A Note from the Principal . . . .
When Michelle Obama was a young girl, it was an anomaly to see women in leadership roles in this country. In her lifetime, and mine, women leaders pushed to create structures and opportunities for girls to find affinity groups and mentorship. Barriers that prevented their ascension into leadership roles were systematically dismantled one at a time. While we celebrate that progress, we understand its fragility and vulnerability and of course that there is much more to be done.
This past week as I spoke with one of our young women at Day about her aspirations to play hockey in college, I recalled that as much as I loved the game, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, I was relegated to the role of the team manager for my brother’s team. This progress is to be celebrated, most certainly. And yet while governments at all levels grapple with issues around pay equity and opportunity for female professional athletes, executives and leaders, in schools, we continue to work on creating voice, self-efficacy and agency.
Education and schools are vehicles for promoting equity not only for women, but for all groups of marginalized people. In schools we are intentional about promoting leadership in groups whose voices are sometimes stifled and strive to remove barriers to achievement. In turn by creating agency and giving voice to young women and other marginalized groups, we help create leaders who work to create more inclusive communities, and give back by paving the way for others.
As we launch our celebration of Women’s History Month and study both the accomplishments and struggle of women in the past, we owe the next generation of young girls the intentional creation of communities that will not only create a seat for them at the table, but support their voice and inner confidence so that they feel and know that they belong once they get there.
SAVE THE DATE:
Week of March 6th: Term 3 Progress Reports Shared
Tuesday, March 7, 2023: 8:00 a.m. - Dr. Turner, NNHS Principal visits with 8th Grade Parents at Day
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Tech Check of Student Chromebooks in Advisory to prepare for MCAS
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation 7:00 p.m. in Day Auditorium
Saturday, March 11, 2023: Boston Bowl Family Event from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 23, 2023: Early Release - Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.
Monday, March 27, 2023: Day 1 of ELA MCAS in Grades 6-8
Tuesday, March 28, 2023: Day 2 of ELA MCAS in Grades 6-8
Thursday, March 30th and Friday, March 31st: Make-Up Days for ELA MCAS
Thursday, March 6, 2023: Last Day of Term 3.
Friday, April 7, 2023: No School - Good Friday
8th GRADE OVERNIGHT TRIP - LAST DAY TO SUBMIT SURVEY IS TODAY!
Thank you to those who attended Monday night's parent information session on the proposed 8th grade end of year overnight trip.
For those who did not attend, I have linked several resources:
The slideshow presentation: Day 8th Grade Overnight Trip Presentation 2-27-23
The recording of the 2-27-23 Parent Information Session: Recording of 8th Gr. Parent Information Session 2-27-23
The recording of the 2-27-23 Question and Answer Session: Recording of Q&A Session about the 8th Grade Overnight Trip 2023
NEXT STEPS:
The next steps in our planning is to determine if enough families are willing to enroll their child in the trip so that we can move forward. This is meant to be an inclusive end of year event, so we will only move forward if a majority of the 8th grade families express an interest.
Please take a brief survey linked HERE. We will use the results to determine if we move forward with the trip. SURVEYS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2023.
I strongly encourage you to view the information linked above before making a determination about your child’s participation.
If we move forward with the trip, we will send out information on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 on how to enroll your child. One important note… the cost of the trip is $504 per child and includes admission to all museums, activities and sites, an overnight stay in a hotel, evening dinner cruise, tour guides, coach bus transportation and trip insurance. Thanks to the generosity of the PTO, scholarships are available for any family in need. Information on how to request financial assistance will be included in enrollment information on Tuesday.
Please encourage all 8th grade parents to complete this by Friday. If we do not get a strong response, we will take that as a lack of interest in the trip, and plan an alternative day activity for our 8th graders.
TERM 3 PROGRESS REPORTS
This week marks the midway point in Term 3. Your child's teachers will be reaching out with information on how they will share the Term 3 Progress Reports. If you do not hear from your child's teacher by the end of this week, please reach out to the guidance counselor.
Term 3 ends on Thursday, April 6th. Term 3 Report Cards will be shared on Friday, April 14, 2023.
DAY DIVERSITY CLUB'S ANNUAL PIZZA BOWL EVENT!!
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Boston Bowl, 820 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA
Who's invites: All Day Families
Cost: FREE!! (Thanks to the generosity of the Day PTO)
RSVP by March 4th by using the QR code on the flier linked HERE
Questions??? Email saintiln@newton.k12.ma.us
Co-Sponsored by the Day Diversity Club, Day PTO and Day FORJ
Description: Join Day Faculty and Families for a morning of bowling, pizza and fun!!
