With all this snowfall, we’re more than ready for Newton Community Pride’s WinterFEST this February 12-13. All events are family friendly, free and open to all.
https://newtoncommunitypride.org/winterfest/
FORJ Update
Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service Observed
The Newton Martin Luther King Day Observance (webinar) on Monday, January 17th featured music, poetry and community leader voices inspired by the book “Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?” There were inspiring student poets and activists who artfully and powerfully shared their experiences as people of color attending school in Newton, beautiful choirs, moving songs by Katani Sumner, a Newton Public Schools teacher and singer/musician, and words by Mayor Fuller, faith leaders and city representatives.
Citywide FORJ Meeting Recap –King’s Beloved Community & 6 Steps to Nonviolent Action
The opportunity to celebrate the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King continued this week at the Citywide FORJ meeting with a discussion of Rev. King’s “Beloved Community.” Among the discussion leaders were Newton Public Schools folks and officers from the Newton Police Department who spoke to us about the difference between bias incidents and hate crimes and how all are handled in Newton. We heard many Dr. King quotes that may be lesser known and discussed the legacy of the six steps to nonviolent action. If you haven’t heard of the Beloved Community before, please have a look and listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeCzzRY_RI8
L-E FORJ PTO Liaison Lanni Isenberg has been receiving lots of notes from folks interested in learning more. Drop a line if you’d like to, too! lanni_harris@yahoo.com
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.
Newton Youth CLASSIC Lacrosse Program
The CLASSIC program is offered to all players grades 1-8th who live in Newton or attend a school in Newton. This program gives the players an opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse while being placed on evenly balanced teams. At all times, we promote good sportsmanship and mentorship within the different grade levels to provide a healthy environment to learn. We attempt equal playing time and welcome NEW players at any time along the way. Lacrosse is a SPRING sport so we expect all players to attend practices and games but realize there are situations that may arise. Please be respectful and communicate when your child will be absent, especially for games. This is critical in team planning.
http://www.newtonyouthlacrosse.com/
Please see below an overview of the 2022 lacrosse season by level.
1/2 Grade (U9): This introductory “learn to play” program is offered for young players who want to develop their fundamental skills while learning the basics of the sport, with a heavy focus on FUN! 1st and 2nd graders will practice twice per week (typically Tuesday & Thursday early evenings) with an optional Saturday late morning practice, along with 6 scheduled travel games on Sundays. Fundamentals of the game are taught by emphasizing fun and cooperation. The program typically ends with an invitation to participate in a mid-June Jamboree.
3/4 Grade (U11): This level focuses on skill building with lots of touches, introduction to game play with small fields, with an emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship. The teams will compete in MBYLL and play other town teams. Practices are twice per week (typically Tuesday & Thursday evenings) with games on Sundays. For players showing interest and dedication the program typically ends with an invitation to participate in a mid-June Jamboree.
5/6 Grade (U13): This level hones in on more advanced technical skills while mastering the basics. More instruction is provided on Game IQ and positional strategy. This level encourages endurance and fitness time as well as introducing concepts such as goal setting and mental prep. This level will compete in MBYLL and travel to other towns. Practices are twice per week (typically Monday & Wednesdays evenings) with games on Sundays. For players showing interest and dedication the program typically ends with an invitation to participate in a mid-June Jamboree.
Principal / PTO Update 1.16.22
Hi LE Families,
Progress reports will be available via Aspen for all families on February 10th. Please note the change of date to allow an additional week to complete mid-year assessments.
We currently have a total of 10 persons at Lincoln Eliot (students and staff members) who are identified as having Covid-19 who were in the building at some point this week. These individuals were identified through pooled testing and/or rapid “reflex” testing. Additionally, we have a few cases that were diagnosed through testing prior to Monday of this week. Those particular individuals have not been in school this week. If your child’s classroom has been impacted, you have received the standard notification. If your child is considered a “close contact”, Nurse Kristen has been working to contact you.
Contact Tracing during COVID-19 Surge Protocol
In the event of a surge of Covid-19 positive cases, school staff will not be able to conduct contact tracing on all cases. When contact tracing is not feasible, we will notify a classroom, grade, or team that there was a positive case and advise families and staff to actively monitor for symptoms, and to stay home if symptoms develop. When feasible, we will alert families and staff if they have been identified as a close contact who is not exempt from quarantine and testing. During this surge, we will prioritize contact tracing in our unvaccinated or partially vaccinated grades, and complete contact tracing to the extent feasible.
As a reminder, the guidelines for quarantine/isolation were recently changed. I have attempted to summarize for you.
Anyone testing positive must quarantine for 5 days. They can return to school on day 6 if they have no symptoms at that time, but must wear a mask at all times while in school (even outdoors). Masking must happen until day 11.
Fully vaccinated (2 weeks out from 2nd vaccination) can come to school – even if there is a positive case at home as long as they are able to maintain distance from the positive person at home, and no symptoms emerge. If symptoms start, stay home and test
Unvaccinated students should follow the quarantine rules. More information HERE.
