Category Archives: From the PTSO

HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Volunteers are needed to help with the 23rd annual Halloween Window Painting event, taking place this year on Saturday, October 29 (raindate: October 30 ).

Registration is now open for student painters in grades 3-8, and merchants in Auburndale, Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, and West Newton have offered up their windows to the creativity of these young artists.

We need help posting assignment sheets on participating windows before the event, and supervising the painting on the day of the event. If you’re a high schooler, parent, or guardian with fond memories of Halloween Window Painting or just have an appreciation for public art, we’d love to have you join our crew of volunteers. To learn more or sign up to help, contact lrucinski@newtonma.gov or sign up for a specific volunteer task here.

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: Seal of Biliteracy deadline Oct. 19

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Parents — please see below the announcement shared with all our seniors.  Please let us know if you have any questions about how you can support your child in pursuing a Seal of Biliteracy.
Attention Seniors!!
Do you speak a language other than English?  If you read and write it as well, let colleges and future employers know by earning a Seal of Biliteracy on your transcript!
The process is simple, and you can use it to demonstrate skills in any language you’ve learned, whether at home, in school, or elsewhere.
Click HERE for detailed information about the Seal, including how to qualify and a link to register.
The deadline for registration is Wednesday, October 19.
If you have questions, contact Ms. Murphy-Ferguson, World Language Department Chair, via e-mail, Schoology message, or live in room 6209.

LIGERBOTS OPEN HOUSE: September 29th, 6:00pm

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Does your student have an interest in STEM or business, including software, engineering, finance, public relations, fundraising, writing, photojournalism, videography, graphic design, or public speaking?

The LigerBots is FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2877, Newton North and South’s combined, award-winning team that builds a new 120-pound robot every year to compete in a robot game with other high school teams. LigerBots runs like a small business, and students gain real-world skills through project-based learning in many STEAM fields. Our experienced mentors act as teachers and guides to help enrich your student’s experience with the team.

Meeting times in the fall are on Mondays in the Newton North engineering room from 6:30-9:00 p.m. and on Thursdays at Newton South from 6:30-9:00 p.m. New team members in grades 9 – 12 from the two Newton high schools are invited to any and all meetings. We are also seeking adult mentors, especially in the fields of web design and coding, mechanical engineering, and finance.

If you’re interested, our open house for new team members is September 29th, 6:00 p.m., at Newton South High School. For more information about the LigerBots, please email info@ligerbots.org or visit our website: www.ligerbots.org.

The FROSH Play starts Sept 12

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

The FROSH Play starts Sept 12 – No cuts! Encourage any interested freshman you know to check it out. More info on southstage.org

 
–South Stage Kick off Meeting (for kids) – Tuesday Sept 13th during Lion Block in the Auditorium
 
–First official South Stage Supporters meeting (for adults) – Tuesday 9/20 @ 7 pm in Room 9141 between the Auditorium and Main office. Come meet Jeff Knoedler the director of South Stage (and the Interim Fine and Performing Arts Chair) and get your questions answered.
 
-Save the date! 
South Stage Supporters Social
Drinks and snacks in the backyard of Cara Attanucci and James Miner (parents of Ben Miner ’24
Sunday, October 2nd
4-6 pm
87 Winslow Road Waban
Come learn about how you can get involved and get the inside scoop about all things South Stage. Feel free to stop by briefly or come and hang out!
For further info or questions reach out to Cara at cattanucci@gmail.com or (508) 340-0279

FORJ Housing Wants Your Input!

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Please join us on Zoom Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 to give your input on Newton’s proposed zoning changes. This is an important opportunity to influence the future of Newton’s village centers.
 
Zoning laws regulate what can be built and where. For example, zoning determines how tall buildings can be, what can be built where, and what changes can be made to existing buildings. This can impact a village center’s housing supply, economic development, transportation, green space, and how spaces can be used by all our residents. All of these change have the potential to impact racial equity in housing in Newton.
 
The City is considering important changes to our zoning rules for the first time in 30 years. Last summer, the city heard what community members’ envisioned for the village center’s future. Based on that, the City drafted a set of updates to the zoning rules. Now, the city would like input on 3 questions about the updates’ framework for increased density and reduced parking requirements. 
 
In this session, we will review the proposed zoning changes and walk you through how to submit your feedback on the proposed changes.
 
Questions?  Contact Laura Towvim, lgtowvim@gmail.com

Annual Girls’ Varsity Soccer Charity Car Wash

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Annual Girls’ Varsity Soccer Charity Car Wash

Annual Girls’ Varsity Soccer Charity Car Wash will be Saturday, September 10th from 10:00AM-2:00PM in front of the main entrance to school.  Please come and support the charity efforts of these hard-working girls. 

 
Doug McCarthy
Head Coach, NSHS Girls’ Soccer

Clean Up at Newton South

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Clean up will happen tomorrow, Saturday, September 3rd. Please join Green Students Movement and help us keep Newton South clean.  Any students can get community hours signed by Principal Stras

 

How can I participate?

1)Check in outside the main office of NSHS at 12pm on Sept 3.

2.) Just bring yourself! Bags will be provided.

4.) What if I can’t make that day? Stay-tuned. We will be organizing more days as needed.

Restoring Youth Mental Health

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Educators, parents, and students! Join Challenge Success for an engaging panel discussion on youth mental health with Lynn Lyons, Dr. Meag-gan O’Reilly, and Challenge Success co-founder, Dr. Denise Pope. This interactive evening will also feature local adolescent students and provide attendees with concrete strategies for improving youth mental health in their schools and families.

Student Volunteer Opportunity

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

For the staff opening day event on Wednesday, 8/31, Superintendent Kathy Smith, is looking for a few Newton South students to staff a donation table for a food pantry from 7:45 am – 9:30 am. If your Newton South student is interested in serving the community in this capacity, please ask him/her/them to reach out to Vice-Principal Jason Williams at williamsja@newton.k12.ma.us.

Safety and the Environment!

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

 

One of our challenges last year was traffic and  student safety in and around Newton South. The Newton South School Committee is working with the Newton School Committee and other stake holders to improve the traffic flow around Newton South.

Fewer parent drop-offs are the key to reducing car traffic. Its better for the environment, creates a more independent student and reduces traffic in and around Newton South. Follow this link to learn more