Category Archives: From the PTSO

February Break Covid-19 Safety Reminders

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

As we approach the February school break, Newton Public Schools’ families & staff are urged to take responsibility and do their part to help keep us all safe. Everyone is required to follow Governor Baker’s orders. MDPH asks residents to:

  • Postpone or cancel travel. If you do choose to travel, be aware of and comply with Massachusetts travel order requirements (and see below)
  • Limit gatherings

Massachusetts Travel Order requirements:

All visitors (even children) entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, from higher-risk states must complete a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Massachusetts or produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.

  • This order applies even “just for the day” for celebrations or a ski trip.
  • Owning/renting a home in another state is NOT an exception.
  • This order applies to all US states except Hawaii as of 2/8/21 – this can change. Check the website for a full, up-to-date, list of COVID risk designation per state at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-
  • If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arriving in Massachusetts, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
  • Children age 10 and younger who travel must follow the quarantine or testing plan their parent elects (testing option or 10-day quarantine option). Testing for children, 10 years and younger, who are traveling with an adult from their household is not required.
  • Individuals who are COVID-19-recovered, meaning individuals who tested positive more than 10 days but less than 90 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative PCR test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts.  COVID-19 recovered individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of the positive PCR test result, including the date it was taken, available if asked. This exception does not include COVID-19-recovered individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, who must follow all testing and quarantine guidance outlined in the travel rules.

Returning to school:

  • If you traveled, you must have received your negative COVID-19 test results before returning to school. Or, for children 10 and younger, their parents have received negative PCR results, unless the whole family is quarantining for 10 days.
  • Complete your Daily Health Assessment every morning and stay home to seek medical advice if you have any symptoms and inform your child’s School Nurse.
  • Contact your child’s School Nurse if you have questions.

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Parents! Newton South Needs YOU!

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Parents, if you’re passionate about making Newton South a great community for our students, consider taking on a role in the PTSO next year. There are openings for 2 PTSO co-Presidents and several committee co-chairs.
In these roles, you will partner closely with South’s new principal and the administrative team to ensure successful PTSO programs and events. These programs support our faculty, staff, and students to help enrich the high school experience.  After this difficult year, these programs will be more important than ever.  

The following PTSO leadership roles are currently available for 2021-2022:

  • 2  co-chairs for Staff Appreciation Committee
  • 2 members for the Grants Committee
  • 2 co-chairs for Freshman Orientation
  • 3 Newsletter Editors (work behind the scene only)
  • 1 liaison for Newton SEPAC

Next year seems far away, but planning has already begun and the transition of roles will start this spring.  Please email current PTSO President May Chiu at [email protected] to further explore these available opportunities.

Covid Testing Information: Update from Feb. 8

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Please find updated information about NPS COVID Testing plans for staff and students from the School Committee meeting on Feb 8th.    (Please attach the documents to the list below. Thanks)

Mask Donations Needed Through March 1

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Mask Drive for Domestic Violence Survivors

Donate reusable and washable masks to help survivors of domestic abuse stay safe during the pandemic!
Purple collection box outside the main office until March 1st. Questions/more info: Domestic Violence Awareness Club President Kate Butts ([email protected]) or club Instagram page: @dvaclubnshs

From the Vice Principal: Arrival Times Reminder

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Hello Hybrid A, B, and C Students and Families,

I hope you have been enjoying your weekend.

As we have a cold week ahead, a reminder that we are unable to accommodate students arriving earlier than 8:50 am to South. This is because we don’t have the staffing and supervision required under COVID health and safety guidelines.

If you are eating a grab and go breakfast in the cafeteria, you are welcome to arrive at 8:50 am at the main entrance door, ring the bell, and someone from the main office will let you in. Otherwise, all students should arrive as close to 9:00 am as possible as that is what time all other doors at South will be open to students (see screenshot).

Thanks for your understanding.

Chris Hardiman

NSHS Interim Vice Principal

Fall 2 (Flex) Season Update

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Manisha Kasana in Athletics, From the PTSO

Effective February 22, 2021

The Fall 2 (Flex) 2021 online athletic registration process is ongoing, and it will close Friday, February 19, 2021   All student-athletes interested in trying out for a Fall 2 (Flex) sport must be registered by Feb 19. Due to strict health and safety guidelines, NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED .  Registration will be through Family ID, and will be available through the Newton South Athletic Website.

