I Love Newton

Category: Newton Schools

Everything you want to know about the Newton Public School System in Newton, MA.

  • MCAS vs PARCC

    MCAS vs PARCC

    MCAS and PARCC Reporting on Student Performance: “…helpful feedback is goal-referenced; tangible and transparent; actionable; user-friendly (specific and personalized); timely; ongoing; and consistent.” From Seven Keys to Effective Feedback,Grant Wiggins, Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, September 2012, Vol. 70

    MCAS PARCC
    Schools received preliminary scores in July, allowing administrators and curriculum specialists to do an initial analysis before the start of the school year. Schools received preliminary scores in

    October. No analysis was available at the start of the school year.

     
    Schools were able to compare one year’s performance on MCAS with previous MCAS test performance. Schools can compare PARCC data to MCAS data from previous year, but the tests are significantly different.
    A complete test that students took was released.  Only one test was administered in each subject area. No complete PARCC test was released, although sample items were released from 2 different tests that were administered in March and May 2015.
    Schools received data scoring each student on each item on the test. This allowed teachers to pinpoint areas in which the student had difficulty and then design instruction to support students. Schools received data that did not have an item analysis, so there was no information of which items students scored correct or incorrect. This made it impossible for teachers to design instruction to improve outcomes for students on a future test.
    Schools got an overview showing if there were patterns of errors. This allowed teachers to address areas of concern with all students. Schools can see levels of achievement but cannot pinpoint specific areas for improvement. Teachers do not get information on areas that need to be improved.
    Schools received copies of the actual essays or narratives students had written so teachers could analyze student needs and strengths. Schools did not receive copies of the actual essays or narratives. Teachers are not able to  pin-point where students need to improve as writers.
    Schools received a separate score for each open response, essay/narrative. This allowed teachers to figure out where students had strengths and weaknesses. Schools received a composite writing score for 3 genres of writing: research writing, literary analysis and narrative writing. Teachers cannot identify area of strengths and weaknesses.
    Schools received data comparing school performance to district and state from students using a single testing instrument: paper based MCAS. Data compares schools that have used different instruments, namely paper tests and computer tests, MCAS and PARCC.

     

     

    MCAS vs PARCC

     

  • Update on NNHS Principal Search

    Update on NNHS Principal Search

    The following information has been provided by the superintendent’s office:
    • A Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) is being formed. Taking into account Newton North’s needs, the committee will craft interview questions, choose candidates for interviews, and recommend finalists to Superintendent Fleishman, who will ultimately appoint the new principal. The time commitment for the SAC will be as follows, with another possible meeting between January 13 and January 27:
      •  January 6, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
      • January 12, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
      • January 13, 12 noon-4:00 p.m.
    • Semi-finalists will visit Newton South High School to observe classes.
    • Finalists will visit Newton North High School between February 8 and 10. The visits will include meetings with teachers, a small-group meeting with four to six parents, and a large-group meeting open to all parents/guardians.
    The Newton North PTSO Board will select two Newton North parents/guardians for the SAC and several participants for the small-group meetings. The decision will be based on several factors, including a well-balanced representation across different constituencies at Newton North.
    Read more at http://www.northptso.org/node/1658.
    Newton North High School, NNHS
  • Newton Schools Snow Policy

    Newton Schools Snow Policy

    December 7, 2015

     

    Dear Families,

    I hope you are enjoying the beautiful December weather. However, it is time to provide you with some important information regarding school closings and delayed openings, due to inclement weather. The decision to close or delay school is made by me, in consultation with the Police Department and the Department of Public Works. Safety is our primary consideration when making a determination on whether to open or close school during challenging weather situations. Please understand that these very difficult decisions are made based on a number of factors including weather forecasts, as well as street, sidewalk, and school parking lot conditions. We are very sensitive to the childcare challenges that you face when schools are closed and only do so if the latest information we receive indicates that we should.

    In addition to the possibility of closing schools due to inclement weather, we may also use a delayed opening. In order to ensure greater safety, the opening of schools may be delayed by either one or two hours. Should there be a delayed opening, students will be expected to go to their bus stop or to leave their homes (if they walk to school) one (or two) hours after their regularly scheduled time. The bus company and crossing guards will know about the delay and will rearrange their schedules accordingly.

