: Erin MacNeil (macneile@newton.k12.ma.us)

You can also donate to or collect food from the following pantries:

Food Pantries Serving in Newton: 

1.Newton Food Pantry (see below for client form link)

• WEDNESDAYS -By Appointment: 12pm–3pm; Walk-in: 3pm–7pm
• THURSDAYS – By Appointment Only: 10am–1pm
• 1000 Commonwealth Ave, Newton
• 617-796-1233

2.Centre Street Food Pantry

• 11 Homer Street, Newton, MA 02459
• 617-340-9554

Food Pantries in Boston:

1.The Guild Food Pantry – 260 Washington St, Dorchester, MA 02121

• Saturdays from 11am-3pm
• Call 877-797-7938 with questions
• Provides fresh produce

2.Shirley’s Food Pantry – 213 River St, Mattapan, MA 02129

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10am-3pm
• Call 617-534-2032 with questions

Please let us know if we can be helpful in any way during these uncertain times!

On December 17th, Bigelow 7th graders will learn from Dan Perlman, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Brandeis University, about climate change.

Dr. Perlman is a new visitor to Bigelow and will present about the history of temperature change on Earth; future implications of climate change on water availability, wildfires, and flooding; greenhouse gasses and the greenhouse effect – along with many other facets of climate change.

Dr. Perlman has been working with the 7th grade science teachers to ensure this program effectively enriches the curriculum being taught this winter.

There will be two interactive presentations in the library, once for each cluster. We are excited about this new program and hope your students enjoy. Be sure to ask your 7th graders how it went!

There are plenty of opportunities to engage. Here are some upcoming events hosted by Newton SEPAC:

Newton SEPAC Open Board Meeting 

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 @8pm

https://northeastern.zoom.us/j/94599775846

Community Conversation with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, hosted by Newton SEPAC

December 17 @6:30PM 

Congressman Jake Auchincloss will discuss how federal changes may affect services, protections, and supports for children and adults with disabilities. He will also take questions. Register online here.

Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education, hosted by Newton SEPAC

Guest Speaker: Attorney Alicia Warren 

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @7PM

Register Online

Are you looking for the Bigelow PTO Family Directory?

The success of the system is dependent on every family logging in and updating their information. Throughout the school year, families can edit their name, address, and phone numbers, and each family can decide which pieces of information will be available for others to view through the privacy settings.

Our secure and easy-to-use directory is free for all Bigelow families and is hosted online at Membership Toolkit. The directory is maintained by PTO volunteers and funded by the PTO thanks to your support!

If you are unfamiliar with the platform, if you have forgotten your directory access login, or if you are unsure about whether or not you are in it, please email us with your name and your child’s name(s) at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

Please join us for an Ice Skating Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Arena Friday, December 5th 2025 from 9-9:50 pm. Tickets are $18 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event starting at 8:30 pm.

Save the date for Friday, January 9th, 2026 for another Bigelow Skate Night at Warrior Ice Arena!

A HUGE thank you to our Teacher Appreciation Committee Chairs Laura Goldworm and Jenny Rosenthal (and their girls Lilah, Charlotte, and Capri) for hosting an incredible snack bar for our Bigelow Teachers and Staff before Thanksgiving.

If you’re interested in participating in our next show of Teacher Appreciation, please email us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

In March 2025, Bigelow hosted a new annual tradition: Global Diversity Night. It is an after-school evening to celebrate the many countries and cultures among us with food and fun. It was such a massive success, we’re again asking for your help to make this year’s event reflect all of Bigelow and beyond!

Stay tuned for info on our first Committee meeting. Email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com to express interest.