Category Archives: From the PTSO

Block Schedule (updated, 5/21)

Here is a link to the end of the year Block Schedule (updated, 5/21) 

A few reminder items to note:

  • There are no traditional final exams this year in June that count towards a final grade. Instead, classes will have new content being taught through June 11th with the week of 6/14 FULL SCHOOL DAYS for course review and wrap up. Teachers will share out more specifically what the last days will look like as we get closer to the end of the school year.
  • Note the special schedule for graduation. IF we do need to move graduation to 6/11 due to rain, please know that 6/10 would become a full day with the same blocks but longer, until 3:55pm….and if we do need 6/11 for a rain date, the schedule would look like this: 
    • E3 9:15 – 9:40
    • F3 9:50 – 10:15
    • G3 10:25 – 10:50
    • Flex 11:00 – 11:25 

With an early dismissal on 11:30 and the ceremonies at the same time as they are currently scheduled on 6/10.

We of course, will make the call if we have to move to the rain date as early as  possible as we are aware of the disruption that schedule changes cause to students and families.

Note the Step Up day schedule with one scheduled class in the morning from 9:15 to 10:25….with Step Up Day activities with the middle schoolers from 11:45am – 1:15pm…and then two more REMOTE classes in the afternoon. We know that this is NOT an ideal schedule for anyone but with all schools across the district needing to have Step Up day activities and the real challenges with coordinating our bus schedules, this is the schedule that the district has agreed will work for this event for the two high schools. *Please note that there was an error on the original Step Up Day schedule that indicated the day ended at 3:55pm for South students. That has been corrected to indicate the  accurate block schedules for F & G blocks with the end of the day at 3:15pm….as is typical of Wednesdays throughout the year.

Midterm Comments

Term 3 Comments/Progress Reports are now posted on Aspen. Please note: Seniors will not receive midterm comments. Senior Q4 and final grades will be posted on 6/4.

Published reports can be found on the initial page of the parent portal under the “published reports” widget. 

A reminder that we amended our comments list to reflect the educational model that we are working in this year. Here is a list of the comments that teachers could choose from for context purposes: 

Midterm Comments

If you have specific questions about any comments, please reach out to your (your child’s) teacher.

Math Team News

It was a very unusual year for the Newton South Math Team with all the practices and competitions held online. Nevertheless, many Newton South students participated in a number of math tournaments and achieved very good results.

The team finished 3rd in the Greater Boston Mathematics League placing high in each of the four meets. It qualified for Massachusetts State Math Meet and New England Championship Math Meet, although both were cancelled.

The team got a great score in Purple Comet Math Meet and placed 2nd in New England in the large high school division. Well done!

Several Newton South students did well in AMC competitions and were invited to take the AIME exam. Congratulations to this year’s AIME qualifiers: Elena Baskakova, Vivek Vallurupalli, Ethan Pang, Audrey Wei, Joshua Guo. Elena also participated in MAML High School Contest and placed 25 out of 438 overall, being second best 9th grader in the competition. She also placed in the top 10% in the John Hopkins Math Tournament.

Big thanks to the team captains Aidan Leonard, Benson Lu and Matthew Yao and math team advisor Mr. Petrizzi for leading the team and organizing many fun activities.

NSHS, Music Announcement – POPS

Dear Music Families and Friends:

Please save the date of Wednesday May 26 , 2021 (rain date Thursday May 27) for an outdoor Pops Concert, “Under White Tent”, starting at 5:30pm.  After a year of reinvention and resilience, the Pops concert will be a time to reflect and celebrate.  We hope that you can join us!

Given that COVID related restrictions still apply, some parts of the event will look differently than in the past, but the music will still be wonderful.  For easy reference, I will highlight the main points below.

Concert Date, Time & Locations:  Wednesday, May 26th at 5:30pm.  Under the white tent (outside of Goodwin House).

  • Due to covid restrictions, limited sightlines and sound system limitations, we ask that priority seating be given to the performers’ family and friends.  For example, at 5:30pm, orchestra fans should sit up front and then give their spots to the chorus fans at 6pm.  We welcome you to stay for as much of the concert as the audience size restrictions allow.
  • No Food will be provided by the school.  If you choose to bring a picnic, the guidance asks that you stay seated, 6′ away from other guests.
  • Much like any other outdoor concert, we ask that you bring your own blanket or lawn chair for seating.
  • Donations help us to provide access to festivals and other enrichment events.  Donations are not required to attend the concert, however, if you are in a position to support our programming, donation instructions are here.
  • Concert Order and timing estimates:
  • 5:30pm – Orchestra
  • 6:00pm – Choruses
  • 6:30pm – Symphonic Band
  • 7:00pm – Awards
  • 7:15pm – Lab Jazz
  • 7:30pm Jazz Improv (1-4)
  • 8:00pm – Jazz Combo
  • 8:20pm – Jazz Ensemble

We look forward to you joining us!

Volunteers Needed! Newton South Courtyard Cleanup May 22 starting 1PM

The courtyard cleanup is happening Saturday May 22, from 1pm on.

Parent and student volunteers welcome!  Just let Katharina know you plan to come! Thank you!!

The school will be open all day because of the musical performance in the evening, so access should not be an issue (my cell # is below if needed).

View the map of the NSHS Courtyard, showing the location of the courtyard and ways to get there. Please bring spades/shovels/other tools to dig out weeds; gloves, and water bottles (the weather will be very warm).

