Category Archives: From the PTO

Something From Nothing: A History of Hip Hop, a virtual presentation from Corey DePina for 7th graders


Bigelow is excited to welcome back Corey DePina. In “Something from Nothing: A History of Hip Hop”, Corey will take students through the early history of hip hop and its four elements – MC-ing, DJ-ing, breakdancing and graffiti – to inspire them with the possibilities of creating something positive out of nothing. This virtual workshop will take place on January 21st at 9am and will features storytelling, rap performance, free-styling demonstration and activities that bring groups together to improvise beats verse or movement, adding in their own style and spin. Corey is a skilled rapper and workshop leader whose work as a facilitator for local and national non-profits and community centers has earned him numerous awards, including: the 2008 Good Neighbor Award from East Boston’s NOAH, the 2008 Community Leadership Award from Jamaica Plain’s Hyde Square Task Force, the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the 2014 Best Initiative, Best Youth Worker of the Year. He is also the Director of Programs for Zumix Boston.

Sponsored by Creative Arts & Sciences and the Bigelow PTO.

Thank you!

Thank you to the parents who donated  for the teachers and staff “Winter Warm Up” that took place on December 23rd. It was a big hit with the staff, and much needed warm treats on a cold day before break.

The PTO will also be holding a teacher luncheon in early February and an afternoon tea in late spring, more info coming up soon!

Happy Holidays!

We would like to wish all of our students, families, faculty, and staff a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Sending gratitude and heartfelt thanks this holiday season to everyone for supporting us to make Bigelow a stronger and supportive school environment.

-Gabriela Kroszynski, May Chen, Linda Gillespie, & Sukanya Ghosh (Bigelow PTO Officers)

Teacher & Staff Appreciation “Winter Warm-Up”


Dear Bigelow Families,

In the spirit of the winter holidays, we’d like to thank our Bigelow Teachers and Staff for their monumental efforts this year and to wish them a very happy holiday season. Together with Principal Coston, the PTO is hosting a “Winter Warm Up” on December 23rd. Details are still being finalized, but warm drinks and delicious food are on the menu for our amazing teachers and staff!

We will also be holding a teacher luncheon in early February and an afternoon tea in late spring. At this time, we’d like to ask for donations to the Teacher Appreciation Fund to help cover the costs of these three events. No donation is too small, and since catering costs have increased significantly since last year, all donations are so appreciated!

For all of you who love to cook and bake, we will have the opportunity to share our treats with the teachers and staff at the February event, so keep those recipes handy! 

Please consider donating here, and when you donate, please indicate “Teacher Appreciation” in the note field:

Venmo: @BigelowPTONewton

or Credit Card: $10 – $20 – $50

Warmest regards,

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

Teacher Appreciation Committee

Winter Weather

A message from Newton Public Schools:

Winter weather is upon us as we expect a bit of snow this week! Here is a quick reminder of our snow day notification procedures.


School closings or delays will be communicated via phone call, text message, email, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), website, and local television and radio stations. To receive text messages, you must opt-in. To opt-in, please login to Aspen, navigate to the contact information section, and select “yes” for SMS messages in the drop-down box below your cell phone number. Following a storm, many of our students will continue to walk to school. We have collaborated with Newton DPW to create maps showing sidewalks that will be plowed, ensuring safe routes to school. Please access the maps here. For more detailed information on school operations in winter weather, please visit our webpage here: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/weather 

A Message from Bigelow FORJ

JOIN Bigelow FORJ on Monday, December 13 at 7:40-8:00 am at Vernon/Park intersection crosswalk island to demonstrate our support for the leadership of our NPS principals (particularly Bigelow Principal Coston and NNHS Principal Turner in light of recent events, administrators, counselors  and teachers who are pursuing educational agendas aligned with the district-wide values and commitment to equity. Bigelow FORJ unequivocally denounces all forms of systemic racism and social exclusion and will continue to push and act for antiracism, social justice and inclusion.

Please spread the word, ask your children, families and neighbors to join us to demonstrate that the Bigelow community (whether as parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors, staff or supporters) stands united in continuing to push for equity for all. Bring signs, posters, slogans (this would be a fantastic opportunity to include your children/students’ creative ideas for designing rally materials) and most importantly, yourselves!

Thank you so much for all your support for this incredibly difficult work on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Margo Michaels & Kaori Urayama

Bigelow FORJ Co-Leads