Giving to Bigelow

It’s that time of year and your inbox is probably filled with worthy organizations asking for donations. The Bigelow Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is one cause that doesn’t get more personal: our kids’ education. As parents and guardians of Bigelow students, we are all members of the PTO, an organization that is well worth supporting.

Why give to the PTO?

  • We underwrite programs that the Newton Public School’s budget does not cover, such as Creative Arts and Sciences and classroom technology.
  • We supplement supplies for the classrooms.
  • We offer field trip scholarships.
  • We provide assistance to Bigelow families who have fallen under unfortunate circumstances.
  • We serve as an important communication channel between the school and parents.
  • We help build the community that makes Bigelow a special place for our children.

Please support these important programs with your gift to Bigelow PTO online, via Venmo (@BigelowPTONewton), or by check.
Matching gifts are a great way to maximize your donation! Some companies will double or triple your gift to education.

DONATE NOW

Holidays Can Be Stressful — We’re Here to Help 

The holidays are a time of joy, comfort, family and tradition for many in our community. For others, the reality is that this season can be filled with anxiety, grief, and loneliness. 

Newton’s social workers note that, most likely, we all experience a mixture of these emotions during the holiday season when stress increases and obligations feel constant. Stress can impact us all differently and they suggest we take time to care for ourselves to ensure our overall health and well-being. Caring for ourselves may include saying “no” without guilt, asking for help without shame or embarrassment, treating yourself with kindness and compassion, and finding time for a walk outside, for adequate rest, and for healthy nutrition.  

Our social workers in Newton’s Health and Human Services Department have gathered mental health resources and substance use resources should you or a loved one need additional support during this time. Please call 617-796-1420 to speak with the team in Social Services.  

Parenting Workshops this December – Start the new year feeling clear, confident, and connected with your family! 

Parent Coach Amy Behrens, M.Ed. is offering two unique mindful parenting workshops in December for parents who want to bring more joy and confidence to their parenting as we head into the holiday season and new year.  Parents of children of all ages are welcome. 

Family Culture and Winter Kickoff Online Retreat – Friday, Dec. 9th 9am-1pm OR Saturday, Dec. 10th 10am-2pm – choose the day that works best for you. 

We are entering the winter holiday season, and holidays tend to illuminate or exacerbate ingrained family patterns. So, NOW is a great time to pause and be intentional about shifting patterns to the “family culture” you desire.

Through individual and group reflection, direct teaching, and a transformational guided meditation – you will:

  • Develop vision and tools for your family
  • Get inspiration to make winter school vacation fun and enjoyable
  • Understand of the “C’s of family culture” 
  • Experience warm camaraderie with a group of like-minded parents
  • Receive expert tips from a parent coach with years of experience working with families
  • Create action steps you can start using right away.

Parenting Mantras Online Workshop – Friday, Dec. 16th 11am-12:30pm

Learn how to design your own personal parenting “mantras” – words and phrases that help you feel more calm, centered, and effective as a parent when dealing with difficult situations with your kids. Instead of yelling and then feeling bad, you can learn a new way to communicate with power and wisdom that can feel almost magical. 

This session will include: 

  • A Guided Reflection to give you insights that bring clarity
  • The Create-Your-Own-Mantra Tool to transform unpleasant patterns
  • Shared wisdom of a group of like-minded parents
  • Real-time experiences with how mantras work
  • Relief and peace of mind that your parenting experiences will feel much better

Learn more about Amy and her parent coaching approach HERE. Read her blogs HERE.

Writing Tutors Available

Does your student struggle with school writing assignments? Jane Hirschhorn and the other writing coaches at JBH Tutoring can help. Jane and her team have more than 50 years of combined experience working with students from middle school through graduate school. We tailor our approach to make the best use of each student’s strengths to help them move through the writing process with calm, confidence and success. 

For more information about Jane and JBH Tutoring, please contact Jane at jane@jbhtutoring.com or at 617-957-7208. We encourage you to learn more about us at jbhtutoring.com.

Thank You Annual Fund Donors!

A big thank you to all who have donated to the PTO Annual Fund so far this year! Your contributions enable the Bigelow PTO to support many programs and services that benefit our students.

The Annual Fund is ongoing. A gift of any size will help us reach our goal of 100% participation! There are many ways to donate:

  • via Venmo @BigelowPTONewton
  • write a check and mail to Bigelow Middle School c/o PTO
  • via the website at bigelowpto.org/donate/

Matching gifts are a great way to maximize your donation! Please consider adding Bigelow PTO to your company’s annual donation matching program, if applicable. Bigelow Middle School PTO is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #20-0348453. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

DONATE NOW

A Visit to the Allen Homestead for Children and Families

This visit invites children and their families to travel 150 years back in time to imagine what it would have been like to live and learn at the Allen home and this historic school. 

This historic house was once the home of Nathaniel Allen, founder of The West Newton English and Classical School. Nathaniel Allen was a progressive educator who provided equal opportunities for girls and boys in racially mixed classrooms even before the Civil War. His curriculum was innovative, and students from all over the world came to attend his school.

Guests will explore the parlor, a classroom, and even the bowling alley as we learn about the family, the students, the school, and the unique curriculum. Our visit will finish in the barn, where you will have the opportunity to try some of the games and activities that children enjoyed at this time.  

We hope you can join us to learn about the history of this newly renovated Newton treasure. Each visit will run approximately one hour. Free event, 3rd grade and up, registration required. 

Dates: Sunday, December 11 3:00-4:00 PM

Thursday, December 15  4:00-5:00 PM

Sunday, January 22  3:00-4:00 PM

Thursday, January 26  4:00-5:00 PM Please register here

Advent Market

Sunday, December 11, 11:15 a.m.

Newton Highlands Congregational Church, 54 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands

Purchase holiday tags and cards, jewelry, and other items knowing that your purchases support nonprofits. Join us for the Newton Highlands Congregational Church Advent Market on Sunday, December 11, at 11:15 a.m. A hand-decorated gingerbread house will be raffled off. Children’s activities will include simple gingerbread-house decorating. Baked goods will be sold.