Category Archives: Community News

April 2022 PTO Meeting Recap

Thank you to all that attended the last general PTO meeting on April 5th. For those who weren’t able, please find the minutes and slideshow links below. The budget cuts were discussed, and although we are thrilled to have our interventionists at LE reinstated, we are still advocating for interventionist positions at Bigelow to be restored, as well as restoring the Career and Technical Education program at Newton North High School. These will be the schools that our students go to eventually.

Additionally, staff is concerned about cuts to building maintenance because Lincoln-Eliot cannot sustain cuts in this area, especially looking forward to our long-awaited “new” building. Finally, staff hopes families continue to be vigilant to ensure that our K classroom is restored and that we have full enrollment.

Teachers and staff are so grateful for the collective effort of families and community members who have been instrumental in restoring funding and positions to NPS, whether it was writing to the mayor or attending the stand-out. They are so grateful to all of you and would like to encourage families to continue their strong advocacy for our schools.

April Minutes

April Slideshow

FORJ Updates 4.14.22 – Including Upcoming Citywide Meeting on 5/10

Marathon Monday’s Story of Heartbreak Hill

When the 2021 Boston Marathon, due to the COVID pandemic, reset to take place on the same date as the first Newton-wide observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, for many, it brought to light a different telling of the story of how “Heartbreak Hill” came to be named. As the 2022 Boston Marathon runs this week, have a look at the historic event and the legacy of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown’s legendary victory in 1936 (and he also won in 1939). Also, read about featured runners in the 2022 marathon: https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/boston-strong-through-native-roots

Newton Public Schools and the Boston Marathon route are all on Indigenous homelands, specifically on the land of the Nipmuc and Massachusett.

Sending safe, well wishes to this year’s runners and your chance to build community in motion. Good weather and good speed to you all!

Citywide FORJ Meeting: “In Search of Belonging: A Discussion with Palestinian-American-Newtonians” on Tuesday, May 10th at 7PM

This event will offer attendees a valuable opportunity to meet and learn from members of the Newton community who are often invisible or misunderstood.

In a constructive and safe environment, you will hear Palestinian-American-Newtonians talk about their experiences in Newton, which are varied and complex, and hear their responses to questions raised by the audience. You will leave with ideas about how you can support your Palestinian-American neighbors and how to learn more about their culture, history and perspectives.

This event is being planned by Newton community members, including Palestinians, in response to recent events in Newton schools that we believe undermine our commitment to anti-racism and inclusion. Please join FORJ as we continue to take steps to address challenges to the dignity and rights of all our community members.

Register here!

LEARNING IS EVERYDAY – Read, Watch, Listen, Talk

If you are looking for some inspirational, thought-provoking readings/listening during break to consider and advance racial equity & belonging, check out readings, videos, podcasts and connections available from Newton FORJ – https://www.forj.org/resources.

 

FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (FORJ) is a group of diverse Newton families helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.

For more information about FORJ, contact Lincoln-Eliot FORJ PTO Liaison Lanni Isenberg, lanni_harris@yahoo.com.

Teacher Appreciation Week (5/2-5/6) is Coming!

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6) is coming! The PTO will be planning some ways to show appreciation for the teachers, such as a staff luncheon.

Be on the lookout for more details from your room connectors, along with ideas and special ways you can show your support of all teachers and staff at LE.  Feel free to reach out to your room connector with ideas, as well, on how to make this an extra special week.

Parents’ Night Out – Save the Date 6.14

The LE PTO social committee is proud to be offering our first social event of the year, geared towards parents! We are pleased to be partnering with LE parent, Adrienne Martin, owner of Cafe Martin. See details below. Ticket sales will be available soon!

Location: Cafe Martin – 7 West Street, Newton – outside patio
Date: Monday, June 6h
Time: 7-9pm
Tickets: $30 per person

What’s Included? 1 drink ticket (beer or specialty LE cocktail) + passed appetizers

Who’s welcome? Parents and caregivers of LE students.

Can kids come? Technically yes, but we’ve designed this event for parents of the LE community to spend time together sans kids. We understand that it may be complicated, so please do what’s best for your family.

