Brown MS Weekly Update
Nov. 10, 2022
Dear Brown MS Community,
This past Tuesday we had our second early release day. Our teachers engaged in professional development focused on building independent learners. We spent much of the afternoon examining student data, specifically iReady, a diagnostic tool used across the district. iReady helps us learn more about our students’ literacy skills in order to inform our instruction. Reading impacts all curricular areas. Our teachers are invested in supporting student literacy skills so they may use reading as a vehicle to learn in each of the subject areas.
In addition we did some community building with a fun activity (see videos and pictures below) that our PE teachers, Jeff Primeau, Katrina Antonellis, Chris Anderson and Bev Woods led. It was terrific to see the whole faculty together working and smiling. The Brown staff is an extremely special group, and I am honored to be a part of such a great team.
This coming weekend my husband and I are taking full advantage of our new "Empty Nester" status. We are head to New York City to see a show and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. Then next weekend both of our children arrive home from college for their Thanksgiving break. I am so excited to have them back for a whole week! Enjoy the three day weekend!
Best,
Kim Lysaght, Principal
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
The superintendent search has entered its “engagement” phase in which the search committee is soliciting feedback and input from the Newton community to help identify and select the next superintendent for our district. Your feedback will assist the School Committee in understanding your perspective as candidates are recruited, screened, and interviewed for the position.
The survey linked below is designed to solicit perceptions of the district and its services to students, staff, and families. Based upon these perceptions, you will also be asked for input on what you consider to be the most effective characteristics for the district's next superintendent.
Newton Superintendent Search Survey (choose your language at the top of the survey)
The survey will be open from November 7 - 21, 2022.
If you require a paper copy of the survey, please download it below in your preferred language. Please print the survey and return it to your student's school.
Please also watch your email for upcoming opportunities to provide feedback via in-person and virtual focus groups. As always, detailed information can be found on the search committee webpage on the district website.
New SEL program for all students
As part of our ongoing commitment to student social and emotional support, growth, and wellness, next week we began our pilot of the Sown to Grow program during advisory this past week. Sown to Grow (StG) is an evidence-based program that promotes easy and engaging student check-ins, personalized feedback, and built-in curriculum that empowers schools to improve student social, emotional, and academic well-being.
Each Monday at advisory, students will log into their StG accounts, share how they are feeling that day (using an emoji scale), and respond to a reflection question about their experiences. Advisory teachers will see student entries and provide feedback to each student. If a student indicates concerning feelings, advisory teachers and the grade level counselor will be notified right away, so that they can follow up with the student quickly. To learn more about StG, you can watch the 3-minute demo video below. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact one of our school counselors.
After School Extra-Curricular Activities and Athletics
Getting involved in after school activities is a great way for your child to make connections with other students and become involved in the Brown MS community. There are late buses (4:15PM) available for any children that have a bus pass.
Click here to view the schedule of after school activities.
Middle School Activities Fee Payment Information:
The middle school activity fee covers all school-sponsored, extracurricular activities within the middle schools, known as Triple E, not including athletics. The annual one-time fee allows students to participate in an unlimited number of Triple E activities.
$60 per student per year not including drama productions
$100 per student per year if student participates in drama productions
Payment Options
- Pay online at www.MySchoolBucks.com
- Select the Middle School Activity Fee Product/icon in the school store.
- Select your student from the dropdown, select payment option, and proceed to checkout. If you have been approved for a waiver, select the waiver option. If you do not see your student, please make sure you have added your student to your MSB account. To view your students click on your profile icon on the top right of the MSB homepage and select "My Students."
- Mail the application and check to: Business & Finance, Newton Public Schools, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA 02460
- If you wish to apply for a financial waiver, please complete an application located in Aspen. For more information on financial assistance, visit https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/1072
If payment or financial waiver is not received at time of registration, an invoice will be issued to your student’s MySchoolBucks account.
Contact feepayments@newton.k12.ma.us or 617-559-9025 for assistance
Basketball Tryouts - for 7th and 8th graders
Basketball tryouts will begin Monday, Dec 5, 2022. If your child is in the 7th or 8th grade and is interested in trying out, please use the link below to gain more information and to register your child on FamilyID(ArbiterSports). Registration closes on Dec 1, 2022 @ 7:00pm.
It's time to sign up for Ski Club!
It is time to sign up for Ski Club! Please click Here for the all of the Ski Club information. We ask that you read through the FAQ section carefully as it will answer most of your questions. Ski Club dates are January 5, 12, 19, 26 and February 9, 16. Please reach out to shinm@newton.k12.ma.us with questions.
SEPAC Brochure Translations Available!
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) now has its brochure available in the
following languages: Spanish – Chinese (Mandarin) – Hebrew – Japanese - Farsi – Portuguese –
Russian
This document contains important information for families whose children are receiving special
education services (IEP, 504 plan) or who are interested in getting support services for their
children.
For any questions, please contact SEPAC Board member Kim Bordeau at
Click on this link to be directed to the NewtonSEPAC.org website which has all 7 translations:
It is time for the third annual Newton Neighbors Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive!
Did you know that 1 in 10 of our neighbors struggles to feed their family? 1 in 10 of our neighbors sits down to an empty plate. Help us to support our neighbors in need this holiday season.
Last year, through the support of our community, Newton Neighbors provided 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards! With increasing food costs, the goal is to give out $75 gift cards this holiday season through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton.
The Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive will run from November 1 - 19. Any donation, of any size, will help us achieve our goal. Donate online at https://www.newtonneighbors.org/donate or mail a check to Newton Neighbors, PO Box 590141, Newton, MA 02459.
Newton Neighbors is working through partner organizations in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton to distribute gift cards to families and will not be distributing gift cards directly. All direct requests will be referred to appropriate partners.
Newton Neighbors’ mission is to facilitate community connection, mutual aid, and access to resources and support for all people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton, MA. Families inquiring about gift cards from this initiative can email newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com.
