A Note from the Principal . . . .
I love Dr. Biden’s quote about teaching because it captures the reality that teaching is not a job, but a calling that finds its way into every moment and every aspect of our lives. Being an educator frames how we view the world, and what we care about. It creeps into those moments before we fall asleep, and into our thoughts in the waking hours of the morning.
As much as I love this quote, I really don’t need lofty words to celebrate and capture the wonderful things about the educators of Day. I experience them every day, less in the grand gestures than in the little moments that make a difference in a child’s life.
Here is just a snapshot of the amazing little ways the Day educators show up for our school community every day:
The random text messages at all hours of the day that I get from Day staff about a wonderful idea they just thought of or heard about that can make our school a better place.
The immediate responses to calls for help and additional support.
The trust our teachers place in me and the passion and care they demonstrate when they show up at my door with direct feedback about how we/I/all of us can do better.
The emails to each other offering support and help from a morning cup of coffee to a random item someone might need to make that day's lesson a bit more special.
The times they wait with students who forgot how they are getting home or who may have missed the late bus... for the 100th time!!
The moments when they spend their prep period comforting a tearful middle schooler.
The snacks they store in their classroom or office for that student who missed breakfast or who cannot find something in the cafe to eat.
The quiet classroom spaces they offer to students who find the lunchroom overwhelming.
The early morning, lunchtime and after school study sessions with students anxious about not understanding a concept or doing well on the next assessment.
The innovation, time and energy that goes into planning and creating new community events that bring our children and families together from career days, and performing arts competitions to potluck dinners and pep rallies.
The many concerts, plays, competitions and games when they show up as a smiling and reassuring face in the audience cheering on our students.
And so much more……
Yes, being a teacher may permeate their whole life but its positive impact on the lives of children is endless as well. Thank you to the talented, kind and caring educators of Day!
SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, May 8, 2023: Evergreen and IV to West Newton Cinema:
Monday, May 9, 2023: Track and Field 3:00 p.m. at NNHS
Tuesday, May 9, 2023: Boys' Baseball - Home at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 11, 2023: Boys' Baseball and Girls' Softball - Home at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 12, 2023: Band and Chorus students to Six Flags ALL DAY
Friday, May 12, 2023: Girls' Lacrosse Home at 3:30 p.m. and Boys' Lacrosse Home at 4:30 p.m.
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.
HONOR THY TEACHERS
As Teacher Appreciation Week and the end of the school year approaches, you may be wondering how best to thank the special teachers and staff who have taught and nurtured your children since September.
Please consider participating in Newton Schools Foundation’s (NSF) Honor Thy Teacher program, which provides a way to simultaneously recognize our faculty and support our schools while complying with the Newton Public Schools Gift Policy.
When you donate to Honor Thy Teacher, NSF will
- Notify honored teachers and staff of your gift
- Share honoree names with the Superintendent’s office and individual school principals
- List all honored teachers and staff on the NPS website
- Deliver to all honored staff a Certificate of Honor and Honoree commemorative magnet
By donating to NSF, you are not only acknowledging teachers on a personal level but also providing rich professional development opportunities for them, and supplementing the existing enrichment opportunities that the district provides.
The funds raised through Honor Thy Teacher fund new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students, which collectively impact schoolchildren across all grade levels. Read about the programs NSF funds.
You can find out more information about Newton Schools Foundation, the Honor Thy Teacher program, and how you can make a donation today by clicking on the link below.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support Newton’s teachers.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY FORUM
The NPS Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion is inviting members of the NPS Community, staff, parents and students, to join them for a virtual presentation facilitated by Lorena German, an educator and author of Texture Teaching” A Framework for Culturally Responsive Practices.
The presentation will be followed by a panel conversation with NPS students and staff on the importance and impact of building a culturally responsive school community.
The flier for this event is linked HERE
IMAGES FROM NO PLACE FOR HATE RALLY
Special thanks to the Day parents, staff and students who joined the Newton North and Bigelow Communities for a stand against hate and discrimination at Thursday afternoon's rally.
Pictures of our the Day Student Leader speakers at the No Place for Hate Rally are linked below.
LOCKS ON BIKE
As the weather gets warmer, more students are riding their bikes to schools. We have plenty of bike racks behind the school at our mural (Albemarle side) entrance.
As a reminder, please have your child secure their bike with a lock. We have experienced some recent thefts as of late and want to make sure that every student is protecting their property.
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 8, 2023: Track and Field - 3:00 p.m. @ NNHS, Boys Lacrosse Home at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023: Boys' Baseball Home at 3:30 p.m. at Home
Thursday, May 11, 2023: Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball- Home at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 12, 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
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.
8th GRADE END OF YEAR TRIP
ALL PAYMENTS FOR THE 8th GRADE TRIP ARE DUE BY MAY 11th.
Also the deadline for registering for the Spirit of Boston Cruise ONLY on Friday, June 16th is also on Wednesday, May 11th.
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.
Day Drama Heads to the METG Middle School Drama Fesitval
Day Drama students take an early morning bus ride to Walsh Middle School in Framingham to perform "Where Words Once Were," their 2023 METG Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival entry
National School Lunch Hero Day
Ms. Barry's advisory presents cards to our cafeteria staff who received gifts and words of gratitude today for their daily support of our Day Community!
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.
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
