5/27/24 - 5/31/24 Weekly Update

Newton South Students and Families,

As Memorial Day approaches, we take a moment to honor and remember the brave people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. On this day, we reflect on their courage and dedication. May your Memorial Day be filled with peace, gratitude, and time spent with family, friends, and loved ones.

We have the following updates for you:

Tenth grader Aleeza Amitan is one of 55 U.S. State and Territory Winners for her Google Doodle, “When education flourishes, so does the world”. Aleeza’s Doodle was selected from thousands of entries received this year.

Now, people across the U.S. can vote for their favorite Doodle from the 55 State and Territory Winners. Voting will be open from May 22 - June 4 on this site: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/

Be sure to click grades 10-12 at the top of the page and then select Aleeza’s design under “Massachusetts!”

The National Winner will take home a $55,000 college scholarship and their school will receive a $50,000 tech package towards the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program.

Let’s help Aleeza win! Vote here: 2024 Google Doodle Vote

As a reminder, finals will begin at Newton South on Monday, June 17 and extend to Friday, June 21, with makeups on the 24th. Please note the following:

• All teachers will have a planned learning experience or assessment during their block on the appropriate finals day. Attendance will be taken and the attendance standard remains in effect.
• Directed studies and small studies will not meet on these dates. Students who have a Directed or Small Study during that block are free to remain in the Student Center or Library. Academic studies will meet.

We will have several special schedules the week of June 3 due to MCAS science, graduation, and Step Up Day. Please see below for the schedules:

Here's to another week at South!

Sincerely,

Jason Williams (he/him)
Vice Principal

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day (No School)

Wednesday, May 29: Last Day of Class for Seniors

Friday, May 31: Senior Checkout/Rehearsal

Friday, May 31, 7:30pm: South Stage Senior Showcase

Special schedules for week of June 3

Tuesday, June 4 & Wednesday, June 5: Science MCAS

Thursday, June 6: Graduation, 5pm (FAQ)

Friday, June 7: Step Up Day

Yearbook distribution will begin for seniors during lunch on Tuesday, May 28.

• On that day, seniors only can pick up their books in the library during all three lunches in the library.
• On Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, students in grades 9, 10, and 11 can pick up their books in the hallway outside of the library.
• On Friday, May 31, seniors who haven't picked up a book will get theirs during graduation check-out, and underclassmen will have theirs delivered to their English classes if they haven't picked them up yet.
• Anyone who hasn't purchased a book yet can buy one during all distribution times as long as supplies last for $100, cash or check made out to Newton South High School.

As South's first school-wide art competition reaches its final judging round, we want YOUR help in choosing the top three finalists by filling out the Google Form linked below! It will only take a couple minutes, and you'll have the chance to see some amazing artwork that your peers have made!

https://forms.gle/1m3zRbKd3xY24BDF6

Best,

NSHS Art Competition Organizers

Here are all the remaining final schedules for the year:

Week of June 3 - Science MCAS, Graduation, & Step Up Day

Late arrival for students not taking MCAS on Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5

Early dismissal on Thursday, June 6 (No late bus)

Early dismissal on Friday, June 7

Beginning June 17: Finals

Special schedules June 17 - 26

Final FAQ is here

Additionally, here is the term 4 calendar with all dates.

Class of 2025/Newton South Juniors may join this college essay boot camp taking place from June 3 - 7 at no cost.

Plus you’ll have free access to classes on Supplemental Essays and the University of California Personal Insight Questions.

See here for the flyer.

Register for the boot camp here.

Sign up for the workbook here.

All Google accounts for students leaving Newton Public Schools will be deactivated sometime in July. Click the link below for instructions about how to use Google Takeout to download your NPS data.

Download Your NPS Data Using Google Takeout

Students who need assistance with this process can visit Mr. Hammel in the NSHS Library.

We have updated the Finals FAQ to include more information regarding the last two days of school.

Specifically, June 25 and June 26 will follow a special will follow a special attendance policy. Reported absences during these last two days will not count towards the attendance standard and will be considered excused in alignment with the NPS School Committee Policy on Absences.

The graduation FAQ has additionally been updated with the video of our May 7 presentation.

