Dear Newton Parents/Guardians,
In 2015, the NSHS School Council (an advisory panel to the principal) initiated conversations about later start times for high school students. These discussions resulted in the school committee establishing working groups to conduct feasibility studies, surveys and assessments. The latest findings and proposals were presented on June 10, 2019 and can be found here: Schedule and Start Time Update for School Committee. Despite the work, no implementation of later start times has been set.
Recently there have been many questions at parent coffees regarding the status of these discussions. We understand the complexity of schedules, traffic and budget on this. However, we urge Newton to be a leader on this issue and make a positive change that will benefit the mental well being of our students today.
Please let your voice be heard and contact the mayor, the superintendent and members of the school community:
- Office of the Mayor rfuller@newtonma.gov
- Office of the Superintendent David Fleishman@newton.k12.ma.us
- Ruth Goldman, School Committee Chair at Ruth_Goldman@newton.k12.ma.us
or All School Committee members at schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us
Additional background and presentations:
- Boston Globe Article, Newton school officials still weighing later high school start times – The Boston Globe, March 2, 2020
- New High School Schedule proposal April 8, 2019
- Traffic Study High School Late Start April 8, 2019
- School Committee High School Late Start, 2015 – 2019
- Letter from Superintendent David Fleischman on October 3, 2018
- NSHS School Council Letter to School Committee on June 18, 2018
