May 25, 2022
Superintendent's Message
Dear NPS Families,
This morning, I shared a message with the community on the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts go out to our fellow educators and all the students and families in the Uvalde community. Please view my full statement here:
Response to Uvalde, TX Tragedy
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Last Day of School - Friday, June 24, 2022
The last day of school for students in all schools is Friday, June 24, 2022, with the exception of Lincoln-Eliot and Mason-Rice.
The last day of school for students at Lincoln-Eliot and Mason-Rice is Monday, June 27, 2022.
You can access the school calendar for NEXT school year (2022-23) here:
NPS School Calendar 2022-23 (PDF Document)
ELPAC Meeting - Thursday, June 2, 2022
The English Language Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) supports ELL families districtwide and collaborates with schools and districts to improve the ELL programming. The next meeting is Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Please RSVP to this meeting using the form below so that you will receive a Zoom link to attend virtually. Complete the form by Friday, May 27, 2022 to request language interpretation:
Google Form to RSVP to ELPAC Meeting and Request Interpretation
View the invitation in a variety of languages here:
ELPAC Invitation (Translated in Several Languages) to June 2, 2022 Meeting.
The ELPAC board plans to hold elections at this meeting. If you are an ELL or former ELL parent/guardian interested in joining the ELPAC board, please complete the nomination form. Joining the ELPAC board is a wonderful way to be more connected and involved in the community, support resource and information sharing, and amplify the voices of ELL and former ELL families in Newton.
Food Service
As Newton plans to return to the National School Lunch Program for the 2022-23 school year, pricing needs to be set for lunches at the elementary and middle/high schools. The School Committee reviewed paid-meal recommendations during their 5/23 meeting. Please review that presentation on the Food Services/Updates/Meal Pricing tab on the NPS website.
Please note that families eligible for free or reduced-price lunch will still receive financial support based upon the federal guidelines. Please check eligibility on the NPS website under the Food Services/How to Pay for Meals/Financial Assistance tab
Please send questions or comments to Amy Mistrot, Director of Business Operations - mistrota@newton.k12.ma.us. All comments will be shared with the School Committee for their review prior to voting on 2022/23 prices during either their 6/6 or 6/20 meeting, agenda to be confirmed.
Transportation
Bus registration for the 2022-23 school year will open on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Please watch your email for instructions on how to register your student(s) for the bus. NPS strongly recommends that you complete your registration prior to the end of this school year. As always, please visit the NPS Transportation website for more information.
Financial Assistance and Waiver Application
Please note that the application for financial assistance and fee waivers is now available through the Aspen Parent Portal. Below is the process and timeline:
Log into the Aspen Parent Portal. If you do not remember your Aspen login, please email aspen@newton.k12.ma.us
Follow instructions to complete the form: Instruction to Complete Financial Assistance and Fee Waiver form.
Complete one form for each student.
You will receive a response to your application in 24-28 hours or 1-2 business days.
Upon approval, register for the activity or service. Select the assistance/waiver option.
The necessary staff will be informed of the approval to facilitate participation in the activity or service. Confidentiality will be maintained.
Once approved, your approval is good for one year. You must reapply each year. Please visit our Financial Assistance and Waiver webpage for more information.
Newton Schools Foundation
Once again this year, the Newton Schools Foundation is sponsoring its Honor Thy Teacher fundraising campaign. To show your appreciation for a teacher or staff member who impacted your student, families can make a donation to the Newton Schools Foundation in their honor anytime until the end of the school year.
Funds donated support grants that allow teachers to try new approaches in the classroom, participate in professional development, and develop programs that address inequities associated with race, income and social identity. Find out more about Honor Thy Teacher and to donate on the NSF website.
SPACE Camp for Summer 2022!
S.P.A.C.E. Camp is a four-week summer enrichment program run by the Newton Public Schools from July 5th through 28th. Students entering kindergarten through 9th grade in the Fall of 2022 are eligible to attend. We offer two programs - an upper camp (entering grade 5-entering grade 9 in the Fall of 2022) and a lower camp (entering kindergarten-entering grade 4).
Check out the S.P.A.C.E.website for more information or REGISTER NOW! Questions? SPACE@newton.k12.ma.us
NECP is still accepting applications for our community peers for the 2022-2023 school year. There are just a few spots left! Find the application here on our website: NECP application.
