Category: Newton Schools

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

BC Admissions Speaking at Newton Inspires

What Do High School Students Share with College Admission Counselors?

Boston College Admission Official to Speak at Newton Inspires Nov. 14

David Weber, associate director of undergraduate admission at Boston College, will discuss the college admission process and answer your questions at Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community on Monday, November 14. Now in its sixth year, this FREE event, brought to you by Newton Schools Foundation, gathers Newton residents for an evening of discussion with some of our community’s best and brightest. While Newton Inspires is geared toward adults, we invite high school juniors and seniors to join us for Mr. Weber’s session about the ins and outs of college admissions and to enjoy other speaking sessions as well. Go to www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org to register.

In addition to Mr. Weber, this year’s program features headliners NPR’s Tom Ashbrook; MIT Koch Institute’s Tyler Jacks, Entrepreneur and Social Enterprise Philanthropist Dick Simon; 7NEWS Sports Director Joe Amorosino; Harvard Business School Professor Kathleen McGinn; Chef David Punch; and food writer Andrea Pyenson; along with more than a dozen other Newton stars. Space is limited so register early. The event is on Monday, November 14, 7-9:30pm at Newton South High School. Refreshments will be served. To register, go to www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org

This year Newton Schools Foundation welcomes The Village Bank as our lead sponsor. Newton Inspires is also supported by premium sponsors Chestnut Hill Realty, The Street Chestnut Hill and TripAdvisor. For a full list of speakers and to register, go to www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org. For more information, call 617-559-6120 or email info@newtonschoolsfoundation.org.

November 9, 2016
Day Middle School Principal Search

Dear Day Families,

As you are aware, Mark Aronson is serving as interim principal for the school year, and will be retiring in June. We are so fortunate to have an interim principal who is highly skilled and widely respected. I know Mark will continue to do everything possible to support Day 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 operation of the building. Since the principal’s position impacts the entire school community, it is important that the process provide an opportunity to solicit feedback from a range of stakeholders, including parents and families. The principal search process that we are about to enter will include opportunities for parents to provide input electronically, serve on a Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) and meet finalists as they visit the school. Please select the following to link to participate in the online survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/89RLF2J.

I am scheduling a meeting with Day families to discuss the principal search. At this meeting, I will review the process and timeline for selecting a principal, solicit input on the professional and personal attributes you seek in a principal, and explain how you may be directly involved in the search process.

The meeting will take place during the parent coffee on November 17 at 8:00 a.m. in the library. I hope you will be able to join me so we may work together to secure the best possible leadership for all members of the Day community.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

Superintendent

November 8, 2016
Apply: Young Entrepreneur Scholarship
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Opens Entry Period for 2017 Scholarship Awards

High School Seniors Running Their Own Business are Encouraged to Apply Now

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Young Entrepreneur Foundation announced that its scholarship application for the 2017 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards is now open through December 18, 2016. High school seniors who run their own business and plan to attend a two- or four-year university, college, or vocational institute during the fall of 2017 are eligible to apply.

Apply Now: www.nfib.com/yea

The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation offers scholarships that recognize high school seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and initiative through having established and run their own businesses. The scholarship program’s goal is to raise awareness among the nation’s youth of the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in the American economy.

Thanks to Visa Inc. and other small business supporters, ninety-five scholarship winners will receive a $2,000 award, and five students will be chosen as Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalists and will attend an event in Washington, DC. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient will receive $15,000, the Dan Danner Leadership Award winner will receive $15,000, and the remaining three finalists will each receive $5,000.

What do students need to know?
- Students are able to apply October 1, 2016 thru December 18, 2016.
- The independent selection committee will review all applications and select semi-finalists. Semi-finalists will be notified by mid-January.
- Semi-finalists must be interviewed by an NFIB member, who will be assigned to each semi-finalist.
- The Award recipients are selected by an independent scholarship organization. Scholarships are merit-based, not based on financial need.
More information about the YEF scholarship program and past recipients is available here.
October 12, 2016
Later School Start Community Forum

Dear Families,

Last year, I shared information with you about the important work Newton is doing to examine the impact of high school start times on students. Since Newton began its work, several other districts across the state have begun to investigate whether a change in high school start time is right for their district. The growing interest in high school start time is a reflection of the compelling research demonstrating the unique sleep cycles of adolescents and the potential consequences of sleep deficit.

