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Learn How to Play Squash: Tue. Nov. 4, 3:35-4:45pm
Students are invited to learn more about the sport of squash. The free session will be taught by our Varsity and MS Squash coaches. Sign up here or email Mr. Perry for more information.
Fall Family Conferences: Thu. Nov. 6 and Thu. Nov. 13 (no classes)
Students in grades 5-12 and their parents/caregivers will have the opportunity to participate in Family Conferences. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents/caregivers and their daughter to meet in person with each of her teachers and her advisor. New for 2025: Family Conferences will be scheduled by student's last name.
Thu. Nov. 6, 8am-4pm: Students with last names A–K
Thu. Nov. 13, 8am-4pm: Students with last names L–Z
Sign-up instructions were emailed to families in Oct. and conference schedules are available on the Veracross Parent portal. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Healy or Ms. Dingivan.
First Friday Prayer for Parents and Caregivers: Fri. Nov. 7, 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 organ 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.
Basketball Open Gym: Sat. Nov. 8, 8-10am
Falcon Basketball will host an Open Gym session for students in grades 8-12 interested in playing during the 2025-26 season. These optional, informal sessions offer a chance to scrimmage in pick-up games (3v3 to 5v5) and are open to all athletes, including those currently in fall sports. Team placement for this season will not be affected by participation. Sign up here.
Veteran's Day Observed - No Classes: Mon. Nov. 10
Classes will resume normally on Tue. Nov. 11
Winter Sports Start Tue. Nov. 11!
Get ready, Falcons — winter sports season begins Tue. Nov. 11! Both MS and US teams kick off practices next week. Check out the attached schedule for tryout times and important dates to mark on your calendar.
Families of Grade 9 Faith, Service, & Community Opportunity: Sun. Nov. 16, 3:15-4:15pm
Grade 9 will be supporting the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston by assembling small care packages for the Sisters to distribute to those in need. We invite parents, caregivers, and students to join us followed by the Mass of Remembrance. Class programming will prepare the students to host the event and families can expect an email with further details. For those who cannot attend the event but would like to contribute, donation bins will be set up in Duchesne throughout Nov.; travel sized toiletries and $10 Dunkin’ gift cards are appreciated! If you plan on joining, please fill out this RSVP form and contact Grade 9 Dean, Caroline Hurley (ex. 4842), with any inquiries. We hope to see you there!
Mass of Remembrance: Sun. Nov. 16, 4:30pm
We invite families to a Mass of Remembrance held in our chapel. We will gather together to honor the memory of all deceased alumni, family, and friends. You are welcome to submit names of deceased alumni, family, and friends using this link. All names submitted will be brought forward during the offertory and remembered throughout the month. RSVP to the Mass of Remembrance here.
Community Open Skate at Daly Rink: Sun. Nov. 16, 5-6:20pm
We invite you to enjoy an exclusive Open Skate for the NCDS community. Skates will be available to rent.
Ice Hockey Open Skate at Daly Rink: Sun. Nov. 16, 6:30-7:45pm
As winter preseason ramps up, this session is open to MS and US athletes for whatever they would like to practice, though the varsity captains will have a workout ready to go to. An NCDS adult will also be on the ice to chaperone for safety. Please fill out this form to provide Athletics with a headcount, knowing you can always come to the ice even if you don't sign up.
Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: Tues. Nov. 18
Students will celebrate the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne with an all-school prayer service. This feast is a special day in all Sacred Heart schools because it remembers the courage and confidence of St. Philippine who brought Sacred Heart education to North America in 1818.
Shrek The Musical: Thu. Nov. 20 & Fri. Nov. 21, 7pm and Sat. Nov. 22, 2pm, Sweeney-Husson Theatre
Come see the US production of Shrek the Musical! Please purchase your tickets in advance at this link. All sales are completed using this online digital platform. All sales are final and no refunds will be issued. Tickets can be transferred to another party. Please contact Mrs. Davenport with questions. We look forward to welcoming you to our “swamp” and introducing you to many beloved fairy tale creatures in this family-friendly musical comedy!
Thanksgiving Break: Mon. Nov. 24-Fri. Nov. 28
Classes will resume on Mon. Dec. 1
Tuition Assistance Applications due Mon. Dec. 1
Applications for tuition assistance from current families must be received by Dec. 1. Newton Country Day uses Clarity as its tuition assistance platform, and families are required to reapply each year. Please contact Mrs. Gaissl in the Business Office if you have any questions.
