Category Archives: From the PTSO

AAPI Solidarity Event Feedback, Slides and Resources – Thanks for coming!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for joining us on Wednesday night for our AAPI Solidarity Event sponsored by FORJNSHS and the Newton PTO Council. We appreciated hearing from our presenters and listening to everyone’s perspectives in the breakout rooms and the full group discussions afterwards.

Want to review material from the event? See below. 

We hope you will be inspired to:

  • Reach out to connect with AAPI families in your schools and community
  • Speak up and out about racism you witness and experience
  • Speak out about the need for AAPI curriculum in our schools
  • Speak out about the need for more AAPI teachers, administrators, and community leaders
  • Organize events of your own within your own neighborhoods, groups, schools, and communities

EVENT FEEDBACK FORM – takes 1-5 minutes depending on how much you share

Please share your feedback while the event is still fresh in your mind. Your feedback will be reviewed by our planning team at our next meeting on May 3rd.

We wanted to play this song « We are Proud to be Asian » at our event but ran out of time. It’s wonderful! It’s called composed by a 14-year old Lexington student Phoebe Tian recently. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/09/lifestyle/lexington-teens-we-are-proud-be-asian-song-inspires-weekend-rally-boston-common/ (FYI – this story is behind a Globe Paywall – sorry about that)

In case you missed the event or wanted to review the material shared again, please see the following…

Supporting our AAPI Students– Slides created by NNHS Teachers Michele Leong and Charlene Beh from NNHS

Slides about NSHS ASO Events –Slides created by NSHS Teacher Marianne McChesney

Google Doc to Share ideas from your Breakout Room Discussion – this is shared with everyone so that you can read each other’s words and wisdom. If you took notes during the Breakout Rooms, please add your reflections here.

Event Slide Deck w Agenda and Timeline

AAPI Resources List

Specific trainings that address anti-Asian violence and xenophobia

Contact: [email protected] w questions

Want to go to future FORJ events? Join the Citywide FORJ email list here

Before you close this email, please offer us your feedback here…

EVENT FEEDBACK FORM – takes 1-5 minutes depending on how much you share

Your feedback will be reviewed by our planning team at our next meeting on May 3rd.

Thanks again for joining us! We hope to see you again in the future.

Sincerely,

The FORJ NSHS Team

Newton Citywide FORJ

Newton PTO Council

Honor Thy Teacher Campaign

This past year has been a challenge! During Teacher Appreciation Week on May 3-7, show your gratitude for the efforts of teachers and staff by participating in Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher campaign. Watch for a postcard arriving in your mail or make your tax-deductible donation online.

By donating to Honor Thy Teacher in the name of one or more of your children’s teachers or other school staff members, you can show your appreciation AND support your children’s schools. NSF will notify each teacher and staff member honored of your gift, share their names with principals and the Superintendent, and include their names on a list of honored teachers and staff members to be posted on the NSF website.

To learn more about the programs NSF funds, visit our website.

THANK YOU for your donation!

TONIGHT 7PM – RSVP Required – FORJ Presents Asian American & Pacific Islander Solidarity Night

Join Fellow NSHS and community members for FORJ Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Night

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

7-8:30 pm, with open discussion until 9 pm

RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

Come join parents, students, teachers, and community members to support our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through an evening of learning and connection!

Sponsored by FORJ NSHS (Families Organizing for Racial Justice @ Newton South)

You will learn about:

– the historical and systemic roots of violence and discrimination against AAPI communities

– how AAPI communities are suffering in terms of mental health and how to help

– ways to support our young people, family members, and friends during this difficult time

Special Guest Facilitators: Michele Leong and Charlene Beh from NNHS

We will offer breakout rooms for participants to connect with each other in small groups.

RSVP HERE

DEADLINE April 16th for Caps and Gowns Orders

Hello Families of the CLASS OF 2021!

Save-the-Date June 10, 2021.  Time and schedule will be announced by South as soon as they are available.

NOTE:  ALL Order Forms must be received April 16, 2021. 

IF YOU DO NOT NEED A CAP AND GOWN FOR ANY REASON, or have any questions, please let Mrs. Stonehill know as soon as possible at [email protected]


Please see this Memo for detailed order instructions. and deadlines.