A working group spent the 2015-16 school year reviewing sleep research, investigating processes in other districts, and gathering survey feedback from Newton students, faculty, and families. Regular updates were provided to the School Committee, posted to the district website, and distributed via email. A final report with survey results and analysis was issued in June 2016. Click here for the full report End of Year Report.

From the research and feedback, the High School Start Time Working Group has created six potential “scenarios” for consideration. These scenarios move the high school start time later. Some impact only the high schools while others impact all schools in the district. These scenarios were presented to the School Committee on Monday, September 19, 2016 and can be viewed here.

The next step is for you, the NPS community, to provide your feedback on the potential changes to the start times. As a district, we want to hear your thoughts on the benefits, costs, and implications of any changes, as well as your feedback on the value of undertaking this effort. We have scheduled a community forum for Wednesday, October 19th at 7 p.m. at Angier (1697 Beacon St.) at which the Working Group will share information and listen to your feedback. We hope you will attend. We will also share information through PTO meetings this fall, as well as through school newsletters. To share you feedback directly with the Working Group, please send an email to: laterstart@newton.k12.ma.us. For more information visit the district website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/page/2553.

I look forward to hearing your feedback this fall as we consider whether a later high school start time is right for the Newton Public Schools.

Sincerely,

David A. Fleishman

Superintendent of Schools

October 11, 2016
NNHS, NSHS National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
These are the 27 Newton North High School and Newton South High School National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! Congratulations!

Newton North High School
- Seth A. Freedman
- Adlai J. Hess
- Isabella L. Jackson-Saitz
- Nalini Khurana
- Jacob Kolodney
- Blake R. Krantz
- Iris Liao
- Emily R. Moss
- Devin M. Perlo
- Amanda R. Powers
- Jordan E. Rensing
- Nicholas A. Scott
- Louis O. Torracinta
Newton South High School
- Emily A. Aunins
- Alexandra S. Cao
- Kayla X. Chang
- Haley Friedman
- Miriam Glasgow
- Laura Hernandez
- Noah M. Kopf
- Jonathan J. Lee
- Sara Leuchtenberger
- Cassandra Luca
- James D. Rao
- Rebecca R. Sarin
- Erik N. Uhlmann
- Evan W. Zeng
October 5, 2016

Charter School Question: Rep Alice Peisch

Come hear Rep. Alice Peisch’s view on November Ballot Question #2, Lifting Charter School Cap — RSVP by 9.30.16

Join Representative Alice Peisch

House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education

for coffee & a discussion about her support for lifting the charter school cap

8:30 – 9:30 am

Friday, October 7, 2016

16 Glen Brook Road

Wellesley, MA 02481

RSVP by September 30th — esuneby@verizon.net

Note: This is NOT a fundraiser

A quality public education is the right of every citizen, and charter schools offer an option to close the achievement gap for students from low-income families. The Massachusetts Authorization of Additional Charter Schools and Charter School Expansion Initiative, also known as Question 2, is on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute.

A “yes” vote supports this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education per year.

A “no” vote opposes this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools.^[1]

October 4, 2016

Confederate Flag Issue at NNHS
Dear North Community,

I write to you to share an update on the work we are doing at North in response to the Confederate flag incident on Tuesday. The incident has elicited strong emotions and reactions from our students and staff and we are working together as an administration and faculty to identify productive and structured outlets for expression and action.

Over the past few days, several faculty members and I have worked with student leadership groups to educate about the impact of this incident, but to also show the strength of the North community. At tonight is football game, led by our football team, we plan to lock arms together to demonstrate that we are one community working together to confront all forms of hatred and harassment. We invite all North community members to join us in this show of unity.

