Category Archives: From the PTO

Spring Survey from Families Organizing For Racial Justice @ Bigelow

Bigelow FORJ is a school-based chapter of Newton’s Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ).(See more at www.forjnewton.com).  We are a group of devoted parents and faculty committed to raising anti-racist children who acknowledge the pervasiveness of oppression and marginalization.  We invite parents and children to engage in critical conversations that support questioning, interrogating, and dismantling of white supremacy, including anti-Blackness and all forms of racial injustice.

We were so excited to have many parents attend our discussion sessions in November (about having conversations about the book “New Kid” with your child).

Now we are looking to plan other activities that would be of interest for the rest of this school year. Please help us understand your interests and needs by completing this brief survey.  We would like your response by 2/5/21.

Thank you!

Bigelow FORJ

https://forms.gle/13jK17tah7gLGCVa9

Bigelow is participating in the 4C Tree Project

Bigelow will sponsor 3 trees to honor the memory of lives lost to COVID-19: one in the name of the Class of 2021, another in the name of the Class of 2022 and the third in the name of the Class of 2023, our current 8th, 7th and 6th grade classes.

The trees will be planted in the spring by the City of Newton. The locations have not been determined yet, but they will be in the school grounds or close by. The PTO has committed to take care of the trees for 2 years, making sure they get enough water, so they will grow strong to memorialize this year with life.

The 4C Tree Project (Capture Carbon Commemorate COVID-19 ) is spearheaded by Green Newton’s Environmental Youth Leadership Program. The goal is to demonstrate the resilience of our City through difficult times and its commitment to a healthy ecosystem.

Everyone can make a gift to help them plant trees in public spaces throughout Newton as memorials to loved ones lost and as reminders of the importance of caring for our world.

The PTO joined the project and we invite families to also participating in it by giving to create a sustainable memorial in Newton.

Sponsor a Tree

 

Bigelow Trivia Night was a lot of fun!!!

We had a great evening of Trivia, BBQ and fun last Friday! 23 families joined the games along with Mr. Harrison, Mr. Mogenson, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Fitzgerald and Ms. Mercado, competing in 8 teams: A Trivial Pursuit, Game Stop – Won’t Stop!, Send it to Zoom-02134, Smallehigh, The Bigelow Teabags, The Burnt Ends, Monkeys in the Room, You’re on Mute, and Pharaohs’ Slaves.

We thank James Marohn, who is a fantastic host, and came up with great questions about history, music, pop culture, Newton, Bigelow and, of course, The Office! Did you know that Mr. Harrison was Mr. Leone’s and Ms. Cavicchio’s social studies teacher before becoming Bigelow’s principal?  And that Mayor Warren went to Bigelow? I guess you don’t know what was Dwight’s nickname for Angela, though.

Thanks to an impeccable run, first prize went to the Game Stop – Won’t Stop!, the Bigelow teachers’ team. They schooled us!!!! We hope the market doesn’t crash on Monday.

Second and third places went to teams Send it to Zoom, 02134 and Monkeys in the Room. The Bigelow Teabags got a prize for their Bigelow spirit!

The night was completed with yummy food from Blue Ribbon BBQ. If you did not have a chance to order on Friday, or would like to order again, they will give the PTO  20% off all restaurant orders and 10% on the catering and At Home Cookin, if you mention Bigelow. Orders are being accepted for the Super Bowl! More information here.


Winter weather update for Tuesday and Friday

From the Superintendent’s Office: 

“If we need to close on Tuesday for in-person learning, we will have a traditional snow day. If we need to cancel in-person learning on Wednesday, we will have a fully remote-learning day. The buildings will be closed, and all students will access their learning virtually.”

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon 2021

Many thanks to all of the families who have contributed to the teacher and staff appreciation luncheon! We are well on our way towards reaching our fundraising goal…. So thank you and please keep those donations coming!

 

Two questions have arisen that we’d like to address. First, if you are donating money, there is no need to add that to the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is just for dessert and decor donations (desserts still needed!!). Money donations can be made directly online using one of these links (the money amounts are links).

 

Second, if you’d like to donate by check, please mail it to Bigelow:
Bigelow PTO
42 Vernon St.
Newton, MA 02458
To donate desserts and decor items, please indicate on this google spreadsheet what you are willing to contribute and/or donate here
The luncheon will be on Thursday, Feb 11, from 11:30-12:30.

If you have any questions, please contact: sestpierre@gmail.com 

Bigelow Principal Search – Meeting with Superintendent

From the Superintendent’s office: 

Dear Bigelow Families,

As you are aware, Todd Harrison is retiring at the end of the school year after 25 years of distinguished service at Bigelow, 17 of which have been as principal. I know that Todd has cherished his time at Bigelow and his passion for the job remains unwavering. He is deeply committed to ensuring that the school focuses on both the academic and social and emotional needs of students, and that commitment has continued during this incredibly challenging year. Todd’s positive and engaging style has been a constant source of comfort for generations of Bigelow students and families.