We will be moving to our new site at 687 Watertown Street during the 2022-2023 school year! With the new location, we may now be closer to your neighborhood and several of our Newton elementary schools.
You can learn more about our new building here: NECP Building Project. We would love for you to be a part of this exciting new phase of NECP!
COVID Infection Levels and Mask Recommendation
Given the increase in cases in our community, the Newton Public Schools STRONGLY recommends students and staff wear a mask. A well-fitting mask is very effective in reducing the transmission of COVID.
For reference, when a community level is “high,” the CDC recommends the following:
Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings).
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.
If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.
Newton Public Schools will continue to notify families of COVID cases using our regular frequency of notification (based upon grade levels.) Families should use this data to assess their own level of risk based upon their family’s circumstances.
COVID Testing
You can still opt-in to the at-home COVID rapid antigen testing program. Opt-in through your Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen. Follow these instructions once you are logged in.
All positive COVID tests results should be reported using this form: Form - Positive Result from At-Home Rapid Antigen Test.
NPS recently updated the Health and Safety Plan for COVID protocols in all school buildings. Here is the link to the full document: Health and Safety Plan - Updated April 2022
Isolation and Quarantine Reminders
If you test positive for COVID, you must isolate for a minimum of 5 days after symptom onset (or a positive test if asymptomatic). Return to school is based on time and symptom resolution. Individuals must wear a well-fitting mask on days 6-10 at all times following a COVID infection, unless eating, drinking, or outside.
The CDC and MA DPH state that individuals exposed to a positive COVID case should mask for 10 days following exposure, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. A rapid antigen or PCR test on Day 5 is recommended.
Interim Superintendent Search
On Monday night, the School Committee provided an update on the interim superintendent search. Here is the link to the presentation:
Interim Superintendent Search Update - May 23, 2022
Additionally, you can follow updates regarding the superintendent search by visiting the following page on the Newton Public Schools website:
www.newton.k12.ma.us/superintendentsearch
The next School Committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. To join the meeting virtual, follow this link:
Zoom meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/390017072
Call-in information: 1-646-558-8656
Call-in meeting ID: 390 017 072
The meeting agenda and meeting materials can be found on this page (once posted): School Committee Meeting Materials for the 2021-22 School Year.
Cabot Elementary School Kindness Week
It was Kindness Week last week at Cabot Elementary. Check out the great pictures of students and staff celebrating kindness!
Brown Middle School - Global Goals
As part of their geography class, Brown Middle School 6th graders shared their global goals. Each 6th grade group selects one of the United Nations Sustainability Goals to focus on. They develop a project to raise awareness and work towards their goal of choice. Students shared out their goals last week in the library.
Bigelow Middle School - Steinbeck Paint
After reading John Steinbeck's novella, The Pearl, Bigelow 8th grade students were to watercolor paint a specific scene. Mr. Yerardi desired to introduce students to Steinbeck's writing style, specifically his focus on nature and his prose-like descriptions. Student interpretations are similar, yet unique. This was similar to a "paint bar" experience where everyone paints the same thing, but the outcomes are interpretive.
Newton South Latin Award Winners
On Thursday, May 19, several students who achieved high marks on this year’s National Latin Exam and were given silver and gold medals for their exceptional performance.
Newton North High School - Boat Phloat
All Newton North seniors enrolled in physics at all curriculum levels participate in the Boat Phloat project at the end of each year. The event has been on hold since 2019 due to the pandemic but it is back! Teams of 5-7 build PVC boats that will carry 3 students down the length of the pool (and hopefully back.!) Winner receives all the glory - and stays dry!
Community Forum: Mental Health: Supporting Our Community
Community Forum: Mental Health: Supporting Our Community
When: Wednesday May 25, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Newton North High School
Register: Registration Link
Join the City of Newton Health & Human Services Department, Riverside Community Care, Samaritans Inc., Families for Depression Awareness, and The Resilience Project at Newton-Wellesley Hospital to learn about mental health and mental illness, how to respond and support family, friends, and neighbors experiencing a mental health crisis, and connect directly with local mental health agencies.