    In the case of a two-hour delay, all preschool classes and therapy sessions at the integrated pre-schools in the Education Center and Lincoln-Eliot will be canceled for the day. In the case of a one-hour delay, therapy sessions before 10:00 a.m. will be canceled. When school is canceled due to inclement weather, Before and After School Care Programs are also canceled. If the opening of school is delayed, Before School Programs will be canceled.  During vacation weeks, if school buildings are not open due to inclement weather, Before and After School Care Programs will also be canceled.

    SchoolMessenger is the communication system utilized in the Newton Public Schools. This system enables us to communicate with you about emergency situations, school events and important issues affecting your child. In case of a school closing or a delayed opening due to the weather, as soon as a decision has been made, we will be calling the number(s) designated by you in the ParentCONNECT parent portal. Please make sure your child’s emergency information is kept up to date at all times. You may use the ParentCONNECT portal to view or request updates to your contact information, but if you decide that you do not want to receive our early morning automated calls, please notify the main office at your child’s school. In addition, when general phone messages are sent to parents via SchoolMessenger, there is an accompanying e-mail message sent to that parent that contains an audio link of the phone message.

    Typically, you will receive a phone message from me by 6:00 a.m. There may be occasions when a decision can be made the previous evening, but normally it will not be made until the early hours of the day in question. In addition to utilizing theSchoolMessenger communication system, we will call in “No School/Delayed Opening” announcements to the following radio stations and television channels:

    WBZ        Channel 4 and 1030 AM (radio)

    WCVB    Channel 5            

    WHDH    Channel 7 and WRKO 680 AM (radio)

    Fox25       Channel 25                                  

    You may also log on to: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us or you may call (617) 559-9699 for a pre-recorded message.

    If a storm occurs during a school day, school will ordinarily remain in session. We are advised by the Police Department that once students are in school they are better off remaining there than being released early because of a storm. The reasons are several: (1) the City has more time to service major accesses to and from schools prior to dismissal; (2) parents of many younger children may not be home to receive them; and (3) drivers may not be as cautious during hours that they expect students to be in school. However, parents should also make certain that their child knows where to go in the event schools have to be dismissed early. Should an early dismissal be necessary, we will utilize the SchoolMessenger communication system and will also notify the referenced radio/television stations, the web site, and the dedicated emergency telephone line.

    Hopefully, you will not hear my voice too often in the early morning hours.

    Sincerely,

    David A. Fleishman

    Superintendent of Schools

    Newton Schools Snow Policy

  • Newton Schools Foundation Annual Appeal

    Newton Schools Foundation Annual Appeal

    Newton Schools Foundation

    Newton Schools Foundation
    What is life?       Does function follow form?
    How should energy be harnessed?   Do my choices matter?
    A group of Newton 10th graders is exploring these questions through the DaVinci Program, launched this year at Newton South High School.
    Your donation to Newton Schools Foundation can help even more students participate in this and many other exciting initiatives in the Newton Public Schools.
     
    The DaVinci Program integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math to build students’ skills in experimentation, analytical problem solving, collaboration, presentation and communication.
    By donating to Newton Schools Foundation, you can provide even more students the opportunity to engage in this unique learning experience as well as the many other programs Newton Schools Foundation supports.
    For five decades NSF has provided private funding for educational innovations that are difficult to address in the school department’s operating budget.
    Your donation enables NSF to fund:
    • Dynamic new curricula for all students.
    • Teacher training to ensure Newton educators use effective, up-to-date teaching practices.
    • Achievement gap programs and scholarships for low-income and minority students.
    The programs we support span Newton’s diverse student population and impact all of Newton’s 12,000 students.
    When you give to Newton Schools Foundation you are ensuring that the Newton Public Schools continue to provide your child with the best education in this ever-changing teaching and learning environment.
    Sincerely,
    Marcia Tabenken and Josh Weiss

    Co-Presidents

    P.S. Thank you so much for your continued support and we hope you join us in making a year-end tax deductible gift to NSF right now.

     

  • NNHS Principal Search Update

    NNHS Principal Search Update

    November 20, 2015

    Dear North Families:

    As you are aware, Mark Aronson is serving as Interim Principal for the school year, and will be retiring in June. I am grateful for Mark’s long-standing dedication and commitment to Newton North and feel fortunate that we have had an Interim Principal that is highly skilled and widely respected. I know Mark will do everything possible to support the school through the end of the school year.

