Newtown Public Schools

In this month’s Celebrating Our Differences section, we would like to take a moment to spotlight Juneteenth. Observed annually on June 19th, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received news of their freedom – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This pivotal moment marked the true end of slavery for many.

More than just a historical date. It’s a day for reflection, education, and celebration of African American history and culture. We encourage everyone to take a moment this Juneteenth to learn more, engage in meaningful conversations, and celebrate the freedom and diversity that enrich our community.

Please join me in congratulating Kathy Coffee as Newtown's Paraeducator of the Year! Kathy joined the Sandy Hook team a little over ten years ago. As a highly respected and trusted colleague, Kathy is often sought after by many of the classroom teachers. Whether holding the end of a jump rope, pitching a kickball game, or diving into an art project, one of Kathy's greatest gifts is the ability to connect with her students. As an advocate for students and role model for staff and students alike, Kathy brings her very best self to school each and every day. When asked what advice Kathy would give to others, she shared "Lead with positivity and compassion and all the rest will fall into place."

Sandy Hook Principal, Dr. Kathy Gombos recently attended the spring meeting for the NASSP Principal Recovery Network. Founded in April 2019, the NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN) is a national network of current and former educational leaders who have navigated challenging events in their schools. Together, the PRN provides assistance to principals in the immediate aftermath of a crisis and well beyond. PRN members reach out directly to their colleagues to provide much-needed support, share the combined wisdom of their experience with the larger principal community through various outlets, assist schools during recovery, and advocate for national school safety enhancements and violence prevention programs. Dr. Gombos has been a member of the PRN since the organization’s inception in 2019.

The Newtown Scholarship Association congratulates the Class of 2025 and looks forward to meeting the incoming Class of 2026! This spring, the NSA awarded over $130,000 to the Class of 2025, thanks to our donors and local businesses. What a remarkable group of young adults! All our thanks to Mrs. Brandy Jacobs and the Counseling Center staff for connecting us to these accomplished and engaged seniors. To learn more about the NSA, visit newtownscholarship.org.

Newtown High School's Physics students recently put their knowledge to the test in the annual Cardboard Boat Races, held in the high school pool. This highly anticipated event challenged students to design and construct a boat solely from cardboard. Each boat needed to hold at least two students, be launched successfully, and paddled across the pool. A true test of engineering, additional students were added after each lap to push the limits of the boats' buoyancy. Students had to consider everything from the construction and design of their boat to how it would move efficiently through the water. Applying physics concepts in such a hands-on way makes learning truly enjoyable. Beyond the core physics lessons, the Cardboard Boat Races provided students with invaluable real-world engineering and research experience. This project offered a fun and engaging simulation of future challenges, equipping students with practical skills and insights that will serve them well in college and their future careers.

Did you know that joining your PTA offers several benefits for both you and our school community? Our PTAs do many wonderful things throughout the school year that support and enhance the educational experience for our students. In addition to raising funds for educational programs and classroom resources, members have the opportunity to have their voices and ideas heard, meet new people and build connections within the school and greater community, as well as gain leadership skills that can be both personally and professionally valuable. In addition, being involved in your PTA gives you a closer look at what is happening in your child’s school by participating in or organizing events that foster a positive school culture.

You can find a link to each school's PTA by clicking on this link.

Thank you for your support!

Being the parent of a student with special needs can be confusing, isolating and frightening. Newtown Special Ed PTA, or SEPTA, is a great way to connect with a supportive community. We look forward to you joining us!

For more information, please visit the Special Ed PTA's website by clicking on this link.