Newtown Public Schools

Happy Last Day of School!

This past week marked some very special moments in Newtown Public Schools. On Monday evening, we celebrated our eighth graders as they officially moved up to high school. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize their accomplishments and reflect on the growth they have experienced during their middle school years. As I shared with them that evening, middle school is where students learn many of life's most important lessons - how to navigate friendships, overcome setbacks, discover their strengths, and develop the resilience that will serve them well in the years ahead.

On Tuesday evening, we honored the Newtown High School Class of 2026. It was a beautiful celebration and a fitting culmination of their thirteen-year journey through Newtown Public Schools. The weather was perfect, our student speakers were thoughtful and inspiring, and the evening was filled with both laughter and reflection.

One of my favorite graduation traditions is led by Dr. Longobucco. Each year, she gives graduates a small gift connected to the theme of her commencement address, a meaningful keepsake to carry with them as they begin their next chapter. This year, she spoke about the importance of breathing, not the kind that simply keeps us alive, but the intentional breath we take to pause, appreciate a moment, and be fully present. She encouraged graduates to take a breath as they crossed the stage, to look around, take in the faces of those who supported them, and remember the significance of that milestone. As each graduate accepted their diploma, they were handed a small stone inscribed with the word "Breathe", a simple but powerful reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate life's important moments as they unfold.

As we close another school year, I am filled with gratitude for the people who make Newtown Public Schools such a special place. Thank you to our teachers, student support personnel, paraprofessionals, job coaches, behavior therapists, BCBAs, nurses, custodians, maintenance staff, educational personnel, administrators, and all those who work behind the scenes to support our students each day. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment are what make our schools such special places for children to learn and grow. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to our Board of Education members for their dedication to our students and their unwavering support of public education.

Most importantly, thank you to our families for entrusting us with your children and for partnering with us throughout the year. The accomplishments we celebrate at the end of each school year are only possible because of that partnership.

This will be the last NPS Weekly Update until early August. Until then, I wish all of you a summer filled with rest, relaxation, adventure, and time spent with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming our students back in August for another great year.

Happy Summer!

Anne

Our full district calendar can be found here

This year's Paraprofessional of the Year, Susan Burbank of Newtown Middle School, exemplifies everything that is special about our support staff. Susan is deeply dedicated to her students and approaches each day with kindness, positivity, and an incredible sense of humor. She has a unique ability to brighten the day of those around her and build meaningful connections with both students and colleagues. In many ways, Susan supports the adults around her just as much as she supports the students she serves. Susan is the kind of person every school hopes to have on its team. We are fortunate to have her at Newtown Middle School and grateful for the difference she makes each day. She makes hard days easier, good days better, and we are fortunate to have her as part of our school community! Congratulations, Sue!

On June 19, we recognize Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout our nation's history. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom, equality, and justice, while continuing to learn from the past and work toward a more inclusive future for all.

An updated 11 or 12 year old Health Assessment Record including a physical exam dated after January 1, 2025, and required immunizations (Tdap and Meningococcal) is mandatory for entry into 7th grade. Please submit this information to the RIS Health Office prior to the end of the school year. Completed forms can be dropped off by your student or emailed to murphyd@newtown.k12.ct.us. Please reach out to the Reed Health Office with any questions 270-4883.

If your student has an appointment for a physical and/or vaccines during the summer, please notify the NMS Health Office, Christina Benoit, RN, benoitc@newtown.k12.ct.us, of the date of the appointment and submit the forms immediately following the appointment.

If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, please reach out to Nancy Kettner, kettnern@cifc.org, at the NMS School Based Health Center and she can assist you.

Your student will not be able to start 7th grade until physical and immunization information is received.

Photo Cred: Don Ramsey & The Newtown Bee

Shares Day took place at Sandy Hook School on Friday 6/12. This is a day (about a 90 minute portion of a day) dedicated to staff members sharing their interests and making connections with students. Students had the opportunity to share in something different than their usual school day with one or more adults in the building. They worked with the different adults on two activities of their choice, that they were able to select during the month of May.

Shares Day promotes sharing positive connections and relationships between students and all staff members at SHS. In other words, our school community and our students’ experiences at school are about more than just academics. This gives all students and staff members the opportunity to connect with others based on similar interests.

On June 13th, HOM student Clare Danenberg created a stop motion movie for the Prospector's Toy Story Film Festival. Way to go, Clare!

Dear Preschool Families,

We are excited to share that we still have a limited number of Play Partner openings available in our 4-year-old preschool classes for the upcoming school year.

Our Play Partner program provides children with the opportunity to learn and grow alongside peers in an inclusive preschool environment while participating in engaging, developmentally appropriate activities.

If you are interested in having your child considered as a Play Partner, please complete the Play Partner Questionnaire linked below. The questionnaire can also be found on our preschool website.

Play Partner Questionnaire

If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your interest in our preschool program!

Warmly,

Kara DiBartolo

Director of Teaching and Learning & Preschool Supervisor

Newtown Public Schools

As the curtain closes on another incredible year of Nighthawk Athletics, we have so much to celebrate and be proud of.

This year was filled with unforgettable moments, remarkable achievements, and countless reasons to cheer. Championships were won, records were broken, and our student-athletes continued to raise the bar both in competition and in the classroom. Whether on the field, court, track, mat, pool, or stage, our athletes represented Newtown High School with pride, determination, and sportsmanship.

Beyond their athletic accomplishments, our student-athletes made a lasting impact in our community. They supported important causes, volunteered their time, and demonstrated what it means to be leaders both on and off the field.

To our seniors, thank you for your dedication, commitment, and leadership. You have left your mark on Nighthawk Athletics and helped build a culture of excellence that will continue for years to come. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but success in your next chapter.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our coaches, parents, families, fans, and supporters. Your unwavering commitment, encouragement, and countless hours behind the scenes make everything we do possible. Nighthawk Athletics would not be what it is without you.

While many of our teams will enjoy a well-deserved break this summer, the Nighthawk spirit never takes a season off. Be sure to stay connected and follow us on social media for summer updates, athlete highlights, and all the latest news from Nighthawk Nation.

Thank you for an amazing year. Have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.

Forever a Nighthawk.

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.