Newtown Public Schools

In the words of Jacqueline Woodson, a highly acclaimed American author, “Diversity is about us, and about all of us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” I think this accurately describes our journey in Newtown. Over the past five years, Newtown Public Schools has been clear in its commitment to providing anti-bias training to teachers, diversifying curricular materials, and ensuring articulated curriculum is culturally responsive. We have defined the district’s version of DEI as DEAI - Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion - to be clear about what we're working toward - celebrating what makes us different, making sure everyone has access to a great education, and creating classrooms where everyone feels welcome and included.

Over the past few weeks, I have received several emails voicing a wide range of opinions regarding the impact of President Trump’s recent policy measures on schools. I am proactively analyzing the District’s practices and policies to ensure they remain consistent with evolving legal requirements, particularly those influenced by federal changes. Based on my current understanding, Newtown Public Schools' practices and policies are in alignment with all applicable executive orders. Therefore, we will continue to pursue the district's goals and mission without interruption. Some of the new orders have raised questions about the relationship between federal directives and state law which will require more guidance from the state moving forward. I will keep you informed should any substantive changes develop that will impact our schools.

I also want to take a moment to remind everyone that I serve as your superintendent—without exception. Regardless of differing political stances, backgrounds, or beliefs, my commitment is to every student, family, and staff member in our community. My role is to ensure that our schools offer safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments that afford all students the best opportunity to learn and I take this responsibility very seriously. In these times of diverse opinions and spirited discussion, it’s important to reaffirm that our shared goal is the education and well-being of our children. I am here to listen, learn, support and provide guidance and I encourage you to reach out to me directly if you have any questions of concerns.

On a different note, I want to thank all those who voiced support for our school budget by either attending the Board of Finance meeting last week, speaking during public participation or emailing them. If you were unable to attend the meeting you can watch (or listen) by clicking on this link. One question asked by the BoF was what would be removed from the school budget if the recommendation was approximately 1.5% or 2% less than the current request. Keep in mind that one percentage point of our budget is approximately $900,000 so that would mean anywhere from $1.3 to $1.8 million would need to be trimmed from the proposed spending package. While I declined to provide specifics during the meeting, it is safe to say that such a recommendation would most certainly result in significant staffing and programmatic reductions.

The budget will be deliberated on by the Board of Finance at its upcoming meetings and I urge you to continue to remain engaged during this important step in the process. Each meeting has a time for public participation so as the process unfolds, you will have additional opportunities to speak, if you so choose. For more details about the upcoming meeting schedule, see the Budget Happenings section below.

Enjoy the week - the days are getting longer and spring is in the air!

Warm regards,

Anne

The full district calendar can be found here.

2025-2026Budget Happenings

On Thursday, February 20th, Superintendent Uberti, Board of Education Chair Alison Plante, and Director of Business Tanja Gouveia sat before the Board of Finance to answer questions regarding the requested 2025-2026 school budget which represents a 5.99% increase over the current budget. Almost every seat was filled in the Council Chambers and many spoke in favor of the budget. In addition, it was indicated that the BoF has received over 100 emails both in support of and opposed to the budget. It was not indicated how many were for each position. The BoF will review both the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen budgets over its next few meetings during which, according to Town Charter, “[the BOF] shall revise the proposed budgets as it deems desirable”. The Board of Finance must submit to the Legislative Council its Recommended Board of Finance Budget for the next fiscal year by March 14th.

UPCOMING BOARD OF FINANCE MEETINGS

Agendas and Minutes

Thursday, February 27, 2025

7:30 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL BUILDING

The Board of Finance will continue its discussion of the twin budgets and may decide to make its recommendations or continue discussions at a later date.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

7:30 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL BUILDING

The Board of Finance will continue its discussion of the twin budgets and may decide to make its recommendations or continue discussions at a later date.

Monday, March 10, 2025

7:30 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL BUILDING

If the Board of Finance has not yet arrived at a recommended budget, it will likely take place at this meeting since it must make its recommendation to the Legislative Council by March 14th.

In February, Newtown Public Schools proudly honors Black History Month by celebrating the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Our schools will engage in meaningful activities, discussions, and learning experiences that highlight the resilience, leadership, and cultural impact of Black communities. Together, we embrace diversity and promote an inclusive future where every voice is valued.

Thank you for your interest in the Newtown Public Schools Preschool Program. The program offers quality educational services to children who have disabilities and to typically developing peers, referred to as Play Partners. Play Partners are role models to their disabled peers and benefit from instruction aligned to Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards.

If you are interested in having your child participate as a Play Partner, please complete the Play Partner Questionnaire 2025 - 2026 (LINK) by February 15, 2025. Play Partners are required to be three years of age on or by September 1, 2025 and be toilet trained before they are admitted to the program. You are still encouraged to complete the questionnaire if your child turns three shortly thereafter. We accept play partners throughout the year, accordingly. Children five years of age by September 1, 2025 are kindergarten eligible and will not be considered for participation as Play Partners. Kindergarten eligible children may not remain enrolled as a student in the Newtown Preschool Program.

Following submission of your questionnaire, the preschool team will contact you to invite your child to participate in a Play and Meet the Teacher activity scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, March 14, 2025 at Newtown Preschool Program located at Sandy Hook School. A preschool staff member will email you prior to the play session to confirm the details of the activity. Only one adult may accompany the child for the play activity.

