F.A. Day Middle School

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Memorial Day, Tues. Day 6, Wed. Day 1 Thurs. Day 2, Fri . Day 3

“I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung.”

- James Garfield 1868 Decoration Day Address at Arlington

The Civil War remains the war that claimed more lives than any other conflict in our nation’s history. Decoration Day, later to be renamed Memorial Day, was created so that we will never forget the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the privileges and freedoms we experience in this country.

My own family has a history of service. My father and two of my uncles served in World War II, and my mother in the Korean War. Memorial Day is a time for me to remember how very fortunate my family is. I am here today enjoying the freedoms afforded to me by the sacrifice of others because my father and uncles returned home from war. For so many other military families, Memorial Day is a somber day that reminds them of their loss of the loved ones who never returned home from war.

It is in their honor that I ask that you join me in a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. Monday, May 27th, to ensure those who have made this ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten.

Many of you have likely already heard from your children that Dr. Deborah Romeo, Assistant Principal at Day for the past 6 years, is stepping down at the end of this school year to assume the position of Principal at Wayland Middle School. We are so very grateful for Dr. Romeo's dedication to the Day Community and her exceptional leadership for the past 6 years. We wish her the very best in the next steps of her professional journey.

Our second Assistant Principal, Brendan Healy, is also stepping down this year. We are so grateful to Mr. Healy for all that he has done this year for the Day Community, fostering connections and supporting our students and all of you through the many challenges this year has presented. We wish Mr. Healy the best of luck in the next steps of his career.

Over the past month I have worked closely with an Assistant Principal Screening Committee consisting of members from our stakeholder groups in the Day Community. After an extensive search and interview process, I am thrilled to announce the hiring of our two Assistant Principals:

Ms. Rasheedah Clayton is joining the Day Leadership Team from Natick Public Schools where she has been the METCO Director for the past 7 years. In her role there Ms. Clayton has overseen an expansion of the METCO Program, created youth programs, led parent workshops and oversaw the curriculum and instruction in the summer programs. Throughout the interview process, Ms. Clayton impressed us with her strong student and family partnerships, her innovative program initiatives and her work with instructional leaders in the district. We are thrilled to have Ms. Clayton join the leadership team at Day, and I know that our students and staff will enjoy working with her.

Ms. Courtney Philbin is returning to her beginnings as a Day Middle School educator. Some of you may remember Ms. Philbin from when she was a math teacher in 6th grade here at Day, and from her many leadership roles overseeing the Math Vertical Curriculum Team and her leadership on teams supporting Responsive Classroom, advisory and professional learning around race and equity. Since leaving Day, Ms. Philbin has worked as the STEAM Coach in Acton/Boxborough, as the K-12 Curriculum Coordinator for the Nashoba Regional School District, and as the Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator for grades 4-6 with Belmont Schools. Through the interview process, Ms. Philbin impressed us with her instructional leadership, her extensive background as a middle school educator and her work around equity and culturally responsive practices. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Philbin back to the Day Community as part of our leadership team.

Ms. Clayton and M.s Philbin will be joining Jennifer Murphy and Mike Thurm who are staying on in their leadership roles at Day and will join me in supporting the transition of Ms. Clayton and Ms. Philbin into their leadership roles at Day.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Clayton and Ms. Philbin to their new roles at Day.

On Tuesday, June 11th, all Day 7th and 8th grade students will participate in our 3rd Annual Career Day.

This past week students were asked to identify four areas of interest, and they will be assigned four Career Day sessions with community speakers who will present about one of their chosen fields.

Special thanks to Dr. Meghan Hudson and Jennifer Gritter for organizing this event this year and to the Newton Schools Foundation for their funding.

We are grateful to the many members of our community who are volunteering their time to share their professional journey and experiences with our 7th and 8th grade students.

Bus registration for the 2024-25 school year will begin in early June. All students who wish to ride the bus MUST register for a bus pass (even if you are not required to pay a fee.)

A reminder about changes implemented last year:

1. The bus fee is $400 with a family cap of two passes ($800.)

2. All elementary students who reside LESS than 2 miles from their elementary school and wish to ride the bus must pay a bus fee.
   
   

Students in Grades K-6 who reside MORE than 2 miles from their school and wish to ride the bus DO NOT pay a bus fee. All students in grades 7-12 pay the bus fee if they wish to ride the bus. Please visit our NPS Bus Fee webpage for details.

Please use this link to determine your distance from your school.

When bus registration opens in early June, you will be notified via email. You will register and pay via MySchoolBucks. Installment payment plans will be available. More information on bus registration can be found on our NPS Bus Registration webpage.

The application for the 2024-2025 district-wide financial assistance waiver is now available in Aspen. We encourage you to apply now so that your waiver is in place for your bus registration. Visit the fee waiver information and instructions webpage to apply via the Aspen portal. The instructions for completing the form in Aspen are here: Fee Waiver Application Instructions.

F.A. Day Orchestra – June 6th (Day Gymnasium)

F.A. Day Band, Jazz Band, & Percussion Ensemble – June 11th (Day Gymnasium)

F.A. Day Chorus – June 17th (Day Gymnasium)

June 7th is an Early Release Day for 6th and 7th Graders with Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.

8th Grade:

Lunch at 10:40 - 11:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m. - Walk to Newton North with 8th grade Teachers

12:00 - 2:25 p.m. - Step Up Day at Newton North

2:25 p.m. - Dismissal from Newton North

6th and 7th Grade:

Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.

