School Committee Update

Dear Friends,

This update is for the 12/10/2018 Newton School Committee meeting:

  • Students from the Beijing Jinshan School Exchange Program introduced themselves, shared something they have enjoyed during their visit, and presented the School Committee with a beautiful gift scroll.
  • Toby Romer, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, was joined by high school principals Joel Stembridge and Henry Turner to present an update to the high school schedule initiative. The presentation featured three potential schedules, all of which had common elements including the inclusion of flexible learning time, longer class blocks, longer lunches and the ability to start the day later but still end by 3PM.  A key takeaway was that the proposed learning time would be on par with our peer districts. He also explained that a traffic consultant has been hired to study the traffic impact of start times at elementary, middle, and high schools and to make a recommendation for adjustments that would allow a later high school start time. The School Committee’s target date for implementation of a later start time is September 2020.
  • Mary Eich, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, was joined by Katy Hogue, District Student Data Manager, to present the results of the MCAS 2018 student testing.  Overall, Newton students performed at a much higher level than the state average.  The presentation did pay close attention to a persistent achievement gap impacting several minority student groups, as well as the incongruous results of the middle school science test.
  • As part of our Facilities Update, Bill Ferguson, Co-Director of Sustainability for the City of Newton, presented Phase 3 plans for installing solar panels on several NPS owned properties including the parking lots at Mason Rice, Bigelow, Oak Hill, Memorial-Spaulding and Brown.  These efforts would save $5 million over the course of 20 years.  The School Committee voted unanimously to approve the installation of the solar panels.
  • Liam Hurley, CFO, reviewed the second FY19 Fiscal and Operations Update, which projected a positive balance of $722,000.
  • The scheduled consent agenda included several items, all of which were voted unanimous approval:

Next Meeting:

January 14 @7PM: EDCO Update, Elementary Math Update, Equity Committee Update

We hope you found this summary useful. You can access all School Committee meeting documents via the NPS website (www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee). Additionally, if you are interested in watching an SC meeting from home or a recorded meeting, you can obtain access via www.newtv.org.

As always, we are very happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us via the email address below.

Have a safe and fun December break, wonderful holidays, and a happy new year!

Sincerely,

The Newton School Committee

Grade 8 Ballroom Dance

On Friday, December 21, from 1:55pm to 2:45pm, the 8th grade will hold their annual “Dancing With The Stars” performance in the gym. The 8th graders have been working hard to learn their Foxtrot and Tango steps in Physical Education classes, and will be putting on a display of their footwork just before the vacation begins.  It’s a sight not to be missed–hope you can make it!

Parents (as well as students and staff) are invited to sit in the bleachers and spectate. To see your child in formal wear dancing the foxtrot is an event not to be missed!

New Winter Clubs at Bigelow

1. Ski and Snowboard

Who: All 6th, 7th, & 8th Graders are invited to participate
When: 1/16, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6 (Wednesday Evenings)
Where: Wachusett Mountain
Why: Fun Winter Sports experience with Bigelow friends
Website: https://sites.google.com/newton.k12.ma.us/fitzy-pe/ski-club-2019
For more information please contact Ms. Duda: DudaE@newton.k12.ma.us

2. Debate

In the Debate team students will be given a team on which to debate their side of an argument chosen by the group. For more information please contact Ms. Booras: boorasj@newton.k12.ma.us 

3. Yearbook 

Yearbook club is open to 6th, 7th & 8th graders – no experience necessary!
We are looking for hardworking students interested in photography and/or design to help create this year’s yearbook. For more information please contact Ms. Rice: sheryl_rice@newton.k12.ma.us

Geography Bee

The Geo Bee is coming soon!  The Geography Bee Qualifying Quiz will be given in homebase on Monday, Dec. 17.  New this year are questions about animals and natural events. Do your best on this quiz–if you qualify for the school championship, participation is optional.

Attention Celtics Night Attendees

**Very Important Information**

Please check to make sure you received your email regarding your ticket order. All tickets were e-mailed from the Celtics on December 3rd. If your child was one of the 25 chosen for the halftime tunnel experience, you will have received an additional e-mail on December 3rd from Erin Lewis from the Celtics. Follow the instructions provided, you need to do this a few days before the event. Please open, read and follow all of the instructions before the event. Thank you!

Did you know? – Emergency Text Messages

The Newton Public Schools has implemented an emergency text messaging system. In the event of an emergency, NPS will alert you via text on your cell phone. Please note that this system will ONLY be used for emergencies, including weather-related school closings or delays. It will not be used to share information about regular school events or operations.
To receive emergency text messages, you MUST opt-in to receive text messages. You can do this by logging into Aspen and selecting “yes” in the drop-down box below your cell phone number in the contact information section.

Shop for A Cause for Newton Schools Foundation

Shop for the holidays and make a difference for Newton’s students! Bring your friends and neighbors for a fun, festive evening of shopping and socializing. The Street, Chestnut Hill is hosting a Shop for a Cause night and a percentage of sales from participating stores will be donated to Newton Schools Foundation.

Participating stores include Copious Row, Legit Activewear, Simon Pearce, J. McLaughlin, Kodomo, Portobello Road, Vince and Polka Dog.

Register ahead of time and check in at Simon Pearce (between Juice Press and Splendid) the night of the event to receive your shopping pass and special treat.
For more information and to register click here.

December 12th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Shop for A Cause for Newton Schools Foundation

Shop for the holidays and make a difference for Newton’s students! Bring your friends and neighbors for a fun, festive evening of shopping and socializing. The Street, Chestnut Hill is hosting a Shop for a Cause night and a percentage of sales from participating stores will be donated to Newton Schools Foundation.

Participating stores include Copious Row, Legit Activewear, Simon Pearce, J. McLaughlin, Kodomo, Portobello Road, Vince and Polka Dog.

Register ahead of time and check in at Simon Pearce (between Juice Press and Splendid) the night of the event to receive your shopping pass and special treat.
For more information and to register click here.

December 12th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Newton Food Drive BREAKFAST FOODS for our Newton Food Pantries

Come to City Hall to help sort the food with the Mayor! Please help our neighbors facing food insecurity. Newton’s four food pantries provide meals for more than 1,800 people each month, and they need everyone’s help to keep up with the growing need right here in Newton.

Donate to the Newton Food Drive—the four pantries are asking for breakfast foods including cereal, granola, oatmeal, energy and granola bars, non-perishable milk boxes, coffee, tea, and peanut butter. (Sorry, no open or expired food can be accepted.)

Donations are being collected now through December 27th at City Hall and more than 30 other locations across Newton. A complete list of the sites can be found HERE.

Bring extra donations and help sort the donated food on December 31st from 10:00 – 10:30 am in the War Memorial at City Hall.  Everyone can help, from youngsters to seniors. Plus, enjoy craft making, face painting, and refreshments for the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Open House until noon.

Community Service Camp

Community Service Camp is currently registering for their monthly service programs which are run on Saturday and Sundays and for the April vacation Camp. In addition, the summer program will be open for registration this weekend.

Each day focuses on a different service theme and you’ll work together on a service project, play games and have small group discussions about the different service organizations.

Winter and spring programs are for grades K-5 and their summer camp will have two age group offerings: K-3 and 4-8. Parents can learn more about program offerings and register here: https://sites.google.com/view/service-stars/home. See the program in action on here:  www.facebook.com/servicestarsnewton.