Newton South Assistant Football Coach Fired After Racial Slur Accusation
There was some trouble at Newton South over the past weekend, as an assistant coach for the football team has been fired for allegedly using a racial slur, or “racially-charged language” toward members of the team last weekend, according to the TAB. I...Carmageddon on Parker Street
One of the signs that we seem to be on the mend: the traffic is back. Parents driving their kids to South and the south-side middle schools say it was the worst traffic they’ve seen in years, even prior to the pandemic. Even with encouragement to walk and bike to school, with school back in session full time, a new temporary schedule with nearly overlapping arrival and dismissal times, very few kids on the buses, no MBTA bus, and rainy weather, it was a perfect storm of sorts. Traffic backed up for close to a mile on Parker Street. How were people moving around in your neighborhood today? On a related note: Traffic Council is hearing an item tonight to install bicycle lanes on Parker StreetState studying Countryside for possible funding, maybe
The Massachusetts State Building Authority is studying Countryside Elementary as a possible recipient for funding, according to this story by the Globe’s John Hilliard. Mayor Fuller told the Globe that this is an early step in a review process that looks at the...Racism in the Newton schools
While a lot of the attention surrounding Newton schools has been COVID-related, a major problem remains in the schools: racism. Today John Hilliard has the story of a letter sent by high school alumni to city leader: “Newton needs an educational system that reflects...Former Newton swim coach arrested in connection to nude photos
James Saidnawey, 29, was hired this summer as a 4th grade teacher at Eastham Elementary School in Nauset Regional School District. Before he was hired there, he worked as a 5th grade teacher in Newton and coached the Newton North High School girls swim team for a...Letter to the Newton North community about racist “Zoom Bombings” on the first day of school
The letter below was sent out this afternoon from the Newton North High School Principal. Dear NNHS Students and Families, Based on my observations in the building and in speaking with some members of our community, it seems that the first two days of school have...Back-to-school message from David Fleishman
Watch the eight-minute youtube video here. “The logistical, educational and operational challenges were immense and it did take time for us to put all the pieces in place. I truly understand the anxiety, uncertainty and frustration that this may have caused you...Rethinking high school entirely
Newton Parent Jack Cheng wrote a great piece that came out in Commonwealth Magazine over the weekend in which he called on Newton (and other districts) to entirely rethink how we approach high school. He wants us to get creative in our thinking. He offers up some...Matt Hills: Very tough choices ahead for Newton Public Schools
Yesterday’s webinar about NPS finances with Matt Hills and Paul Levy (hosted by City Councilor Emily Norton) is a must see. In a short presentation, Matt laid out the structural deficit that was created in the school budget with the most recent contract with the...South Principal Joel Stembridge leaving Newton
Newton South Principal Joel Stembridge announced to the South community that he’s leaving to become principal of Charlestown High School next school year. Stembridge has been at Newton South since 2009. Here’s his message: Dear NSHS, This afternoon I let...VIDEO: School enrollment/class size report projects decreases
Newton Public Schools presented its Enrollment Planning and Class Size Report to the School Committee on Monday. The presentation begins at the 10:00 mark,
Highlights of the presentation, according to the most recent School Committee update, included