Welcome to a New School Year

Hello to the Bigelow Community,

We hope you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  It is hard to believe the students will be returning to school in less than two weeks. Please see below for a few reminders to begin the school year.

Sign up for Bigelow PTO Email: If you know someone who is not receiving these emails but would like to, please have them go to the Bigelow PTO website to sign up (http://bigelowpto.org). The Bigelow PTO emails are a great way to keep up with what is happening in our school community.

Regards and enjoy these last days of summer,

Julie Bourgoin and Carolyn Judge
Bigelow PTO Co-Presidents (bigelowbulldog@gmail.com)

SchoolkidZ Pick Up

If you have ordered you child’s school supplies through the PTO / schoolkidZ, they will be available for pick up Tuesday, August 27 from 10:30 – 12:00 pm or the first day of school.  They are located in the corridor outside the cafeteria, along the courtyard windows.  The foreign language kit is in a separate box, so please remember to pick that up as well. Thank you to Alicia Herbert and Mindy Peckler for organizing the ordering, assembly and distribution of these supplies.  Also thank you to the volunteers who helped assemble the kits.

If you were not able to order your child’s school supplies through the PTO, supplies lists were included in the handbooks that were mailed home in mid August by the school.  They can also be found on the Bigelow Middle School website at http://bigelow.newton.k12.ma.us/content/supply-lists

Events for Start of the School Year

6th Grade Ice Cream Social / Tour:  All incoming 6th grade students are invited to visit the school on Tuesday, August 27 from 9 – 10:30 am. Students will have an opportunity to visit their homerooms, meet other homeroom classmates, receive their schedules, tour classrooms, and have refreshments and socialize.

First Day of School:  The first day of school is Tuesday September 3. Doors open at 8:00 and students should report to their homerooms by 8:15. 6th grade parents are welcome to accompany their children to their homebase and then join Principal Todd Harrison for coffee in the library between 8:00 – 8:45 .

Welcome Back Picnic: All Bigelow Families are invited to a Back to School Picnic on Tuesday, September 10. Please join us to catch up with old friends and meet new ones at Burr Park from 5:30 – 7:30.

Open PTO Board and Committee positions

We would like to thank all of you who have volunteered to take on board and committee positions for the 2013 / 2014 year.  We do have a few open positions.  If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions or would like more information, please send an email to bigelowbulldog@gmail.com

  • Vice President (2 positions open) – Work with board chairs and committee chairs to coordinate yearly activities.
  • Advertising for Directory – Solicit advertisements for the school directory. Most activity takes place over the summer.
  • Magazine Drive Coordinator – Coordinate the annual magazine drive fundraiser in the fall.
  • Cookie Dough Fundraiser Coordinator – Coordinate the annual cookie dough fundraiser in the winter.
  • Big Night Co-Chair (1 position open) – Assist the other Big Night co-chair to plan and implement this wintertime parent’s night out fundraiser.
  • Soup and Supper Stroll Co-Chair (1 position open) – Assist the co-chair with organizing this fall event.
  • Bake Sales and other small fundraisers – Organize bake sales for political elections throughout the year. Anticipate two elections in the 2013-14 school year.
  • Hospitality – Coordinate refreshments for PTO meetings and events.
  • Community Outreach / Green Decade – Work with students and teachers identifying programs where students can make a difference.

Maestro Musicians Academy

Announcing the grand opening of the Maestro Musicians Academy  at the Young Israel of Brookline in Coolidge Corner offering expert lessons in violin, viola, and cello.  Perfect for children ages 4 and up.

Stellar faculty with emphasis on developing the potential of  every unique student. Parent tested, Child approved! Contact Artistic Director Daniel Broniatowski, D.M.A. at 857- 756-5230.  http://www.maestromusiciansacademy.com

John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton’s Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton’s Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament will be at Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis on Friday September 20th for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with old friends and support The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club while doing something you love.   This will be the second year at Glen Ellen and once again for your convenience the golf, the meal, the raffle and the awards ceremony will all be in the same place.

Foursomes $500- Individuals $125.   Hole Sponsorships are just $100.   For more information or to become a sponsor, email dsellers@newtonbgc.com.  To learn more about this beautiful course go to www.theglencc.com.

Historic Newton

Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, noon-5:00 PM
NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND
Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum.

