Dear Newton South Families,

June 18, 2020 marked the end of NSHS 2019-20 school year – and what a year it’s been.  As we close our school year – marked by so many lost moments to COVID-19 – and the last 3 weeks – marked by the historic Black Lives Matter Movement in progress – we are also thankful that our community is safe, strong and vigilant against the COVID-19 pandemic, and is continuing to help our neighbors in need while fighting against systemic racial injustice.

The saying “It takes a village” has never been more meaningful. On behalf of our South Community, we thank our teachers, staff, administration, and coaches for their tireless energy in helping our children through this unprecedented time with distance learning, in talking through the historic movement happening in our country, in celebrating the year with virtual celebrations & videos, and in supporting our student’s social and emotional health.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped out this year at PTSO, Athletics, school events and 2020 graduation events.

I am inspired by our current generation. It has been amazing watching our children – teens and young adults – actively participate in helping neighbors in need amidst COVID-19 and with the Black Lives Matter movement and climate change in order to bring about change in Newton and the world.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer and hope for a return to campus in the Fall!

~ May Chiu, co-President NSHS PTSO

Over these past weeks, many parents have developed a deep appreciation for the job that our teachers do each day. Here is a way to say thank you.

By donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program in the name of one or more teachers, you can show your appreciation for them AND support your children’s schools. In recent weeks, NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with an $85,500 grant for the Newton Public Schools to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures.

Dollars raised will go to funding grants for promising educational initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in opportunity and achievement. NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

It’s easy to donate online.

We’ve started some important conversations around race and justice in recent weeks, and we’re hoping to use our array of summer reading opportunities to keep the conversations going. All of the summer reading choices are voluntary online discussions with a faculty member (or members) who have picked a title by an author of color that they want to talk about with kids.

HERE are the details.

The first session is about Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow with Mr. Lee on July 1 at 12:15.

Mr. Baron will host our group viewing of Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere, starting with episode 1 on July 13 at 8 pm and continue for the next 7 Mondays.

Newton Youth – Let’s Get to Work

Are you in Grades 9 to 12? Interested in key work skills – resume writing, interviewing skills, workplace communication, and financial literacy? There’s a free online course, Newton Youth – Let’s Get to Work, created by the City of Newton’s Youth Services Department, in partnership with Newton Public Schools. It’s a self-directed workshop and includes a space for mindfulness, community building, and sharing experiences of our altered world.

Students will choose the level of engagement that works best for them. To learn more and to register, visit www.newtonma.gov/gettowork. Sign up by Friday, July 10th.

Dear NPS families,

As many of you know, the Newton Public School district is moving to online registration for bus transportation. We realize this is an incredibly complex and difficult time to be thinking about the fall given the uncertainty of school operations. Please know that transportation is a significant area of discussion within our operations planning committee and they are working to prepare for multiple scenarios.

However, given the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we have a comprehensive understanding of the number of students planning to take the bus in the fall. In addition, given the need for less contact and more social distancing, online registration is essential for the safety of our families and our NPS staff.

To that end, we are asking families to register for the bus earlier than they have done so in the past. We ask that you please register by July 15th. Registration now will help us to assess transportation needs for the upcoming school year and what is possible if school schedules should change. However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of schools, we will NOT be collecting any payment for bus registration at this time. When we have more certainty about the opening of school, we will provide payment information, including invoices, payment plan options, and financial aid.

Registration begins today, Monday, June 15th. As noted above, NO PAYMENT is due at this time.  However, we do ask that you please complete your registration by July 15th. Please utilize this link and follow the prompts in the registration system. This link provides you with directions once you are in the system.

If you have questions please contact us at [email protected].us or call 617-559-9051. Please allow extra time for calls to be returned as we are working with limited staff due to COVID-19.

Thank you for helping us to accurately plan our transportation needs for the 2020-21 school year.

Sincerely,

Liam Hurley

Please find the message from Vice Principal Hardiman that was send on June 15th.  Note, any change request to “P” grade is due by June 18th.  

Term 3 and Final Grades have been published to Aspen and in the documents section. Students, please remember to do the following:

1. Review your Term 3 and Final Grades over the next few days.

2. If there are any errors or a teacher did not post either a Term 3 grade or a Final Grade, please reach out directly to THE TEACHER of that class, so that they can make the change before the final draft of report cards is published by the end of the day on Monday, June 22nd.

3. If you are not happy with your FINAL grade and are considering a grade of “P” (Pass) instead (as long as the final grade is a D- or higher), please fill out this Google Form to request the “P”. However, we encourage you to think it over, check in with your teacher, and consult with your school counselor about your decision, if necessary. The deadline for filling out the Google Form to request a “P” is this Thursday, June 18th at 3:00PM so you do have a few days to fix errors and ponder your choices.

Thanks,
Mr. Hardiman