NECP Updates
School year 2022-2023: January 6, 2023, Newsletter #16
GOOD AFTERNOON NECP FAMILIES!
This is my first newsletter of 2023 and the first of many that will be written from our new school! I had to choose a snowy background given the month of January however, I hope for minimal snow this month so we can get back into the swing of school at the new site!
The packing at 150 and the unpacking at 687 went amazingly! The start to school at our new site was smooth. During the vacation I was in the building getting it ready most days and so many families on the playground or who caught me outside were so excited to have this area have student life in it again. I have to say I totally agree with them! Seeing the children and families returning to learn, seeing them laugh and play on the playground made this challenging move completely worth it! I hope you have all enjoyed seeing your students enjoy their new space!
The popular topic right now - parking! Of course we are sad to have lost our big lot. There are approximately 30 parking spots for families around the building (Albemarle Road, Watertown Street, etc...) and then there is parking on the neighborhood roads. I cannot wait for south bound Albemarle Road to open. That will help with the flow and parking (even though the city is not encouraging that side)! Please as soon as your drop off your student if you can move along it opens more parking for another family.
Here are some dates to be aware of as we move forward:
1. No school on January 16th, 2023 - Martin Luther King Jr Day
2. PTO meeting - January 19th at 9:15am - come and get involved! There is so much fun to plan in our new school.
3. Ribbon cutting is January 25th, 2023 at 8:45am - plan for this with the parking as there will be many from the city here including the Mayor.
4. Community open house is Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at 10am. While we did an NECP only open house Wednesday January 4, 2023 so children could see their school and class before school began this will be a community open house for anyone in the Newton community who wants to see the school. Feel free to come by again with your family and friends!
Have a great weekend! See you on Monday!
Kathleen
NECP PTO
Our next PTO meeting will be on January 19, 2023 at 9:15am in our new school at 687 Watertown Street, and virtual. The hybrid model worked well so we will continue this model for our next meetings:
PTO Meeting
Thursday, January 19, 2023 · 9:15 – 10:00am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uig-chmp-agy
Or dial: (US) +1 413-351-2911 PIN: 165 629 038#
Room parents:
Right now we have a few classrooms with just one room parent and of course if rooms had more than one it would be so helpful! Please let me know if you would like to be a room parent for your child's classroom. Liz Drude has volunteered to be the room parent coordinator - thank you Liz!
Classrooms with only ONE room parent: Catherine Boudreau, Jen McGarvey, Alli Behr, Christina Stagliano, Sarah Lipsitt/Jennifer Leone, Jenna Ethier, Kara Swanson
Our other 6 classrooms (Ashley Raven, Melissa Stellato, Evelyn Porter, Michelle Simon, Liz Savir, Stephanie Pickens) have 2 or more parents who have volunteered. Thank you!!!
We still need volunteers for the following roles:
- President and Vice President - Work as a team to plan, coordinate, and communicate PTO activities, partnering with teachers, staff, and community to help ensure NECP is inclusive and welcoming to all families. Set priorities for the year and work with the team to develop and adhere to a budget that reflects those priorities. Act as welcoming committee to parents and students. Hold monthly meetings with the Principal and PTO member to discuss ideas, concerns, and upcoming activities.
- Treasurer - The Treasurer is responsible for budgeting and forecasting, monthly financials, disbursement approval, disbursement accounting. The Treasurer ensures accurate and timely financial reporting and proper internal controls to safeguard assets of the PTO. Accounting skills are critical and highly desired.
- Secretary - Record minutes at Board meetings. Type minutes and distribute to Board. Maintain bylaws and understand by-laws to ensure compliance. File Annual Report with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Fundraising Chair - Work with PTO leadership to ensure the organization raises sufficient funding to cover annual expenses. Lead planning and execution of the Annual Appeal and yearly auction, including developing all marketing materials, and engage and oversee the Fundraising Committee in planning, executing, and marketing fundraising events (e.g., restaurant nights, auction, etc.).
