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No classes: Mon. Feb. 9 (Professional Development Day)
The MS musical will hold rehearsal and US athletes will have practice on this day. Please refer to the athletics schedule for more information. Classes will resume for all on Tue. Feb. 10
The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition: Thu. Feb. 12 at 7pm and Fri. Feb. 13 at 6:30pm
Our MS musical production will take place in the Sweeney-Husson Theatre. This is a one hour show and there is no intermission. Please purchase your tickets in advance. All sales are final and no refunds will be issued. Tickets can be transferred to another party. Please contact Mrs. Davenport with questions. Purchase tickets online here. All sales are completed using this online digital platform. We look forward to welcoming you to Bikini Bottom!
Re-enrollment Deadline for the 2026-27 school year: Fri. Feb. 13
Parents and caregivers were sent an email on Feb. 2 with instructions about how to re-enroll through Veracross. Re-enrollment will also be available through the Veracross Parent Portal during the first two weeks of Feb.
First Friday Prayer Service for Parents and Caregivers: Fri. Feb. 13, 7:30am
We invite all parents and caregivers to gather in our chapel, the heart center of our school, for a brief guided prayer led by Ms. Milone, Director of Mission and Ministry. Join us in carving out some time for contemplation and community. Reflective music will begin at 7:20am. Prayer will begin promptly at 7:30am and conclude by 7:45am. All are welcome to stay for coffee afterwards.
No classes: Mon. Feb. 16 (Presidents' Day) and Tue. Feb. 17 (Head of School's Holiday)
Classes will resume on Wed. Feb. 18.
Holiday Sports Schedules: Mon. Feb. 16 and Tue. Feb. 17
There will be no sports practices on Presidents' Day (Mon. Feb. 16). However, all sports teams will practice at their normal times on the Head of School's Holiday (Tue. Feb. 17). Any student-athlete in town is expected to attend.
Ash Wednesday: Wed. Feb. 18
The school will observe Ash Wednesday with an all-school prayer service during the school day. Ashes will be distributed for those who would like to receive them.
Virtual Mission and Ministry Parent/Caregiver Book Circle: Wed. Feb. 18, Feb. 25, Mar. 4, Mar. 11, 12-1pm
Join with other parents and caregivers to mark the season of Lent by participating in a four-week virtual book circle centered on No One Walks Alone by Rev. Liz Walker, former pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church in Roxbury, MA. In this year focused on our theme of Cherished Belonging, we’ll reflect together on the healing power of listening, shared story, and faithful presence, exploring how communities are shaped when grief is held with care and no one is left behind. Through shared conversation this Lent, we’ll consider how practices of accompaniment invite conversion of heart and deeper hope and belonging in our communities. Space is limited, and to foster trust and continuity, participants are asked to commit to all four sessions. Sign up here.
Science & Engineering Fair (Seeking Judges!): Wed. Feb. 25, 3-7pm
The 31st annual Science & Engineering Fair will be held in the Arches Gym and Duchesne Hall. This is a dress event for all students in Grades 7 and 8, and US students participating in Independent Research. Students stay at school through the awards ceremony. Judging of projects occurs between 3:30-6pm, during which non-participants are not admitted into the gym or Duchesne Hall. Parents, family, and friends may visit the exhibits after judging is complete, around 6pm. The awards ceremony in the theatre begins at approximately 6:15pm and concludes by 7pm. The Science department seeks judges for the Fair. If you have a background in science, mathematics, engineering, or medicine, and are interested in volunteering, please visit the Science & Engineering Fair webpage or contact Dr. Webster x4926.
Party with a Purpose (PWAP): Sat. Feb. 28, 6-9pm, Belmont Hill School
PWAP is an evening of games, music, hanging with friends, meeting new people, and celebrating Boston Children's Hospital patients and families. Open to students in Grades 7-12. Pre-registration is required.
Help Wanted! Host a Senior for an Unpaid, In-Person Internship or Job Shadow: Mon. Apr. 27 - Fri. May 22
We are seeking alumnae, parents/caregivers, and former parents/caregivers to host our senior students for an unpaid, in-person internship or job shadowing experience from Mon. Apr. 27 - Fri. May 22 for the Senior Project initiative, which aims to provide students with real-world experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional development. We are seeking hosts from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. If you’re interested in providing this valuable experience for one of our seniors, please contact Dr. Baines-Walsh.
