3/27/23 - 3/31/23 Weekly Update

Newton South Students and Families,

MCAS ELA will take place on Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29. On these dates, all students in grade 10 will be taking the MCAS ELA test. We will follow a special schedule on these two dates. Makeups for students who are absent will begin on Thursday, March 30.

On both days, test takers will come into school at the regular start time and report directly to their testing rooms. Students who are not testing are welcome to be in the building once buses arrive. Here are the important times to be aware of:

• Tuesday, March 28

• Bus runs as normal for test takers and students arrive by 9am

• Testing runs from 9am - 1pm

• Bus does a second run starting at 12:30pm for all other students to arrive by 1:00pm

• All students must arrive to school by 1:30pm

• Classes start at 1:40pm

• Wednesday, March 29

• Bus runs as normal for test takers and students arrive by 9am

• Testing runs from 9am - 11:40am

• Bus does a second run starting at 11:10am for all other students to arrive by 11:40am

• All students must arrive to school by 12:05pm

• Classes start at 12:10pm

• Other Notes

• The library will be closed all day on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Lunch will be served in the cafeteria until 1:35pm on Tuesday and until 12:05pm on Wednesday.

• Each test session begins at 9am. When you get to school, report directly to your testing location.

• Bring your Chromebook, pen/pencil, book, or non-ELA related homework, and a water bottle and/or snack. You will not be able to access the Internet or use electronic devices while in your testing room or while your test is in progress, so it is important to have a book or other homework to do in case you finish early.

• You must use your school-issued Chromebook to test. Make sure you charge it the night before testing day so it is ready to go, and bring it with you to school.

• Please review this checklist to make sure your software is up to date.

• Please bring both your Chromebook and your charger.

• Students may work as long as necessary, up until the end of the school day.

• Students who need to work beyond the end of the regular testing time will move to lunch, then to an extended time room to continue and complete testing. They will be excused from any class they miss while they finish testing and be given a pass back to class when they are done.

We recommend a good night’s sleep the night before and a good breakfast the morning of before each day of testing. Please let Jason Williams know if you have any questions about testing.

Here's to another week at South! Let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jason Williams (he/him/his)

Vice Principal

Newton South High School

Please make sure that you secure your bags while at school. We have had some instances where students' bags or contents in them have been stolen as they were left in an unattended area. If you find that you have lost something, please report it to the nearest house office.

We would like to send a reminder to all drivers to make sure that you drive carefully as you are driving on Brandeis Road and around the school. There have been some drivers who have been going significantly over the speed limit in this space, which causes safety issues for all drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. We want to ensure that our school and neighboring roads are safe for all.

Dear NPS families,

Please note that the Newton Public Schools has been notified of a change to ingredients in two food items offered through our school lunch program. Please be advised of the ingredient change if you have a student with a soybean or sunflower allergy.

The change is as follows:

The tater tots and any oven-baked french fry product ingredient and nutrition label now reads:

(Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn.)

Pictures of the labels are attached for your reference.

This information has now been added to FD Meal Planner, our food service website. However, the information came to us mid-month so this is new allergen information for those who may have reviewed the menus earlier in the month.

Sincerely,

Christina Flutie - Whitsons Culinary Group, General Manager

Ruth Hoshino - Newton Health and Human Services Department, Director of School Health Resources

Amy Mistrot - Newton Public Schools, Director of Business Operations

Tater Tot Nutrition Label

Oven Fry Nutrition Label

Are you interested in learning more about the Trans/Non-binary + gender identity journey? Join us in the Lecture Hall during WIN3 on Friday, March 31st for Transgender Day of Visibility!

The GSA will be hosting a panel of out trans/nonbinary students and teachers who will talk about their journey in gender identity and expression (both medical and non-medical).

Please see here for important information regarding the dance. This is the final week of ticket sales! You can buy tickets for $15 before and after school in room 2108 or outside of the lecture during lunches OR $20 at the door. Please see schoology for more specific information! Attire is WHITE semi-formal (semi-formal optional!!!) so come in whatever you’ve got! Please bring a plain white t-shirt to decorate with glow-in-the-dark markers :)

Please see the following letter from our principal, Tamii Stras, regarding the Fine & Performing Arts Department Head position for the 2023-2024 school year:

Dear NSHS,

Over the past few weeks, it has been a pleasure to work with various stakeholders in the Fine and Performing Arts department on the department head search process. I want to extend a special thank you to Kimberley Borgida and Suzanne Murphy-Ferguson who co-chaired this search process. They did a terrific job throughout the entire search, and I am grateful for their commitment to ensuring that the school would find a highly capable Fine and Performing Arts department head. I am also thankful to the faculty, staff, parents, students and administrators who participated in the process and asked such thoughtful questions of our finalists.

