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- All-School Announcements
- Middle School Announcements
- Upper School Announcements
- College Guidance
- Parents' Association
All-School Announcements
Opening Week Schedule
- Monday, Sep. 4: Labor Day
- 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)
- 4-6 pm: Upper School athletics and musical rehearsal
- 5:30-7 pm: Grade 9 Family Picnic (students in athletics or the musical arrive at 6 pm after practice)
- Wednesday, Sep 6: Opening Day
- Students are involved in Orientation and Class Activities. School pictures for Upper School students.
- Boston Bus service begins. Note: Middle School After-School Supervision Program starts Monday, Sep. 11. MS students who need to wait for the bus should do so in the MS Commons.
- 7:45 am: Senior Mentors for Grades 9 and 10 arrive
- 8:30 am: Arrival for Grades 5-11
- 11 am: Grade 12 students who are not Senior Mentors arrive
- 12 pm: Grades 5-7 dismissal
- 2:30 pm: Grade 8 and Upper School dismissal
- 3-5 pm: Upper School athletics and musical rehearsal
- Thursday, Sep. 7: First Day of Classes
- This is a regular school day. Students arrive by 7:45 am.
- Metro West Bus service begins. Note: Middle School After-School Supervision Program starts Monday, Sep. 11. MS students who need to wait for the bus should do so in the MS Commons.
- 3 pm: Middle School dismissal
- 3:30 pm: Upper School dismissal
- 3:10-4:10 pm: Middle School athletic tryouts
- 4-5:30 pm: Upper School athletics (see details on Athletics page)
- 4-6 pm: Upper School musical rehearsal
- Friday, Sep. 8
- This is a regular school day. Students arrive by 7:45 am.
- Note: Middle School After-School Supervision Program starts Monday, Sep. 11. MS students who need to wait for the bus should do so in the MS Commons.
- 2:30 pm: Middle and Upper School dismissal
- 2:40-3:40 pm: Middle School athletic tryouts
- 3:30-5 pm: Upper School athletics (see details on Athletics page)
- 3:00-5 pm: Upper School musical rehearsal
First Friday Prayer Service for Parents and Caregivers
Friday, Sep. 8 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.
Prospective Parent Coffee
Friday, Sep. 22 at 8:30 am
Our first admission event of the year will be a Prospective Parent Coffee on Friday, Sep. 22 from 8:30-9:30 am. Please encourage interested friends, neighbors, and family members to attend. More information is available on our website. If you have a child planning to apply to NCDS for Fall 2024, please call or email the Admission Office.
Homecoming
Upper School: Friday, Sep. 22
Middle School: Saturday, Sep. 23
See Parents' Association for more information
Safety Day: Tuesday, Sep. 26
In keeping with national educational practices and in partnership with the Newton Police Department (NPD), NCDS has updated its emergency protocols. On Safety Day, students, faculty, and staff will devote time to practice and implement these protocols. The day will be led by Sergeant Dan Valente, the supervisor of NPD’s Special Operations Bureau. Our Safety Protocols are outlined in the Student Handbook. Any questions can be directed to the Safety Committee Chair Michael Rosovsky.
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.
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.
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.
Health Office
All families were 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. 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.
Dress
Students should come to school ready to learn. Appropriate dress is a mark of courtesy to all members of the community. Clothing should be neat and in good repair. No inappropriate logos or images are permitted. Excessively short skirts, shorts, and shirts are not appropriate. Underwear should not be visible. Certain events during the school year, such as liturgies, require more formal dress. These will be indicated in advance.
Dining Hall
The dining hall project continues. Lunch will be served in the Arches Gym for the first few weeks of school.
Private Music Lessons
The private lesson program begins in October. Lessons are scheduled in 30-minute increments around both teacher and space availability. If we are able to successfully place your child with a private lesson teacher, full payment for the semester is due at the time of registration. Students interested in pursuing private lessons in either voice, piano, or select concert band instruments should contact Director of Music Dr. Corey Everly.
Dance
All US and MS 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.
CharlieCards
MBTA Student Value CharlieCards are available through the school. This card, the only type of card distributed through the school, is a stored value card that only charges the student fare each time it is used. Students will load the card themselves with funds at CharlieCard machines at MBTA stations. Loading the card with $30 will provide 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 Frances Dingivan with questions. Students can pick up their cards from Ms. Dingivan in the Academic Office during pre-season or on Opening Day.
Bus Transportation
It's not too late to sign up! NCDS 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.
