Bigelow had a lot to celebrate this week before February Break! Thank you to everyone who helped show appreciation for all our Teachers & Staff and celebrate Bigelow’s achievements, in particular the outstanding growth in literacy reflected by the recent iReady diagnostic results.

On Tuesday, February 14th, Bigelow Teachers & Staff were treated to a Valentine’s Day Breakfast. Special thanks to Ron Farrar and Suriya Ziblatt for organizing this special breakfast to help show our love for Bigelow’s incredible teachers and staff!

Many thanks to Ann LaBrache, Hai Ly Burk, Jennifer (Pai) Song, Julie Landesman, Crislin Waldman, Rebecca Schmidt, Amy Holton, Meridith Welch, Heather Pozen, Jill Twohig, May Chen, Kristin Golden, Stefanie Solomon, Waijiao Cai, Tara Cunningham, Christine Reid, Julie Lane, Monika Sawicka, and Rachel Hindin for donating breakfast treats.

Thanks to the generosity of Bigelow families, all 88 Teachers & Staff were also treated to Starbucks gift cards. The success of Bigelow students is a true team effort and we truly appreciate all their hard work!

Finally, students will have a special treat at lunch Friday to celebrate their achievements!

In case you were not aware—this school year, Bigelow gained a cohort of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. These students are part of the CAPS Collaborative Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, and it is very possible that your child has classes and interactions with these special students every day! Bigelow Counseling along with the CAPS Staff is excited to introduce the CAPS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in Newton and explain what this means for your child and the life and culture at Bigelow.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 1-2 pm in the Bigelow Library for a discussion where will we celebrate our partnership and share information about the Deaf community.

Please see the provided flyer or CLICK HERE to RSVP. We look forward to hosting you!

Passage of Question 1 would provide an additional $4.5 million for the FY24 NPS budget as well as fund improvements to Horace Mann Elementary School.

While it’s early in the budget process, NPS leaders are warning of an expected school budget deficit of $2-4 million even if the override passes. Without extra money from the override, the schools might face a gap of $6-8 million. This would mean “across the board budget reductions in all [school] departments” and “reductions to the breadth and depth of programming for students”. NPS leaders have discussed the two budget scenarios at two public meetings:

• Jan. 23 School Committee meeting (presentation starts at minute 38; view the slides)
• Feb. 8 public forum at Newton North.  

We urge parents/guardians to review these recordings and materials so they can better understand the potential impact of the override on the Newton Public Schools.

Virtual info session and discussion with Vote YES for Newton

Monday, February 27, 2023 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Hosted by Rep. Kay Khan, City Councilor Andrea Kelley, Councilor Andrea Kelley, School Committee Member Anping Shen, Former School Committee Members Richard Alfred & Diana F. Gomberg, Susan Davidoff, Michael Fogelberg, Lynn Goldsmith, Ezra Hausman, Ken and Carol Krems, Allison Sharma, Laura Towvim, Susan Tracy, Jean Weinberg & Lynn Weissberg

RSVP Here

The 7th Annual Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Yard Sign Contest is underway! This year’s theme is slowing down in school zones or on school property.

Students in grades 2-8 are invited to create a message to encourage drivers to slow down near schools. Four winners will be selected from throughout the state and the yard signs will be printed and distributed to communities to put up around schools.

Entries are due Friday, February 17th.

More details can be found here, along with contest guidelines and entry forms available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.

The Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally-touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. Newton Cultural Development is proud to present their show, The Dragon King, at 11am and 1pm on Thursday, February 24 (February vacation week).

In this show, a terrible drought has overtaken the land, the world has turned brown and lifeless, and the people are beginning to wonder why The Dragon King, ruler over all things water, has not delivered life-giving rains in a very long time. An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, The Dragon King tells the tale of an intrepid Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above. 

Don’t miss the beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, colorful sets, and fully immersive theatrical experience for all ages. Advanced ticket purchase is required.

More information and ticket sales can be found on this page. These shows always sell out, so order your tickets today. If you need scholarship assistance, email culture@newtonma.gov.

Please join us tomorrow night, Friday February 10th from 9:00-9:50 pm, for an Ice Skaking Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Arena. Tickets are $15 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event.