F.A. Day Middle School

Days of the Cycle This Week

Monday - Day 4, Tuesday - Day 5, Wednesday - Day 6, Thursday - Day 1, Friday - Day 2

(To translate this newsletter, click on the word "translate" at the top of the screen and select your preferred language.)

I want to wish a very Happy New Year to those families in the Day Community who are celebrating the Rosh Hashanah Holiday this weekend.

“When Latinx kids don’t see themselves represented on stage or film or television or newspapers or history textbooks, what they’re told is, ‘You don’t matter. But when they see themselves represented, then they are told ... ‘You are important. You are authors. You are scientists. You are explorers. You are special. You are leaders. You are respected. You are the reason we are here.’" —John Leguizamo

As we being our celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month on September 15th, it reminds me of the connection to our faculty's focus this year on getting to know our students not just as learners, but as human beings. The idea of tapping into students’ funds of knowledge is rooted in all of our need to not only feel seen and accepted but to belong in a community that allows us to bring our true selves - our family traditions, our skills, our interests, our personal and family stories, our routines, and our beliefs with us as we walk through the doors of our school community every day.

As part of our work around culturally responsive instruction and practices, we will strive to be intentional about creating learning spaces that include literature, visuals, learning models and life experiences where students’ can see themselves, mirroring back their life experiences, beliefs, and traditions. It is an essential component to how we engage students in learning, not just one month of the year when their culture is lifted up and celebrated, but every day they walk through the doors of our classrooms.

In honor of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, Eileen Keane, our NPS Coordinator of Library Services, has shared an amazing resource to honor the traditions and culture of our Hispanic and Latinx students. See the information below:

Join the 2023 Latinx Kidlit Book festival LIVE from your school, classroom, library or home for FESTIVAL FRIDAYS starting September 22nd through October 13th!

Festival Fridays will be September 22, September 29, October 6, and October 13.

Teachers, families and students can join and watch any session. There is something for everyone K-12. And it's all free!

All sessions are recorded and can be viewed later.

LatinX Kidlit Book Festival -"How to Build a Better World"

School Office Hours are:

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

Monday, September 18, 2023: Parent Cell Phone Info Session: "Away for the Day at Day" at 6:30 p.m .

Thursday, September 21, 2023: Student Picture Day

Monday, September 25, 2023: Yom Kippur Holiday - No School

Thursday, September 28, 2023: Early Release Day

Thursday, October 5, 2023: Community Mental Health Resource Fair at 6:00 p.m. (prior to Back to School Night)

Thursday, October 5, 2023: Back to School Night at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 9, 2023: Indigenous Peoples Day - No School

Monday, October 16, 2023: Term 1 Progress Report Week

Tuesday, October 17, 2023: Day School Council 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Day Middle School cell phone policy is that cell phones are "off and away" once the school day begins. This year we have received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary Education to support our ability to ensure that students phones are "away" for the duration of the school day.

I will be sharing more information about the "Away for the Day" program at a Caregiver Information Session on our new Cell Phone Program. See the meeting invitation and information below:

Date: Monday, September 18, 2023 (NEW DATE!!)

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual (See the link below)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86427515550

Meeting ID: 864 2751 5550

Passcode: 981395

Newton's All-City Orchestra (ACO) is back!

Auditions will take place throughout the month of October.

The ACO is an afterschool group that rehearses once a week and works on challenging and fun repertoire.

Any students in grades 4-8 looking for a higher-level orchestra experience should consider auditioning!

See attached flyer to sign up for an audition slot, and for more information, please read the ACO's season announcement.

We have several clubs starting up this coming week at Day. See the information linked below:

Afternoon Basketball Club

This club is run by one of our boys basketball coaches - Coach Armstrong. All grades and genders are welcome! The idea of the club is to practice skills, play games, and improve overall play for those who come.

Advisors: Mr. Armstrong

When: Monday 2:30-4:00 PM

Where: Main Gym

Cubing Club (Rubiks Cubes)

Do you own a Rubiks Cube but never learned how to solve it? Or are you a Rubiks Cube expert who can solve it with your eyes closed and behind your back? Either way, come join this club!

Advisors: Mr. Conron

When: Tuesdays 2:30-4:00 PM

Where: Room 312

Homework Club

This club is for students who want a quiet place to do their homework, read, work on projects, or use the computer.

Advisor: Ms. Zapulla, Ms. Lightfoot, Ms. Dukelow

When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 2:30-4:00 PM

Where: Library

Improv Club (First Info session is on 9/21

Calling all improvisers! This is a club for students who want to learn how to do improv comedy. We'll learn different improv skills throughout the year and have a showcase at the end. To join this club, you need a good sense of humor, a comfort level performing in front of others, and a willingness to learn the techniques of good improvisation. In order to build a strong club community, any new students need to join by the end of October and commit to coming at least twice a month.

Advisor: Mr. Barr

When: Thursdays 2:30-4:00 PM

Where: Room 314

Math Team

Students will practice, study, and compete against other middle schools throughout the year. Come join the team!

Advisor: Mr. Conron

When: Thursdays 2:30-4:00 PM

Where: Room 312

Morning Basketball

Dates: Tuesday and Thursday Mornings

Times: 7:15 - 7:45 a.m.

Where: In the Gym

How to Sign Up:

Students log into Schoology and join the group:

Schoology Code: GPX8-X4CH-SJGJ3

Before coming to the gym you need to stop by the cafeteria to get a pass from Dr. Romeo. EVERYONE MUST have a pass from the cafeteria to attend.

