From the VP The week of 2/6 – 2/10

Newton South Students and Families,

 

The week of 2/6 – 2/10 is National School Counseling Week! This week, we give a special thanks to our counseling staff who serve as a vital resource for our students every day. We, as well as your students, appreciate all the work you do to guide our students down the right path as they navigate their vital high school years. Be sure to say thank you to a counselor this week!

Here are this week’s highlights:

Grade 9 Family Night Recording Available, and Grade 10 Night Next Thursday

The recording for the Grade 9 Family Night on Thursday, February 2 is now available and can be accessed here.

 

Additionally, Newton South High School cordially invites you to our annual Grade 10 Family Information Night Webinar. This event will be online and held on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30pm. At this event, you will have an opportunity to hear from Guidance Department Chair Dan Rubin, as well as Principal Tamii Stras and Vice Principal Jason Williams. You will additionally get a chance to ask general questions about the transition to grade 11.

 

This event will be recorded and published to the NSHS YouTube channel after the presentation. We hope to see you there! Here is the join information for this event:

 

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/84778538630

Passcode: 2025

 

Youth Risk Behavior Survey on February 6

On Monday, February 6, will we be administering the Youth Risk Behavior Survey during an extended advisory. This survey is anonymous, and we administer it to help better understand and address the health-related challenges affecting students. The survey is part of a larger effort to help increase the resiliency of young people by reducing high-risk behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors.

 

For more information, please see the letter that was sent home to families by the district.

 

See below for the schedule:

February 6 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Schedule

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


 

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear NPS Families,

I write to invite you to an important forum on the 2023-24 (FY24) school year budget. This budget discussion will include information on the proposed operational override and its impact on the FY24 budget. Details are as follows:

 

Where: Newton North Auditorium (457 Walnut St.)

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Time: 7:00 p.m.

 

If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on NewTV.

 

The evening will include a short presentation and then an opportunity for questions and answers. You may ask your question live during the forum or you can submit a question in advance using this Google Form.

 

NPS Budget Questions – Google Form

 

For reference, below is a link to the presentation shared with the School Committee last week that provides a preview of next year’s budget.

 

FY24 Budget Preview to School Committee – January 23, 2023

 

I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday night. As always, I welcome your questions and thank you for your feedback.

 

Sincerely,

Kathleen Smith, J.D.

Interim Superintendent


 

Updates This Week
 
Library Term 2 Newsletter

The Newton South Library is excited to release its Term 2 newsletter! You can access it here: https://www.smore.com/z8ubs

 

You can access the Newton South Library website here: https://nshslibrary.newton.k12.ma.us/home

 
Grade 9 & 10 Assemblies Coming Up

Students in grades 9 and 10 have been prescheduled for a WIN block to meet with their dean during a house assembly. These assemblies will take place in the following locations:

 

WIN 1 on Wednesday 2/8: Cutler Grade 9 to Lecture Hall, Wheeler Grade 9 to Auditorium

WIN 3 on Friday 2/10: Goldrick Grade 10 to Lecture Hall, Goodwin Grade 10 to Auditorium

WIN 1 on Wednesday 2/15: Cutler Grade 10 to Lecture Hall, Wheeler Grade 10 to Auditorium

Teen Summer Expo on Monday, February 6

The 18th annual Teen Summer Expo will be Monday, February 6 at Newton South High School, 5:30-8:00pm in the cafeteria. Meet with directors of a wide variety of top summer enrichment programs, locally and abroad and at all budgets, for kids ages 12-18. FREE and OPEN TO ALL. Pre-Register to by-pass the line at check-in. Please contact Teen Summer Expos with any questions.

 
South Stage Presents Our Annual Student Directing Festival

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker

directed by Willa Foster and Audrey Jung

 

Horse Girls by Jenny Rachel Weiner

directed by Naomi Metcalf

 

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, February 9-11, in the Newton South Lab Theater

Tickets at SouthStage.org.

 

In Circle Mirror Transformation, four lost New Englanders begin a six-week-long community-center drama class with harmless games. Then, hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. In Horse Girls, twelve-year-old Ashleigh rules the Lady Jean Ladies, South Florida’s most exclusive horse club. News that her family’s stables are being sold and their horses killed for meat throws the Ladies into crisis in this dark comedy of middle school deception and lies. NOTE: Contains adult language, violence, and the use of stage blood. PG-13

 
Next ELPAC Meeting on February 9

ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council) meets in person Thursday, February 9. ELPAC is for ELL and former ELL families districtwide. ELPAC collaborates with schools and the district to improve ELL programming and support bilingualism. You are welcome to join this community meeting!