Save the Date! Blessing of the US Winter Athletes and Team Introductions: Tue. Dec. 2 at 6pm
US student-athletes and their families are invited to a blessing to begin the winter athletic season. The event will take place immediately after practices in the Chapel. Dress is casual. Immediately following the blessing, all winter season athletes and their families are encouraged to attend a team meeting and dinner with the coaches.
ADMISSION EVENTS
Tell your friends and neighbors about these upcoming Admission events!
Prospective Parent/Caregiver Coffee: Wed. Dec. 3 from 8:30-9:30am
Joint Admission Reception at St. Sebastian’s School: Wed. Dec. 3 from 6:30-7:30pm
Calling All Sisters: If you have a daughter who will be applying this year, please call the Admission Office (x4246) to schedule her tour and interview.
Save the Date! Mission and Ministry Virtual Parent Book Circle: Wed. during Advent (Dec. 3, 10, 17, 12-1pm)
Join with other parents/caregivers this Advent for a three-week virtual small group centered on The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad. In this season of waiting and wonder, you’re invited to pause, reflect, and connect through the shared practice of journaling in community. Space is limited. To nurture a sense of community and continuity, participants are asked to commit to all three sessions. Sign up here.
Save the Date! Parent & Caregiver Christmas Reception: Thu. Dec. 4 from 7-9pm, Upper Library
Join us for a festive evening to celebrate the season and each other! RSVP here.
All-School Christmas Service Project
Newton Country Day is partnering with the YMCA in Dec. to celebrate the spirit of the season by providing personalized gifts and holiday cards to youths supported by YMCA’s Boston Hub Schools "Holiday Wishes" program. In Nov. each MS TAG and US Advisory Group will receive information about particular students that we will purchase and personalize gifts for, to be wrapped and delivered in mid-Dec. All gift donations will be due by Fri. Dec. 5. More info to follow soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to (US) Dr. Potter at x4757 or (MS) Ms. Maxeiner x4812.
Help Wanted: Science & Engineering Fair Judges
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 Grade 7, Grade 8, and US student projects at the 31st annual Science & Engineering Fair on Wed. Feb. 25, 2026 from 3-6pm. If you are able to help, please visit the Science & Engineering Fair webpage or contact Dr. Webster.
Help Wanted: Host a Senior for an Unpaid, In-Person Internship or Job Shadow
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 Apr. 27-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.
Prayers from the Heart: New Website!
“Aim unceasingly at becoming a soul of prayer.” -St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
Let the Newton Country Day community–parents/caregivers, alumnae and past parents–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.
CharlieCards
Student discount CharlieCards are available to all students in the Academic Office. If you are a Boston resident and your daughter (grade 7-12) has not yet received a CharlieCard, please complete and and submit this form to Ms. Dingivan.
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.
Grade 5 Voyagers to Guild Hall: Wed. Nov. 12
Students will visit Guild Hall for a three-hour program of coding robots to complete specific tasks and maneuver through obstacle courses! Students will make connections to their technology and math curriculum as they improve their robots with repeated redesigns.
Grade 8 Service Activity with Belmont Hill: Mon. Nov. 17, 3-4:15pm
Grade 8 students from Newton Country Day and Belmont Hill participate in an afternoon of service and community building at Newton Country Day. Students will have a snack and work together to create dog and cat toys for local animal shelters. Grade 8 students are excused from sports practice that day. After 4:15, students may be picked up by parents/caregivers, or they may attend the After School program. Please contact Ms. Barber at x4932 with any questions.
Save the Date! The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition Auditions: Mon. Dec. 1
Auditions for the MS Musical, The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, will begin on Mon. Dec. 1. We will hold the audition process during our normal rehearsal hours which run weekly from 3:10-4:30pm on Mon. Tue. Thu. and from 2:45-4:30pm on Wed. and Fri. Audition materials will be provided and attendance is mandatory. Rehearsals will pause after Dec. 12 (Vespers week) and resume Jan. 6. There are extended rehearsals until 6pm during Tech Week (Feb. 9-11) in order to prepare for the performances. All students that audition will receive a role in the production. Performances will take place on Thu. Feb. 12 and Fri. Feb. 13. Please contact Dr. Everly with audition related questions.
Save the Date! MS Advent Vespers Service: Wed. Dec. 17, 5pm
All of our MS students participate as dancers, musicians, and lectors in our MS Advent Vespers Prayer Service. Students must 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. Participation as performers in this service is mandatory as outlined in their arts curriculum requirements. Please contact Dr. Tully with any questions regarding this important commitment.
