Category Archives: From the PTO

Bigelow PTO Family Directory

Bigelow PTO Family Directory

The Bigelow PTO Family Directory is hosted online at Membership Toolkit. The access is free and it can be used by all Bigelow families. The directory is run and funded by the PTO thanks to your support!

The online platform is a secure and easy to use tool that organizes contact information from all Bigelow families unless they specifically opt out.  It is a convenient, environmentally conscious system, that can be updated throughout the school year.

Please confirm that your information is correct and up-to-date. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account with another school, you can use the same log-in here.

ACCESS THE DIRECTORY

If you are unfamiliar with the platform, if you have forgotten your directory access login, or if you are unsure about whether or not you are in it, please email us with your name and your child’s name(s) at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

The success of the system is dependent on every family logging in and updating their information. Families can edit their name, address, and phone numbers, and each family can decide which pieces of information will be available for others to view through the privacy settings.

Letter from the Principal: “Return to Learn” at Bigelow

August 26, 2020

Dear Bigelow Parents,

Now that the School Committee has approved the new “Return To Learn” plan, we are shifting into hyper-space speed to get ready for the school year.

We will open for students on September 16 in a remote online format, and then we plan to transition to a dual hybrid model/distance-only model on November 16.

If you haven’t already responded to the Ed Center with your original preference for the hybrid model/distance-only model, please do so asap. The deadline is today.  Even though we are starting the year in a remote online format, we still need this information to help us plan classes in anticipation of the transition to a hybrid model/distance-only model in November.

If you want to change your previous preference, please complete the attached google form: https://forms.gle/pnn4xmrrBPBkGz566

Once we receive all of your preferences, we can finalize students’ clusters and homebases.  We hope to send your child’s cluster and homeroom to you later next week.

The details of this distance-only model were explained further at last night’s School Committee meeting.  All students will remain with the same cluster, the same homebase, and the same teachers throughout the whole year in all models.  I.e. If a student is assigned to cluster 6A, this student will have 6A classes and teachers in the remote online model, as well as in the hybrid model or in the distance-only model,  depending upon their preference.

Students in the distance-only model will be integrated into Bigelow as much as possible. In brief,  students in hybrid AND distance-only will continue to have four class sessions together for each subject after November 16. There is only one class session per week that is different: the hybrid students will have one in-person class session with each teacher, and at the same time or later in the day,  the distance-only students will meet online with a different teacher–hopefully a Bigelow teacher but not definitely–once per week. This “fifth” period will follow the same curriculum, but may be a different activity due to the format.

I hope this clarifies these options for you.

We will have information sessions for the parents and students before classes begin so that you know all the changes that are taking place to make this year a safe and educational experience for your child.  I will send you dates for these sessions as soon as they are finalized.

Enjoy these last days of August.  May the force be with us!

Take care,

Todd

Thank you to The Village Bank

We are pleased to announce that The Village Bank, a local and community-minded bank based in Newton, has once again donated $4,500 to the PTO! Their continued support allows the Bigelow PTO to fund our services and programs to benefit our children.

We especially appreciate their generosity in these challenging times!

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Welcome from the PTO

Dear Bigelow Families,

We hope this note finds you well, and we are excited to welcome you and your student(s) to the 2020/2021 year at Bigelow Middle School!

There is no doubt that this is going to be a unique and challenging year. Like you, we are anxiously awaiting further detailed information regarding the Back to Learning plan. There is still much uncertainty, which makes planning PTO events and programs difficult. As a result, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to put many important and fun events on hold for now, including the 6th Grade Potluck Dinner, Ten Tables and the Fall Car Wash. These social events build our community and serve a critical fundraising role, and we are concerned about the impact this will have on our Bigelow family.

As the PTO, “we are dedicated to provide support and information to the parent community.” We will continue to share updates regarding PTO events as well as information regarding the school and the district. And we are working hard exploring other ways to support social events and fundraisers that can be held safely. Stay tuned.

We were truly gratified by the support and generosity you showed the PTO last Spring and through the end of the year. We are fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community and we look forward to serving you in the coming year.

If you have questions for the PTO, please contact us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Karen Markson and the Bigelow PTO Board

2020-21 School Re-Opening

All information about 2020-21 School Re-Opening can be found in the Newton Public Schools website.

