Dear Day families,
 
Thank you very much to the more than two and a half dozen families who have already contributed $21 per child (or more!) to our spring fundraiser. As of last night, we had raised over $900.00! We're looking to raise money for teacher grants for physical education, music, technology, world languages, and more. For the full list and details about making your own contribution, see the Day PTO web page.
 
The sooner you send in your contribution, the more opportunities you have to win some of the fabulous prizes. Once a family has won an item, their name will be pulled from the drawing. First drawing is at 2:30pm today at the school office for all entries we've recieved so far; all other drawings will be on Fridays: April 9, April 16, April 30, May 7, and May 14. Get your entries in by 10am on Fridays for the remaining drawings.
 
The grade-level team with the highest household participation (percentage of team) will win a homemade cookie party!
 
The Principal Selection Advisory Committee is in the process of reviewing resumes and selecting finalists; for more information, please see the letter from Dr. Marini describing the process and the timeline. The next opportunity for parent involvement is during the week of April 26 when the finalists visit our school; we'll get you -- and the rising 5th grade families -- more details when those have been scheduled.
 
Thinking ahead!? This is the time of year when many families are making summer plans. Next year's school calendar was approved in October; you can view it here. FYI: The School Committee determines the final day of school for this school year at their meeting right after April break.
In This Issue
April in brief
FY11 Budget vote
NewtonServes
Book Fair
Parenting in the Digital Age
Seeking Host Family
Relay for Life
Quick Links  
 
 
Contact info 
PTO Co-Prez
 
Principal
Gina Healy
via email

School Office
617-559-9100
 
Office Fax
617-559-9103

Gayle Larson, RN
School Nurse
617-559-9140
 
Student Services
617-559-9123
 
Stay connected...
 
April happenings at Day
 
Monday April 5th: Term 4 begins
Monday April 19 - Friday April 23: Spring break
Wednesday April 28th at 7:30: School Council meeting
 
To see many other school events, including all games for our sports teams, see the school calendar.
Newton Public Schools
 FY11 budget vote tonight
 
The Superintendent presented the proposed FY11 Budget on March 4, 2010. The School Committee has completed its budget deliberations and will vote on this budget tonight - April 5, 2010.
 
Budget Guidelines and supplementary budget materials can be found on the FY11 Budget Page.
NewtonServes at Day
 
Our school will be participating in Newton Serves on Saturday, May 2 since the city-wide volunteer day falls during our school vacation. 

Please come and join other F.A. Day parents for a morning of community service at the school on Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. We will be doing all outside work: raking leaves, picking up garbage, mulching and planting around F.A. Day. Come dressed for the weather!

Children welcome (middle schoolers and older, please). This is not a drop-off, we're looking for parents to stay and help!
 
To register:
  1. Click here to go to the city NewtonServes website, click 2010 Project List, and then scroll down to select FA Day
  2. Let US know you're coming by clicking here - it'll be very helpful to have a headcount ASAP for planning purposes
 
For further information, contact Meryl Kessler by email or by phone at 617-964-0988.
 
Help beautify F.A. Day for our kids!
Book Fair!
 
Tuesday May 4 - Thursday May 6
Day Library, 2nd floor
 
The Book Fair is coming May 4-6 and will feature something for everyone; fiction, nonfiction, new books, as well as all time favorites, so mark your calendars!
 
Opening Day is Tuesday, May 4 with a Parent Coffee beginning at 7:30 am.  Librarian Randy Meyer will be on hand to make personal recommendations.   On May 6 the fair will be open in the evening from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm for those of you who would like to shop before attending the 6th grade musical at 7:30 pm. Classes will visit the book fair during classroom periods. Students are also encouraged to come in before and after school. Parents are welcome any time. You can also purchase a gift certificate for your teacher to add to their classroom collection. This is a great opportunity to buy birthday presents and stock up on summer reading, while helping our school. 
 
We hope to see you there!
 
Hours and Events
 
  • Tuesday May 4  7:30 am Parent Coffee.  Book fair open 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
  • Wednesday May 5   7:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Thursday May 6  7:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Thursday May 6 Special evening hours:  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Texting, Facebook and Cyberbullying:
Parenting in the Digital Age
 
Wednesday, April 14, 7:00-8:30 pm
Oak Hill Auditorium
 
A panel of district staff and experts will address the following topics and address parent questions:  Dynamics of Bullying, Defining Cyber-Bullying and Netiquette,  What is the district doing? What is the school doing? What can parents do? Legal Issues.
       
Panelists include: Eva Thompson, Principal, Iris Leigh, Curriculum Specialist, John Panica, Youth Officer, Rolanda Prophete, Oak Hill                           Prevention/Intervention Counselor, Nancy Holzcer, Parent Outreach Specialist. Moderators: Susan Linn and Nancy Holzcer
 
Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Oak Hill Middle School
Seeking Host Family
This Summer
 
Give your family a wonderful cross-cultural experience this summer  ... and offer a promising young East European the same!  Nothing brings the world closer to home than a friendship with someone from abroad. 

Educational Enrichment for Romanian Children (EERC), a small local non-profit, seeks a host family this summer for five weeks for a 15 year old boy who will be attending Newton's Environmental Science Camp.   Sergiu speaks English well, is sociable and loves the outdoors.  He lives in a medieval hilltop town amidst the beautiful Carpathian Mountains, attending 8th grade in the nearby city of Brasov, Romania's "mountain jewel."  Sergiu was selected in a competitive process for his exceptional personal and academic qualities.  Intrigued but can't host for the entire period?  A family-share situation may be possible. 

To find out more, or to apply,  please contact Day parent Michelle Ciurea at mciurea@eercboston.org or (617) 331-9436.    A wonderful opportunity to bring the world closer to home!
 
Relay for Life
 
Would someone be interested in organizing a Day team for the Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society?
 
The Newton-Brookline Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is being held at Forte Park in Nonantum on May 22-23, 2010.  Last year only Mason-Rice and Angier Schools had teams of walkers participate. The entire event only had 10 teams participate but raised over $30,000!
 
Please contact Gina Healy if you are interested in helping lead a Day team.
 
Warmly,

Archana, Phyllis, & Susan
Day PTO Co-presidents