Courage and Confidence since 1880

Newton Notes: April 2024
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All-School Announcements

Save the Date for our Annual Giving Day: Tue. Apr. 16!
Meeting Milestones with Courage & Confidence
Help us run the race!

Purchase Your Yearbook
2024 Newton Country Day yearbooks are available for purchase online through Jostens for $80 each. Personalization options are available for an additional fee. Yearbooks are mailed to the Class of 2024 in mid-August. All other students will receive their yearbooks in September. Please reach out to Erin Cummins, Jeremy Rosenholtz, or Abby Woodworth with any questions.

Athletics
The spring season is underway! Check the athletics website for practice and game schedules.

Virtual Family Conferences: Thu. Apr. 4 (early dismissal) and Fri. Apr. 5 (no classes)
Students in grades 5-11 participate in virtual Family Conferences on Thu. Apr. 4 (2-8 pm), and Fri. Apr. 5 (8 am - 4 pm). US Advisory conferences are scheduled separately from student conferences. Advisors will reach out to parents directly to schedule a suitable time.

  • Thu. Apr. 4 (early dismissal at 12:15 pm; no MS after-school)
    • Crew 12:45-3 pm
    • Varsity Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, and Golf 1-2:30 pm
  • Fri. Apr. 5 (no classes; seniors at IMPACT program; no buses)
    • All practices/games will start after 4 pm

Please note: there will be no MS After-School on Thu. Apr. 4, and there will be no classes and no buses on Fri. Apr. 5.

Schoolwide Viewing of the Total Solar Eclipse: Mon. Apr. 8 at 3 pm
The entire school will have the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse as a community event. Students who participate in sports will take a pause during practice to participate, and then continue to their regular finish time. Special glasses to view the eclipse will be provided.

First Friday Prayer Service for Parents and Caregivers: Fri. Apr. 12 at 7:30 am
We invite all parents and caregivers to gather in our chapel, the heart center of our school, for a brief guided prayer led by Sara Milone, Director of Mission and Ministry. Join us in carving out some time for contemplation and community. Reflective organ music will begin at 7:20 am. Prayer will begin promptly at 7:30 am and conclude by 7:45 am. All are welcome to stay for coffee afterwards.

Patriots' Day - No School: Mon. Apr. 15

Prayers from the Heart: Fri. Apr. 19 at 7:45 am and Online
“Aim unceasingly at becoming a soul of prayer.”- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. Let the parent/caregiver community pray for your special prayer intention by submitting a prayer request via the Veracross Parent Portal, with the option to request confidentiality. Parents and caregivers who are interested may also volunteer to pray for the intentions of the community by subscribing to the Prayers from the Heart community located on the Parent Portal. There will be an in-person gathering on Fri. Apr. 19 from 7:45-8:15 am in the Blue Room for all those who are interested in praying together.

Mater Brunch: Sun. Apr. 21 at 11 am, The Martin Center
We invite all mothers, caregivers, and students to Mater Brunch, followed by a Family Mass held in Trinity Chapel (details below). More information and RSVP here.

Family Mass: Sun. Apr. 21 at 1 pm, BC Trinity Chapel
We invite all families to join together for Sunday Mass held at Trinity Chapel on the Boston College Newton campus. Siblings are invited. If you are interested in volunteering to participate in the liturgy, please contact Sara Milone at smilone@newtonSH.org or (617) 559-4727.

Party with a Purpose at Belmont Hill: Sun. Apr. 21 from 1-4 pm
Newton Country Day students are invited to Party with a Purpose at the Belmont Hill Jordan Athletic Center. Entertainments will include bouncy-house style games, lawn games, ping pong, pickleball, and karaoke! This fundraiser will also include a celebration for Boston Children's Hospital patients and families in attendance. Register here.

Summer Programs: Registration is open!
During the month of June, Newton Country Day School offers summer programs (Computer Science, SAT Prep, Summer Painting, Creative Writing, Rhythm & Flavor Fusion) and sports clinics (Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Crew, Cross Country) during the month of June. See the schedule of programs and register online.

