Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Texting, Oh my! Parenting in the digital age can be challenging. Social media and technology have become such an important part of your child’s daily life. Please join us Tuesday, December 13, 6:30-8:00PM at Brown Middle School for an interactive workshop where we will examine your child’s use of technology, increase awareness of the potential challenges around technology use, and learn practical parenting strategies to maintain connections with your child. The workshop will be sponsored by The Newton Partnership and facilitated by Middle School Prevention/Intervention counselors Amy Comeau, M.Ed. (for Bigelow and Day) and Rolanda Prophete, LICSW (for Brown and Oak Hill).

As explained in a letter last June, NPS has introduced new fees and changed other fees starting with this school year.  All NPS fees and fee policies are explained at www3.newton.k12.ma.us/feebasedprograms.

Triple-E Fee:  For middle school, there is a new,  annual fee that covers a student’s participation in the full array of school-sponsored student activities:   $60 for participation in any Triple E activities during the academic year or $100 for participation in any Trip E activities plus participation in any dramatic productions.  You may pay these fees online (by electronic check for free or by credit card with a processing fee) or by check (in person or by U.S. mail) using this form.  Payments will not be accepted at Oak Hill, and any checks for Triple-E fees sent to Oak Hill will be returned to you via your child.

Athletics Fee:  The middle-school athletics fee was increased to $160 per sport per season, with a family cap of $480.  It will continue to be collected by the coaches at Oak Hill.

Financial Assistance:  You may request a waiver of fees based on your financial situation.  All waiver requests must include a Financial Assistance Application available from the Business Office or online (PDF) and a copy of your most recent tax return (IRS Form 1040).  Requests for financial assistance will not be handled at the school level, and any letters sent to Oak Hill asking for financial assistance cannot be considered and will be returned to you via your child.  If you have any questions about the financial assistance request process, please contact Eva Thompson at eva_thompson@newton.k12.ma.us.

If you have questions, please contact NPS Business, Finance & Planning at 617-559-9025 or email feepayments@newton.k12.ma.us.

This holiday season, support the Newton Schools by giving to the Newton Schools Foundation (NSF). The NSF is the private fundraising organization that has provided more than 500 grants totaling over $2.5 million to Newton Public School teachers and administrators, and most recently supported the installation of 21st century classroom technology in 42 fifth grade classrooms throughout the city. Continue reading →

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.  Knowledge of the warning signs is our greatest weapon against this disease.  We hope that you will familiarize yourself with the warning signs/symptoms of diabetes. Sometimes the symptoms are very obvious, and other times they are not.  Symptoms that might appear to be unrelated, when viewed in the context of the list of warning signs, may suggest intervention. Early detection and knowledge of the warning signs is your greatest weapon against the disease and its complications!* Continue reading →

The federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires states and school districts to give parents/guardians report cards on the district and schools.  Included in the report cards are student achievement data, information about the professional qualifications of teachers, testing and accountability.  The report card helps to ensure that parents/guardians have important information about the schools their children attend.  Involving families as full partners in the education of their children is a cornerstone of NCLB.  We encourage you to become involved.  Please connect through this link for the district and individual school report cards:   www3.newton.k12.ma.us/curriculum/newton-annual-nclb-reports.  A copy of the report card is also available in the school office.

What is ADHD? How is it properly diagnosed and treated? Come hear Understanding & Treating ADHD in Children & Teens presented by psychiatrist Dr. Thor Bergersen, Thursday, November 17 from 7PM to 9PM in the Oak Hill Middle School Auditorium. No registration is required for this free presentation sponsored by The Newton Partnership. Dr. Bergersen, founder of ADHD Boston and co-founder of the Hallowell Center in New York, has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for over a decade. Continue reading →

You are invited to attend an interactive workshop in which you can examine your child’s use of technology, increase your awareness of the potential challenges around technology use, and learn practical parenting strategies to maintain connections with your child.  This free parenting program, sponsored by The Newton Partnership, will be held twice:

• Tuesday, November 29, 6:30 to 8PM at Bigelow Middle School 42 Vernon St.
• Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 to 8PM at Brown Middle School, 125 Meadowbrook Rd. Continue reading →

There’s still room for you to attend the Newton Schools Foundation’s free event, Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community, featuring a wide range of prominent speakers from Newton. You’ll have the opportunity to hear three of these speakers. It’s tomorrow evening, Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-9PM. Get there early to find parking. Limited to 500 attendees. Contact nsfinfo@newtonschoolsfoundation.org or 617-559-6120 for more information.

The Newton Public Schools considers applications for students to transfer to schools outside of their home district. It is the goal of the school system to grant to the degree possible requests for out-of-assigned district placements. Applications for the following school year must be submitted on forms that are available beginning November 14 in Room 218 at the Education Center. Completed applications, signed by the in-district principal, can be submitted no earlier than March 1 and no later than May 1. The goal is to announce out-of-assigned district decisions as close to June 1 as possible. Students approved for out-of-assigned district placement should understand that the course assignment process has begun prior to June and that they may not receive their first choices in course selection. Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation to and from the out-of-assigned district school. Parents/guardians requesting out-of-assigned district placements should call 617-559-6105 for information. The full policy statement and applications are available at www3.newton.k12.ma.us/outofassigneddistrict.

Dear Newton Community:

Please join me for a wonderful free community event: “Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community,” presented by the Newton Schools Foundation.

On October 27, two-dozen prominent Newtonians will discuss their passions, share their insights, and inspire us with their stories. The speakers, who represent an array of fields and interest areas, will address topics ranging from business, government, education and economics to sports, arts, entertainment and life, in small group sessions. You get to choose three 20-minute sessions to attend. At the end of the evening, we will gather together with one another and the speakers to debrief and reconnect over coffee and dessert.

This free event will take place Thursday October 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Newton North High School. Space is limited so please register in advance at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org The web site also includes a list of the evening’s terrific speakers.

The Newton Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides critical financial support to the Newton Public Schools. This free event is their gift to the Newton community. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools