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

Today is Last Day to Register & Fall Sports Tryouts Start 9/21

Posted on September 18, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in Athletics, From the PTSO

CLICK to view Fall sports tryouts schedule.

All students that want to participate in Fall Sports must register with FamilyId by Friday, Sept. 18th, including annual physical.  Athletics Fees need to be paid after team assignments.  Thank you.

Click here to view to find important information for the Fall Sports Season.

For the latest updates, please visit NSHS Website – Athletics

Please review these modifications with your student prior to registering for athletics

Thank you,
Pat Gonzalez, Director of Athletics

FroshPlay Starts Mon, Sept 21 @4-6PM

Posted on September 17, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO, South Arts

Welcome, Freshmen!
Frosh Play starts Sept 21, Monday-Friday, 4-6 PM
Connection Building, Drama Games, Scene Readings

Zoom link and password here.
You must be signed in with your
Newton Google account to see it.

Come when you can; stay as long as you can!

FAQs here!

The primary goal of the Frosh Play is to introduce freshmen to high school theatre and help them make connections with each other and with the school community.  We take everyone who shows up during that first week of virtual rehearsals.  Because we don’t know the numbers or the genders of our actors before that first week, we find a number of potential 10-minute plays, and then cast at the end of the first week.

Questions: Email Mr. K at knoedlerj@newton.k12.ma.us or visit SouthStage.org

Fall Sports Approved – Register by Fri, Sept 18th on FamilyID

Posted on September 16, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in Athletics

Fall Sports Season was approved on September 14, 2020 by the School Committee. See details from Newton South Athletic Director Pat Gonzalez below.

FALL TRYOUTS SCHEDULE will be posted shortly at NSHS Website – Athletics

All students that want to participate in Fall Sports must register with FamilyId by Friday, Sept. 18th, including annual physical.  Athletics Fees need to be paid after team assignments.  Thank you.

Dear Newton South Athletic Community,

I am happy to announce that the Newton School Committee has approved our participation in interscholastic athletics for the modified Fall 1 season. A lot of work still needs to happen, but NS Athletics is excited to see our kids back in action and continues to prepare for the return of sports on September 21st. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) provided sports modifications for the fall 2020 sports season. This guidance was created in alignment with guidelines set forth by Governor Baker, MA Department of Health (DPH), and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Please review these modifications with your student prior to registering for athletics.

Click here to view to find important information for the Fall Sport Season.

As we continue to try to navigate uncharted territory, many things remain outside our control.  The things we can control include being kind and supportive to one another; doing our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; and being patient with each other as we participate in the re-opening of the state, schools, and athletics.

We will all get through this, as long as we work together as one team.

Thank you,
Pat Gonzalez, Director of Athletics

Zoom Link for PTSO Welcome/Ideas on Mon. Sept 21st at 7PM

Posted on September 15, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Typo in previous announcement – Zoom link title showed Sept 17th.   Correct date is Sept 21st.

You are invited!  – Join our meeting and get involved to support our students, parents and teachers this year at our first meeting on Monday, September 21 from 7-8PM.

The meeting’s goal is to get your input for programs and events to support in-person and remote connections for our students and parents.  Some ideas include:

  • Grade-level Coffees for Parents/Guardians
  • Webinars for Parents/Guardians – what topics interest you?
  • Trivia Night for Students, Parents
  • Student Mentoring for Freshman or New Students with Juniors/Seniors
  • New Family Connection from South Families willing to be a resource on Newton & South
  • Virtual Field Trips like Virtual Safari on Facebook

PLEASE JOIN US, meet new parents, connect with old friends and come share your Ideas!

Topic: PTSO Welcome
Time: Sep 21, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81913459054?pwd=OUhzbEVybUk5TjhVeUdZN2pZV1dpdz09

Meeting ID: 819 1345 9054
Passcode: NSHS2021

Dial by your location
Passcode: 68252758
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kyCp5QPDw

Submit your NSHS Club Announcements

Posted on September 15, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Newton South CLUB FAIR DAY – virtual live event on Friday, September 25th.  There will be no school that Friday.  Details and live event links coming shortly.

If your child is involved, or lead a club at South, please let them know that the PTSO can post their Newton South Club announcements to help connect our students.   The announcement should include a description of the club, webpage if any, the event date/time, link to signup forms, contact information and/or meeting if available.

If you are a teacher or student, please send your announcement to newsletter@newtonsouthPTSO.org by Thursday of each week.  Your announcement will be posted on our weekly PTSO Newsletter on that following Sunday at 6pm.  The PTSO will also add your event to our calendar. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please send an email to info@newtonsouthPTSO.org.

Student Schedules & First Day of School Schedule

Posted on September 14, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Student Schedules with blocks were released Monday 9/14 on Aspen.  Please have your child log in to their Aspen account.   Teachers will be emailing students by Tuesday evening to welcome them with Zoom links to their class. Please have your child check their school Gmail account.

If you have questions or errors on your child’s schedule, please contact your child’s counselor, which is listed on their schedule.

CLICK to VIEW FIRST Day of School SCHEDULE

See details of the email from Vice Principal Hardiman on Sept 14, 2020.

Hi Students and Families,

Your schedules with blocks and teachers are now available in Aspen. A reminder that if you filled out the course error google form and your class list has NOT changed since Friday, this means that we were not able to fulfill your request because it did not meet the criteria or did not fit into your schedule.

Here are code descriptions in the Term Column of your schedule:

FY = Full Year

S1 = Semester One, S2 = Semester Two 

Each semester has two quarters:

S1 has Q 1 = Quarter/Term 1, Q2 = Quarter/Term 2

S2 has Q 3 = Quarter/Term 3, Q4 = Quarter/Term 4 

For the Track ID column in your schedule, the letters are the blocks that your class will meet during the week (NSHS Student Schedule with Blocks)

One important clarification from the email that was sent on Friday:

Classes that were 2 x week for the full year in the past are actually 3 x week for a semester, NOT 2 x week as previously mentioned. Similarly, classes that were 2 x week for one semester in the past are actually 3 x week for a term, NOT 2 x week as previously mentioned.

If you have any questions about your schedule, please do NOT reply to this email. Please contact your school counselor (if you don’t know who your counselor is, her/his name is at the top of your schedule).

Attached is the block schedule for the first day of school on Wednesday and the rest of the week, going forward.  A reminder that the Wednesday permanent block schedule is still being finalized and will be shared as soon as it is approved. Community block is similar to our old advisory system. Exact details regarding flex block are still being finalized but expect that it may be used for things like extra help from teachers, guidance seminars, special events, and the like.

Finally, here again is information on the first day of school.  Teachers will be email all their students by Tuesday evening.  Please have your child check their school gmail account to read an email from your teachers welcoming you to their class and providing zoom links for you to access on Wednesday.

Mr. Hardiman
NSHS Interim Vice Principal

College Admissions in the Time of COVID, Wed. Sept 16th @7PM

Posted on September 14, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in For Seniors

Dear Senior Students and Parents/Guardians –

In the coming days you will receive an email with announcements about a number of events of interest to the senior class as you prepare for the year, and as many of you prepare for your post-secondary transition plans. This email is a reminder that Wednesday evening is the “Live Launch” of the first installment of the College Guidance Network’s series of family workshops. While the series will be available on demand, each installment will be released on Wednesday evenings throughout the fall. This installment, College Admissions in the Time of COVID, is described below.

We hope you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

Best,
Dan Rubin, NHSH Director of Guidance

Webinar – College Admissions in the Time of COVID
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
7:00pm-8:00pm

Zoom link to join the live webinar on September 16

Passcode: 614954

Our experts will discuss the impact of Covid-19 on college admissions presenting the most up-to-date thinking. Discussion will include how families can make the best choices in a rapidly changing environment, including changes to the Common App, changing test policies, increasing importance of essays, financial aid implications, and how colleges’ institutional incentives may affect families.

Format: Moderated panel discussion with live Q&A
Moderator: Lana Wong, Communications Lead, The Education Commission
Speakers:

Kate Cassino, CEO of Hobsons (Naviance)

Lee Coffin, Vice Provost , Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dartmouth

Bob Bardwell, Executive Director of Massachusetts School Counselors Assoc.

Nick Ducoff, Author of Better Off After College and Founder of Edmit

Emily Roper-Doten, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Olin College of Engineering

South Stage Freshman Play Information

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Michelle Wetlaufer in For Freshmen, From the PTSO

Be a part of the Annual South Stage Frosh Play. No cuts.  Everyone gets a speaking role.

