A Note from the Principal . . . .
Yesterday we celebrated Earth Day 2023. What is now acknowledged worldwide, began as a bipartisan initiative in 1970 in the United States, fueled then by outrage around environmental disasters such as oil spills and propelled into a day of advocacy and call to action by the leadership of students on college campuses. Since its inception in 1970, the movement that launched an annual Earth Day also created the Environmental Protection Agency, our governmental guardian of our earth's resources. Now, 53 years since its inception., Earth Day brings together the efforts and voices of 200 million people spanning 141 countries. (https://www.earthday.org/history/)
Earth Day stands out as a moment when people of different backgrounds - different faiths, race, political affiliations and economic status, are somehow able to put aside what divides them and come together in an appreciation of our need to preserve the planet and its resources on which we all rely. While we all do not alway concur on the pathway to preserve our planet's resources, it is still so very rare in our current cultural and political climate that we can identify a shared appreciation or “common language” that transcends our differences. It strikes me as a perfect opportunity to lift up for our children this powerful example of joining together across divisions to implement positive change.
On May 4th, we will be asking members of the Day Community to come together in a similar way to stand against acts of hate and discrimination in our 2nd Annual No Place for Hate Walk. The details on how to sign up are linked below. I hope you will join us in setting yet another example for our students of the power in joining our efforts to create positive change.
EARTH DAY FESTIVAL 2023
Click HERE for Eco-Friendly Tips for School Events!
For more information on Green Newton School Connections, email: schoolconnections@greennewton.org
Did you know Newton has its own Energy Coach? Link to Newton Energy Coach site
Have you seen Green Newton’s new, super awesome, animated, 3-min video, ”Taking Action for a Greener Newton”? Everyone should watch it!
We hope to see you at Newton’s Earth Day Festival, April 23rd, 12-4 at Newton City Hall!
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.
SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, April 24, 2023: Track and Field Meet at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023: Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball Home Games at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023: Day School Council at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 27, 2023: Groovesity Assemblies (Creative Arts and Sciences)
Thursday, April 27, 2023: Multicultural Potluck Dinner for Day Families @ 6:00 p.m. (Sign Up Below)
Friday, April 28, 2023: Girls' Lacrosse Home Game at 3:30 p.m.; Boys' Home Game at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 2023: Deadline for Yearbook Orders
Monday, May 1, 2023: Urban Improv Assemblies for Cobalt and Sky Teams
Thursday, May 4, 2023: No Place for Hate Walk to NNHS at 2:30 p.m. (Info. Below)
Thursday May 4 and Friday May 5, 2023: Spring Play
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: Make-Up Math MCAS
Monday, May 22, 2023: 8th Gr. STE MCAS
Tuesday, May 23, 2023: 8th Gr. STE MCAS
SPRING ATHLETIC SEASON BEGINS!
The spring sports season begins this week. Linked below is the schedule of all meets and games this week.
Monday, April 24, 2023- FIRST TRACK MEET OF THE SEASON!!
3:30 p.m. at NNHS
Tuesday, April 25, 2023: Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball Home Games at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 28, 2023: Girls' Lacrosse Home Game at 3:30 p.m.; Boys' Home Game at 4:30 p.m.
GO Dragons!
Andy Comings comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us
Mark Murphy murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
IMPACE OF BUDGET CUTS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL
The NPS School Committee will hold a discussion of the proposed FY ‘24 Budget on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. and then conduct a final vote on the budget on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Information on how to view those School Committee meetings is linked below on the NPS School Committee website.
The budget will be presented to Newton City Council on May 9th and 10th.
The 4th Annual Multicultural Potluck Dinner
The Day Diversity Club in collaboration with Day PTO and FORJ is proud to announce its 4th Annual Multicultural Diversity Pot Luck Dinner for Day Families!
Nothing brings a community together like sharing food, stories and traditions!! Come join us for an evening of food, fun and jazz courtesy of the amazing Day Middle School Jazz Band!
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Click on the link below to sign up.
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
Roommate selection forms will be due on Monday, May 1, 2023.
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.
GELF FUNDRAISING DINNER
We would like to invite you to come to the GELF (Global Education Leadership Fund) Fundraising Dinner at 6:30pm on Saturday, 4/29, at the Wilson Chapel.
It will be a fun night celebrating international travel experiences with families who share the same passion. The evening also highlights food from local restaurants, performance by Newton South Jazz Band, as well as stories from former GELF recipients and NPS administrators.
With your participation, we'll be able to provide financial aid for more students to go on future trips.
Tickets are selling fast, and please get yours HERE.
Ms. LaRochelle's 6th Gr. ELA Class
Ms. LaRochelle's 6th grade readers and writers engage with her in writing conferences in the library. Each student had just finished their chosen novel and were reflecting on the elements of fiction in their writing.
Women in World Jazz Performance
On the Tuesday before April vacation, The Women in World Jazz group performed along with members of the 6th grade band and orchestra as a culmination of their month long residency program brought to Day students through the generosity of Tal Shalom- Kobi and the Women in Jazz performance group. Through this program, students were exposed to diverse women composers and music from around the world, and learned to identify the characteristics of each style and contributions by each composer. We look forward to our partnership again next year.
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.
2nd Annual Career Day
Day Middle School is currently planning our 2nd annual career day and we are looking for guest speakers! Career day will take place for 7th and 8th graders on Friday, June 2 between approximately 8-10:45 a.m.. If you know of someone with a career path that you think middle schoolers would find interesting, please reach out to either Meghan Hudson or Jenn Gritter for more information at the emails below:
Volunteers will need to complete CORI forms and participate in a brief group zoom orientation/info. session with Principal Mann before hand. We are hoping to have a range of careers and backgrounds represented and make students feel excited about the possibilities that await them beyond middle school.
Thanks for partnering with us on this! We are hoping to finalize our list of speakers by Monday, May 1 to allow us time to survey students about which sessions they’re interested in attending and create student schedules for the day.
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.
PARENT/CAREGIVER WORKSHOP
Helping Teens Heal From Trauma
- Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
- Families for Depression Awareness invite parents, caregivers and caring adults to this free, virtual webinar.
- Deborah Vinall, LMFT, Psy-D, defines trauma and discusses its impact on long-term wellness. She will also cover the signs of trauma in teens, effective treatment approaches, and practical strategies that caring adults can use to encourage teen mental wellness.
- Click here to register.
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.
