If you are a drama parent, mark your calendar for Saturday, November 6th, from 9 am – 1 pm, when we build and paint the entire set for our show. If students want to come, they must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the day. Parents/guardians are welcome to come without children!
Bring your power tools!
Bigelow is excited to offer many after school opportunities for students. Participate today and you are guaranteed to meet new friends, develop a talent, challenge your brain, and have some fun!
CAD/CAM Club – Monday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Mr. Whitman – Start date: Monday 10/18
Do you like using computers to design, play games, or even make things? If so, you should check ou the CAD/CAM Club.
Gender & Sexuality Alliance – Monday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Ms. Zheng – Start date 10/4
Do you want to help make Bigelow a more positive and inclusive place for all students? Join Bigelow GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)! Everyone is welcome!
Yarn & Thread Club – Tuesday 2:45 – 4:00
Do you like to knit, crochet, sew or craft? Bring your projects and come join us for a relaxing time crafting!
Advisor: Ms. Ketcham
Minecraft Club – Tuesday 3:30 – Remote
Advisor: Mr. Leone
Book Club – Every other Tuesday 2:45-4:00 p.m.
Co-Advisors: Ms. Achilli & Ms. Summa – First Meeting 10/12
Gamers’ Guild – Tuesday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Mr. Burtch – Start date: 10/12
Any students interested in Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, or other games should attend the first meeting after school today in room 203 or see Mr. Burtch
Asian American Affinity Group – Tuesday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Ms.Zheng
Come connect with other Asian & Asian American students at Bigelow! We’ll engage in creative activities, discuss culture/identity, share stories/experience, and more!
World Issues and Politics – Tuesday 2:35 – 3:35
Advisor: Ms. Singers – Start Date: October 12, 2021
The World Issues and Politics Club is a student-led group dedicated to educating youth on important, current, and past events in this nation and around the world. Formed 3 years ago, the club meets weekly to have in-depth discussions by students and work to make a difference in the Bigelow and Newton community. All students are welcome.
Creative Writing Club – Thursday 2:45 – 4:00
Co-Advisors: Ms. Achilli & Ms. Cavanaugh – Start date 10/14
Invent interesting worlds. Describe dynamic characters. Craft captivating poetry. Develop and share your writing skills with classmates. Come to Creative Writing Club to do any or some of these things!
Anime Club – Thursday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Ms. Ketcham – Start date 9/30Do you like Anime? Come join us to watch and discuss anime with other Bigelow students.
Woodworking Club – Thursday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Mr. Whitman Start date: Thursday 10/21
Do you like to build things? If so, the Woodworking Club is for you. Learn how to design and build projects using tools and materials.
Math Team – Thursday 2:45 – 4:00
Advisor: Mr. Legare – Start date 9/30
Compete against other Newton middle schools in math challenges!
Check out the Clubs website for the 2021-2022 school year for more information!
From Sue Schy, RN, MSN, Bigelow School Nurse
Our kids are learning about subtle—and not so subtle—experiences of racism and social exclusion… now it’s the parents’ turn. Mark your calendars!
In October, all three grades participated in an amazing, interactive program around microaggressions** in middle school. Microaggressions undermine a culture of inclusion that is so critical for our schools. Microaggressions can cause students to experience serious cognitive, behavioral, and emotional reactions, making it difficult for them to learn. This program was a first step to help our kids understand what microaggressions are, how to constructively respond to them, and how to seek support when they experience or observe them. Thanks to Rehearsal for Life, which uses theater as a vehicle for social justice, and for Bigelow Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), Principal Coston, Bigelow PTO and the Village Bank for their support of this program!
**Commonplace slights, stereotypes, insults and indignities–whether intentional or unintentional–targeted against marginalized group identities such as race, socioeconomic class, gender/gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, citizenship, ability, etc. that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative biases that are subtle, nuanced and convoluted, making it difficult for victims to speak up or call out.
NOW WHAT? JOIN BIGELOW FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (FORJ) PARENT DISCUSSION SESSION
“WHAT ARE MICROAGGRESSIONS & HOW CAN WE TALK ABOUT THEM WITH OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS?”- NOVEMBER 8, 7pm via ZOOM.
For the zoom link please email us at BigelowFORJ@gmail.com
The goal of Bigelow’s One School, One Book Program is to create a more inclusive community through participation in a common reading experience as a whole school. Through discussion and advisory activities in October and November, , staff and students will share a common experience of reading and learning together. The school is beginning discussion and a number of activities around this year’s book, From the Desk of Zoe Washington. One of these is understanding how people of color are more likely to be incarcerated in our criminal justice system and the work of The Innocence Project.
NOW WHAT? JOIN BIGELOW FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (FORJ) PARENT DISCUSSION SESSION
“FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON”- THEMES OF RACIAL INJUSTICE- OCTOBER 27, 7-8 pm via ZOOM.
For the zoom link for the October discussion, please email us at BigelowFORJ@gmail.com
A great time was had by students, parents, teachers, and family members at the Bigelow Franklin Park picnic last Sunday! There was plenty of sunshine and pizza and highlights included kickball, karaoke, dancing, meeting new friends and catching up with old friends, and Ms. Coston’s kickball fielding skills! Thank you to all who attended and a special thank you to Kyra Mercado, Michelle Reddick, Kelly Qian, Margo Michaels, Chassity Coston and Jeanne Choe-Arrieta who put this event together.
Thank you to all who helped with “Bigelow Beautification Day” on Saturday!
We weeded, mulched, planted mums for fall, and 90 bulbs for the spring.
We can’t wait for the children to see their updated front entrance and beautiful outdoor space Monday morning!
You can preorder your photos online (https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/ – Picture Day ID EVTSQBBDG).
Bring your gardening gear and tools and join us the Bigelow PTO on Saturday October 16 from 9-3 for Beautify Bigelow Day, Sunday Oct 24 is the bad weather backup day. The entire Bigelow Community is welcome. We will clean, weed, mulch, and plant new bulbs for the spring in front of Bigelow beginning at 9 am. All volunteers are welcome to drop in for any amount of time. Every contribution counts! Please RSVP via the link below.
Please remind your child to finish reading “From the Desk of Zoe Washington” before October 14th.
Students need to read the book and think about this: “When Marcus tells Zoe he is innocent, and her grandmother agrees, Zoe begins to learn about inequality in the criminal justice system, and she sets out to find the alibi witness who can prove his innocence.” Does everyone lie? Is there ever a good time to lie? Think of the worst lie you have told… Was it “worth it”?
Learn more about One School, One Book at Bigelow here.
