Welcome to the 2015/16 School Year and a Few Key Dates

Dear Bigelow Families,

The Bigelow PTO would like to welcome you all to Bigelow and the new school year.  Below are a few dates to get on your calendars to start the school year.

Grade 6 Ice Cream Social – Tues. September 1st from 9am – 10:30am

SchoolKidz (Pre ordered School Supplies) Pick up – Tues. September 1st from 10:30am – noon (corridor along courtyard)

NO SCHOOL – Rosh Hashanah, Mon. Sept 14th

All School Picnic – Wed. September 16th, 5:30pm – 7pm at Burr Park.  This year we hope to have two food trucks so we avoid the long lines we have had in past years. If the weather does not cooperate, we will move the Picnic indoors to the cafeteria and the gym.

Grade 8 Car Wash and Bake Sale – Fri. September 18 from 3pm – 4:30pm Bigelow Parking Lot  (We need an 8th grade parent or two to run this, if interested please email us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com)

Grade 6 Parent Potluck – Fri. September 18 – 7:00pm – 9:30pm, location to follow  (We need an 6th grade family to host this, if interested please email us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com)

A comprehensive school calendar can be found on both the Bigelow PTO’s and the Bigelow School’s websites.

If you have any questions regarding the above events or any other items, please contact us at bigelowbulldog@gmail.com .  We look forward to seeing you around Bigelow and enjoy this last week of summer vacation. ~ Your PTO Co Presidents ~ Jacquie Arbuckle, Marcia Heron, Carolyn Judge and Anush Sahakian.

 

Piano lessons

Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory with 30+ years of teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience.

Please contact Gloria Jasinski at 617-566-9704 or email piano566@comcast.net.

Newton Girls Soccer registration now open

Newton Girls Soccer Juniors/Intramural registration is now open for the fall 2015 soccer season. The program is open to girls who will be in grades K – 9 in the 2015-2016 school year. Register Now at this link:   REGISTER

Juniors/IM Registration Deadline: Every girl registered by the deadline is guaranteed a spot on a team.

Late Registrations/Wait list: A $15 fee applies to late registrations. Girls that register after August 15th may be put on a wait list, but they try to place everyone on a team. Players are taken off the wait list in order and notified by email if there is a spot available. Your credit card is only charged if your daughter is placed on a team.

Friend Requests: IM players may make one friend request. Friend requests must be mutual and both players must be registered by August 15th.

Fees: $125 (for the fall 2015 season)

Sibling Discounts: NGS provides a $20 discount per-child for additional children in the same family. The online registration system will only automatically apply the sibling discount if you register two or more children in the same NGS program (e.g., both in travel, both in IM 3-9, both in J2, etc.) at the same time. If your children play in different NGS programs, email registrar@newtongirlssoccer.org BEFORE you register so that they can provide a $20 discount code.  The discount cannot be applied after you have already registered and paid.

Scholarship Requests: No girl will be denied the opportunity to play due to financial reasons. You may send confidential scholarship requests to the NGS President, Mac Blythe, president@newtongirlssoccer.org.

Uniforms: The uniform for all girls playing in the Juniors/Intramural program (K-9) is a reversible (orange on one side, white on the other) NGS intramural jersey. Players may wear any color soccer shorts, socks, and shin guards; these items can be purchased on your own from any retailer.

An outside vendor handles orders and distribution of NGS IM jerseys. Order your intramural jersey via the new NGS Online Store or by going directly to Order IM Jersey. Jerseys cost $25 and are available in sizes Youth Small – Adult Large. Your order will be shipped directly to you from our vendor, generally within 7-10 days. However, please place your order at least two weeks before the season begins to ensure that your player has a jersey for the first game. Any questions about the product or your order should be directed to num1source@aol.com.

You only need to order a jersey if your daughter doesn’t have one or if her current jersey no longer fits. Because jerseys are custom orders, no returns or refunds are accepted. We suggest that you confirm the size before placing an order. Sample sizes are available to try on at Lapels Dry Cleaners located at 319 Walnut Street in Newtonville.

Coaching: The NGS IM program depends on parent coaches. Each season, the league recruits approximately 200 volunteers to accommodate all the girls who want to play. Please consider volunteering to coach (J1, J2, and IM 3-9 programs only). To express interest, sign up as a volunteer when you register your daughter(s). It is a rewarding experience and you’ll receive a considerable amount of support. Volunteers will be contacted by a grade coordinator.

9th graders: As some of you may be aware, NGS has opened up registration to 9th graders who would like to continue to play IM soccer. If you are considering registering for the NGS IM 7/8/9 program this fall, the coaches at Newton South and Newton North have requested that you first contact your high school to learn about the Freshman Soccer Program. They have a no-cut policy for freshman, so it is a great opportunity to be involved in your school’s athletics. NGS will also offer 9th grade soccer in the spring when Freshman Soccer is not in session.

Please email  registrar@newtongirlssoccer.org with any questions. The NGS Website is also an incredibly useful resource (and it never sleeps).

