Fall Grant Cycle: Applications Due by October 27, 2025

Each year, the NSHS PTSO sets aside part of its budget to support special projects at our school. Faculty, staff, parents / guardians and students are invited to apply for a grant to help launch new ideas, programs, or activities that make a difference in our community.

Grants are awarded to projects that connect to one or more of our core values:

Student Learning

• Pilot a new program or idea
• Improve classroom tools or the overall learning environment

Community

• Foster personal connections and build community
• Encourage participation in community service projects

Wellness

• Develop programs that support mental and physical health
• Promote wellness, balance, and self-confidence

Please carefully review the guidelines and procedures listed below before submitting an application.

The submission deadline is Monday, October 27, 2025. Most awards range between $100 and $500; larger grants may be considered, particularly if they involve collaboration between groups.

Guidelines

Students:

In order for your application to be considered, you must comply with the following:

• A NSHS teacher or staff member must agree to advise the project and that person must be listed by name on your application.
• Requests for special projects, initiatives or one-time events will be considered. Examples include: supplies for a mural, single day activities, materials or supplies such as puzzles or games that students can use during WIN/Lion blocks.
• Club related requests must be open to and designed to serve the wider community, beyond club members.
• Single day community service project requests will be considered.
• Requests for food can not be funded.
• Ongoing or recurring expenses/materials for clubs or activities can not be funded.

All Applicants:

Projects should be one time expenditures and have the ability to continue without additional PTSO funds. In most cases, funding is not provided for on-going support of programs.

Grants cannot be used to fund salaries, stipends or school-based professional development.

Grants cannot be used to purchase core curriculum technology or materials, including computers, consumables

Grants cannot be used for regular club activities, field trips, transportation, food or promotional items.

Grants cannot be used for direct donations to charities. Requests for conference fees and travel expenses will be considered only after applicants have applied for departmental, school and/or district funding.

Grant Evaluation Criteria:

The Grants Committee will consider the following in evaluating grant applications:

• The number of students/people participating in and/or benefiting from the program/project and the overall impact on students and the school.
• How the grant would serve our core values: student learning, community, or wellness.
• Consistency with the school’s community values and goals as listed on the NSHS website.

If A Grant Is Awarded:

The Grants Committee requires a detailed list and invoices/receipts for items purchased and any other expenses when you submit your request for reimbursement. Receipts must be submitted to treasury@newtonsouthptso.org before the end of the school year. If you determine you will be unable to spend the funds by the end of the academic year, please notify the Grants Committee so we can reallocate the funds.

Grant funds must be spent only on specific application requests. If there is a change in the request, the Grants Committee will need to review and approve the modifications.

Applying for a Grant

Timeline and Process:

For the fall grant cycle, applications must be submitted by October 27, 2025. After the application window closes, the PTSO Grants Committee will review all requests and make recommendations to the PTSO Board. Grant applications are also reviewed and must be approved by the Principal with input from the Bursar. Decisions will be announced by mid- to late November.

Regardless of the grant cycle, awarded grants must be spent during the current academic year and only on items specified in the application.

Please feel free to contact the Grants Committee at grants@newtonsouthptso.org with any questions. Grant Application: Here is the link for the grant application.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant! 2025-2026 PTSO Grants Committee: Jessica Berns, Lijuan Jiang, Julie Tishler, Lisa Weinman

At Newton South, the PTSO helps turn a big high school into a real community. When you contribute your annual dues, you’re not just writing a check—you’re joining the Lion pride and becoming part of your student’s experience.

Here’s where your support roars into action:

Behind the scenes — we fund the website, e-communications, and directory software that keep families connected.
Parent connections — we host coffees and meet-and-greets to bring parents together.
Appreciation events — we celebrate our teachers and students with food, treats, and Lion-sized gratitude.
Staff grants — we provide funding for teacher ideas that directly benefit our kids.
Spirit traditions — Celebrate South Week, banners with every student’s name, and class socials that make lasting memories.

We’d appreciate it if every family could contribute $75 in dues. And if you’re able, please consider adding a little extra—so we can plan a full year of activities and make South the best it can be.

One of the ways the PTSO supports our students and faculty is through our Grants program. Each year, the PTSO allocates funds for new initiatives, special projects, and programs that support and enhance learning, well-being, and our community. Last fall, the PTSO Grants Committee awarded funds to 10 programs!

We are excited to announce that we will offer a second grant opportunity this Spring! Faculty, staff and students are invited to apply.

Detailed information is available on our Grants page. This page provides information about the Grants program as well as guidelines, selection criteria, and requirements. Note that students are welcome to apply, but unfortunately, we cannot fund clubs. Most grants range from $100 to $500. To submit a proposal, please go to our Grant Application page.

