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To access a specific section of Newton Notes, click below:
- All-School Announcements
- Middle School Announcements
- Upper School Announcements
- College Guidance
- Parents' Association
All-School Announcements
Cape Cod Reception
Thursday, August 10, 6-8 pm
Join Sacred Heart Alumnae, Parents and Friends for a summer reception at The Beach Club in Centerville hosted by Jed and Alexis Swan P'21 '23. Register here.
Homecoming
Upper School: Friday, Sep. 22
Middle School: Saturday, Sep. 23
See Parents' Association for more information
Calendar Highlights for the 2023-34 school year are available here.
Veracross
Veracross is a comprehensive school information management system that enables families to monitor students' schedules, academics and activities. To ensure data is up to date, we ask parents/caregivers to review and revise contact information as needed. Directories of students and households can be found on Veracross. To maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of this application, please familiarize yourself with the information and tools available in the Parent Portal.
Textbooks and Curricular Materials
Course lists were emailed to families on Jul. 19. The school has arranged with MBS Direct to help you purchase your daughter's textbooks. Here is the link to our virtual bookstore. Free shipping is available until Aug. 15. While MBS is one source for buying books, you may purchase or rent textbooks from other sources. Please purchase or rent the specific edition listed on MBS, as some texts differ from one printing to the next. Families with students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes must pay the College Board AP exam fees through the MBS site. Contact Frances Dingivan at x4717 with questions.
Dance
All Middle School students and Upper School students enrolled in a dance elective will need a pair of canvas flesh-toned ballet slippers for their dance class. Their teacher will communicate other specific dance attire needs at the first class meeting.
School Pictures
Coffee Pond Photography will take photos of all students. Upper School girls will have their pictures taken on Opening Day, Wednesday, Sep. 6. Middle School girls will have their pictures taken on Monday, Sep. 11.
Health Office
All families are required to submit completed Health Forms to Magnus Health via the Veracross Parent Portal by Aug. 1. Please note that up-to-date physical and immunization record are required for participation in classes, athletics and school activities including pre-season athletics and performing arts auditions. We continue to monitor ongoing public health guidance. Students, faculty, and staff are required to have received the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Fall 2023 protocols can be found here.
The username and password for Magnus is the same as your Veracross Parent Portal username and password. If you are a new parent/caregiver and did not receive an email with instructions for creating your Veracross account, contact Kyle Crosby at kcrosby@newtonSH.org. You will receive weekly reminders from Magnus if there are outstanding items to be addressed in the account. If you need any assistance, the Magnus Health Help Desk is available at (877) 461-6831.
Transportation
MBTA Student CharlieCards are available through the school. Girls interested in using a student CharlieCard will receive a Student Value CharlieCard, a stored value card that only charges the student fare each time it is used. This is the only type of card distributed through the school. Students will load the card themselves with funds at CharlieCard machines at MBTA stations. If during any month a student loads the card with $30, that card will allow the student to use the card for unlimited trips for that particular month. Therefore, if you would like your card to become an unlimited ride card for a particular month, do not load that card until the first day of that month. Contact Mrs. Haddad at x4713 with questions. Students can pick up their cards from Mrs. Haddad during pre-season or on Opening Day.
Bus Transportation
Newton Country Day School is pleased to offer one-way and round-trip daily transportation from locations in Boston, Needham and Wellesley, for a fee. To learn more about these options and to sign up, use the following links.
Middle School Announcements
Athletics
Middle School fall sports tryouts begin on Thursday, Sep.7. View the tryout schedule for the most up-to-date days and times. To sign up your child for a fall sport, please fill out this Google form if you have not done so already. Athletic team policies can be found here.
In order to participate in tryouts all students must have updated and completed the following sections through your Veracross Parent Portal:
- Vital Health Record
- Consent to Treat Form
- Annual Physical Exam Form
If you are experiencing difficulty, contact the Health Office at healthteam@newtonSH.org.
Upper School Announcements
Student Leadership Meetings are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 28 -Tuesday, Sep. 5 before athletics practices and musical rehearsals. The schedule for those meetings is as follows:
- Monday, Aug. 28
- 2-3:30 pm: Senior Mentors for Grades 9 and 10
- Tuesday, Aug. 29
- 2-3:30 pm: Student Government, Committee & Affinity Group Heads
- Wednesday, Aug. 30
- 2-3:30 pm: Senior Mentors for Grades 9 and 10; Writing Center Tutors
- Thursday, Aug. 31
- 2-3:30 pm: US Sports Team Captains; Writing Center Tutors
- Tuesday, Sep. 5
- 9-11 am: Peer Education Training
- 10:30-11:30 am: Honors Dance and Schola
- 12:30-3:30 pm: Senior Mentors for Grades 9 and 10
- 2:30-3:30 pm: Student Government (Senior Mentors are excused)
Upper School Sports and Musical Tryouts
The schedule for preseason athletic practices and musical rehearsals is as follows:
- Monday, Aug. 28, 4-6 pm
- Tuesday, Aug. 29, 4-6 pm
- Wednesday, Aug. 30, 4-6 pm
- Thursday, Aug. 31, 4-6 pm
- Friday, Sep. 1, 10-12 pm
- Tuesday, Sep. 5, 4-6 pm
Athletics
Upper School fall sports tryouts begin on Monday, Aug. 28. View the tryout schedule for the most up-to-date days and times. The athletics website is the best resource for schedule updates. All Upper School students and parents/caregivers must complete the Athletic Team Policies form to attend tryouts. Upper School athletes are required to have an NCDS warm-up jacket and pants. These can be purchased Monday, Aug. 28 -Thursday, Aug. 31 from 3-4 pm in the Martin Center.
