Category Archives: From the PTSO

Senior Events – Prom & SouthFest Update

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Seniors, From the PTSO

The South Administration team will soon be announcing a date for the Senior Prom.  SouthFest will follow immediately after the Prom on the same day.  In the meantime, planning has begun and many thanks to those who participated in the PTSO brainstorming session on March 2, 2021.  The next meeting will be scheduled later this month as soon as the event date is confirmed from the South Administration.

Thank you to the parent volunteers who are getting preliminary information on outdoor venues listed below.  Any questions, please contact info@newtonsouthPTSO.org.

SouthFest Brainstorm Summary:

  1. Propose Event on May 20, 2021 – “21 Days to Graduation Countdown Ceremony” to honor our Class of 2021.  The PTSO would sponsor 1 or 2 Food trucks for Seniors for lunch.  Propose to do Live Word Cloud to capture “high school experience” and maybe use results to create a t-shirt for the class of 2021.
  2. Follow up with Parks/Rec on field availability and AD Gonzales once date is set by Administration for Prom.  SouthFest will immediately follow Prom ends on same day.  Discussing on use of Stadium, Baseball Field, Soccer Fields between South and Brown/Oakhill.
  3. Follow up with estimating Tent costs, generators and dancefloor.
  4. Continue research on outdoor venues (The Lawn on the D, Lookout Farm, the Gore Place, Larz Anderson and deCordova).
  5. SouthFest Activities ideas include: Laser tag, Mini golf, Kahoot game, Performances & activity – hula dancing, Performances – magic show, Trivia game, Carnival games/stations, Corn hole, Spike ball, Obstacle course, Slideshow of Class 2021 submitted by student.
  6. Food trucks and picnic area to allow small group gatherings.
  7. Logistics with social distancing, security details, signups TBD

Class officers will be conducting survey to assess interest in SouthFest activities above.  Our next step is to get feedback on March 12 from Class officers and adviser on the idea of a “21 Day Countdown Event”and SouthFest activities ideas, so the PTSO and class officers can follow up on costs and planning on activities based on MA guidelines on gatherings (As of 3/22 will be 100 indoors and 150 outdoors at public venues.)   Signups to support planning will be posted soon.   Questions, please contact info@newtonsouthPTSO.org.

South Parents and Guardians, the PTSO Needs You!

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Newton South PTSO needs two volunteers to be co-presidents for 2021-2022 and transition planning is starting now. If you’re passionate about making Newton South a great community for our students, consider taking on one of these leadership roles. The focus of the PTSO co-presidents is about enriching our children’s experience, community building and communication, not fundraising. Familiarity of NPS and Newton South is helpful, but not essential. 

 Next year seems far away, but the changeover of roles will start this spring with the current President, May Chiu.  As co-presidents, you will partner closely with South’s new principal and the administrative team to ensure the PTSO initiatives that support our faculty, staff, and students are fun and successful.  After this difficult year, the PTSO’s strategies will be more important than ever.

Email May at info@newtonsouthPTSO.org to learn more.

No School, Wed, March 24

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Reminder: No school on 3/24 as it is the final professional development day of the year for staff.

STAFF APPRECIATION MARCH 24th

Posted on March 6, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

STAFF APPRECIATION MARCH 24th

Our teachers will have a full day of professional training on Wednesday, March 24th. Please help us show our support of the staff at Newton South by donating to the staff appreciation luncheon. We will be serving a great selection of sandwiches, and are asking families to contribute additional items to round out the menu.  In keeping with COVID protocols, we request that all items be individually wrapped. We also need a couple of volunteers to help set up for the event (approximate time between 11 am and noon).

Items may be dropped off in the cafeteria any time from 7.45 am-11 am on March 24th.  Please drop the coffee off by 7.45 am, so the staff members can enjoy a cup of coffee to start their day.

Please use the link below to sign-up to contribute to this event.
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/575097752050/false#/invitation

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
tammyboem@gmail.com (Tammy  Tsikar)
ilanasteel@gmail.com  (Ilana Steel)

Thank you in advance for your support!

Items Needed for NSHS Fine/Performing Arts Department

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO, South Arts

The Newton South Fine & Performing Arts department is looking for a little help from our friends. Our classes continue to be a home away from home for many students and we find ourselves in need of two very specific items: an upright bass and DSLR cameras.

