• Impact of Question 1 on FY24 Budget for Newton Public Schools
• NewTV Recording – Feb. 8 NPS Forum on the FY24 Budget and Override Impact
• NPS FY24 Budget Preview to School Committee 
• PTOC Override Informational flyer
• NewTV Recording – Oct. 26, 2022 Newton Override Roundtable on Newton Public Schools 
• Recording: Jan 26, 2023 Virtual Town Hall
• LWVN Interview with Councilor Becky Grossman about override proposal
• Override coverage from The Newton Beacon
• WBUR override coverage: Newton school officials say tax increase would supply ‘critical funding’ to spare teacher cuts).

Teacher Testimonials (from Parent Educator Collaborative Feb 2 Community Conversation)

• Brendan A – NNHS guidance counselor
• Heather H – AP’s and Physics MCAS
• Jamie B – Services Stretched too Thin
• Joelle P – Interventionists and Teaching & Learning
• Lisa V – Technology
• Liz S – Spending Freeze
• Valerie L –  Weasels and other building woes

Here is the 3/9/23 Agenda & Zoom link for this month’s GNSC meeting. We meet every 2nd Thursday of the month from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. We hope to see you then – spread the word!

We are expecting a good number of students at next week’s meeting (yay!), and we look forward to hearing about one hope, concern, or green initiative from each new student that wishes to share. Then, we plan to spend the rest of our time in working groups.

Virtual Town Hall Meeting on the Override – March 2 at 6pm
Join the Zoom Webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85241769582

3 Ways to Vote on the March 14th Override

Vote by Mail: Applications to vote by mail have been sent to registered voters. You can also download an application to receive a mail-in ballot. Mail in ballots can be requested through Tuesday, March 7th at 5 pm.

Vote Early: Early in-person voting is available at City Hall (1000 Commonwealth Ave.) on the following dates:

• Friday, March 3: 8:30 am to 5 pm
• Saturday, March 4: 11am to 5pm 
• Sunday, March 5: 11am to 5pm 
• Monday, March 6: 8:30 am to 5 pm 
• Tuesday, March 7: 8:30 am to 5 pm  

Vote on Election Day: Vote Tuesday, March 14 at your polling location.  Find your polling location at WhereDoIVoteMA.com.

Learn more at newtonma.gov/government/elections.

We at the New Art Center believe that the visual arts are an important tool for self-expression and emotional wellbeing. This program, developed with and facilitated by a registered art therapist, seeks to provide a space for middle school students to express their feelings through artistic mediums.

We have run this program for two terms now and have seen great results among our students, heard positive feedback from their parents and families, and seen students return for subsequent terms.  

Additionally, this program operates on a sliding scale tuition rate. The cost to families is as low as $0 per session for those who qualify. 

An information session will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, March 7 at 7pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum and ask questions. The link to register can be found here. 

Bigelow had a lot to celebrate this week before February Break! Thank you to everyone who helped show appreciation for all our Teachers & Staff and celebrate Bigelow’s achievements, in particular the outstanding growth in literacy reflected by the recent iReady diagnostic results.

On Tuesday, February 14th, Bigelow Teachers & Staff were treated to a Valentine’s Day Breakfast. Special thanks to Ron Farrar and Suriya Ziblatt for organizing this special breakfast to help show our love for Bigelow’s incredible teachers and staff!

Many thanks to Ann LaBrache, Hai Ly Burk, Jennifer (Pai) Song, Julie Landesman, Crislin Waldman, Rebecca Schmidt, Amy Holton, Meridith Welch, Heather Pozen, Jill Twohig, May Chen, Kristin Golden, Stefanie Solomon, Waijiao Cai, Tara Cunningham, Christine Reid, Julie Lane, Monika Sawicka, and Rachel Hindin for donating breakfast treats.

Thanks to the generosity of Bigelow families, all 88 Teachers & Staff were also treated to Starbucks gift cards. The success of Bigelow students is a true team effort and we truly appreciate all their hard work!

Finally, students will have a special treat at lunch Friday to celebrate their achievements!

In case you were not aware—this school year, Bigelow gained a cohort of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. These students are part of the CAPS Collaborative Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, and it is very possible that your child has classes and interactions with these special students every day! Bigelow Counseling along with the CAPS Staff is excited to introduce the CAPS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in Newton and explain what this means for your child and the life and culture at Bigelow.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 1-2 pm in the Bigelow Library for a discussion where will we celebrate our partnership and share information about the Deaf community.

Please see the provided flyer or CLICK HERE to RSVP. We look forward to hosting you!

Passage of Question 1 would provide an additional $4.5 million for the FY24 NPS budget as well as fund improvements to Horace Mann Elementary School.

While it’s early in the budget process, NPS leaders are warning of an expected school budget deficit of $2-4 million even if the override passes. Without extra money from the override, the schools might face a gap of $6-8 million. This would mean “across the board budget reductions in all [school] departments” and “reductions to the breadth and depth of programming for students”. NPS leaders have discussed the two budget scenarios at two public meetings:

• Jan. 23 School Committee meeting (presentation starts at minute 38; view the slides)
• Feb. 8 public forum at Newton North.  

We urge parents/guardians to review these recordings and materials so they can better understand the potential impact of the override on the Newton Public Schools.

Virtual info session and discussion with Vote YES for Newton

Monday, February 27, 2023 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Hosted by Rep. Kay Khan, City Councilor Andrea Kelley, Councilor Andrea Kelley, School Committee Member Anping Shen, Former School Committee Members Richard Alfred & Diana F. Gomberg, Susan Davidoff, Michael Fogelberg, Lynn Goldsmith, Ezra Hausman, Ken and Carol Krems, Allison Sharma, Laura Towvim, Susan Tracy, Jean Weinberg & Lynn Weissberg

RSVP Here

The 7th Annual Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Yard Sign Contest is underway! This year’s theme is slowing down in school zones or on school property.

Students in grades 2-8 are invited to create a message to encourage drivers to slow down near schools. Four winners will be selected from throughout the state and the yard signs will be printed and distributed to communities to put up around schools.

Entries are due Friday, February 17th.

More details can be found here, along with contest guidelines and entry forms available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.