Category Archives: From the PTSO

Attention Rising Seniors! Summer Task Check List for College Applications

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Juniors, From the PTSO

Class of 2021, it’s the last day of school, and what a year!! Summer offers us the chance to unwind and rejuvenate. Especially after this year, I hope you can find a way to relax.

For those of you planning to apply to college, summer also offers the opportunity to engage in the college application process at a manageable pace (absent classes, Zoom meetings, and other commitments). To assist, I have put together a checklist with tasks and some suggested resources that you should find very helpful.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has created many changes to the college admissions landscape. I have addressed these within each of the tasks below. This information is current as of June 18, 2020.

Sign up to get on all your colleges’ email lists/request information. This will give you firsthand information about any changes to admissions policies and college/university updates. This includes changes to testing policies and application deadlines, for example.

College Research & Resume Development: Naviance* is a good place to accomplish both of these. Use the many college search options to generate a list of potential colleges. Virtual information is robust at all colleges so take advantage of all that you can see and experience even from the comforts of your home. While not required by all colleges, a resume is a good way to more fully present yourself to a college. Use the resume feature in Naviance to organize your information. I am not a fan of the actual format/template on Naviance so feel free to take the information you’ve gathered there and find a format that fits your style.

*You should have a Naviance account. If you do not or cannot recall your login, please contact, Ms. Sabet sabetk@newton.k12.ma.us

College Visits: As you know, physical visiting at colleges came to a halt in March 2020. Colleges have done a phenomenal job providing virtual experiences from tours of the physical campus to student panels as well as samples of faculty teaching. There is some discussion to bring back smaller, physical visits this summer but that will be a college-specific decision. It is possible to visit some colleges by walking or driving the campus without entering buildings. Contact your colleges ahead of time to ensure that this is possible. You will get exposure to the atmosphere and distance from home. Whether you are visiting”virtually” or doing a self-guided tour, take notes, indicating what really connects for you. Write down the specifics, this will come in handy if you apply and have to write an essay on “why you think this college fits you”. If formal touring resumes, register online through the college’s admissions page/webpage or call to schedule an information session and tour. In addition to the virtual admissions tours, check out: ecampustours.com and campusreel.org.

College Testing: Many of you have been unable to take your first SAT or ACT due to the cancellation of these tests during the spring. Summer dates in July (ACT) and August (SAT) are available but the number of sites offering the tests has also been significantly reduced. Collegeboard.com (SAT) has added a September test to address these issues. Newton South will not be a test site in August or September so register early to get a location closest to home. Summer is a good time to prep. You can take advantage of the free, individualized Khan Academy SAT study resource through the College Board if you took the PSAT.

NOTE: If you have taken the SAT and want to have the option to have colleges superscore your tests, be sure to take the same test format as you did previously. For example, if you took the SAT in December without an essay, register for a fall SAT without the essay. If you have not taken the SAT, I advise you to take the essay in the event that you add a school that wants it.

Test-Optional Colleges– there are more every day!

Common Application: You have heard of it and you can get a jump start on completing some of the basic sections this summer such as your name, address, high school information, etc… You won’t need to have a final college list yet but most likely you will have colleges that use this platform so why not do this over the summer? On August 1st, you can add the colleges you know you are applying to and see if any additional essays are required and their prompts. Commonapp.org.

College Costs: With any big decision, it is important to have good information. Selecting a college is no different. Colleges are mandated to provide a means for students/families to calculate estimated costs through a Net Price Calculator feature available on all college websites. This exercise is worth devoting the 30 minutes it may take to complete the questions. Additionally, I like the resources available through the website, The College Solution.

College Essay: Summer gives you a chance to reflect on where you have been and where you want to go. So it is a good time to use these moments of reflection to brainstorm topics for your college essay also called a personal statement. A resource I use quite frequently is The College Essay Guy. Some of you may have participated in his Essay Boot Camp in early June. Specifically, look at the tab “Free Resources” where you will find tutorials on topic development and writing style. I highly recommend this.

Common Application has added a 250 word max optional Covid-19 essay if you feel that the impact of the global pandemic has had a significant impact on you.

Recently, some colleges have indicated that they will release their supplemental or additional college-specific essay question prior to August 1st. You may want to review your college’s admissions pages after July 1 to see if they have released the prompts.

College & Career Center website

Be sure to check the CCC web page regularly throughout the summer for updates related to the college application process. There is a wealth of resources available to you there.

College Planning Guide -if you have some time this summer and want to browse college application topics, this will be your most comprehensive resource.

