Courage and Confidence since 1880

Newton Notes: January 2024
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All-School Announcements

First Friday Prayer Service for Parents and Caregivers: Fri. Jan. 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.

Admission Application Deadline: Jan. 15
Calling all siblings! The application deadline for the 2024-25 school year is Jan. 15. Tours and interviews will be available through the end of January. Please call the Admission Office to schedule your appointment if you haven't already, and remind your friends and neighbors.

Prayers from the Heart: Fri. Jan. 19 at 7:45 am and online
“Aim unceasingly at becoming a soul of prayer.”- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. Let the parent community pray for your special prayer intention by submitting a prayer request via the Veracross Parent Portal, with the option to request confidentiality. Parents 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. Jan. 19 from 7:45-8:15 am in the Blue Room for all those who are interested in praying together.

Challenge Success Survey
In partnership with The International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and Challenge Success, a non-profit school reform organization affiliated with the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, our students will participate in a survey this month that seeks to elevate student voices and implement research-based strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement. Survey topics include student sleep habits, homework load, and student stress. Through this partnership, we will collect and analyze actionable data so that we can identify needed areas of intentional focus and implement targeted interventions to best support our students in grades 5-12. The parent/guardian information statement can be found here.

Re-enrollment for the 2024-25 school year begins Feb. 1
Parents and caregivers will receive an email with instructions about how to re-enroll through Veracross. Re-enrollment will also be available through the Veracross Parent Portal beginning in February. The deadline to re-enroll for next year is Feb. 15.

Save the Date! Family Mass: Sun. Feb. 4 at 4:30 pm
We invite all families to join together for a Family Mass held in the NCDS Chapel. Fr. Terry Devino, SJ will be presiding. Please contact Sara Milone (x4727) if you are interested in volunteering.

Network Summer Service Projects: Applications due Feb. 11
Each year, Sacred Heart Schools throughout the United States offer immersive Network Summer Service Projects that integrate community service, justice education, and meaningful community engagement on a particular theme during summer break. These opportunities are available to rising 6th -12th graders. This year, there are four opportunities open to MS students and seven opportunities open to US students. The Student Application Packet is now available online, and it includes descriptions of each project, eligibility, costs, and FAQ. Costs vary depending on each project and do not include flights/transportation. Financial assistance is available. The application is completely online and must be completed by Feb. 11. If students or families have questions that are not addressed in the application packet, please reach out to Mr. Schusterbauer in the MS at x4755 or Dr. Potter in the US at x4757.

Save the Date! Science and Engineering Fair: Wed. Feb. 28 from 3-6 pm
The Science Department is looking for parents, caregivers, alumnae, and friends of NCDS who have a background in science, mathematics, engineering, medicine, or related fields to volunteer to judge 7th grade, 8th grade, and Upper School student projects at the 29th annual Science and Engineering Fair. If you are able to help and have not already received an invitation via email, please visit the Science and Engineering Fair webpage, or contact Tamas Molnar at x4961 or sefair@newtonSH.org.

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.

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Middle School Announcements

Admissions Curriculum Night: Thu. Jan. 11 from 6:30-8 pm
Grade 8 parents and caregivers are invited to join prospective parents and caregivers for our Admission Curriculum Night. Student speakers and faculty from each academic discipline will provide information and their perspective about our US program. Please sign up here if you plan to attend.

Grade 5 Voyagers Excursion: Bookbinding at the Boston Public Library on Jan. 24
Students will travel to the Boston Public Library with their Roots of Language and Art classes. To build on their lessons about storytelling and visual representation, they will participate in a bookbinding workshop and receive a guided tour of the John Singer Sargent murals.

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.

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Upper School Announcements

2024-25 Exchange Program Info Session: Thu. Jan. 18 at 6:30 pm
We will host an informational session for the Exchange Program cohort for the 2024-2025 school year. We will discuss goals and philosophies of the program, countries and schools that we exchange with most often, and some logistics and requirements for the program. Room location TBD.