I will bring yard bags, weed-block fabric to spread, and a sprinkler/mister to cool us off if needed.

The courtyard is a large area, ideas on what to plant and how to sustain its beautification are welcome. Thank you all so very much for caring about the school environment, we are making a difference!

~ Katharina, 617-763-0742, NS Grounds Group

Mon. May 17 at 7PM Zoom – Update on PTSO Senior Events

The PTSO will host a zoom session on Monday, May 17th from 7-8PM to provide an update on PTSO sponored Senior Events.    This session will not be recorded.  Updates on events will be sent out in PTSO Newsletters.

The update will include May 18th Seniors Countdown event; June 3 Senior Last Day Celebration; June 6 Senior Celebration “Prom,” and  June 6 Celebration Lane (Parade).

Any parent in any grade interested in helping out at these events is welcome to attend.  Thank you. 

A waiting room will be used.  Please make sure your full name is listed.

ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82604004193?pwd=QzQ5elk5UjNJWGR5QndaTlNFNzlKQT09

Meeting ID: 826 0400 4193
Passcode: Lions2021

REMINDER! Deadline Mon. May 17th for June 6th 2021 Seniors Celebration Event

The 2021 Seniors Celebration (alternative to Prom) will be held on Sunday June 6th from 8-11PM at South.  The rain date on June 7th.  This is an event for Newton South SENIORS only.  All Seniors should have received an email from Mr. Crosby on 5/12 about the event.

The pre-registration deadline is MIDNIGHT, MAY 17th.  NO Exceptions.

In place of the traditional Prom, the event called 2021 Senior Celebration will be outdoors on Newton South grounds from 8-11PM. Food trucks, including the Boston Burger Company, Bon Me and the Cookie Monstah, will provide catering of pre-packaged meals. Our photographer will capture Seniors in their moment on the red carpet as they celebrate their Senior year.  There will be a DJ to provide music entertainment and  light show under the existing tent at Newton South — this will be open for dancing! 

Per May 12 email from Mr. Crosby, in order to attend the Senior Celebration, you MUST complete the pre-registration form linked below. If you do not fill out the form by midnight, Monday, May 17th, we will not be able to guarantee you will be able to attend. 

Link to sign-up form: https://forms.gle/Vt4yMrL2PxYCa3eZ9

Please note your senior(s) must register with the above link with their school email account for verification.  This information will determine how we best accommodate all the seniors who want to attend.  We will provide an update the week of May 17th after registration closes.

Mon. May 17 – Submit Nominations for 2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards!

Nominations are still open for the 2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards!

Please go to https://forms.gle/M9uHkvhHx1NvvnJ2A to submit your nominations by May 17, 2021.

Here’s how the 2021 “Virtual” Awards will work:

  • Families will submit nominations using the Google Form
  • Each nominee will receive the text of the nomination in an email
  • The email to each nominee will also include messages of thanks from Mayor Fuller, the School Committee, Superintendent Fleishman, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Beth Fitzmaurice, and the SEPAC Board
  • Each nominee will receive a printed award that will be dropped off at their school or location in early June
  • We will send each Principal a list of the nominees from their schools

For those new to Newton SEPAC, the annual Special Educator Awards are a way to honor NPS and OOD staff who have gone the extra mile to support our special education students. Nominees span a wide range of staff, including teachers, aides, BTs, therapists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, other support staff, etc. All nominees receive an award. The Awards are usually held in person but will be virtual in 2021 for the second year running. (Fingers crossed for an in-person gathering in 2022!)

REMINDER! Tues, May 18th PTSO Seniors Graduation Countdown Event @6:30PM

Reminder – Seniors Graduation Countdown Event
Date/Time: Tues,  May 18th, 6:30 – 8pm

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered for this event!

This event is for confirmed registered students and faculty who received a confirmation email on May 14, 2021.  Any student, faculty or parent volunteer who is not feeling well should not attend.  Masks and social distancing will be required at all times.

Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and celebrate your upcoming graduation!

All registered guest can pick up their selected meal at the time you specified in registered to minimize waiting and lines.  Thank you!

Location:  Grass by the tent at South. Check in will be on the sidewalk on Brandeis Rd by the tent.  Please note that participants can pick up their meal at the food station based on your arrival time you selected during registration to minimize the food pickup line.  Thank you!

Ticket Sales for South Stage’s Production of Chicago and Silent Auction Live

Ticket Sales now available for South Stage’s upcoming production of Chicago on May 20, 21,and 22.  Visit SouthStage.org to purchase tickets. Our Silent Auction is now live! Anyone can bid! In conjunction with South Stage's upcoming production of Chicago, our annual silent auction is now live, from May 15-22! View our auction items at https://www.32auctions.com/SouthStageAuction2021. We've got gift cards to your favorite local stores and restaurants, like Farmstead Table, Rosenfeld's Bagels, and Buttonwood, and great professional services, such as Campus Bound and BYOD Dog Wash. Please support our kids and the arts! Contact us at southstageparents@gmail.com with any questions.
Please help us by donating items for the auction, or soliciting businesses to help through Playbill ads or donations. Consider donating unused gift cards to your favorite stores or restaurants, tickets to a fun theater or sporting event, museum passes, sports memorabilia, weekend away options or professional services: photography, catering, coaching etc. Contact southstageparents@gmail.com or learn more at https://www.southstage.org/donate.html.