Category Archives: From the PTSO

Course Verification Day: Wed., April 14

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer 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!

Term/Quarter 3 Grades

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Term 3 grades:

Today was the last day of Term 3. Report cards will be published to Aspen next Friday, April 16th by 5:00 pm.

Covid Pool Testing Info

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

COVID Pool Testing:

As Newton South prepares for a full in-person return to school after April vacation, we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE families to enroll their student in our COVID-19 testing program. Testing is one of the best ways we have to quickly identify infection and reduce the possibility of in-school transmission.

Here are three reasons for students who either will be attending school or who are distance students involved in regular extracurriculars (i.e. athletics, theater, etc.) to enroll:

It’s a quick process to enroll:
Complete the opt-in in Aspen through the PARENT/FAMILY ACCOUNT (here’s the link!).
Students then create an account at JCM (do it here!) enter your NPS email, select “Forgot Password prompt”, follow the email verification process, log in and the QR Code will appear. You can then take a picture of your QR code and you will use that same code every week that you test.
For the first time you are going to test, you can either go to the main office to pick up a test kit, or come to the faculty dining room at the times listed further down in the email below.
If step b. above is too confusing or you get stuck, as long as your parent/guardian completed step a., you can just show up to the South testing center on the designated days (more info below) and a staff member will give you a test kit with instructions and we will also gladly give you your QR code that you will need each week when you come to test (taking a picture of the QR code with your phone is a common strategy that works since most students always have their phone with them).

It’s painless! This is NOT the “touch your brain” swab! This is a sample that you will take from the front of your nose with a Q-tip like swab. It is very fast and, again, PAINLESS!

It makes a difference! The more students who participate, the better data we have on infection rates in our community. This means that we can quickly identify infection, reduce the risk of school transmission, limit quarantines, and keep our schools, athletics and other important activities open for the rest of the school year!

Other updated pool testing info:

After vacation, since we won’t be restricted with times related to the two cohorts anymore, we will be moving our Thursday testing day to Tuesday. So the testing windows for students to choose from beginning on April 26th will be:

Mondays, B Block (lunch block) 10:45am – 12:55pm in the Faculty Dining Room (same as before)…located next to the cafeteria in the hallway near the lecture hall
Tuesdays, Flex Block (3:10 – 3:55pm) in the Faculty Dining Room located next to the cafeteria in the hallway near the lecture hall
Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 4:30pm in the Faculty Dining Room (designed for students who are distance learning who are involved in extracurricular activities regularly at South) located next to the cafeteria in the hallway near the lecture hall

As a way to incentivize participation in the pool testing program, we are planning to have randomized opportunities for students to win small prizes when they drop off a completed test and pick up a new one for the following week. Possible prizes may include small amount gift cards (i.e. Starbucks, Dunkin’) or South swag so SIGN UP IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY!

If you have any questions, please see this NPS page: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3826 or if you can’t find your answer there, please reach out to me and I will see if I can help or point you in the right direction. Thank you!

Reminder – Cohort B and C Drop off COVID Test Swabs Tomorrow!

Posted on April 7, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Regular testing is the only way to identify individuals who do not realize they are sick before they spread the virus to others.

Why should my child participate?  Civic duty; Contribution to a healthy school environment; Preserve in-person learning; Stop the spread; Decrease transmission; More participation is better – larger group with immunity!

It’s easy, just start by providing consent for your child(ren) to participate. Simply view the consent form instructions here, then go to the parent portal on Aspen to complete the consent.  As long as you consent on Aspen by 8pm Sunday evening, you will be added into the JCM testing website by NPS data team in time for Monday morning’s test (Cohort A and C) or Thursday morning (Cohort B and C).  Wait till your student gets the email from NPS, then go to JCMWORKS website and enter his/her NPS email, select “Forgot Password prompt”, follow the email verification process, log in and the QR Code will appear.

When and where do student drop off their swab? At the Faculty Dining Room for  Hybrids A, B and C  during lunch period B Block on either Monday or Thursday and Eligible distance students from 3:45pm to 4:30pm on Thursday.

For more information, visit the FAQ at https://newtonsouthptso.org/frequently-asked-questions/nshs-covid-19-pool-testing-faq/

Full Return Option FAQs

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Many questions regarding the April 26th full return to school option are answered here. Any additional relevant FAQ’s to this document will be added as warranted.

