A Note from the Principal . . . .
May is the month to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of AAPI, Asian American, Pacific Islander Americans, Haitian Americans and Jewish Americans. Each week this month we will honor the traditions of each of these groups and their contributions to our world.
This week we honor the AAPI culture through a quote by the gifted musician, Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo Ma began as a musician, but used his gifts to impact a greater good, and was not only the founder of the Chinese American Committee of 100 to address concerns impacting Chinese Americans, but he has been granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama and awarded the title of Peace Ambassador by the United Nations due to his works for humanity.
The theme of AAPI Heritage month in 2023 is ” Advancing Leaders Through Opportunities”.
Yo-Yo Ma used the opportunities created through his musical talents to assume leadership roles that have positively influenced the lives of others, giving voice to others who may not be heard or seen.
I am so very proud here at Day that we continue to create opportunities for our students to exercise their voice and agency through groups such as Students in Action, Student Advisory Council, the Diversity Club, the Tenacity Challenge Team, the GSA, the Queer Affinity Group, Teen Speak Out and so many more. My hope is that through these opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds to assume leadership roles, we are nurturing the future Yo-Yo Ma of the world and helping to lift up the voices that might not otherwise be elevated and heard.
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, April 30, 2023: Deadline for Yearbook Orders
Monday, May 1, 2023: Urban Improv Assemblies for Cobalt and Sky Teams
Wednesday, May 3, 2023: Principal Visit to Horace Mann
Thursday, May 4, 2023: No Place for Hate Walk to NNHS at 2:30 p.m. (Info. Below)
Thursday, May 4, 2023: Emerald and Mint to West Newton Cinema
Thursday May 4 and Friday May 5, 2023: Spring Play
Monday, May 8, 2023: Evergreen and IV to West Newton Cinema:
Friday, May 12, 2023: Band and Chorus students to Six Flags ALL DAY
Monday, May 15, 2023: Students in Action Students to Museum of Science
Tuesday, May 16, 2023: Day 1 of Math MCAS
Wednesday, May 17, 2023: Day School Council at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 18, 2023: Day 2 of Math MCAS
Thursday, May 18, 2023: Virtual Q & A Session for Incoming 6th Grade Parent and Caregivers
Friday, May 19, 2023: Team IV to Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Friday, May 19, 2023: Make-Up Math MCAS
Monday, May 22, 2023: 8th Gr. STE MCAS
Tuesday, May 23, 2023: 8th Gr. STE MCAS
Thursday, May 25, 2023: Spring Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 26, 2023: Evergreen to Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Thursday, June 1, 2023: Spring Band Concert at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 2, 2023: Grade 6 Global Goals
Friday, June 2, 2023: Career Day for 7th and 8th grade
Thursday, June 8, 2023: Spring Choral Concert at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 9, 2023: Step Up Day (6th and 7th grade dismissal at 12:30 p.m.)
Thursday, June 15th - Friday, June 16th: 8th Grade Overnight Trip
Friday, June 16, 2023: 7th Grade Trip to Canobie Lake
Monday, June 19, 2023: No School - Juneteenth Holiday
Tuesday, June 20, 2023: 6th Grade Trip to Starland
Wednesday, June 21, 2023: Last Day of School - Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023: Moving On Ceremony for Grade 8 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
NO PLACE FOR HATE WALK AND RALLY
Parents and caregivers, please join staff and students of the Day Community for the 2nd Annual No Place for Hate Walk to Newton North High School where we will join students and faculty of the Bigelow and NNHS communities as they stand in unity and solidarity against all acts of hate and discrimination.
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2024
Time:
2:30 p.m. -Gather in front of F.A. Day, 21 Minot Place
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. - Walk to NNHS
2:45 p.m. - Rally and Student Speakers at NNHS
** Students will be provided an opportunity to sign up to join us during advisory this coming week. They will be asked to confirm that they have arranged for a way to get home from Newton North High School on May 4th after the rally ends at 4 p.m.
You may also sign your child up now through the form linked below. Please make sure that you identify how your child will be getting home.
Parents and caregivers able to join us, should sign up to attend by clicking on the link below as well.
NEWTON SEPAC AWARDS
The annual Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Awards are now open until May 22, 2023.
Parents, guardians, and students are invited to nominate exceptional Newton Public School teachers and staff for the role they played in a student's special education journey this past academic year. See the message below:
SPORTS GAMES THIS WEEK
Monday, May 1, 2023: Girls' and Boys' Lacrosse Games Postponed until May 5, 2023
Tuesday, May 2, 2023: Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball Home at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 4, 2023: Track Away at Oak Hill, Boys' Baseball and Girls' Softball - Home at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 5, 2023: Girls' Lacrosse Home at 3:30 p.m., Boys' Lacrosse Home at 4:30 p.m.
GO Dragons!
Andy Comings comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us
Mark Murphy murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
Spring Play Performance THIS WEEK!!
This spring, Day Dram will be performing two pieces:
THE WORKSHOP - a staged reading
A dozen new short works written, directed and performed by Day students, all loosely inspired by our Drama Festival play.
and
Our 2023 METG Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival entry
WHERE WORDS ONCE WERE
by Finegan Kruckemeyer
(writeup from Mary Quattlebaum, The Washington Post)
"Imagine living in a place where words are limited. People can say or write only certain words. Pens can be used only at school and must be returned to the teacher at the end of the day.
