April 15, 2016 is the National Day of Silence, a student-led action sponsored by Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) in which thousands of students around the country will remain silent for all or part of the school day to call attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.  The Bigelow GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) has organized activities for this day.

Bigelow students can show their support and participate in the Day of Silence in two ways.

1) REMAIN SILENT FOR THE DAY –  Students making this choice are expected to participate non-verbally in all school-related activities, both in the classroom and the cafeteria. Students can choose to wear a Day of Silence button and carry a “speaking” card that explains their silence.

2) BE AN ALLY –  Allies will not remain silent themselves, but will respect the silence of others.  Students can choose to sign an ally poster and wear an ally button to show their support.

Mason-Rice Principal Mark Springer’s Retirement Party & Events

Former Mason-Rice families: All good things must come to an end…and so this year, the Mason-Rice community is celebrating the end of Mark Springer’s 21-year tenure as principal.  All past and present Mason-Rice teachers, parents, families and friends are invited to Mark’s Retirement Party, Friday, May 13, 2016 from 6:30-11:30PM at the Sheraton Needham. Live band, great food and special memories. The event is ticketed, it’s for those 21 and older, and it may sell out. Purchase your tickets today at www.masonrice.org/springer. Like the Retirement Events Facebook page here to get updates and notifications about the party and a variety of celebratory events planned for this spring, including a special edition of the Mason-Rice Fun Run for graduates. For more info and questions, visit the website.

April newletter- medication

THE BIGELOW SPEAKEASY is Saturday, May 14th at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown.  

We have two ways you can help support the great Bigelow event!!

1.  DONATE TO THE AUCTION:  One of the most popular parts of our parent social is the silent auction. To make the silent auction a success, we are asking the Bigelow Community to contribute items.  Click here for more information on how you can help with this effort and our donation form.
2. GET INVOLVED:  Our next planning meeting is Thurs April 7th and we would love to have you join in.  Meeting will be at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown at 7:00.  Please email Beth Panella at beth.ann.panella@bankofamerica.com at if you have any questions.

Join our event on Facebook

We hope you can join in for Bigelow’s 1st Annual Family event in Boston taking place on Sunday 4/10 from 4-5:30 at Boston Bowl.

Click here for the flyer that also came home with your child this past weekend. Please return the completed slip with payment ASAP. We are looking forward to seeing you!!

A special thank you to Kyra Mercado for organizing this event.  The Bigelow PTO is underwriting a portion of this evening.

Project 351 Clothing Drive to benefit Cradles to Crayons:  Clothing drive at Bigelow now through Apr 1st. Clean out your closets and donate those gently used items to a wonderful, local organization.  (www.cradlestocrayons.org).  T shirts, pants, shoes and gently used clothing for ages newborn through 12 years.  Please no used socks or underwear.   Thank you for your support!

MARCH MADNESS IS COMING TO BIGELOW!!  The Annual Faculty/Student Basketball Game will be held after school Thursday – March 24, 3pm.

• Spectators – All Bigelow Students, Parents and Faculty.
• Bring your appetites – The 8th grade scholarship / year end activities committee will be selling pizza and drinks to keep the crowd going.  All proceeds will support 8th grade year-end activities.

We need a few 8th grade parents to help with the pizza  / drink sales, starting at 2:30.  Please email us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.

Please extend your support for the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF)’s annual benefit dinner. For those of you who don’t know about the GELF, it’s a fantastic scholarship program that supports Newton students in taking advantage of international opportunities. Most of these students come from low-income families and wouldn’t otherwise be able to take advantage of the many extraordinary global learning programs offered through Newton North and South.

Students who return from abroad speak often about the pivotal role these experiences have played in their personal and academic lives. Please help GELF continue to convince our students that no one should tune out when international learning opportunities are announced!

On Saturday, April 2nd, GELF will hold its annual dinner/fundraiser from 6:30 – 10:30 pm at Newton North High School. The evening is a not-to-be-missed community event, featuring an amazing 5-course gourmet meal (cooked from scratch on-site!!), paired fine beers & wines (featuring Sam Adams beer pairings, a major hit last year!), dancing (with a great live band featuring our own Katani Sumner), 150 like-minded community members, table service by Newton administrators, and a live auction.

This year alone they have funded:
nearly $38,000 in grants to
20 students for
8 different international trips

You may pay online here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289 (scroll down to the bottom for the PayPal button) or send a $150/person check (made payable to Newton Schools Foundation with GELF in the memo line) to Newton Schools Foundation, ATTN: Diane Greer, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

Whether you are coming or not, please consider donating to Support a Teacher to attend the event ($100/person) or making a tax-deductible donation, all possible here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289. Thank you for your support.

THIS Wednesday, March 23rd, 7-8:30pm at the Newton North High School Auditorium.  Click here for more information on this presentation.

• Have the recent local headlines caused you to ponder the role that athletics plays in the lives of our teens—as both participants and as fans? 
• Are you the parent of an athlete who wants to help your student get the most of what should be a fun experience that leads to personal growth? 
• Do you wonder what your role is with a student who struggles to perform in sports, or a student who has a gift and passion for a sport, or a student who falls anywhere along that spectrum?

This event is co-sponsored by the Bigelow PTO.