New Freedoms Program: Tue. Jan. 23
Seniors from NCDS and Belmont Hill participate in an all-day wellness program focused on healthy relationships and the life skills needed for the college transition. The day will feature a combination of speakers and small-group discussions. Please contact Ms. Roy at x4921 with questions.

Agape Latte: Thu. Jan. 25 from 6-7:30 pm
US students are invited to Agape Latte, a faith storytelling series. Please contact Ms. Regan at x4918 with questions.

Upper School Retreats
Attendance on overnight retreats is a requirement of the Religious Studies curriculum. All students are expected to attend in full. Students should not bring schoolwork, laptops, or other devices or materials that would distract them from full participation in this spiritual retreat.

  • Grade 11 Kairos Retreat: Tue. Feb. 6 - Fri. Feb. 9. Grade 11 students will travel to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT, returning Fri. evening. Basic bedding is provided, but students can bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets to supplement. Students will receive more information about what to pack in the weeks leading up to the retreat. Contact Ms. Regan at x4918 or Dr. Potter at x4757 with questions.
  • Grade 9 Retreat: Thu. Feb. 8 - Fri. Feb. 9. Grade 9 students will travel to Toah Nipi Retreat Center in Rindge, NH, returning to school by 3 pm on Friday. Bedding is not provided, so students should bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets. The class will receive more information about what to pack in the weeks leading up to the retreat. Contact Ms. Regan at x4918 or Mrs. Mignone at x4737 with questions.
  • Grade 10 Retreat: Thu. Feb. 8 - Fri. Feb. 9. Grade 10 students will travel to LaSalette Retreat Center in Attleboro, MA, returning to school by 3 pm on Friday. Bedding is not provided, so students should bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets. The class will receive more information about what to pack in the weeks leading up to the retreat. Contact Ms. Milone at x4727 or Mr. Ross at x4969 with questions.
  • Grade 12 Retreat: Thu. May 30 - Fri. May 31. Grade 12 students will travel to the Craigville Retreat Center in Centerville, MA, returning to school by 3 pm on Friday. Bedding is not provided, so students should bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets and will receive more information about what to pack in the weeks leading up to the retreat. Contact Dr. Potter at x4757 or Mr. Guzman at x4791 with questions.

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College Guidance

Financial Aid Information
The FAFSA is being released much later this year than usual (by Dec. 31). Please click here for some helpful information about the FAFSA, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

In addition, 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—many private colleges do. 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, which can be found on the College Board website. Colleges that require the CSS Profile will also require the FAFSA, so you will need to fill out both.

PSATs
Students in Grades 10 and 11 should all be able to see the results of their PSATs by logging on to the students' College Board accounts. If you are unable to log in to see score results, please contact the College Board through their website to see if they can be of assistance. Any questions about PSAT results may be addressed to the College Guidance Office in January.

Junior Parent College Night: Wed. Jan. 24 at 7 pm
A comprehensive overview of the college guidance process will be held at NCDS in Duchesne Hall. The event should last no longer than an hour and a half. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the College Guidance Team and learn about the many ways in which we will support your daughters throughout the college process.

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Parents' Association

Parents' Association Meeting: Wed. Jan. 17 at 7:45 am
Learn about the Boston Community Hub Schools' Program and the Teen Clothing Drive (see below).

Teen Clothing Drive: Jan. 9-19
Families can drop off gently used clothing at the Arches. Volunteers are needed for sorting and delivery to Boston Community Hub Schools. Contact the Service Committee for more information: Liz Grimes P '24, Sheelah Sullivan P '25 '27, and Grace White P '24.

Save the Date! 50th Tres Bien Auction: Sat. Mar. 2
The 521 Overlook, Fenway Park
Auction Committee: Marie Carroll P '26, Diane Cavallo P '23 '28, Christina Knopp P '24, Katy Wallace P '27, and Kristen Weber P '28.

2023-24 Leadership

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