A...play called "Where Words Once Were" depicts such a place. The City wants to protect its citizens from words that might provoke anger or lead to questions and fighting. Citizens are allowed to use only 1,000 carefully selected words, and those using others are punished and silenced. These "silenced ones" can never speak again, nor can other people speak to them.
Dates of Performances: Thursday, May 4th and Friday, May 5th
Time: 7 p.m. each night
Location: Day Middle School Auditorium
Tickets are available at teachtix.com/daydrama
METG Massachusetts School Drama Festival
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Where: Walsh Middle School, Brook Street, Framingham
Time: 2:00 p.m.
If you would like to support our drama students in this competition, tickets are available at the door for $10 which is an all day ticket. Plan to arrive by 1:45 PM for parking as the doors close once the show has begun.
Newton Community Education Teen Programming
NEWTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION CIT PROGRAM: NEW FOR 2023!
Calling all rising 8th & 9th graders!
Learn how to become the best camp counselor ever with Newton Community Education's CIT (Counselor in Training) program. You will get experience working with campers and counselors to develop the skills and confidence to become effective leaders in a supportive environment. Sign up for one or more sessions!
Session 2: July 24-August 4, 2023
Check out our other SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS for middle schoolers!
Questions? Email us: nce-staff@newton.k12.ma.us
Also, Newton Community Education is interested in expanding its program for middle school aged students. Please take a moment to complete the programming interest survey below. It will help their planning efforts reflect the needs of our middle school community.
FOOD ALLERGEN NOTIFICATION LETTER
Please review this Food Allergen Notification Letter for important information on the notification process for allergens in meals served here in the Newton Public Schools. Clear communication is critical to us as we know the seriousness of food allergies for some of our students.
All ingredients for every meal served can be found on the FDMealPlanner website.
If your student has a food allergy, we strongly encourage you to check the top nine allergen list and the full ingredient list as close to the day of the meal as possible. It is important to note that food vendors may change
MINOT PLACE SAFETY
There should be absolutely NO cars driving down Minot Place during arrival and dismissal times. This poses a safety risk for students walking and riding to school.
Below are the arrival and dismissal times. There are NO CARS permitted on Minot Place during these times.
Arrival Time ALL DAYS: 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Dismissal Times:
All days (except for Wednesday): 2:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1:30 -2:00 p.m.
The only exception to this restriction is if your child has a temporary or permanent physical impairment that requires door to door drop off. Please consult with our health office if this is the case.
5th to 6th Transition Dates
Below are the dates of Principal and Student Ambassador visits to the five feeder schools as part of the transition to Day Middle Schools:
Thursday, April 27th at 9:00 a.m.- Cabot
Wednesday, May 3 at 8:20 a.m. - Horace Mann
Tuesday, May 9 at 8:30 a.m. - Franklin
Wednesday, May 17 at 8:20 a.m. - Peirce
Friday, May 19 at 9:00 a.m. - Burr
6th Grade students interested in being considered for the role of student ambassador should reach out to their counselors immediately. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Bryant's emails are below:
There is also a virtual Q&A session for about the middle school transition in May for all parents and caregivers of incoming 6th grade students. See the information below:
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/82062357934
Meeting ID: 820 6235 7934
Passcode: 560086
8th GRADE END OF YEAR TRIP
ALL PAYMENTS FOR THE 8th GRADE TRIP ARE DUE BY MAY 11th. Those families who have applied for financial assistance will receive an email from me this week.
We are still in need of more parent chaperones. If you are able to assist in chaperoning any portion of the trip, please complete the sign-up form below.
Our Sixth Annual Day Multicultural Potluck Dinner
Preparation for this Week's Spring Play
Ms. McGettrick's students rehearse in the front hallway in preparation for this week's spring play and competition. The students are putting on two separate productions: "The Workshop" and "Where Words Once Were." See information above on how to view the show.
F.A. DAY YEARBOOK 2023
It's time to order your student's yearbook!
The FA Day Yearbook includes the students of all three grades and this year it is parent-designed.
The cost is $35 per yearbook and the deadline to order is April 30th.
No orders will be accepted after APRIL 30, 2023.
How to start your yearbook order:
1. Hover over the menu item marked “Order Central”
2. Click "Yearbooks"
3. In the School Password field, enter: FAD2023
Please contact your child's guidance counselor if you need financial assistance in ordering a yearbook.
MCAS UPDATE
Most students who missed our regularly schedule ELA MCAS days have now made up the assessment. Those still needing to make up the test will be notified by their counselor.
Below are the next MCAS testing dates:
Math MCAS (gr. 6-8): May 16th and May 18th
Science, Technology and Engineering MCAS (gr. 8 ONLY): May 22nd and May 23rd.
END OF YEAR- SAVE THE DATE!
As families begin to make summer plans, I have been asked about the last day of school:
The last day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, 2023. It is an early release day with dismissal at 11:20 a.m.
8th Grade Moving On Ceremony is also scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
