Category Archives: For Sophomores

Grade 10 Families: BMI Opt-In Screening Program

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Sophomores, From the Vice Principal

Grade 10 Families:

 

This year, BMI screening will be opt-in for students whose parents/guardians sign them up for the program. If you would like your child to be screened for BMI by the school nurses, please return this form to the school nurses by Monday, September 19.

 

Please see here for the form, which has more information about the program. If you are interested in participating, please print and fill out this form, and return it to the school nurses. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurses at 617-559-6575 or email them at kiritsyk@newton.k12.ma.us and kramerg@newton.k12.ma.us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jason Williams (he/him/his)
Vice Principal
Newton South High School
140 Brandeis Road
Newton, MA 02459
617-559-6700

Class of 2024  Light Up the Night Dance

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Sophomores
Class of 2024 
Light Up the Night
Dance

We want all 10th graders to come have fun at this long-awaited event! WEAR WHITE, so you shine in the black lights! DANCE to the DJ! BRING A WHITE T-SHIRT–glow in the dark fabric markers will be available to sign shirts! LEAVE YOUR MARK–draw and write on posters around the room as we build a little Class of 2024 spirit!

Who?
NSHS 10th Graders

When?
May 7, 2022 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Where?
NSHS Student Center

Cost: $15 Tuesday, April 25th – Friday, May 6th $20 at the door night of event

Tickets will be on sale every school day beginning Monday, April 25th-Friday May 6th. WIN and Lion Blocks in 2108 and all lunches in the Student Center near the College & Career Center. Cash or checks (Payable to Newton South High School. On the memo line please write Student Name & Class of 2024.)

Watch for updates on Schoology and on Instagram @nshs2024 Financial assistance is available, please speak with your House Dean. 

Parents want to HELP?

Let’s make it even better by fulfilling these requests made by the Class Advisors and Officers. Please review the available slots HERE and click on the button to sign up. There are so many, multiples are welcome. You may drop in Waban on Thursday May 5  or on Friday May 6th at the school (exact time & drop spots TBD). Thank you!

CLASS OF 2024: Merch Fundraiser thru January 26th

Posted on January 16, 2022 by Julia Hamilton in For Sophomores

It’s a New Year, and we have New Gear! Don’t miss the opportunity to rep Class of 2024 merch while supporting future grade-wide events! Support our class and spread spirit by wearing some new “2024” merch! We have teamed with Custom Ink to offer a Hoodie, t-shirt, flannels, and sweats!  Click here and order soon! The merchandise is organized in two separate campaigns–tops and bottoms–and all orders will be shipped and picked up at school, so you will not pay any shipping! Order one, order all four, order for your whole family!

The store will be open through Wednesday, January 26th. Merch should arrive before February break. If a parent/guardian is ordering for their students, please indicate the student’s name in the comment box at checkout to assist in distribution. Questions? Contact a Class of 2024 Officer, Kelli Fitzgerald or Jasmine Lellock (advisors). THANK YOU, in advance, for your orders! We appreciate your support!

FUNDRAISER LINK

Picture Day Postponed

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Freshmen, For Juniors, For Sophomores, Midweek From the PTSO 2021

Picture Day will not be happening tomorrow, September 14, 2021. The photographer has postponed. More information to follow.

Newton South PTSO Welcome 2021

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Freshmen, For Juniors, For Seniors, For Sophomores, From the PTSO

Welcome home to Newton South!  Welcome returning and new families! I hope this email finds you and your loved ones doing well!

I am Michelle Wetlaufer and I am so excited for my first year as Newton South’s PTSO’s President.  I look so forward to working with all of you to make this school year great.

I am so happy to welcome so many new members to our community including our new Principal, Tamara Stras, and our new Vice Principal, Jason Williams. I am excited for you to meet them as we get the school year started!

The PTSO works with South Administration and staff to communicate information in a timely manner, help support and engage our community for input and ideas, and to stay connected even when we are apart. Please click here to subscribe to the PTSO Newsletter.

As we kick off our 2021-22 school year, the PTSO is launching our School Directory Confirmation process and our Annual Dues Campaign.  Look for an email to confirm your families’ directory information.  Every family must confirm their information to be included in the online and printed version.  When you confirm your information you will have an opportunity to contribute to our annual Dues Campaign.  Your annual Dues donation is used 100% to support our school community and enrich the experiences of our students at South. The PTSO relies on annual donations of $70 from each Newton South family. This donation will ensure we meet our 2021-22 budget of $66,000.

As this school year begins, I thank you all for joining me on this journey whatever part you may play. I ask you to keep in mind my personal motto  ‘that which does not bend breaks’. Whether it is from an Aesop Fable or Tanzanian Proverb it has especially come in handy these last 18 months. I hope that you can join me in maintaining flexibility as we re-enter the new school year.  I know we all are looking forward to creating an amazing (slightly normal?) year for our kids.

If you have questions or you would like to volunteer for one of our committees please don’t hesitate to contact me at info@newtonsouthPTSO.org.  Stay tuned for more news as we prepare for the start of the school year on September 9, 2021.

Stay well and enjoy the rest of the summer days!

NSHS PTSO President,
Michelle Wetlaufer

Course Verifications for Next School Year

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Cindy Lam-Yee in For Freshmen, For Juniors, For Sophomores, From the PTSO

Last week, email was sent to students that South had extended the window until midnight Friday, April 16 for students to fill out the course verification form located here:  https://forms.gle/uH1rxtnfv3vYNXdG8

There are still around 300 students out of 1800 that have not filled out the form.