SPRING ATHLETIC REGISTRATION
Spring Team Sports
Family ID registration opens: Mar 13, 2023
Season runs April 3- June 2
Please read the F.A. Day Athletics Welcome Letter linked again below with details about the steps needed to register.
Baseball (tryouts open to 7th – 8th Grade)
Boys Lacrosse (tryouts open to 7th – 8th Grade)
Girls Lacrosse (tryouts open to 7th – 8th Grade)
Softball (tryouts open to 7th – 8th Grade)
Co-Ed Track and Field (no tryouts open to 6th – 8th Grade *roster cap may apply)
Intramural Sports/skills clinics (TBD) open to all grades 6-8
Spring: volleyball, ultimate frisbee
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Athletic Directors by email. We look forward to sharing in a successful year of F.A. Day Athletics.
GO Dragons!
Andy Comings comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us
Mark Murphy murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
Unified Basketball Season
Come join the Day Community in supporting our Unified Basketball Team as they launch their spring season this month.
Home games are listed here below:
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Boston College Invitations Tournament 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 16, 2023: Home Game vs Brown at
Tuesday, March 21, 2023: Away vs. Natick at Wilson Middle School @ 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30, 2023: Jamboree Hosted by Day Middle School
REQUESTS FOR SCHOOL TRANSFERS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
School Transfer Requests 2023-2024
(formerly “Out-of-Assigned District” Requests)
- Each year, the Newton Public Schools consider applications for Newton students to transfer
to a school outside of their home (assigned) district.
- School Transfer placements are limited and made on a space available basis. Newton residents, as well as members of NTA Units A, B, C, D, E, NESA, and the Custodial Union, may apply for placement of their children in a Newton Public School. Please note: Students placed in specialized education programs outside of NPS classrooms do not need to apply for a School Transfer Request. Impact on enrollment, as well as staffing and space availability, for both the requested year and for future years, are key considerations in the application process. Class, team and
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year can be submitted online between March 1 and
May 1, 2023. The online form will be available on our website at www.newton.k12.ma.us in
the “Registration” section.
DAY FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE - MARCH NEWSLETTER
If you are interested in getting involved with Day FORJ to help build an anti-racist community or if you’d like publicize any future events, recommend videos, movies, podcasts, or books, please email forj.faday@gmail.com.
FORJ Mission: To build an antiracist city through education, action, and systemic reform with Newton families, schools, community members, and civic leaders. Empowering residents to stand up for racial justice and build a network of support for racial equity.
Check out forj.org or www.facebook.com/FORJNewton to learn more about FORJ Newton. To receive the monthly, district-wide, FORJ email that includes information about lectures on race and diversity, discussion groups, community events, and Newton Public Schools updates, please email forjnewton@gmail.com.
Bake Sale to Support Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey and Syria
Tuesday's afternoon bake sale organized by 7th grader Elif Uygun and her classmates to raise money in support of the victim's of the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria.
The Annual 6th Grade Amazon Rainforest Debate
Mr. Comings is the judge of his 6th graders Amazon Rainforest Debate Students assume the role of stakeholders and used their "claims, evidence and reasoning" skills in making their case for how the resources of the rainforest should be utilized.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS AT DAY
In the past two weeks we have experienced the joy from our winter choral and band concert as well as our art show. Please join us in supporting the arts by donating to the PTO funds linked below.
Upcoming Events in the Arts:
Raise Your Voice - Musical Revue: Thursday, February 9th and Friday, February 10th
Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, March 1st
SAVE THE DATE - DAY DIVERSITY CLUB FAMILY CONNECTION ACTIVITIES
Also, The Day Diversity Club has been planning the following community events. More information to come, but for now, please SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, March 11, 2023: Annual Boston Bowl Family Event
Thursday, April 27, 2023: Annual Multi-Cultural Diversity Pot Luck Dinner for Day Families
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS UPDATE
Parent Club Advisors- We Need. Your Help!!!
We are looking for Day parents who might be interested in running one of our after school clubs so that we can expand our offerings for students. Information below:
Time Commitment: One Day a Week (of your choosing - except Wednesdays) from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Pay: The pay rate for club advisors is $26 /hour and the afternoon is 1.5 hours.
($39 /day)
If you are available one afternoon a week from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m., and are interested in offering a club on any topic of your interest or expertise, or one of interest to students, please email Andy Comings at:
comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us or Mark Murphy at: murphym@newton.k12.ma.us.
