Category Archives: From the PTO

Newton Neighbors Gift Card Drive for Thanksgiving

It is time for the third annual Newton Neighbors Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive!

Did you know that 1 in 10 of our neighbors struggles to feed their family? 1 in 10 of our neighbors sits down to an empty plate. Help us to support our neighbors in need this holiday season.  

Last year, through the support of our community, Newton Neighbors provided 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton, and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards!  With increasing food costs, the goal is to give out $75 gift cards this holiday season through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton. 

The Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive will run from November 1 – 19. Any donation, of any size, will help us achieve our goal.

Donate online at https://www.newtonneighbors.org/donate or mail a check to Newton Neighbors, PO Box 590141, Newton, MA 02459.    

Newton Neighbors is working through partner organizations in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton to distribute gift cards to families and will not be distributing gift cards directly. All direct requests will be referred to appropriate partners.

Newton Neighbors’ mission is to facilitate community connection, mutual aid, and access to resources and support for all people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton, MA, and other local communities.

Annual Appeal 2022-2023

Bigelow is fortunate to have a strong partnership between the school’s terrific leaders,  teachers and staff, as well as a dedicated and vibrant Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Please support your PTO and consider giving today.

A gift of any size will help us reach our goal of 100% participation.

As a caregiver of a Bigelow Middle School student, you are a member of the PTO. Your donation will enhance the PTO’s ability to promote and support the school community’s core values, creating an environment where students will develop a respect for self and others; a sense of responsibility for oneself and their community; and a life-long love of learning.

How to Donate:

  • via Venmo @BigelowPTONewton
  • write a check and mail to Bigelow Middle School c/o PTO
  • via the website at bigelowpto.org/donate/

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.

How Your Donation Helps

Funds raised by the PTO, thanks to your donations, are used to support many wonderful programs and services to benefit our students.

Thank You Ten Tables Organizers and Hosts!

Thank you to all who made last Saturday’s Ten Tables a success!

Huge thank you to our fearless organizers, Carolyn Gillespie, Charlene Gillespie, and Shana Smythe for pulling off this spectacular evening!

Special thank you to Charlene Gillespie & Brian Hillburn, who welcomed everyone to their home to start the night off with appetizers.

Thank you to our gracious dinner hosts:

Elizabeth & Jim Gagnon
Allison & Dave Penn
Becca & David Connors
Samantha Morton & Mike Champion
Kathy & David Shields
Gabriela Kroszynski & Shahar Layani
Priya Radakrishnan & Krishna Iyer

Finally, another special thank you to Shana & Dan Smythe who welcomed everyone back to their home to end the evening with desserts.

Thanks to your efforts, we raised $2,500 to support Bigelow and our students!

The Bigelow Fall Fest & Halloween Dance is Tomorrow! Friday 11/4, 6:30-8:30 pm

All current Bigelow Middle School students are invited to the Bigelow Fall Fest & Halloween Dance, Friday 11/4, 6:30-8:30 pm in the Bigelow Gym.

  • Admission is $10 and includes a snack.
  • Tickets can be purchased in the front office, at lunch, or at the door.
  • Remember to bring cash! Pizza and beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

Interested in volunteering? Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com if you would like to chaperone or help with concessions.

Please note: This event is open to current Bigelow Middle School students only.

Proposed Changes to Bigelow/Day Feeder Patterns

Thank you to those who attended Monday’s Special PTO & Community meeting to discuss proposed changes to the feeder patterns for Bigelow and Day Middle Schools.

Information related to the proposed changes (including a link to the slide show presented Monday) and a running FAQ document is available on the NPS website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/feeder.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to send questions or feedback to npsfeeder@newton.k12.ma.us.

In addition, parents/guardians may provide feedback to the School Committee at its meeting on November 7, 2022. Login information can be found on the School Committee webpage.

Community Announcements

Pumpkin Smash! Saturday 11/5, 1-4 pm

Bring your pumpkins to Newton’s Annual Pumpkin Smash at City Hall on Saturday November 5th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Why put your pumpkin in with your yard waste when it’s much more fun to smash it?

This family friendly event takes our orange pumpkins and turns them “green.” All our smashed pumpkins will be composted by Black Earth Compost (Newton’s curbside composting partner), thus reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions and creating a valuable amendment for our soils.

You can fling, toss and smash your pumpkin in all sorts of ways, including with smashing machines made by the Newton LigerBots, the high school robotics team. 

Pre-registration is encouraged but onsite registration will be available for the Pumpkin Smash which will be held rain or shine. 

All the information above is available at www.newtonma.gov/recycling

Volunteer for Bigelow All Students Fall Fest & Halloween Dance, Friday 11/4, 6:30-8:30 pm

Bigelow leadership is bringing back the Middle School dance!

We are looking for parent volunteers to chaperone and help with concessions at the Fall Fest & Halloween Dance. Interested? Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com to help bring back this fun event!

Please note: This event is open to current Bigelow Middle School students only.