The primary goal the Frosh Play is to introduce freshmen to high school theatre and help them make connections with each other and with the school community.  We take everyone who shows up during that first week of virtual rehearsals.  Because we don’t know the numbers or the genders of our actors before that first week, we find a number of potential 10 minute plays, and then cast at the end of the first week.

Zoom rehearsals starting Sept. 21. Afterschool TBA.  No rehearsal on non-school days.

Dress rehearsals: Nov. 16-18. Performances: Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 PM.  (Right now we don’t know whether it will be a fully Zoom production or taped live at school for streaming at a later date).

We have a lot of question marks right now, but we know it will be a fun and rewarding opportunity to connect!

Questions: Email Mr. K at knoedlerj@newton.k12.ma.us or visit SouthStage.org

PTSO Welcome & Brainstorm Meeting Thur, Sept 21 @7PM

Posted on September 14, 2020 by PTSO CoPresident in From the PTSO

Hello NSHS Parents/Guardians,

You are invited!  – Join our meeting and get involved to support our students, parents and teachers this year at our first meeting on Monday, September 21 from 7-8PM.

The meeting’s goal is to get your input for programs and events to support in-person and remote connections for our students and parents.  Some ideas include:

  • Grade-level Coffees for Parents/Guardians
  • Webinars for Parents/Guardians – what topics interest you?
  • Trivia Night for Students, Parents
  • Student Mentoring for Freshman or New Students with Juniors/Seniors
  • New Family Connection from South Families willing to be a resource on Newton & South
  • Virtual Field Trips like Virtual Safari on Facebook

PLEASE JOIN US, meet new parents, connect with old friends and come share your Ideas!

Topic: PTSO Welcome
Time: Sep 21, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81913459054?pwd=OUhzbEVybUk5TjhVeUdZN2pZV1dpdz09

Meeting ID: 819 1345 9054
Passcode: NSHS2021

Dial by your location
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kyCp5QPDw

Mon. Sept 14 at 12PM – Submit Form for Corrections on Schedule

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

All families should have received the email from Vice Principal Hardiman regarding student schedules released today.

Please note the deadline to submit corrections is Monday, Sept. 14th at Noon. Final student schedules will be available on Aspen on Monday, Sept. 14th at 5PM.

Hello Students and Families,

A list of your classes for the 2020-21 school year can now be found on Aspen. A list of teachers and blocks will be published on Aspen at approximately 5:00pm on Monday, September 14th. I will send another email then with instructions/reminders.

Here are some important changes to courses and schedules during distance learning this year that you will want to be aware of:

1. Courses that previously were 2 x week full year will now be 2 x week for ONE SEMESTER ONLY.

2. Courses that previously were 2 x week for one semester will now be 2 x week for ONE TERM ONLY.

3. There are several art courses that were combined to better suit the distance learning model. For example, mixed media and ceramics courses have combined into 043 3D Exploration, art and design courses have combined into 2D Exploration, photo classes have combined into Photo Exploration and acting and improv courses combined into Acting Explorations.

4. The following junior and senior wellness classes have been combined into one course called “Junior and Senior Wellness”: Lifetime Pursuits, Centered Self, Global Games, Yoga/Pilates and Personal Fitness”. Sports Nutrition remains it’s own class.

Now, for instructions on the next steps:

a) If all of your classes were ones that you requested (including alternates that you chose), no need to do anything….just wait until Monday for a list of your teachers and blocks.

b) IF, any of the following apply to you, please fill out this google form. The deadline to fill it out is NOON ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH:

  • you are missing a core academic class or a wellness class
  • you have a course on your list that you did not request at all
  • a class is listed twice
  • you are listed in the wrong level of a course
  • you are underenrolled

On Monday at approximately 5:00pm, your updated classes and schedule will appear on Aspen. If you request a change that does NOT meet the criteria above, your classes will stay the same as you see today.

Finally, here is the Opening Day Schedule for next Wednesday, September 16th and important information like how to access teacher zoom links, etc. I will share more about the block schedule, including community and flex blocks, when you receive your actual schedules on Monday.

Have a nice weekend,

Mr. Hardiman
NSHS Interim Vice Principal