 

Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023

Time: 6:30-8:00PM

Location: 100 Walnut Street, Newton (the Education Center for Newton Public Schools) Room 111

  • A big parking lot is behind the building on Crafts Street
  • Use the green door, at the top of the steps, near the right side of the parking lot

ELPAC Meeting Agenda will include:

  • Presentations:
    • College Application Process, presenter: Jennifer Geraghty from Newton North High School
    • Parks and Rec Opportunities and Summer Camps
    • ELPAC Elections–Three candidates will be on the ballot: Li Yin (Current At-Large member who is nominated for chairperson), Wendy Wang (At-Large Member), and Zoe Shih (At-Large Member). ELPAC welcomes more nominations. ELPAC needs a treasurer and a secretary.

RSVP: Interpretation and snacks will be provided with RSVP. Please note: no childcare will be provided for this meeting. However, children ages 5+ are welcome to join. ELPAC will include a children’s table of activities.

https://forms.gle/23tyb8qFuHzt53gPA

 
AP Proctors Needed

Newton South High School is seeking proctors for the 2023 AP Exams. Exams will be administered in person at Newton South High School May 1-5 and May 8-12. Morning exam sessions begin at 8AM; Afternoon exam sessions begin at 12PM. Exam sessions are generally between 3-4 hours, with the exception of students testing with accommodations. Exam sessions will be assigned based on the proctor’s availability. Payment rates are below:

 

  • Standard Time: $125
  • Extended Time (+50%): $185
  • Extended Time (+100%): $250

 

AP Proctors must be responsible adults who can guard against attempts at cheating. Responsibilities include:

 

  • Reading the exam administration script
  • Distributing and collecting exams materials
  • Familiarizing themselves ahead of time with the administration and exam security procedures
  • Reading all of the general and appropriate subject-specific exam administration instructions to understand the flow of the administration
  • Supervising the testing room at all times

 

Please note, an individual may not proctor an AP Exam in the year in which an immediate family or household member may be taking that exam. Proctors may not be employed at a test preparation company.

 

Interested candidates should contact the Newton South AP Coordinator Paige Perkinson at perkinsonv@newton.k12.ma.us

 
 
Save the Date: GELF Fundraiser on Saturday, April 29

Think Globally, Act Locally

Are you passionate about international travel and global understanding? Do you believe in making a difference right here in your hometown? Help open international doors for our students by getting involved with the Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF). GELF will have a dinner fundraiser on Saturday, April 29 at 7 PM. Formal invitation to follow. Reach out to Star Lew (lewy@newton.k12.ma.us) if you would like to help plan, organize and get to know more families who share the same passion!

 

 

Newton Youth Services Information
Career Exploration Events
 
  Let’s Get to WorkTuesday, February 21, 2023, 10:30am-12:00pmThursday, February 23, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pmCity Hall, War Memorial, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.Join Youth Services for two employment-focused workshops in preparation for summer and post high school employment, as well as internship opportunities. Interested young people do not need to register for both dates.

  • Tuesday, February 21st
    • How to apply for a job
    • Cover letter & resume review
    • Preparing for an interview
  • Thursday, February 23rd
    • Offer letters & onboarding documents for employers
    • Obtaining a work permit

Click HERE to register.
Career Exploration Event SeriesUpcoming Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pmDates: February 16, March 23, April 27, & May 18Newton Free Library, Druker AuditoriumJoin 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 STEM (February), Medical (March), The Trades (April), and Human Services (May).Click HERE to register.
MBTA Youth PassThe 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.

 

Other Information
NPS District Newsletter Released January 25

The district released a newsletter on Wednesday, January 25. You can find it here.

 
Eating Spaces

We have seen an increase in the number of students who are eating in the area near the wood shop and loading dock, which is unsafe as staff and delivery people need to move equipment through that area. Additionally, it blocks a hallway which would be needed in case of emergency. Campus aides or other staff members will continue to ask students who eat in this area to relocate to one of the following areas below:

 

  • The Student Center
  • The Wheeler, Goldrick or Goodwin Commons
  • Field House Lobby
  • The tables outside the auditorium
  • Any supervised area where staff give express permission

 

 

Students are NOT permitted to eat in the Lecture Hall, Library, Auditorium, or in hallways. Students are also not permitted to eat on the floor.

 

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe, healthy environment for all.

 
Upcoming Events

Monday, February 6: Youth Risk Behavior Survey (special schedule)

Thursday, February 9: Grade 10 Family Night (6:30pm, Zoom)

Thursday, February 9 – Saturday, February 11: Student Directing Festival (7:30pm)

Monday, February 20 – Friday, February 24: February Recess

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!