Please join us for the last general PTO meeting on Thursday May 26, 9-10AM:

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/5452808903

Dear All,

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is pleased to announce that the annual SEPAC Awards nominations are open from today, May 2 through Tuesday, May 17. Nominees will be notified virtually again this year, and here is how the process works:

• Families will submit nominations using the Google Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/7c1drqBiKXdGmyJMA
• Each nominee will receive the text of the nomination in an email
• The email to each nominee also will include messages of thanks from Mayor Fuller, Superintendent Fleishman, the School Committee, and the SEPAC Board
• Each nominee will receive a printed award and a small gift that will be dropped off at their school or location in early June
• We will send each Principal a list of the nominees from their schools

For those new to Newton SEPAC, the annual SEPAC Awards are a way to honor Newton Public Schools (NPS) and Out of District (ODD) staff who have gone the extra mile to support our special education students. Nominees span a wide range of staff, including teachers, aides, BTs, therapists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, other support staff, etc. All nominees receive an award. The SEPAC Awards were held in person pre-pandemic, and will be virtual again in 2022.

Feel free to pass this message onto families who may not be on this Google Group. 

Please contact the SEPAC Board with any questions at: newtonspecialeducationawards@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your participation!
2021-2022 SEPAC BoardSuzanne Buchko, Jessi Champion, Erin Kelly-Makol, Jenny Klein-Sosa, Helen Scarr, Eliza Spaulding

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped reinvigorate the green areas around Bigelow on Newton Serves day. Bigelow students, Bigelow parents, Newton Covenant Church and community members worked together on a sunny and bright day. Purple and white flowers are now shining all around the school and new baby plants have been placed, Bigelow students will witness them grow bigger over the years.

It was a fun day!
Thank you,

Sarah and Giulia

Tickets are on sale for Bigelow’s first spring musical in over 3 years, Alice in Wonderland! Performances are THIS WEEK:

• Thursday May 12, 7pm
• Friday May 13, 7pm
• Saturday May 14, 3pm and 7pm

The show runs about 90 minutes and is suitable for all ages. Bring your whole family! Tickets for students will be on sale at lunches all this week. Question? Email Olivia Moriarty at omoriarty@newton.k12.ma.us

Thank you again to all of you who played a part in our spring fundraiser! Please connect with Alexia  Giannakopoulos (alexiag5@yahoo.com) for your winnings if you have not yet done so.

Those generous parents looking to connect with teachers for those teacher donated items will be hearing from Mrs. Raso this week.

Any other questions or concerns, please reach out to Auctria with any further questions.

We would like to have our traditional Bigelow Tea on Thursday May 5th during Teacher Appreciation Week this year! We hope every family can contribute something to this event and to show the Bigelow teachers our appreciation with a personal touch!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45AEA72AA3FF2-bigelow1

If you’re not a baker, there are slots for sending in drinks, fruit, flowers, or making a poster. We just ask that food be presented in single portions. Please do not send in anything that needs to be cut, and label common allergens (e.g. nuts, dairy, wheat). 

Please deliver food directly to Bigelow on Thursday morning either yourself or send it in with your child to be delivered to the main office. If necessary, food can also be delivered to the home of Charlene Gillespie (42 Waterston Rd. Newton MA) on Wednesday evening or on Thursday morning (by 10am at the latest).

Many thanks in advance!

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

Thanks to everyone who came out to supported Bigelow and attended Coming Out of the Dark party! Special thanks to Julie Landesman and Alexia Giannakopoulos for all their hard work in planning the auction!

Thank you to Sarah Hirzel and Giulia Guffanti for organizing Bigelow Serves!

NNHS PTO is looking for parents to volunteer next school year for the NNHS 22-23 Board and Committees.  They really need a Technology Co-chair – which is really managing the website. It’s less than 1.5 hours a month – plus attendance at Board meetings (6 per year – and attendance can be split with the co-chair).  Knowledge of Word Press is helpful but not necessary. 

You can click here to see all of the vacant roles. 

After two long school years of staying in, it’s time to come out of the dark! 

RSVP before April 26th to secure a spot at Bigelow’s Coming out of the dark at Union Restaurant  Thursday 4/28/22 from 7:00-10:00PM. Tickets are $75.

There will be live music, karaoke, hors d’oeuvre, and cash bar. You will also have the opportunity to bid on remaining prized items from the Online Auction. 

Buy tickets now: 

• By Venmo: @BigelowPTONewton

Please specify how many tickets you are buying and if you are sponsoring a teacher.

• By Credit Card:

Big Night – 1 ticket Big Night – 2 tickets

As this is a Community building event, we hope as many families and teachers are able to participate. Please consider sponsoring one or two teachers.

Big Night Sponsor a teacher $75 Big Night Sponsor two teachers $150

Don’t forget to get online and BID!

Big Night Auction 2022

Big Night will be at Union Restaurant (107 R Union Street, Newton) from 7:00-10:00PM.

Some fine prints: An at-home COVID test is strongly recommended to everyone attending. If you need confidential financial assistance for the evening (for tickets and/or associated costs such as childcare) – Bigelow PTO can help. Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.  This is an ADULTS ONLY evening. Don’t forget to have your sitters in place.  

From Newton Public Schools:

COVID tests have been distributed to students this week so that you will have tests to use before returning to school and during the week after the break. NPS and Newton HHS strongly recommend that you test your student on Sunday, April 24, 2022 prior to the return to school.
The state has recently indicated that COVID test kits will continue to be provided to students and staff who have opted into the program after the April break. This is good news and we encourage you to opt in! Opt-in through your Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen. Follow these instructions once you are logged in.