Dear Lincoln Eliot parent community. Like you, we are distraught at the news about the Newton Public School teacher strike today, scrambling to find accommodations for our children and ways to engage with the issues. Please see below for resources and other helpful information.
Parent Resources
Food
See below for complete information from NPS. Grab N Go lunches will be available for family pickup. Our nearest pickup point is Newton North (457 Walnut Dr.) – Tiger Drive, and food is available from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
If you need food, and are unable to get to North in order to pick it up: please reach out to us for assistance: franklinptonewton@gmail.com
Childcare Options in Newton
Boys and Girls Club
From the John M Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton ( 675 Watertown St, Newton, MA 02460 )
“In the event of a work stoppage, free drop-in hours beginning at 9 AM are offered to John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club Members without advanced registration. Entry will be granted until full capacity of the facility is reached. Children must bring a bag lunch, healthy snacks, water, and sneakers.”
Newton Parks and Rec
Newton Parks and Rec is offering a $65 per day of gap programming at the Newton Lower Falls Community Center: 545 Grove Street 02462.
Registration link: Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture: January Gap Programing
YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA OST Program will hold a Snow Day/Closure Day Camp. We will offer this camp for children in grades K-8 operating from 8:30AM-4:00PM. Registration is available through the link below. The program will group children by grade and will feature a variety of sports, art, educational and recreational activities throughout the day. Families will be asked to provide a water bottle, two snacks and a lunch for your child. Please also have your child wear sneakers for ease of access during the program.
School Holidays & Vacation Weeks | West Suburban YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA in Newton, MA offers programs for students on school holidays, vacation week and snow days.
How Can Parents Help?
Helping other parents:
If you can host playdates/study sessions/community and mutal-aid childcare, reach out to your networks. Check the Lincoln Eliot directory, or email room parents or the PTO if you need connections.
Helping teachers:
The PTO board will meet today and discuss ways in which we can help the teachers. Please stay tuned for an update. In the meantime, one simple thing you can do is follow this link to send a letter to elected officials and representatives. It will take two minutes of your time. The link will provide a draft letter that you can edit as you choose before sending.
The Role of the PTO
The purpose of the Lincoln Eliot PTO is to facilitate communication and cooperation among parents, guardians, teachers, administrators, and staff in order to benefit all children at the school.
The PTO exists to support parents.
If there’s something we can do to help that we haven’t covered in this message, please let us know: president@lepto.org
The PTO exists to support teachers.
In this moment, as our teachers embark on a strike, our role is to provide support and a voice for unity in our school community. This is an unprecedented moment for them as much as for us. We can engage with teachers, understand their perspectives, show kindness to them, and organize to connect with elected officials.
What Does A Strike Mean?
From https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/
Closures and Cancellations
If a strike occurs, school will be canceled, all buildings will be closed, and all school-related events and activities will be postponed until the strike ends. As with any emergency school closure, the day(s) will be made up at the end of the school year.
Please see below:
- School is closed. Treat this just like a snow day. School is not in session. This includes our specialized programs (Central and Community Connections)
- There is no before school or after school care. The early morning care program is closed. After school care programs that operate in school buildings are closed.
- All Newton Public School preschools are closed, including NECP, Newton South Preschool, and Newton North Plowshares
- No regular yellow bus transportation
- No van transportation
- No METCO transportation
- No athletic competitions (home and away) or practices. No intramurals or club sports.
- No fine arts events, performances, or practices (plays, band, orchestra, performances, clubs, music lessons).
- No weekend, daytime or overnight trips for scheduled competitions or events
- No school-related events or activities (school dance, socials, forums)
- No Newton Community Education programs
Access to School Buildings
- If there is a strike, all buildings will be closed. You will not be able to access anything in the school (snow gear, musical instruments, water bottles, etc.)
- If your student has medication or health supplies in the building that you must access, please email your school principal and they will connect you to our city health services director.
Food Service
Newton Public Schools will offer Grab and Go meals, similar to what we did during COVID. The meal will include three days of breakfast and lunch. Please note the dates and locations of pick ups below:
Dates (strike may not continue, but planning is in place)
- Friday January 19, 2024 (3 day breakfast and lunch)
- Monday, January 22, 2024 (3 day breakfast and lunch)
- Thursday, January 25, 2024 (4 day breakfast and lunch)
Location and time
- Newton North (457 Walnut Dr.) – Tiger Drive 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Newton South (140 Brandeis Rd.) – Wheeler entrance 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- METCO Headquarters (for Boston Families) – 11 Roxbury Street, Boston, MA 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Operations to Continue
- Outside, non-NPS-based groups who have rented school buildings will be able to hold evening events and activities.
- Events and activities that take place on school field space operated by Newton Parks and Recreation and other organizations will continue. All school-based athletics and events are canceled.
- Private School Transportation to private schools in Newton will continue.
- Transportation for students placed in out-of-district schools will continue.