Are you looking for a fun way to contribute to the Bigelow community? Please consider becoming part of ​Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS)​. If you’ve been part of CAS at the elementary school level, you know that it’s a great program. If you’ve never been part of CAS, this is the perfect opportunity to participate on a highly revered PTO funded program. CAS brings enrichment programming to students in K-8, all funded by the PTO. Check out the city-wide CAS website to learn more about CAS happenings in all of the schools.

About CAS at Bigelow:

In a typical school year, CAS at Bigelow brings 8-9 enrichment programs. All the systems are in place and ready to pass on. The administration is highly supportive as are teachers. In the past Bigelow has brought in programming from Tanglewood Marionettes, New England Aquarium and Theatre Espresso. This year Bigelow has brought in authors Sheela Chari and Gregory Mone, and is looking forward to a visit from NASA astronaut, Susan Kirlan in the spring.

Have questions before committing or are you ready to sign up? Please contact: Alexandra Cohen, current Bigelow CAS Chair, ​acohen415@gmail.com

* If you have a friend that’s interested, you can both participate – co-chairing is always welcome!

The PTO invites all Bigelow caregivers for a conversation with Superintendent Dr. David A. Fleishman and members of the School Committee about what is happening in the District.

Monday, March 9th, 7pm @ the Bigelow Library. Refreshments will be served.

Newton Safe Routes to School reminds families that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. All our schools have high traffic volume in the morning and most children are pedestrians for all or part of their route to school, whether they walk from home, walk over from a nearby street (Park & Walk maps), walk to the bus stop, or walk from the Blue Zone.  The following guidelines are adapted from the National Safety Council. However you get to school, put your phone down and pay attention.  #ShareTheRoad.

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard in a crosswalk or intersection. Sometimes young children need more time to cross the intersection than the light allows.
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• Do not pull into driveways to turn around, especially near schools. You may not see a child on the sidewalk approaching on bike or on foot.
• Be extra cautious when backing up.
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas. School Zone speed limits are 20 mph.
• Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
• Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

• If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist.
• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass.
• If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals.
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this.
• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.
• Check side mirrors before opening any door.

More at www.newtonsaferoutes.org.