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

Mon. May 17 at 7PM Zoom – Update on PTSO Senior Events

Posted on May 16, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

The PTSO will host a zoom session on Monday, May 17th from 7-8PM to provide an update on PTSO sponored Senior Events.    This session will not be recorded.  Updates on events will be sent out in PTSO Newsletters.

The update will include May 18th Seniors Countdown event; June 3 Senior Last Day Celebration; June 6 Senior Celebration “Prom,” and  June 6 Celebration Lane (Parade).

Any parent in any grade interested in helping out at these events is welcome to attend.  Thank you. 

A waiting room will be used.  Please make sure your full name is listed.

ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82604004193?pwd=QzQ5elk5UjNJWGR5QndaTlNFNzlKQT09

Meeting ID: 826 0400 4193
Passcode: Lions2021

REMINDER! Deadline Mon. May 17th for June 6th 2021 Seniors Celebration Event

Posted on May 16, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in For Seniors, From the PTSO

The 2021 Seniors Celebration (alternative to Prom) will be held on Sunday June 6th from 8-11PM at South.  The rain date on June 7th.  This is an event for Newton South SENIORS only.  All Seniors should have received an email from Mr. Crosby on 5/12 about the event.

The pre-registration deadline is MIDNIGHT, MAY 17th.  NO Exceptions.

In place of the traditional Prom, the event called 2021 Senior Celebration will be outdoors on Newton South grounds from 8-11PM. Food trucks, including the Boston Burger Company, Bon Me and the Cookie Monstah, will provide catering of pre-packaged meals. Our photographer will capture Seniors in their moment on the red carpet as they celebrate their Senior year.  There will be a DJ to provide music entertainment and  light show under the existing tent at Newton South — this will be open for dancing! 

Per May 12 email from Mr. Crosby, in order to attend the Senior Celebration, you MUST complete the pre-registration form linked below. If you do not fill out the form by midnight, Monday, May 17th, we will not be able to guarantee you will be able to attend. 

Link to sign-up form: https://forms.gle/Vt4yMrL2PxYCa3eZ9

Please note your senior(s) must register with the above link with their school email account for verification.  This information will determine how we best accommodate all the seniors who want to attend.  We will provide an update the week of May 17th after registration closes.

Mon. May 17 – Submit Nominations for 2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards!

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Nominations are still open for the 2021 Newton SEPAC Special Educator Virtual Awards!

Please go to https://forms.gle/M9uHkvhHx1NvvnJ2A to submit your nominations by May 17, 2021.

Here’s how the 2021 “Virtual” Awards will work:

  • Families will submit nominations using the Google Form
  • Each nominee will receive the text of the nomination in an email
  • The email to each nominee will also include messages of thanks from Mayor Fuller, the School Committee, Superintendent Fleishman, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Beth Fitzmaurice, and the SEPAC Board
  • Each nominee will receive a printed award that will be dropped off at their school or location in early June
  • We will send each Principal a list of the nominees from their schools

For those new to Newton SEPAC, the annual Special Educator Awards are a way to honor NPS and OOD staff who have gone the extra mile to support our special education students. Nominees span a wide range of staff, including teachers, aides, BTs, therapists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, other support staff, etc. All nominees receive an award. The Awards are usually held in person but will be virtual in 2021 for the second year running. (Fingers crossed for an in-person gathering in 2022!)

REMINDER! Tues, May 18th PTSO Seniors Graduation Countdown Event @6:30PM

Posted on May 16, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in For Seniors, From the PTSO

Reminder – Seniors Graduation Countdown Event
Date/Time: Tues,  May 18th, 6:30 – 8pm

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered for this event!

This event is for confirmed registered students and faculty who received a confirmation email on May 14, 2021.  Any student, faculty or parent volunteer who is not feeling well should not attend.  Masks and social distancing will be required at all times.

Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and celebrate your upcoming graduation!

All registered guest can pick up their selected meal at the time you specified in registered to minimize waiting and lines.  Thank you!

Location:  Grass by the tent at South. Check in will be on the sidewalk on Brandeis Rd by the tent.  Please note that participants can pick up their meal at the food station based on your arrival time you selected during registration to minimize the food pickup line.  Thank you!

Ticket Sales for South Stage’s Production of Chicago and Silent Auction Live

Posted on May 16, 2021 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO, South Arts
Ticket Sales now available for South Stage’s upcoming production of Chicago on May 20, 21,and 22.  Visit SouthStage.org to purchase tickets. Our Silent Auction is now live! Anyone can bid! In conjunction with South Stage's upcoming production of Chicago, our annual silent auction is now live, from May 15-22! View our auction items at https://www.32auctions.com/SouthStageAuction2021. We've got gift cards to your favorite local stores and restaurants, like Farmstead Table, Rosenfeld's Bagels, and Buttonwood, and great professional services, such as Campus Bound and BYOD Dog Wash. Please support our kids and the arts! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions.
Please help us by donating items for the auction, or soliciting businesses to help through Playbill ads or donations. Consider donating unused gift cards to your favorite stores or restaurants, tickets to a fun theater or sporting event, museum passes, sports memorabilia, weekend away options or professional services: photography, catering, coaching etc. Contact [email protected] or learn more at https://www.southstage.org/donate.html.

Newton South Vice Principal Announcement

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

Please see Friday, May 14th announcement from incoming Newton South Principal Tamara Stras.

