Brown MS Weekly Update
May 26, 2023
Dear Brown MS Community,
It is hard to believe we have reached Memorial Day Weekend! I want to honor the spirit of Memorial Day by reminding everyone to take a moment to remember those who gave their lives for our country. While I do not have family who died while serving in the armed forces, my extended family has many Navy Veterans and current members of the Navy. I am so proud of their service. In Newton there are opportunities to mark this special day. First there is a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 28 at Forte Park and the parade at 3 p.m. at Newton North High School. Click this link for more information about how Newton celebrates this day.
There are only 16 school days left of the 2022-2023 school year! This is a time of year where it feels as if there is so much to do and so little time to get it all done. The stressors that adults and students experience this time of year are real, and it is so hard to think "big picture" when we are all trying to check off all of the "to do lists". I am trying to be mindful of how I am feeling, and take a moment to recenter myself when I am stressed or overwhelmed. This is easier said than done, but is so essential. The more we can model for students how to step back and recenter ourselves, the more they will learn how to do it themselves.
I am looking forward to traveling to be near the shore in Maine this weekend. The weather looks terrific for being outside and soaking in some sun and smell the ocean. I hope that wherever you are this weekend you are able to take a moment for yourselves and a moment to remember what Memorial Day is all about.
I hope you enjoy your weekend,
Kim Lysaght, Principal
Library Books Wanted
Ms. Quesada Montville is looking to get all of the library books that have been checked out back before the end of the school year. Please check in closets, under beds, etc. to be sure you return all of your books. Here are some dates to be aware of:
June 7 - last day to check out books (limit of one)
June 14- all library books are due
June 15/16th- bills for lost books will be sent
Bus Transportation for 2023-2024
Bus registration for the 2023-24 school year will begin in early June. All students who wish to ride the bus MUST register for a bus pass.
There are significant changes to the fee structure for purchasing a bus pass this year. Please note the following:
The bus fee has increased to $400 per student, with a family cap of two passes ($800.)
All elementary students who reside LESS than 2 miles from their elementary school must now pay a bus fee. We expect this to impact the majority of elementary students.
Elementary students who reside MORE than 2 miles from their elementary school DO NOT pay a bus fee.
As has been the case in previous years, all students in grades 7-12 pay the bus fee.
6th grade students: All students in grade 6 who reside MORE than 2 miles from their school do NOT pay a bus fee. 6th grade students residing less than two miles do pay a fee. Please visit our NPS Bus Fee webpage for details.
Please use this link to determine your distance from your school.
When bus registration opens in early June, you will be notified via email. You will register and pay via MySchoolBucks. Installment payment plans will be available. More information on bus registration can be found on our NPS Bus Registration webpage.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Please read below for details on how to apply.
Fees for the 2023-2024 School Year
As many of you know, the Newton Public Schools faced significant budget challenges this year. In order to arrive at a balanced budget, fees were raised for many services and activities. Below is a link to all of the fees that will be in place for the 2023-24 school year.
Fees for the 2023-24 School Year
Fee Waivers and FinancialAssistance
The Newton Public Schools provides financial assistance so that all students can utilize bus transportation and participate in school activities, regardless of financial need. To facilitate this financial support, families need to apply for district-wide financial assistance EACH YEAR.
The application for the 2023-2024 district-wide financial assistance waiver is now available in Aspen. We encourage you to apply now so that your waiver is in place for registrations that may take place in the summer (bus, fall athletic fees, etc.) Visit the fee waiver information and instructions webpage to apply via the Aspen portal.
7th Grade Dance - June 2!
Ms. Messina is working with a group of 7th graders to plan a Spring Fling Dance. The dance will be June 2 from 5:00-7:00PM in the Brown MS Cafeteria.
Tickets will be on sale for $10 each at lunches the next 2 weeks. Only Brown Middle School students are permitted to attend and their tickets must be purchased in advance (no tickets will be sold at the door).
A sign up genius went out to all 7th grade parents this week looking for help. If you did not get the email, please contact Ms. Messina at messinae@newotn.k12.ma.us to see how you can help.
8th Grade Boston Harbor Cruise is coming up!
Dear 8th Graders and Parents,
Three years ago, we all started our Brown journey behind zoom screens and now we are closing this out with a party on the Boston Harbor! To celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023, we will be heading out for a Spirit of Boston Lunch Cruise, Thursday, June 8, 10:00am-1:00pm. Here are a few things to Know Before You Go.
ENTERTAINMENT: Cruise on the Boston Harbor on a yacht with two climate-controlled decks, rooftop views, two dance floors with state-of-the art sound systems and custom LED lighting. Onboard entertainment with a DJ and interactive games
FOOD: Delicious buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts
** NUT ALLERGIES: While the desserts do not contain nuts, they are produced in an outside facility therefore we cannot rule out cross-contamination. Fruit will be available as an alternative.
ATTIRE: We suggest Smart Casual Tropical Themed attire; examples are Island style Chic, Hawaiian shirts, beach shorts. (Note: No one will be turned away for not complying; This is optional and just for fun)
PHOTOS: A professional photographer will take group photos as students board the ship (Each student will receive a printed copy upon exit)
CELLPHONES: Cell phones are permitted however, pictures and videos may not be shared on social media without permission of everyone included in the images.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Have Fun!
Congratulations again to the Class of 2023 and Bon Voyage!
8th Grade End of Year Events!