Used Textbook Donation
The NCDS library gratefully accepts donations of gently-used US textbooks. Donations can be dropped off with Mrs. Cedrone at the front desk.

Snow Day Protocol
In the event of a snow day, all classes and activities are canceled. No classes will meet, and no additional work will be assigned. Students may choose to work on long-term assignments and previously assigned work; they may also find it beneficial to organize the school materials they have with them or read a good book.

Should the conditions merit a school closure for more than one day in a row, the subsequent day(s) will be structured as distance learning days. On distance learning days, all scheduled classes will meet at their appointed times. Homeroom and assemblies will not be held to allow screen breaks throughout the day. Students will use the Google Meet link posted in the Google Classroom for each course. If a student experiences a power outage or other weather-related complication, a parent/caregiver should notify the Academic Office.

Buses for Delayed Starts
If NCDS has a delayed start due to weather, the Boston and MetroWest Buses will depart from each of their respective stops 15 minutes later than the regularly scheduled time. This allows students an extra few minutes to get to the bus, and it allows the bus to travel at a safe speed.

Absence Policy
If a student is going to be absent or tardy, parents/caregivers should notify the school before 9 am. Parents/caregivers may submit an attendance note on the Veracross Parent Portal or call the Academic Office directly: MS at (617) 559-4750, US at (617) 559-4747.

Lateness Policy
If a student arrives late to school (after 7:55 am), they are to report immediately to either the MS Academic Office or to the Front Desk if in the US to be recorded present before going to class. Late arrivals may only be excused by a note from a medical professional.

Early Dismissal Policy
Students may not leave before the end of the school day without permission from a parent/caregiver. Any student who has an appointment that necessitates being dismissed early must have this information noted in Veracross either by their parents/caregivers entering it directly via the Veracross Parent Portal or by calling the Academic Office directly: MS at (617) 559-4750, US at (617) 559-4747. Students must sign out at the Front Desk when they leave. Please make every effort to align early dismissal times with the end of class period time to reduce distraction to classroom learning.

MBTA Student CharlieCards
MBTA Student CharlieCards are available through the school. Girls interested in using a student CharlieCard can receive a Student Value CharlieCard, a stored value card that only charges the student fare each time it is used. Students 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. Boston residents are eligible for a free MBTA student pass known as an M7. Please contact Ms. Dingivan at x4717 with questions.

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Middle School Announcements

Voyagers Excursion to Fenway Park: Wed. Apr. 3
In an excursion planned by their Math class and the Athletics department, the Grade 5 Voyagers will receive a private tour of Fenway Park. In alignment with classroom lessons on data science, percentages, and decimals, the tour will allow students to meet with a Red Sox data analytics professional and try their hands at scoring on the Green Monster. A sit-down lunch will follow. The excursion is also open to a limited number of students accepted to grade 5.

Grade 8 Capstone Drop-In Workshop: Sat. Apr. 6 from 9 am - 12 pm
At this optional Capstone “drop-in” workshop, teachers will be available to further support students that want additional guidance on their Capstone Project and/or Capstone Presentation.

MS Dismissal after Viewing of the Total Solar Eclipse: Mon. Apr. 8
At 3 pm on Mon. Apr. 8, the entire school will have the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse as a community event. The timing of this event coincides with MS dismissal. For those students who leave campus at school dismissal time, we ask that you consider picking up your student at 3:30 pm on that day so she has the opportunity to experience this event with our school community. Students who participate in sports will take a pause during practice to participate, and then continue to their regular finish time. Special glasses to view the eclipse will be provided.

Grade 6 Field Trip to Christa McAuliffe Center: Thu. Apr. 11
The 6th graders are going to Mars! The entire 6th grade will head to the Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning located at Framingham State University. The Challenger Learning Center mission simulator offers MS students a totally immersive, hands-on STEM education experience that is like nothing else. The mission scenarios will put 6th grade students in charge of a simulated space flight to the red planet. For two hours, students are transformed into astronauts, scientists, and engineers with a single common purpose – the success of the mission. Teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are put to the test. Fear not, the girls will return home safely from their journey into space.

