Category Archives: From the PTO

Walk, Ride, Roll: Safe Routes to School

Many of Bigelow’s students walk, bike or roll to and from school every day! This week, Dr. Green asked carers to exercise extra caution during drop-off and pick-up times when driving on streets near Bigelow. There have been some close calls with students crossing the street. Please drive slowly during these busy times and avoid double parking, as this significantly increases risk to our students. We’re all juggling busy schedules, but student safety must come first. 

Under the City’s school transportation policy, students who live within one mile of an elementary school or within two miles of a secondary school are expected to walk, roll, bike, take public transit, or travel by car. For students, these modes support independence, increase physical activity, and help establish sustainable transportation habits. Research also shows that regular morning exercise is linked to improved academic performance.

To learn more about supporting Safe Routes to School, here’s a link to the plan home page. 

You can always write to City Council to express support at: citycouncil@newtonma.gov

Mark Your Calendars

  • Thur 11/13, Fri 11/14, Sat 11/15: Bigelow Fall Play-Just Great: A Retelling of Some Book by F Scott Fitzgerald
  • Mon 12/1: PoPS Zoom Meeting, 7pm
  • Tues 12/2: Book & Film Discussion with FORJ
  • Fri 12/5: Warrior Ice Arena Skate Night

Fall Play Opening Night Tonight! Just Great: A Retelling of Some Book by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tickets are on sale for Bigelow Drama’s fall play, Just Great: A retelling of some book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This modern adaptation sets Jay(son) and Daisy at a private prep school, having met at summer camp and fallen in love. Jason’s sister Nic(ole) has reservations about her brother’s drastic changes to fit in with the popular influencers Daisy and Tom, and the pull of social media’s green light. 

Performances are this week!

Thursday, November 13 @7 pm

Friday, November 14 @7 pm

Saturday, November 15 @ 3 pm and 7 pm

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Need discounted tickets? Use code ‘bulldog’ for $1 tickets. Tickets will be available at the door. 

Thank You: 8th Grade Bake Sale

Thank you to all of the contributors to the 8th Grade Committee’s Election Day Bake Sale! Whether you volunteered for shifts, donated items for sale or stopped by while voting, the day brought much needed funds for our 8th grade end of year activities. 

Food Assistance: How You Can Help and Seek Assistance

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.

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

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

8th Grade: Molly Morrow (morrowm@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!

Recap & Thank You! FORJ Fall Family Picnic

We had a beautiful day for the FORJ fall family fest at Franklin park in Dorchester this past weekend! People enjoyed a candy hunt, lawn games and learned about upcoming FORJ events.

Some highlights: 

– Community service project addressing food insecurity 
– Boston Bowl event
– Upstander training
-African American Heritage Trail tour
-Film screening and discussion

Please reach out to co-leaders of Bigelow FORJ Angela Brooks (Angela.r.brooks@gmail.com) and Hai Ly (ms_haily@yahoo.com) with interest in helping with any of these events. We are open to other ideas as well!

Fall Play: Just Great: A Retelling of Some Book by F Scott Fitzgerald

Students in Bigelow Drama have been hard at work preparing for their Fall Play, with shows Thursday, Nov 13, Friday Nov 14, and Saturday Nov 15.

Ms. Moriarty and Ms. Alberts encourage students to lead in every aspect of production: from set design, acting, lighting and sound, to costumes, hair, programs and merch. Stay tuned for the link to purchase tickets coming soon!

8th Grade Bake Sale: Election Day, Tuesday, Nov 4th

The 8th grade parent committee is starting to plan for the 8th grade end of year festivities, and one of the biggest tasks is FUNDRAISING.

Our first fundraiser of the year is the 8th Grade Bake Sale on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4th.

We NEED YOUR HELP!

Please sign up HERE to donate baked goods and/or staff the table.

Thank you,

Rachanee, Tui, and Gabriela (8th grade committee)

RSVP by 10/31: FORJ Fall Family Picnic, November 2nd

Please RSVP HERE by Friday, October 31st so we can be sure to have enough pizza, drinks, and treats. Reminder: If you’re looking to get any Halloween candy off your hands, we encourage you to bring your NUT FREE leftovers for our candy hunt!

Bigelow’s Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) is excited to invite you all to the annual Fall Family Picnic! Please RSVP HERE.

Click HERE for directions to Shattuck Picnic Grove, Boston. Pro Tip: Park on Circuit Drive