NECP Updates
School year 2022-2023: September 16, 2022, Newsletter #3
GOOD AFTERNOON NECP FAMILIES!
We have ended our first full week of school and it has been an exciting week for the students. While we are focused on the now we are also so looking forward to our new building and are purging materials and getting ready. To that end we have Back to School night information listed below. We will have some time in classrooms with your child's team and then time in the cafeteria for Q&A about the new building. While I may not have all the answers other's questions are wonderfully helpful! I find out the answers and that is helpful to us all in the end!!! Come to back to school night so that I know what are you all wondering.
The one challenge with this mid-year move is that our playground is going with us and it being installed on an accessible surface (YEAH - goodbye wood chips) but in order to do that considering freeze patterns in New England, the surface and playground need to be installed at the new site by mid October. That means we are going to lose our playground towards the end of September. Luckily we will have items to place out there for play as well as our tent/field area to run in while we are in this transition. When we moved to NECP in 2016 we did not have a playground until November so we have done this before but we will still, temporarily, miss it very much!
Have a great weekend!
Kathleen
SCHOOL LUNCH
On 7/28/22, universally-free meals for students in Massachusetts was confirmed for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. While free, this is a different program than last year and food services does need to log who is receiving meals this year.
EVERY WEEK parents must order their student a school lunches via this google form. Parent must do this for the week by 8pm Sunday evening. I have also linked the FD mealplanner at the top of the ordering form or here as well. The NECP menu is now live under Newton Early Childhood. Please remember to do this weekly and if you do forget teachers ask your teacher to get your student a meal for that day (they are sending 4-5 extras just in case) and then we will log it separately.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
This year NECP's back to school night will be on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 from 6-7pm. For this parent event, we will begin at 6pm in your child's classrooms and then at 6:30pm come to our cafeteria for a slide show and Q&A regarding our new preschool site and logistical discussion of our move!
A MESSAGE FROM JEN KOVITZ, NECP SOCIAL WORKER
Hello families - My name Jennifer Kovitz and I am the Social Worker at NECP. I get to know all your children when I go into the classrooms and run Friendship Circle. Friendship Circle is where we talk about feelings, being a good friend, and other topics related to Social Emotional Learning.
I wanted to share some important resources we have for families at NECP.
Food Resources: FUEL program will offer Newton Public School families backpacks of non- perishable staples to put extra food on the table for a couple of days. Backpacks with food will be available at NECP. Please let me know if your family could use this resource.
Backpacks: NECP has available backpacks. Please let us know if you have a child or student would benefit from a new backpack, lunchbox, water bottle and school supplies.
Winter gear: We have some winter gear available for families who are in need. Please let me know if you think you might need a winter coat for your child.
If you are interested in any of these resources, please contact me at Kovitzj@newton.k12.ma.us
617-559-6868 and please know our conversations and emails are confidential. If there is anything else your family might need, please reach out and I will try my best in suggesting other resources. I have knowledge of other community resources available.
I look forward to supporting you and your students this year
Thank you,
Jennifer Kovitz LCSW
School Social Worker
Kovitzj@newton.k12.ma.us
617-559-6868
A MESSAGE FROM NEWTON SEPAC
A message from Kim Gallaugher, the Liaison Coordinator for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).
Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan? Are you interested in getting support services for your child? Then you need to know about the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) at NewtonSEPAC.org. We are a volunteer organization of parents of children with special needs from preschool through high school. We run an online forum where parents can ask each other about special education programs, issues, policies and resources both within and outside of the public school system. We work directly with the school administration regarding our children's special education through our school liaisons, meetings with the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and by attending Newton School Committee meetings.
We hold monthly board meetings that are open to all families with dates and Zoom links listed on our website NewtonSEPAC.org under the "Meetings" tab. In the meantime, you can join our Newton SEPAC Google Group by clicking on the link on our website. On this online forum, you can post any questions or concerns about anything related to your child with special needs. We also use this group to publicize local/online presentations and conferences as well as DESE policy updates.