Yearbooks On Sale
The yearbook for the 2025-26 academic year is now on sale. Students are working hard to capture the events, activities, and memories of this school year. Place your order for the 2026 yearbook on the Jostens Website.
Prayers from the Heart (new website!)
Let the Prayers from the Heart community pray for your special prayer intention by submitting a prayer request via the Newton Country Day website, with the option to request confidentiality. Parents/caregivers who are interested may also volunteer to pray for the intentions of the community by subscribing to the Prayers from the Heart community also located on the website.
Attendance Policies
If a student is going to be absent or tardy, parents/caregivers should notify the school before 9am by submitting an attendance note on the Veracross Parent Portal or calling the Academic Office directly (MS: (617) 559-4750, US: (617) 559-4747). In the event of a foreseeable absence, a student should communicate with her advisor and teachers to formulate a plan for meeting academic expectations during her absence.
A provider note must be presented to the Academic Office for any missed time in the school day. If a student returns to school after an early dismissal for an appointment, she must check back in at the MS Office (MS) or Front Desk (US) and present a note from a medical provider.
Commonwealth Shakespeare In-House Excursion for Grades 6 & 8: Thu. Feb. 5
Commonwealth Shakespeare will visit campus for an in-house field trip during the school day to work with students in grade 6 and grade 8 as they practice their Shakespeare knowledge and stagecraft.
SpongeBob Rehearsals: Important Calendar Reminders and Ticket Sales
Cast and crew of The SpongeBob Musical do have rehearsal on Mon. Feb. 9 (a Professional Development Day) from 3:10-6pm. Extended Technical and Dress Rehearsals begin on Fri. Feb. 6 and run through the closing night of the show on Fri. Feb. 13. The rehearsals listed below are all mandatory. In addition, cast and crew stay after school through the show in order to warm up and prepare themselves for their evening performances. Dinner will be provided for cast/crew on both show days.
Important rehearsal dates and times:
- Fri. Feb. 6: 2:40-5:30pm
- Mon. Feb. 9: 3:10-6pm (No classes, Tech/Dress as scheduled)
- Tue. Feb. 10: 3:10-6pm (Tech/Dress)
- Wed. Feb. 11: 2:40-6pm (Tech/Dress)
- Thu. Feb. 12: 3-8:30pm (Show Day)
- Fri. Feb. 13: 2:30-8pm (Show Day)
Please purchase your tickets in advance. All sales are final and no refunds will be issued. Tickets can be transferred to another party. Please contact Mrs. Davenport with questions. Purchase tickets online here. All sales are completed using this online digital platform.
Grade 5 Voyagers Excursion to the Boston Public Library: Wed. Feb. 11
Grade 5 students will travel to the Boston Public Library. To build on their lessons about storytelling and visual representation in their art, grammar, and English classes, they will participate in a bookbinding workshop and view the library's famous John Singer Sargent murals.
Grade 8 Service Activity with St. Sebastian's: Thu. Feb. 26, 4:15-5:45pm
Grade 8 students from Newton Country Day and St. Sebastian's will participate in an evening of service and community building at NCDS. Students will have a pizza dinner and work together on a service craft project. Please contact Ms. Barber at x4932 with any questions.
Save the Date! Grade 8 Hope for Humanity: Thu. Mar. 12, 9:30-11am, Martin Center
All Grade 8 parents and caregivers are invited to attend the Grade 8 Hope for Humanity dance presentations, a collaborative project between Religious Studies and Dance. More information to follow.
Winter Outdoor Recess
On school days after a fresh snow, students have the option to participate in outdoor sledding on campus during their recess block. In order for your child to participate in this optional recess activity, they will need to come to school with the appropriate outer garments which include a winter coat, gloves, boots and snow pants. Sleds are provided. Any questions, please reach out to Ms. Horwitz, Grade 6 Dean.
Please Refrain from Front Desk Drop-Offs
We kindly ask MS parents/caregivers to refrain from dropping off items for their children during the school day. This policy is intended to minimize classroom disruptions and promote personal responsibility among our students. Please ensure your child arrives at school with everything she needs for the day, including her athletic attire or uniform, water bottle, homework, and any other necessary materials for class. Additionally, MS students are not permitted to retrieve items from the front desk until the end of the school day. Thank you for your understanding and support.
