F.A. Day Middle School

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Mon. Day 2, Tues. Day 3, Wed. Day 4, Thurs. Day 5, Fr. Day 6

"Won't it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history."

— Maya Angelou, writer and civil rights activist

As we enter the last week of Black History Month, it is important to acknowledge that the work of teaching the history of those who have been targets of bigotry or hatred because of their identity will continue to be woven into the study of our shared history and culture and find place in our curriculum across all disciplines. The work of creating inclusive schools, where all students are celebrated for their individual identities , is the foundational work of our school community.

This spring we are proud to re-engage with community partners in this work in the following ways:

• Participation of student representatives from Day in the IDEAS (Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students) Middle School Conference in March with the purpose of bringing together an ethnically and racially diverse group of seventh and eighth graders to help students develop connections and alliances with each other as they focus on understanding and appreciating diversity and ways to promote respectful school communities.
• Relaunching of the World of Different Peer Leader Training Program in 7th grade with our partners at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
• Partnering across all secondary schools in Newton with Facing History and Ourselves this spring and summer around teacher professional learning which in the words of Facing History, will help us examine "how the bigotry and hate that we witness today are the legacy of brutal injustices of the past", and "helping teachers and students face our collective histories and understand how they inform attitudes and behaviors in today's world."
• Citywide Teen Speak Out Event in Fall 2025 in partnership with all four Newton middle schools, creating opportunities to openly discuss how our students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives experience our schools.

I am proud to be part of a school community and district who through partnerships and grants prioritizes this work that takes on the challenge, and yes at times the complex and imperfect shared learning that fosters true inclusion and refuses to relegate this work to the confines of one month or to the sentiments of one quote.

And so, as we approach the conclusion of Black History Month 2024... the work continues...

• Fascinating tales from storyteller Len Cabral at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, on Sunday, March 2 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The program for children ages 3 to 10 is in partnership with The Story Starters.

• Intercession, a photography exhibit featuring work of local African-Americans at Trio Art Corridor, 245 Walnut Street, hosted by the New Art Center through Sunday, March 3. Click here for more information and to register to attend a presentation.

• A panel discussion of the film American Fiction with Callie Crossley, Nerissa Williams Scott, and Dr. Keith Maddox, moderated by Sarah Vincent on Sunday, Feb. 18, from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St. Click here to reserve a seat at the free event.

• A community story time with children’s authors Kaija Langley and Janet Costa Bates at Hummingbird Books at The Street, 55 Boylston St., on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. The authors will read aloud from their books, followed by a conversation moderated by Story Starters Director Ellie Axe.

• A book exchange at the two Little Free Libraries at The Street (outside of Legal Seafoods and Star Market) with books by Black authors curated by Hummingbird Books. Pick up a new book or contribute a new one for the community to enjoy. Click here for more information and a sample of some of the books available.

• Displays throughout the Newton Free Library, honoring the contributions and achievements of Black Americans.

• Reading lists online highlighting Black voices for young readers (Kids, Tweens, Teens) available at online at newtonfreelibrary.net thanks to Newton's Youth Services staff.

Mon. February 26, 2024- Chorus Concert at 7:00 p.m. - Day Auditorium

Tues. Feb. 27, 2024- NNHS CTE and Fine Arts 8th Gr.Presentation 10:30 - 11:30

Tues. Feb. 27, 2024 - School Council at 3 p.m.
Tues. Feb. 27, 2024 - 8th Gr. Night at NNHS

Tues. Feb. 27, 2024 - 5th Grade Step Up Performance : Day Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Jazz Band

Tues., February 27, 2024: - Superintendent and School Committee Coffee 8:30 a.m. in the Library

Thurs. Feb. 29, 2024: 8th Gr. Parent Night at NNHS

Tues. March 5, 2024- Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the gym
Thurs. March 7, 2024 - 5th Grade Parent Night at Day - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. March 9, 2024 Boston Bowl
Mon. March 11, 2024 - 8th Grade Holocaust Presentation
Tues. March 12, 2024 Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the gym

Friday, March 15, 2024- Principal Coffee and Tour of Multi-Team Classrooms
Mon. March 18, 2024- 6th Grade Urban Improv Program

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 8:30 we will host Superintendent Nolin and some members of the the Newton School Committee in the Day Middle School Library

The PTO will host this coffee. Please come to hear from Dr. Nolin and School Committee members Chris Brezski and Tamika Olszewski and bring questions of your own.

Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin and School Committee Chair Chris Brezski will host an open forum for Newton community members on the following dates:

• Tuesday, February 27 at Zervas Elementary School from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.

The forum is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about upcoming budget discussions, the new contract, new and existing supports for students, and more.