Please note that the Boston Bus route begins on Wednesday, Sep. 6, while the MetroWest Bus route does not begin until Thursday, Sep. 7. All families registered for the bus will receive an email with details about bus stops and times.
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!
Middle School Announcements
MS Picture Day: Monday, Sep. 11
Coffee Pond Photography will take photos of all students. Coffee Pond Photography will take photos of all students. To order photos, please visit the Coffee Pond website and click the “Order School Portraits” button. Select Newton Country Day School using the drop-down menu, enter your child’s information, and select your packages. To order photos for more than one child, click “Order for Another Child” and repeat the process.
Middle School Back to School Night
Tuesday, Sep. 12 at 7 pm
Middle School Parent Coffee
Wednesday, Sep. 20 at 7:30 am
Grandparent's Day: Wednesday, Oct. 18
Save the date! Invitation to follow.
7th Grade Trip to Camp Hazen: October 11-13
Students in Grade 7 will travel to Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester, CT for a three-day, two-night community building experience. All students must have up-to-date medical forms on file in Magnus Health in order to participate. Grade 7 moderators will chaperone the trip.
Further details will be shared during MS Back to School night on Sep. 12, followed by a Zoom information session on Oct. 5. Please contact Catherine Barber, Assistant Head of the Middle School, with questions at (617) 559-4932.
MS Athletics
MS 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. Athletic team policies can be found here.
MS Phone Policy
In order to help our students be fully present and engaged during the day, student phones are collected during homeroom and returned to students at the end of the day. If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the MS Office at (617) 559-4750.
MS After School Program
The MS After School program begins on Monday, Sep. 11, and is available for all MS students until 5:30 pm each day. Students who take the Boston bus 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/caregivers plan to pick them up more than 15 minutes after school or sports dismissal.
Please text the After School number (617) 631-0535 when you arrive to pick up your child; they will then be dismissed from the After School program to meet you at the Arches.
Please note: there is no After School program during Upper School Homecoming on Friday, Sep. 22.
Water Bottles
All MS students should bring a reusable water bottle with them to school each day. Water fountains are available on each floor of the school.
Upper School Announcements
Upper School Sports and Musical Tryouts continue
The schedule for preseason athletic practices and musical rehearsals continues into September as follows:
- Friday, Sep. 1, 10 am - 12 pm
- Tuesday, Sep. 5, 4-6 pm
Student Leadership Meetings: Tuesday, Sep. 5
Leadership meetings will continue through Tuesday, Sep. 5 before athletics practices and musical rehearsals. The schedule for those meetings is as follows:
- 9-11am: Peer Education Training
- 10:30-11:30 am: Honors Dance and Schola
- 12:30-3:30 pm: Senior Mentors for Gr. 9 and 10
- 2:30-3:30 pm: Student Government (Senior Mentors are excused)
Grade 9 Family Picnic
Tuesday, Sep. 5 at 5:30-7 pm
Members of the Class of 2027 and their parents/caregivers participate in the Grade 9 Family Picnic, during which the students gather with their advisory groups and parents/caregivers meet their child’s advisor.
- 5:30-6 pm: Parent/Caregiver program
- 6 pm: Students join parents/caregivers and advisors for dinner in Advisory Groups
Students involved in fall athletics or the fall musical will be dismissed by 6 pm to attend. As the picnic is casual, students come directly from practice. 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.
US Picture Day: Wednesday, Sep. 6
Coffee Pond Photography will take photos of all students. To order photos, please visit the Coffee Pond website and click the “Order School Portraits” button. Select Newton Country Day School using the drop-down menu, enter your child’s information, and select your packages. To order photos for more than one child, click “Order for Another Child” and repeat the process.
Upper School Fall Trips
To facilitate Goal IV, “the building of community as a Christian value,” days have been set aside during the second week of school for grade-level programming. These overnight trips are core to the Upper School experience, and all students are expected to attend in full. Students should not bring schoolwork, laptops, cell phones, or other electronic communication or entertainment devices. All students must have up-to-date medical forms on file in Magnus Health in order to go on these trips.
- Grade 9 Orientation: Sep. 13-15
- Orientation takes place at the Craigville Retreat Center in Centerville, MA. This retreat is designed to both help students get to know each other and familiarize themselves with the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart Schools. Orientation is a time when lasting friendships begin to form. Class moderators and other ninth grade faculty accompany the class. Students and faculty will travel by bus at 2 pm on Wednesday and return by 2:30 pm on Friday in time for athletic practices and musical rehearsals. Contact Laura Baines-Walsh at x4911 with questions.