A reminder that ALL NINTH, TENTH AND ELEVENTH grade students need to fill out the form, EVEN if no changes to their requests need to be made.

By late Monday morning, 4/26, updated verification forms reflecting any changes to student course requests for next year made between 4/14 and 4/16 will be published to the documents section of Aspen. 

Finally, please be aware that NO changes to courses and schedules may be requested by students after 4/26 as we need to start staffing our courses and determining final numbers of course sections. 

MCAS Update & Schedule

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Cindy Lam-Yee in For Juniors, For Sophomores, From the PTSO

Much more information will be coming after the break from our MCAS coordinator, Faye Cassell, on details regarding the upcoming testing. Specifically, as relates to MCAS and juniors, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be making a final decision on graduation requirements on 4/20. For planning purposes, here is the MCAS block schedule for the testing period in May with separate testing days for 10th graders and 11th graders who choose to test in May vs. waiting until the fall: May MCAS Schedule 

MCAS testing options in May for grades 10 and 11 will be in-person ONLY and computer based. MCAS testing for grade 9 will be in early June (3rd and 4th) and will be in-person ONLY and paper-based. More details on the block schedule for these MCAS dates will be forthcoming.

Course Verification Day: Wed., April 14

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Michele Fegley in For Freshmen, For Juniors, For Sophomores, From the PTSO

Verification Day: Wednesday, April 14th:

On Wednesday, April 14th, all classes for students will be asynchronous so that students can use the opportunity to check in with their counselor and/or teachers for last-minute questions, course recommendation approvals, or anything else that may need to be discussed related to courses for next year.
At approximately 5:00 pm on this day (4/14), course verification forms will be published to Aspen for every student. Students will be able to find their course verification form in the Documents section in their Aspen account.
From 5:00 pm on 4/14 through 4:00 pm on 4/16, students will then need to fill out a Google verification form (that will be shared with them on 4/14 via both Aspen and Schoology by me) where they will make any final, last-minute changes or course requests, rank their selections, etc. Instructions will be clearly indicated on the form. Please know that ALL students will need to fill out the form, EVEN IF NO CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE as we need to have a record that EVERY student has verified that the courses on their verification form in Aspen are accurate.
By late Monday morning, 4/26, updated verification forms reflecting any changes to student course requests for next year made between 4/14 and 4/16 will be published to the documents section of Aspen.

Finally, please be aware that NO changes to courses and schedules may be requested by students after 4/26 as we need to start staffing our courses and determining final numbers of course sections. Therefore, STUDENTS, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR AND MAKE THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS, KEEPING IN MIND BALANCE AND SIGNING UP FOR COURSES THAT YOU ARE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN!

Course registration information for the Class of 2023

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Aparna Singamsetty in For Sophomores

Dear South Students and Families –

In the coming days students will access their course recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year. Students will also be asked to select their elective course choices. Course registration is an exciting time, allowing students to explore new disciplines and delve more deeply into previously identified interests.

Between March 25th and April 14th counselors will hold brief one-on-one meetings with all students to complete their selections in Aspen. For the class of 2023, we are prioritizing these meetings between Wednesday 3/31 and Wednesday 4/7. Students should schedule a meeting with their counselor during an unassigned period or flex block whenever possible. Students should also plan on scheduling their meeting on a day that they are learning remotely, when possible, to allow them to speak more freely than if they are in an assigned study with other students.

Counselors will work with students to consider balance (with regard to levels as well as overall course load), to make sure students are electing a full complement of courses including alternate choices, and how next year’s choices fit within a broader four year plan. In this most unusual year, we ask for your partnership with the following steps to make sure that students make good, thoughtful course selections.

  1. We encourage you to take time to review available course offerings in the NSHS Program of Studies. Rising 11th graders are reminded that US History and Biology are required courses for graduation, in addition to English being required for all four years.

  2. Please complete a draft course request form prior to meeting with your school counselor to complete/review your course choices in Aspen. Make sure you meet minimum credit count and that you select alternates.

  3. Remember that Newton South recommends that students take no more than three courses at the AP/honors level.

  4. Please review course request change guidelines

Please contact your counselor should you have any questions.

Best,

Dan Rubin

Director of Guidance

UNESCO Program Virtual Information Meeting: March 16 & 17

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Michele Fegley in For Freshmen, For Juniors, For Sophomores, From the PTSO

The UNESCO Program will be hosting a virtual information meeting on March 16 & 17 for all students who are interested in applying for the 2022 Program (see poster for details).

Description: Students will attend the 3-day International Meeting of the UNESCO Associated Schools.  Prior to traveling to the conference, students will brainstorm, implement, document, and produce a project around the conference theme: 2022 Diversity of Cultural Expressions.  At the conference, students will present their projects to students, teachers, and UNESCO organizers.  After the conference, students will tour historical sites and landmarks in and around Lisbon, Portugal, learning and experiencing Portuguese history and culture.

Eligibility:  CURRENT (2020-2021) Newton South freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Application Process & More Information:  Please visit the UNESCO Program website for more information and inside looks at the student experiences over the years and themes. Applications for 2022 will be made available on the site AFTER the information meeting.

Website: https://pavaos.wixsite.com/pavao/unescoportugalprogram

Zoom Link: https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/83667560104 Passcode: dogao2021

UNESCO 2022 – Information Meeting Flyer