    Selecting a principal is one of the most critical decisions made by a superintendent. Principals are expected to provide excellent educational leadership, establish a positive school culture, and manage the daily operations of the building. The selection process will be similar to the one we used last year but the timeline will be earlier. Since the principal’s position impacts the entire school community, we will again form a Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) that will include administrators, faculty, students and parents/guardians. The SAC will conduct first round interviews and recommend semi-finalists. The PTO will be in touch regarding the process for serving on the SAC. We have already started to advertise for the position and have attached the timeline that has been developed.

    There will be multiple opportunities for parents to be involved in the search process. In addition to having members on the SAC, parents will have the chance to meet the finalist candidates when they visit Newton North.

    I am writing to invite you to a parent focus group on December 9th at 6:30 p.m. in film lecture hall where you will have an opportunity to learn about the search process, as well as address the following questions:

    • What is working well at Newton North right now?

    • What are the areas that you believe deserve the attention of a new principal?

    • What qualities and attributes are you looking for in a new principal?

    You may also complete the online survey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NewtonNorth which has the same questions. We hope to see you on either December 9th or some time during the interview process.

    I look forward to working with the North community as we embark upon this important task.

    Sincerely,

    David Fleishman Superintendent of Schools

    Superintendent Fleishman’s Commencement Speech Controversy

  • Later Start Time for Newton High Schools?

    Later Start Time for Newton High Schools?

    November 20, 2015 Dear Newton Community,

    Addressing the health and wellness of all Newton students continues to be an important goal for our system. Our schools use a number of strategies and programs that are appropriate for each age group. At the high school level, we are well aware of the stress felt by many students, which our recently released Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results show increases significantly from middle to high school. I believe it is our job as a system, working in partnership with families, to address the stress and anxiety that many of our high school students are experiencing.

    Currently, both of our high schools are engaged in multiple efforts to support the social and emotional needs of students. The work of faculty on growth mindset involves supporting students to understand the notion that effort is most significant and that making mistakes is a part of the learning process. The high schools are also engaged in extensive conversations regarding the purpose and scope of homework. In a couple of weeks, I will be leading a discussion on the stress of college admissions and we plan to address this issue with students as well.

    There is growing consensus that later high school start times can also contribute important health and wellness benefits for adolescents. Yet, an overwhelming majority of American high schools continue to start relatively early (before 8:00 a.m.) including Newton North (7:50 a.m.) and Newton South (7:40 a.m.). High school typically starts early for a number of reasons including transportation costs and scheduling; parent and sibling schedules; timing for sports and after school activities; student employment; and field and facilities use.

    The School Committee and Administration believe it is important to assess whether we can change our high school start times to enable our high school students to benefit from additional sleep at developmentally appropriate times. As a result, we have formed a working group to explore pushing back the start times. The working group will examine the multitude of challenges associated with shifting the start times, including determining how to address many of the logistical and other factors listed above.

    They will also solicit input from a range of stakeholders over the course of the year, using both surveys and Newton Public Schools 100 Walnut Street Newton, MA 02460 David Fleishman Superintendent of Schools Telephone (617) 559-6100 Fax (617) 559-6101 public forums. Given that a change in high school start time may impact the start times at elementary and middle schools, we are sending this communication to the entire community.

    Throughout the school year, the High School Start Time Working Group will report to the School Committee on their progress, and they are planning to present a final report by the end of the school year. Because this issue has the potential to impact families at all levels, we are inviting you to stay informed of the progress. You may click on the link www.newton.k12.ma.us/laterstarttime and sign-up for email updates from the working group.

    We look forward to updating you on this initiative and other important work underway to support the health and wellness of our students.

    Sincerely,

    David Fleishman Superintendent of Schools

    Newton North High School, NNHS

  • Superintendent’s Community Read

    Superintendent’s Community Read

    Superintendent’s Community Read
    Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm

    Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be

    Join Superintendent David Fleishman for a community discussion.  Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by New York Times columnist and best selling author Frank Bruni is the selected title.  The event will be held at the Newton South Library and will feature a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process.

     (click on image to view at Amazon)

     

    For more information about the event, go here.

