Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - December 9, 2024
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,
Winter arrived with the first week of December bringing with it the first measurable snow of the season and my first 4 am “snow call”. The decision to open on time, delay or cancel is both complex and risky. It begins with a conversation with the Department of Public Works on current road conditions, followed by a call with a weatherman whose sole clients are school districts. On a group call with other superintendents from western Connecticut, we hear the forecast and report on our own town’s road conditions. Then a roll call is conducted and each superintendent shares what they are planning to do. Last Thursday the decisions ranged from 2 and 3 hour delays to closure. I decided on a 2-hour delay for NPS based on the report that only an additional ½” of snow was expected and that snow would exit the region by 8 am. Given that at 4 am the roads were already treated and in decent condition, I felt confident that a 2-hour delay would provide sufficient time for all staff and students to get to school safely and it did play out that way. Still, it can be a difficult decision to make. Please know that I will always err on the side of safety but I also want to be in school if we can get everyone here safely.
Currently, our PAL (Program for Adaptive Learning) program is housed at Middle Gate and is in critical need of additional space. Middle Gate itself is nearing capacity and there is no room to expand the footprint of PAL. PAL needs to be in an elementary school as the students enrolled in that program are integrated into general education classrooms. Since our PreSchool, which is currently housed at Sandy Hook, is a stand-alone program, the district is planning to move the PreSchool out of Sandy Hook School in order to make room for the PAL program. After looking at spaces in our other schools, the location of choice for the PreSchool is Reed Intermediate School. Reed has an accommodating space and is currently where our employee daycare is located. All families with students currently enrolled in PAL and PreSchool should have received an email from me on November 14th explaining the change. If you did not receive that email, please reach out to me, Deb Petersen, Director of Pupil Services, or Chris Geissler, Middle Gate Principal, for more information.
This is a challenging week in our community. First and foremost, our hearts are with all of the victims of the tragedy. As mentioned in my email last night, I also encourage each of you to care for the well-being of you, your family and your neighbor and/or colleague. In the words of Coretta Scott King, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."
Wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Warm regards,
Anne
December Calendar
The full district calendar can be found here.
District News and Reminders
NMS Cultural Week
Newtown Middle School celebrated the different cultures of Newtown this week with a variety of multicultural experiences. Some highlights were a school assembly with Andes Manta, a music performing group from the region of Andes in South America, a multicultural staff luncheon, and a Family Cultural Fair on Thursday evening that drew over 200 attendees! We want to thank the NMS PTA for all of their hard work on creating this successful event and we look forward to it becoming a cornerstone experience for Newtown Middle School families for years to come.
NMS Career Day
Newtown Middle School hosted a career day last week where professionals from various fields visited the school to share insights about their careers and inspire students. This interactive experience introduced students to diverse job opportunities, helped them think about their interests, and provided real-world examples of how education connects to future success.
*Pictures included: Abbott Tech with Mechanics, At the Vet, Cosmetology
In the Classroom
After analyzing a chosen character, students in our new 6-8 Language Arts program, Into Literature, were asked to write a social media status and then respond to other characters' status updates. Students were highly engaged in this fun but meaningful writing exercise!
NHS Athletics
NHS Cheer wrapped up their Thanksgiving weekend spending some time in Sandy Hook center. The team adopted a lamp post to support S.H.O.P.
We love giving back to our beautiful community.
As the Fall season comes to a close, We have several students that have earned postseason awards.
These accolades not only celebrate individual and team success but also help to highlight the dedication, hard work, and passion put in all season long. Congratulations Nighthawks!
That's a wrap for NHS Football. The Nighthawks finished their postseason run over the weekend. We are so proud of these athletes. Congratulations to Coach Farina and the boys on a well fought season. On Tuesday 12/3 they played their way to a win against Amity. Blue and Gold stadium turned into a snow globe to help add to the excitement. The season ended in New Canaan on Sunday 12/8 with a tough loss to the Rams.
Rest up NIghthawks, you've earned it!
PTA Support Makes Our Schools Great!
More than just fundraising!
Did you know that joining your PTA offers several benefits for both you and our school community? Our PTAs do many wonderful things throughout the school year that support and enhance the educational experience for our students. In addition to raising funds for educational programs and classroom resources, members have the opportunity to have their voices and ideas heard, meet new people and build connections within the school and greater community, as well as gain leadership skills that can be both personally and professionally valuable. In addition, being involved in your PTA gives you a closer look at what is happening in your child’s school by participating in or organizing events that foster a positive school culture.
You can find a link to each school's PTA by clicking on this link.
Thank you for your support!
PTA for Parents of Students with Special Needs
Being the parent of a student with special needs can be confusing, isolating and frightening. Newtown Special Ed PTA, or SEPTA, is a great way to connect with a supportive community. We look forward to you joining us!
For more information, please visit the Special Ed PTA's website by clicking on this link.
PTA Event: LEGO Night at Head O' Meadow!
Join One of Our Teams & Make a Difference!
Several of our schools are in need of student support services staff. If you enjoy working with kids, we encourage you to visit our employment opportunities page.
All-Star is actively seeking drivers. Flexible schedules and a paid training program.
Consider calling today!
3 Primrose Street
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-7600