Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Newton Families:

Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students is an important system goal. It is essential that we work in partnership with families on important issues that impact our students. I am writing because we have become aware that many of our students are watching and discussing a new Netflix series entitled 13 Reasons Why, the content of which is challenging and difficult.

The series is based on a young adult novel by Jay Asher originally published in 2011. The story focuses on a high school student who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13 tapes detailing why she took her own life. The Netflix series contains graphic scenes of suicide and sexual assault/rape. It also addresses issues of cyber-bullying, alcoholism, and depression.

As a community that has felt the tragic impact of youth suicide, we are particularly concerned about the content of this series. These issues are extraordinarily challenging and may be difficult for some students to process in a healthy and appropriate way. We want to ensure that families are not only aware of the show, but are equipped with resources to help them address these issues with their children.

As a family, we encourage you to:

  • Check in with your child to find out if they have watched the show or what they might know about it.
  • If they want to see the show, watch it with them or preview it for them. You are the best person to determine if your child is prepared to handle the content.
  • If they have already watched it, take the opportunity to open a dialogue about the important yet difficult issues portrayed in the story.

The following resources provide important guidance on the issues addressed in the show, as well as talking points for having a meaningful conversation with your child.

National Association of School Psychologists (Background)
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators

Jed Foundation (Issues raised)
https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-jed-point-view/

Jed Foundation/Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Talking Points)
https://www.save.org/13-reasons-why/

Riverside Trauma Center – PDF (Guiding Questions)

We know these issues are challenging and I hope this information is helpful. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor directly.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Volunteers needed for Big Night

We need people to help during the day of May 20th from 11-2 to set up our Big event.  Join in and be part of the team to transform the tent at the Commander’s Mansion into the Bigelow Big Night Luau.

We also need people to help for an hour or so during the event to assure our night runs smoothly.

If your are interested in volunteering, please contact Beth Panella at beth.panella@comcast.net.

Check out the Auction Catalog
Buy your tickets

Bigelow Outreach Club sponsors Paint Bar Event – June 7th

Come and demonstrate your artistic talents at the Paint Bar in West Newton on June 7th, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm!

The Bigelow Outreach Club is sponsoring a night of painting and raising money for the SEGA Girls School in Tanzania! Tickets to the event are $50.00 per person – half of the proceeds go directly to the SEGA School. Order forms with more details will be distributed in homebases during the week of May 1st and can be downloaded here.  More information can be found on the Outreach Club’s website.  This event is open to kids (over the age of 8) and adults.

Please reserve your spots as soon as possible, because the Paint Bar will open this event up to the general public in mid-May. Let’s make this an all Bigelow event!

 

Thank you for beautifying Bigelow

Message from the Principal

Dear Bigelow families and staff,

A huge thanks to all of our Bigelow families and staff who worked for Bigelow during NewtonServes Day.

Dozens of volunteers were here yesterday, working hard, building a fence, spreading tons of mulch, pruning and raking dozens of bags of brush, and in general sprucing up the grounds and entrance to the school.

I can’t believe how much we were able to get done. Bigelow’s grounds have never looked better and are now ready for spring!

Bigelow and Newton are amazing communities, and your work meant so much to me. It truly takes a village to run a school, and yesterday you were one hard-working village. It was particularly gratifying to see so many students getting their hands dirty and learning about the joys of getting involved, many for the first time. A special shout out to Audrey Weissborn and teacher emeritus Kathy Marsh for their leadership and labor!

Thank you SO much!

With appreciation,

Todd

Newton Community Farm Needs Event Workers

Newton Community Farm is looking for responsible people, 16 and older, to work at private events in our Barn. Responsibilities include helping to set up/break down chairs and tables, directing renters on permissible parking, and ensuring that renters are following all Farm Rules.

Events are typically 3 to 5 hours, in the evening or on weekends. The hourly pay is $15.00. If you are interested, come to an orientation at Newton Community Farm, May 5th, at 3pm to come see the farm, and learn more about this position. Please rsvp to Emily at admin@newtoncommunityfarm.org, and bring a resume to the orientation.

The Farm is located at 303 Nahanton Street. If you are driving, please park on either Nahanton or Winchester Streets.

Hilarious production

Disco and Moliere! An hilarious 17th Century French comedy updated to 1970’s New York. Moliere’s ‘The Bourgeois Gentleman’ or ‘The Would-Be Hipster’, is about a commoner who has inherited some money, and wishes to use it to become what he is not – a gentleman, or in this version, one ‘wild and crazy guy’. M. Jourdain is baffled by his tutors, and hilarity ensues as he tries to learn how to be cool. Replete with disco dance and musical interludes, and the requisite star-crossed lovers who must trick M. Jourdain into allowing them to marry.

Watch local favorite, Linda Goetz, play M. Jourdain as a boorish 1970s New Yorker who has suddenly come into money and is trying to impress everyone with his “alternative facts!” A hilarious production by Newton Theatre Company, directed by Melissa Bernstein
Tickets $20.00 adults/$15.00 seniors/$10.00 students at www.newtontheatrecompany.com

May 5th,  8:00 pm; May 6th,  8:00 pm;  May 7th, 2:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Navigating the Student-Athlete College Search and Recruiting Process

If you’re a student-athlete approaching the college application process, you may be experiencing some stress. The college selection and recruiting process starts much earlier for you and can be complex and time-consuming. The instructor will explain that there is a college for every student-athlete who wants to earn a college degree while playing his or her favorite sport. Join an overview of the college search and recruiting process and learn to successfully navigate the maze of issues facing the student-athlete.

You’ll learn about the differences between Divisions I, II, and III; the NCAA Clearinghouse and national Letter of Intent; and the benefits of playing a sport in college. Find out what college coaches and admissions directors are looking for and how to get their attention, and leave with action steps for each year of high school. This two-session program is for kids and adults. To register, call 617-559-6999 or visit newtoncommunityed.org.

May 9th and May 11th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North High School, $45 ($75 for two).

5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE

Come to the 5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE, their only event of the year. This event gives you an opportunity to walk the grounds, participate in unique and fun events and meet all the amazing people that receive and provide services at the center. Additionally, guide dogs and family pets and welcome to walk. It’s a great day with music, a cookout and all kinds of games and giveaways. All of the activities offer unique opportunities for both sighted and visually impaired people to participate. For example, instead of baseball, they have beepball, where the ball “beeps” and this enables the kids with visual impairments to know when to swing. The same accessibility occurs with a putt putt golf game.

The day is designed to engage everyone and show kids, their friends, families and the community how active and independent blind and visually impaired people can be. As neighbors within the community, this event will bring all who attend closer to understanding our differences.

This year, students 16 and under are free which means they can attend the event together, use teamwork to fundraise for their team and even win prizes for participation. This day is the perfect combination of fun, education, inclusion and community.

To donate or register head to carroll.org/walk.

May 21st, 10 am – 2:00 pm
770 Centre Street, Newton

Seeking Child Scientists!

Harvard’s Lab for Developmental Studies investigates how children learn, use language and think. The lab is located near the Harvard Square T-station and they provide parking permits for drivers. The studies are designed as games in which children answer questions about pictures or videos. Additionally, parents may complete questionnaires about their children’s development.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child for the whole session, and research assistants are available to supervise siblings. Each child receives a small toy as a “thank you.” Parents receive $5 as travel compensation.

Interested? Call 617-496- 7175 for more information about how to get involved.