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Newtown Public Schools

Weekly Update - November 24, 2025

NewtownPublic Schools Weekly Update - November 24, 2025

Message from the Superintendent Message from the Superintendent

Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,

At last Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, representatives from MP Planning Group presented their findings on Newtown Public Schools’ projected 10-year enrollment and the implications these trends may have for school capacity and space utilization across the district. Their analysis, which incorporates last year’s Facilities Condition Assessment, provides a clear and objective foundation for the important conversations ahead. This data-driven work will help guide long-term planning to ensure our schools remain safe, well-maintained, and equipped to support high-quality learning while also managing costs for taxpayers. The information shared at the meeting will serve as a catalyst for future discussions with families, staff, town boards, and community partners as we collectively plan for the future of Newtown Public Schools. I strongly encourage all community stakeholders to review the presentation. More information will follow regarding next steps sometime in mid-January.


Enrollment Projections, Capacity and Utilization Presentation


As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I want to extend warm wishes to all of you in our school community - families, staff and students alike. This holiday is a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the many connections that make Newtown such a strong and caring community. Whether you are gathering with loved ones, volunteering, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of rest, I hope the days ahead bring you peace and gratitude.


And for those looking forward to some traditional Thanksgiving football, Newtown High School will play its final regular-season football game at home Wednesday at 6 p.m. Go Hawks!


Lastly, given the short week, there will be no NPS Weekly Update next Monday. The next edition will be shared Monday, December 8th.


Warm regards,

Anne

November Calendar November Calendar

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December Calendar December Calendar

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Our full district calendar can be found here

Celebrating Our Differences Celebrating Our Differences

Native American Heritage Month Native American Heritage Month

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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.

Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative Events Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative Events

Upcoming CT- Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative Events

The Connecticut State Department of Education Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, in partnership with the Bureau of Special Education, invites students, parents and educators to participate in the following events:

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Join zoologist and BBC presenter Megan McCubbin for an inspiring virtual session as she shares how dyslexia has shaped her journey in science and conservation—highlighting the creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives that dyslexic thinkers bring to STEM and beyond. This event will take place on Thursday, December 4th at 9:00 a.m. Megan will also answer questions and engage students in a discussion about her work. Registration can be found at this link: Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative: Ignite Your Curiosity & Celebrate the Brilliance of Your Dyslexic Mind, Thursday, December 4, 2025, 9 - 10am - Events - State Education Resource Center.
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Join award-winning designer Jim Rokos for a one-hour virtual session on how dyslexia fuels creativity and innovation in engineering and design. Through personal stories, design examples, and interactive discussion, Rokos reveals how dyslexic thinking shapes problem-solving, visual perception, and groundbreaking work. This event will take place on Monday, December 15th at 10:00 a.m. Jim will also answer questions and engage students in a discussion about his work. Registration can be found at this link: Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative: Engineering Designs as a Dyslexic, Monday, December 15, 2025, 10 - 11am - Events - State Education Resource Center.
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Also, in partnership with the CT State Library and Decoding Dyslexia, an Associate Education Consultant from the ODRD will be visiting libraries across Connecticut to share resources and connect with communities.

Newtown Public Schools Presents at New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) 2025 Conference

Last week, Newtown Public Schools proudly presented at NEASC 2025 in Boston, showcasing the transformation of the Newtown Middle School Social Studies curriculum from a traditional, content-heavy approach to an inquiry-based, student-centered model.


The session—led by Kara DiBartolo (Director of Teaching and Learning), Will Ryan (Social Studies Coordinator/7th Grade Teacher), Frank Purcaro (Assistant Superintendent), and Lisa Bowden (EdAdvance Consultant)—highlighted how the team blended content with inquiry practices to deepen student engagement, promote equity, and create safe, inclusive learning environments.


Presenters shared how collaboration, reflective practice, and the use of AI tools such as NotebookLM supported curriculum redesign and helped generate materials that strengthened students’ inquiry skills. Participants explored the curriculum framework and learned about the tools Newtown used to align instruction with our Portrait of a Graduate.

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Preventing Financial Scams Among CT Seniors Preventing Financial Scams Among CT Seniors

As many of us are aware, there has been an increase in elaborate scams targeting vulnerable members of our community. Please take a moment to educate yourself about common tactics and prevention strategies, and consider sharing this information with those you love—especially older family members and neighbors who may be more at risk.
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DISTRICT NEWS AND HAPPENINGS DISTRICT NEWS AND HAPPENINGS

Head O'Meadow Food Drive Head O'Meadow Food Drive

Head O' Meadow celebrated World Kindness Day with a food drive for Faith Food Pantry. Students and families showed incredible generosity bringing in 1,655 items to be donated! Way to go, HOM!

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Chartwells Partners with Local Farmers Chartwells Partners with Local Farmers

Last week at Reed, local farmers visited our school to share hands-on displays and teach students about farming.
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Sandy Hook's Rock Garden Sandy Hook's Rock Garden

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Computer Science Night for NMS Students - Register Now! Computer Science Night for NMS Students - Register Now!