Post-High School Planning

Not sure about your plans after high school? No worries! You have plenty of time to create one. Just schedule a meeting with your counselor and/or me in the College/Career Center when you return to school.

Summer Task and Checklist

Wishing you a restful, safe summer

Ms. Sabet

2020 Fine Arts Department Virtual Showcase

Posted on June 21, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO, South Arts

Celebrating an unprecedented spring of 2020 when our students were away from music, drama and visual arts classroom. Here are some examples of how K-12 students were able to stay engaged in their creative and expressive endeavors this spring. Thanks to teachers, staff, students and volunteers for making this virtual showcase possible.

Click below to view all K-12 links including NSHS Virtual Chorus and South Stage Senior Showcase.

https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3695

Online Bus Registration for Fall 2020

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Dear NPS families,

As many of you know, the Newton Public School district is moving to online registration for bus transportation. We realize this is an incredibly complex and difficult time to be thinking about the fall given the uncertainty of school operations. Please know that transportation is a significant area of discussion within our operations planning committee and they are working to prepare for multiple scenarios.

However, given the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we have a comprehensive understanding of the number of students planning to take the bus in the fall. In addition, given the need for less contact and more social distancing, online registration is essential for the safety of our families and our NPS staff.

To that end, we are asking families to register for the bus earlier than they have done so in the past. We ask that you please register by July 15th. Registration now will help us to assess transportation needs for the upcoming school year and what is possible if school schedules should change. However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of schools, we will NOT be collecting any payment for bus registration at this time. When we have more certainty about the opening of school, we will provide payment information, including invoices, payment plan options, and financial aid.

Registration begins today, Monday, June 15th. As noted above, NO PAYMENT is due at this time.  However, we do ask that you please complete your registration by July 15th. Please utilize this link and follow the prompts in the registration system. This link provides you with directions once you are in the system.

If you have questions please contact us at transportation@newton.k12.ma.us or call 617-559-9051. Please allow extra time for calls to be returned as we are working with limited staff due to COVID-19.

Thank you for helping us to accurately plan our transportation needs for the 2020-21 school year.

Sincerely,

Liam Hurley

Please Review 2020 Final Grades Posted by June 18th

Posted on June 15, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Please find the message from Vice Principal Hardiman that was send on June 15th.  Note, any change request to “P” grade is due by June 18th.  

Term 3 and Final Grades have been published to Aspen and in the documents section. Students, please remember to do the following:

1. Review your Term 3 and Final Grades over the next few days.

2. If there are any errors or a teacher did not post either a Term 3 grade or a Final Grade, please reach out directly to THE TEACHER of that class, so that they can make the change before the final draft of report cards is published by the end of the day on Monday, June 22nd.

3. If you are not happy with your FINAL grade and are considering a grade of “P” (Pass) instead (as long as the final grade is a D- or higher), please fill out this Google Form to request the “P”. However, we encourage you to think it over, check in with your teacher, and consult with your school counselor about your decision, if necessary. The deadline for filling out the Google Form to request a “P” is this Thursday, June 18th at 3:00PM so you do have a few days to fix errors and ponder your choices.

Thanks,
Mr. Hardiman

2020 Senior T-Shirts Pick Up June 17th

Posted on June 11, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Congratulations!

We would love to get all the seniors their “2020 Senior Best 3 3/4 Years” T-Shirt on June 17th from 12-2PM at 111 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands.  Please come to the driveway  on Bowdoin St.  House is on the corner of Bowdoin and Lincoln St.

Please text May at 857-891-2051 when you arrive and she will bring you a shirt.  We have S, M and L sizes left.

You can have a friend come to pick up for you as well.  This will be the last chance to pick up the t-shirt.  Thank you!

Wishing the best for your senior(s) on their next adventures!

Honor Thy Teacher 2020

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Show your appreciation and support for NSHS and the teachers by donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program.

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 (http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher).

Student Work Permits

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
For any student who needs a work permit, please follow this LINK for instructions and a link to an application to be filled out.

Student Work Permits

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

For any student who needs a work permit, please follow this LINK for instructions and a link to an application to be filled out.

Honor Thy Teacher

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the 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 (http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher).

Newton South SPIRIT GEAR

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

NEED A FATHER’S DAY GIFT?  OR A SUMMER BIRTHDAY GIFT?  Surprise them with Newton South SPIRIT GEAR and support the Booster Club!  Email Wendy Woodruff Pike at wrwoodruff@yahoo.com with the details of your order (hoodie, crewneck sweatshirt, blanket, sweatpants, ladies’ joggers, T-shirt, 1/4 zip pullover).  You can schedule a safe porch pickup.