Narratives of Change: Book & Film Discussion with FORJ

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Newton Free Library

Bigelow FORJ invites you (caregivers and students) to an upcoming discussion on the award-winning book and movie The Hate U Give, hosted by FORJ NNHS, Newton Free Library, and FORJ Newton. If you plan to attend, or have any questions, please let us know at angela.r.brooks@gmail.com (Angela) or ms_haily@yahoo.com (Hai). We’re looking forward to having a strong Bigelow contingent!

Narratives of Change: Book & Film Discussion with FORJ
Brought to you by FORJ Newton North High School, Newton Free Library, and FORJ Newton.

Stories shape the way we see the world—and each other. Join us for a discussion that brings together middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults to explore the book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and its movie adaptation. Together, we’ll reflect, ask questions, and have honest conversations about race, justice, and community in a discussion facilitated by a Newton Free Library librarian and a racial dialogue facilitator from FORJ Newton North High School.

We recommend that you read the book or watch the movie (or both) before this program. You can request a library copy of the book here, and you can request a copy of the movie here. Don’t have time to read the book or watch the film? You’re still welcome to join us to discuss these themes.

Many thanks to Dr. Green, Margaret Battat Silva, and all the Bigelow adults who joined the Principal Coffee this morning. Informal gatherings like these are important for our community to stay connected and informed. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.

The 2025-2026 Yearbooks are available to pre-order from LifeTouch. Grades 6–8, clubs, afterschool activities, and school events are included in the yearbooks. They make wonderful keepsakes for students to look back on.

Watch your email for messages from LifeTouch on how to order, or click Here to learn more about pre-ordering from LifeTouch.

* If you are interested in contributing to the yearbook, please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com. *

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

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 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. 

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!

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!

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!