Shrek the Musical: Cast/Crew Rehearsal Reminders
The following rehearsals are mandatory for all cast and crew members:
Sat. Nov. 15, 10am-5pm: Sitzprobe and Dress Rehearsal
Mon. Nov.17, 4-8pm: Dress Rehearsal
Tue. Nov. 18, 4-8pm: Orchestra Dress Rehearsal
Wed. Nov. 19, 4pm-8:30pm: Dress Rehearsal
Save the Date! Grade 11&12 Semi-Formal Dance: Fri. Dec. 5, 8-10pm
Members of the classes of 2026 and 2027 are invited to a semi-formal dance in Duchesne Hall on Fri. Dec. 5 from 8-10pm. Students must arrive no later than 8:30pm. The cost of attending the dance is $10 per person, and the link to purchase tickets and permission and guest form will be emailed out to students. In addition to faculty chaperones, parents/caregivers also help chaperone the dance. We are looking for volunteers! If you are interested in being a parent chaperone or have any questions, please contact Ms. Skudder-Pocius at x4882.
Save the Date! US Advent Vespers Service: Thu. Dec. 18, 7pm
All students enrolled in a dance or music course participate in our US Advent Vespers Prayer Service as outlined in their arts curriculum requirements. Students will receive directions regarding performance attire from their individual teachers. There is one mandatory after school rehearsal on Mon. Dec. 15 from 3:45-5:45pm. Students are excused from athletic obligations for this rehearsal. All other rehearsals leading up to this event take place during regular school hours. Please contact Mrs. Davenport with any questions.
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: Catholic Memorial Semi-Formal Dance, hosted by Catholic Memorial (grades 9&10)
- Sat. Apr. 11: Belmont Hill Semi-Formal Dance, hosted by Belmont Hill (grades 9&10)
- Sat. Apr. 11: Grade 11&12 Prom, hosted by NCDS
- Fri. May 29: Grade 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.
Early Action/Early Decision Applications
- Congratulations to our many seniors who have submitted applications for Early Action or Early Decision deadlines! We have been applauding this achievement and encouraging students to do something celebratory for themselves.
- Students know they are responsible for managing their application status portal, submitting test scores (officially from the test center or self-reported in application portal) if they’ve chosen to apply with testing, and when applicable, fulfilling the STARS record, to complete their application file.
Regular Decision College Applications
- In mid-Nov. seniors will submit a draft of their Regular Decision college list to receive counseling feedback on balancing their overall application plan. A final draft of RD schools will be due in early Dec.
- Students should include Regular Decision institutions in their College Kickstart accounts to view admitted student profiles and college list categories: reach, target, likely.
- We encourage students to create a timeline for managing supplemental essays for the RD round and proactively work on them. If seeking writing support from the College Counseling Team, students should share their RD supplements by 12/15, at the latest, to receive feedback prior to Winter Break.
- All essay support must take place prior to our departure for Winter Break.
Financial Aid Information
- Students applying for Financial Aid should review each college’s FA requirements. All schools utilize FAFSA. In addition to the Federal Aid form, some institutions might require the CSS Profile or their own institutional aid form.
- It is important to accurately complete these forms in a timely manner for your student’s eligibility for financial aid and award packaging.
- Review the FAQs that came out of our Understanding Financial Aid and Paying for College presentation.
- A glossary of financial aid terms can be found here.
Last Chance to Sign-Up to Feed Families in Need for Thanksgiving
For this year’s Parent Association Thanksgiving Community Service Initiative, we are thrilled to support more than 150 families in partnership with Boston Community Hub Schools, the YMCA of Greater Boston and The Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton.
Sign up to feed a family today:
Nov. 3-4: Pick up your empty cardboard box/shopping list of nonperishable Thanksgiving items at morning school drop-off (meet volunteers at the Arches).
Nov. 4-16: Shop as a family on behalf of these families in need!
Nov. 17-20: Drop off your filled box or gift card at morning drop-off at the Arches
Questions? Please contact the PA Service Committee: Caitrin Dunphy P '27, Kerrie Grover P '25 '28, and Anne Marie Schwartz P '27 '30.
“This is Why I Send My Daughter to NCDS”: State of the School 2025–2026 Highlights
On Oct. 2, Head of School Mrs. Hooper shared exciting updates on our school’s future at a well-attended PA meeting. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Look ahead! 2026 Parents’ Association meetings:
- Wed. Jan. 15, 6pm: Join the PA for an evening social to cure the post-holiday blues followed by an expert parent resource presentation!
- Thu. Apr. 16, 6pm: Join the PA to learn more about the year’s accomplishments and the goals ahead at a presentation by the NCDS Board Chair.
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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