March 29, 2023

Dear NPS Families,

Below you will find a link to the budget presentation I delivered this morning. You will find both the slides and a video recording from NewTV.

• Budget Presentation Slides

• Budget Presentation Recording (NewTV)

• FY24 Budget Documents Webpage

I know how difficult this budget is to receive. It comes to you after months of consultation, feedback, and review by principals, department heads, and central staff. No proposal to reduce services and staff was taken lightly. However, with a $4.9 million budget shortfall, we were forced to look at reductions across the district.

This initial budget presentation is the start of the formal budget process. Over the next month, we will work with the School Committee, the mayor, the City Council, and our state legislators to review and analyze the funding available for next year’s budget. We will continue to do everything possible to protect our ability to serve our students and to provide them with the opportunities they need and deserve.

Newton Public School educators and staff are incredibly hard-working, resilient, and persistent. Despite the challenges of the past few years, they remain committed to teaching and supporting each and every one of our students. The heightened need of students, coupled with their own traumatic experience with the pandemic, make their jobs very, very difficult. Yet, I see them every day in our classrooms giving of themselves completely to help our students. Despite the financial challenges ahead, I remain committed to doing everything possible to support our educators and this generation of Newton Public School students.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Smith

Interim Superintendent

The Ramadan start date for 2023 is expected to begin on Wednesday 22 March, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Lasting for 30 days, Ramadan will end on Friday 21 April, with the celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr starting on Saturday 22 April or Sunday 23 April. Ramadan is an Islamic holiday that is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. This religious duty of fasting is known as sawm in Arabic. It is one of the “Five Pillars,” or basic acts of worship in Islam.

Observance of the fasting-month of Ramadan by Muslims, and the celebration that marks its end, called Eid al-Fitr (Celebration of the Fast Breaking) requires a thoughtful and accommodating response by school administrators and teachers, as well as an understanding by fellow students.

A Cappella April! is coming to Newton South High School on Saturday, April 1. This one-night only, all-ages event features R & B/Soul/Pop a cappella group Ball in the House, with special performances by Newton student groups: Bigelow Beats, Brown Middle School A Cappella, The Northern Lights, and The Melocotones.

Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students. Seating is reserved. Tickets available through Seat Yourself: https://newtonps.seatyourself.biz

Proceeds from this event will be used for future Creative Arts & Sciences programming.

The Jen Price Global Education Fund is returning to its signature fundraising event this spring. A wonderful evening filled with friendship and fun to raise money for students to participate in international programs abroad. Details and important links are below:

• RSVP

• Volunteer

• Donate

Visit the GELF webpage to lear more about the program.

Kindergarten registration is now OPEN!

Please visit our Kindergarten Registration page for a link to our online registration portal, as well as background information.

Click HERE for Eco-Friendly Tips for School Events!

For more information on Green Newton School Connections, email: schoolconnections@greennewton.org

Did you know Newton has its own Energy Coach? Link to Newton Energy Coach site

Have you seen Green Newton’s new, super awesome, animated, 3-min video, ”Taking Action for a Greener Newton”? Everyone should watch it!

We hope to see you at Newton’s Earth Day Festival, April 23rd, 12-4 at Newton City Hall!

Registration is now open for Newton Community Education summer camps. Sample camps include: Lego® to Lacrosse, Parkour to Pokémon, Minecraft to Music Video Production, Soccer to Scratch, Animation to Amazing Race, and SO MUCH MORE! They will also offer the popular 5-week theater camp once again.

All camps are held at Newton North High School, Newton South High School, or online. There are half-day and full-day camps for every student entering grades K-12.

Visit the NCE website for the most updated descriptions, locations, and pricing.

Newton S.P.A.C.E. (Summer Program for Academic and Creative Endeavors) is a four-week summer enrichment program run by the Newton Public Schools from July 5th through July 28th. Students entering kindergarten through 9th grade in the Fall of 2023 are eligible to attend.

We offer two programs - an upper camp (entering grade 5-entering grade 9) and a lower camp (entering kindergarten-entering grade 4).

Visit the S.P.A.C.E.website for more information or REGISTER NOW!

Questions? SPACE@newton.k12.ma.us