For the third time in four years, the Newton Public Schools (NPS) spring budgeting process has brought up the possibility of cuts across several departments, sparking concern and advocacy from educators and community members. These challenges come after COVID-19 relief funds have been exhausted and the March 2023 operating override failed…
Posts published in “Education”
Newton South High School’s debate team achieved extraordinary results at this year’s state tournament, held from March 27-29. Students in the competition’s “novice” and “varsity” divisions competed in pairs. Out of 95 novice pairs, South students came in first and second place. Out of 77 varsity pairs, South students tied…
Learn the basics of hand embroidery at the Cooper Center on Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 — 5 classes starting on April 9 (no class April 23). Students will learn how to select fabric, needles, and hoops; ways to transfer a pattern onto fabric; a variety of stitches; and how to finish a piece.…
Mount Alvernia Academy (20 Manet Road, Chestnut Hill) will be holding an Open House on Friday, April 10 from 8:30AM–10:30 AM. This is an opportunity to tour their four-acre campus, meet faculty, staff, parents, and students, and explore the Blue Ribbon difference. Please register for this event. MAA is a…
Registration is now open for spring adult classes with Newton Community Education (457 Walnut Street, Newtonville). Classes are offered during the day, evenings, and weekends at locations across Newton. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. Join your neighbors this spring—click here to see the full schedule and register online today. This season’s offerings include:
Applications are now open for Newton Community Farm’s Summer High School Field Crew Internship Program. NCF field interns are crucial members of the farm team during the summer. Interns gain hand-on experience with all kinds of farm work including planting, harvesting, and packing produce while learning about our greater food system. The…
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Casey Ngo-Miller presented to the School Committee on March 11 about the Special Education services provided by NPS and some of the challenges in budgeting and funding these services. A repeated theme was how state and federal mandates have increased the NPS allocation to Special…
The persistent budget shortfall facing Newton Public Schools is no longer a temporary hurdle; it is the fiscal crisis that remains the unspoken backdrop of every discussion about NPS. While the constraints are real, the way our leadership handles them is a choice, and currently, those choices are failing our…
The “carryforward” item within the Newton Public Schools (NPS) budget — the amount of cash unspent by NPS in the current year, which is then assumed to be expended in the next year’s budget — is a consistent source of confusion, taking much airtime during public budget meetings. NPS continues…
In the middle of budget season, Newton Public Schools (NPS) staff and School Committee members from every ward met to discuss the district’s technology initiatives. The meeting was led by Steve Rattendi, Director of Information Technology and Library Services. This is a role that, as Dr. Nolin pointed out, in…