Grade 7 Field Trip to Salem: Thu. Apr. 11
As 7th grade English embarks on the study of The Crucible, students will take a field trip to Salem. They will visit the Salem Witch Museum and engage in an interactive play about the Salem Witch Trials. Students should bring a jacket, water bottle, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

MS Girl Up Fundraiser: Thu. Apr. 11 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
All MS students are invited to stay for an after-school showing of the movie Moana! The 7th grade Girl Up club is organizing this event to build community and celebrate female empowerment. Funds raised will be donated to our sister school in Uganda. $5 suggested donation. Snacks will be provided.

Grade 8 Capstone Showcase: Tue. Apr. 16 5:30-7 pm
The 8th grade students will present their Capstone Projects on the evening of Tue. Apr. 16. These projects, inspired by the Goals, curriculum, and the students’ own interests, represent many hours of independent work over the course of the school year. The Capstone Presentations will take place on the 3rd floor in the Middle School. Parents/caregivers, students, and faculty/staff are invited to attend.

Voyagers Excursion to Concord Museums: Wed. Apr. 17
To enhance their History and English classes, students will participate in the “Colonial Sampler” program at the Concord Museum, where they will study colonial artifacts and compare period rooms from the 18th and 19th centuries. To build on the excerpts from Little Women they read in English class, the trip will conclude with a short visit to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. As the program includes an outdoor segment, students should dress for the weather.

Grade 8 Field Trip to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute: Fri. Apr. 19
Grade 8 students will visit the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate to learn about civics and participate in a simulated debate on the Senate floor. Students will leave school at 10:45 am and return by 2:30 pm.

Class of 2028 Course Selection Meetings: Thu. Apr. 18, Tue. Apr. 23, and Tue. Apr. 30
Current 8th grade students and incoming 9th grade students are invited along with their parents and guardians to attend one of three course selection meetings to learn about the 9th grade curriculum and choose courses for next year. The meetings will all take place between 5:30-7 pm in Duchesne Hall. A light dinner will be provided. At least one parent/caregiver must attend along with their daughter. Families have been assigned to a specific date/meeting based on the first letter of their last name:

  • A-G: Thu. Apr. 18, 5:30-7 pm
  • H-M: Tue. Apr. 23, 5:30-7 pm
  • N-Z: Tue. Apr. 30, 5:30-7 pm

Please contact the Admission Office if you have any questions.

Save the Date! Grades 5 & 6 Camp Hazen virtual meeting: Tue. May 7 at 7 pm
A link for this virtual meeting for parents/caregivers of Grades 5 & 6 will be emailed closer to the meeting date.

Save the Date! Grade 8 Washington, D.C. trip meeting: Thu. May 16 at 7 pm
This will be an in-person meeting for 8th grade families to discuss the details of the Washington DC trip. More information to follow.

Save the Date! Celebration of the Arts: Thu. May 9 at 5 pm
All MS students perform in the Chapel and Theatre and their artwork is displayed in Barat Commons for this final culminating arts experience. Students wear their ballet slippers and provide a base layer that will be assigned by our costume designer. All other costuming elements are provided for them. All rehearsals leading up to the performance are scheduled during normal school hours.

MS After-School Program (cancelled for Thu. Apr. 4)
The MS After-School Program is available for all students until 5:30 pm each day. Students who take the Boston or MetroWest buses will be supervised until bus departure. Students should be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the school day, or after school activities (sports or musical). Any student unattended for more than 15 minutes after school/sports/musical dismissal is expected to sign in to the After-School Program on the third floor. Once a MS student leaves campus at the end of the day, the assumption is that she has left campus for the day. Please remember to text the After-School number (617) 631-0535 when you arrive to pick up your child. Please reach out to Ms. Kumi, the director of our After-School Program, at x4909 with questions. In order to accommodate the family conference schedule, there is no after-school program on Thu. Apr. 4.