Are masks required? No, but we respect anyone who chooses to wear a mask. As a reminder, the event will be outside.

Why? Take a well-deserved break and meet other parents from our LE community. Come support LE parent Adrienne Martin’s new restaurant, while also supporting LE PTO (a portion of the proceeds will be graciously donated back to the LE PTO).

Principal / PTO Update 4.10.22

Hi LE Families,

If you are signed up to receive Covid testing kits from the school, we will be sending home tests again this week. The tests are meant to be used on the Sunday before returning from break (Sunday, April 24th) and on the Tuesday following the break (Tuesday, April 26th).

 

This Tuesday, April 12 – 3:15 to 5:30 pm, we hope you’re able to check out AuthorFest meet and greet, book sale and signing at Cabot Elementary. Twenty-one authors and illustrators, who visited K-8 students around the district, will be on-hand to greet students and their families.

As a reminder, there is no school this Friday, April 15th due to Good Friday. April Vacation starts the following week from Monday, April 18th – Friday, April 22nd.

Have a fantastic week,

Principal Morrissey & the PTO

FORJ Updates 4.10.22 – Includes Special Session on Impact of Budget Cuts on Equity and Diversity

FORJ celebrates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her confirmation to the Supreme Court, where she will be the first Black female Justice, after 232 years. We take lessons from her treatment during the confirmation process, firmly standing on the side of anti-racism and against the hateful and harsh political theater Justice Jackson endured. Her strength and leadership are inspiring!

SPECIAL MEETING: BUDGET CUT IMPACTS ON SCHOOL EQUITY IN NEWTON

Tuesday, April 12th from 7-8pm

Mike Zilles (Newton Teachers Association Union President), Rielle Monatgue (Parent Rep) and Bill Humphrey (Newton City Council) will join the call with FORJ leaders and community members to discuss the impact of these cuts and what solutions are working to resolve this deficit. For more information and to register, visit Special FORJ Session: How do the current Newton Public Schools’ Budget Cuts impact overall issues of equity and diversity

NPS SHARES ANTI-HARASSMENT/ANTI-BULLYING AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTOCOLS

Last week, principals at both Brown Middle School and Newton South High School informed families that swastikas were found on school property. Unfortunately, these are only two of the many antisemitic incidents reported in Newton Public Schools in 2022.

FORJ Newton does not tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind, and stands in solidarity with Jewish communities in Newton and beyond.

The schools are responding to these incidents as swiftly as possible and following comprehensive protocols developed and implemented by Newton Public Schools.

On Thursday, April 7th, Kathy Lopes, NPS Dir of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Maura Morse, NPS Asst. Dir of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, shared anti-discrimination/harassment protocol information with the PTO Council, community leaders from FORJ chapters, and parents and guardians in the Newton community. These materials were previously shared with school administrators and are available for the community to view and utilize: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13XkGaGrefQS1X5hBFiCN1bKumhgQR7KF/view. The protocols apply to the wider community, not just Newton students.

If you’ve experienced or witnessed harassment/bullying or discrimination at school, you can contact our school leaders and/or complete a complaint form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xVc4Rh-tcBOk2GNV2eSlUrgo7Q72s3x6g4a5y0G7rHI/viewform?edit_requested=true  (Available in multiple languages. Translation services are also available through the NPS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion office.)

FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (FORJ) is a group of diverse Newton families helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.

For more information about FORJ, contact Lincoln-Eliot FORJ PTO Liaison Lanni Isenberg, lanni_harris@yahoo.com.

Bigelow Rising 6th Grade Registration, Info and Upcoming Events for Spring 2022

Principal Chassity K. Coston from Bigelow Middle School recently emailed 5th Grade Families after attending Bigelow’s 6th Grade Rising event on March 23.

For those who could not join the event, Principal Coston invites parents and guardians to meet with her on Tuesday, May 10th for a Parent Coffee.

In the meantime, 5th Grade Families are encouraged to review the email for more details, including information on Sixth Grade online registration and course elective and language selection. Registration is now open with a submission deadline of April 29.

In addition, you can visit the Bigelow Middle School website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/bigelow and click on the link for 2022 Incoming 6th Grade Information.