The Newton Food Pantry is now serving over 1,800 Newton residents at our renovated City Hall basement location, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue. Clients are able to shop for the items they want and need, selecting from a variety of dry goods, fresh produce, dairy, proteins, personal care items and culturally-relevant foods. Walk-in shopping hours are every Wednesday from 3pm to 7pm.

Our shoppers must be Newton residents (with the exception of Newton-based college students and staff), provide proof of residency and complete a New Client Registration Form, found here. The form is translated in four languages, as is our Get Help page.

In addition to our pantry, the Newton Food Pantry, in collaboration with other local businesses and organizations, opened the Newton Community freedge in March of 2021. The freedge is a free refrigerator and pantry open all day, every day to anyone. No forms or Newton residency required. The freedge is located at 420 Watertown Street, in the Central Drapery and Dry Cleaning parking lot.

Ice is covering the NS complex. We are going to reschedule to March 5, 11am -12pm Newton South alongside Green Students Movement will be hosting a cleanup event where students, parents, and community members can help remove litter around the school and students can earn community service hours!  

How can I participate?

1.) Sign up with the link above.

2.)Check in outside the main office of NSHS at 11am on March 5.

3.) Just bring yourself! All gloves and bags will be provided.

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

Newton Public Schools is shifting its testing strategy away from pooled testing (PCR) and toward at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. This new weekly at-home rapid antigen test is for ALL students PreK-12+ (vaccinated and unvaccinated.)

We expect the new testing program to be implemented the week of February 7, 2022. Below is specific information you will need in order for your student to participate in the new at-home testing program:

• All families need to “opt-in” to this new testing program. The previous consent form will not apply.

  • Access the Opt-in form through Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen

  • Follow these instructions (link) once you are logged into Aspen

• An at-home rapid antigen tests kit will be distributed at school every other week. Each kit will contain two tests.

• NPS recommends that all families conduct a rapid test on TUESDAY of each week.

• Here are printed instructions (link) for conducting the test at home. Here is a video tutorial (link) on conducting the test. Translations are included.

• Only positive results need to be reported to the school. You will complete this form (link) to report a positive result. Nurses will provide follow up information to families, including the date for return to school, following a positive test.

In addition to the weekly at-home rapid antigen testing program, we will continue in-school symptomatic testing for students and staff that develop symptoms during the school day. We will discontinue the Test and Stay testing program and contact tracing. Please be vigilant in checking your student for symptoms, conducting the daily health assessment (link), and staying home when sick.

All testing information can be found on our website here: NPS COVID Testing Webpage.

The 17th annual Teen Summer Expo, will be held on Tuesday, February 15 at Newton South High School from 5:30-8:00pm in the cafeteria.  You’ll be able to meet in-person with the directors of the best summer enrichment programs for kids ages 12-18, with plenty of options for every interest and budget.  The Expo is free and open to everyone.  Parents and teens should attend together.

You can pre-register here to bypass the line at check-in.  Spread the word on Facebook and learn about the programs attending.   New programs added weekly.

You must show a vaccination card to attend and wear a mask at all times. Go to www.TeenSummerExpos.com for more information.

For Valentine’s Day we are asking families to sign up and bring sweet treats for each house. The teachers enjoy any sign of appreciation. Please sign up to participate.

Do to COVID restrictions, all desserts will have to be individually packaged and delivered by students (not parents) to the student’s house office OR dropped at 91 Nehoiden Road Waban, MA by Sunday February 14 (labeled with house name).  General Reminders:

• Individually Wrapped Treats (anything welcome!)
• Disposable bags/Trays etc (Do not send Grandma’s china!!)
• Nuts are okay, please label
• If dropping early at Nehoiden please label with house name
• No Parents may enter building to drop desserts. If your child cannot deliver dessert themselves without your assistance, please drop at Nehoiden by Sunday. 

Please sign up here to ensure an equity of items for each house or  donate below to have  a carafe of coffee/beverage delivered. Drink donations will be divided evenly between all houses.

No Time to Make/Package Dessert?

If you would like to donate money  all proceeds will go to purchasing coffee and other beverages for each house.

Newton South Students and Families:

Term 2 report cards have been posted to Aspen. If you have a question about a specific grade, please reach out directly to your/your child’s teacher. Their name is listed on the report and you can find their email address in the Academics tab on Aspen.

Parents and guardians, if you are having trouble logging into Aspen, please call your child’s house office:

• Cutler House: Ms. Curran (curranl@newton.k12.ma.us, 617-559-6551)
• Goldrick House: Ms. Trieger (triegerd@newton.k12.ma.us, 617-559-6552)
• Goodwin House: Ms. Astone (astonee@newton.k12.ma.us, 617-559-6555)
• Wheeler House: Ms. Murphy (murphyba@newton.k12.ma.us, 617-559-6558)

If you have a question about your report card, please reach out directly to the teacher or your/your child’s counselor.

Sincerely,

Jason Williams (he/him/his)

Vice Principal

Newton South High School

140 Brandeis Road

Newton, MA 02459

617-559-6700