Category Archives: From the PTSO

Q&A with Superintendent & School Committee Oct 29, 2020

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Save-the-date for a NSHS Q&A with Superintendent Fleishman and School Committee Chair Ruth Goldman.   The PTSO will moderate the meeting and a zoom link will follow shortly.  Please also check the PTSO calendar for the zoom link.

October Health Newsletter featuring info on Vaccines

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Please be sure to check the October Newsletter from Newton’s Health and Human Services. You will find up to date information about the flu vaccine, which is now mandatory for all students, no matter if in-person, hybrid, or distant learners.  

Newton’s Health and Human Services Department offers community flu vaccine clinics, however they fill up very quickly. Note that there are many other places in/around Newton where vaccinations are available. More specifically, urgent care centers, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Check the HHS flu page at newtonma.gov/flu for a complete list.
The Director of School Health Services, Ruth Hoshino, RN, oversees School Health Services in Newton.
To reach her, call (617) 796-1420 or email hoshinor@newton.k12.ma.us
To contact the School Nurse at your child’s school, call or email the health room.

Don’t forget to check Gmail and Schoology

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Please remind your child(ren) to check their school Gmail and Schoology accounts on a regular basis (even weekly) to ensure they receive the communication from teachers, counselors and school staff.
The school Gmail accounts are restricted outside of NPS.  They should also provide a non-school email account to class officers so they receive other communication on non-school activities organized by their classmates.

PTSO Mentoring/Family Connection Program-Buddies Needed

Posted on October 18, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

The PTSO Mentoring/Family Connection Program has successfully launched.   This program is for Students and Families to help build new connections in our school community has successfully launched.  Our parent coordinators will be connecting the matched buddies/mentors in the coming week.  

Thanks to all the Juniors and Seniors who signed up last week. We now have 26 Mentors that need a buddy!  If you are a Freshman or Sophomore who is interested in being a buddy, please sign up below! 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyJQ-YhGlEYlVIEgPeLijLOnfeFSKqN9Vcdj1jAGP9Er0ZPg/viewform?usp=sf_link

The program also supports any South Family interested in being a Buddy or Mentor.  A Mentor Family would be willing to be a resource to support  1 or 2 families who are new to South, to Newton, or to the US.   Click on the link above and select “Newton Community” as your category.  

We hope this program will help students find new connections and an opportunity for families to have local resources to navigate South and Newton. There’s no specific time commitment, just an opportunity to connect with a new student or family at South.

Questions?  Contact our coordinators, Tammy Tsikar and Rachel Zhang at connections@newtonsouthPTSO.org

LigerBots’ Robotics Mentorships

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
High schoolers, sign up to be a mentor for the Awesome Mentorship Project (AMP)! The LigerBots, the Newton high schools combined robotics team, have started a free online mentor/tutoring program this fall in order to offer more support to elementary students as well as provide teaching opportunities to high schoolers. This program pairs high school mentors with elementary kids over an online platform (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facetime, etc.) Mentors could tutor, give homework help, or just play games and do crafts with younger students. This program is an amazing opportunity for high school students to gain teaching experiences and help younger students through these trying times.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, sign up here!

Email the LigerBots with questions at cso@ligerbots.com.

 

AP Exam Registrations

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

Newton South students who wish to register for AP exams should do the following:

Step One: Students use the Join Code provided by their AP teacher to register for an exam through their College Board account. Students who are self-studying for an exam should contact Mrs. Price for a Join Code.

Step Two: Students register again with Total Registration. www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/221548

Step Three: Students pay for their exam through Total Registration.

All three steps need to be completed by November 13, 2020, in order for exams to be ordered. If exams are not paid for by November 13, 2020, registration will be canceled.

A few notes…

  • Students who believe they qualify for a fee waiver must contact their counselor before registering.
  • If students believe they qualify for testing with accommodations, they must include their Services for Students with Disabilities number (SSD) with their registration. The College Board assigns the number to students.

