Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - November 3, 2025
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,
While the days get shorter, they also seem to get busier! I know many high school parents are rushing home tonight to help their students prepare for the homecoming dance—a truly memorable evening for so many of our high schoolers. And for those with younger children, buckle up—this is not a typo. The dance really is on a Monday night after Halloween weekend! Why, you might ask? Because tomorrow is a no-school day for students, and holding the dance on a Monday saves our families a considerable amount of money.
As noted above, there is no school for students tomorrow. Our districtwide professional learning event will be held at Newtown High School for all staff. Designed like a professional conference, the day offers a full schedule of sessions for teachers and other certified staff. Participation is optional for paraprofessionals, and we’re grateful to those choosing to spend the day learning alongside colleagues.
This year’s theme -Together: Igniting Potential, Inspiring Achievement - perfectly reflects the focus of the day: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Staff will explore how AI can assist educators, enhance instruction, and improve student learning. Sessions will introduce a variety of AI tools and resources to streamline planning, personalize instruction, and inspire new levels of creativity and efficiency in the classroom.
The day will also help establish shared expectations around the appropriate and responsible use of AI by both staff and students. The world is changing rapidly, and AI is at the forefront of that transformation. Tomorrow offers us the opportunity to learn together and to better understand how to use this powerful new technology to ignite potential and inspire achievement across our schools.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone that tomorrow is Election Day. If you haven’t already taken advantage of early voting, I encourage you to get out and cast your ballot tomorrow.
For the Board of Education, there are four open seats this year, with four candidates running uncontested. I look forward to introducing our new Board members once they are officially sworn in at our first meeting in December.
It’s also important to remember that town officials—particularly those elected to the Board of Finance and Legislative Council—play a significant role in shaping the education budget. While these boards do not have line-item authority (they cannot direct how the funds are allocated), they do determine the overall funding level for the Board of Education before it goes to referendum. Their decisions directly influence the resources available to support our students and schools.
Every election matters, and our participation is essential. As citizens, we share the responsibility to ensure our community’s values are reflected in those decisions—so please, be sure to get out and vote!
Warm regards,
Anne
November Calendar
Our full district calendar can be found here
Board of Education Meeting - November 5, 2025
*Please note: This week’s meeting will be held at Reed Intermediate School and will not be livestreamed.
Families in Need of Assistance
The Town of Newtown’s Department of Human Services is monitoring the ongoing federal government shutdown and its potential impact on residents who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. The US Department of Agriculture has announced that SNAP benefits may not be issued if the shutdown continues into November.
We understand this causes concern for families and individuals who rely on SNAP benefits. You are not alone. If you will be affected by the shutdown, Newtown’s Department of Human Services is there to help. The Department can assist with connecting you to resources for food and temporary aid. They are dedicated to providing services with respect, compassion, and confidentiality. You can reach Human Services at 203-270-4330.
Celebrating Our Differences
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and important contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous peoples. Throughout the month, we honor the traditions, stories, and resilience of Native communities, past and present, and reflect on their lasting impact on our nation’s history.
In schools, this month provides a meaningful opportunity for students to learn about the first peoples of our land, explore their cultural heritage, and appreciate the many ways Native Americans continue to shape our communities today. Let’s take this time to celebrate, learn, and show respect for the vibrant and enduring cultures of Native peoples.
National School Psychology Week
This special week honors the valuable contributions of school psychologists and the essential role they play in supporting students and school communities.
Each year, NSPW provides an opportunity to highlight how school psychologists help children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, both in school and beyond. The 2025 theme, “Finding Your Path,” emphasizes how school psychologists guide students, families, and educators in setting goals and working toward their dreams.
We invite everyone to take part in celebrating the important work of school psychologists and to reflect on how we can all contribute to helping students discover and follow their unique paths.
DISTRICT NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Pumpkin Decorating at Middle Gate!
Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winner at SHS!
Pumpkin Decoration Winners at Head O'Meadow
Kindergarten: Pete the Cat
First Grade: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Second Grade: Dragons Love Tacos
Third Grade: Hagrid
Fourth Grade: Scooby
Thank you to everyone that participated!!
Excellent Bus Behavior Awards at Hawley School
USBands CT State Championship
Newtown High School Marching Band and Guard Win USBands CT State Championship!!
The Newtown High School Marching Band and Guard are celebrating a standout season after earning the title of USBands Connecticut State Champions in Group 2 Open, finishing with a score of 91.6 as well as taking home the caption awards for Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard, and Best Percussion.