It is now time to begin a search for a new principal for Bigelow. Selecting a principal is one of the most critical decisions made by a superintendent. Principals are expected to provide excellent educational leadership, establish a positive school culture, and manage the daily operation of the building. Since the principal’s position impacts the entire school community, it is important that the process provide an opportunity to solicit feedback from a range of stakeholders, including parents/guardians and families. The principal search process that we are about to enter will include opportunities for parents to provide input, serve on a Selection Advisory Committee (SAC), and meet finalists as they visit the school.

Please join me on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. for a discussion on the principal search. I will review the process and timeline for selecting a principal and explain how you may be directly involved in the search process.

Zoom Link:  https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/88617955842?pwd=dkQrTktRQjlPZVRWZ2NzcFJtRFRoZz09

I look forward to working with you to secure an excellent new leader for Bigelow.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

8th Grade Chromebooks

The chromebooks for 8th graders have finally arrived! Devices and recharging cords were distributed to cohort B students on Friday and will be given on Monday morning to cohort A students.

Parents of distance students may come to the main office at  Bigelow anytime, 8:30am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday to pick up their 8th grader’s device and recharging cords beginning next Monday, Feb. 1.

Each student has been assigned a device and will be given one unless they already received one this year. We strongly recommend that students use their new school-issued chromebook when in school.  Our IT department can only support school issued laptops.  They are not able to troubleshoot personal laptops that have problems.

Please see the Chromebook Use and Care Quick Reference which includes information on connecting the device to your home wireless network. All students should have their own personal headphones with a built-in microphone. An earbud/microphone set is recommended.

Also linked is the Secondary Acceptable Use Guideline Poster that we share with students every year. Please review it with your child before using the device. We expect the laptop to be used for school-related purposes.

Students should charge their device every night, and bring it along with their recharging cord and headphone/microphone set to and from school every day that they attend in-person classes. The laptop and related equipment should be safely carried in a backpack. We recommend that you get a case for it. Students are responsible for its safekeeping, and should never leave it unattended in an unsecure location.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon 2021

As you may know, every year the PTO hosts a luncheon for the Bigelow teachers and staff. This year, more than any other, we would like to show our immense appreciation for our teachers who have persevered with grace and patience through this incredibly difficult time. The luncheon will be on Thursday, Feb 11, from 11:30-12:30.

Our luncheon will have to be adapted to fit our pandemic reality. While in the past we have asked for donations of luncheon entrees, appetizers, and desserts, this year the PTO will be providing the entrees and appetizers from local restaurants.

To this end, we are asking Bigelow families to chip in by doing one or more of the following:

  • Contribute money towards the cost of the luncheon. We are hoping to raise $1500 to provide a lovely catered lunch for 82 teachers and staff members.
  • Donate desserts. Desserts would need to be packaged individually or in small portions, as you might prepare for a bake sale. We will have a table set up for teachers to make their own to-go dessert boxes.
  • Donate decor items (table cloths, flowers, etc)

Please indicate on this google spreadsheet what you are willing to contribute and/or donate here:

$10 $20 $50

$75 $100 $150

Many thanks in advance for contributing to this important event!

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

If you have any questions, please contact: sestpierre@gmail.com 

Bigelow, BBQ and Beets –  Sign Up Now For The Bigelow Trivia Night! 

We have a number of families that have already signed up, so we hope you will, as well!

Join us for a fun evening, testing your knowledge of all things trivia January 29, 2021, 7:30 – 9:30 pm! 
Hosted by local trivia host extraordinaire, James Marohn, you will be challenged with four rounds of questions, covering a broad range of topics, such as sports, Bigelow history, The Office (of course) and Massachusetts trivia. James will use lots of visual and audio clips that will add to the fun!
How to participate: You can sign up here. We will assign teams, which will be a great way to meet other folks from the Bigelow community.
We will contact you again after we have assigned teams, and you will be able to contact your team members directly to decide on a team name. You will receive the Zoom link a few days before the event, along with a confirmation of your team name.
How to add BBQ to your evening: Please consider ordering your dinner that night from Blue Ribbon BBQ! Mention you are part of the Bigelow PTO and 20% of the proceeds from all orders will be donated to the Bigelow PTO, so another great reason to order delicious BBQ!
How to add Beets to your evening: Start by binge watching The Office!
Prizes will be given to the teams that come in first and second, and the team that shows the most Bigelow spirit. So get your Bigelow gear and get ready for a fun night!
Please register by Monday, January 25, 2021.
Questions? Email kmarkson@gmail.com