Based on the recent guidelines established by the EEA, DESE, MIAA, Dual County League, and Newton Public Schools, and voted on by the School Committee, the following has been established for the Fall 2, 2021 (Flex) Season:

  • Unified Basketball, Boys & Girls Indoor Track, Girls Volleyball, Fall Cheer, Fall Dance, and Football will take place this fall 2 (Flex) Season.  Tryouts/practices will begin the week of Monday, February 22nd with Newton Health Department and School Committee approval.
  • DCL first games are currently scheduled to start the week of March, 8th 2021.
  • MASKS ARE REQUIRED AS SPECIFIED BY MIAA SPORT SPECIFIC RULE MODIFICATIONS AND THE NEWTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT for all participants, coaches, and officials at practices and games. In accordance with Newton Public School Health and Safety Policies, GAITERS and BANDANAS ARE NOT PERMITTED for athletic participation or for attending games in Newton.
  • All student-athletes participating in a Fall 2 sport must have an IN-PERSON physical within the last 13 months for sports participation on file with the athletic office. The physical can be emailed to [email protected].  Despite the pandemic, the Massachusetts DPH will NOT accept physicals via telehealth for Fall 2 sports.
  • All Volleyball HOME games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays. The 9th-grade team will play on Tuesdays and the JV team will play on Fridays. Both games will be held before the varsity game.
  • The Volleyball Away games will be Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • Unified Basketball will practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Football will practice daily. Coach Dalicandro will distribute the practice schedule.

Cheer will practice at South and Dance will practice at Oak Hill.

Indoor Track is limited to 50 students per team. Coaches will share the practice schedule shortly. The DCL expects competitions to take place outdoors in April.

Football practices will start on Monday, February 22. The sport will be practiced outdoors. Expect many film sessions conducted during the season either at home or in Gym B.

  • Newton South will compete against one school in all sports in the same week to limit contact and exposure and to also help with contact tracing should it be needed at any point during the season.
  • Transportation will be provided to away games. Families can also drive their students to away games. Students can drive themselves as well. A waiver form must be completed for either of these situations.
  • Transportation to practice is not provided.  We will work to support students and families with transportation concerns. Late bus transportation home can be provided.
  • The DCL, in line with all District 4 leagues, has voted to not allow spectators to the games. The policy will be revisited after the first three weeks in March.
  •  Athletes, coaches, and officials’ attendance protocols will be strictly enforced in all locations.  Masks and social distancing will be required for all in attendance.
  • Student-athletes are required to fill out the COVID-19 Symptoms Check form in order to be admitted to our practices and games. The form is due every day by 1 PM.
  • The standard NPS High School User Fee will be collected at the time of registration. Financial assistance will be provided for families that need it

All information for Fall2 (Flex) season is subject to change. Thanks for your patience as we work through these challenging times. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes on the field soon!

Parents, Newton South Needs You!

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

Parents, if you’re passionate about making Newton South a great community for our students, consider taking on a role in the PTSO next year. There are openings for 2 PTSO co-Presidents and several committee co-chairs.

In these roles you will partner closely with South’s new principal and the administrative team to ensure successful PTSO programs and events. These programs support our faculty, staff and students and enrich the high school experience. After this difficult year, these programs will be more important than ever.

The following PTSO leadership roles are currently available for 2021-2022:

  • 2  co-chairs for Staff Appreciation Committee
  • 2 members for the Grants Committee
  • 2 co-chairs for Freshman Orientation
  • 3 Newsletter Editors (work behind the scene only)

Next year seems far away, but planning has already begun and the transition of roles will start this spring. Please email current PTSO President May Chiu at [email protected] to further explore these available opportunities.

 

New Students Club

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

New South students are welcome and encouraged to join the “New to South Club” the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, during flex block. Meet other new, transfer, and international students and also talk to current South students. For more information, contact Reghan Harrild at [email protected]

Newton South Stage Presents BREATHE: Fri. Feb. 5 at 7:30 PM

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

A global pandemic, a civil rights crisis, and a divided country. We’re trapped in quarantine, isolated from our friends. So many of us feel like we’re gasping for air.

Blending live theater with recorded performances, Breathe is a series of original monologues, musical pieces, scenes, dances, and spoken word poems that explore our experiences of the past year. From the chaotic beginning of the pandemic, to the social justice outcries of the summer, right up to the inauguration, Breathe captures the darkness and the light, dwelling in our desire to connect, to transform, and, ultimately, to heal.

In the spirit of helping our community heal through performance, we will donate ALL of the proceeds from the performance to Bridge Over Troubled Waters, an organization that supports runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth.