- Liaison to PTO Council: A PTO member who would be willing to attend PTO Council Meetings. The next meeting will be November 1st, 2022 with a hybrid mode. The PTO Council website contains much more information.
- Liaison to FORJ: FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is looking for a liaison for NECP to begin a FORJ presence at NECP. This liaison would organize NECP FORJ meetings, attends PTO meetings, attends district wide FORJ events, supports subcommittees when needed, informs PTO leadership when communications are to be emailed to the community, attends city-wide FORJ meetings, communicates with the PTO Treasurer as needed to adhere to budget. Also, the FORJ sign-up for their monthly newsletter is found here.
The PTO is not a position that one person does alone! We are looking for a team! Please volunteer if you have a certain skill set that would make one of these positions easy for you! We also have many former NECP PTO folks that are willing to help!
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/#
Kindergarten Registration
NPS has updated its Kindergarten Registration page. For those of you who are moving on to Kindergarten, please check out the page for information about registration, kindergarten information night, etc....
S.P.A.C.E. CAMP
Please see the attached for information regarding S.P.A.C.E. (Summer Program for Academic and Creative Endeavors) camp. Registration is now open!
Newton S.P.A.C.E. 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).
SEPAC at NECP
Jackie Orleck is our SEPAC representative. "As the SEPAC Liaison for NECP, you can also contact me directly for more information about the SEPAC or with any questions or concerns about your child: Jackie Orleck (Jacquelyn.orleck@gmail.com)"
Other ways to contact the SEPAC:
Facebook: Newton Special Education Parents - SEPAC
SCHOOL LUNCH - DON'T FORGET TO ORDER!!!
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 extra bagel meals just in case) and then we will log it separately.
For next week, the week of 1/9/23, the menu will be:
M/W/F: Yogurt Power Pack-Low Fat Yogurt, Granola, Cheese Stick, Fresh Fruit Selection
T/Th: Turkey and Cheese Sandwich with Fresh Fruit Selection.
STORY STARTERS - DID YOU KNOW?
Story Starters is a Newton-based nonprofit that supports parents and educators in developing children's anti-racist values and inspires racial justice action in homes, schools and communities. Families with children ages 3-8 years old: if you are interested in exploring these strategies and discussions at home, their next Family Conversations Program enrollment is open!!! The program kickoff is February 12th online or in-person.
Here is more information:
Author and illustrator, Grace Lin will join us for our program kickoff! Story Starters is enrolling families with 3- to 8-year-olds to participate in our Family Conversations program. These 8 weeks are designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. Story Starters gives families age-appropriate tools and skills to have meaningful conversations about race and racism. Story Starters families learn from educators, racial justice advocates, and each other.
Our program provides families with:
A bundle of 6 books
5 parent guides
4 curated book lists
2 family events and 2 parent workshops
A vibrant community of families seeking to make an impact in their homes and beyond
PASS THE WORD - NECP is enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year for our community peers
NECP is now accepting applications for our community peers for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have friends with soon to be preschoolers or younger family members please apply and be a part of the first full school year in our new site at 687 Watertown Street. The application is found under "application process" on our website. Financial assistance is available.
*Current community peers who will be returning for the 2023-2024 school year will enroll via a different process and DO NOT have to complete an online application again. Keep on the look out for information from the NECP office in later November 2022.
PASS THE WORD - Preschool Developmental Screenings
NECP conducts Preschool Developmental Screenings for children ages 3 to 5 years old in an effort to identify children who may have a disability and are in need of special education support. It is designed to review a child’s development and assist in the identification of children who should be referred for further evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services. This is a free and optional service for Newton residents only.
The screenings are conducted monthly in the 2022-2023 school year. If a student is already at NECP they do not need to attend this screening but if you have a friend who is concerned about their child's development, have them reach out to the preschool at 617-559-6050 for a screening
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
1.Martin Luther King Jr day - Monday, January 16, 2023
2. Ribbon Cutting - Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 8:45am at new NECP!
3. Community open house - Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at 10am.
4. Early Release - Thursday, February 2, 2023
5. February School Vacation/Winter Break - February 20-24, 2023
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