Also, please fill out the form that the district sent on Friday ONLY IF you are looking to change your model from distance to in-person or from in-person to distance for 4/26. If you did not receive the form from the district, please let contact Chris Hardiman at [email protected]

Updated School Bus Guidelines-Registration Deadline is April 7

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

On February 11, 2021, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) updated transportation guidelines for school buses in the Commonwealth. The most significant change is that DESE has lifted capacity restrictions and physical distancing requirements on buses and vans. NPS will continue to maintain as much distance as possible between students.  However, with the transition to full time in-person learning, we do expect increased ridership on our buses.

If you are child will be using bus transportation, please review the important details on bus transportation below. To register, please login into the bus registration system (operated by MySchoolBucks) and complete the registration.

LINK TO BUS REGISTRATION 

The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 7th at 5:00 p.m.

Bus Pass

  • New bus passes with seat assignments will be available Monday, April 12th.
  • Bus passes WILL NOT be mailed. They will be posted to your Aspen account. Instructions for downloading the pass are below.
  • Students MUST have their bus pass with them to board the bus.
  • If your bus pass has not been posted to your Aspen account by Monday, April 12th, please contact our transportation department at 617-559-9051 or [email protected]
  • Bus route information can be found on our website: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/214

Seat Assignments

  • The bus pass will include a seat assignment. The seat assignment will be printed on the bus pass. Students must sit in their assigned seat.
  • Siblings will be assigned to the same seat number. This means that they will sit on one bench that contains two seats.
  • Students may be assigned to a bench with a student that is not from the same household. NPS will do everything possible to maintain as much distance as possible between students.
  • Your seat assignment will contain the letter W, C, or A. W=Window, meaning your student should sit in the seat closest to the window. C=Center, meaning your student should sit in the center of the seat. A=Aisle, meaning your student should sit in the seat closest to the aisle.

Health and Safety

  • Face masks must be worn by all students and drivers at all times
  • All windows will be open at least 2” on the bus and every other window during adverse weather, per the new DESE guidelines
  • Buses will be cleaned and disinfected regularly

If you would like to register for the bus, please click on the link below and follow these instructions.

LINK TO BUS REGISTRATION 

The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 7th at 5:00 p.m.

We know there have been many changes in our transportation operations this year and we appreciate your flexibility. We look forward to transporting your student safely for the remainder of this school year. Please reach out to the transportation department at 617-559-9051 with any questions.

Sincerely,

NPS Transportation Department

 

 

 

Seniors: Caps and Gowns, Order by April 16th

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Seniors, From the PTSO

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.

IT’S TIME TO ORDER  YOUR CAP & GOWN FOR GRADUATION!  All orders must be received by APRIL 16, 2021.   If you have any questions, please contact Julie Stonehill 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. Download and complete the South CapGown Measurement Form.

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

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.
  • All other student forms should 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

 

Sign up today FREE Weekly COVID-19 Testing for Students at Newton South

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

The district heard our community voices about the need for Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing to re-open schools safely and responded with The NPS Testing Program.  It’s Free and is Here.  Click to Sign up today so your child(ren) can participate in the weekly testing at South.  Let’s move 30% participation to 75%.  

As we prepare to return to full in-person days on April 26, we NEED the support of our Newton South families to student(s) in the NPS COVID-19 testing program. Testing is the best way we have to quickly identifyinfection and reduce the possibility of in-school transmission.

  1. It’s easy! Complete the opt-in in Aspen (here’s the link!) High school students then create an account at JCM (do it here!) for access to a QR code they use to check in their sample.

  2. It’s painless! This is NOT the “touch your brain” swab! This is a sample taken from the front of your nose with a Q-tip like swab. It’s super-fast and painless.

  3. It makes a difference! The more students who participate, the better data we have on infection rates in our community. This means we can quickly identify infection, reduce the risk of in school transmission, limit quarantines, and keep our schools, athletics and other important activities open for the rest of the year!.

If your child forgets that morning, please go to the South Main Office and pick up a new kit.  It’s simple, it’s easy to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our school. Thank you!

Learn more, go to the PTSO website at https://newtonsouthptso.org/frequently-asked-questions/nshs-covid-19-pool-testing-faq/

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SAVE THE DATE: Help Beautify Newton South, Sunday, May 2

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Mark your calendars for May 2nd and join Newton South students, families, and staff to beautify school grounds.

Be on the lookout for Newton Serves to post signup link within the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

The Power of Gratitude; Recorded and Available Until April 18th

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

If you missed Nancy Davis Kho’s engaging and inspiring talk about the power of gratitude on March 31st, the recorded video of the presentation is available here.   The link will be available for 2 weeks until April 18th.

The PTSO has also purchased copies of Nancy Davis Kho’s book,   THE THANK-YOU PROJECT: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude at a Time and they will be available in the school library.