If you have questions, contact Mary Ann Price at pricem@newton.k12.ma.us

 

South Stage Parent Information Meeting, October 13, 7:30 pm

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO, South Arts

South Stage Parent Information Meeting, October 13, 7:30 pm

Is your student interested in participating in a South Stage production this year? Newton South’s innovative and highly professional theatre company offers great opportunities not only for actors, singers and dancers, but also for sound, sets, light, costume design and stage management. No previous experience is required – South Stage welcomes students from all grades and all skill levels to join our friendly, creative community.

Meet South Stage Director Jeff Knoedler and find out about this year’s production schedule, auditions, rehearsals and tech opportunities, as well as opportunities for parents to get involved. With three seasons of shows, students can audition or volunteer for one production or several, depending on their interest and availability.

For more information, visit www.southstage.org, or email southstageparents@gmail.com.

Parents who would like to learn more are invited to join us on Zoom on October 13th, 7:30pm 

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 893 3959 0878 Passcode: NSHS

12 Volunteers Needed to Drop off Books to Students This Week

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Aparna Singamsetty in From the PTSO

The PTSO needs 12 volunteers who are willing to help drop off student books and materials to families in Newton next week.  Vice Principal Hardiman will follow up with volunteers on final logistics later this week.

Please note this will be contactless delivery.  Volunteers will pick up materials at South and be given drop off location(s).   Please sign up below if you are able to help out.  Thank you.

Volunteer to drop books off to Newton families the week of Oct 13th. https://signup.com/go/ZdNvKoH

 

Reminder Tonight 7PM – 9th Grade and New to South Parent/Guardian Webinar

Posted on October 8, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in For Freshmen, From the PTSO

Dear Parents/Guardians of Ninth Grade and New to South,

Reminder that the webinar is tonight at 7PM.  Your link and password to access the webinar was sent to families.  Please see the agenda for the webinar.  Thank you.

AGENDA:

Introductions

  • Principal Introduction (Mark Aronson)

  • PTSO Intro (May Chiu)

  • Deans Welcome & Counselors Introductions  (Deans, Counselors)

  • Developmental Message & Guidance Team Introduction (Dan Rubin)

    • Stacey Bishop – Adjustment Counselor/METCO Counselor

    • Katani Sumner – METCO Counselor/English co-teacher

    • Brian Deleskey – Prevention Intervention Counselor

    • Kathy Sabet – College and Career Counselor

    • Clinicians team at South: Sarah Gentile, Carly Edelstein, Kathleen Solage, Steve Feinberg, Tracey Murphy, Andrew Aspel

  • Special Education Welcome Message – (Melissa Gamble)

  • Student Affairs and Restorative Practices (Tori Parker)

  • Whole School Info by Deans

  • Q&A (time permitting)

Need Mentors for PTSO Mentoring/Family Connection Program

Posted on October 8, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in For Juniors, For Seniors, From the PTSO

The PTSO is launching our Mentoring/Family Connection Program for Students and Families to help build new connections in our school community.  

We need Mentors to match up with our Buddies – There’s no specific time commitment, just a willingness to help a new student or family make a connection at South.  We need Junior and Seniors, and Families willing to be a resource for other Families.

Click on the link below to sign up today! 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyJQ-YhGlEYlVIEgPeLijLOnfeFSKqN9Vcdj1jAGP9Er0ZPg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please sign up by Tuesday, October 12 if you are interested in being a Mentor or Buddy.  After the sign up period, our coordinators will followup with an email to both Mentor/Buddy so they can connect.  We hope this program will help students find new connections and an opportunity for families to have local resources to navigate South and Newton.  

A Student Mentor should be a Junior or Senior at South who is willing to be a resource and can offer their support, knowledge and skills to help a student Buddy, who is new to South, a Freshman or Sophomore.   A Mentor Family would be willing to be a resource to support  1 or 2 families who are new to South, to Newton, to the US.  This is not a tutoring program.  It is a community building program to help form new connections.  There’s no structure to the connection – whatever works for the Mentor & Buddy.  

Questions?  Contact our coordinators, Tammy Tsikar and Rachel Zhang at connections@newtonsouthPTSO.org