Plugged In fall session starts soon

Plugged In is a unique nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Fall session band classes begin the week of September 21st. More information and online registration can be found at www.pluggedinband.org.

Founded in 2002, Plugged In now has over 150 students from all over Massachusetts. Some of the students experience emotional and learning difficulties, such as ADD, depression, and low-self-esteem and/or have special needs such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. In the loving and non-competitive atmosphere at Plugged In, all differences are transcended through a shared passion for music, the teamwork involved with using music to help others and an atmosphere of compassion and fun.

In addition to weekly ensemble band classes, private lessons, songwriting workshops, summer camp and community performances, five times a year Plugged In students perform in benefit concerts that raise money for causes and organizations chosen by the students themselves. Plugged In provides a nurturing and supportive community to which young musicians feel a sense of belonging, an opportunity to express and be acknowledged for their musical interests and a chance to use their music to help others around the world.

Newton Community Preservation Committee

August 24th  is the deadline for September 9th Agenda. The next meeting of Newton’s CPC has been changed to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 9th, at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.

If you have an item for the September agenda, please submit your agenda request and written materials for the pre-meeting packet by 4:00 pm on Monday August 24th.

For assistance, please contact program manager Alice Ingerson at 617-796-1144 or aingerson@newtonma.gov.

Remaining CPC Schedule for 2015:

No meeting scheduled in October.

Thursday, November 4th and Thursday, November 19th
October 16th is the agenda & packet deadline for both meetings;
(one of these dates may be canceled if not needed for public hearings)

Thursday, December 10th
November 20th is the agenda & packet deadline

Additional Information Online from www.newtonma.gov/cpa

Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge Sign-Up and Celebration

How Many Hours Can You Read This Summer?

It’s not too late to be a part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Come to celebrate reading, learn more about the challenge, and sign up onsite at Antoine’s Pastry Shop
(317 Watertown Street, Nonantum) on August 13th, 5:00-6:00 pm. For a flyer please click here: Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge 2015.

All registered readers who log hours are eligible to win prizes including an iPad mini, a Toshiba laptop, and coupons & discounts from local businesses.

If you cannot attend but want to register for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge, go to www.newtonma.gov/summerread or pick up a form at the Newton Free Library.

Thank you and enjoy your summer!

Another school year complete….  Thank you to everyone that volunteered, donated, lead a committee, came to a meeting or attended an event.  None of this would be possible without your support and participation!!  Thank you to the Bigelow teachers and staff that spend many hours with our students.  Your dedication is so appreciated.

Congratulations to the 8th graders who are moving on to 9th grade.  A special thank you to Heather Mehra and Leslie Williams for leading the 8th grade activities committee this year.  We would also like to thank Liz Haas and Stacy Schwartz for putting together the post graduation reception and to Sally Brickell and Michelle Gonzalez McEvoy for leading the effort for the 8th grade dance.  Click here to see photos of decorating for the 8th grade dance.

We hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing summer.  And we look forward to seeing you in September.

Basketball Camp run by former Bigelow Student

Anyone interested in polishing up their basketball skills over the summer?  Lex Mongo, former Bigelow student and Newton North grad, has some upcoming clinics and camps.  Lex was member of Newton North’s 2 time state basketball team in 2005 and 2006.  He then played at the Division 1 level at UMass Amherst.  Lex is the proud owner of IHoop Academy.

Lex is running a 2 day clinic at UMass Boston in July.  The dates are July 18th and 19th.  NBA player Rudy Gay will be there.  You can register at www.theihoopacademy.com .

Also Lex is running 2 weeks of basketball camp at Bigelow this summer.  August 3-7 is for middle school students.  August 10-14 is for high school students.

Some great opportunities for kids to work on their game this summer.  If you have any questions please email Lex at IHoopAcademy@gmail.com.

A Year End Message from Principal Harrison

The following emessage was sent out earlier today by Principal Harrison:

Dear Bigelow Parents and Guardians:

I would like to congratulate all the 8th grade students that are “moving on” from Bigelow today and wish them all my best in 9th grade.  I would also like to thank all the students for their hard work this year.  They have done a wonderful job and should be proud of all their accomplishments and growth over the past months.  And finally, I would like to thank all of you, the parents and guardians of our students, for your support and help in making this year a success.

Dance Chaperones – We are still looking for a few non 8th grade parents / guardians to chaperone the 8th grade dance this evening.  Help make this a special night for our graduating 8th graders.  Please sign up here if you are able to help: 8th Grade Dance Chaperone Sign up

PTO Survey – While we say goodbye to this year, we also look forward to next year.  Please take a few moments and complete the survey the PTO is conducting.  It is a great opportunity to provide feedback to the PTO board on their priorities, services and activities as they start planning for next year.   Your opinions and experiences are very important and will help influence the PTO moving forward.  I hope you will take the time to complete the survey www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTVK5M3

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing those of you returning to Bigelow in the fall.

Again, congratulations and thank you to all,

Todd

Todd Harrison
Principal
Bigelow Middle School
42 Vernon St.
Newton, MA 02458
todd_harrison@newton.k12.ma.us
617.559.6800