Computer Science Night for NMS Students

@ NHS 12/3/25 6-8pm in the Lecture Hall


Come join us for a night of Computer Science! The NHS Computer Science Honor Society is hosting a fun-filled CS Night for NMS students. CS Night at NHS will have hands-on activities with coding, robots, microbits, drawing and more....


NO EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED. Our goal is to encourage and to inspire ALL students to try computer science--even if they have never done it before. ALL ARE WELCOME.


To register for CS Night please complete this form


SPACE IS LIMITED TO 30 STUDENTS. PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH

If you have any questions please email Ms. Kristin Violette at violettek@newtown.k12.ct.us

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Rotary Students of the Month Rotary Students of the Month

Phoebe McCall, Newtown Middle School, Grade 7

From the first days of school, Phoebe has stood out for her strong character, focus, and dedication. She works hard in all of her classes, stays organized and prepared, and consistently puts forth her best effort.

Phoebe is also a true leader. She treats everyone with kindness and respect, and her positive attitude helps create a welcoming and supportive classroom environment. Her teachers agree that she leads by example every single day.

As a member of the Hope Squad, Phoebe plays an important role in supporting her classmates and helping connect students with trusted adults when they need guidance. Her compassion and willingness to help others show what an exceptional person she is.

Phoebe has inspiring goals for her future. She hopes to become a children’s therapist or a pediatric nurse, and she dreams of helping to find a cure for cancer. These goals reflect her determination and desire to make a difference.

Outside of school, Phoebe continues to shine. She competes with the Newtown Gymnastics Academy and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Phoebe, the teachers of 7-Green feel fortunate to work with you. Your hard work, kindness, and leadership make our team stronger, and we are proud to honor you with this award.

Please join me in congratulating Phoebe McCall!

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William Michalsky, Newtown High School, Senior

William’s interest in the marine world extends well beyond the lessons in Oceanography. This was especially clear during our field trip to the salt marsh on Long Island Sound. He approached every part of the experience with enthusiasm while collecting samples, making observations, and connecting what he saw in the field to what we learned in class. It was great to see his curiosity in action.

In class, William consistently demonstrates a strong understanding of the material. His assignments are thoughtful and thorough, and his work shows a real ability to grasp complex ideas. During our dissections of the clam and squid, he showed great attention to detail and a clear desire to understand how each organism is adapted to its environment.

His performance on assessments further proves his strength as a student. William doesn’t just memorize facts, he truly understands the principles of ocean science and can explain them clearly.

Will, your enthusiasm, hard work, and steady excellence make you stand out. You are not only a top Oceanography student but also a promising young scientist. I hope you continue to explore and grow in whatever path you choose.

Please join me in congratulating William Michalsky!

In The Classroom In The Classroom

Strawberry DNA Lab Strawberry DNA Lab

Students from Mr. Dejulio's high school Applied Science Research class visited the middle school on Thursday, November 20th to teach a DNA lab to students in Mrs. Betesh's 8th grade science class.

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NMS Social Studies Project - Colonization of the Americas NMS Social Studies Project - Colonization of the Americas

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NHS Athletics NHS Athletics

NHS Boys Basketball NHS Boys Basketball

NHS Boys Basketball is keeping busy ahead of the start to their season.

In addition to pre-season workouts, the boys are still finding time to get out in the community and volunteer. A few of the Seniors recently took time to help fill up the Faith Food Pantry and helped out at The House of Harrison.

Good work boys. Good luck with your season!

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Pictured: Teddy Moxham, Aidan Walker, Quinn Kull, James Glynn

All State Field Hockey All State Field Hockey

Congratulations to our Field Hockey athletes that received postseason recognition from the SWC & State. Way to go ladies!

1st Team All State

Evelynn Schoen

2nd Team All State

Amanda Faircloth

SWC-All Colonial

Emily O'Neil

Kayla Locke

Emma Chappa

Honorable Mention

Charlotte Grasso

Lucia Romano

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All State and All SWC Awards All State and All SWC Awards

Congratulations to the following Athletes on their postseason awards!

We are so proud of you.

All State-Volleyball

Ava Lombardo

All State- Soccer

Ryan Payne

1st Team All-SWC & All-State

Zoe Petertonjes

2nd Team-All SWC

Maddie Marcisz

Sierra Marx

Indigo Land

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NHS Football - Turkey Bowl NHS Football - Turkey Bowl

Last In-Season game for NHS Football. We are looking for a big crowd to cheer on the Nighthawks as they take on crosstown rival Masuk in one of the most anticipated games of the season.

Head over to Blue and Gold stadium Wednesday 11/26 at 6:00PM for an exciting Pre-Thanksgiving tradition.

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Managing Negative Lunch Balances Managing Negative Lunch Balances

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In order to help families avoid the accumulation of large negative lunch balances, the district will be implementing the following steps:


  • At $25 or more: Parents/guardians will be notified by email.

  • At $50 or more: School personnel will contact you directly.

  • At $75 or more: A formal letter will be mailed home from the school.

  • 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! Get Involved, Be Connected, Have a Voice - Join a Newtown PTA!

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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.

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Join One of Our Teams & Make a Difference! 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.

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Newtown Public Schools
www.newtown.k12.ct.us
3 Primrose Street

Newtown, CT 06470

(203) 426-7600

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