Newtown Public Schools

I sincerely hope that everyone enjoyed their time away from school last week. For those who were not traveling, it could not have been a better week weather-wise. Both the temperatures and dry conditions were conducive to all types of outdoor activities - whether getting a jump on some spring yard work, enjoying a trip to the park, or simply taking a relaxing walk. However your time was spent, I hope you were able to recharge and spend time in ways that were meaningful to you. This stretch of the year is always a busy one, and while the work ahead is important, so too is maintaining balance and well-being as we move toward the close of the school year - that goes for parents, students and staff alike!

At our Board of Education meeting prior to the break, we welcomed Ms. Leanne Browett, Newtown High School Dean of Students. Ms. Browett provided the Board with an in-depth look at the scope and impact of her role. You may recall that the Dean of Students position at Newtown High School was introduced as part of last year’s budget, making this its first year of implementation. While a primary focus of the role is supporting students and families experiencing chronic absenteeism, the day-to-day responsibilities extend well beyond that work. For those who may be wondering what the role looks like in practice, I would encourage you to take a few moments to watch her presentation to better understand the value this position brings to our students, families, and overall school community. A similar Dean of Students role for Newtown Middle School has been proposed in the 2026–27 budget and Ms. Browett’s presentation offers a helpful and practical overview of what that could look like.

The Board of Education Ad Hoc Facilities Planning Committee held its first meeting on April 8. The committee—comprised of representatives from the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Legislative Council, town leadership, staff, and the community—reviewed its charge and began examining key data to guide long-term facilities planning. This work will focus on aligning our school facilities with the district’s instructional vision while balancing cost, value, and community priorities. The committee will meet regularly through the fall, with its next meeting scheduled for April 30. You can review the minutes or view the recorded meeting by clicking on the links: Recording & Minutes.

As a reminder, the annual budget referendum will take place a week from Tuesday, April 28th. Polls will be open from 6am to 8pm at Newtown Middle School. Information about the proposed education budget, including presentations and supporting materials, is available on the district website.

Warm regards,

Anne

Our full district calendar can be found here

BUDGET REFERENDUM

NEWTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL

6:00 AM TO 8:00 PM

Superintendent's Proposed Budget Video

Superintendent's Proposed Operational Budget Presentation

Board of Education Requested Operational Budget

Budget Referendum Guidelines

Click the link to view the agenda for tomorrow's Board of Education meeting.

To view this meeting, the livestream link is: https://vimeo.com/event/729428

To make a public comment, the call in number is (US) 1 908-543-4527 PIN: 689 240 895#

April is National Volunteer Month, and we are so grateful for our incredible PTA and all of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and heart to support our school community. Your commitment helps create meaningful experiences for our students and strengthens the connection between school and home. Thank you for all that you do, we appreciate you today and every day!!

Administrative Professionals Day gives us the perfect opportunity to recognize the incredible individuals who keep our school running smoothly each and every day. From managing the front office to supporting staff, students, and families, their organization, dedication, and kindness do not go unnoticed. We are so grateful for all that they do behind the scenes to create a welcoming and efficient environment for our entire school community. Thank you for everything you do!

Earth Day is a meaningful reminder of the importance of caring for our planet, not just today, but for the future. Throughout the school, students are engaging in activities that promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and responsibility, from classroom discussions to hands-on projects. These experiences help students understand how their everyday choices can make a positive impact on the world around them. As we celebrate Earth Day, we are proud to see our school community working together to build habits that will support a healthier, greener planet for generations to come. 🌎

Please click here to purchase tickets!

Please click here to purchase tickets!

We are excited to share that our sister school in Madrid, Spain is looking forward to continuing our exchange program for the 2026–2027 school year! April 20th is the final deadline to sign up. Please review the information below.

The Connecticut State Department of Education is pleased to share an exciting opportunity for certified teachers interested in expanding their impact through adult education. Connecticut Adult Education is seeking instructors for subjects including General Education Development (GED) Preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), Career Readiness, Digital Literacy, and high school credit completion with flexible scheduling options available.

The upcoming April 27th Inclusive School Safety Practices for Students with Disabilities – Parent and Caregiver Event will now be held Virtually via Zoom.

This free event will provide meaningful, practical information while bringing together families, educators, disability advocates, and school and community leaders to explore strategies that promote safe, inclusive learning environments for all students.

