Newton Public School’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

On March 29th, Interim Newton Public School (NPS) Superintendent Kathy Smith presented the initial budget presentation for the 2023-24 school year (FY24), including district-wide reductions due to a $4.9 million budget shortfall. Addtional budget details and proposed reductions specific to Instructional Areas, IT, and Non-Instructional Areas were presented to the School Committee in subsquent meetings.

You can view the presentations as well as additional information regarding the FY24 NPS budget on the FY24 Budget Documents Webpage.

The meeting timeline for the FY24 budget can be found below or by following this link.

Save Newton Strings!

Newton Public Schools (NPS) is facing numerous proposed budget cuts for the upcoming 2023-24 school year, including the ELIMINATION of all Newton Elementary Schools Strings programs (strings lessons and orchestra ensemble instruction across all fifteen elementary schools in the district).

Save Newton Strings is a group of parents, guardians, students, alumni, and community members fighting against harmful cuts to the NPS Elementary Strings Lessons and Orchestra Ensemble Programs.

Please join us in asking NPS and our elected officials in Newton to reconsider this proposal by signing this petition and sharing your comments and personal stories.

Visit www.savenewtonstrings.com to learn more.

All-Newton Stringfest! Monday April 24th

Calling all String Musicians!

On Monday, April 24th Newton Orchestra students of all ages from across the district will gather for a concert outside of the Education Center to advocate for the restoration of the elementary school 4th/5th grade string orchestra program.

Due to the failed override vote and budget deficit for next school year, NPS is proposing to cut this vital program, a decision which betrays the promise made to our students and undercuts the future of Newton’s entire orchestra program. The school committee will be taking a straw vote on the proposal just inside the Education Center during the concert. We urge everyone, whether enrolled in the program or not, to come out in support of our students and educators as they raise their voices to ensure that committee members do not cast their votes lightly.

For information on how to sign up your NPS string student for the concert click here

  • When: Monday April 24th, 2023
    • 5:30 pm Arrival Time
    • 6 pm Concert
  • Where: Newton Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville

For more information, visit Save Newton Strings. To sign the petition click here.

League of Women Voters Civics Challenge

On Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 4:00-6:00pm, the Newton League of Women Voters is hosting its second LWVN Civics Challenge.  This is a free event, open to adults and students in grades 8 and above, and will be held in the Cabot Elementary School cafeteria. 

Our first LWVN Civics Challenge was held on March 1, 2020 and was hugely successful.  We had 9 teams consisting of family and community groups, middle school, high school, and college students, teachers from NSHS, and a group from the Newton TAB.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have not been able to hold this event again until now.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would include an announcement of the event in the Community newsletters for all NPS schools.   

An image and proposed announcement text is included below.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us.

Thank you.

Jen Abbott, Frieda Dweck, Andrea Kozinetz, and Lisa Mirabile

LWVN Civics Challenge Committee

civics@lwvnewton.org

Scouts BSA Troop 355 Open House on Tuesday, May 2

Scouts BSA Troop 355 is hosting an open house on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 7:15pm – 8:15pm for kids or parents interested in Scouting.  Join us for a fun and exciting event which provides hands-on opportunities to learn about Scouting.  Scouts BSA is available to girls and boys from Kindergarten to age 18.
Our Troop focuses on Outdoor adventure such as camping, hiking, skiing, ice fishing, and canoeing; Life skills; and Leadership skills.  Our Scouts have a high rate of achieving the Eagle rank.  If you would like a fun way to spend time outside with your kids, Scouting is the way to make that happen.
For grades 5 – 12, we have a GIRL troop and a BOY troop.  For elementary kids, we havea Cub Pack for boys and girls.  For more information and to RSVP:  https://forms.gle/KtTWuQi wS2 fz158

Historic Newton Events

Book a field trip with Historic Newton! 

Plan a trip to our museums, the Jackson Homestead and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, host an educator at your site, or connect with us on-line for one of our engaging programs. Encourage students to discover new perspectives on U.S. history and explore Newton’s past through hands-on activities, games, and stories. All programs are taught by professional educators. Programs are aligned with state and national standards.Visit our website to learn more about the topics that we offer for children or adults. Our museums are open to groups by appointment. Questions? Email education@historicnewton.org. School Vacation Week Activities at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

04/18/2023 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM286 Waverley Ave. Newton 

Have you ever tried writing with a quill pen? Pick one up during our week of activities related to colonial history. We’ll be making corn husk dolls, doing a scavenger hunt highlighting the 18th century of the Durant-Kenrick House, making tricorn hats, and more. All activities are free with museum admission. Suggested ages 4-12; all are welcome to drop in at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. 

Calendar posting here. 

Plant Swap at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

06/10/2023 10:00 AM – noon

286 Waverley Ave. Newton

For the third year, Historic Newton will host Plant Swap at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. This year’s swap will take place Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Admission is free. Register here or simply come on June 10.

How does a plant swap work?

If you have plants (or other garden items) you’d like to swap for something else, bring them to the event, and take home something new in exchange. Please bring something (tray, box, etc.) to carry the plants you are taking home. If you don’t have plants to trade, you can still take home something new. If you don’t want to take home something new, you can still donate plants. And if you really just want to come to be outdoors and to spend some time talking with other plant people, you are still welcome to attend.Can I bring my kids?
Yes, children are welcome! Because the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds are on land stewarded for millennia by the Massachusett people, Historic Newton will teach students about the Native American Three Sisters planting system and share other gardening information, games, and activities for children.Event page here.

2023 Newton Inspires Event

Spend an evening with fascinating Newtonians talking about how they got their start, their careers, and what inspires them. You’ll hear anecdotes and insights on everything from science and sustainability to beer and baking!

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Newton South High School

6:00 pm

Tickets $40 (including boxed meal from Better Life Food) 

The evening will kick off with a reception with live music performed by NPS students and a light meal. You will then attend two stimulating sessions of your choice before reconvening for a keynote address by Tiziana Dearing, award-winning host of Radio Boston on WBUR and NPS parent.

For additional information on our speakers and to purchase tickets, visit: Newton Inspires – Newton Schools Foundation

Newton Schools Foundation advances excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by making grants in the three strategic areas including new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students. 

Your ticket purchase provides vital support to Newton Public Schools. We appreciate you spreading the word about the event throughout the Newton Community.

Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME

Call Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME today, 

When schoolwork goes the wrong way!

Our many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting has developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, be understood, and be remembered. We tutor special education such as ADHD, autism, executive function, learning disabilities, anxiety, behavior, life skills, and gifted. We also tutor regular education and test preparation. In addition to academic subjects, we teach children organization, homework coaching, study skills, and time management. All subjects and ages are taught. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or log on to https://www.Y3KTutorInYourHome.com