  • College Admissions Book Talk

    College Admissions Book Talk

    Dear Newton Families,

    As many of you know, college admissions has become an increasingly frenetic and pressured process. While our high schools in Newton have developed a college planning philosophy designed to support students and families, the energy, angst and resource devoted to the process can push some students and their families to the brink. What should we do about a phenomenon that can feel out of control?

    New York Times columnist and best selling author, Frank Bruni, has written a compelling new book which offers a thoughtful perspective on college admission. In sum, Bruni argues that where a student goes to college is far less important than many of us previously believed. The book offers a counter narrative for students and their families who feel that their future and self-worth depends on a “yes” or a “no” from a certain group of colleges.

     (click on image to view at Amazon.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

    I think Bruni’s perspective is especially timely given that we have seen a spike in stress and anxiety among our students. Since reading the book, I have a consistently quoted Bruni when the topic of college admissions comes up in conversation: “Where you go is not who you’ll be.” I hope this message resonates with others after reading his book.

    On Wednesday, December 2nd, I will hold a superintendent/parent book discussion on Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. It will give us an opportunity to talk about the book as a community and hear from a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process. The panelists will include:

    • Jennifer King, College Consultant and Retired Guidance Department Head, Newton South High School
    • Beth Swederkas, Guidance Department Head, Newton North High School
    • Ronne Patrick Turner, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions – Northeastern University

    Here are the details:

    December 2nd (7:00 p.m-8:30 p.m.)

    Newton South Library

    Here is the link with further information about the book. We have also included articles written by Frank Bruni on the topic.http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bookdiscussion2015

    I hope to see you for what should be a lively conversation on December 2nd.

    Sincerely,

    David Fleishman

    Superintendent of Schools

  • Newton Out-of-Assigned School District Policy

    Newton Out-of-Assigned School District Policy

     

    The Newton Public Schools considers applications for student transfers to schools outside of their home district. It is the goal of the school system to grant to the degree possible requests for out-of-assigned district placements. Impact on enrollment, staffing and space availability now and in the future are key considerations. Out-of-assigned district placements for students who wish to attend a school in Newton other than his/her district school are limited. Such placements will be made on a space available basis only. In addition to Newton residents, members of NTA Units A, B, C, D, E, NESA, and the Custodial Union may also apply for placement of their children in a Newton Public School.
    Approval for out-of-assigned district placements is subject to space availability in the requested school and grade, and for all subsequent grades as well. Expected class, team and school sizes will be based on the most recent projections by the School Department. Size will be considered for both the requested year and for any future year for which the School Department provides projections.
    Applications for the following school year must be submitted on forms that are available at the Education Center and on-line at www.newton.k12.ma.us in our Families section beginning November 16, 2015. Interested families can also contact the Elementary Education Office (grades K-5) at 617-559-6105 and the Secondary Education Office (grades 6-12) at 617-559-6115 for additional information.
    Completed applications, signed by the in-district principal, can be submitted no earlier than March 1 and no later than May 2. Those received after May 2 and before Labor Day may, under special circumstances, be considered for placement after all other placement decisions have been made. Applications may be mailed in or brought to the Education Center.
    The goal is to announce out-of-assigned district decisions as close to June 1 as possible. Students approved for out-of-assigned district placement should understand that the course assignment process has begun prior to June and that they may not receive their first choices in course selection. Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation to and from the out-of-assigned district school.
    For more information about the Out-of-Assigned District Policy, please visit our website at www.newton.k12.ma.us in our Families section.

    Newton Out-of-Assigned School District Policy

  • Newton Inspires: A FREE Evening of Ideas and Community

    Newton Inspires: A FREE Evening of Ideas and Community

    Bestselling Authors, Seafood Entrepreneur, Worldwide Travel Executive, Business Startup Guru, and Fundraising Visionary Headline …

    Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community

    Newton Schools Foundation presents the fifth annual Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community, Monday, November 9, 7-9:45 p.m. at Newton South High School.

    The program, featuring 18 of Newton’s most accomplished and interesting personalities, is free to Newton residents. High school seniors are welcome.  Space is limited, so register today!   Click here for a list of speakers and more information.

    A big thanks to the following local businesses that are supporting Newton Inspires: Anna’s Taqueria, Baker’s Best Catering, Better Life Food, Fleck Coffee House,, L’Aroma Café & Bakery, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Rancatore’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, Rosie’s Bakery, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market.