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- All-School Announcements
- Middle School Announcements
- Upper School Announcements
- College Guidance
- Parents' Association
All-School Announcements
School Store Flash Sale! Mon. Dec. 4 & Wed. Dec. 6, 3-5 pm
The School Store is opening next Monday and Wednesday in the Arches Gym. We are clearing out old inventory. Items are limited -- get them while you can! All prices have been reduced. A large selection of inventory is available for only $10. T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Ornaments, Pajamas, Dishware, Bandanas, Card Holders and more! Credit Cards only.
Advent Angels
Our Advent Angels tradition takes place during the month of December. MS students are each assigned a classmate as their Advent Angel; US students are assigned a classmate if they choose to participate. Each week, students celebrate this season of joyful anticipation by doing something special for one of their classmates. The total cost of the entire activity should not exceed $20 and should focus on creativity, not consumerism.
- Tue. Dec. 5: Bake something for your classmate
- Tue. Dec. 12: Make them something handmade
- Tue. Dec. 19: Reveal your identity in a creative manner
Winter Coat Drive
MS Student Government is organizing a school-wide coat drive as part of the Coats for Kids initiative in Massachusetts. Please consider donating gently used winter coats of any size, from toddler to adult. Donation bins will be available in the MS and near the Arches entrance. The drive will end on Wed. Dec. 20. Please contact Ms. Barber with questions (ext. 4932).
Second Semester Tuition is due on Dec. 5
All families on a Two-Pay plan will have an autopay deduction on Dec. 5. If you have any questions please contact Julia Atkin at jatkin@newtonsh.org or 617-559-4748.
Admission Reception with St. Sebastian's School: Wed. Dec. 13 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Newton Country Day and St. Sebastian's School are holding a joint admission reception. Prospective families interested in either school are invited to hear about the benefits of a Catholic independent school education. This year's reception will be held in St. Sebastian's Martin Hall, Burke Family Center, 1191 Greendale Avenue, Needham. Families can sign up through Ravenna or by calling the Admission Office at either school. Tell your friends and neighbors!
Financial Aid Applications due Fri. Dec. 15
Families who currently receive Tuition Assistance: We are using a new system this year called Clarity. Financial aid applications are due by Fri. Dec. 15. Please contact Kym Gaissl with any questions.
Prayers from the Heart: Fri. Dec. 15 at 7:45 am and online
“Aim unceasingly at becoming a soul of prayer.”- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
Let the parent and 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. Dec. 15 from 7:45-8:15 am in the Blue Room for all those who are interested in praying together.
Advent Vespers
MS: Tue. Dec. 19 at 5 pm
US: Wed. Dec. 20 at 7 pm
We are looking forward to our annual Advent Vespers services later this month, which will take place at Trinity Chapel on Boston College's Newton Campus, with Goûter to follow at Newton Country Day. As a community time of reflection and celebration, we hope that you will be able to join us for this cherished tradition. Many of the girls will be performing at one of the Vespers services, but even if your daughter is not directly involved in the service, we hope you will join us for this beautiful evening of song, dance, and prayer. Please see more details in the Middle School and Upper School Announcements.
Last Day of Classes: Thu. Dec. 21 - late start, early dismissal
For the last day of classes before the start of Christmas Vacation, we will have a late start at 8:30 am.
All bus routes depart for Newton Country Day at the regular time.
Christmas Vacation begins with early dismissal at 11:30 am.
All bus routes depart Newton Country Day at 11:45 am.
Christmas Eve Mass: Sun. Dec. 24 at 9 pm
We invite all families to the Christmas Eve liturgy, which will take place in the Newton Country Day chapel. Fr. Terry Devino, SJ will preside.
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.
Middle School Announcements
Middle School Musical: Cats: Youth Edition
Auditions for the Middle School Musical, Cats: Youth Edition, will conclude today, Dec. 1 from 2:45-4:15 pm. Audition materials will be provided. All students who audition will receive a role in the production. Performances will take place on Thu. Feb. 15 and Fri. Feb. 16. A monthly rehearsal schedule will be provided to the students at their first meeting.
Grades 7 & 8 Ice Skating at Belmont Hill: Fri. Dec. 1 from 7-9 pm
7th and 8th grade students are invited to an ice skating party hosted by Belmont Hill. Students must bring their school ID and $5 for the entrance fee. Please contact Ms. Barber with any questions.
Grade 5 Voyagers Excursion: Boston Public Market and Eastie Farm on Dec. 13
As a collaboration between their Wellness class and TAG group, students will explore the Boston Public Market to learn how food goes from the farm to their plates, including a tour of the market, discussions with the vendors, samples of seasonal ingredients, and cooking demonstrations. Students will then visit Eastie Farm, an urban farm and community space in East Boston, where they will tour the farm's greenhouse to learn more about food production and accessibility in Boston.
MS Vespers: Tue. Dec. 19 at 5 pm
All MS families are invited to attend
All of our MS students participate as dancers, musicians, and lectors in our MS Advent Prayer Service. Students provide their own ballet slippers and flesh toned tights. A standard Vespers outfit will be provided for them. All rehearsals leading up to this event will take place during regular school hours.