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Upper School Announcements

Course Request Process: Mar. 26 - Apr. 19
Current students in grades 9-11 will engage in the course request process for the 2024-25 school year between Mar. 26 and Apr. 19. Advisors will reach out after Spring Vacation to schedule a conference in which each student, parent/guardian, and advisor collaborate to design an academic program that facilitates appropriate challenge, balance, and engagement. Course Request forms are due to advisors on Apr. 19. Students traveling as part of the Sacred Heart Exchange program can expect accommodations to this timeline as needed. Please see this letter, which communicates more information on the process and its design principles.

Grade 12 IMPACT Program: Fri. Apr. 5
On Fri. Apr. 5 seniors will participate in a day-long self-defense training program. Attendance is mandatory. Students should arrive in time for regular homeroom at 7:45 am and will be done by 2:30 pm dismissal. The IMPACT program focuses on personal safety, assertiveness and empowerment. Students should dress comfortably and wear sneakers. Contact Ms. Cerami at x4936 with questions.

Junior-Senior Prom: Sat. Apr. 6, Venezia Boston
Members of the classes of 2024 and 2025 and their guests are invited to the Prom on Sat. Apr. 6. A Pre-Prom Reception will be held at Newton Country Day from 5:30-6:30 pm. Buses depart NCDS at 6:30 pm and return to NCDS by 10 pm. Tickets must be purchased by Mar. 7. The cost of attendance is $125 per ticket. Please use this link for payment. Contact Ms. Kenney at x4756 with questions.

Blessing of the US Spring Athletes: Mon. Apr. 8 at 6 pm, Movement Studio in the Martin Center
We invite families of US spring season athletes to a blessing led by Fr. Devino followed by team introductions. The event will take place immediately after practices. Dress is casual.

Senior Parent/Caregiver Celebration: Thu. Apr. 11 from 6:30-8:30 pm
RSVP here.

Belmont Hill Freshman and Sophomore Semi-Formal: Sat. Apr. 13 from 7-8:30 pm
The Belmont Hill students have invited our 9th and 10th grade students to their Semi-Formal, which will be held at Belmont Hill School. They have planned a fun evening with decorations, a DJ, snacks, and a drawing for prizes. Cost of attendance is $10 per student and students must show a student ID at the door. Early departures are permitted only with a parent or caregiver. Please contact Lora Farkas at Belmont Hill (617-993-5274) with any questions.

US Festival of the Arts: Thu. Apr. 25 from 7-9 pm
US students involved in arts courses/committees display and perform their work in our Chapel, Theatre, and Barat Commons for this final culminating arts experience. Teachers will communicate the expected attire items students are responsible for providing to their performing groups. Rehearsals for Festival of the Arts take place on Tue. Apr. 23 from 8-10:30 am and Thu. Apr. 25 from 1:40-3:30 pm. Students who are involved in Festival of the Arts should arrive at school in time for regular homeroom at 7:45 am on Tuesday. Students who are not involved may arrive by 10:15 am on Tuesday and should check in their grade level homeroom spaces upon arrival. Faculty will be available to meet with students who arrive at school by 7:45 am and are not participating in the Festival of the Arts.

Last Day of Classes for Grade 12: Fri. Apr. 26

Grade 9&10 Service Day: Fri. May 3 from 9 am - 12 pm | Parent/Caregiver Volunteers Needed!
Students in grades 9 and 10 will participate in a grade-wide service day at several local non-profit organizations. We are looking for parent/caregiver volunteers to drive student groups to service sites that morning. If you are interested and able to help, please fill out this form. Please contact Dr. Potter at x4757 with questions.

AP Exams: May 6-17
All students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the AP exam. The College Board mandates that specific AP exams can only be administered on the assigned day and time. Students cannot be admitted into a testing room once an exam has begun. Students who might be late for an exam must call Ms. Healy (x4747) as early as possible.

The College Board prohibits cell phones and smart watches in all testing rooms and during breaks. Extended-time exams begin at the same time as testing in the other exam rooms. Students unsure about their eligibility for extended time should contact Dr. Mims.

