Courage and Confidence since 1880

Newton Notes: October 2023
Use this link to translate this message. Select a language at the top of the page.

To access a specific section of Newton Notes, click below:

All-School Announcements

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Sep. 15 - Oct. 15
Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15 to celebrate the diverse histories and cultures and the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to this country, whose heritage includes Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Spain. This month, NCDS will be acknowledging the month with the following events:

  • Oct. 4: Dance performance by the acclaimed Mexican artist Veronica Robles, and her mariachi band will perform Journey Through Latin America, which will include music and dance from Peru, Colombia, and Mexico
  • Oct. 10: MS Hispanic Heritage Month Chapel Service
  • US Announcements: Presentation by our student-led affinity group Organization for Latin American Students (OLAS)

First Friday Prayer Service for Parents and Caregivers: Fri. Oct. 6 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 Pastoral 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.

Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School): Mon. Oct. 9

Admission Events
Prospective Parent Coffee: Thu. Oct. 19 from 8:30-9:30 am
Admission Open House: Sun. Nov. 5 from 1-3:30 pm
Tell your friends and neighbors about these upcoming Admission events!

  • Open House Volunteers: We are recruiting volunteers to help at Open House and hope that you will consider spending the afternoon with us. If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here or call the Admission Office. In addition to parents/caregivers, all current students are encouraged to participate, as well. Thank you for your help in building our school community. 

  • Yard Signs: Display a Yard Sign to help spread the word about Newton Country Day! Yard Signs will be available outside the Arches entrance at drop-off on Fri. Oct. 6 and Tue. Oct. 10. You can also pick one up in the front lobby.

  • Calling all siblings: If you have a daughter who will be applying to Newton Country Day this year, please call the Admission Office to schedule her tour and interview.

Family Mass: Sun. Oct. 22 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 serving as a lector.

Dr. Sarah Sarkis ‘93: The Thirty Percent Rule - How to best serve your daughter’s needs
Tue. 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. Sarah brings a unique perspective both as a parent of an adolescent and someone who has “lived” the Newton Country Day School experience. This presentation is open to all parents, caregivers, and alumnae and will take place after the Parents' Association meeting, which begins at 6 pm.

Halloween Celebration: Tue. Oct. 31
Both the Upper and Middle School have Halloween activities during morning assembly. Students are invited to come to school dressed in their costumes as long as they do not inhibit their ability to participate in classroom activities.

Feast of All Saints: Wed. Nov. 1
The school celebrates the Feast of All Saints at Trinity Chapel. Students should dress appropriately for the occasion.

School Picture Retakes: Thu. Nov. 2
Students who were absent on Picture Day, or who wish to have their school pictures re-taken, can do so on Nov. 2. If you ordered copies of your original picture, and you are having your picture re-taken, you must bring in your original pictures to return to the photographer. If you would like to order photos and have not already done so, please visit the Coffee Pond website and click the “Order School Portraits” button.

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.

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: Middle School: (617) 559-4750, Upper School: (617) 559-4747.

Lateness Policy
If a student arrives late to school (after 7:55 am), they are to report immediately to either the Middle School Academic Office or to the Front Desk if in the Upper School 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: Middle School: (617) 559-4750, Upper School: (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.

Designating a primary parent/caregiver contact
Please fill out this form to designate a primary parent or caregiver contact for each student. The primary contact will be contacted by the school first for any individual email or phone call communication. There is a field for comments for explanation if multiple parents/caregivers should be contacted at the same time.

Carpool List
If you are interested in carpooling with other families for the 2023-24 school year, please fill out the Carpool List form. Please note that NCDS does not create carpools; the form is used to compile information for interested families. The list of responses is available on the Veracross Parent Portal -- please note that as families sign up, the list will be updated, so check back often!

Back to Top

Middle School Announcements

Camp Hazen Informational Zoom for Parents/Caregivers of Grade 7
Thu. Oct. 5 from 6:30 - 7 pm
A link to this virtual meeting will be sent to parents on Oct. 4.

