Message from Mr. Baron, NSHS English Dept  Head.

Yearbooks – Yearbooks have arrived at Newton South, and we’re planning to have them ready for pick up at school the week of July 13. Specific details to follow about when and where to go.

Still want to buy a book? We have 34 more to sell online at www.yearbookforever.com. That portal will be open while supplies last.

Not sure if you’ve purchased a book? Check this list of people who’ve ordered already.

June 25, 2020

Dear NPS Community,

As many of you know, today the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released initial guidance for school re-opening in the fall. The guidance prioritizes the safe return to in-person school settings to address the academic, and social-emotional health of our students. I fully support this priority, as I shared in a piece that ran in the Boston Globe this morning. This return to in-person school will be accompanied by a comprehensive set of health and safety requirements to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure or transmission.

The official news release can be found by following this link. The initial guidance can be found by following this link.

I am pleased that the guidance is firmly grounded in medical expertise and was developed in consultation with, and is supported by, the Massachusetts medical community, including the MA chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The guidance was developed after thorough review of medical and scientific literature as well as an assessment of the current public health data and COVID-19 trends.

As educators and as parents, we know that there is no substitute for in-person school both for educational progress, as well as for the social and emotional health of our students. We have already begun planning to address the health and safety requirements necessary to bring our students back into our buildings where they learn best. The DESE guidance provides more specifics on the requirements, including physical distancing, classroom configuration, and use of face coverings, among others. I encourage you to read the guidance for the detailed information we will be utilizing to develop our plans.

DESE also recognizes that this initial guidance is based upon the current positive public health metrics and we know that these could change. To that end, DESE is requiring that all districts develop three plans for the fall:

• In-person school with necessary health and safety accommodations
• A hybrid model of in-person and distance learning
• Full distance learning

Our planning teams in the Newton Public Schools have already begun working on these three plans. We also expect additional guidance in other areas of essential school operations, such as transportation, later this summer, as well as any adjustments to this initial guidance based upon public health data. We anticipate our plans for the fall will be finalized by the week of July 20.

Part of our success in re-opening school this fall will be dependent upon your feedback. To that end, in the next few days, and over the course of the summer, we will be sending you short, but very important surveys regarding your plan for your student(s) in the fall. We ask that you please take the time to complete these surveys so that we are developing plans that address areas such as transportation and classroom configuration. Please look for the subject line “NPS Re-opening” in your email for this very important information.

We know you have many questions and concerns and we will develop a range of communication tools to address them. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable start of summer.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Translated versions are provided through Google Translate and may contain awkward phrasing and structure.

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Dear Newton South Families,

June 18, 2020 marked the end of NSHS 2019-20 school year – and what a year it’s been.  As we close our school year – marked by so many lost moments to COVID-19 – and the last 3 weeks – marked by the historic Black Lives Matter Movement in progress – we are also thankful that our community is safe, strong and vigilant against the COVID-19 pandemic, and is continuing to help our neighbors in need while fighting against systemic racial injustice.

The saying “It takes a village” has never been more meaningful. On behalf of our South Community, we thank our teachers, staff, administration, and coaches for their tireless energy in helping our children through this unprecedented time with distance learning, in talking through the historic movement happening in our country, in celebrating the year with virtual celebrations & videos, and in supporting our student’s social and emotional health.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped out this year at PTSO, Athletics, school events and 2020 graduation events.

I am inspired by our current generation. It has been amazing watching our children – teens and young adults – actively participate in helping neighbors in need amidst COVID-19 and with the Black Lives Matter movement and climate change in order to bring about change in Newton and the world.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer and hope for a return to campus in the Fall!

~ May Chiu, co-President NSHS PTSO

Over these past weeks, many parents have developed a deep appreciation for the job that our teachers do each day. Here is a way to say thank you.

By donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program in the name of one or more teachers, you can show your appreciation for them AND support your children’s schools. In recent weeks, NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with an $85,500 grant for the Newton Public Schools to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures.

Dollars raised will go to funding grants for promising educational initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in opportunity and achievement. NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

It’s easy to donate online.

We’ve started some important conversations around race and justice in recent weeks, and we’re hoping to use our array of summer reading opportunities to keep the conversations going. All of the summer reading choices are voluntary online discussions with a faculty member (or members) who have picked a title by an author of color that they want to talk about with kids.

HERE are the details.

The first session is about Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow with Mr. Lee on July 1 at 12:15.

Mr. Baron will host our group viewing of Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere, starting with episode 1 on July 13 at 8 pm and continue for the next 7 Mondays.

Newton Youth – Let’s Get to Work

Are you in Grades 9 to 12? Interested in key work skills – resume writing, interviewing skills, workplace communication, and financial literacy? There’s a free online course, Newton Youth – Let’s Get to Work, created by the City of Newton’s Youth Services Department, in partnership with Newton Public Schools. It’s a self-directed workshop and includes a space for mindfulness, community building, and sharing experiences of our altered world.

Students will choose the level of engagement that works best for them. To learn more and to register, visit www.newtonma.gov/gettowork. Sign up by Friday, July 10th.