Brittany Karlson is a Boston-area resident of 9+ years and professional musician offering Zoom lessons in Bass (upright and electric), Voice, Ukulele. She is a Berklee College of Music graduate, active performer across Europe and USA, experienced teacher with people of all ages from multiple walks of life. Fun, patient, encouraging, knowledgeable. Located nearby in Jamaica Plain and ready to move to in person lessons once it is safe to do so. Please contact Brittany with any questions at brittany.c.karlson@gmail.com
Clubs starting this week
Bigelow 3.0 will begin offering Enrichment clubs starting this week!
Some old favorites will be back, including Anime, Bigelow Green Team and Chess. New clubs just starting are the Bigelow Time Capsule project, Cooking Together!, Collage Art and Design, and Art Club.
Check out all the clubs’ meeting times, descriptions, and Schoology groups HERE. For security reasons, your child MUST be logged onto the Newton Public Schools Google Account to join them.
- Time Capsule Club – Ms. Summa – Wednesdays from 3 – 4 PM
- Bigelow Green Team – Ms. Hoffman – no ‘face to face’ meeting
- Cooking Club – Let’s Cook Together! – Nurse Schy – Mondays from 3 – 4 PM
- Collage Art & Design – Ms. Capoccia – Wednesdays from 3 – 4 PM
- Chess Club – Mr. Trunk – Tuesdays 8 – 9 AM & Thursdays 3 – 4 PM
- Art Club **starting week of 5/4 – Mr. Legare Tuesdays 3 – 4 PM & Wednesdays 3 – 4 PM
- Anime Club – Ms. Ketcham – Tuesdays 3 – 4 PM
This list and more details can also be found on the Bigelow website under “Clubs.”
Order your 2019-2020 Bigelow Yearbook
This yearbook is sure to be a keeper, so don’t delay in ordering yours!
The deadline for ordering a yearbook has been extended until May 15. Please see the directions below for how to order your yearbook.
The yearbooks will be printed over the summer and distributed to students in early September. While the details have yet to be worked out, we envision inviting back 8th graders for a “yearbook signing party” when school opens in September.
YEARBOOK ORDERING DETAILS
Deadline: May 15th
Price: $ 25
Option # 1: Order online: ybpay.lifetouch.com
Bigelow’s ID Code: 1945920
Not sure if you’ve already ordered?
Click here to view your order history for the 2019-2020 school year.
Option # 2: Mail a check to the school.
Check payable to: Bigelow Middle School
Memo: Student’s First & Last Name, Grade
Addressed as follows:
Attention: Yearbook
Bigelow Middle School
42 Vernon St.
Newton, MA 02458
Checks must be received by May 15th. Please do not send cash.
2020 Yearbook Pictures Needed
School may be closed, but Bigelow is still planning to produce a yearbook for this school year. Led by advisor Sheryl Rice, a group of hard-working students are continuing to chronicle this most unusual year in a volume that will surely be a valuable memento and worth ordering. In addition to the many great pages of photos that they have assembled already about events that have taken place at Bigelow this year, the Yearbook Club needs your help as well!
They would like to include photos of students engaged in distance learning during this school shutdown. In particular, they’re looking for 1-2 candid photos from each student in all grades engaged in activities such as:
- fitness
- outdoor activities
- playing with pets
- cooking
- making things
- playing music
- working on projects
- wearing purple or Bigelow gear to show school spirit
- having your own pajama day
- Etc… be creative!
- Please no family photos–we just want Bigelow students
The Yearbook Club will select some of these photos to feature in the Yearbook. Click here to submit your photos. The deadline for submitting photos is Friday, May 7.
The deadline for ordering a yearbook has been extended until May 15. Please see the directions here for how to order your yearbook. Order Online now.
8th Grade Families: Shall we talk about Graduation?
Dear 8th grade families,
We would like to organize a group of Bigelow Class of 2020 parents/guardians to think of ways to support our 8th graders. We could create a Facebook Group to start a discussion and/or schedule a Zoom meeting with parents and guardians. If you are interested, please e-mail the PTO and we will be happy to facilitate: bigelowbulldog@gmail.com.
Monday: Grade 5 Parents Night at Bigelow
Come and learn about Bigelow Middle School!
Fifth Grade Parents are invited to attend an orientation meeting via Zoom on Monday, April 27, 7:30-8:45pm. Here is the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97886680596. Please contact the school office for the password: macdonaldh@newton.k12.ma.us.
Featuring a Powerpoint Screencast, including:
- Welcome from Principal Harrison and the Bigelow PTO
- Presentations by 6th grade students
- Information about Registration, Transition, Clusters, and Core Values
- Comments from the Counselor and Assistant Principals
- Followed by a live Question and Answer Period for parents
Free Programs From the Boys & Girls Club of Newton
Did you know that the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton is offering fifteen virtual programs completely free of charge to all Newton kids in grades kindergarten through twelve? Sign up is quick and easy and can be achieved at www.newtonbgc.com.
Here are this week’s featured programs:
MyFuture.net is a digital platform where kids can participate in some of the best activities the web has to offer when it comes to STEM, leadership and the arts. Weekly suggested activities arrive via Facebook and email and participants explore as desired. Anyone who registers and lists the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club as their host organization are entered into a raffle to earn a $100 Visa Gift Card.
Story Time on Mondays and Fridays at 2:00 PM is a perfect way for parents to earn themselves a short reprieve form providing 24 hour quarantine care. Bluejeans.com sessions hosted by members of the Club’s staff and volunteers feature classic tales suitable for kids in grades K-2, and younger!
Elementary School girls are invited to take part in Chat Attack, a free girls empowerment group hosted on bluejeans.com on Fridays at 3:30 PM. Kids can stay in touch with their friends and caring adult mentors as they explore a prearranged activity set designed to build self-esteem and to bring out the “superpowers” that we all possess.
Riddle Me This offers a weekly brain challenge posted on Thursdays at 1:00 PM on Facebook. It is sure to keep everyone guessing and extra points are awarded for fast thinking.
Survey about Distance Learning
School buildings will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. However, distance learning continues. Newton Public Schools need to learn more about your experience with the NPS distance learning program. Please complete this survey for each student: https://forms.gle/jkxGN4wm4hGi9eZE9
#NewtonTogether – #BigelowTogether – #ClassOf2020

Mindfulness Tutoring and Consulting
Mindfulness Tutoring and Consulting offers experienced and secure online tutoring for students grades 6-12. They can help with staying organized and assisting with assignments.
- Rates are affordable
- Schedule is flexible
- References from Newton parents are available
More information availabble on the website at www.mindfulnesstutoring.com
or contact Susan Alves, PhD at susan@mindfulnesstutoring.com or 617-515-5285.