Their 2025 field show, “Duality,” explores themes of contrast and balance through black and white imagery, combining thoughtful design with strong musical and visual performances. This win marks the end of an undefeated fall season for the group, whose students have shown dedication and teamwork throughout months of rehearsals and performances.
In addition to their competition success, the band and guard have been active members of the Newtown community this fall, performing in the Labor Day Parade, hosting a successful Grasso Festival on October 4, performing at the Newtown Arts Festival on September 28th, and supporting the Newtown Nighthawks at home football games.
The program’s success builds on a strong year for the Newtown High School music program. Following MAC Championship titles last spring for both the PSA Winter Percussion and Scholastic A Varsity Winter Guard, the fall marching program experienced an exciting increase in membership that grew the program to it’s largest size since 2019. The band and guard continue to welcome any students in grades 7 - 12 from across Newtown (no experience required).
Looking ahead, the ensemble will travel to MetLife Stadium on Saturday, November 8, to compete at USBands Open Class National Championships, where they’ll represent Connecticut among the region’s top marching programs.
Still Time to Register for Winter Programs!
Students interested in joining the winter programs are invited to upcoming clinics this month:
Winter Percussion Clinic – Sunday, November 17, for students in grades 7–12, held in the Newtown High School Band Room 6PM.
Winter Guard Spin Clinic – Monday, November 18, for all students in grades 5–12, held at Reed Intermediate School from 6-8:30 PM.
Both clinics are open to all interested students - no prior experience needed.
Interested? Contact:
Liz Grohoski
Director of Bands, Newtown High School
NHS Athletics
This Week's Schedule
We are in the Postseason for many teams! Here is the schedule for the week.
Monday 11/3
*Boys Soccer vs South Windsor
2:00pm- Away- SWHS Turf Field
Tuesday 11/4
*Girls Soccer vs Staples
4:30- Home
*Girls Volleyball vs South Windsor
4:30-Home
Wednesday 11/5
*Field Hockey vs Darien
4:00pm-Away-DHS Turf Field
Friday 11/7
Football vs Bethel
6:30-Home
Saturday 11/8
JV Football vs Trumbull
9:30- Home
*indicates postseason
Pep Rally
The Nighthawks wrapped up Spirit week with a fun-filled Pep Rally. The students showed off their Lip Sync skills, and trivia knowledge. We were treated to a soccer match from the Unified athletes and an intense Mummy Challenge game between staff and students.
The highlight of the day was the Pep Rally routine performed by the Cheerleaders, NHS Football & members of the Hawks Nest. Such a fun ending to a Spirit filled week!
Player of the Week
CONGRATULATIONS to Senior Captain Nick Pavia on being chosen as the Offensive player of the week. Well done Nick!
SWC Dive Championship
CONGRATULATIONS to Aliyah Reuther on her 7th place finish at the SWC Dive Championship!
New Head Track & Field Coach
We would like to give a warm Nighthawk welcome to David Warren as Newtown's new Head Track and Field Coach. Warren brings over 15 years of coaching experience and a strong background as a former collegiate athlete. His passion and energy will be an incredible addition to our program!
Welcome to the Team, Coach!
Managing Negative Lunch Balances
In order to help families avoid the accumulation of large negative lunch balances, the district will be implementing the following steps:
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At $25 or more: Parents/guardians will be notified by email.
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At $50 or more: School personnel will contact you directly.
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At $75 or more: A formal letter will be mailed home from the school.
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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.
Get Involved, Be Connected, Have a Voice - Join a Newtown PTA!
Our PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) is a group made up of parents, teachers, and sometimes community members who work together to support our schools. The primary goal of our PTAs is to build a strong connection between families and schools to create a positive learning environment for students. PTAs often organize activities and events that benefit students, such as fundraisers, family nights, and volunteer programs. These events help raise money for classroom supplies, field trips, or other school needs that may not be covered by the school budget.
In addition to fundraising, the PTA acts as a bridge between parents and school administrations. They advocate for students by addressing concerns or providing feedback to school leaders. PTAs also host meetings, or informational sessions to keep parents informed about important issues, such as curriculum changes, testing schedules, or educational policies. By fostering collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators, our PTAs plays a crucial role in enriching the school community and supporting student success.
You can find a link to each school's PTA by clicking on this link.
Join One of Our Teams & Make a Difference!
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.