The latest announcements from the Principal, PTSO, and NPS...

Light the Way for South – Online Auction Starts Today!

Posted on March 13, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Dear Newton Parents/Guardians,

In light of the recent NPS guidance regarding large public gatherings, we have had to cancel the March 28th Night Under the Stars Gala & Auction that was intended to raise funds for our Help Light the Way campaign to purchase and install permanent lights on our sports complex.

The Light the Way Auction will now be online starting today Friday, March 13, at 12:00pm till Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 11:59pm.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 by April 1 for our Light the Way Fundraiser   toward our goal of $400,000.  Merchant and community donations have provided us to offer over 60 items for our auction. Please click below to register online and start bidding today: https://e.givesmart.com/events/eQe/ 

We are also planning a large community celebration that will take place once the lights have been installed on the sports complex. More information will be sent out once a date has been finalized.

Many thanks for your continued support of the Help Light The Way fundraising campaign!  People who have already purchased Gala tickets to the event may either receive a full refund for the ticket price or convert ticket purchases into a donation towards the Help Light The Way fundraising campaign. Please contact Bella or Penelope.

Please reach out directly to Bella Gelman ([email protected]) and Penelope Nam-Stephen ([email protected]) if you have specific questions.

Stay safe and healthy….and Bid for the Lights! GO SOUTH, GO LIONS!

NPS Important COVID-19 Update

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

March 11, 2020

Dear NPS Community,

In an effort to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all evening and community events in our facilities effective immediately and until further notice. All field trips will also be cancelled immediately. We have made this decision in consultation with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services. This decision is consistent with the state’s latest guidance for meetings and events which was announced yesterday. The City of Newton is also cancelling large public gatherings and many programs.

I know our decision to restrict access to our facilities will raise lots of questions. Here are some examples of events that will be cancelled beginning tonight:

  • Community events and meetings
  • Student performances
  • PTO meetings and other parent events
  • Adult education classes
  • Use of buildings by non-school groups

We will continue to offer before school and after school care at our elementary schools, as well as after school programs and classes run by Newton Community Education. After school activities at the secondary level will continue including athletics, rehearsals, and clubs, although we will not have outside spectators at indoor events. The Newton School Committee meetings will take place as scheduled.

In addition, the use of school buildings by non-school groups will be discontinued until further notice. We know this has a real impact on our residents and community organizations who provide valuable programs and activities.

We are fully aware that these decisions have significant ramifications and are difficult for our students, staff, families and community members. The cancellation of many meaningful activities will be a great disappointment to those who have worked very hard. However, we believe these steps are necessary given the guidance from the state and the current status of the COVID-19 situation. We want to do our part to limit the spread of the virus and to reduce the risk of infection for our community.

I recognize that the information in this message will raise a lot of questions regarding specific events and activities. We are in the process of developing an FAQ which should answer many of your questions.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this rapidly changing and unsettling time.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of School

 

 

Tickets on Sale Now for Jesus Christ Superstar on March 19th

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
Please join us for our Spring musical! NSHS South Stage presents Jesus Christ Superstar, a 1970 rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, stage directed by Jeff Knoedler with music direction by Ben Youngman, and set in a contemporary, urban setting. The story is loosely based on the Gospels account of the last week of Jesus’ life. March 19th, 20th and 21st at 7:30PM in the Seasholes Auditorium
Tickets are on sale online at SouthStage.org beginning on March 9th and will also be available at the door. Ticketing in advance is recommended.

South Stage On-Line Auction Goes Live March 14th

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO
NSHS South Stage Annual Auction is going on-line this year!
The auction will go live on March 14th at www.32auctions/SouthStageAuction2020. By clicking on the link, you can browse all items, but to bid you must create an account on 32auctions. We have a fantastic line-up of auction items such as fitness packages, theatre tickets, wine tastings, favorite restaurant gift cards and MORE!
The auction will run from March 14-21,2020 and all proceeds will go direct to South Stage for program and facility upgrades and to ultimately enhance the student theatre experience. If you are bidding and have a question, please email one of the auction administrators direct from the 32auctions site. We will have tech support on site at during the Jesus Christ Superstar shows.

Update on Jesse Appell’s Fundraiser

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

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

 

MA Hands Free Law for Under 18

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

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

Early Release Special Schedule – Thursday, March 19

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

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

Special Schedule March 19 2020

Term III Newton South Wellness Letter

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Attached is the Newton South Wellness Newsletter from Mr. Rotatori, Wellness Director, Newton South High School

Need Parent Volunteer for PTSO Treasurer

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

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 [email protected] with interest or any questions.

Newton South Mock Trial Team Advances to “Elite 8” Event on March 12

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

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!