We are gearing up for the end of the year and the PTO 8th Grade Events Committee has been hard at work designing fun events for our soon to be high school students! Here are all the events, so mark your calendars, 8th grade families! Payment for the events is available through the PTO newsletter. If you are in need of scholarship, please reach out to Margaret Power, executive secretary, at 617-559-6900.
June 8 - Boston Harbor Cruise (see above for specific details)
June 9 - Step up day
leave Brown at 11:30 to walk over to NSHS for the afternoon
return to Brown at 2:30 for some popsicles and chill time with you friends
8th grade students who will be attending Newton South or North High Schools next year will be visiting those schools for an orientation program.
Students who will attend private school next year or are moving away will be dismissed at 12:50 and will not be traveling to either Newton North or Newton South. Buses will pick students up from Brown at this dismissal time. In the past it has become problematic for students who won't be attending these schools to go to the Step-Up day programs so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this matter.
June 15 - Field trip to Hudson Roller Kingdom
- Unlimited laser tag
- Karaoke
- Arcade games
- Roller skating and/or roller blading
- Races
- Pizza
June 20
Graduation rehearsal
Fun activities with teachers
Yearbook distribution and signing
Cool Cow Ice Cream Truck in the afternoon
June 21
8th graders clapped around school during advisory
9:30 - 10:00 lining up by team and begin procession over to Winkler Stadium
10:15 graduation* at Winkler Stadium (students sit on the bleachers and audience sits on the field)
11:20 - They are all done with middle school and are official high school students! Congratulations!!!
*Graduation is a special occasion and most students in the past have dressed up a bit for this day for pictures with family.
Additionally, every 8th grader will be getting a custom T-shirt designed just for the graduating class. We plan to give these out ahead of the Hudson Roller Kingdom trip so you can all wear them that day.
Dear Newton Community Members,
Hello! I am very excited to be officially joining you on July 1, 2023!
I have been working, however, behind the scenes to get to know staff, students, and some family/community members. I am so excited and energized! While the challenges facing all school systems and communities also confront us right now, the importance of caring for and educating our youth lifts us out of conflict and stress to look to the future on their behalf and holding them up as they make progress, work hard and find their future passions and life’s work.
It is my privilege to lead this work with you and will be my pleasure to connect with you this summer. I will be working to connect with as many families/caregivers and community members as possible this summer. I have a few requests from the community that will make our connecting easier. Let me know if you can help! I will be running the 5K South High road race on Sunday, perhaps I will see some of you there!
Let’s Get Together. Bring me to your people and neighborhood. Would you be willing to host a neighborhood meet-and-greet? I could come to your cul-de-sac, your neighborhood get together, your book group. If you could gather 20 or more people together to meet with me to talk about Newton Schools and its future, I’d love to get acquainted and hear your ideas.
Form: Host a Meet and Greet with Dr. Nolin
Show Me Your Newton World. Bring me to your place of worship, community organization or fitness location/activity. I’ll come to your temple, mosque, chamber meeting, sports group, civic activity, fitness bootcamp group. If you have 20 or more people to meet with me, I’ll come and talk about Newton Schools and its future.
Form: Host a Meet and Greet with Dr. Nolin
Show Your Spirit: Visit our Newton Public Schools Spirit Store and Support our Community Engagement Programs!
Schools often talk to families about buying spirit wear (t-shirts, hats, jackets) that are school specific, but as a group, we are a school system, not just a system of schools. Let’s show our Newton Schools Pride and support our school system as a whole. Proceeds form this spirit store will fund parent and family/caregiver engagement opportunities to ensure all parent voices are heard!
Newton Public Schools Spirit Store Link
The store will be open until Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Items will be shipped to the Education Center at 100 Walnut St. and pick up will be arranged!
Be Heard. Your Unique Perspective Matters. Tell me your thoughts about our future.
We need your input on this question:
"What are some things we should stop, start, or continue to do in the Newton Public Schools?"
To gather your feedback, we're using a tool called ThoughtExchange. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued.
Below is the link to participate in our community Thought Exchange:
You'll be asked to respond to the open-ended question noted above. Then, you will be asked to consider and assign “stars” (which means you like or agree with the ideas) to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal).
Your thoughts and stars are confidential. You can come back as often as you'd like to participate and, in fact, we ask that you do come back to star any new ideas shared since you first participated. We learn what's important to the group by looking at the ideas that receive the most stars. The ratings will help us understand the most important areas to focus on in the coming year.
The survey is in three languages.
If you need technical help, please call ThoughtExchange at 1-800-361-9027 ext. 4 or email help@thoughtexchange.com.
Celebrate Our Staff. Finally, and most importantly, help me celebrate our staff on the Opening Day of School 2023-24. Share with me the stories of how our Newton Public School staff have demonstrated care, expertise and excellence in serving the children of Newton. (any staff: nurses, paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, principals, teachers, behaviorists, counselors, psychologists, tutors, –ANYONE–). Complete this form to participate!
Form: Celebrate Staff on Opening Day
Thank you for helping me to get a head start on supporting, celebrating and improving our district functioning and communication. I look forward to meeting you and supporting your children.
Fondly,
Anna P. Nolin, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
After School Activities - Last day Thursday, June 8th
Please take a look at our spring extracurricular activities. There continue to be many opportunities for students to get involved. This is a great way for them to explore new interests and expand their friendship groups. Click here to view the schedule of after school activities.
