Not too remote!
As we consider the high likelihood that at least some portion of the 2020-21 academic year in Newton will be taught via computers, it’s interesting to think about how to make that form of education engaging and effective for the students, and also feasible and...Another member of the party?
Thus far, with regard to planning for the re-opening of schools in the fall, I had imagined that the key parties would be the Newton Public School administration, the School Committee, and the Newton Teachers Association. After all, these folks have a long history of...Bypass is not just a highway
With 56 days left before the start of school in September, there’s a lot left to decide. I’m sure the NPS administration, the NTA, and the School Committee are churning through lots of options, and I don’t envy them their jobs. That being said, the...Students helping teachers?
There’s a lot of negativism about what might happen this coming fall when the schools reopen. Wouldn’t it be great if we could apply our creativity to this situation and come up with ideas that might produce a more positive learning environment for our...What should be the expectations for the fall?
In the early days of the Covid-19 shutdown, the School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association signed a Memorandum of Agreement concerning the expectations and responsibilities of the teachers and the City. This was a tumultuous time, and it would not be right...How Will Schools Follow the Reopening Guidelines?
The preliminary guidance, issued by Jeff Riley, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, offers no advice on how schools configured for 20 students and more per class should accommodate the much lower student-teacher ratios. The guidance calls...How is NPS Doing with Meal Pickup and Remote Learning?
Yesterday on the local news, Somerville and Danvers were highlighted for their schools’ excellent response to this pandemic. That prompted me to wonder how things were going here. The NPS website has information about meals that can be picked up outside Newton North...We’ll try to fit it into the day
I’d like to make clear that this post is not a criticism: It’s more a story about the complications and cross-currents in our lives that arise from the COVID-19 virus. A Newton parent related the following story. Concerned about the virus, she’s been...
Highlights from the new teacher agreement
I just received the following update from the school committee and mayor: Dear Families: As announced last week, the School Committee negotiating team, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, reached a tentative agreement with the Newton Teachers Association. Our...History curriculum lawsuit against Newton schools, teachers dropped
This statement has been released by the Newton Public Schools… On August 14th, we were informed that the Plaintiffs in the lawsuit related to our history curriculum voluntarily withdrew their suit against the district. We view this as an acknowledgement on the...Newton Schools to present enrollment projections Monday
The Class Size and Enrollment Report will be presented at the School Committee meeting Monday January 28, 7 p.m. at the Ed Center. Presented annually, the report contains current year statistics and includes projections for future enrollment, including how many new...
Crazy Divers: Men be like...
drivers man be like