On Monday, August 10th, Newton Public Schools shared the Return to Learn plan for the start of school in Fall 2020. The plan provides information on:

  • Health and safety protocols
  • Building modifications, processes, and protocols
  • Food service and transportation
  • Sample schedules for hybrid and distance learning models
  • Student services, including special education
  • Professional development
  • Technology

View the 8/10/2020 presentation on the Return to Learn plan
View the full Return to Learn plan
View the Frequently Asked Questions
Read the Latest communication updates from the Newton School District

How will my student get to Bigelow this fall?

This summer NPS partnered with City departments and Newton Safe Routes to School  to identify and implement safety improvements on routes to schools*. A page with transportation resources for Bigelow is available at the Safe Routes to School website: check it out!

NEW THIS FALL

  • Two entrances will be open for students: the front entrance at Vernon for students coming from the North and the Gym entrance, at the parking lot, for those coming from the South.
  • Bus Zone moved to Arlington St. Yellow buses will drop off and pick up students on Arlington St. Please AVOID driving on Arlington as cars cannot pass the buses. See map here.
  • Changes in traffic and parking regulations around Bigelow in light of Covid. See here.

At Bigelow, we are hoping that more students will walk or bike to school!** Let’s start planning how your student will get to class if they are in the hybrid model.

  1. Walking: Lots of students walk to Bigelow every day. Walking with friends is always fun – and a healthy activity to start the day**. If your students would like to participate in a walking group, please fill out this form and we will help you connect with other families.
  2. Biking: Bigelow has bike racks in front of the school and at the parking lot on Park Street. Safe Routes to School crowdsourced routes to Bigelow in Ride with GPS. We recommend that your student test these and find what works best for them. If your student would like to participate in a bike train, please fill out this form and we will help you connect with other families.
  3. Bus: Bigelow Middle School is served by both yellow school buses and the MBTA. New this year: Bus Zone on Arlington St. Check out bus routes and schedule for Bigelow and an interactive map of NPS bus stops by school. MBTA Bus 57, at Park St. and Elmwood. METCO students will find their bus stops here. Visit the NPS School Transportation webpage for more information.
  4. Car: Please, help minimize traffic immediately around schools. If you must drive, find an area to drop off and pick up away from the school to avoid getting caught in school traffic and to make it safer for everyone. This also prioritizes access for those students who do need to be driven. Work with your student to find a location that works for your family. Find suggestions here.

Please note temporary changes in traffic and parking and regulations around Bigelow.   Read all communications from Mr. Harrison about arrival and dismissal protocols very carefully as there might be more changes.

Getting students to school safely is a community effort!

* More details about school transportation at the Return to Learn Plan.

** Walking or biking to school provides part of the physical activity students need to arrive at school ready to be in control of their bodies for the day and ready to learn. Active transportation also helps to  improve air quality around schools, and children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution, which are linked to asthma and other respiratory diseases, such as Covid-19.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle School Supplies

While getting ready for the school year, the PTO invites you to think about school supplies in a sustainable way.  

This is a great opportunity to embrace our sustainable values with our children and show them how they can personally take climate action. Going together with the kids through their books, notes and school materials can be a valuable experience – in economic and environmental terms – and help reducing waste at the end of the school year by practicing the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There’s a reason reduce & reuse come before recycle – not just because it sounds good, but it’s the order in which we should approach sustainability. Here are some tips to use with your child when gathering their school supplies:

  • Empty backpacks, pencil cases, binders, folders.
  • Clean everything (a swipe of rubbing alcohol can remove marker and make everything looks like new).
  • Repair or patch what you can. 
  • Organize pens, pencils, markers, scissors, calculators, etc.
  • Take out the used pages of notebooks and evaluate what can be reused in school or at home.

You will note that you can really reduce the purchase of new supplies because a lot can be reused. And we can all celebrate how much energy, water, resources and money we will have saved in our community! 

Check out more resources:

Remote Drop-Off/Pick-Up

We encourage students to walk, bike or take the bus to school. If you must drive, please find an area to drop off and pick up away from the school to avoid getting caught in school traffic and to make it safer for everyone. This also prioritizes access for those students who do need to be driven. Work with your student to find a location that works for your family.

Some suggestions are:

  • Park St, between Farlow and Church
  • Church St
  • Eldredge St
  • Arlington St, between Waverly and Pembroke
  • Please AVOID Arlington St between Waverly and Park, as it is now a Yellow Bus Zone

PLEASE NOTE temporary changes to Traffic and Parking regulations around Bigelow.