We have updated the Graduation FAQ to include the following:

• Senior Family and Student Information Sessions
• Students: Completing Name Recording
• Students: Cap Decorations
• Students: Chromebook Returns

You can find the full Graduation FAQ below:

The Lion's Roar is organizing our annual graduation issue and we would love to include tribute ads to as many seniors as possible! Our special section devoted to the Class of 2024 will be distributed to everyone who attends the graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6th. Our staff will design the ad for you at no additional cost. Photos and all details about the ad can be emailed to The Roar’s adviser, Ashley Chapman (chapmana@newton.k12.ma.us) and Volume 41’s Editor-in-Chief (ss.lionsroar@gmail.com). To see what last year’s section looked like, go to this link! If you have any additional questions, please email Ashley Chapman and the Editor-in-Chief.

See here for the form.

We are excited to announce a new update for the South community: our @south.learns Instagram page! This account will showcase all the amazing activities and events that occur every week at South, from performing arts to athletics to school focused events. Feel free to give us a follow on Instagram! In the bio, there is a link for a Google Form. If you are part of an exciting event that you want to be featured on the page, fill it out. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Help your teen grow and explore this summer with NCE's fun and educational programming for teens! Visit and tour local colleges, get a headstart on college applications, prepare for SATs, or even tour the vibrant and historical city of Boston. Led by experienced instructors, our programs provide invaluable insights, skills, and experiences to help students navigate the exciting journey ahead. From SAT prep to babysitting/CPR, we ensure each student is equipped with the tools they need to thrive. Visit our website to view our full lineup of programming and join us this summer!

This information is now additionally a pinned post on ParentSquare for easy access.

Use this form to report an absence:

• Cutler

• Goldrick

• Goodwin

• Wheeler

Attendance Standard for the 2023-2024 School Year

Attendance Standard FAQs

District Procedures Regarding Attendance

We will excuse up to two college visits per term in term 3 and 4 for juniors, and anytime during the year for seniors.

Our academic honesty protocol can be found here. This protocol is taken directly from the district's Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

Bus Schedules

Boston Bus Schedules

Cell phones should not be seen or heard in class, and should be in a student's pocket, backpack, or door holder in the classroom. Consequences include a verbal warning, the teacher temporarily taking the phone, etc. If you need to contact your student during school, you should go through the house office, as students will not be able to check their messages during class.

We aware aware and mindful that students may need a cell phone for vital functions such as glucose monitoring. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your house office and work with them to find a solution that works best for both parties.

Please see the following letter from the Newton South Faculty Council regarding cell phone use.

• Year at a Glance: Overview of the 2023-2024 school year
• Term 4 Calendar
• Lunch Schedule for Semester 2. Classes are assigned lunches based on what wing of the building they are in.
• Public Calendar of Events: We keep an updated calendar of events on the school website - this is a combination of events from the NPS calendar and our individual school's calendar.

Math Center Schedule – Located in 4201 (except for WIN 1, in 4216)

Writing Center Schedule – Located in Library, first door on your right

Play basketball, badminton, or pickleball OR create with pastels and watercolors! After school. evenings, and weekends, NCE offers enriching programs for all interests with scholarships so everyone can participate. Explore our offerings for grades 6-12 and register here. Ignite curiosity and build friendships right here at school.

SAT Coordinator: Namal Sadiq (sadiqn@newton.k12.ma.us)

AP Coordinator: Brandon Johnson (johnsonbra@newton.k12.ma.us)

Did you know that you can scan a barcode on your phone during lunch to save time in the line? You can do so using the Stocard app and following these instructions.

The South store is centrally located right next to the Student Center and is open several blocks throughout the week.

Come check out our different selections of Seltzer, Snacks, and South gear - or just come by to say hi! We accept cash, debit/credit cards, and Apple Pay. We can’t wait to see you there!

See below for the schedule:

Attached please find the School Transfer information for the 24-25 school year. The Instructions, Policy and link to the request form are located on the NPS website under the Registration Tab.

Access the instructions here.

Students use MyFlexLearning to sign up for WIN blocks.

All students are assigned to a space.

• If you do not sign up for a WIN by the day before that WIN occurs, you will be pushed to a teacher's WIN based on available space. You will be pushed to a Wednesday WIN on Tuesday afternoon, a Thursday WIN on Wednesday afternoon, etc. If you continuously do not sign up for WIN block, we will follow up with you and determine a strategy to make sure you are making the most of this important time on learning period.
• If your teacher is absent the day of your WIN, you will be unscheduled from that WIN and pushed to another space.
• You have up until an hour before a WIN block starts to reschedule; after this, your WIN assignment is locked.

The library is not freely open during WIN block. To be in the library during this block, you must be signed up with a teacher who is assigned to this space. We will ask teachers to not send you to the library, as the library will send you back to the class from which you came.

List of Clubs & Activities at Newton South

Athletic Calendar