Dear All,

We would like to give you an update on the result of the fundraiser – Comedy for a Cause with Jesse Appell on 2/12: Donation on the night of the show and tickets sold at Newton North reached $8,684, and online tickets and donation accumulated to $3,600. So our fundraiser totalled $12,284. The Newton exchange school, Jingshan School in Beijing, has asked us to donate all the funds raised for their students to Wuhan as well. Therefore checks of these funds have been made out to “WeStar Corp.”(http://westonwestar.org/), which is a Weston-based non-profit organization that purchases medical supplies and ships to Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province.

Jesse Appell, Henry Turner, the Newton North principal, along with Emily Donahue, teacher from Peirce Elementary School, and David Minichiello, teacher from Memorial Spaulding Elementary School, who were both supposed to go on the Jingshan Exchange this year, went to WeStar headquarters last week and packed our supplies for Wuhan. Some Chinese AP class students also participated in this meaningful mission! Please see the attached pictures.

If you were not at the show, the video below will give you a glimpse of the night. You may also enjoy Jesse’s interview with WBUR’s “Here and Now.” These videos are broadcasted on China’s major news media and picked up by many social media as well. Last night, the viewer surpassed 100 million!

Video of the fundraiser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQQnH-A0fug

NPR’s “Here and Now”: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/02/27/covid-19-coronavirus-jesse-appell-china?fbclid=IwAR2NAgqQyWitXdTkl6d5bAYZyqd3GXjRZ7PiCMmMGi9_wGj90d2S_rcq5pA

We are immensely humbled and touched by the efforts, kindness and generosity that our community has demonstrated. We feel very grateful for being part of this collective endeavor for humanity.

Best regards,

Star Lew, Ming Lu and Yuzhe WangChinese

Teachers

Newton North High School

On February 23, 2020, the Massachusetts Hands Free Law went into effect. Please visit site for details at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/hands-free-law.

Note that Drivers who are under 18 are not allowed to use any electronic devices. All phone use while driving is illegal, including use in hands-free mode.   View details at site.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section8M

Attached is the early release special schedule for March 19, 2020.

Special Schedule March 19 2020

The PTSO is a 501C3 non-profit organization.  We are seeking a new Parent Volunteer for Treasurer.  Current Treasurer will work with you this Spring to transition the role.

Our Treasurer is responsible for managing deposits, PayPal transactions, bank statements, track budget and filing annual tax return in November; a member of the PTSO Board and works with the Board to develop our annual budget.  Familiar with Quickbooks is helpful, and training will be provided.  We manage $65,000 budget annually.

Please contact co-President at info@newtonsouthPTSO.org with interest or any questions.

Approximately 130 teams from around Massachusetts divided into 32 regions competed in three preliminary rounds as part of the  Massachusetts Bar Association’s Mock Trial Tournament in January and February, 2020. The regional winners then competed in two elimination trials at Clark University on Sunday, March 1st.

The remaining eight teams will be competing in the Elite 8 trial at John Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston on March 12. The teams that win their morning matches will face off in the Final 4 match scheduled for the afternoon.

The Newton South High School Mock Trial Team coached by Attorney Coach Josh McGuire and Teacher Coach Kyle Stark defeated Holy Name Central Catholic High School in the Regional trials to advance to the Sweet 16 where they defeated Wachusett Regional High School.

Attorney Coach Josh McGuire stated, “This team has out-performed all expectations, especially in a year of transitions. Many of the students are doing this for the first time, and it is my first year coaching at this school. This year’s success bodes well for the future of this program, and I look forward to seeing how far these kids will go.”

Here’s to wishing them good luck in the Elite 8 on March 12!

Jasmine Lellock, Newton South High School English teacher, will run this year’s Boston Marathon to raise funds for Newton Schools Foundation (NSF). Her goal is to raise $5,000 to support important programs that enhance students’ educational experience in the Newton Public Schools.

NSF is committed to expanding opportunities for all students in the Newton Public Schools, by funding programs in three broad areas: New and promising initiatives, professional development opportunities for teachers, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity. NSF-supported programs span all grades,
preschool-high school, and include the areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), sustainability, literacy, civics, the arts, and social/emotional development.

To donate to Jasmine’s run, click:  https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/jasmines-boston-marathon-charity-run. Jasmine will host a trivia night fundraiser on Thursday, March 12 at Baramor, 45 Union Street, Newton Centre from 7-10PM. To purchase tickets at $40 per person, Venmo @Jasmine-Lellock.

Newton Schools Foundation is a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, whose mission is to advance excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by funding promising initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity.

We are happy to announce the 2021 UNESCO Program. We have set a date & time for the information meeting. Please see UNESCO 2021 – Information Meeting Flyer PDF for more information.

Scholarships are available through GELF.

Thank you!

Ms. Pavao & Ms. Cassell

NewtonServes Day at NSHS on Sunday, April 26 at  9:30AM-12:00PM!

What is NewtonServes at NSHS? It’s a fun and rewarding community event for all students, families and staff to join in to beautify the school grounds. Please mark your calendars to volunteer on April 26th morning. Sign-up link will follow in a few weeks.

If you have any questions, please email shawna.conaghan77@gmail.com and/or katharina.elbert@yahoo.com.

The PTSO organizes an extravagant after-prom celebration on Tuesday, June 2nd at Newton South from 11:30PM – 3:00AM.  The cafeteria and school lobby are transformed with arcade games, bounce houses, photo booth, airbrush tattoo station, fortune-telling and casino.  Food and drinks are donated by the South Community for the event.  

SouthFest is for ALL seniors, whether they have attended the prom or not.  Prom dates can also attend. Look for Prom and ticket information from House Offices.   Please encourage your child(dren) to attend to celebrate their graduation.   This is a FREE event.  

Please note that no backpacks, bags, handbags or computers or iPads can be brought into the school during this event.  All bags will be checked at the registration table. 

If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please contact info@newtonsouthPTSO.org and let us know.  There are several areas where parent volunteers are needed:
– March and April: help organize/schedule our entertainment and food.
– Day of event: decoration after school; check-in/check-out tables at the start of the event, and parent chaperones during the event

Contact PTSO at info@newtonsouthptso.org to learn more. Thank you!