Please click here to RSVP for the Parent Event.

On Tuesday, April 7th, students enjoyed assemblies with Nick Bruel, author and illustrator of the Bad Kitty books. Nick shared that he begins his stories by first thinking of a title, then asking himself lots of questions to help develop the plot. He practiced this process with our students, who helped create a story together during the assembly using only a title and questions. He reminded students that the secret to writing great stories is to always ask yourself questions. Nick also demonstrated how to draw characters like Bad Kitty to show feelings and emotions, bringing his ideas to life. Thank you to Mrs. Hurley for organizing this special author event, and to the PTA for generously funding this wonderful experience for our students.

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of Sandy Hook Elementary’s Scripps Spelling Bee finalists and this year’s champion! Congratulations to all!

Pictured left to right: Matthew Partcelli, Chloe Yang, Alexander Romanino: 2026 School Champion, Olivia Romanino, Anaya Jarrar, Muhammad Alam (Maaz)

Not Pictured: Luke Kang, Jack Buell, Nicholas Muckell, Andy Insdorf, Bennett Harriman

Photo Cred: Jenna Visca, Newtown Bee

For the second time since its inception, Newtown High School has earned the SWC Achievement Cup—an accomplishment we are extremely proud of.

The Southwest Conference (SWC) Achievement Cup was introduced two years ago as a hallmark recognition program tailored for high school athletics. It aims to honor excellence in two pivotal areas: sportsmanship and league success.

This achievement reflects the collective commitment of our student-athletes and coaches, to competing with integrity, representing our school with pride, and striving for excellence in every season. It’s not just about wins, it’s about how we win. Newtown continues to set the standard.

Congratulations to Athletic Director Matt Memoli, Coaches and Student-Athletes on the amazing achievement

After much discussion and planning, NHS is proud to announce the launch of Hawk Bites, our new after-school nutritious snack program for student-athletes.

Designed to support our athletes before practices and games, Hawk Bites will operate in partnership with Chartwells to provide convenient, healthy snack options. These quick, nutritious choices will help keep our athletes energized, focused, and ready to perform at their best.

We recognize that many of our student-athletes head directly from the school day to practice or competition without the opportunity to go home and refuel. Hawk Bites aims to bridge that gap by ensuring our Nighthawks have access to the fuel they need, when they need it most.

We began this program with our spring sports, currently available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with plans to expand and add more days in the fall.

Blue and Gold Strong and Fueled.

Coming right off the NHSCA National Tournament in Virginia Beach, Junior Captain Antonio Arguelo wasted no time getting back on the mat, this time on the international stage at the U17 Pan-American Championships in Panama City.

Competing against some of the best in the world, Antonio battled his way to a bronze medal, marking his fourth straight year finishing in the top three at this elite international competition.

In order to help families avoid the accumulation of large negative lunch balances, the district will be implementing the following steps:

• At $25 or more: Parents/guardians will be notified by email.

• At $50 or more: School personnel will contact you directly.

• At $75 or more: A formal letter will be mailed home from the school.

• If balances continue to grow without an effort to reconcile: Families will be contacted by the Central Office.

Please note: Students with a negative balance are not permitted to purchase a second lunch or snacks until the account is brought current.

Our goal is to support families in staying up to date with lunch accounts and to prevent larger debts from accumulating. By connecting families with school personnel, we hope to assist you in making online payments or, if eligible, applying for free and reduced-price lunch.

Click on the link for instructions on how to set up a MY SCHOOL BUCKS account so you can keep your account current.

Our PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) is a group made up of parents, teachers, and sometimes community members who work together to support our schools. The primary goal of our PTAs is to build a strong connection between families and schools to create a positive learning environment for students. PTAs often organize activities and events that benefit students, such as fundraisers, family nights, and volunteer programs. These events help raise money for classroom supplies, field trips, or other school needs that may not be covered by the school budget.

In addition to fundraising, the PTA acts as a bridge between parents and school administrations. They advocate for students by addressing concerns or providing feedback to school leaders. PTAs also host meetings, or informational sessions to keep parents informed about important issues, such as curriculum changes, testing schedules, or educational policies. By fostering collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators, our PTAs plays a crucial role in enriching the school community and supporting student success.

You can find a link to each school's PTA by clicking on this link.

Several of our schools are in need of student support services staff. If you enjoy working with kids, we encourage you to visit our employment opportunities page.