  1. You must create a MySchoolBucks account if you do not have one already, to complete the order form and payment. See MySchoolBucks instructions here.
  2. Fill out the Cap and Tassel Only order form (Cap and tassel order form 2021)
  3. Download and complete the South CapGown Measurement Form if you need a gown.
  4. Pay for your items on My School Bucks
  5. Print out your receipt and drop off or mail receipt and your form (Cap/Tassel only or Gown Measurement Form).

ALL Order Forms must be returned by April 16, 2021. 

  • Forms and receipts can be dropped off at school for those students who are attending in-person.
  • Or they must be mailed in to be received by April 16, 2021 to:

Julie Stonehill
Goldrick House
Newton South High School
140 Brandeis Road
Newton Centre, MA 02459

 

Green Newton Covid-19 Memorial Trees Project

Green Newton Covid-19 Memorial Trees 4C Project: Plant Trees at Newton South to Honor Those Who Lost Their Lives to Covid in Newton. The goals of the 4C Tree Project (Capture Carbon Commemorate Covid) are to provide a beautiful living memorial to neighbors lost to Covid-19, remind us of our need to care for each other, and to capture carbon by planting trees to help address climate change. The city forester has identified Newton South as a site to plant memorial trees. We hope that the South community will come together to help fund these trees and show that we care.

Please donate atwww.greennewton.org/trees and you can add a note to the donor scroll and mention your Newton South affiliation.  Also, follow the progress of this memorial on instagram @4ctreeproject.

FORJ Presents Asian American & Pacific Islander Solidarity Night: Wed., April 14

FORJ Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Night

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

7-8:30 pm, with open discussion until 9 pm

RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

Come join parents, students, teachers, and community members to support our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through an evening of learning and connection!

Sponsored by FORJ NSHS (Families Organizing for Racial Justice @ Newton South)

You will learn about:

– the historical and systemic roots of violence and discrimination against AAPI communities

– how AAPI communities are suffering in terms of mental health and how to help

– ways to support our young people, family members, and friends during this difficult time

Special Guest Facilitators: Michele Leong and Charlene Beh from NNHS

We will offer breakout rooms for participants to connect with each other in small groups.

RSVP HERE

City of Newton presents “Mental Health: Continuing the Conversation”: May 6

Mental Health: Continuing the Conversation

May 6 @ 6:30PM

NewtonMA.gov/mentalhealth

Join Mayor Fuller, Samaritans Inc., and Families for Depression Awareness to learn more about suicide prevention, recognizing depression and bipolar disorder, and the important work being done to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in our community.

Free Event for Jr/Sr Families: 17 Things You Need to Do Before Going to College: Wed., 4/14

Event: 17 Things You Need to Do Before Going to College
Date: April 14, 2021
Time: 7:00 pm EST
17 Things You Need to Do Before College: Newton North and Newton South High School students and parents are invited to attend this info-packed event that will relieve stress and provide tips and strategies to navigate the changes ahead. New York Times bestselling author and leading authority on college success, Harlan Cohen, hosts this entertaining and interactive event. Learn about the latest research, trends, and plans college campuses are making to welcome the Class of 2021. This event is perfect for seniors, parents and juniors in the college planning process. There is no cost to attend.

2021-2022 Fall Start Times & Schedule Update

2021-22 Fall Start Times and Schedule Update was sent on Wednesday, April 7 from the Superintendent.

High Schools
9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (early release Tuesdays at 3:25 p.m.)

Timeline for Decision-Making

  • April 12th – Presentation at School Committee Meeting.  View meeting documents.
  • April 13th – Informational webinar for families
  • April 28th – Recommendation voted at School Committee Meeting

Webinar:  Tuesday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Visit this page for login information:https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3825

Please view this link below for the email from the Superintendent.

Juniors! Colleges Coming to Zoom Webinar: Tues., April 13

The Newton South Counseling Department invites juniors and their families to join us for a live, interactive webinar with college representatives from the following schools: American University, Connecticut College, Framingham State University, Northeastern University, and UMass, Amherst.

A range of admissions-related topics will be covered and your questions are welcomed.

Tuesday, April 13th 7-8 pm

Zoom link
PW 614332

Any question, please contact Ms Sabet, College & Career Counselor,
[email protected]