Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - August 25, 2025
Congratulations to Para of the Year, Kathy Coffey of SHS!
Kathy joined the Sandy Hook Elementary School team over a decade ago, and in that time, she has become a deeply respected and trusted member of the school community. Frequently sought after by classroom teachers, Kathy’s collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to students set her apart.
Whether she’s holding the end of a jump rope, pitching in during a kickball game, or diving into an art project, one of Kathy’s greatest gifts is her ability to build genuine, lasting connections with students. As both an advocate for children and a role model for peers, she shows up each day with compassion, energy, and positivity.
When asked what advice she would offer others, Kathy shared:
“Lead with positivity and compassion, and all the rest will fall into place.”
Congratulations, Kathy! Your impact is felt every day, and this recognition is so well deserved.
Congratulations to Teacher of the Year, Kathy Dye of NMS!
Newtown Public Schools follows a Board-approved Meal Charging Policy that ensures all students have access to a healthy meal each school day, regardless of their meal account balance. While we encourage families to keep their child’s account in good standing, students will not be denied a meal due to a lack of funds.
To support families in managing their child’s school meal account, we offer MySchoolBucks, a secure online payment system that allows parents to:
Add funds to their student’s account
Set up automatic payments
Monitor account balances and purchase history
Receive low-balance notifications
We encourage all families to sign up for a MySchoolBucks account at www.myschoolbucks.com or through the mobile app. By staying informed and maintaining a positive balance, you help ensure a smooth and uninterrupted meal experience for your child.
For more information about the district’s Meal Charging Policy, please visit our website or your child's school.
We’re excited to announce that Newtown Public Schools will be launching Stopfinder, a new app designed to keep you informed about your child’s bus schedule in real time.
Stopfinder is a secure, easy-to-use, all-in-one app that gives you access to the most accurate transportation information—anytime, anywhere. With the app, you can:
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View your child’s bus schedule.
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Set up GeoAlerts to receive notifications when the bus arrives or departs from specific locations, such as your home, school, or other points along the route.
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Customize Alert Zones for individual students based on their unique route.
An email invitation will be sent this week from no-reply@stopfinder.com to the primary parent/guardian email we have on file. The way the system is configured, one contact is designated as the primary Stopfinder contact—this individual will receive the initial invitation and will then have the ability to invite additional contacts (e.g., the other parent, grandparents, caregivers, etc.).
Once you receive the invitation, download the Stopfinder app for free from the App Store or Google Play, and follow the instructions to register. Please note: You must complete the registration process using the district’s invitation before you can access your student’s transportation schedule.
If you do not receive your invitation by Friday, please contact Stopfinder Support at stopfindersupport@all-startransportation.com for assistance.