MS After School Program
The MS After School program is available for all MS students until 5:30pm each day. Please text the After School number at (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 MetroWest or Boston buses are supervised until bus departure. Students are expected to be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of their school day. Please note, students are required to sign in to the After School program if their parents/caregivers plan to pick them up more than 15 minutes after school or after sports dismissal. Any questions regarding the After School program should be directed to Ms. Kumi.
Upcoming 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 the spiritual retreat. Students will receive more information about what to pack in the weeks leading up to the retreats.
- Tue. Feb. 3 - Fri. Feb. 6: Grade 11 Kairos Retreat: 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. Contact Ms. Regan at x4918 or Dr. Potter at x4757 with any questions.
- Thu. Feb. 5 - Fri. Feb. 6: Grade 10 Retreat: Grade 10 students will travel to Wisdom House Retreat Center in Litchfield, CT, returning to school by 3pm on Fri. All bedding and linens are provided. Contact Mr. Mylroie x4927 or Ms. Hurley at x4842 with questions.
- Thu. Feb. 5 - Fri. Feb. 6: Grade 9 Retreat: Grade 9 students will travel to Camp Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH, returning to school by 3pm on Fri. Bedding is not provided, so students should bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets. Contact Ms. Hurley at x4842 or Ms. Regan at x4918 with questions.
- Thu. May 28 - Fri. May 29: Grade 12 Retreat: Grade 12 students will travel to the Craigville Retreat Center in Centerville, MA, returning to school by 3pm on Fri. Bedding is not provided, so students should bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and/or blankets. Contact Dr. Potter at x4757 or Mr. Stephenson at x4964 with questions.
Grade 12 Activities: Thu. Feb. 5 - Fri. Feb. 6
Due to the grades 9-11 retreats happening the week of Feb. 3, Grade 12 students who are not serving as retreat leaders will take part in grade-level programming in lieu of regularly scheduled classes on Feb. 5-6. On Thu., students will attend life skills workshops on campus and work on the proposal process for their upcoming Senior Project. On Fri., students will have the option of either a.) doing research and meeting with faculty on campus to brainstorm and discuss possible Senior Project opportunities, or b.) doing field research to explore possible Senior Project sites off-campus. Attendance is mandatory on campus on Thu.; students exploring Senior Projects site off-campus on Fri. must have a parent call to inform the Academic Office of their off-campus plans. Contact Ms. Cerami at x4936 with questions.
US Academic Journey: Course Discernment Process: Tue. Feb. 10, 7-8:30pm, Sweeney-Husson Theatre
Parents and caregivers of current Gr. 9 and 10 students will hear from academic leaders, including the Director of College Counseling and Department Chairs, about US program offerings, course recommendations, and our design philosophy for building balanced schedules that develop skills and demonstrate student strengths. This event is for parents and caregivers only; students will attend their own sessions during school in the weeks that follow.
Sacred Heart Lunch: Fri. Feb. 13, 12:30pm, Duchesne Hall
We warmly invite our junior, senior, and alumnae moms to gather for the Sacred Heart Lunch. This special afternoon is a time to come together in gratitude and community as we celebrate all things Newton Country Day. RSVP here.
Joint Mass with St. Sebastian's for Grades 11 & 12: Sun. Feb. 22, 5pm, St. Sebastian's
Students in grades 11 & 12 are invited to attend a joint Mass at St. Sebastian's School. Mass begins at 5pm followed by pizza. Please contact Ms. Milone (x4727) with any questions.
Engineering Design, Competitive Computing, & AP Computer Science Field Trip to Boston Dynamics: Mon. Feb. 23
Students visit Boston Dynamics' Waltham facility to tour the workspace and learn about both past and present iterations of robots, including Spot, Stretch, and Atlas. Students meet with practicing engineers and programmers who share insights into their roles and pathways into careers in robotics. This experience provides students with the opportunity to engage with female engineers and computer scientists in a typically male-dominated industry. Although Boston Dynamics does not offer public tours, their mission of encouraging underrepresented populations, such as women, to pursue careers in these fields has led them to graciously host our students for the seventh consecutive year.