In order to participate in tryouts all students must have updated and completed the following sections through your Veracross Parent Portal:
- Vital Health Record
- Consent to Treat Form
- Annual Physical Exam Form
If you are experiencing difficulty, contact the Health Office at healthteam@newtonSH.org.
Upper School Fall Musical
Pre-season auditions and rehearsals for our Upper School Fall Musical, Anastasia, will run from Monday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Aug. 31 from 4-6 pm and Friday, Sep.1 from 10 am-12 pm. Callbacks will take place on Tuesday, Sep. 5 from 4-6 pm. Students should come to the auditions with a memorized short monologue/poem and be prepared to sing a verse and chorus from a song of their own choosing. Previous musical theater experience is not required. All are encouraged to join and will receive a role in our production! Direct questions to Dr. Everly at ceverly@newtonSH.org or Mrs. Davenport, Chair of Performing and Visual Arts at mdavenport@newtonSH.org.
Blessing of the Athletes and Performers
Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6:15 pm
Upper School student-athletes and performers and their families are invited to a blessing led by Fr. Devino. The event will take place immediately after preseason practices in the Martin Center and a light picnic will be provided. Dress is casual.
Grade 9 Family Picnic
Tuesday, Sep. 5 at 5:30 pm
Members of the Class of 2027 and their parents/caregivers participate in the Grade 9 Family Picnic. Students gather with advisory groups and parents/caregivers meet their daughter's advisor. Students involved in fall athletics or the fall musical will be dismissed by 6 pm to attend. As the provided picnic is casual, students come directly from practices. Students not involved in fall athletics or the musical arrive at 5:30 pm and participate in their own activities during the parent/caregiver program.
- 5:30-6 pm: Student activities
- 5:30-6 pm: Parent/caregivers program
- 6 -7 pm: Students, parents/caregivers and advisors dinner
Fall Trips
Almost immediately after the school year begins, Grades 9, 10, and 11 leave for class trips. All students must have up-to-date medical forms on file in Magnus Health in order to participate.
- Sep. 13-15: Grade 9 Orientation at Craigville Retreat Center in Centerville, MA
- Sep. 13-15: Grade 11 visits New York City
- The purpose of the trip is to deepen a commitment to Goal III, a social awareness which impels to action, through service and to visit historical sites that connect with the U.S. History curriculum.
- Sep. 14-15: Grade 10 Outdoor Education program at the Morse Hill Outdoor Education Center in Shutesbury, MA
College Guidance
Class of 2024
Seniors were given college guidance-related materials before they left for the summer; these can be found in their college guidance Google Classroom. Included were two assignments: complete a draft of the Common Application (at least the easy parts), and complete a draft of their college essay. We encourage seniors to take both of these assignments very seriously in order to be well prepared for the very busy and exciting fall that lies ahead. In addition, seniors should be updating their Naviance accounts with the schools that continue to interest them, and they should feel free to contact us during the summer if they need help getting started on their college essays, or if they wish to discuss their potential college lists.
All seniors will have regular meetings throughout the first semester as a group, during which all aspects of the admissions process will be discussed. These meetings will keep seniors on track during the fall. Beginning in early September, many colleges will visit Newton to hold information sessions. These visits are not interviews. They are intended for students to gather information about colleges and to speak directly with the people who will often be the ones reading their applications. Seniors will receive more information on these visits in the fall.
Seniors will be given an unofficial copy of their transcripts upon returning to school in September. Any student who needs a copy of a transcript earlier than this should contact Ms. Healy in the Academic Office. Upon returning to school, seniors should schedule a meeting with College Guidance. Parents may schedule appointments with College Guidance throughout the first semester, and the College Guidance Office is available via email over the summer if students or parents have questions or needs assistance of any kind. You may contact Mr. Rosenholtz, Ms. Riobueno, or Mr. Blanchard.
Though most colleges will continue to be test optional for the 2023-24 application cycle, seniors should register for the ACT or SAT if they plan to take one of the tests. Registration deadlines will approach quickly. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify.
ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
- Sep. 9 (registration deadline: Aug. 4)
- October 28 (registration deadline: Sep. 22)
SAT Reasoning Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
- Aug. 26 (late registration deadline: Aug. 15)
- Oct. 7 (registration deadline: Sep. 7)
- Nov. 4 (registration deadline: Oct. 24)
Parents' Association
Welcoming Families Program
If you volunteered to be a Welcoming Family this year, please connect with your assigned new families prior to the start of school. If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Borders at bborders@newtonSH.org.
Welcoming Families' Breakfast (more information to follow)
Saturday, Sep. 9 at 9 am
Parents' Association Meeting
Monday, Sep. 11 at 7:45 am, Blue Room
Coffee will be served. All families are welcome!
Homecoming 2023
Upper School: Friday, Sep. 22, 3-6:30 pm
Middle School: Saturday, Sep. 23, 9 am - 12 pm
Many volunteers are needed for this fun-filled event. For more information or to get involved, contact Karen Lutz at kmf859@gmail.com or Christy MacLetchie at christy.macletchie@gmail.com.
A Night for Parents and Caregivers with Dr. Sarah Sarkis '93
The Thirty Percent Rule - How to best serve your daughter's development
Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7 pm
Dr. Sarkis is a licensed psychologist, a certified executive coach, and Senior Director of Performance Psychology at Exos. Occasionally, you'll find her moonlighting as a writer and a podcaster. Dr. Sarkis brings a unique perspective both as a parent of an adolescent and someone who has "lived" the Newton Country Day School experience as a student.
2023-24 Leadership
- President: Mary Moriarty P'25
- Officer: Rachel Busby P'23'26'29
- Officer: Brian Hanson P'26
- Officer: Angela Winchenbaugh P'20'21'26
Thank you for reading this edition of Newton Notes!
Please contact communications@newtonSH.org with any questions or comments.