The deadline for submitting Spring grant application is Monday, March 3, 2025. Decisions will be announced in late March and funds must be used and receipts submitted this school year, by no later than June 30, 2025.

The PTSO sponsors several end-of-year senior activites and we are grateful for your contributions now!  Go HERE to make your Senior-specific contribution below.

• Order a Class of 2025 Lawn Sign by May 1st (with or without your student’s name) and have it delivered right to your house in May.
• Contribute to SouthFest, our well-attended and popular afterprom party hosted on Tuesday, June 10th at the school which provides a safe AND FUN night for our seniors.
• Contribute to the Senior Sendoff lunch Friday, June 6th, a great end-of-year tradition for all of our seniors.

Purchase a $30 Picnic Rock Farms Homemade pie for your Thanksgiving table and two pies will be donated to the faculty and staff of Newton South High School. Rave reviews about these pies last year!

You can pick up your pies at: 91 Nehoiden Road Waban, MA 02468 on Tuesday, November 26th 6PM – 9PM or Wednesday, November 27th 9AM-11AM, or email copresidents@newtonsouthptso.org to set up a different pick-up.

DEADLINE TO ORDER: November 7, 2024

If you would like to donate additional funds to the teacher’s pies, check one of the boxes at the bottom of the order form (no pie order necessary to contribute to the teacher’s pie fund)

One of the ways the PTSO supports our students and faculty is through our Grants program. Each year, the PTSO allocates funds for new initiatives, special projects, and programs that support and enhance learning, well-being, and our community. Last fall, the PTSO Grants Committee awarded funds to 10 programs!

We are excited to announce that we will offer a second grant opportunity this Spring! Faculty, staff and students are invited to apply.

Detailed information is available on our Grants page. This page provides information about the Grants program as well as guidelines, selection criteria, and requirements. Note that students are welcome to apply, but unfortunately, we cannot fund clubs. Most grants range from $100 to $500. To submit a proposal, please go to our Grant Application page.

The deadline for submitting Spring grant application is Monday, March 3, 2025. Decisions will be announced in late March and funds must be used and receipts submitted this school year, by no later than June 30, 2025.

What is Celebrate South? Celebrate South is a weeklong+ event coordinated by the NSHS Booster, the PTSO, faculty, and students, where we celebrate all the students that make South an amazing place to learn and grow. During October 17-27 we will showcase and celebrate all things South. There will be lots of athletic competitions, the Frosh Play, a Club Fair, a Dance Competition, Student Appreciation Events, and Spirit Week all Week! Click HERE to see the full calendar. And please consider doatating or volunteering below.

How is the PTSO Supporting this Event? The PTSO will be hosting a school-wide woopie pie station on Tuesday during Lion Block and ice cream cups event on Thursday during WIN block. Office Leo, our community resource dog, will be in attendance both days, hopefully with his local officer resource dog friends!

How Can I Help The PTSO? You can help the PTSO is three ways… Spread the Word, Volunteer during the week, Donate.  Please sponsor the event in any way appropriate for your family.

Much like the Teacher Appreciation events we plan on hosting Student Appreciation events throughout the year. Your generous donations will make it possible to keep these events going for our almost 2000 student population.

Click HERE to Volunteer or Donate.

Back to School Night
Thursday, September 12, 2024
6:30-8:30pm

Back to School Night at South is coming up! We have a few helpful tips below to make the night better.

Print Your Student’s Schedule:  Your student’s schedule for Back to School Night will be posted to Aspen on Wednesday, September 11th. Print it out in advace to have with you for the night.

Arrive Early:  Expect a LOT of traffic in the parking lots and surrounding streets. Drive safely, consider carpooling, and arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to find your first classroom. Some parents prefer to park by Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools and walk over past the ball fields.  

Navigating the School:  The first classroom number tells you which building to go to, the second number tells you which floor, and the third and fourth numbers are the classroom. If possible, look at the school map in advance and have your student highlight where their classrooms are. The school is large, so wear comfortable shoes and expect a lot of walking. And if you’re lost, please ask for help! 

Please stop by our PTSO table to connect with us and say hello. You’ll find us between the 2000s and 3000s wings.

School Photo Day will come up on us fast – mark your calendars for Thursday, Sept 5th. Schedule those haircuts and consider volunteering to help day-of. Nothing is more fun than getting a chance to see our students IRL at school, AND volunteers are provided with a Legacy Studios’ free underclass package, or 50% off a senior package. Please reach out to our PTSO Photo Day Coordinator, Sherie Heywood, with questions.