If you, or someone you know, has any of these items available, we can pick them up and provide you with a tax donation letter.  Please email Megan Leary Crist at cristm@newton.k12.ma.us if you are able to help out.  Thank you!

Newton Schools Foundation Event, March 16th, 7p

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Join NSF for an evening with NNHS alum Sam Vaghar on
“Building a Generation of Social Impact Leaders”
When Sam Vaghar was a sophomore at Brandeis University, his life changed after reading two books on extreme poverty.  It was then, he set out to connect his peers to the realities of the world beyond their own experiences. Join Sam to hear how he founded Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and learn how this non-profit is building a generation of social impact leaders with the Millennium Fellowship.
 
 

Thurs, Mar 4 at 6:30PM COVID Pool Testing Informational Webinar

Posted on March 2, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Save-the-Date for the COVID Pool Testing  Program Webinar at Newton South on Thursday, March 4 at 6:30PM.

See details and webinar link below from Interim Vice Principal Chris Hardiman.

March 2, 2021

Dear NPS High School Families,

As we shared last week, we are preparing to implement COVID-19 testing for students and staff in the Newton Public Schools. Testing for in-person high school students will begin next week. You received instructions for providing consent to opt into the testing program last week. For reference, here is a link to information on the program and the instruction document for providing consent.

To answer your questions about the testing, we are offering an informational webinar on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at 6:30 pm. Our testing partner, JCM Analytics, will provide a brief overview of the testing program and process. Dr. Dori Zaleznick, as well as district and school-based members of the NPS COVID Testing Team. will also be present. We will then take your questions via a live, moderated Q&A.

To log into the webinar, please use this link:

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86489554913

We look forward to sharing more information with you then.

Thank you,

Chris Hardiman
NSHS Interim Vice Principal

 

Feb 28 at 7PM Webinar – Talking to Teens About Anti-Asian Discrimination in the Era of COVID-19

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness has shared information about their upcoming webinar:

Talking to Teens about Anti-Asian Discrimination in the Era of COVID-19: Guidance from Research and Practice

While Anti-Asian sentiments unfortunately are not new, COVID-19 has shifted the landscape to expose anti-Asian racism and increased racist violent attacks and harassment. Join this important webinar and Q&A to learn about the negative impacts of racism and discrimination on the mental health of our youth, the critical importance of parents supporting their children especially during these challenging times, and practical strategies for parents on how to talk about anti-Asian racism and discrimination at home. This webinar will include brief presentations with ample time for discussion and Q&A.

Featuring: Justin Chen, MD, MPH, Executive Director at MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness; Hyeouk Chris Hahm, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor at Boston University School of Social Work; Cindy H. Liu, PhD, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School; Michelle Mu, Certified Professional Coach; Catherine Vuky, PhD, Director of Asian Mental Health Concentration Program at William James College; and Ellen Yang, MA.

 Sunday, Feb 28, 2021 07:00 PM

Interested families can Register Here for the webinar.

Opportunity to Move to Hybrid

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

Hello Students and Families,

This message is for any family that has at least one student who is in the Distance Learning Model but who may be interested in requesting a move in the Hybrid Learning Model. Please see the following letter for more information and instructions if you are interested in pursuing this option.

Thanks,

Chris Hardiman
NSHS Interim Vice Principal

Mar 2nd at 7PM Rethinking SouthFest & Prom Brainstorm

Posted on February 28, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Hello Parents/Guardians!

Prior to COVID-19, The PTSO organized an after-prom celebration (SouthFest) for all Seniors regardless if they attended Prom.  The event is typically held on Tuesday before graduation. Newton South families and community organizations work together to create a safe and fun event that brings the graduating class together. There is a different theme every year for SouthFest, the school is transformed to evoke that theme, and the stage is set for an exciting party. There are games, prizes, a casino, entertainment, food, surprises and fun.

This year, we are hopeful to create some celebration.  COVID-19 will still be present and we need to rethink SouthFest.  The PTSO is working with the Class of 2021 Officers and Advisors in rethinking the Prom as an outdoor event, and SouthFest would follow that event.   Please join us and bring your ideas.

Rethinking SouthFest
Tuesday, Mar 2, 2021  at 7:00 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82493007375?pwd=d0ZkL2E4VjNPZkVtL3lzTDBRWXU3QT09

Meeting ID: 824 9300 7375
Passcode: 2021

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Meeting ID: 824 9300 7375
Passcode: 2021
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