Tag Archives: elem

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Newton Families:

Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students is an important system goal. It is essential that we work in partnership with families on important issues that impact our students. I am writing because we have become aware that many of our students are watching and discussing a new Netflix series entitled 13 Reasons Why, the content of which is challenging and difficult.

The series is based on a young adult novel by Jay Asher originally published in 2011. The story focuses on a high school student who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13 tapes detailing why she took her own life. The Netflix series contains graphic scenes of suicide and sexual assault/rape. It also addresses issues of cyber-bullying, alcoholism, and depression.

As a community that has felt the tragic impact of youth suicide, we are particularly concerned about the content of this series. These issues are extraordinarily challenging and may be difficult for some students to process in a healthy and appropriate way. We want to ensure that families are not only aware of the show, but are equipped with resources to help them address these issues with their children.

As a family, we encourage you to:

  • Check in with your child to find out if they have watched the show or what they might know about it.
  • If they want to see the show, watch it with them or preview it for them. You are the best person to determine if your child is prepared to handle the content.
  • If they have already watched it, take the opportunity to open a dialogue about the important yet difficult issues portrayed in the story.

The following resources provide important guidance on the issues addressed in the show, as well as talking points for having a meaningful conversation with your child.

National Association of School Psychologists (Background)
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators

Jed Foundation (Issues raised)
https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-jed-point-view/

Jed Foundation/Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Talking Points)
https://www.save.org/13-reasons-why/

Riverside Trauma Center – PDF (Guiding Questions)

We know these issues are challenging and I hope this information is helpful. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor directly.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Hilarious production

Disco and Moliere! An hilarious 17th Century French comedy updated to 1970’s New York. Moliere’s ‘The Bourgeois Gentleman’ or ‘The Would-Be Hipster’, is about a commoner who has inherited some money, and wishes to use it to become what he is not – a gentleman, or in this version, one ‘wild and crazy guy’. M. Jourdain is baffled by his tutors, and hilarity ensues as he tries to learn how to be cool. Replete with disco dance and musical interludes, and the requisite star-crossed lovers who must trick M. Jourdain into allowing them to marry.

Watch local favorite, Linda Goetz, play M. Jourdain as a boorish 1970s New Yorker who has suddenly come into money and is trying to impress everyone with his “alternative facts!” A hilarious production by Newton Theatre Company, directed by Melissa Bernstein
Tickets $20.00 adults/$15.00 seniors/$10.00 students at www.newtontheatrecompany.com

May 5th,  8:00 pm; May 6th,  8:00 pm;  May 7th, 2:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE

Come to the 5th Annual Carroll Center Walk for INDEPENDENCE, This is their only event of the year and it gives you an opportunity to walk the grounds, participate in unique and fun events and meet all the amazing people that receive and provide services at the center. Additionally, guide dogs and family pets are welcome to walk. It’s a great day with music, a cookout and all kinds of games and giveaways. All of the activities offer unique opportunities for both sighted and visually impaired people to participate. For example, instead of baseball, they have beepball, where the ball “beeps” and this enables the kids with visual impairments to know when to swing. The same accessibility occurs with a putt putt golf game.

The day is designed to engage everyone and show kids, their friends, families and the community how active and independent blind and visually impaired people can be. As neighbors within the community, this event will bring all who attend closer to understanding our differences.

This year, students 16 and under are free which means they can attend the event together, use teamwork to fundraise for their team and even win prizes for participation. This day is the perfect combination of fun, education, inclusion and community. To donate or register head to carroll.org/walk.

May 21st, 10 am – 2:00 pm
770 Centre Street, Newton

Seeking Child Scientists!

Harvard’s Lab for Developmental Studies investigates how children learn, use language and think. The lab is located near the Harvard Square T-station and they provide parking permits for drivers. The studies are designed as games in which children answer questions about pictures or videos. Additionally, parents may complete questionnaires about their children’s development.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child for the whole session, and research assistants are available to supervise siblings. Each child receives a small toy as a “thank you.” Parents receive $5 as travel compensation.

Interested? Call 617-496- 7175 for more information about how to get involved.

STEAM Summer Enrichment

Bunker Hill Community College will be running the STEAM Summer Enrichment program for elementary and middle school-age kids, ages 8-14. There are six courses to choose from and no prior experience is necessary to register. Each course lasts one week and parents can register their kids for as many courses as they wish.

Attached is information about the courses available through the program.

29th Annual Youth Services Awards (for youth and adults)

Each year, Mayor Setti D. Warren gives awards to individuals who have contributed service to the Newton Community. The Newton Parks and Recreation Commission and the Newton Health and Human Services Youth Commission are asking your help in seeking nominations for the 29th Annual Youth Services Awards.
Learn about the awards and nominate at www.newtonma.gov/gov/parks/youthawards.asp

Please submit nominations of deserving Newton residents and students before May 19th. Thank you for your help in recognizing the efforts of individuals who have contributed extensively to the Newton Community.

Adult awards will be judged on the basis of a person’s contribution and involvement in youth programs in Newton.

Youth awards will be judged on the basis of demonstrated good citizenship and service to their fellow youth or community.

NSF Boston Marathon Team raises nearly $10,000 to Support Newton Schools

Anna Ford, administration staffer at Newton North, and Holly Kee, Southside aide
and Dreamfar mentor at Newton South, teamed up to run the Boston Marathon
for Newton Schools Foundation. In total they raised nearly $10,000 for NSF to
support excellence and innovation in the Newton Public Schools. Thank you,
Anna and Holly, for your dedication and commitment to the students of Newton!

For more information on Newton Schools Foundation, go to  www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org.

South Stage Annual Student Directing Festival

South Stage presents the annual Student Directing Festival in the Newton South Lab Theater. The evening includes “Sorry, Wrong Number”, the classic noir thriller directed by Naomi Honig and “Out at Sea”, an absurd comedy about democracy and dining aboard a raft directed by Ethan Koss-Smith.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at SouthStage.org or at the door if available. $10.00 general admission.

April 27th – 29th, 7:30 pm
Newton South High School

An Evening of Cabaret

Enjoy an Evening of Cabaret with singers from the Boston Association of Cabaret Artists.

Cabaret music is delightful, since it includes songs of many styles such as Broadway, Jazz, Blues, Pop, the Great American Songbook, Country and more, focusing on the intimate relationship between the singer and the audience. Join at an evening of song featuring Sara Brodsky, Carole Bundy, David Diamond, Phil Kassel, Linda Marks, Ethel Ryerson, Stephen Smith, Barbara Larson, Robin Burrage & Leni Webber, with Tom LaMark on the piano. For tickets, $20.00/$10 Seniors & Students, please visit  www.newtoncommunitypride.org/festival

April 28th, 7:00 pm
Newton Cultural Center at Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton Center