11/22/2023: November Update

We have also had some amazing theatrical performances coming from South Stage! Our Frosh play–Completely Normal–was a delight for all the senses. I am constantly amazed at the poise our youngest students show. This past week South Stage put on Marian and it was awesome! We have also begun our concert season with performances from all Jazz groups, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Madrigals, Festival Singers, Chorus, and String Orchestra. Additionally, seven Newton South students participated in a program designed to increase representation of girls and non-binary students in Jazz. Their final concert was on Saturday, November 11 at MIT where they performed alongside the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble! Well done by all.

More than 30 members of The Lion’s Roar, Denebola, and Regulus were among some 4,500 student journalists nationwide who participated in the fall national convention of the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on November 2-4. The students attended workshops, critiques, and contests as they learned and honed their skills. Our Regulus adviser and English department chair presented sessions on how student journalists are covering climate change and LGBTQ+ issues!

We also had many students partake in the American Mathematics Competition (AMC). The AMC is a challenging mathematics competition in which students complete a 25-question 75-minute examination “designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.” We are always proud of the extracurricular activities students engage in. Courageous Conversations on Race (CCoR) facilitators are deep into their fall training! Nearly 90 trained junior and senior facilitators will lead discussions in sophomore chemistry classes under the supervision of a faculty member of the CCoR team as well as the chemistry teachers during the first week of February. We look forward to seeing these awesome students lead these much-needed conversations!

Boys and Girls Soccer made state tournaments, as well as girls volleyball, who won the Thorpe division. The Boys Cross-Country team placed second at the Division I State Championships. Our Unified Basketball team had an undefeated season. Their sportsmanship was recognized at the state level receiving the 2023 MIAA Sportsmanship Award nomination! As always, our 500+ fall athletes showcased athletic excellence at its best! Our second annual Celebrate South Week was a huge success. In typical fashion, our Boosters outdid themselves from student and teacher appreciation to free games, fostering school spirit and pride in who we are and what we believe in as a community. We are indebted to both our Boosters and our PTSO for their endless support and appreciation for all our students and staff.

Over the past few weeks, South has had the pleasure of hosting a group of 22 Argentine exchange students from the Colegio del Carmen in Mendoza, Argentina (accompanied by a team of four adults) who were with us at Newton South from the first weekend in November until Saturday, November 18. It has been an enriching experience to share cultures with students from another country and make new lifelong friendships. Newton South students will travel to Argentina to reunite with their exchange partners this coming April. We are so grateful to have this opportunity for our students to engage in! Just yesterday we held our Affinity Group Potluck where many dishes from many cultures were featured. I so enjoyed sharing food with our South community members and taking a moment to reflect on how great we all are when we come together as a community. Thank you to our Asian Student Organization (ASO), Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian, and North African (MESWANA) student group, and South Asian Student Association (SASA) for a wonderful event!

I want to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to our staff for their tireless efforts to continue striving for excellence at South, your unwavering support, and the genuine care of this community that defines our community spirit. In moments of challenge–whether these are events at South or in our worldly community–we continue to prove what we can accomplish through unity. From staff and students to community members and families, your compassion and commitment to continuing to make our community one to be proud of never goes unnoticed.

I hope that as we take a few short days away from school and work, you are able to take a moment to step back and identify aspects of your life and community you are grateful for. Celebrating the bonds that we share with others is a vital component of our thriving community. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I hope you have a restful and recharging few days with family and friends, and look forward to seeing South back in action on Monday, November 27th!

Best wishes,

Tamara (Tamii) Stras