Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - December 8, 2025
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,
As we approach the anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook on December 14, this date continues to carry profound meaning for our town and our school district. For those who experienced that day firsthand, the memories are deeply personal and, for many, always present. Many of our educators, staff members, and families lived through that unimaginable day and continue to demonstrate strength, compassion, and dedication to our children every day.
Over the years, our district has continued to grow and evolve. While many of our current students were not yet born at the time of the tragedy and many families have joined our community since then, the values that draw people to Newtown remain unchanged - a strong sense of care, resilience, and commitment to one another.
Still, on this anniversary, we grieve with the families who suffered unimaginable loss. We honor the professionals and first responders who led with courage. We have compassion for those whose memories remain heavy. While many will choose to reflect privately at their places of worship or by visiting the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial, for those wishing to be in the company of others, the Interfaith Council will hold a community service at First Congregational Church at 7:00 pm on December 14th. St. Rose of Lima Church will also hold a Sandy Hook Memorial Mass on December 14th at 11:30 a.m.
Because the anniversary falls on a Sunday this year, there will be no change to our school schedules. Newtown Police will maintain heightened security at all schools both before and after the weekend to ensure continued safety and peace of mind for students, families, and staff.
As always, if your family needs any additional support or you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building principal or to me directly.
With care,
Anne
December Calendar
Our full district calendar can be found here
Celebrating Our Differences
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is a joyful Jewish festival that begins at nightfall on December 14 and continues through December 22, 2025, corresponding to the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev. The eight-day celebration honors the miracle of the Temple menorah, which continued to burn for eight nights with only a small amount of oil. Families and communities mark the holiday by lighting the menorah each evening, sharing traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, exchanging small gifts, and enjoying time together. We extend our warm wishes to all who observe Hanukkah and celebrate its message of light, resilience, and hope.
DISTRICT NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Winter Concerts
Reed's Book Club
Author Dana Rau will be visiting Reed on Thursday. Prior to her visit, Mrs. Wasley ran an engaging book club opportunity for students that allowed them to connect with one of her titles, “Who Was Betty White” and do so with comfort dogs in attendance! This event allowed students to learn more about Betty White and her work as an animal activist!
Career Day at Newtown Middle School
Newtown Middle School recently hosted Career Day, giving students the chance to learn about different professions and ask questions about the world of work. Community members and volunteers shared information about their careers and the skills they use every day. The event helped students think about their interests and consider the many possible paths they may explore in the future.
CIAC Leadership Summit - Unified Sports
Our 8th Grade Unified Sports members proudly represented Hawley at the CIAC Leadership Summit. Students participated in workshops and team-building activities focused on inclusion, sportsmanship, and student leadership. The summit provided an opportunity for our Unified athletes and partners to strengthen their collaboration skills, build confidence, and further promote a school culture where every student feels valued and supported.
STEM Night at Hawley
Hawley School recently hosted its annual STEM Night, an event designed to spark curiosity and celebrate hands-on learning. Families rotated through a variety of interactive stations featuring science, technology, engineering, and math challenges that encouraged exploration, creativity, and collaboration. The evening reinforced the inquiry-based learning we cultivate in our classrooms, giving students opportunities to ask questions, test ideas, and learn through discovery.
Hawley's Bus Behavior Awards
Hawley School is excited to continue our Bus Awards program, designed to recognize model behavior and strengthen a positive school culture from the moment students step onto the bus. Students who consistently demonstrate safe, respectful, and responsible conduct while riding to and from school are nominated for the award. Honorees are celebrated during morning announcements and receive a certificate recognizing their leadership and kindness. Congratulations to this month's honorees!
NHS Athletics
Unified Basketball
And they're back! Newtown Unified Basketball is back and ready for action! Our athletes and partners hit the court for the start of practice as they get ready for an action packed season ahead. Cheers to a fun filled season! Go Nighthawks!
Bob Zito Coach's Award
NHS football player and Senior Travis Rekos was recently honored with the newly established Bob Zito Coach’s Award, presented to a student-athlete who demonstrates the spirit, pride, grit, and character of the NHS Football program. Bob Zito, a former NHS state champion football coach and athletic director, was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023.
Congratulations to Travis on this well-deserved recognition!
Managing Negative Lunch Balances
In order to help families avoid the accumulation of large negative lunch balances, the district will be implementing the following steps:
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At $25 or more: Parents/guardians will be notified by email.
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At $50 or more: School personnel will contact you directly.
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At $75 or more: A formal letter will be mailed home from the school.
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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.
Get Involved, Be Connected, Have a Voice - Join a Newtown PTA!
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.
Join One of Our Teams & Make a Difference!
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.