Dear NSHS Students and Families,
Over the past few weeks, it has been a pleasure to work with various stakeholders in the South community on the Vice-Principal search process. I want to extend a special thank you to Goldrick Dean, Marc Banks and Special Education Department Chair, Melissa Gamble who co-chaired the VP search process. They did a terrific job throughout the entire search, and I am grateful for their commitment to ensuring that the school would find a highly capable Vice Principal. I am also thankful to the faculty, staff, parents and administrators who participated in the process and asked such thoughtful questions of our finalists. Earlier this week, South had the opportunity to host three excellent and highly qualified finalists. After careful consideration and a thorough review, I am excited to announce that Jason Willams will be appointed to the position of Vice Principal. Throughout the search, Jason impressed us with his passion and knowledge of high school education, his analytic and organizational skills, and his ability to connect with people in various settings. Jason has taught Math at Braintree High School for the past 10 years. The leaders at Braintree High School were complimentary of Jason’s record not just as a classroom teacher, but also as a teacher leader and administrative intern.  Jason was described as a quick learner, a thoughtful and reflective leader, loyal, accepting of feedback and, above all, an extremely hard worker.  As a teacher and an administrative intern at Braintree High School, Jason co-chaired an Advisory Committee where he created and managed a program that aligned with the district’s strategic plan for health and wellness. Jason has also co-chaired their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee that investigated disparities in academic success of various student groups based on race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, special education identification, etc. Most recently, Jason has completed a CAGS in Educational Leadership from Curry College. He has also earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Fitchburg State University, in addition to a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Boston University.I am very much looking forward to welcoming Jason to our leadership team. Chris Hardiman will work closely with Jason in the summer months to ensure a seamless transition into the fall; we thank him for all of his hard work and commitment to South the past two years, including setting Jason up for success during this transition.

Sincerely, Tamara Stras
NSHS Principal (incoming) 

2nd Request to complete your 2021 Graduation Survey in Naviance

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Seniors, From the PTSO

Hi Seniors!!

Thank you to more than 200 of you who completed the 2021 Graduation Survey in Naviance last week!

For those who have yet to do so, please know that it a required task toward graduation. In fact, you won’t be able to get your cap & gown unless you have it completed.

Each of you has your own unique plan for the next step after high school. Knowing your plan assists us in advising future students. So whether you are attending college or not, all seniors must complete the 2021 Graduation Survey in their Naviance portal. If you do not remember your login, please contact Ms. Sabet via email.

College-bound seniors, completing this survey is the way to order your final transcript to be sent before July 1st to your attending college. We will only send your final transcript to one college.  The only exception is for students removed and attending a college from a waitlist. Please notify Ms. Sabet if you are offered admission from a waitlist after completing your survey.

To access the survey:  Login to Naviance>Click the tab (top right corner) About Me> My Surveys>Surveys Not Started>2021 Graduation Survey.  Please read all questions carefully. We advise you to complete the survey sooner than later and fill out all areas thoroughly. Yes, we want decisions from all the schools where you applied.

If you are unsure about your plans after high school, please contact us. We are happy to assist you in considering your plans and options.

Thank you,

Ms. Sabet & your School Counselors

May 20 Newton Community Forum Sign-Up

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

The City of Newton is trying to learn as much as we can about Newton community members’ experiences of and visions for their village centers to inform zoning proposals!

Engagement will include a Vision Kit to explore your village center(s), an interactive survey, and Focus Groups for equitable participation.

Sign up for a Community Engagement Information Session on May 20, 6-7pm, here and fill out this Focus Group Interest Form if you identify as a renter, younger person (age 15-35), BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), someone with a disability, LGBTQ+, of the creative community, and older adults (65+). Learn more at newtonma.gov/zoningredesign.

DEADLINE! May 21 – Lion’s Roar Graduation Ads for 2021 Seniors

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Seniors, From the PTSO

Congratulate your graduate in South’s only print newspaper, the Lion’s Roar!

Our special section devoted to the Class of 2021 will be distributed to seniors
and their families at graduation on June 10. We would like to include your
tribute to your child’s graduation from Newton South.

FORMS AND PAYMENT ARE DUE ON FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021.

RATES – All ads printed in color
Full page (10×15): $300 Half page (10×7.5): $200
Quarter page (5×7.5): $150 Eighth page (5×3.75): $100

Last year’s graduation issue can be viewed via this link: issuu.com/thelionsroar/docs/gradissue2019

Our staff will design the ad for you at no additional cost. Photos can be scanned and emailed to The Roar’s adviser, Ashley Chapman ([email protected] ) and Volume 37’s Editors-in-Chief, Carrie Ryter ([email protected]) and Julian Fefer ( [email protected]). If you have any additional questions, please email Ashley Chapman.

Please detach and mail the form located here, along with your payment and any photos you would like included, to: Ashley Chapman, Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre 02459.

Checks should be made out to Newton South High School with The Lion’s Roar on the memo line.

May 22 Volunteers Needed for School Courtyard Beautification

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Michelle Wetlaufer in From the PTSO

The school’s courtyard is due for a clean-up!

Please join us on Saturday, May 22 from 1PM on to remove weeds and put down landscape fabric in the courtyard off the cafeteria. The courtyard is a great spot for our students to hang out during lunch or study during free blocks, and it will be all the more welcoming once it is cleaned up.

Please send RSVP or questions to [email protected].