Bigelow Counseling presents a family educational session entitled, “Understanding the mind of a middle schooler”. The virtual event will take place Friday, 2/11 from 9-10am.

The Newton Public Schools is shifting its testing strategy away from pooled testing (PCR) and toward at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. This new weekly at-home rapid antigen test is for ALL students PreK-12+ (vaccinated and unvaccinated.)

We expect the new testing program to be implemented the week of February 7, 2022. Below is specific information you will need in order for your student to participate in the new at-home testing program:

• All families need to “opt-in” to this new testing program. The previous consent form will NOT apply. 
  • Access the Opt-in form through Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen 
  • Follow these instructions once you are logged into Aspen

• An at-home rapid antigen tests kit will be distributed at school every other week. Each kit will contain two tests.

• NPS recommends that all families conduct a rapid test on TUESDAY of each week. 

• Here are printed instructions for conducting the test at home. Here is a video tutorial on conducting the test. Translations are included.

• Here is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document with answers to your most common questions.

All testing information can be found on our website here: NPS COVID Testing Webpage.

The Spring Musical will be on May 12th, 13th, and 14th! The big reveal on the musical name will be Monday afternoon February 7th for kids after school 2:45 – 3:30 PM. There is a LOT of excitement around it from the students.

There will be a parent info session on Monday, February 7th at 7:30 PM – please join via zoom here – https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/2830156482.

There’s no such thing as bad weather—only bad clothing! Show your New England resilience by joining classmates and students across Massachusetts in celebrating Winter Walk, Roll, Bike and Bus Day on Wednesday, February the 2nd.

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/NewtonSafeRoutes
Website: www.NewtonSafeRoutes.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewtonSafe/status/1483866693810204673

All ski trips are cancelled. Refunds will be issued. Expect an email from Meghan Litten with more information shortly.

Student info meeting after school Friday February 4, 2:45-3:30

Parent info meeting on Zoom Monday February 7, 7:30: https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/2830156482
All information will also be posted on the drama website, www.bigelowdrama.weebly.com

From the NPS COVID Testing Team:

The Newton Public Schools is shifting its testing strategy away from pooled testing (PCR) and toward at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. This new weekly at-home rapid antigen test is for ALL students PreK-12+ (vaccinated and unvaccinated.)

We expect the new testing program to be implemented the week of February 7, 2022. Below is specific information you will need in order for your student to participate in the new at-home testing program:

• All families need to “opt-in” to this new testing program. The previous consent form will not apply. 
  • Access the Opt-in form through Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen 
  • Follow these instructions (link) once you are logged into Aspen
• An at-home rapid antigen tests kit will be distributed at school every other week. Each kit will contain two tests.
• NPS recommends that all families conduct a rapid test on TUESDAY of each week. 
• Here are printed instructions (link) for conducting the test at home. Here is a video tutorial (link) on conducting the test. Translations are included.
• Only positive results need to be reported to the school. You will complete this form (link) to report a positive result. Nurses will provide follow up information to families, including the date for return to school, following a positive test.

In addition to the weekly at-home rapid antigen testing program, we will continue in-school symptomatic testing for students and staff that develop symptoms during the school day. We will discontinue the Test and Stay testing program and contact tracing. Please be vigilant in checking your student for symptoms, conducting the daily health assessment (link), and staying home when sick.

All testing information can be found here: NPS COVID Testing Webpage.

A special thank you to Bigelow parent, Igor Tsurikhin, for helping the PTO file its tax return.  Thank you Igor!

Join the Bigelow PTO Virtual Family Trivia Night!

All ages are invited to join us for the second annual Bigelow PTO Virtual Family Trivia Night!  Emceed on Zoom by local trivia host James Marohn (Games with James), there will be dozens of challenging questions in a variety of general knowledge categories! 

On Saturday, February 5 at 7:30pm, order your dinner from Blue Ribbon BBQ, 20% from the sales during our Trivia Night will go to the Bigelow PTO, meet-up with your teammates, and compete against other teams for the title of “Bigelow Trivia Champs”! This a fun opportunity to socialize with other Bigelow families, teachers and staff, as well as show off some of your random, obscure knowledge!  Plus prizes for the top two teams and to the team with the “Best Bigelow Spirit.”  

All are welcome!  Register your team name and participants by clicking here:   
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDmbiApE9ao9_dtBWtrXQnG_CdbgOZ4EuMCyyCTCNfY_4lqQ/viewform

The Bigelow PTO annual online auction will kickstart the last week of March 2022. 

If you have some time to spare and want to make a difference in the Bigelow community, we need you! We’re looking for volunteers to reach out to businesses for donations to the auction as well as volunteers to help the Online Auction Committee assist with the auction process.

Kick-start 2022 by volunteering your time to help strengthen our Bigelow Community.  

If you would like to volunteer or have donations, please reach out to Alexia Giannakopoulos at alexiag5@yahoo.com