It is the midpoint of the first quarter, and teachers are preparing Progress Reports to let you know how your child is doing at this point. These reports will be sent home with students in backpacks on Friday, October 16th.  Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about his or her school work.  Thanks.

Out-of-District placements for students who wish to attend a school in Newton other than his/her district school are limited.  Such placements are made on a space available basis only.  Newton families, as well as members of Units A, B, C, D, E, NESA, Custodians and Boston parents of students in the METCO Program, should call the Elementary Education Office (grades K - 5) at 617-559-6105 or the Deputy Superintendent's Office (grades 6 - 12) at 617-559-6115 for information.  Students who receive acceptance for Out-of-District placement must remain in the school selected for the duration of the school year.
 
Applications for the following school year must be submitted on forms which will be available beginning November 2 in the Elementary Education Office (grades K - 5), Room 218, or the Deputy Superintendent's Office (grades 6 - 12), Room 214, at the Education Center.
 
If necessary, a lottery will be implemented to determine the order in which placements will be made.  Completed applications, signed by the in-district principal, can be submitted no earlier than January 4, 2010 and no later than March 31, 2010.  Applications submitted after March 31, 2010 will not be included in the lottery.
 
Class size in a given grade, in a given year, in a specific school, may preclude any placements including siblings.
 
Parents will be responsible for transportation.
 
Tuition Free Enrollment is limited to the per pupil cost of regular education.

 

Given the events of the past few weeks, the issue of safety has been on many people's mind.  I want to assure you that there is nothing more important to me than ensuring the safety and well-being of all of the students entrusted to my care. I have heard from many of you and have consulted with the faculty, central office staff, and the PTO on these issues.  I appreciate the many suggestions that you have offered. 

 

In response to the recent incidents, I have advocated for a Campus Aide position to help with the afternoon supervision.  This person will work with the assistant principal on duty and will be an adult presence at Albemarle Field from dismissal time until after the late bus leaves. I expect to be able to have someone in place as early as next week to begin this work.

 

At school, we will continue to emphasize the importance of safety in conversations with our students. Our Community period gives teachers the opportunity to discuss issues of concern in an environment where students feel safe and supported.  In the coming weeks we will be looking for other opportunities to explain and reinforce our expectations for students and to encourage them to seek out adult support if they need it.  
 
Day's parent community has always been supportive of efforts in the school, and I hope that you will join us in a partnership to assure students' safety.  Please continue to talk with your children about your expectations for their behavior.  Explain the importance keeping themselves and their friends safe and that if they do have concerns, they should talk with a trusted adult at home or at school. You are the best bell weather for your child, so you are in the best position to gauge your own child's level of concern about this and other issues.  Please notify your child's counselor if there are issues that you would like us to help him or her with.  If you become aware of a serious problem that you think that we should know about after our regular office hours, please contact me on my cellphone at 781-258-0464.  Thank you.