PTSA and Foundation Biweekly News

We’re thrilled to kick off the second half of the year with so many exciting experiences, events, and opportunities to make lasting memories together.

January is already packed with fun and connection!

Run Like It’s Recess – January 25 at El Dorado Park

This beloved community tradition returns for its 15th year! Join us for a fantastic day filled with fun, food, friends, and movement. It’s an event you won’t want to miss.

Joint Association Meeting – January 27 at 6:30 PM

Join us in the Newcomb Library as PTSA and Foundation come together to review the calendar for the remainder of the year, create vision boards for the future, and discuss upcoming events and topics that matter to our community. Your voice is important—please come share your ideas, questions, and concerns.

COMING UP IN FEBRUARY:

Magic Show – February 6 at 6:30 PM in the Newcomb Auditorium

Thanks to your generous donations, Brock the Magician will perform an unforgettable show—including sawing our very own Principal Thompson in half! Be sure to check out the flyer below for more details.

PTA Council Reflections Celebration – February 22

Join us in the Newcomb Gym as we celebrate students whose Reflections submissions advanced to the Council level. We’re so proud of our talented Spartans!

Talent Show – February 27

Sign-ups are officially open! Get those auditions submitted and prepare to shine on stage.

LOOKING AHEAD:

STEAM Night – March 14

Our second annual STEAM event is right around the corner. Start brainstorming those science and art projects now—we can’t wait to see the creativity!

As always, thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Newcomb the very best place for our Spartans to learn, grow, and thrive. 💙💛

Amber DeVeny, PTSA President

Lauren Arevian, NAF President

https://www.newcombacademyptsa.org/

https://www.newcombacademy.org

Greetings Dear Readers!!

THANK YOU for keeping up with all things PTSA and NAF by checking out our semi-monthly newsletter. To show our appreciation, we're giving all our readers a chance to win some pretty fun PTSA/NAF swag and prizes. Just click here or on the picture below to enter your name! Winners will be announced in the next issue of our newsletter (January 28), and we'll make sure we have you registered correctly in our newsletter delivery database.

Good luck!!

Danny and Ashley Lampson Opstad (aka The Lampstads) are longtime volunteers at Newcomb who have spent years supporting the school with the help of their two Spartans - Arlene (7th grade) and Jane (3rd Grade). Danny is currently serving his third year as Treasurer of the Newcomb Academy Foundation, where he helps manage the Foundation’s finances to ensure enrichment programs continue to thrive for all students. His steady, humorous approach and willingness to step in wherever needed have made him a trusted presence on the board.

Ashley is in her seventh year serving on the Newcomb Academy Foundation Board as Spartan Sprint Co-Chair, having previously held roles as President, Marketing Chair, and Spartan Sprint Chair. She played a key leadership role in helping the Foundation navigate the uncertainty of COVID, guiding the organization through significant challenges while helping it evolve into a stronger, more resilient nonprofit. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Ashley is also the Co-Chair of the Newcomb Talent Show with the PTSA.

The Lampstads collectively enjoy softball, board games (Catan and Dominion are family favorites), handball, and musical theatre.

Save the date for Baja Sonora Spirit Night… Wednesday, January 14 from 11am - 8pm!

Hey Newcomb Families!

We need help making Run Like Its Recess a runaway success! We're looking for THIRTY volunteers to fill super easy and super fun positions during the event. Come join us in El Dorado Park for an awesome Sunday morning school experience!

Hands are needed to help with:

• Parking
• Food
• Water Tables
• Bouncy Houses
• Monitoring the Course
• The Finish Line!

Sunday, January 25th • 7am- Noon

Golden Grove in El Dorado East Regional Park
7550 E Spring Street, Long Beach, CA

Click Here to sign up!

The 15th annual Run Like it’s Recess 5k, 1k and Toddler Dash is just around the corner. This event every year takes place off campus in our beautiful Eldorado Park with many events to choose from for your level of ability. There’s competition, food, music, activities, medals, and a whole lot of fun. Please join us in celebrating our community and Newcomb PTSA Sunday January 25, 2026.

***T-shirt orders due January 6, 2026 to get a 15th Annual Newcomb approved apparel Run Like it’s Recess T-shirt. This is a hard deadline because of the quantity needed by race day.

Register here:

https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/LongBeach/RunLikeItsRecess5K

Are you ready to rock at this year's show? The Newcomb TK-8th Talent Show will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 5pm.

• Who can audition: Any TK-8th student! Grab a friend, get a group, or go solo! (One act per student)

• What talent to showcase: You name it! Singing (no lip-sync), dance, skits, musical instruments, special talents and skills… let’s see what you’ve got!

• When to audition: This year, we will accept auditions *via email* instead of in person. Submit a 1-minute video of your talent to vpwaysandmeans@newcombacademy.org by January 19th (We are unable to accept anything after the due date due to planning and programming.)

• IMPORTANT parent info: You are responsible for cutting or trimming any music. All acts must be under 3 minutes long on show night. Any music needed must be able to be downloaded as an audio file. Music tracks due to Drea by Jan. 26th.

Important Dates to attend:

• Monday, January 26th 2:30 - 5:30 - First Run-Through and Choreography
• Friday, February 6th 4pm - 5pm - Choreography Rehearsal Entire Cast
• Friday, February 20th 3pm - 6pm- Run-Through of Show - *off book* Mandatory
• Thursday, February 26th 3pm - 6pm Tech/Full Run-through Mandatory
• Friday, February 27th - 4pm Call time 5pm Show Mandatory

This year, we’re excited to offer two ensemble numbers (from Matilda Jr. and Frozen Jr.) for anyone who would like to perform. You are welcome to participate in these numbers even if you do not have an individual act.

Performers who are performing an individual act are also highly encouraged to join the group ensembles—these pieces will be wonderful additions to our show and a great way to perform together.

Performers may leave after completing their individual act on run-throughs except for tech/full run-through the day before the show. Rehearsals will begin with group choreography run-throughs, followed by time for individual acts.

Please note that auditions are just to confirm the appropriateness of the talent act! Everyone who wants to participate is allowed so long as the content and language is appropriate for all ages. Thank you!

Any questions please email: vpwaysandmeans@newcombacademy.org

-Drea and Ashley (Talent Show Co-Chairs)

Any parent or adult wishing to volunteer to help in the classroom, chaperone a field trip, or help during a classroom or campus event must have VIPS clearance. Please fill out the VIPS application and submit the application along with TB test results to the school office. VIPS clearance takes approximately two to three weeks.

· If you would like to apply to become a school volunteer, click here for details: https://newcomb.lbschools.net/nav-1/vips