One more week to donate to Bigelow’s Annual Appeal

We have one more week before we wrap up our annual campaign. Please donate by December 18. Every amount is appreciated.

A Big Bigelow Thank You to those who have donated already! Our community is amazing!

You can do it online now, or send a check to: Bigelow PTO at 42 Vernon Street, Newton, MA 02458. All donations – large or small – are greatly appreciated and will help us achieve all that we set out to do.

$10  |  $20   |    $50   |   $100      |   $250   |   $500   |   $1,000

THANK YOU!

Note change in dates for Hybrid A and B

Given the way the holidays have fallen since the hybrid model began and to equalize the in-person days for both cohorts, please note changes for the week before December break.

Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22 

  • Cohort A – Asynchronous classes – students stay at home
  • Cohort B – In-person classes – students go to school

Let’s keep our sidewalks clear of snow for safe walking to school

Did you know that Newton residents are required to remove the snow and ice from their paved sidewalks within 24 hours? A $50 fine after an initial warning was added for 2019. The Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force asks that residents do their part so students can keep walking to school all winter. The extra bit of exercise and fresh air is particularly important this year before students start their very structured school day.

We need residents to clear the snow and ice from their sidewalks to keep our community safe. Please report concerns immediately to 311. Download the “Newton MA 311″ app for your mobile phone or use the web portal to pinpoint the exact location, and include a photo. You can also call the City at 617-796-1000.

You can report anonymously or with contact information so you can track the progress of the report. In addition to sidewalk repairs, sign and traffic signal problems, and brush covering the sidewalk, there are many categories for reporting snow concerns, including sidewalks that are not cleared and corners that are blocked.

Learn more at www.newtonsaferoutes.org or email us at NewtonSafeRoutes@gmail.com.

Snow Days: no school vs distance learning day

From the Superintendent’s Office

In case of inclement weather, NPS will shift to a “distance learning day” instead of cancelling in-person school. This day will count as a day of school and all students will be expected to log in to classes. Teachers will notify students and families via email of their schedule for the day with all relevant login/link information.

Please note: in the event of inclement weather, the district may still decide to cancel school instead of shifting to distance learning. You will need to carefully monitor the notification channels listed below for the plan for the day. The decision made will apply to ALL students whether they are hybrid or distance only students.

  • A “shift to distance learning” , school closings or delays will be communicated via phone call, text message, email, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), NPS district website, and local television and radio stations. Please note: television and radio stations will only be used as a notification channel if school is cancelled or delayed.

  • To receive text messages, you must opt-in. To opt-in, please login to Aspen, and follow this path: Aspen > Family tab > Pick Student > Contact > Pick Parent. Then select “yes” for SMS messages in the drop-down box below your cell phone number. 

The Resilience Project

The Resilience Project is an innovative school-and community-based initiative designed to promote the mental health and well-being of adolescents. It provides support to students, parents, educators, counselors and communities through collaboration with school personnel, customized educational programming and improved access to treatment resources.

Their winter newsletter is a trove of information to help parents and schools support the development of good mental health in children and adolescents.