You will receive notification through email by April 4, 2025 regarding your child’s Play Partner status. Parent confirmation of Play Partner participation will be due on April 25, 2025.

Newtown Public Schools Preschool Program Details are as follows:

Program Days: Mondays through Thursdays

Program Hours: Morning sessions run from 9:00 to 11:45

Afternoon sessions run from 12:45 to 3:30

Location: Newtown Preschool located at Reed Intermediate School

Rate: $2,400.00 for a full year four half day program

If you, a caregiver or an educator have any questions or concerns about your child’s development in any of the aforementioned developmental domains, rather than moving your child’s application forward as a Play Partner, it may be more appropriate to discuss your concerns and provide you with specific information regarding early childhood development or consider an evaluation. Please feel free to call Ms. Laura Pellerito, School Psychologist, at (203) 426-7683, if you have any questions about your child’s development.

Sincerely,

Laura Esposito

Supervisor of Special Education

Tel (203) 426-7626 • Fax: (203) 270-6185

The Newtown High School College & Career Fair will be held on Thursday, March 20 from 6- 7:30pm in the Gym at NHS. We have more than 60 colleges and post graduate programs confirmed, and more signing on every day. FREE for students and families to attend.

Please ensure your child's lunch account is up to date so they can enjoy nutritious meals at school. If your family is facing financial challenges, we’re here to help! Reach out to your child's counselor or principal for assistance and resources. Every student deserves a healthy meal!

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey on school meals from Chartwells.

Choralpalooza!

Making music with friends in a large group is such a joyous and fulfilling experience. On February 20th, 273 students got to do just that when they gathered at Newtown Middle School for a morning of song. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to come together as a community of singers, to perform for one another, and together. Students in the Grade 6 Chorus, Grade 8 Chorus, and NHS Chamber Choir and Singers met each other, the teachers, and learned about the choral program at each others’ school. Each chorus shared their music with their peers and then joined together to sing a combined piece. Afterward they were able to eat lunch together and get better acquainted.

Student feedback afterward was very positive: “It was a great experience.”, "Mr. Pope has really cool vibes", and “The high school chorus is so amazing - specifically the train song.” Many students also shared that they loved talking with and making friends with students from other schools. The message of sticking with chorus and being part of a community was a success!

Listen in to the combined choirs:

Families, friends, and the Newtown community can enjoy the performances of all our schools’ singers (and all musicians) in the upcoming spring concerts. Here is a link to the district calendar: https://www.newtown.k12.ct.us/calendar as well as the district’s Visual and Performing Arts Calendar of Events: https://hiscavichm.wixsite.com/nhs-fine-arts/calendar-of-events

Congratulations to our teams for their amazing showing in the SWC Championships! We are so proud of you.

SWC Champions- Girls Track and Field

SWC Champions- Wrestling

SWC 2nd Runner up- Gymnastics

Their winning ways continue! Congratulations to NHS Wrestling on being first runner up at the Class L tournament. Way to go boys!

A huge shout out to State Champions: Kenna Gioffre, Antonio Arguello and Marc Maurath. NHS also had nine wrestlers qualify for State Opens next weekend. Stay tuned! These boys are something special.

Congratulations to our amazing dance team on being crowned 2025 State Champions in the Jazz division. They were also 3rd place in the Pom division. Both of these amazing routines have qualified them for Regionals in March. Stay Golden ladies!

Congratulations to our Boys Track and Field team who finished 8th in the State Open!

Congratulations to Soheib Dissa on his repeat as the 1000M Champion, finishing with a time of 2:36.52. Our SMR relay team came in second and Congratulations to Aashni Shetty who placed 4th in the long jump. The Nighthawks will be well represented at New Englands.

The Nighthawks hosted a Unified Basketball tournament on Wednesday February 19th at NYA. What a fun day everyone had!

Tuesday 2/25/2025

Boys Swim

Newtown vs JB/Bethel

6:00

Saturday 3/1/2025

CIAC Cheer Championship

9:00 AM Start

Trumbull High School

Nighthawks- 10:30 AM

Saturday 3/1/2025

CIAC Girls Basketball Tournament

6:00 PM

Students Learning How to Compost at Hawley

Hawley's Winter Concert

Did you know that joining your PTA offers several benefits for both you and our school community? Our PTAs do many wonderful things throughout the school year that support and enhance the educational experience for our students. In addition to raising funds for educational programs and classroom resources, members have the opportunity to have their voices and ideas heard, meet new people and build connections within the school and greater community, as well as gain leadership skills that can be both personally and professionally valuable. In addition, being involved in your PTA gives you a closer look at what is happening in your child’s school by participating in or organizing events that foster a positive school culture.

You can find a link to each school's PTA by clicking on this link.

Thank you for your support!

Being the parent of a student with special needs can be confusing, isolating and frightening. Newtown Special Ed PTA, or SEPTA, is a great way to connect with a supportive community. We look forward to you joining us!

For more information, please visit the Special Ed PTA's website by clicking on this link.

Newtown SEPTA Meeting - March 5, 2025

Several of our schools are in need of student support services staff. If you enjoy working with kids, we encourage you to visit our employment opportunities page.

All-Star is actively seeking drivers. Flexible schedules and a paid training program.

Consider calling today!