MS Late Start: Wed. Dec. 20 at 9 am
MS will have a late start at 9 am. Students arriving earlier will be supervised in Mater Commons. MS students will spend part of the afternoon skating with their classmates at the Daly Rink. Skates will be available for use. If students own skates, we encourage them to bring their skates to school this day.
MS After-School Program
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. The After-School program elective offered this term is Chess skills. 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.
Upper School Announcements
Grades 11&12 Semi-Formal Dance: Fri. Dec. 1 from 8-10 pm
Members of the classes of 2024 and 2025 are invited to a semi-formal dance in Duchesne Hall. Students must arrive no later than 8:30 pm and may not leave before 9:30 pm. We encourage all parents and caregivers to review the guidelines governing school dances with their juniors and seniors before the dance. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Spelman at x4848.
Blessing of US Winter Athletes and Team Intros: Tue. Dec. 5 at 5:30 pm
We invite families of US winter season athletes to a blessing led by Fr. Devino followed by team introductions. The event will take place in the Library Silent Reading Room immediately after practices. Dress is casual.
Museum of Fine Arts Field Trips: Wed. Dec. 13
Students in AP European History and AP Art History will visit the Museum of Fine Arts on Wed. Dec. 13, returning by the end of the school day. Contact Mr. David Byron at x4923 or Ms. Spelman at x4848 with questions.
Engineering Design Field Trip to Boda Borg: Thu. Dec. 14
Students in Engineering Design visit Boda Borg as part of their project-based learning unit on electrical engineering. They will engage in a series of automated rooms with a combination of logical and physical challenges that require teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving to complete. This experience will inspire their design projects throughout the month of January.
Vespers Rehearsals: Mon. Dec. 18, Tue. Dec. 19, and Wed. Dec. 20
Rehearsals for US Vespers will take place on Tue. Dec. 19 from 8-10:40 am and Wed. Dec. 20 from 8-10:30 am. Students who are involved in Vespers should arrive at school in time for regular homeroom at 7:45 am. There will also be a mandatory rehearsal after school on Mon. Dec. 18 from 3:30-5:30 pm.
Students who are not involved in Vespers should arrive by 10:25 am on Tue. and 10:15 am on Wed. and should check in in their grade level homeroom spaces. There will be activities available during each rehearsal block for any students who are at school and not participating in Vespers.
US Vespers: Wed. Dec. 20 at 7 pm
All US students and their parents/caregivers are invited to attend
All students enrolled in a dance or music course participate in our US Advent Prayer Service. Students will receive directions regarding performance attire from their individual teachers.
Senior Sleepover: Wed. Dec. 20
The Class of 2024 stays overnight at school to prepare for the all-school festivities on Thu. Dec. 21.
College Guidance
Financial Aid Information
Students seeking financial aid for college should determine as soon as possible whether the colleges where they will submit an application require the CSS Profile. Visit each college's financial aid website to determine if the CSS Profile is required. If so, seniors and their parents should immediately complete the CSS Profile here. The CSS Profile is only a preliminary application for some private colleges. All colleges also require the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and some colleges even have their own financial aid forms. Students and families should read each college website’s content carefully to make sure they are meeting all of the requirements. We are here to help, and we have also posted some helpful financial aid resources on our Google Classroom.
College Applications
Early in December, seniors will be required to submit to College Guidance their final list of colleges where they intend to apply. Seniors understand that it is their responsibility to complete and submit their portion of the application (application, any supplements, essays, fees) by all appropriate deadlines. It is also their responsibility to send standardized test scores if they are submitting them; they can do this through the College Board or ACT website if a particular college does not accept self-reported scores. The College Guidance Office sends out the transcript, letters of recommendation, school profile, and school report by Dec. 25.
Decisions
Starting in December, students who applied Early Decision or Early Action will begin to receive decisions from colleges. Results are always mixed; there are no certainties in the college process, and most students will receive both good and bad news in the weeks and months to come. We in the College Guidance office enjoy celebrating students' successes with them, but we are also here to help them process any disappointment they may feel. Students are asked to share all news with us — positive and negative — so we can give them whatever support they may need. They should also post their results in Naviance, so we can keep a record of how are students are faring.
Junior Parent College Night: Wed. Jan. 24 at 7 pm
The event provides a comprehensive overview of the college guidance process. It will be held in person at school. More information to follow.
Parents' Association
Jingle Ball Raffle ends Sun. Dec. 3
Take a chance to win 4 tickets to the sold out Jingle Ball on Dec. 10! Tickets are on sale until Sun. Dec. 3. Winner will be drawn on Monday morning.
Dr. Sarah Sarkis '93 Parent/Caregiver Presentation Recording
Those who missed the presentation or would like to view the recording may do so at this link.
Thanksgiving Service Project
Thank you to all the families who contributed to the Thanksgiving Service Project. Parents and caregivers filled 83 boxes with non-perishable items and grocery store gift cards for the Harbor Point families. Sister Joyce from Project Care and Concern joined the caravan to deliver the boxes to Dorchester on Mon. Nov. 13.
Save the Date! Teenage Clothing Drive: Jan. 2024
Start cleaning out your girls' closets! The Service Committee is asking families to support a clothing drive for the Boston Community Hub School Program which is managed by Senior Director Joanne Gomes '08. Gently used clothing will be collected from Jan. 9-19. We are really in need of warm winter clothes, including hats, gloves, coats, scarves and SOCKS! More details to come.
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.