NECP Updates

School year 2022-2023: March 3, 2023, Newsletter #23

GOOD AFTERNOON NECP FAMILIES!

Happy Friday! Here we are again with my choosing the theme for this month's newsletter....it is interesting how long it takes me make the final decision but it is also very fun too!! Even though there was snow this week and there it sounds like there will be more tonight I had to go with spring flowers...tulips are always something you can find even in the throws of winter so I am hopeful for real spring coming soon (17 days away)! And the color also makes me think of spring so there is that too!

By now I am sure you have listened to Superintendent Smith's video regarding the budget process for next school year. Many of you have directly asked me about this override and how it will relate to NECP. Overall we are seeing student needs continuing to rise as a result of the pandemic and/or other factors. We are proud of the educational experience we are providing students here at NECP and are fully committed to this for all students now and in the future however, without additional funding in our budget next year, NPS does face a significant budget gap and will need to reduce costs. I encourage you to review the information sent in the email from Superintendent Smith on Wednesday, March 1st. The School Committee meeting on March 1st was also very informative and was recorded. Additionally information can be found on the homepages of the City of Newton as well as NPS and NPS School Committee.

Finally I want to highlight our next PTO parent coffee on Thursday, March 23rd at 9:15. Please come and join, have some coffee and treats, and socialize. See how you can help the NECP PTO! The PTO, even though small right now, is funding fun activities for the students, such as Jammin With You (JWY) in March! We do appreciate these enrichment activities and appreciate out PTO!

Have a great weekend!

Kathleen

P.S. I do have this information below under the Kindergarten Registration section but I wanted to restate that while NECP is a part of NPS, when you are registering your student for kindergarten that would be considered a "new student registration" as your student is shifting to a new school and level within NPS. Registration is now open! Please complete this as soon as possible for your soon to be kindergartener!

Message from Jen Kovitz, NECP Social Worker

Dear NECP Families, please know Newton has a ton of resources I can connect you with such as local food pantries and other local support a family might need. Any conversation with me is confidential and no one needs to know you have asked for help. Help is out there if you just ask. Please feel free to reach out to me over phone or email.

Kovitzj@newton.k12.ma.us

617-559-6868

Lasty, I am reaching out to families who have clothes to donate. We are in need of pants that would fit kiddos sizes 5/6. We have a ton of smaller sizes, we just need bigger sizes for our big kids. You can drop off donations at NECP and just let folks know it's for the social worker.

Thank You so much!

Jen K

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NECP PTO

Our next PTO meeting will be on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 9:15am in our new school at 687 Watertown Street. While we usually do a hybrid model we are going to have this one be a parent coffee. If you can come, please do! Have some coffee, socialize with other NECP parents, and hear about the PTO!

The PTO is not a position that one person does alone! We are looking for a team! Please volunteer if you have a certain skill set that would make one of these positions easy for you! We also have many former NECP PTO folks that are willing to help!

Don't forget - The PTO also has a new ongoing fundraiser with Mabel's Labels. 20% of all sales go back to the PTO! Mabel’s Labels is the best-known brand of durable labels for families, and the line of products features baby bottle labels, allergy and medical alert products, sports labels, household labels and seasonal items. They’re extremely durable, they’re laundry, dishwasher and microwave safe – and they’re 100% guaranteed. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/about-us/#

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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

NPS has updated its Kindergarten page. For those of you who are moving on to Kindergarten, please check out the NPS Kindergarten page. Registration is now open and parents should begin to complete their registration so each elementary school knows about their enrollment. Please note that even if you are registered in NPS as you are a NECP family, you still have to register again for your new elementary school. Please choose "new student registration" and complete the registration process as soon as possible.

SCHOOL LUNCH - DON'T FORGET TO ORDER!!!

On 7/28/22, universally-free meals for students in Massachusetts was confirmed for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. While free, this is a different program than last year and food services does need to log who is receiving meals this year.

EVERY WEEK parents must order their student a school lunches via this google form. Parent must do this for the week by 8pm Sunday evening. I have also linked the FD mealplanner at the top of the ordering form or here as well. The NECP menu is now live under Newton Early Childhood. Please remember to do this weekly and if you do forget teachers ask your teacher to get your student a meal for that day (they are sending 4-5 extra bagel meals just in case) and then we will log it separately.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM: Free events for families with children with disabilities

Irene, one of our wonderful Occupational Therapists found this information to share with you all:

The Discovery Museum (177 Main Street, Acton) offers its Especially for Me program of free events for families with children with disabilities. All events are free but require registration. Registration links will appear on this page before each event, and you can register now for the January 21 event here. at the links here. The events for 2023 are:

Mornings for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants and Toddlers (closed to the public): Mondays 9:30AM-12:30PM on February 13, September 11
Sensory-Friendly Afternoons (open to the public, but no group visits are scheduled): Tuesdays 1:30-4:30PM on February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, October 3, November 7, December 5
Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Children (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on March 11, May 6, December 2.
Evenings for Families with a Visual Impairment (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on February 4, October 7.
Autism-Friendly Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on January 7, March 18, April 1, June 3, September 16, October 21, December 16
All-Access Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on January 21, May 20, June 17, November 18

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PASS THE WORD - Preschool Developmental Screenings

NECP conducts Preschool Developmental Screenings monthly for children ages 3 to 5 years old in an effort to identify children who may have a disability and are in need of special education support. It is designed to review a child’s development and assist in the identification of children who should be referred for further evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services. This is a free and optional service for Newton residents only.

The screenings are conducted monthly in the 2022-2023 school year. If a student is already at NECP they do not need to attend this screening but if you have a friend who is concerned about their child's development, have them reach out to the preschool at 617-559-6050 for a screening