Sunday, September 8, 2:00 PM
HISTORIC NEWTON WALKS
Newton Cemetery: A Good State of Forwardness
Did you know that the land that Newton Cemetery occupies now was once used for pharmaceutical and leather factories? Learn about how that industrial land was developed as part of the garden cemetery movement, and why it’s important as a green space today. Follow Archivist Sara Goldberg and Preservation Planner Katy Holmes on a walk through Newton Cemetery, featuring some of the cemetery’s most notable “residents.” Meet in front of the chapel just inside the main gate. Parking is available in the parking lot to the left of the chapel. Free.

Thursday, September 19, 7:30 PM
HISTORY BOOK CLUB
This month’s book selection is 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. In this book, the author dispels myths about Indian life and communities before Columbus, describing the heterogeneity and sophistication of their cultures. The book takes the reader through a vibrant overview of centuries of Indian culture both before and shortly after Columbus lands in America. The book club is free and open to all, new members are welcome.

Sunday, September 22, 2:00 PM
HISTORIC NEWTON WALKS
A Remarkable Woman: Annie Cobb, Victorian Architect and Builder
Annie Cobb, a Victorian woman of some means but with no traditional education, became an architect-arguably America’s first woman architect-and builder in the newly emerging suburb of Newton Highlands. Join Laura Fitzmaurice to learn about Cobb’s unique story and her houses, dating from 1877 to 1903. Meet at the Corner of Forest and Chester Streets. Free.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: This new exhibition transforms the lower gallery of the museum into a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists.

An Architect Ahead of Her Time: Annie Cobb (1830-1911): Starting in the 1870s, Annie Cobb built 16 homes in Newton Highlands and exhibited at the World’s Fair of 1893 in Chicago. She was arguably the first woman architect in America, and succeeded in fashioning a career for herself in the male world of building in a time when women’s work was mainly limited to the home.

Newton and the Civil War: In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Historic Newton will be featuring a changing exhibit showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Also be sure to visit our new Women’s Fashions of the Civil War Era exhibit.

Peeking into Newton’s Toy Chest: The values and lessons toys teach us, as shown by the Historic Newton collection, are explored in this exhibit. Children’s attractions include hands-on toys and a model train.

Mapping a New Town: 1714-1874: Maps depicting Newton’s growth over the centuries are displayed; special activities for children are also featured.

Newton Salutes-Newton’s Civil War Soldiers and Citizens: Our city’s citizens participated in the war effort in many ways-from fighting on the battlefields to sewing undergarments at home. See their faces and learn their stories in this salute to Newton’s brave citizens from an earlier era

The Newton History Gallery: Featuring tools, furniture, clothing, and toys to illustrate the Newton of the past.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, and Noon to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.
If you need special assistance, please call 617-796-1450.

Yoga for kids

Down Under Yoga located in Newton with some of the country’s finest yoga instructors is offering Fall classes for kids ages 3-6, 5-7, 8-11, 11-14 and for Teens. Classes teach kids skills to keep their bodies strong and flexible as well as make them feel calm, confident and secure. Kids also love the group format of these fun and challenging classes. Session runs September 10 – December 21.

To register, please call 617-244-9642 or email suhrida@downunderyoga.com. Visit www.downunderyoga.com for more information.

Registration open for Boys & Girls Club

Online registrations now available for 2013-2014 School Year memberships at www.newtonbgc.com.  The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club will open for members with the first day of school on Tuesday, September 3rd. Walk in registration begins on Monday August 26th, but why not handle your registration online this year? It is quick, easy and you can pay using any major credit card.

For just $125 all children in your family between the ages of 6 and 18 have access to:

  • A safe place to go after every school day
  • Great Recreation, Athletic, Arts, Education, and Teen Programming that change with each season
  • Programs offered without additional fees, wait lists, or competitive try-outs
  • Great role models and mentors of all ages
  • Affordable care on most school holidays and vacation days

Since there is no extra cost, please consider adding all of the children in your family to your membership regardless of whether or not you know they plan to attend the club.

If your child requires transportation, there are just 3 spots left on the Franklin/Burr bus route. There is a short waiting list for the Lincoln Eliot/Cabot bus route. A downloadable application for the transportation program can be found here.

As always, the Club will not turn away any family that cannot afford to pay the membership fee. You can apply for Financial Aid by clicking here and you will be contacted with information on how to activate your membership.