Other ways to contact the SEPAC:
Email: Info@NewtonSEPAC.org
Facebook: Newton Special Education Parents - SEPAC
Next SEPAC Open Board Meeting: September 13 7:30-9pm
Find the Meeting Agenda and Zoom link on newtonsepac.org under the Meetings tab
SEPAC AT NECP
NECP does not currently have a SEPAC Liaison. At every Newton public school, this is a PTO Committee volunteer position for any parent whose child is receiving special education services. Your role is to advertise the SEPAC, its meetings and events and to refer any questions or concerns from parents and caregivers about special education services to the SEPAC. If you would like to volunteer to be the liaison at NECP, please contact me below. If you are a parent with questions or concerns about your child, you are welcome to contact me in the meantime!
Kim Gallaugher, SEPAC Liaison Coordinator - momofiggy@hotmail.com or cell 857-800-3644
NECP PTO NEWS - WE NEED YOU!!!
- This will be a re-building year for NECP PTO. We will need volunteers and especially with the upcoming move! Please consider helping NECP. Once the school year begins we will be having meetings in-person that we are happy to also provide a link to attend virtually. The NECP PTO was a vibrant and engaging group before Covid and we would like to get back to that place. Once you are enrolled at NECP you are a member of the PTO community! Please know there are many little things you can do to help! And it is a great way to meet other NECP families!
- Don't forget - The PTO also has a new ongoing fundraiser with Mabel's Labels. 20% of all sales go back to the PTO! Mabel’s Labels is the best-known brand of durable labels for families, and the line of products features baby bottle labels, allergy and medical alert products, sports labels, household labels and seasonal items. They’re extremely durable, they’re laundry, dishwasher and microwave safe – and they’re 100% guaranteed. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/about-us/#
WASHINGTON STREET CONSTRUCTION
The City of Newton (Terry Crowley, Construction Coordinator) asked us to send the following to families:
Washington Street from Church Street to Walnut Street will be undergoing a road improvement. The schedule is as follows: Monday, September 19 Tuesday, September 20 Wednesday, September 21 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Once this work is completed, crews will be back doing prep work for the final paving tentatively scheduled for the week of October 10th or week of October 17th, where again detours will be in place and delays should be anticipated. (More info to follow)
ALL SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO WEATHER AND OTHER WORK CONDITIONS. Electronic Message boards will be placed alerting motorists to the upcoming work. There will be delays for anyone traveling along this section of Washington Street. (This may include school buses) Additionally, there will be some detours in place while the work is progresses along the corridor (Roads will be opened as soon as the equipment has passed specific side roads). PLEASE drive with caution through the surrounding streets.
ANNUAL STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATE
Annual Student Information Update - Please Complete!
Every year, you are required to update student information in Aspen, our student information system. It is very important that families update addresses, emergency contacts, health records, and permissions so that schools have the most accurate and up to date information for students.
This system is also used to determine what student information can be released. Please note that we do have new Opt Out Permissions for the 2022-2023 school year that need your review and preference selections.
Families must update their students’ records by Friday, September 30th. Please use these instructions to access the information and forms in Aspen: Student Information Update Instructions.
A FUN FREE ACTIVITY - HAYFEST WITH HISTORIC NEWTON
This free event will be held Sunday, Oct. 2, 12:00-4:00 pm at the Jackson Homestead 527 Washington St. in Newton.
UPCOMING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER DATES TO REMEMBER
1. Week of September 19th - related services begin (language groups, speech groups, etc...)
2. NO SCHOOL Monday September 26, 2022 for Rosh Hashanah
3. Back to school night - Wednesday, September 28, 2022
4. EARLY RELEASE - Thursday September 29, 2022. All NECP students leave at 12pm
5. NO SCHOOL Wednesday, October 5, 2022 for Yom Kippur
6. NO SCHOOL Monday, October 10, 2022 for Indigenous Peoples Day
2022-2023 EARLY RELEASE DAYS
Please make note!
All students will be dismissed at 12:00PM on the following All School Early Release Days:
Thursday, September 29
Tuesday, November 8
Thursday, December 8
Thursday, February 2
Thursday, March 23
Thursday, May 11
CONTACT/FOLLOW NECP
Email: browningk@newton.k12.ma.us
Website: www.newton.k12.ma.us/NECP
Location: 150 Jackson Road, Newton, MA, USA
Phone: 617-559-6050
Facebook: facebook.com/NECPNewton
Twitter: @NECP_NPS