Dear NPS Families,
The superintendent search has entered its “engagement” phase in which the search committee is soliciting feedback and input from the Newton community to help identify and select the next superintendent for our district. Your feedback will assist the School Committee in understanding your perspective as candidates are recruited, screened, and interviewed for the position.The survey linked below is designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Based upon these perceptions, you will also be asked for input on what you consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district’s next superintendent. Newton Superintendent Search SurveyThe survey will be open from November 7 – 21, 2022.Please also watch your email for upcoming opportunities to provide feedback via in-person and virtual focus groups. As always, detailed information can be found on the search committee webpage on the district website.
Newton Neighbors Gift Card Drive for Thanksgiving
It’s the last week for our Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive! We are distributing supermarket gift cards to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, in hopes that they can celebrate the bounty of the holidays!
We are more than halfway there! Food prices are so high, please help us cross the line and donate whatever you can for these families.
Newton Neighbors will purchase and distribute gift cards through partner agencies for up to 150 families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton.
If you are able to make any size donation to help us reach our goal, we know these families will be so grateful.
Donate online at https://www.newtonneighbors.org/donate or mail a check to Newton Neighbors, PO Box 590141, Newton, MA 02459
Peace and Joy to You This Season
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY DONATED SO GENEROUSLY!
Count Me In: One School One Book 2022
On Tuesday, November 8th, Bigelow students explored themes of this year’s One School, One Book Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj through several activities with their advisory groups.
Students visited virtually with the author Varsha Bajaj, who spoke about the power of a story and her journey as a writer. Following the author visit, students played a team-based Math game, as Math played a role in how the main characters in Count Me In became friends. Students ended with a community-building activity called Who Are We? to reflect how the main characters in the novel both acknowledged their own family traditions and routines, and also learned to appreciate the differences between one another.
Thank you to everyone involved in organizing and planning this event for our students, especially Ms. Summa, for so thoughtfully putting together this learning experience!
Finally, thank you to all Bigelow Families for your support of the PTO! It is through your support that the Bigelow PTO is able to underwrite special programs like One School, One Book for our students.
Don’t Forget to Support Your Bigelow PTO!
Bigelow is fortunate to have a strong partnership between the school’s terrific leaders, teachers and staff, as well as a dedicated and vibrant Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Please support your PTO and consider giving today.
A gift of any size will help us reach our goal of 100% participation.
As a caregiver of a Bigelow Middle School student, you are a member of the PTO. Your donation will enhance the PTO’s ability to promote and support the school community’s core values, creating an environment where students will develop a respect for self and others; a sense of responsibility for oneself and their community; and a life-long love of learning.
How to Donate:
- via Venmo @BigelowPTONewton
- write a check and mail to Bigelow Middle School c/o PTO
- via the website at bigelowpto.org/donate/
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.
How Your Donation Helps
Funds raised by the PTO, thanks to your donations, are used to support many wonderful programs and services to benefit our students academically and socially, including the One School One Book Count Me In program detailed in the prior section.
Students performing with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s opening concert on November 20
Tickets are just $10 each with code FRIENDS!
Support students at Newton South who are performing in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s opening concert on Sunday, November 20, at 3 PM at Symphony Hall in Boston. Maestro Benjamin Zander conducts Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben (The Hero’s Life) and Beethoven’s most famous symphony, No. 5.
Join us in person or access the live stream to watch from the comfort of your own home. Tickets and info available here: https://www.bostonphil.org/concerts/2022-2023/bpyo1-strauss-beethoven
Use promotional code FRIENDS to receive the $10 tickets (available in sections B and C). Please redeem by Friday, November 18 at 12:00 (noon).
Don’t trash your Halloween candy wrappers!
Recycle those wrappers and participate in the circular economy. The Trick-or-Trash program keeps all that plastic out of the landfill and uses the wrappers to create doggie bags for animal shelters.
Bring your wrappers to the Trick-or-Trash box located at Fulfilled Goods at 612 Washington Street.
Newton Neighbors Gift Card Drive for Thanksgiving
As we approach the holiday season, Newton Neighbors is looking to support our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Last year, through the support of our community, Newton Neighbors provided 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton, and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards! With increasing food costs, the goal is to give out $75 gift cards this holiday season through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton. The Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive will run from November 1 – 19.
Call for Volunteers! Student Wellness Day: Thursday, 12/8
Building on the success of last year’s Staff Wellness Day, Principal Coston and Bigelow Leadership are planning Bigelow’s first ever Student Wellness Day.
When? Thursday, December 8th, ~8:30-11:20 am (December 8th is an early release day with 11:20 am dismissal)
What? After advisory, students will rotate through 5 different 30-minute health and wellness activities. Students will be able to choose the activities that most interest them.
We need you! We are still looking for parent volunteers to share their talents and lead 30-minute activity sessions to make Bigelow’s first ever Student Wellness Day a success. The goal is for students to have a wide range of activities to choose from, e.g., origami, dance, yoga, meditation, cookie or cupcake decorating, crafts, gaming, sports, etc.!
Interested? Please email bigelowbulldog@gmail.com with your idea and join the fun!
Thank you Bigelow Counseling Department!
Thank you again to the Bigelow Counseling Department for last Tuesday’s very informative Family Educational Session including helpful back-to-school tips for Middle Schoolers!
Slides presented at the session are available HERE.
You can learn more about the Bigelow Middle School Counseling and access parent resources on the BMS Counseling Website.
Volunteer Needed to Help File Bigelow PTO Tax Return
We are looking for a parent volunteer with tax experience to help the Bigelow PTO file its annual tax return.
Please reach out to bigelowtreasurer@gmail.com if you are able to help!