Grab and Go Lunches will be available

5th Grade

Students entering Day in Fall of 2024 as 6th graders will visit Day for a Step Up Day from 12:50 - 2:20 p.m. They will return to their elementary schools for a typical dismissal.

Healthy Kids Running Series is a non-profit created to motivate kids to lead healthy and active lifestyles through a positive introduction to the world of running

There are several races in Newton over the next couple of months. Can you please include this link in your newsletters? The first race is on May 19th.

HEALTHY KIDS RUNNING SERIES

The only remaining MCAS Test is the 8th grade pilot Civics MCAS on Tuesday, June 4th.

May 31 Franklin Elementary Visit (new date)

June 3 Peirce Elementary Visit (new date)

If your 6th grade student is interested in being an ambassador to their elementary school, please have them reach out to their guidance counselor.

Below is a list of the end of year events we have scheduled to celebrate our 8th grade students:

• This is not a school-sponsored event. It is being organized by the Day PTO. Questions about the event should be directed to the PTO at: fadaydragons@gmail.com
• Only those registered may attend.

Thursday, June 20, 2024: Spirt of Boston DJ Lunch Cruise (during the school day)

(estimated cost: $125) - Permission Slips will be send home in May 2024.

Yearbooks are no longer on sale online. Some copies will be available for purchase after June 20th.

Yearbooks purchased with be distributed on Thursday, June 20th before the 8th Gr. Cruise.

Friday, June 21, 2024: 8th Grade Moving on Ceremony 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Note: There is no cost for the Moving On Ceremony, but donations to the 8th grade end of year fund are welcome.

Email: fadaydragons@gmail.com

*** Details about the Moving On Ceremony will be mailed out this week.

Financial Assistance:

The costs for the 8th grade end of year events are listed above. If your family is in need of financial assistance for any or all of the 8th grade events or yearbook, please complete the financial aid request form linked below.

Natalie Saintil: saintiln@newton.k12.ma.us

Max Xu: xum@newton.k12.ma.us

This past week was one of strengthening our community connections and deepening student learning. .

The Newton Juneteenth Celebration returns to the Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St, Newton, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm!

The Juneteenth Celebration Steering Committee, who plan and oversee Newton’s Juneteenth Celebration on behalf of FORJ, invites you to join us for this annual, fun, family event! This Celebration marks the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Americans and invites all residents and visitors to celebrate African-American heritage and culture through food, music, dance, and story-telling. Our partners include the Newton Coalition of Black Residents and FORJ NNHS.

This year we feature the historic Myrtle Baptist Church to honor their 150 Year Anniversary. That’s a huge milestone and one that deserves recognition, especially as it coincides with Newton’s 150 Year Anniversary. The Myrtle Baptist Church Choir will take center stage for a headline performance.

The event is free and easily accessible by public transit. Register with Eventbrite to help us plan so you won’t miss the…

• Delicious Food Truck flavors of Zaz and Gourmet Kreyol!
• Children’s Reading with Story Starters!
• Free Face Painting!
• Children’s Reading with Myrtle’s Youth Pastor!
• African Drumming and Dance!
• DJ Firestarta Dance Party!
• Shopping over 20 Local Black-Owned Businesses!

NCE Middle School Speech Team

Invites you to the

SPEECH TEAM OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, May 28th

3:00 – 4:30 PM

C. Brown Middle School Cafeteria

125 Meadowbrook Road, Newton, 02459

Come see what a public speaking team is all about!

The team will be showcasing the presentation skills they have learned this year in the Newton Community Education Speech Team Course.

You will see entertaining warmups, brief presentations in all 11 speaking events: Children’s Literature, Prose, Free Verse/Poetry, Declamation, Demonstration, Dramatic Performance, Duo, Impromptu, Original Literature, Original Oratory, & Storytelling, PLUS 7 fun special events!

Speech team is an exciting opportunity to learn the vital life skill of public speaking while having fun and representing their team at tournaments. For more information contact Head Coach K. Vanaman at kimvanamandance@gmail.com

The NCE Middle School Speech Team is made available through an NCE full school year course. Please also go to the NCE website newtoncommunityed.org for information about this team course AND special public speaking crash courses offered this summer to try it out!

Pictured below are the incredibly diverse offering of winter after school enrichment programs being offered at Day Middle School through the winter months. For more information, feel free to call Newton Community Education at 617-559-9999

Community Education is offering fun and exciting programming for students during the upcoming April Vacation.

Scholarships are available for ALL PROGRAMS.

Linked below is an updated version of the after school clubs at Day.

We hope you will consider joining the Day PTO. This is a wonderful way to get involved in supporting your child at the middle level. There are volunteer opportunities from being a Team Parent to sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Events to chaperoning the Fall Fest Dances.

Please reach out to the Day PTO a the contact information below.

FADayDragons@gmail.com

https://www.daypto.org

Linked below is an important list of common questions that families often ask about our school. Included is information about the first day of school as well as information about who to call with specific questions. This is a great reference guide that will support your family throughout the school year.

Email: mannj@newton.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/day
Location: F. A. Day Middle School, Minot Place, Newtonville, MA, USA
Phone: 617-559-9100
Twitter: @JMannNPS

School Office Hours are:

7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

617-559-9100