Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - February 9, 2026
February is Black History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich history of Black Americans. Throughout the month, our schools will engage students in learning experiences that highlight influential leaders, innovators, artists, and change-makers who have shaped our nation and continue to inspire us today. We also take this time to reflect on the importance of equity, respect, and understanding as we work together to build a more inclusive school community.
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a traditional celebration with a history of over 3,000 years. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring, a time of renewal and new beginnings.
The holiday is celebrated with family gatherings, special foods, decorations in red for good luck, and traditions meant to bring health and prosperity. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, confidence, and hard work.
Ramadan is a holy month in Islam observed by Muslims around the world as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. From dawn to sunset, many Muslims fast as a way to practice self-discipline and empathy for others. The month emphasizes kindness, generosity, and gratitude, and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
If you are interested in having your child participate as a Play Partner, please complete the Play Partner Questionnaire 2026 - 2027 by February 13, 2026 to be entered into the lottery. Play Partners are required to be three years of age on or by September 1, 2026 and be toilet trained before they are admitted to the program. You are still encouraged to complete the questionnaire if your child turns three shortly thereafter. We accept Play Partners throughout the year, accordingly. Children five years of age by September 1, 2026 are kindergarten eligible and will not be considered for participation as Play Partners. Kindergarten eligible children may not remain enrolled as a student in the Newtown Preschool Program.
Following the submission of your questionnaire, the preschool team will contact you by the first week of March to invite your child to participate in a “Play and Meet the Teacher” activity. This will take place on the afternoon of Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Newtown Preschool Program located at Reed Intermediate School. A preschool staff member will email you prior to the play session to confirm the details of the activity. Only one adult may accompany the child for the play activity. Please RSVP to let us know if you will or will not be attending the activity—we appreciate it for planning purposes.
You will receive notification through email by April 3, 2026 regarding your child’s Play Partner status. Parent confirmation of Play Partner participation will be due on April 24, 2026.
Newtown Public Schools Preschool Program Details
Program Days: Monday through Thursday
Program Hours: Morning sessions: 8:50 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.
Afternoon sessions: 12:40 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.
Location: Newtown Preschool located at Reed Intermediate School
Rate: $2,700.00 for a full year four half day program
If you, a caregiver, or an educator have questions or concerns about your child’s adaptive, social-emotional, communication, motor, or cognitive development, it may be more appropriate to pause moving your child’s application forward as a Play Partner. Instead, we recommend discussing your concerns so we can provide information about early childhood development or consider whether an evaluation may be appropriate.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Laura Pellerito, School Psychologist, at (203) 426-7683 with any questions regarding your child’s development.
Come out and support the NHS Girls Basketball team this Monday, 2/9!
We’ll be hosting a bake sale and raffle to raise awareness and funds for Play4Kay, supporting all cancers affecting women.
Great hoops. Great cause. Let’s pack the gym and show our support!
JV-4:30pm
Varsity-6:00pm
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.
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.
