Welcome!

February 11, 2024

Hello Members of the Class of 2028 and their Families!

Welcome to the Newton North community. We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant and diverse school. The first part of your transition are two evening events.

8th Grade Night Part #1 is Tuesday February 27 from 6pm to 8:15pm - VIRTUAL. This evening is for students and families. Live Language Interpretation will be provided for the entire evening.

All sessions will be accessed through this one link: https://stream.lexikeet.com/newton

• 6pm-7pm - Welcome to NNHS! This session includes a welcome from Principal Turner, information about our School Counseling model from Department Head Beth Swederskas, an opportunity to "meet" Dean Khari Roulhac, and an overview of the Registration Process with the Vice Principal.
• 7pm-7:45pm - Academics at NNHS. You'll hear from the Department Heads for the Math, English, History, Science and Technology/Engineering, and World Language Departments. They'll tell you about the courses your student will take in grade 9 and the philosophies of their departments.

• 7:45pm-8:15pm - Special Education at NNHS. Does your student currently receive Special Education Services? If yes, students and families are invited to meet the department heads for special education and learn about the special education supports at Newton North.

8th Grade Night Part #2 is Thursday February 29 from 5pm to 7pm. - IN PERSON. This evening is for students and families.

• Students and families will select an arrival time (some time between 5pm and 6:15pm) via Sign-Up Genius.
• Students and families will enter through the Theater Entrance and enjoy a self-guided tour of the first floor and all of our elective programs.
• Students and families will meet students enrolled in our elective programs and the teachers of these programs. You will see the classrooms and learn all about what each program has to offer!
• Students and families will exit the building via the Tiger Drive main lobby.
• Most families report needing approximately an hour to complete their tour of all elective programs.
• Students must be supervised by an adult (may be a family member or a friend.)

New addition to our In Person Evening: Student Panels!

• This panel will be repeated three times. You can choose to attend before or after you tour the first floor. (5:00-5:30, 5:45-6:15, 6:30-7pm.)
• Interested in how North looks from a student’s point of view? Ready to discuss transition? Attend this panel discussion with Newton North students facilitated by Counseling Department Head, Beth Swederskas.
  
• Panels will be in the "Film Lecture Hall" which is located in the Tiger Drive Lobby.

What you will see and experience:

Fine and Performing Arts:

• Theater: See all parts of our robust theater program. Learn about ways to be involved on and off stage whether it be acting, costume design, or set / lighting / sound design.

• Music: Learn about the many different music offerings available to all students including North’s performing ensembles (jazz/rock, orchestra, band, and choirs) to our host of non-performance classes like theory, technology, and history.

• Visual Art: Explore our 2-D, 3-D, and Photography & Animation Studios.

Career and Technical Education:

• See each of our CTE programs first-hand. Exploratory classes available to students in grade 9 include:

• Automotive Technology

• Carpentry

• Culinary Arts

• Drafting

• Early Education and Care

• Graphic Communications

• TV Media Arts

Business

• Our business-related offerings continue to grow and expand. Find out about one of the most popular electives open to students in grade 9: “Money Matters: Intro to Personal Finance”

Technology/Engineering:

• See our two engineering strands in action: Robotics and Engineering.

• The Technology/Engineering department offers a wide variety of courses, both quarter long and semester long, to entering NNHS students.

Sustainability

• The Sustainability electives will introduce students to the three pillars of sustainability: Environmental Stewardship + Equity (social justice) and Economic Development

We know some parents/guardians may be deciding where to send their child to high school. Please know that attending these two evening events is an excellent way to gather information. In fact, we believe that Newton North offers a rich, high-quality program that is competitive with any private or public school in the area. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Sincerely,

Henry Turner, Principal

Amy Winston, Vice Principal

ps. Everything that you need related to your transition to NNHS will be posted and archived on the Class of 28 page on the NNHS website. (Don’t forget the handy tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/NNHSClassof2028

During the week of February 26, we will release the course registration materials. This will include a pdf copy of the course catalog, "Opportunities." We encourage students and families to spend time together perusing the catalog and materials. All materials will be posted to the NNHS website in a special "Class of 2028" area.

• Thursday April 4th is the last day of the course registration process this year for current NPS 8th Graders. Please note that all requests for courses and electives must be finalized by this date.
• Some course requests for special education services may change after April 4th as a result of transition or IEP meetings. These are the only changes allowed after April 4th

• These emails about course registration and transition are only sent to current NPS families of 8th graders who are flagged as attending NNHS next year. (They are sent via Aspen)
• Feel free to share this information with friends who live on the North side but whose 8th graders don't currently attend an NPS school.
• Non-NPS Families who are interested in registering their student to attend NNHS next year, should visit the NPS website: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/1170
• We encourage transfer students to complete the registration process as early in spring as possible.
• Potential transfer students and families are welcome to attend our 8th Grade Night Offerings on 2/27 and 2/29. (You can attend even if you haven't yet made your decision to register or not.)

Want to take a look at my weekly communication to NNHS families? The weekly update archive is available here: https://www.smore.com/u/amy.winston