Category Archives: From the PTO

Middle School Camp Oppurtunity

The Environmental Science Program (http://www.newtonenvisci.org) still has openings for campers this summer!
The “Envi Sci” program is a unique month-long outdoor program held in July for teenagers that gives students the chance to have fun enjoying the wilderness while learning about the science of the environment.
Highlights of the program include hikes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire such as the Blue Hills and Mount Monadnock, bicycle trips, a 12-mile canoe trip on the Charles River, and an expedition through the salt marshes of the North shore near Gloucester. The program ends with an exhilarating three-day backpacking trip up the highest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington.
The program centers around the idea that students learn best about their surroundings when taught by other students in the specific environment. Leaders design and develop the science workshops to teach the students during daily hiking or biking trips. Workshops cover topics such as geology, botany, ecology, water cycle, pollution issues, and conservation.
Each year there is an environmental cleanup project in which participants get hands-on involvement with improving an environmental site.
The program began as a Ford Foundation Project in 1967 headed by a Newton science teacher, and has continued for many years as part of the Newton Conservation Commission. We take about 35 students who will be going into grades 7 through 10. New students are encouraged to return and become leaders in subsequent years, continuing the thread of responsibility for care and teaching about the environment.
Register or get more information at http://www.newtonenvisci.org
Contact: David S. Backer, Executive Director
Environmental Science Program of Newton
P.O. Box 600292
Newton, MA 02460

Very Warm Thanks for a Hot Night in Havana

i-TPqM5MS-S¡ Ay dios mio! What a night it was! Saturday evening’s Hot Night in Havana was maravillosa. More than 130 parents, guardians, friends, Bigelow teachers and staff ate delectable Latin food, sipped mojitos, danced the salsa, bid on great items and most importantly, reconnected with old friends and met new ones. The event raised mucho dinero — close to $15,000— which will go towards curriculum-enriching programs such as the Creative Arts and Sciences, student scholarships, school grounds upkeep, classroom supplies, as well as gym and technology items not covered by the regular school budget.

Take a peak at the magical evening by clicking here: http://zaza.smugmug.com/Events/Big-Night-in-Havana/n-jhtcFg/

Muchas gracias to all who attended and to the people and businesses who donated goods, services as well as their time and talents to make our Hot Night one of the best ever.

Specifically, thank you to:

  • Our tireless co-chairs Tammy McKenna and Beth Panella who worked long hours to bring a great concept to fruition. Special thanks to Tammy, the head honcho at the Commander’s Mansion, for getting so many of her vendors to contribute to the evening.
  • Una Simmons for turning a white tent into a colorful Havana hot spot.
  • The other Hot Night Committee members for time and energy to make the whole night come together. They are: Leah Arteaga, Sally Brickell, Laurie Halloran, Alison Leary, Vicki Ritterband, Jen Siegelman, solicitor extraordinaire Joanne Tsao, and the kids and significant others who helped with set up and break down.
  • The volunteers who helped make the evening flawless and the solicitors who populated our auction tables: Stuart Arbuckle, Gary Bagnall, Carena Cremin, Heather Mehra, Claire Marre, Sami O’Reilly, Agi Sardi, Stacy Schwartz, Vicki Spetter, and Lex Van der Ploeg.
  • Our superb entertainers, salsa teacher Monica Schauweker, crooner Manuel “Coco” Torres and The Bigelow Bulldog Jazz Band led by the terrific Greg Livingston.
  • The wonderful Bigelow staff who donated one-of -a-kind items to the auction:  Jaime Alberts, Christopher Campbell, Joe Eckstrom, Todd Harrison, Greg Livingston, Meghan Martin, Kyra Mercado, Lora Papazian, Michele Parker, Danielle Pargoli, Bill Prendergast, Sue Schy, Patty Summa and Mike Whitman.
  • The local companies who donated or gave us discounts on delectable food, thirst-quenching beverages and various other things: BG Events and Catering, Hector Arredondo, Boston Beer Company – Sam Adams, El Pelon Taqueria, Murray’s Liquors, Blooms of Hope, Gordon’s Fine Wines and Liquors, Home Depot of Watertown, AA Rental Center of Watertown and Gray’s Daily Grind. Please frequent these businesses and use their services!
  • Our sponsors, Anonymous, Village Bank, All that Jazz Dance Studio and the Whitehouse/DeDominicis family
  • The evening’s photographer, mom Isabel Roeder, http://zaza.smugmug.com .
  • The many businesses and organizations who donated items to our silent auction. For a complete list, click here: http://bigelowpto.org/big-night-2015-donors/ Please support them!
  • To anyone else who contributed to the evening who we forgot to list. Our apologies!

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Happy Mother’s Day and Big Night Thank you

15027410-flowers-bouquet-vector-illustrationWe wish all the Bigelow Mom’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day.  We hope you are all enjoying your day with family and friends.

We also wanted to say THANK YOU to all that participated in, attended, donated to and planned the BIG NIGHT.  It was a wonderful evening!  More detailed information about the night to follow on Tuesday.

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A Little Help Needed for the Big Night

Have some free time this Saturday? We need volunteers to help us at the Big Night. Want to join in?  A few people are needed to help set up and decorate the space from 11am-2pm on Sat. We also need help during the event for an hour or so.  Specific needs are to  check in guests from 6:45 – 8pm and clean up at 11pm.  Please email Beth at beth.ann.panella@bankofamerica.com if you are interested in helping out or you have any questions.