When we provide school work for students who are not in school: NPS is not able to provide assignment support for students for absences related to family vacations, short-term absences due to illness, health precautionary reasons, or other similar reasons related to family choice. NPS does provide alternative instruction at home for students who are medically unable to attend school and qualify for educational services in the home or hospital [603 CMR 28.03(3)(c)], which requires documentation from the child’s physician. Given the current health situation, we do provide assignments and materials for independent work on a short-term basis when a student is required to quarantine due to COVID.
All parents should send their child to school with a well-fitted mask that easily covers both mouth and nose (KN95 masks are recommended).
Principal Morrissey
PTO Meeting 1.25.22
We will be holding our next general PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 25th at 6:30. Superintendent Dr. Fleishman and select School Committee members will be in attendance for this meeting. If you have any questions that you’d like them to address, please either email secretary@lepto.org or fill out this google form https://forms.gle/Gdcp81tVzSdqwP9c8
We are also happy to announce that this Zoom meeting will utilize Lexikeet, which delivers real-time language interpretation. Families must register at least three days ahead of the meeting to ensure their language will be there. Please register using this google form https://forms.
ELPAC Meeting 2.03.22
The English Language Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) will hold its next meeting on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
ELPAC supports ELL families districtwide and collaborates with schools and districts to improve the ELL programming.
Meetings are held every other month. Interpreters and/or same language groups are provided with RSVP by January 31, 2022. The February 3, 2022 meeting topics are: Newton Free Library Resources & ACCESS Testing.
RSVP to the meeting here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/
Once you RSVP, you will be sent a Zoom link to attend the meeting virtually.
Newton Girls Softball Sign-Ups
Newton Girls Softball Rec League registration is open for girls in kindergarten through 8th grade. Come be part of a team! Supportive coaches teach the fundamentals of softball and help build confidence, determination, and resiliency. There is a place for girls of all ability levels. http://newtongirlssoftball.
Early-bird discount for sign-ups before Feb. 1. Please email info@
Hope to see you in spring!
Principal Update 1.09.22
Hi LE Families,
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful break. Below you will find information regarding the latest Covid protocols, updates about the new L-E building, and the MCAS schedule for this year. Our upcoming PTO meeting on Tuesday 1/25 will feature Dr. Fleishman as well.
We currently have a total of 15 persons at Lincoln Eliot (students and staff members) who are identified as having Covid-19 who were in the building at some point this week. These individuals were identified through pooled testing and/or rapid “reflex” testing. Additionally, we have a few cases that were diagnosed through testing prior to Monday of this week. Those particular individuals have not been in school this week. If your child’s classroom has been impacted, you have received the standard notification. If your child is considered a “close contact”, Nurse Kristen has been working to contact you.
As you know, the guidelines for quarantine/isolation were recently changed. I have attempted to summarize for you.
Anyone testing positive must quarantine for 5 days. They can return to school on day 6 if they have no symptoms at that time, but must wear a mask at all times while in school (even outdoors). Masking must happen until day 11.
Fully vaccinated (2 weeks out from 2nd vaccination) can come to school – even if there is a positive case at home as long as they are able to maintain distance from the positive person at home, and no symptoms emerge. If symptoms start, stay home and test
Unvaccinated students should follow the quarantine rules. More information HERE.
When we provide school work for students who are not in school: NPS is not able to provide assignment support for students for absences related to family vacations, short-term absences due to illness, health precautionary reasons, or other similar reasons related to family choice. NPS does provide alternative instruction at home for students who are medically unable to attend school and qualify for educational services in the home or hospital [603 CMR 28.03(3)(c)], which requires documentation from the child’s physician. Given the current health situation, we do provide assignments and materials for independent work on a short-term basis when a student is required to quarantine due to COVID.
All parents should send their child to school with a well-fitted mask that easily covers both mouth and nose (KN95 masks are recommended).
Lastly, there will be two public meetings next week to share a project update for the new Lincoln-Eliot building. You will find the links below:
-
Monday, January 10th at 7:00 PM – LE Project Update to the School Committee (zoom link https://zoom.us/j/390017072)
-
Tuesday, January 11th at 6:00 PM – LE Community/School Building Committee Meeting . Use the link below to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
84409152659?pwd= MW9kR3d0aW44Q3pLMnd5TTJ4U1RPUT 09)
Thank you,
Principal Morrissey
PTO Meeting 1.25.22
The next general PTO meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 25th at 6:30. Dr. Fleishman and select School Committee members will be in attendance for the meeting. This is a great opportunity to find out more about what is going on at the district level and ask those burning questions you may have. Zoom link and info is below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95067647738?pwd=OStBcmVUT3R1U1N0QWV4RlhlV0hqUT09
Meeting ID: 950 6764 7738
Passcode: f6h5Y3
MCAS Schedule 2022
As a reminder, please see below for this year’s MCAS schedule.
ELA
| Grade | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Date | 4/13 | 4/11 | 4/12 |
| Date | 4/26 | 4/26 | 4/14 |
MATH
| Grade | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Date | 5/16 | 5/19 | 5/17 |
| Date | 5/17 | 5/24 | 5/20 |
SCIENCE
| Grade | 5th | 5th |
| Date | 5/23 | 5/25 |