Grade 7 Trip to Camp Hazen: Oct. 11-13
Students depart from NCDS on Wednesday morning and return on Friday at 2:30 pm.

Grade 5 Voyagers Excursions: Oct. 11 and 25

  • Oct. 11: Berlin Orchards - This Religion and Wellness interdisciplinary excursion will visit Berlin Orchards to enhance lessons about St. Francis of Assisi, stewardship of the land, and the process of bringing produce to our tables. As this is an outdoor excursion, students should dress for the weather.

  • Oct. 25: Boston Symphony Orchestra - For this Instrumental Music and Religion interdisciplinary excursion, students will attend a performance of the BSO to learn about their instruments and explore how both playing music and praying can represent creative expressions of their ideas, emotions, and faith. Students should dress appropriately for a visit to the symphony (i.e., Mass attire).

Grade 6 Apple Picking: Oct. 11
Grade 6 will also visit Berlin Orchards for apple picking. They will enjoy lunch, cider donuts, farm animals, and fresh apples. As this is an outdoor excursion, students should dress for the weather.

Grandparents' Day: Wed. Oct. 18
Grandparents and Grandfriends will join students for an afternoon that will include a community service activity, Mass, and goûter. An email invitation has been sent; please RSVP by Oct. 13.

Save the Date! Grade 8 Service and Social Event with St. Sebastian's: Nov. 13
NCDS 8th graders will join the 8th graders at St. Sebastian's for an evening of service and social activities. Transportation will be provided to and from NCDS. Details TBA; event time will be approximately 4:30-6:30 pm.

MS Athletics
Winter sports tryouts will begin the week of Nov. 13. MS sports offered: Basketball, Ice Hockey, and Squash. All practice and game schedules can be found in the athletics section of the website. Students will sign up in school for their winter sport. The tryout schedule will be posted by the end of October. Please read the Middle School team policies before the beginning of tryouts.

MS After-School Program
The MS After-School program is available for all MS students until 5:30 pm each day. Please text the After-School number (617) 631-0535 when you arrive to pick up your child; she will then be dismissed from the After-School program to meet you at the Arches. Students who take the Boston or MetroWest buses are supervised until bus departure. Students are expected to be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of their school day. Students are required to sign into the After-School program if their parents plan to pick them up more than 15 minutes after school or sports dismissal. Any questions about the After-School program can be directed to Ms. Kumi.

Back to Top

Upper School Announcements

PSAT for Grades 9-11: Wed. Oct. 11 (no classes for Grade 12; see below)
The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. By taking the test, students will have a preview of the SAT that all juniors may take later this school year. The PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying test for juniors wishing to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Juniors are entered into the contest just by taking the test. Students in Grade 9 will take the PSAT 8/9 to experience the logistics of this type of standardized testing. This is a great opportunity to practice bubbling in answers, budgeting time, and following instructions in this type of setting. We hope students do their best because the results can show areas of strength and opportunities for growth, but there is no cause for stress or extra practice. 

Students should arrive at school by 7:45 am well-rested and having eaten breakfast. Students will be instructed on where they should report for attendance. Students should bring several #2 pencils and a working calculator. We will not have extra calculators. There is no need to do specific preparation. Testing will end by 12 pm.

  • Grades 9 and 10 will remain at school for class activities until 2:30 pm. Athletics follow a regular schedule. The Boston Bus runs at the regular time.
  • Grade 11 is dismissed at 12 pm. 

Grade 12 students do not have classes on Wed. Oct. 11. We encourage seniors to visit and/or interview at local colleges or to work on essays and applications on this day. However, they are expected to report for any games, rehearsals, or practices that afternoon. Grade 12 students who serve as Grade 10 Mentors are expected to arrive at school by 12 pm to facilitate the Grade 10 activities. 

