Dear Bigelow Families,

Thank you all so incredibly much for your generous food and decor contributions. The teacher appreciation tea today was a big hit! Everything looked so good, we were tempted to do some “sampling” as we were setting up 😉 We really appreciate the effort that you all made to help make this event special.

All the best,
Susan, Karen, and Charlene

P.S. I have a few dishes and containers that I will leave in a box on my front porch (28 Ballard St.).

We will present the 2021/22 budget and show how the PTO uses all the money raised by our community. The incoming leadership will be brought forward for a vote of Bigelow parents, guardians, teachers and staff.

When: Thursday, June 10, 7pm
Where: Zoom. Link to follow
Who: Bigelow Community

We still have open positions to fill!! If you would like to become more involved in the strategic aspect of the Bigelow PTO, helping direct and manage the overall program for 2021/22, you are encouraged to join the board or one of the committees.

Please look here for committee positions still open: http://bigelowpto.org/pto-board-and-committees/

If you are looking for a way to thank your children’s teachers and other school staff, please consider donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher campaign. NSF is a non-profit organization that raises funds to enhance educational excellence throughout Newton’s public schools. In recent weeks, NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with a $85,500 grant for the NPS to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures.

NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

Look for a postcard in your mailbox – or donate online today on the NSF website (http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher) where you can also find out more about the programs NSF funds. Or you can mail in a donation to: Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459. Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring.

Thank you for your support of Newton teachers and NSF!

Today marks the official launch of the 2021 Newton METCO Scholarship Equity and Excellence Annual Fund Campaign. This coming June, 34 Newton METCO Seniors will graduate from Newton North and Newton South High Schools. As they stand at the horizon of new opportunities, we want each and every one of our Newton METCO seniors to know they have the tangible support of their Boston-Newton communities.

The members of Class of 2021 have faced unprecedented times as the pandemic exacerbates educational and economic disparities, and experiences of racial injustice continue to have a significant impact on the students, their families, and our communities.

Now in existence for over 35 years, the Newton METCO Community Scholarship Fund (NMCSF) provides financial assistance to deserving METCO seniors seeking to pursue a college education. As we seek to support our graduates, let us draw inspiration from the spoken words of Amanda Gorman, First National Youth Poet Laureate, on Inauguration Day, 2021:

The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it

Please join us in donating to the scholarship fund today, and be a light of equity, justice, and opportunities for our Newton METCO graduates.

With gratitude,

The Members of the Newton METCO Scholarship Fund Committee

Please donate by mail:
Newton METCO Community Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 600053, Newtonville, MA 02460

We are not accepting online donations at this time. Thank you.

On Friday, June 11th, we will show our crossing guards and bus and van drivers how much we appreciate their help getting to school safely. They have been with us through the pandemic, shifting schedules multiple times and keeping us safe throughout.

Please help your child make a thank you note and give it on your way to school on Friday, June 11th to your crossing guard or write a note to your bus driver. Your note can be simple: “Thanks for helping me get to school safely!” You can also print out a card to decorate. They will appreciate it so much!

Newton Safe Routes to School will organize celebrations with pre-packaged snacks and drinks and Safety Superhero buttons at both the van yard and the bus yard for the 130 bus/van drivers, and will distribute flowers and buttons to the 56 crossing guards spread across the City.

Reminder from Todd Harrison, Bigelow Principal:

Tuesday, June 8: Math MCAS test

Thursday, June 10: Science/Technology/Engineering MCAS test (grade 8 only)

This year, each MCAS test will consist of one session. The expected length of a session is 1.5-2.5 hours, but students have the full school day to complete the test, until 2:50pm, if needed.

These assessments are important. They will provide you with feedback on your child’s progress, and they will give us valuable information about each student, groups of students, and the effectiveness of our curricula, instruction, and programs.

Our emphasis with all students is on individual progress.  We do not want them to feel undo stress about the assessments; at the same time we want them to take the assessments seriously and strive to do their best work.

We want all of the students to approach these assessments in a positive and confident frame of mind. Your help makes a huge difference. Here are a few tips:

• Words of encouragement to your child are especially helpful before the assessments and on the day of it.

• Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep prior to each test, a healthy breakfast on the morning of each test, and arrives to school on time.

• Please make sure your child’s laptop is charged overnight before each test. Here is a computer checklist.

• Bringing a water bottle is also recommended.

Thank you for your assistance in helping your child do their best.

Please review the proposed slate for the 2021-2022 school year that will be presented for a vote at the Annual PTO meeting, Thursday, June 10 at 7pm. Board members are approved at the Annual Meeting via a vote of present PTO members. Committee chairs are appointed (not subject to vote).

If you are interested in joining the board in any capacity – sharing an executive  position or chairing a committee – please contact us @ bigelowbulldog@gmail.com. We are always grateful for parents and guardians who volunteer their time and really make a difference for the PTO!

Executive Board

President – Gabriela Kroszynski 
Vice-President – May Chen
Treasurer – Linda Gillespie
Secretary  – Sukanya Ghosh

Committee Chairs

Directory – Sarah K. Lenz and Heather Thiessen Philbrook
Communications – Gwen Hautefeuille
CAS – Caryn Izhar
Teacher Appreciation – Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie
Ten Tables – Julie Landesman
Big Night – Julie Landesman
METCO Liaison – Jeanne Choe-Arrieta
POPs (Band) – Sarah Hirzel
SEPAC Liaison – Brigette LaMarche
Newton Schools Foundation Liaison – Julie Kane

Open positions here.