The meeting is in person, but can be watched via livestream at Newton News (a channel of NewTV.) Questions may be asked in person or using this Google Form in advance of the event. We are not able to take questions virtually for these events.

Ask Your Question via Google Form

As a reminder, the STEM FOR ALL ACADEMY begins this Tuesday, February 27th. Those who have been enrolled into the program have already been notified via email as well as the assigned room number. (either Room 101 or Room 102).

The program time is 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. every other Tuesday:

Feb. 27th, March 12th, March 26th, April 9th, April 23rd, May 7th.

Please remember to send in the $5 materials fee with your child either in cash or checks made payable to "F.A. Day Middle School".

Email. Ms. Mann with questions: mannj@newton.k12.ma.us

February 25, 2024

Dear Families:

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available here - 2023 School Report Card - F A Day Middle.

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.

You will notice on our report card that we are making substantial progress toward our targets for most state accountability areas and overall our school performs better than 90% of elementary and middle schools statewide based upon the DESE accountability system. To improve student performance in our school, we are continuing to focus on meeting the individualized needs of our students by dedicating professional learning to data analysis and using that data to inform our instruction. This year we will continue to use our i-Ready universal literacy screening tool to not only monitor our students’ reading progress, but to inform our individual student interventions and shifts in our whole group instruction based upon student needs. Similarly we will utilize standards-based assessment and timely feedback to create student agency and foster growth in math classes across all three grades.

We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.

If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact me at the email address below. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit DESE School/ District Report Cards

Sincerely,

Jackie Mann

Principal

F.A. Day Middle School

mannj@newton.k12.ma.us

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

• Friday, May 31, 2024: 8th Grade Semi- Formal at the Newton Marriott sponsored by the Day PTO

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

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

Below is a link to the newsletter sent out by Newton North Assistant Principal, Amy Winston, with the updated dates for the 8th grade transition events.

NNHS staff will visit our 8th grade students on. Wed. Feb. 27th to review the many elective options at North next year.

The other transition events for 8th grade families are linked in the newsletter below:

Day Middle School welcomes Dr. Henry Turner, Principal of Newton North High School, to discuss the transition to high school with 8th grade parents at Day Middle School.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Time: 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Location: Day Middle School Library

Jennifer Murphy has been in touch with all parents who were scheduled for parent conferences on January 24th.

ALL of these conferences will be rescheduled for the same time on Wednesday, February 28th.

For your conference, please click on the Google Meet link provided to you at your designated conference time. If you are not let into the conference at exactly the time of the conference please know that often conferences run a little bit behind schedule. The teachers will admit you to the conference once they are available.

If you are having difficulty logging in for your conference, please call Jennifer Murphy at : 617-559-9142 or call the front office at Day: 617-559-9100. If you have a question that is not urgent, please email her at the address below:

Jennifer Murphy at murphyj@newton.k12.ma.us

NEW CONCERT DATES

Monday, February 26, 2024 - Day Chorus Concert in the Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024- Day Orchestra Concert in the Day Gym at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024- Day Band Concert in the Day Gym at 7:00 p.m.

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Music instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. You can help enhance the program by donating today.

Your contribution will help Day Middle School Performing Arts Programs such as Chorus, Orchestra and Band. The QR Code below will lead you to the site where you can make a donation to our program

Thanks to the generous sponsosrhip of the Day PTO, the Day Diversity Club is pleased to share information on our annual Boston Bowl Pizza on Saturday, March 9th.

When: Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: Boston Bowl, 820 Morrissey Blvd. Boston

This event is FREE to all Day families.

To RSVP and see more information, click on the links below:

The Diversity Club would like Day families to "save the date" for the annual Day MULTICULTURAL POTLUCK DINNER.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The next Coffee and Tour will the Principal is on Friday, March 15th!! Thank you to those who attended this past Friday. Please note that the tours are open to all Day parents and caregivers regardless of the grade level of their child. Each event will feature a different department or grade. In March we will feature our multi-team classes such as world language, arts rotation, health and PE.

COFFEE AND TOURS WITH THE PRINCIPAL

This school year I will be hosting a morning coffee accompanied by a walkthrough our school so caregivers can see our building in action. Each month we will feature a different subject and grade.

These events will be scheduled every other month on Friday mornings from 8:15 - 9:00 a.m.

Save the dates below:

SAVE THE DATE:

March 15, 2024

May 17, 2024

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

ELA (note the shift in dates by 1 day)

Tues. 4/9/24

Thurs. 4/11/24

Fri. 4/12/24 (make up)

Math ( NEW DATE)

Mon: 5/20/24

Tues.: 5/21/24

Thurs.: 5/23/24 (make up)

STE

Tues: 5/14/24

Thurs: 5/16/24

Friday: 5/17/24 (make-up)

Social Studies (new 8th grade pilot this year)

Date TBD

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

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