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