Newtown Public Schools

Our full district calendar can be found here

Last week, the Legislative Council voted to reduce the Board of Education budget by an additional $400,000, on top of the prior $125,000 reduction, resulting in a total reduction of $525,000 from the original Board of Education budget proposal.

The revised budget referendum will take place on May 19. Should the budget fail again, it will return to the Legislative Council for additional consideration and potential further reductions.

PLEASE VOTE!!

The proposed Newtown High School HVAC project was inadvertently left off the ballot at the April 28th referendum.

The question will be presented to voters on May 19th and is as follows:

“Shall the $2,317,210 special appropriation and bond authorization for the planning, design, engineering and installation of HVAC system upgrades at Newtown High School (such authorization to be transferred from existing unspent bond proceeds) be approved?”

Approval of this question would allow the project to move forward using existing, previously authorized funds. Importantly, this does not require the Town to take on any new debt. Instead, the project would be funded through the transfer of unspent bond proceeds from a completed project.

This work is focused on critical infrastructure at the high school, including the replacement of key heating and cooling equipment that serves multiple areas of the building. These upgrades are necessary to maintain reliable and consistent temperature control in those spaces.

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, celebrated each May, is a time to recognize and honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. In our school community, we celebrate the diversity that strengthens us by highlighting the histories, achievements, and voices of AAPI individuals who have made lasting impacts in fields such as science, education, the arts, and public service. This month also provides an opportunity for students to learn more about different cultures, reflect on the importance of inclusion and respect, and appreciate the vibrant traditions that are part of our shared community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of emotional well-being for every student, staff member, and family in our school community. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as caring for our physical health. This month, we encourage everyone to check in with themselves and others, practice kindness, and make time for rest and reflection. Together, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

The District's Food Service Advisory Board brings together students, teachers, and parents/guardians to help shape the school meal program. Your voice helps guide:

• Menu planning
• Nutrition education
• Program promotion
• Feedback on what families like - and what they would like to see improved

VIRTUAL MEETING INFORMATION:

Newtown Food Service Advisory Board

Wednesday, June 3 · 3:30 – 4:30pm

Time zone: America/New_York

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ekm-vbjd-pvr

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 276-335-0196‬ PIN: ‪664 905 901‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ekm-vbjd-pvr?pin=8831193877051

Your input is important to us!

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.

This past week, on May 14th and May 18th, students in all 9th grade Western Studies classes, Sociology, and Conversations on Race had the unique opportunity to meet Susan Unrad, a second-generation Holocaust survivor. Her visit provided a profound human connection to our curriculum, reinforcing the state-mandated requirement that all students learn about the Holocaust through authentic, first-person narratives.

Susan shared the harrowing and powerful stories of her parents: her father’s three-year exile in Siberia and her mother’s survival of Auschwitz. For students accustomed to learning about history through textbooks and videos, hearing these testimonies from a descendant of survivors is a truly life-changing experience that bridges the gap between historical facts and human impact.

Born and raised in New York City, Susan has dedicated much of her life to education and remembrance. After living and teaching English in Israel for five years, she returned to the United States, where she has been a tireless advocate for Holocaust awareness. By organizing annual Yom HaShoah assemblies and participating in local second-generation (2G) groups, she ensures that the voices of those who suffered are never silenced. We extend our deepest gratitude to Susan Unrad for her time, her vulnerability, and her commitment to educating the next generation.

Students in Jeff Schupp’s Middle School Unified Arts class are putting science and engineering into action this week as they design, build, and race model cars that use magnetic levitation forces to glide down a track. The hands-on project combines creativity, problem-solving, and STEM concepts in an exciting and engaging way!

Newtown High School was recently named among the Top 25 Best Connecticut High Schools for Athletes!

The Nighthawks came in at an impressive #16 in the state. This ranking is based on a study that includes student and parent survey feedback, along with data from the Department of Education.

From the classroom to the playing field, our student-athletes continue to represent Newtown with pride, dedication, and excellence.

Always a great day to be a Nighthawk!

It’s that time of year when our teams come together to celebrate our Seniors.

Senior Night is a special opportunity to recognize our seniors for their hard work, dedication, leadership, and commitment to their sport and team. We thank them for the memories, and the impact they’ve made on our school!

We will continue to highlight these amazing student-athletes all month long.

This week: Baseball & Girls Lacrosse.

At halftime of the Girls Lacrosse game, we celebrated some of our SWC Champions!

We recognized our championship teams from Boys Golf, Boys XC, Dance, and Cheer for their incredible accomplishments this season.

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes for their hard work, and representing Newtown with pride!

Congratulations to Gabby Ansman on recording her 100th career hit in a win over Bassick!

What an incredible accomplishment We are so proud of you, Gabby!

Welcome to the Club!

NHS Baseball took the field against Masuk for more than just a game. They played for awareness, for conversation, and for anyone silently struggling.

Thank you to the players, coaches, and families who continue to carry this mission forward with strength and compassion.

Together, we are breaking the stigma — one game, one team, and one conversation at a time

https://15forlife.org/

There is still time to honor your student, family, team, or business with an engraved tile that will become a permanent part of Blue & Gold Stadium!

Leave your mark and help celebrate the memories, achievements, and pride of our Nighthawk community for years to come.

Questions? Email: nhshawksnation@gmail.com

While the weather sure doesn’t feel like Fall, it didn’t stop our football team from coming together to spend some quality time volunteering in the community.

The team recently spent their Saturday spreading mulch at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary — a perfect way to give back while spending time together off the field.

If you haven’t visited the sanctuary yet, do yourself a favor — grab the kids and take a walk. The beautiful property is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation & Animal Sanctuary

Also released this week… the NHS Football schedule! Friday Night Lights will be back before we know it.

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.

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.