Last week, South had the opportunity to host two excellent and highly qualified finalists. After careful consideration and a thorough review, I am excited to announce that Talia Etedgee Brown will be appointed to the position of Fine and Performing Arts department head. Throughout the search, Talia impressed us with her passion and knowledge of arts education that includes but is not limited to building relationships and partnerships through grant writing within the community to ensure that students are receiving a well-rounded education. Talia mostly impressed us with her inclusive approach to fine and performing arts that encompassed both neurodiverse inclusivity as well as racial equity. Talia is a natural leader who has an ability to connect with people in various settings. She is collaborative, thoughtful, reflective, a skilled problem solver, and knows how to navigate complicated challenges.

Talia is currently the Supervisor of Fine Arts and a theater teacher at Orchard Gardens in Boston. As a teacher she plans and implements lessons for students across multiple grade levels and supervises a department of ten members. Consistent feedback that we received from the search committee included her understanding of the value that arts education plays at the high school level of public education.

I do want to recognize the leadership that Jeff Knoedler has provided to South over the past year as Interim Department Head for Fine and Performing Arts. His empathy and compassion has been much appreciated and we are so fortunate to have him in this role through the end of this school year. I also know that Jeff will ensure that Talia’s transition into the role is seamless.

I am very much looking forward to starting this journey with Talia for next school year and I hope you will all join me in welcoming her once she is here full time.

Tamii

Tertulia, Newton South's annual all-day showcase for student talent, will take place on Thursday April 6th during A, B, G, and E Blocks! This year, we have an incredible collection of dance, music, comedy, art, poetry, and magic (of many kinds). Teachers, if you would like to sign your classes up for any of the four blocks, email David Weintraub starting at 8:30am on Monday March 27th.

Dear Community,

As you may have seen, the Booster Club is holding its second annual Lions 5K on Sunday, May 21 at 9:00 am. This was a fabulous event last year, with over 400 South community members coming out to enjoy a fun morning together. I loved seeing all the students, teachers, coaches, staff, parents and even several South alums come out to run, volunteer, or cheer each other on. My husband, friend and dog even ran it!

Fundraising from the race allowed the Booster Club to purchase a much-needed sound system for our stadium field, among other items, and to partner with the PTSO to host spirit-building events for the entire school.

This year’s fundraising goals include improvements to the South weight training room, the field house foyer, and continued opportunities for our students to create community and pride in being a South Lion.

I plan to be there again this year and hope you will mark the date on your calendar to join the fun and support the race. See you there!

Sincerely,

Tamii Stras

Please see here regarding information for our Junior Semi to be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Questions regarding junior semi can be directed to Kelli Fitzgerald and Sarah Maillet.

Please see here regarding information for our Senior Prom on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Questions regarding senior prom can be sent to Kathy Sabet and PJ Quern.

As a reminder, we posted an FAQ for seniors and their families regarding graduation, prom, and the last day for seniors. Click the button below to see more:

The district released a newsletter on Wednesday, March 15. You can find it here.

Career Exploration Event Series

Upcoming Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Dates: April 27 & May 18

Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium

Join Newton Youth services and the Newton Free Library for a four-part series exploring careers through in person discussions with professions working in the industry. Industry exploration includes Medical (March), The Trades (April), and Human Services (May).

Click HERE to register.

MBTA Youth Pass

The MBTA and the City of Newton's Youth Pass program helps provide affordable transit access for young people with low-income. The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50% reduced one-way fares for Commuter Rail, Express Bus, and ferry. For additional details CLICK HERE.

Please see the attachment below for information regarding becoming a host family for Educatius. If you have any questions, please reach out to Claudette Rowe (see flyer below for more information).

Fostering Teen Resilience Through Community Connections: Healthy Minds, Substance Use Prevention, and Our Youth

Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 7:00-8:30pm

Newton Wellesley Hospital’s Resilience Project and Substance Use Services Council with be hosting a free virtual workshop. Explore the ways that community engagement can help your teen achieve and maintain optimal mental health and avoid the temptations and pressures of substance use. Click Here to Register.

Helping Teens Heal From Trauma

Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Families for Depression Awareness invite parents, caregivers and caring adults to this free, virtual webinar. Deborah Vinall, LMFT, Psy-D, defines trauma and discusses its impact on long-term wellness. She will also cover the signs of trauma in teens, effective treatment approaches, and practical strategies that caring adults can use to encourage teen mental wellness. Click here to register.

New location and a new food experience! This year the GELF event features a variety of tastes and drinks donated by local restaurants, live music, dancing, mystery boxes, and community leaders. Show your support for GELF and join your neighbors to help provide scholarships for low-income students who can not otherwise participate in the global education programs.

$150 per person, Get your tickets below - seats are limited!

When?

Saturday, Apr 29, 2023, 06:30 PM

Where?

Wilson Chapel, Herrick Road, Newton, MA, USA

Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29: ELA MCAS (Schedules)

Friday, March 31: Last Day of Term 3

Saturday, April 1, 7-10pm: Black Light Bash (Student Center)

Monday, April 3: Term 4 begins

Thursday, April 6: Tertulia (auditorium, all day)

Friday, April 7: No School (Good Friday)

It's never too late to get involved at Newton South!

Want to catch a game? View the athletic calendars here: Newton South Athletics Calendar

Want to join a club but don't know where to start? Here are a list of clubs at Newton South