From the Principal’s Office

Midterm progress reports for the first trimester are now posted at the online site, Skyward.

You can access Skyward from the Bigelow website, www.newton.k12.ma.us/bigelow. Once in Skyward, you should click on the “Portfolio” tab and then click on “Progress Report Card for Term 1” in order to see the pdf of your child’s progress report. Please submit your electronic signature to indicate that you have seen this progress report.

This progress report reflects first term midterm marks for full year classes that meet and grade on a trimester basis. It will give you a general summary of how your child is performing in these classes so far this term. Please review this interim report with your child, highlight his or her progress, and discuss ways that he or she can improve. The end of the first term is Friday, December 1, and first term report cards will be ready for online viewing in Skyward on Tuesday, December 12.

Not all classes are included in this midterm progress report. FAA classes, such as Art, Drama (grade 6), Music, Health & Wellness, and Technology/Engineering, only issue midterm grades and comments if your child is in danger of not passing. You will be notified directly by these teachers. No midterm comments are given for the electives of Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.

If you have questions about your child’s progress report comments, please contact the teacher directly or your child’s counselor.

Todd Harrison
Principal

We still have a few paper Directories for families. If you would like a copy, the PTO offers one when you pay your membership dues. Please go to the membership page to order yours.

Online registration is now closed. Please contact Una Simmons, una@ethannet.com to check for availability.

Please contact Una Simmons at una@ethannet.com if you have registered for the Supper Stroll but have not received a corresponding email after registering.

Supper Stroll Registration is still open! Please reserve your seat here. Only 10 seats left!

You must register to secure your seat. This event is very popular and it is expected to sell out.

Register here.

The Supper Stroll  is a progressive dinner and is held at several homes in succession on one night. A single course is served at each home. At the first home everyone gathers for appetizers, you then go to a second home for dinner with 8-12 people, then everyone meets again to finish the night with desserts at a third house. The Supper Stroll has been an enjoyable fundraiser for many, many years. Adults in the Bigelow Community are welcome to participate.

Please join us! We hope to see you!

Save the Date!

Ward Elementary celebrates Amy Broder on November 14th from 7pm-9pm at the Durant-Kenrick house, 286 Waverly Ave. Amy is retiring after 26 years teaching at Ward. Come by anytime to wish her well and to say good bye. Parking on Waverly Ave(even side) and Kenrick St only.

As a tribute to the many traditions Amy started at Ward, we would love for families to bring their Hero/Shero project to the celebration. If you cannot attend on the 14th but would be willing to loan your Hero/Shero to the party, please contact Jen Rugani at jenrugani@gmail.com.

New Ginza Dinner
Tuesday, November 21st
Order in, Take out or Delivery
Bigelow PTO will get 20%
More Info to come!

We had our first PTO meeting of the year on October 18th.  Click here to read a summary of what we talked about. A copy of the full meeting minutes is posted on the Meeting Minutes page of PTO website.

Mark your calendars for our next meetings:

Winter Meeting: 01/11/18
Spring Meeting: 04/04/18
Annual Meeting: 06/06/18

We had our first PTO meeting of the year on October 18th 2017.  Below is a summary of what we talked about:

1. Principal’s Welcome and Update

1) Two research studies:
a. Brandeis University. Study on political socialization of adolescents.
b. Wellesley college. Study on social media and the effects on early social media use
2) All School Dance on 10/27.
3) Bigelow has a new Tweeter account
4) Progress reports
5) One Book, One School program
6) Turkey Ball.
7) How to deal with smartphones for kids?

2. PTO fundraisers

• The Supper Stroll – 11/04
• New Ginza. – 11/22
• Skate Night at the Warrior rink. 12/08
• Bigelow Big Night. – 03/24
• Amazon Smile. Button on website
• Candle Fundraiser – 10/27 to 11/9
• SchoolKidz school supply boxes – The PTO will not be doing it anymore.

3. Nominating Committee Needs and Volunteers

• To comply with the PTO by-laws, we need parents from the 4 feeder schools to join the nominating committee
• Volunteer opportunities are always open at the Bigelow PTO.

4. Programs supported by the PTO

• Creative Arts and Sciences
• One Book, One School

5. Open for Questions and Comments.

• Families Organizing for Racial Justice
• Peer Leaders program at Bigelow
• GSA Club at Bigelow
• Bigelow Outreach Club

6. Next PTO meetings
Winter Meeting: 01/11/18
Spring Meeting: 04/04/18
Annual Meeting: 06/06/18

Please read the Meeting Minutes for more details.

From the Principal’s Office

Our first All-School Dance is coming up next Friday, October 27, 6:30-9:00pm.  Dance tickets are $6 and will be on sale this week and next during lunch in the cafeteria. Students can hang out, play ping pong or other games, and listen and dance to music in the gym. Pizza and snacks will be sold in the cafeteria.

Our dances are open to all Bigelow students in grades 6, 7, and 8.  Asking a classmate as a “date” to the dance is unnecessary and discouraged. We want all students to come and have fun with friends. The theme of this dance is Halloween, and costumes (but no masks) are encouraged!

A few parent chaperones are needed. (Costumes optional!) Please email Assistant Principal Lucas Mogensen at Lucas_Mogensen@newton.k12.ma.us if you are interested in helping out. Parent chaperones help take tickets, sell refreshments, and supervise the hallways; teachers and counselors chaperone inside the gym.

Bigelow dances are for Bigelow students only, and all school rules apply at this event.  The dance ends promptly at 9:00 p.m., and we ask that parents pick up on time at the gym entrance then. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to walk home, even in a group, without parent accompaniment.

Sincerely,

Todd Harrison
Principal