Juniors taking morning AP exams are expected to join their afternoon academic classes after an appropriate lunch break. These students are excused from any written homework due or tests scheduled during those afternoon classes. Juniors and sophomores taking afternoon AP exams are excused from their morning classes and should check in at the front desk in time to be seated in the exam room at 11:30 am.

AP Exam Schedule

Week 1

  • Mon. May 6
    • 7:30 am: US Government & Politics
    • 11:30 am: Art History, Chemistry
  • Tue. May 7
    • 11:30 am: Statistics
  • Wed. May 8
    • 7:30 am: English Literature
    • 11:30 am: Comparative Government, Computer Science A
  • Thu. May 9
    • 7:30 am: Chinese, Environmental Science
  • Fri. May 10
    • 7:30 am:European History, US History
    • AP 2-D Art and Design and Drawing portfolios due

Week 2

  • Mon. May 13
    • 7:30 am: Calculus AB, Calculus BC
  • Tue. May 14
    • 7:30 am: English Language & Composition
  • Wed. May 15
    • 7:30 am: French Language and Culture
  • Thu. May 16
    • 7:30 am: Spanish Language and Culture
    • 11:30 am: Biology
  • Fri. May 17
    • 7:30 am: Physics 1
    • 11:30 am: Latin

Elections
US elections for student leadership positions will be held during the spring. Please encourage your daughter to run for office. Any student wishing to run for office must have a re-enrollment contract on file in the Business Office and all financial obligations to the school up-to-date.

Save the Date! Leadership Training: Jun. 7
All US students elected to the following leadership positions for 2024-2025 are expected to attend a leadership training to prepare for the upcoming school year:

  • Student Government
  • Committee Heads
  • Affinity Group Heads
  • Honor Committee
  • Peer Education Committee
  • Senior Mentors for Gr. 9&10

More details will be provided later in the spring. Please contact Ms. Spelman at x4848 with any questions.

Summer Computer Science Courses
These summer courses are for-credit and require full attendance and timely completion of all assignments. Limited financial aid is available for qualified students. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Martha Haddad at x4713 with any questions. Cost, dates, registration, and other information

  • Computer Science I: This is the same course that most students take their 9th grade year and fulfills the Computer Science requirement at NCDS. Registration for this course will open mid-April.
  • Software Engineering & Introduction to Data Science: This is the same course that many students take during the regular school year and is the prerequisite for AP Computer Science A.

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College Guidance

Seniors:

  • Students must deposit at one college, typically by May 1, to ensure a spot in the class (some colleges have extended their deadline this year).
  • We advise families to communicate directly with the financial aid offices at each college.
  • Seniors who elect to remain on waitlists should notify the College Guidance Office.
  • The College Guidance team can be very helpful as a sounding board when students are reviewing their options and can also help with comparing financial aid packages.

Juniors: What should juniors be doing now?

  • We encourage juniors to meet with College Guidance prior to summer break. Students should be focused on successfully completing their junior year, including both final assessments and Advanced Placement exams. We are available to communicate with juniors' parents and caregivers (via phone, Zoom, or in-person) for the rest of the year, during the summer, and in the fall.
  • Over the next few weeks, juniors will be directed to ask two of their teachers to write letters of recommendation for their college applications. Colleges prefer letters from junior year, and they sometimes prefer a letter from a math/science teacher and a humanities teacher, although there is some flexibility. Once students have secured two teachers to write on their behalf, they will complete a Google Form toward the end of May.
  • All juniors are also expected to write a personal statement for the college guidance office and to create a Naviance resume detailing their extracurricular activities.
  • Specific instructions will be given in a class meeting. These assignments are essential; they help us write fantastic college recommendations! Both assignments are due toward the end of May. Please encourage your daughters to respect deadlines once they are established.
  • The Timeline of the college process gives students and caregivers a view of upcoming tasks.

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Parents' Association

PA Meeting: Tue. Apr. 9 at 7:45 am
Join fellow parents and caregivers for the April Parents' Association meeting in the Blue Room. Class of 2024 students will speak about their experience at Newton Country Day.

2023-24 PA Leadership

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Thank you for reading this edition of Newton Notes!
Please contact communications@newtonSH.org with any questions or comments.