From the PTSO | Newton South PTSO

BLUE WEEK

Newton South Students and Families,

We are fewer than two weeks away from Thanksgiving! We hope that term 2 has been off to a good start for everyone here at South. Students, remember that you have a number of resources available to you if you ever need any assistance. If you do need any help, be sure to reach out to your teachers, counselors, dean, or another trusted adult.

As a reminder, now that term 2 has begun, you will want to make sure your schedule on Aspen is showing your Q2 schedule and not your Q1 schedule. Here are instructions on how to do this.

Students and families: Report cards will be posted later this week to Aspen. You will receive an email notification when this happens.

The district released a newsletter on Wednesday, November 9 that can be found here.

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

Updates This Week

South Stage Presents The Visit, a Tragicomedy by Freidrich Dürrenmatt

Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19 at Newton South Seasholes Auditorium

Tickets at SouthStage.org

A wealthy woman returns to her hometown to exact revenge on the man that betrayed her—or, as she puts it, to “buy justice.” Will the town vote to execute the man who betrayed her for justice (and the money she is offering), or will their compassion for their fellow citizen save his life? Directed by Paige Perkinson.

MCAS Retests Continue This Week

MCAS retests will take place on the following dates:

Math: November 15 and 16
Makeups: November 17 and 18

**the previous newsletter incorrectly reported Math happening last week. ELA took place last week and Math is taking place this week.**

Students who are testing should have received an email on Wednesday, November 2 with details. If you are signed up to take the test but did not receive this email, please email Mr. Williams as soon as possible.

For students who are testing: Bring a charged, NPS-issued Chromebook and #2 pencils. Report directly to your testing location by 9 AM.

For all other students: The library will be open for quiet study only on November 15 and 16. Students from directed study will not be allowed to go to the library on these dates.

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2nd Annual Turkey Toss Wednesday, November 23

Back by popular demand is the 2022 Turkey Toss! Last year, we had over 1000 students and staff join us in these festivities, and we hope to have even more of you join us this year! The Class of 2023 would like to invite you to our 2nd annual Turkey Toss, hosted by the Senior Class Officers. This year, it will take place on Wednesday, November 23rd.

Do you and a friend have what it takes to assemble and represent your Graduating Class? If so, please email Mr. PJ Quern and Ms. Sabet to reserve your spots for a mandatory tryout during WIN1 on Wednesday 11/16. Consider now and keep an eye out for more details through Schoology updates and Class Office social media pages. Winners will receive a trophy for bragging rights and a $20 gift card.

Being mindful of food preservation, the Senior Class Officers have found two families who have generously offered to receive the frozen turkeys for consumption over Thanksgiving Recess. A huge thank you to those two families for making sure these turkeys don’t go to waste while ensuring our Newton South students have the best time expending their energy through fowl play (yes….puns absolutely intended!).

Here is the schedule for Wednesday. All classes will meet for 35 minutes, followed by the Turkey Toss at the Stadium. Students will then have a chance to pick up lunch back in the cafeteria on the way home.

Close Up Washington, DC Trip

The registration deadline for our March 2023 Close Up Washington, DC trip is approaching soon! 10th, 11th, and 12th graders interested in civics, government, and history will spend a week in our nation’s capital and experience our democracy at work. Please see this information sheet for more details on the trip and registration process. The deadline is November 17, 2022.

Email Lisa Soo Hoo, NSHS history department, soohool@newton.k12.ma.us with questions.

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Ligerbots FLL Robotics Tournament & STEAM Expo on 11/19

The LigerBots, Newton’s award-winning high school robotics team, will be hosting a FLL Robotics tournament and a STEAM Expo on Saturday, November 19th, from 12-5pm at Newton North High School. Watch middle school teams who built and programmed robots out of Legos to compete in the FIRST Lego League Competition (FLL) go head to head at the tournament. Also come to the free STEAM Expo event open to the public, to support South and North Clubs who have come to help LigerBots spread STEAM, interact with other High School Robotics teams from across the state, and visit local companies/organizations like the Massachusetts National Guard.

Masks are required except for designated eating locations and admission is free! We hope you can stop by!

Superintendent Search Updates

Superintendent Search Survey Open Until November 21

The superintendent search has entered its “engagement” phase in which the search committee is soliciting feedback and input from the Newton community to help identify and select the next superintendent for our district. Your feedback will assist the School Committee in understanding your perspective as candidates are recruited, screened, and interviewed for the position.

The survey linked below is designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Based upon these perceptions, you will also be asked for input on what you consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district’s next superintendent.

Newton Superintendent Search Survey

The survey will be open from November 7 – 21, 2022.

Please also watch your email for upcoming opportunities to provide feedback via in-person and virtual focus groups. As always, detailed information can be found on the search committee webpage on the district website.

Focus Group Sign Up for Students

The Newton Public Schools Superintendent Search Committee is conducting a series of in-person and virtual focus groups designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Participants will also be asked for input on what they consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district’s next superintendent.

There are several focus groups between November 17-20th. If the group is virtual, you will receive a link via email prior to the focus group. All in-person groups will take place at 100 Walnut St. in Newton.

To sign up for the focus group, please use this link to a Sign Up Genius form (you do not need to create an account to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EACA62EA2F9C07-npssuperintendent3

*Please note that names will not display on the Sign Up Genius form to maintain confidentiality prior to the group meeting.

If you are unable to attend the focus groups, you may provide feedback through the online survey at: https://survey2.ecragroup.com/index.php/291239?lang=en

Other Information

Book Drive from November 7 – 18

Do you have any old (but still in good condition) books that you’d like to donate? From Monday, November 7th to Friday, November 18th, there will be bins outside of the main office and at the Wheeler entrance to collect books. Donated books will be brought to the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory, where they’ll be sorted and distributed to kids in need throughout the Boston area. Please make sure that any donated books are appropriate for children and teenagers, and that they are still in good condition (covers should be on, pages shouldn’t be ripped, etc).

It is time for the third annual Newton Neighbors Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive!

Did you know that 1 in 10 of our neighbors struggles to feed their family? 1 in 10 of our neighbors sits down to an empty plate. Help us to support our neighbors in need this holiday season.

Last year, through the support of our community, Newton Neighbors provided 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards! With increasing food costs, the goal is to give out $75 gift cards this holiday season through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton.

The Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive will run from November 1 – 19. Any donation, of any size, will help us achieve our goal. Donate online at https://www.newtonneighbors.org/donate or mail a check to Newton Neighbors, PO Box 590141, Newton, MA 02459.

Newton Neighbors is working through partner organizations in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton to distribute gift cards to families and will not be distributing gift cards directly. All direct requests will be referred to appropriate partners.

Newton Neighbors’ mission is to facilitate community connection, mutual aid, and access to resources and support for all people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton, MA, and other local communities.

Staff Winter Party 2022

Staff Winter Party

ALUMNI HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT: THURS DEC 22 AT 7PM

From the Vice Principal Nov 13, 2022

BLUE WEEK

Updates This Week