$10 Single Viewer, $25 Family (three or more). SouthStage.org

Newton South Girls Volleyball Preseason Meeting – Mon. Feb 8th at 7PM

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

Newton South Girls Volleyball Preseason Meeting – Mon Feb 8th at 7PM

Date: Monday, February 8
Time: 7:00pm (will last about 30-45 minutes)
Zoom Meeting Link: https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/97060943415

Meeting ID: 970 6094 3415

Passcode (case sensitive): URGreat

Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/nshsgirlsvolleyball/?hl=en, NSHS Girls Volleyball, managed by our co-captain, Maddie Xerras.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teams will the volleyball program have this year?

  • We are waiting on guidance from the City and our athletic department on this question. For reference, in the past we’ve had a Varsity, a Junior Varsity, and a Freshmen team. 

Will there be matches against other schools?

  • We are waiting on guidance from the City and our athletic department on this question. Winter sports are currently having matches against other schools.

Will parents be allowed at games?

  • We are waiting on guidance from the City and our athletic department on this question. For winter sports, parents currently are not allowed in the gym to watch matches…this will probably continue. However many games are being streamed online!

Who are the Varsity captains this season?

  • Hannah Balcanoff
  • Abby Matthews
  • Maddie Xerras

While our season will be modified in some ways, a lot of information can be gleaned from the South Athletic Handbook used as a guideline for previous seasons. Highly recommended reading for families new to sports at South: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DVqc95C2OEQHe7PALSJo7RZ4dv45OYKUAMA6rHiE1zY/edit?usp=sharing

Fall 2 Online Registration

All players will need to register online for the Fall 2 volleyball season. Registration is not yet live. Once it is live, it will be posted on the athletic department website: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/domain/955

There is a fee associate with HS sport participation. Families may apply for a fee waiver based on financial hardship, more info here: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/feebasedprograms

Medical Physical
In order to play (even enter the gym for tryouts), all players will need a medical physical. Physicals are valid for 13 months…so you’ll need a physical dated no earlier than 13 months prior to the end of the season. (Physicals dated prior to January 22, 2020 are not valid. Physicals dated between January 22 and March 25, 2020 will need to be renewed before the end of the season.)

The physical can be sent in several ways:

  • Fax a copy [ (617) 552-5570 ] with the attention to Kristen Hoffman, the Administrative Assistant.  Subject – Physical: <student name>, Girls Volleyball, or
  • Email a PDF version to Kristen Hoffman, [email protected].ma.us.  Subject – Physical: <student name>, Girls Volleyball, or
  • Mail it to Newton South with the ATTN: Kristen Hoffman, Athletics Department, or
  • Hand deliver a copy to Kristen Hoffman

IMPACT Testing
Freshmen, Juniors, and anyone new to sports will be required to complete IMPACT concussion testing with our school trainer, Adam Hryniewicz. More info to come once this testing is planned, will be posted on the athletic department website.

COVID Safety
Safety, and more specifically, COVID safety, is of paramount importance this season. Our goal is to take pride in our excellence regarding Covid safety and to be an example for other programs. Specific Covid safety guidelines, rules, and procedures will be shared ahead of the season, as they are made available by the athletic department.

As a side note, most volleyball coaches in our program have been safely coaching volleyball since this past summer and are very experienced with Covid safety in a volleyball setting. Since July, I have organized volleyball programming for over 600 players (both indoors and outdoors) and plan to bring this Covid-safety experience to our high school season. 

Preseason Training
We have about 1 month until the tentative start date for our season. Here are some things you can do to help prepare your mind and body, in order of applicability:

  • Find opportunities to safely practice playing volleyball (granted this is difficult with the current Covid situation)
  • Start or continue an explosiveness/quickness/strength training program (e.g. plyometrics, jump training) 
  • Start or continue a cardiovascular training program
  • Start or continue a flexibility/injury-prevention training program (e.g. yoga)

There are some great, free guided-workout videos on: https://www.fitnessblender.com/

Additional Info
While our season will be modified in some ways, a lot of information can be gleamed from the South Athletic Handbook used as a guideline for previous seasons. Highly recommended reading for families new to sports at South: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DVqc95C2OEQHe7PALSJo7RZ4dv45OYKUAMA6rHiE1zY/edit?usp=sharing

Be well, reach out with any questions, and I hope to see you at our preseason meeting in less than two weeks!!

Lucas Coffeen,
Newton South Girls Volleyball