Picture Day is coming on THIS Thursday, September 21, 2023!!

Every student must have their picture taken for our student information and to be included in the yearbooks. Not everyone has to purchase a picture packet. Information on how to purchase pictures is linked below.

If your child is absent next Thursday or would like a retake, Coffee Pond will be back in November.

See the information from Coffee Pond on how to order your child's pictures

Back to School Night is an opportunity for Day parents and caregivers to meet with the teachers and staff working with their children this year and learn more about the expectations, curriculum and how we will partner together this year in support of your child's learning and growth. More details to follow, but for now, please save the date (details below)

Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023

Time:

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Community Mental Health Resource Fair

6:30 - 8:35 p.m. - Classroom Visits

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW NEXT WEEK!

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 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Save the dates below:

SAVE THE DATE:

September 15, 2023 with Guest Visitor Dr. Anna Nolin

November 17, 2023

January 12, 2024

March 15, 2024

May 17, 2024

This year we are asking the parents add two important Chromebook accessories to students' school supply list:

1. Plug-in Chromebook Headphones

As part of the "Away for the Day" cell phone initiative, bluetooth/wireless ear buds and headphones WILL NOT BE ALLOWED in school. As a result we ask that every family purchase plug in headphones for school use of Chromebooks. (an example is linked below) If families are not able to purchase this item, one will be provided by the school.

2. Chromebook Protective Case or Sleeve

Last year there were damages to hundreds of student Chromebooks at Day resulting in families receiving a repair bill. Investment in an inexpensive protection for your child's Chromebook will hopefully avoid unnecessary damages.

Chromebook case (dimensions: Dimensions 11.22 x 7.59 x 0.66 in. (W X D X H)

(an example is linked below)

In our classrooms this week our faculty engaged students in collaborative problem solving, previewed the curriculum and used interactive modeling to practice the habits and routines that support learning in middle school.

Linked below is a roster of clubs and classes being offered by Newton Community Education after school at Day Middle School this fall, from STEM and Robotics to Drawing and Newspaper publishing.

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

The Fall 2023 Musical will be Mean Girls.

Auditions continue this week for Mean Girls Jr. only for students who have already signed up.

Casting will be announced by the end of September

Tech Training will begin by the end of September for those interested.

Students should visit the Day Drama Schoology group or email Mrs. McGettrick mcgettrickj@newton.k12.ma.us to be added to the Day Drama Schoology group.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE FALL MUSICAL, CLICK ON THE DAY DRAMA WEBSITE BELOW.

BOYS' SOCCER ( 7th and 8th Grade ONLY)

Coach: Mark Murphy

Contact Information: murphym@newton.k12.ma.us

Meeting Times: Information will be shared directly by the coach.

GIRLS' SOCCER (7th and 8th Grade ONLY)

Coach: Adam Lunin

Contact Information: lunina@newton.k12.ma.us

Meeting Times: Information will be shared directly by the coach.

FLAG FOOTBALL (ALL STUDENTS Gr.6-8)

Coach: Leah Bowers

Contact Information: bowersl@newton.k12.ma.us

Meeting Times: Practices every day this week until 4 p.m. EXCEPT Wednesday

CROSS COUNTRY (ALL STUDENTS Gr. 6-8)

Coach: Ian Moloney

Contact Information: moloneyi@newton.k12.ma.us

Meeting Times: Practices every day this week until 4 p.m. EXCEPT Wednesday

SEE THE CROSS COUNTRY INFORMATION BELOW

FAMILY I.D AND REGISTERING FOR SPORTS

Basic Info:

Families must sign their athlete up on FamilyID before the first day of practice/tryouts . When asked about payment click pay by check. Myschoolbucks (the way to pay online) will open once team rosters are finalized. An email will go home when payment is open and families may choose at that time to pay online or by check (financial assistant is available).

The school must also have an up to date physical on record by Monday, September 11, 2023.

The Family ID Portal is now closed for registration.

After school programs typically end at 4:00 p.m. A late bus is available to students at 4:10 p.m. (Sports games end after 4:00 p.m an individual transportation must be arranged. Practices all end by 4:00 p.m.)

Fall Intramural Offerings:

Ultimate Frisbee: Begins on September 19th - No Physical Needed, Sign up on Family ID

How do I sign up my child?

The first step to registering your child is to log into Family ID using the information linked below in the Welcome Letter.

F.A. Day Sports and Intramural Welcome Registration Letter

FA Day After School Clubs and Drama Welcome Letter

QUESTIONS??

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Afterschool Enrichment Directors by email.

Andy Comings comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us

Mark Murphy murphym@newton.k12.ma.us

As many of you know, the Newton Public Schools faced significant budget challenges this year. In order to arrive at a balanced budget, fees were raised for many services and activities. Below is a link to all of the fees that will be in place for the 2023-24 school year.

Fees for the 2023-24 School Year

The Newton Public Schools provides financial assistance so that all students can utilize bus transportation and participate in school activities, regardless of financial need. To facilitate this financial support, families need to apply for district-wide financial assistance EACH YEAR.

The application for the 2023-2024 district-wide financial assistance waiver is now available in Aspen. We encourage you to apply now so that your waiver is in place for registrations that may take place in the summer (bus, fall athletic fees, etc.) Visit the fee waiver information and instructions webpage to apply via the Aspen portal.

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