Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - October 13, 2025
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,
I was pleased that the Nor’easter that came through in the last 24 hours resulted in minimal disruption to our schools - with the exception of many wet and wind-blown staff members who weathered morning bus duty. Some parts of working in schools can only be fully appreciated when experienced firsthand!
As I mentioned last week, the NPS Leadership Team has developed a set of three-year goals that will guide our work across schools and operations. One of our key actions is bringing the Newtown Portrait of a Graduate (NPOG) to life. The Portrait (see below) identifies the skills and mindsets we want every student to develop before graduation: Critical Thinker, Collaborator, Open and Respectful Communicator, Innovator, Ethical and Compassionate Citizen, Resilient and Adaptive Achiever and Strategic Planner. These reflect the qualities our community values most for success in college, career, armed services and life. This year, Newtown High School is leading the way by focusing on what it means to be a Critical Thinker. Students will be reflecting on this and other NPOG characteristics in their classes and capturing their insights in e-portfolios—a foundation that will grow through high school, eventually connecting to students' Capstone Projects. Over the next few years, the Portrait will expand to all grade levels, helping students across Newtown learn and live these important skills.
I also wanted to share that the Board of Education voted last week to accept the donation of a weapons detection system for Newtown High School. I appreciate the thoughtful discussion that took place and the valuable input provided by students, staff, and parents through surveys, focus groups, emails, and public comment at the meeting. Before any implementation occurs, a detailed rollout and communication plan will be developed. Please be assured that students, staff, and families at Newtown High School will be informed well in advance of any installation or testing, which will likely be several months down the road.
Warm regards,
Anne
October Calendar
Our full district calendar can be found here
Celebrating Our Differences
National Hispanic Heritage Month
At Newtown Public Schools, we remain dedicated to creating an environment where every student and family feels welcomed and included. From September 15 through October 15, we recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual observance honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, whose roots trace to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
This observance has a meaningful history of its own. First established in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, it was later expanded to a month-long recognition by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The start date of September 15 is significant, marking the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile following on September 16 and 18. Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, also falls within this commemorative period.
Meet the Leaders ~ Sandy Hook
Dr. Kathy Gombos is now in her 13th year leading Sandy Hook School, where her steady leadership has helped shape not only her school community but also future leaders across Newtown Public Schools. During her tenure, two former Sandy Hook leaders—Tim Napolitano, now Principal of Head O’Meadow, and Kelly Maclaren, Assistant Principal at Head O’Meadow—have continued their leadership journeys within the district.
This year, Sandy Hook welcomes Laura Esposito as Assistant Principal, following her year of service as Interim Elementary Special Education Supervisor. Laura’s strong background in supporting students with special needs and her deep commitment to inclusive education make her a wonderful addition to both the Sandy Hook and district leadership teams.
DISTRICT NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Niche Releases 2026 District Rankings
Niche recently released its 2026 school ranking information. Newtown Public Schools moved from #24 Best School Districts in Connecticut to #22. Newtown Public Schools continues to be recognized for its tradition of excellence!
Hawley's Specials' Open House
Parents and students visited each Special at Hawley to meet the Teacher and for a fun activity (Art, Library, Music, PE & Spanish)
Sandy Hook's Baby Chicks Hatched!
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.
NHS Athletics
Home Game Schedule for the Nighthawks
Monday October 13th
Volleyball vs Pomperaug
JV-4:00pm
Varsity-5:30pm
Tuesday October 14th
Boys Soccer vs Bethel
JV-5:00pm
Varsity-7:00pm
Boys Golf vs SWC (postseason)
8:30am Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course
Wednesday October 15th
Boys Cross Country vs SWC (postseason)
3:00pm at Bethel High School
Girls Cross Country vs SWC (postseason)
4:30pm at Bethel High School
Thursday October 16th
Girls Volleyball vs Masuk - Senior Night
JV-4:00pm
Varsity 5:30pm
Field Hockey vs Cheshire
Freshman-4:00pm
Girls Soccer vs Pomperaug - Senior Night
JV-5:00pm
Varsity-7:00
Friday October 17th
Football vs Bunnell - Senior Night (football/cheer/dance)
Varsity 7:00pm
Field Hockey vs Trumbull
Freshman-4:00pm
Celebrating Our Nighthawk Seniors
It's that time of the season when we celebrate our Seniors! We proudly honor their hard work, dedication and commitment to their respective teams. Our Seniors have made a lasting impact both on and off the field leading with heart and setting an example for future athletes.
Thank you Seniors- You'll always be part of the Nighthawk family!
Congratulations to our Field Hockey, Girls Swim, Girls/Boys XC & Boys Soccer. We look forward to celebrating the rest of our Seniors over the next few weeks.
Unified Sports - Soccer Tournament
The Nighthawks were on the road last week enjoying a beautiful day and a fun Soccer tournament with their friends at Bunnell High School! Thank you Bulldogs for hosting us. We had a blast.
Breast Cancer Awareness Games
Throughout October, many teams are proud to host Breast Cancer Awareness games and fundraisers in support of those affected by breast cancer. Athletes, coaches, and fans come together wearing pink to show unity, raise funds, and spread awareness for an important cause. Together, we play for more than the win—we play for hope and support.
Thank you Volleyball, Field Hockey & Girls Soccer for your continued support.💗
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.