Today during last period, a rally is being organized by several student leadership groups to allow students the opportunity to express their thoughts and share their emotions. While this is a student led event, regularly scheduled classes are taking place. We are working to make sure that the event is safe and structured for all students. Students will be allowed to gather in the cafeteria at that time with staff supervision and no outside guests will be allowed in the building. Additional details about the event are listed at the end of the letter to provide clarity.* I support many of the ideas that are planned to be expressed at the event and will look for additional ways to hold school sponsored events where deeper dialogue and understanding can be supported.

Many teachers have also taken the opportunity to discuss this incident in their classrooms. They have provided historical reference, asked thought-provoking questions, and given students the space they need to process this event. I thank them for their willingness to engage in these discussions and look forward to creating more opportunities for this type of dialogue and learning for all of our students.

It is our intention to offer multiple ways for our community to show the true values we hold in response to this incident and to allow students to share their thoughts and feelings. We also expect that you have had conversations at home with your students as they have shared their experiences from school. Our hope is that together, we can continue our work of creating a North community in which all students feel welcomed, supported, and included.

* Notes for families and students regarding the rally.
- This event is a student planned and led event.
- The administration and student leaders have worked together this morning to ensure that this event is safe and secure.
- Administrators, teachers and plain clothed officers will be in the building to ensure the safety of the event.
- The “N rule” will be enforced for any student skipping class.
- There will be no other sanctions for skipping class, for example student-athletes who participate in this student led activity will be allowed to participate in athletic events this afternoon and weekend.
Sincerely,

Henry J. Turner, Ed.D

Principal

Newton North High School
October 1, 2016
Troubling Racist Incident at NNHS

September 28, 2016
Dear North Families,

I am writing to you regarding a deeply troubling incident that took place at our school yesterday. As you may have heard or seen on social media, yesterday a car drove around the circle on Tiger Drive waving a large Confederate flag from the window. The incident was immediately reported to police and our Deans began to investigate. A small group of North students have now been identified as involved and we are taking appropriate action.

Please know that we take this incident very seriously. Newton North is committed to creating a school community that is welcoming and inclusive for all. There are members of the North community who are deeply upset and hurt by the actions of these individuals. At North we strive to celebrate our diversity and create safe and supportive learning environments for all. Therefore I look forward to working with our students and staff in working to repair and move forward from this incident.

We will be working with our faculty and student leaders to determine the most effective way to address this incident and move forward. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Henry J. Turner, Ed.D

Principal

Newton North High School

Dear Residents,

Waving the Confederate flag on Tuesday at Newton North High School was absolutely unacceptable. We need to acknowledge that the Confederate flag is a hurtful symbol to many in our schools and our community.

While we have initiated work with faculty, administrators, students and with members of the community based on events of the last year to make Newton a more welcoming and inclusive city, it is clear to me that we have a lot more work to do.

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with students as well as visit Newton North. Next week I am going back to the school to meet with students, so that we can work together to promote empathy and understanding.”

Sincerely,

Setti D. Warren

Mayor

City of Newton, MA

My high school daughter tells me that it was three male students; 2 seniors and 1 junior in the car. She thinks two of them were expelled from the school.

She says that tomorrow during the last block, students are invited to show solidarity by coming together in the main hallway.

September 29, 2016
Newton and the Opioid Epidemic

No Regrets: Newton and the Opioid Epidemic, Thursday, October 6, 7pm – 9 pm, Newton North High School (457 Walnut St)

Mayor Setti D. Warren and Rep. Kay Khan invite you to Save the Date for this fall program sponsored by Newton PATH. The program features If Only, a short film by James Wahlberg and interactive panel discussion with special guest Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and others affected by this epidemic. For all teens and adults.

More information about the event and Newton PATH (the host organization) is here: www.newtonma.gov/gov/health/humansvcs/opioid.asp

September 28, 2016
Boston Magazine’s Best High Schools
Best High Schools in Massachusetts from Boston Magazine’s 2016 list.

The Top 10
1. Dover-Sherborn Regional High School
2. Lexington High School
3. Weston High School
4. Wayland High School
5. Newton South High School
6. Wellesley High School
7. The Bromfield School
8. Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
9. Bedford High School
10. Winchester High School
Newton North High School ranked #35.
September 27, 2016