After five decades of owning five prominent commercial properties leasing to over 40 businesses in Newton Centre, the Zussman family has decided to sell them all, preferably to a single buyer. The properties, known collectively as Piccadilly Square, line much of Union Street and extend to Centre Street, Beacon Street,…
Fig City News
Newton Asian Mart, the Asian supermarket in the former Walgreens space in Newton Centre, has received a temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the City, clearing the way for the store to open after a stop-work order halted activity in late April. City permit records show the temporary certificate (BTCO-26-28) was…
On June 9, Newton Public Schools announced via press release the appointment of Jesse Krotick, M.Ed. in the newly created NPS position of Director of Mental Health and Well-Being, effective July 1. Mr. Krotick is presently the NPS Coordinator of Social Work and Social Emotional Learning for elementary schools, a…
Audrey Welstead (NNHS ’26) has received the Emerging Scholar Award from the MassCPAs Educational Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Program. She is one of 50 students in Massachusetts selected this year to receive scholarships to inspire and support the next generation of CPAs in Massachusetts. Welstead is also a Mass CPAs High School Student Ambassador.…
Newton received its first wind phone on Sunday, June 7, installed on the front lawn of the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN) in West Newton Square, dedicated in a small but intimate ceremony conducted by members of FUUSN. Wind phones are unconnected telephone booths that are equipped with…
The School Committee of the 1980s was more harmonious than that of the 1970s, even though it continued to make difficult, unpopular decisions about building closures and staff reductions. Despite financial pressure, it moved the school system towards a more international, technological world by expanding the computer program into elementary…
Thursday, June 4, 2026 marked the 66th annual graduation of Newton South High School, when students, parents, and educators alike gathered in the school gym to participate in an essential rite of passage. The sweltering 88 degrees recorded at 5PM, when the ceremony began, ensured that everyone was fanning themselves…
As her daughters enjoyed the sun and some cookies during the Pride flag raising ceremony on June 3 outside City Hall, resident Ali Haas reflected on how much it meant to her that Newton has been a welcoming place to live. “It’s nice to be surrounded by community,” she said…
The 1967 Beatles classic hit, With a Little Help from my Friends, emphasizes the importance of having social networks to avoid loneliness – a problem that has become a growing concern nowadays, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. “Making connections is life-giving,” said Molly McGowan, a member of LGBTQ+ Newton, a…
Newton Public Schools (NPS) has named current employees as interim principals for Newton North and Newton South High Schools for the 2026-2027 academic year. Newton North HS Lisa Gilbert-Smith, M.Ed. will be the Interim Principal of Newton North High School. She is currently the Director of NPS’s METCO Program and…
The June 1 School Committee meeting covered public comment (Math Pathways, homework policy, anti-semitism) and Committee deliberations on:
- Sports-related early dismissals
- Plans for Ward and Underwood Elementary Schools
- NPS’s long-range building plan
- Preschool curriculum
- Homework policies
- Students’ use of electronic devices
- Time-outs, seclusion, and physical restraint of students
- Superintendent’s evaluation ...
The fifth annual Lions 5K returned to Newton South High School on Sunday morning, drawing 294 finishers for the Newton South Booster Club’s signature fundraiser for the school’s athletic programs (results). Fig City News has a gallery of over 600 photos of the event and of most finishers. “Gabe M.”,…