School the World Information Session: Tue. Oct. 17 at 6:30 pm in Room 119
Many NCDS students and parents have partnered with School the World, a Boston-based non-profit organization that seeks to transform global poverty by providing access to education. School the World is currently recruiting US students to serve as volunteers for a service trip to Panama during March break in 2024. For more information, please contact Dr. Potter at x4757.

Island School Information Session: Tue. Oct. 17 at 7:15 pm in Room 119
The Island School will be on campus to present the opportunity for students to apply to its six-week intensive summer program. Designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the Summer Term is place-based and experiential, connecting students to the natural and cultural landscape of South Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

Grades 9 and 10 Trivia Night: Fri. Oct. 20 from 6-8 pm
Members of the Classes of 2026 and 2027 are invited to a trivia night with Belmont Hill School in the Arches Gym. Pizza dinner will be provided.

US Athletics
Winter sports tryouts will begin the week of Nov. 13. US sports offered: Basketball, Dance Team, Ice Hockey, and Squash. All practice and game schedules can be found in the athletics section of the website. Sign ups for tryouts will be emailed to students by the end of October. The up-to-date schedule will be posted on the athletics section of the website. Please sign the Upper School Team Policies form before the beginning of tryouts.

Back to Top

College Guidance

Early Action / Early Decision: Many seniors may choose to send in applications for an Early Action or Early Decision deadline. Seniors will be given specific instructions on how to submit their applications and on what their responsibilities are. Students should submit an Early Action/Early Decision Intent Form to the College Guidance Office at least two weeks prior to the college's deadline. All Intent Forms will be available in the College Guidance Google Classroom.

Students should continue to meet with College Guidance to refine their lists of schools and to work on essays, supplements, and applications. Seniors will also continue to meet as a group several times in October. College admissions representatives have been visiting NCDS regularly throughout the past few weeks, and there are many more visits to come. The schedule of visits is on Naviance, and students are also notified of these visits in their Google Classroom.

Financial Aid and Applying Early Decision: The FAFSA Financial Aid Form is being revamped, and as a result it won’t be available until December. This has the potential to impact Early Decision applicants who need financial aid. However, students who need aid can still choose to apply ED, but they should discuss this decision with the College Guidance Office before proceeding.

Most colleges will still estimate Federal Student Aid using a different form—the CSS Profile. It is important that students who need aid fill out this form. The student would then complete the FAFSA in December once it’s available.

Now more than ever, it’s important for families to:

  1. Contact financial aid offices for ED schools under consideration to get details on the process and commitment to offer at the time of ED admission.
  2. Get a pre-read of their financial aid, especially since many Net Price Calculators are still not updated with the new FAFSA eligibility formula.
  3. Ask about the potential differences between a preliminary and final award given a college’s institutional aid policy and commitment to meet need.
  4. Reach out to admissions to understand the nature of binding and options if a preliminary or final award isn’t enough.
  5. Please reach out to the College Guidance Office if you want further clarification on any of this.

ACT Administration:
October 28

SAT Administration:
October 7
November 4: Registration Deadline October 5

Back to Top

Parents' Association

Parents' Independent School Network Meeting: Wed. Oct. 4 at 12 pm (on Zoom)
This combined Lower/Middle and Upper School meeting will feature Katy Boucher, Founder and Director of the Accord School and expert in Childhood Social Skills Development. The meeting topic will be "Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Friendships: How to help our Children Navigate Their Ever-Changing Social World." All parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff of PIN member schools in both Lower/Middle and Upper School Divisions are welcome to attend! Registration is required. After you register, you will receive a Zoom link for the event.

Parents' Association Meeting: Tue. Oct. 24 at 6 pm
Learn about this year's Service initiatives. Get involved! All families are members of the Parents' Association. Parents/caregivers can go directly from this meeting to the presentation by Dr. Sara Sarkis '93, which will take place on the same night at 7 pm.

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

Back to Top

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