SAVE THE DATE:
Tues. December 5, 2023: School Council at 3:00 p.m.
Thurs. December 7, 2023: Early Release Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.
Week of December 11th: Term 2 Progress Reports
Week of December 11th - SBIRT - 8th Grade
Wed. December 13, 2023: Day 1 Parent Conferences
Thurs. December 14, 2023: 5th Grade Visit to Day for sneak preview of Mean Girls'
Thurs. December 14 - 16 - Day Musical Mean Girls (Jr.)
Wed. December 20, 2023: PTO Teacher Holiday Celebration (morning)
Wed. December 20, 2023: Day 2 Parent Conferences
Thurs. December 21, 2023: Day Band Perform at BC vs. Lehigh Mens’ Basketball Game
Mon. December 25, 2023 - Monday, January 1, 2024: Winter Break
A Note from the Principal
This week we celebrate Inclusive Schools Week, created in 2001 to recognize the initiatives and progress in schools toward creating a learning community that is supportive of an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. This is also a time for us to reflect on the work yet to be done.
At Day our work toward becoming a more inclusive school community means striking the appropriate balance of support and high expectations based on a student's individual need. If we get that balance wrong we are either not creating learning that students can access or connect with, or even more concerning, we risk sending a message to students that we have a lower expectation for their achievement. True inclusivity means grounding our work in the core belief that it is our responsibility to provide the support that every child needs to excel, and to foster in each student a strong belief in their own ability to achieve. We search then for what Zaretta Hammond refers to as "productive struggle", a learning environment in which children must develop their resilience, grit and problem solving skills interacting with content that is accessible yet challenging. In inclusive schools, it is our responsibility to create learning that fosters productive struggle that results in growth in every child.
PARENT CONFERENCES
An email was sent out on Wednesday, November 28th from Jennifer Murphy, our Assistant Coordinator of Student Services, with information on how to sign up for this year's parent conferences.
If you did not receive that email, please email Jennifer Murphy at murphyj@newton.k12.ma.us
Important Things to Note:
- Some parents signed up for the wrong team of teachers, and as a result, we are shifting conference times and will know by Tuesday, which parent conference times are still open.
- We are aware that currently there are not enough parent conference times to accommodate all of the requests. We will be adding additional conference dates and times by the end of the week. You can expect an additional email sent out next week with the opportunity to sign up for conferences if you have not yet secured one. In the interim, please do add your name to the waitlist linked in Ms. Murphy's email.
- Parents may only sign up for two team teachers (ELA/Science OR Math/Social Studies). All teachers will be prepared to share updates regarding your child in all team subjects.
- If you need to reschedule your conference to another time, you must email Jennifer Murphy directly at the email above.
- We will be temporarily suspending all conference sign-ups on Monday, December 11th in order to allow teachers to receive finalized schedules for the first conferences on 12/14. Sign-ups will again be opened on 12/15 for the remaining conference dates.
- Your partnership in the progress of your children is greatly valued. Every parent requesting a conference will receive one.
NEWTON METCO FORUM - DECEMBER 6th
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, Newton METCO Director, Lisa Gilbert-Smith, together with METCO staff and students, will host a community forum. The forum is designed to provide our Newton community with information on the METCO program. Newton was a founding member of METCO and we are proud to be one of the biggest programs in the state. We welcome all NPS staff to join us and learn more about METCO.
When: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Newton South Auditorium (140 Brandeis Rd.)
DRESSING FOR THE COLD WEATHER
We will continue with our commitment to outdoor time for all students by grade three times in an academic cycle. Students must be dressed to go outdoors.
ONLINE REPORTING OF INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION, BIAS OR BULLYING
NPS policy against discrimination (linked HERE) clearly states that the Newton Public Schools is committed to creating a community free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment and retaliation. It shall be a violation of this policy for any member of the school community to engage in any form of discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, or to violate any other civil rights of any member of the school community. Discrimination in any form, including hate speech and other forms of bias, will not be tolerated. Incidents of discrimination, harassment or any violation of civil rights may be reported to the Day Administrative Team OR may be reported through the online reporting form linked below.
Any incidents of bullying will also not be tolerated in the Newton Public Schools. The NPS Bullying Intervention and Prevention Policy is linked HERE. If you wish to report an incident of alleged bullying, either contact the assistant principal or principal or select the school below and complete this online form (linked below) so that staff can investigate the matter. In addition, we encourage you to work directly with school staff as they take steps to resolve problems and assure the safety of all parties. This form can be completed anonymously.The form is also available to download and report in person.
Any act that prevents any member of the Day Community from feeling safe and connected will not be tolerated. Your partnership in reporting any incidents is greatly appreciated.
DAY BASKETBALL
Winter Boys' and Girls' Basketball begins this coming week. Practices are after school every day except for Wednesdays. The game schedules will be posted shortly.
For more information contact the coaches:
Boys' Coaches:
Sean Paige: paiges@newton.k12.ma.us
Keyon Armstrong: armstrongk@newton.k12.ma.us
Girls' Coaches:
Leah Bowers: bowersl@newton.k12.ma.us
Cedric Quackenbush: quackenbushc@newton.k12.ma.us
General questions about sports should be directed to our Athletic Coordinators:
Andy Comings: comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us
Mark Murphy: murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
NEWTON BEIJING JINGSHAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM: "Reaching Across Borders"
The New Beginning: Documentary Premiere
Thanks to the community and our long-term program supporters. "Reaching Across Borders," a 9-mini documentary, will make its debut on December 14th (See details below). We welcome you to this monumental event that signifies restarting of the in-person exchange between Newton Public Schools and Beijing Jingshan School. For more information and to RSVP click on the link below:
Event Information
Documentary Premiere
When?
Thursday, Dec 14, 2023, 06:30 PM
Where?
The Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Road, Newton, MA, USA
SHARING OUR BRIGHT SIDES AT DAY
Although we are not all wonderful in taking a moment to fill our jars with positive notes, every week I do hear from the Day staff about inspiring moments in their week. I thought given all of the challenges in the world around us, you could all benefit from a few bright sides as well. Enjoy this week's Day Bright Sides.
DAY BAND PERFORMANCE AT BOSTON COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME
Join member of the F. A. Day Community in cheering on our talented Day Middle School Band and the B.C. Men's Basketball Team on Thursday, December 21st!
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit programming for the Day Middle School Band.
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023
B.C. Mens' Basketball vs. Lehigh
Performance by our very own Day Middle School Band
Join this wonderful night out for the Day families and support Mr. Brown and the Day Middle School Band.
To purchase your tickets, click on the link below.
DAY PTO
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DAY
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.
