Teacher and Staff Appreciation Tea 2021

We have one final opportunity this year to show the teachers and staff at Bigelow how much we have appreciated them. It’s been a year of transitions, schedule changes, and uncertainty, and the teachers and staff have been there for our kids through it all! We will be hosting a Teacher and Staff Appreciation Tea on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at 1:40pm in the Bigelow library.

Please add your name and donation to the spreadsheet here.

This event is a lighter version of our luncheon – an afternoon snack! Similar to the luncheon, we will be serving “take-out” style with clamshell containers that teachers can fill with all sorts of snacks and treats. We would like to serve a mix of sweet and savory options. In addition, if anyone is a gluten-free baker we would appreciate a couple of GF options.

Please make every attempt to donate items which are easily picked up using plastic tongs or plastic serving spoons, however, this time items do not need to be individually wrapped (though you are welcome to do so if you would like!). Please add your name and donation to the spreadsheet here.

If you are short on time but can spare a few extra dollars, we are planning to purchase some supplemental food and drinks. You can donate by clicking the dollar amount here:

$10    $20 

Food donations can be left on the front porch of Susan St. Pierre’s house the evening before or the morning of the event. The address is 28 Ballard St. If you’d prefer to bring the food directly to the school on June 2nd, you are welcome to do that as well.

Many thanks in advance for contributing to this important event!

Susan St. Pierre, Karen Yee, and Charlene Gillespie

Updated Guidance – Face Coverings

Message from the Superintendent, David Fleishman

On May 17, Governor Baker and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released updated guidance on face coverings in school settings. After consultation with Newton HHS and members of our Medical Advisory Group, NPS will align its face covering protocol with the new guidance from the state. We understand this guidance to be based upon the CDC recommendations and findings that risk of outdoor transmission is very low. The changes are noted below:

  • Masks will no longer be required when students are outdoors during the school day on school grounds, even if distance cannot be maintained. This includes recess, physical education, and outdoor learning environments.
  • Adults must continue to wear masks outdoors if distancing cannot be maintained.
  • At this time, adults and students must continue to wear masks indoors.

Guidance was also released with regard to face coverings in youth sports. Following the governor’s announcement, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) released guidance for school sports. NPS will follow the guidance issued by MIAA, which indicates the following (among other details):

  • Masks will no longer be required for athletes competing outdoors or for athletes competing indoors in sports defined as “low-risk” in which 14 ft. of distance is consistently maintained. Details on the MIAA guidance can be found linked here.


These changes will be in effect beginning Thursday, May 20, 2021.

Leadership Opportunities at the Bigelow PTO – Be part of our team!!!

Get Involved: Join the Bigelow PTO Board in 2021-2022!

Please see here the list of open positions. Consider taking a role in the PTO next year. There are many ways to help, based on how much time you can spare. We are happy to chat with you if you have any questions about any position. You can email us or we can set up a time to chat.

For your guidance, we will vote on the new slate of Board members in our Spring meeting (time TBD).

Parents needed for Laps @ Lunch

Laps at Lunch is a Bigelow program that helps our students get some fresh air and a chance to move around in the middle of the day. During this daily, optional program, students are allowed to walk laps around the inside perimeter of Burr Park once they’re done with their lunch. 

As a parent volunteer, you’ll assist staff with helping students cross the street and monitor their walk. It’s a fun way to be around the kids and see how much they get from this opportunity. You can volunteer as much or as little as you can – every bit helps us keep this program available to our students!

Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:30am-12pm & Wed – 10:50am-12:15pm

If interested please contact Mary Fitzgerald (Physical Education teacher) at: fitzgeraldm@newton.k12.ma.us. More about our program here.

Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony

Class of 2021 “moving on” ceremony for eighth graders will take place on the last full day of school on Monday, June 21, outdoors in Burr Park.The tentative time of the ceremony is 9:00-10:15am.   

All eighth grade students will receive certificates of completion during this special ceremony, and there will be music and speeches by eighth graders and Bigelow staff.

  • Eighth grade families are encouraged to take their child to lunch after the ceremony and then have their eighth grader return for afternoon activities at 12:30pm.
  • There is a limit of 6 attendees per student.
  • The ceremony will be broadcast on zoom for students and families who can not attend in person.
  • The rain date is Tuesday, June 22, 9-10:15am
  • Eighth grade students should wear comfortable clothes and shoes, suitable for walking outdoors. White dresses are not a requirement. Any color school clothes are recommended.

More information about the seating arrangements in Burr Park and other details for this event will be forthcoming.

2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards!

Nominations are now OPEN for the 2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards! Please go to https://forms.gle/M9uHkvhHx1NvvnJ2A to submit your nominations by May 17th. Here’s how the 2021 “Virtual” Awards will work: Families will submit nominations using the Google Form Each … Continue reading →