- Grade 10 Trip: Sep. 14-15
- The Sophomore Outdoor Education program takes place at the Morse Hill Outdoor Education Center in Shutesbury, MA. Programming is designed to help build understanding, respect, responsibility, and caring within the individual, between individuals within the group, between the groups, and between humans and the environment. Students and faculty will leave at 8 am on Thursday and return by 2:30 pm on Friday in time for athletic practices and musical rehearsals. Contact Andrew Szilvasy at x 4843 with questions.
- Grade 11 Trip: Sep. 13-15
- The junior class 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. Buses leave Newton Country Day School promptly at 7:30 am on Wednesday. Students should arrive at school by 7:15 am. Buses return to school around 7 pm on Friday. Students will update their parents about return time during the return trip based on traffic. Contact Kate Kenney at x4756 with questions.
- Grade 12 Activities: Sep. 13-15
- Seniors will participate in a “Love in Action” day of leadership programming on Wednesday, Sep. 13. After beginning their day in the Chapel, Grade 12 students will head off on a service day the rest of the day, returning in time for athletic practices and musical rehearsals. On Thursday, Sep. 14 and Friday, Sep. 15, Grade 12 students will either be working with Grade 9 and 10 students as Senior Mentors or participating in on-campus college application workshops. Thursday and Friday are great days to schedule off-campus college visits for students not involved in the Grade 9 or Grade 10 Mentors program. Contact Loren Cerami at x4936 with questions.
US Back to School Night
Tuesday, Sep. 19 at 7 pm
US Parent Coffee
Wednesday, Sep. 27 at 7:30 am
Senior Parent Reception: Thursday, Sep. 28, 6-8 pm in Barat Commons
Save the date! Invitation to follow.
US Athletics
All practice and game schedules can be found on our website under Athletics. The athletic pages reflect the most up-to-date schedules. If there is a cancellation due to weather, these changes will reflect on the practice and/or game schedule.
US Fall Musical
The regular rehearsal schedule for “Anastasia” will be from 3:45-5:45 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and from 2:45-4:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Special rehearsals (including but not limited to sitzprobe, tech week, and dress rehearsal) and the call times for show days will be communicated via the Cast/Crew Google Classroom. Please refer to your Musical Production Policies document.
Student Parking
Student parking is limited and restricted to assigned areas. Seniors have priority. If there are more student vehicles than parking spaces, spaces will be awarded through a lottery. Juniors park behind the Lower Field. Parking may be further limited in the winter months. Cars must be registered with the School and have a valid parking sticker.
College Guidance
We have been communicating with seniors throughout the summer via our Google Classroom, and we have also been available all summer to help students with their college essays, applications, and lists. Please continue to encourage your daughter to reach out to us; we are happy to help with all aspects of the college process!
All seniors participate in Senior Group during the first semester. Senior Group meets regularly to discuss everything your daughter needs to know about applying to college. Throughout the first semester, we will also update Google Classroom to provide students with the resources they need.
Seniors should keep their Naviance account updated with any new information (e.g., report new standardized test scores as they receive them).
Beginning in September, college admissions representatives will visit NCDS; most in-person, but some virtually. This is a great opportunity for students to speak with the regional reps at colleges they may be interested in. In-person visits will take place during the school day, while any virtual visits will typically happen in the evenings. Seniors will receive more information about these visits during Senior Group. These are not interviews; they are information sessions, and students are encouraged to attend. Students should check the College Guidance Google Classroom and Naviance website weekly for reminders and updates.
Seniors should schedule individual meetings with Mr. Rosenholtz, Mr. Blanchard, and/or Ms. Riobueno to further develop, and eventually solidify, college lists and to work on essays and applications. Students who are considering either Early Decision or Early Action should schedule a meeting as soon as possible. Parents may also schedule appointments with College Guidance throughout the first semester; we can communicate with parents on the phone, via Google Meets, or in person.
Below are the dates for the SAT and ACT administration and registration. Keep in mind that a vast majority of colleges will not require test scores this year. Students who still want to take tests are encouraged to register early to get a convenient test site and to avoid late fees.
- ACT Administration
- Oct. 28: Registration Deadline Sep. 22
- SAT Administration
- Oct. 7: Registration Deadline Sep. 7
- Nov. 4: Registration Deadline Oct. 5
Please contact the College Guidance Office with questions.
Parents' Association
New Family Breakfast
Saturday, Sep. 9 at 9 am
For new families and their hosts. Please park next to Upper Field.
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.
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.