Blood Drive: Thu. Feb. 26, 9am-3:30pm
Student Government will host the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital Blood Mobile. To donate blood, students must be at least 17 years old and 110 lbs. They should also remember to bring a valid photo ID and to eat breakfast that morning. Contact Ms. Skudder-Pocius at x4882 with questions.
Save the Dates! Upcoming Social Opportunities
Throughout the year, Newton Country Day sponsors several opportunities for students to socialize with students from other local schools. Additionally, we often receive invitations for our students to participate in social events sponsored by other schools. While we expect additional invitations to come in as the year progresses, below is a list of the current offerings and invitations for the 2025-2026 school year:
- Fri. Mar. 6: Grades 9 & 10 Catholic Memorial Semi-Formal Dance, hosted by Catholic Memorial
- Sat. Apr. 11: Grades 9 & 10 Belmont Hill Semi-Formal Dance, hosted by Belmont Hill
- Sat. Apr. 11: Grades 11 & 12 Prom, hosted by NCDS
- Fri. May 29: Grades 9 & 10 Semi-Formal Dance, hosted by NCDS
The Learning Center is Open!
We are proud to offer students additional support through the Learning Center. The Learning Center will be available to all students during afternoon W.I.N. blocks or by appointment.
- What can we help with?
- Study skills (studying, note taking, reading comprehension, reading speed, etc)
- Executive functioning skills (organization, time management, planning, etc)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Academic Support Coordinator, Ms. Tonge.
Financial Aid Information
Grade 12 students seeking financial assistance for college tuition should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with a parent/caregiver as soon as possible. Some private colleges will require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA. Once these documents have been submitted, students should check their unique college applicant portals to ensure the colleges they've applied to have received your financial aid application and documentation.
Parents/Caregivers of the Class of 2026 & 2027 can access the recording of our Understanding Financial Aid and Paying for College presentation and FAQ document via the email delivered on Nov. 4 titled, “Recording & FAQ: Understanding Financial Aid and Paying for College.”
Join us for Coffee and Info about Parent Involvement! Thu. Feb. 19, 8am, Blue Room/Solarium
Curious about how the parent community comes together at Newton Country Day? Join us for a coffee to learn about the Parent Association (PA) and how parents/caregivers partner with the school to build relationships, foster connection, and support our daughters throughout their NCDS experience. We’ll share more about the PA and the many ways parents/caregivers can participate, including Committee, Class Representative and Leadership roles. It’s a welcoming, no-pressure chance to learn more and ask questions about the PA. If you can’t make it but would like information, please reach out to Rachel Busby.
Join the Dads' Club!
The Dads' Club is a social and service-focused community open to all dads and pals of NCDS students who are eager to support and enhance the school community experience. In partnership with the school, the Dads' Club helps support social events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. From dads-only gatherings to father/daughter service projects, BBQs, and more, there’s something for everyone. Join the fun and register for the Dads' Club today!
Save the Date and Sign Up to Contribute! Faculty & Staff Appreciation Breakfast: Fri. Mar. 6
Each year, parents and caregivers provide a special breakfast for our faculty and staff. It’s a small but meaningful way to say thank you for the care, dedication, and support they give our daughters throughout the year. Please consider signing up to drop off a breakfast item. Every contribution helps make our faculty and staff feel valued and celebrated! Sign up to bring breakfast items here.
Please reach out to the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Committee Co-Chairs with questions!
Save the Date! Mater Brunch: Sun. Apr. 26
Mothers/caregivers and daughters are warmly invited to gather for Mater Brunch, a beloved NCDS tradition. This special day brings students and their moms/caregivers together for Mass, brunch, and a shared service project. It’s a meaningful opportunity to slow down, connect, and celebrate the unique bond we share with our daughters. More information to come!
Stay Informed! Add PA Events to Your Calendar
- Click on the gray RSS icon at the top right of the school calendar.
- Click on the green "iCal" button next to “Parents' Association Events”.
- Click "Add to your default Calendar app".
Questions? Reach out to the PA Leadership!
President: Rachel Busby P '23 '26 '29
Officer: Brie Allen P '26 '29
Officer: Jennifer Bekarian P '29 '30
Officer: Emily Venanzi P '26
Officer: Kelly Woolbert P '21 '23 '31
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