Please read the following letter from Dr. Fleishman regarding the interim principal.
Please review the following letter and “Opt-Out” form regarding the new “A La Carte Snack Menu”.
February 29, 2012
Dear Parents and Guardians of Elementary Students:
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is being administered to all fourth grade students in the Commonwealth on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. Newton’s dismissal time on Tuesday is normally 12:30 p.m. In order to administer the test at the same time as all of the Continue reading
A Message from the Superintendent
January 19, 2012
Dear Newton families:
As you are undoubtedly aware, this week has been very upsetting and trying for the Newton Public Schools, especially the Underwood community. Our attention over the last couple of days has been on providing support to Underwood students, staff and parents.
The news of a Newton teacher’s arrest and arraignment on such serious charges has a real impact on the entire Newton community. Due to the media attention focused on the matter, we know that students are talking about information that may make them feel shocked, anxious and angered. While I expect that many of you have already spoken with your children about the sensitive nature of the allegations, they may need additional support.
As a way to begin addressing various concerns that have arisen, I have highlighted three resources that might be useful in helping parents talk to their children about the sensitive issues related to this incident.
The first link is from the Child Assault Prevention Program (CAPP)
It’s Time to Have a Talk with your Children about Sexual Abuse.
CAPP is the program used in the Newton Public schools that teaches children how to recognize and respond to potentially dangerous situations.
Another resource is from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, www.nctsn.org, which provides information for parents on how to talk about traumatic events.
Finally, I have included the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center in Woburn: www.middlesexcac.org.
We hope these resources will help to provide the background needed to assist your conversations with your children.
We will continue to pay special attention to the social and emotional needs of all of our students and encourage you to share any concerns you may have with our faculty, staff and administrators. I also want to inform you that we will be holding a community meeting to both share how we are responding to this situation and to provide further information for families. Details will be forthcoming.
Thank you very much for your understanding and support during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
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Winter, 2011-2012
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE CONCERNING SCHOOL CLOSING OR DELAYED OPENING, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
Again this year, 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. Continue reading
Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held during the school day at the Newton Public Schools in October and November.
The Bowen Elementary School clinic will be on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. Each student to be vaccinated must have a parent/guardian complete two forms: a consent/screening form and an insurance/administration record. Forms are available in the school nurse’s office, or may be downloaded at www.newtonma.gov/flu Forms are due to the School Nurse by Sept. 30.
Parents may choose the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine for their child. Parents must indicate the type of vaccine they wish their child to receive by circling it on the form. There is no cost to receive the vaccine, but insurance information is requested.
Seasonal flu vaccine is offered at no cost to families because the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is providing vaccine to communities who choose to vaccinate school-age children. The City of Newton Health & Human Services Department is providing the vaccination supplies and staff time to run the program, with the help of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. Some costs will be recouped through insurance billing. All students, regardless of insurance status, are invited to receive vaccine with parent permission.
Students are not required to receive flu vaccine; however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and up. There are many places to get a flu vaccine including at school, your primary health care provider or community clinics. For additional clinic dates for the whole family, visit www.newtonma.gov/flu.
In addition to vaccination, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette by washing hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the arm; and staying home when sick.
For more flu prevention tips, talk to the school nurse or check out these websites: www.newton.ma.gov/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu
Calling Past PTO Presidents! You’ve completed your PTO leadership duties and you want to stay in the loop. Why not join the Newton PTO Council Board? PTO Council is the umbrella organization composed of all Newton Public School PTOs in the city. Its members are the current and past presidents of each PTO. The Council’s ultimate purpose is to support all Newton parents in the quest for the high quality education. If you’d like to learn more, please contact Marcia Tabenken at mtabenken@rcn.com
Come hear about special education services and programs inNewton’s Middle and High Schools for the 2011-2012 school year. Learn about the reorganization of the special education programs atNewtonSouthHigh SchoolandDayMiddle School.
Meet Judy Levin-Charns, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Paula Nargi Black, the new Assistant Director for Student Services for Middle and High Schools; Walter Lyons, Chair Special Education Dept. Newton North HS; Kathleen Farnsworth, the new Chair of Special Education Dept. Newton South HS; and Susan Bornstein (Day), Courtney Rau (Bigelow), Jennifer Truslow (Brown) and Shari Engelbourg (Oak Hill) the Assistants to the Principals at the Middle Schools.
Monday, October 3 at 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Room 210 at 100 Walnut Street. For more information, visit Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education web site at: www.newtonpac.org
From the NPS Transportation Department:
Over the summer a crosswalk was installed on Florence Street in an attempt to create a safer environment to students utilizing the bus stop located at the intersection of Florence and Louise Streets. As a result the Florence and Louise stop will be changed to:
Opp (Opposite) #188 Florence Street Continue reading