Newtown Public Schools
Weekly Update - October 20, 2025
This week, we recognize Diwali, the Festival of Lights, one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in India and among Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and some Buddhist communities around the world. Diwali honors the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, and is marked by the lighting of lamps, sharing of sweets, and time spent with family and friends. It is a joyful reminder of hope, renewal, and the power of kindness. We extend our warmest wishes to all in our school community who celebrate—may your Diwali be filled with light, peace, and happiness.
This week, Newtown Public Schools joins districts across the country in recognizing National School Bus Safety Week and celebrating the drivers, monitors, and transportation staff who safely transport our students each day. With more than 2,700 Newtown students riding the bus daily, safety is a shared responsibility—among drivers, students, families, and our community.
We extend our sincere thanks to All-Star Transportation and our dedicated bus drivers for their professionalism, patience, and care in ensuring every child arrives safely to and from school.
🚌 Bus Safety Tips for Students
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Stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus.
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Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street.
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Keep hands, arms, and belongings inside the bus at all times.
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Stay seated and speak quietly while the bus is moving.
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Always respect and listen to your driver—they’re part of your safety team!
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.
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.
