School Council Meeting
Our last school council meeting for the year is Monday, May 14th from 4:00-5:30. We will be reviewing the school improvement goals, looking at what was accomplished this year and discussing what we would like to work on next year.  All are welcome to join us.

PTO Meeting
Your PTO needs you!!  Please come to the meeting on Thursday, May 17th to help them plan and prepare for next year.

How important is a global perspective today?
As our world becomes more interconnected, what better way to learn about China than to host someone from the other side of the world!  Share your home, your family traditions, and American culture with a Chinese exchange student or teacher for the 2012-2013 fall school year.  Participants all speak English and are eager to learn about American culture and to share their culture with you.  Beijing Jingshan exchange students and teachers arrive mid-September and depart mid-January.  Students attend regular classes at the high schools and lunches are provided.  Participants will travel on Columbus Day weekend, Veteran’s Day weekend, Thanksgiving holiday, and winter holiday.  We are especially in need of host families for female students for next year.  Families do not have to have high school students, as families with younger children also make strong connections with the visitors.

For further information, please contact the chairperson of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan School Exchange Program:   Donna_Fong@newton.k12.ma.us.

Math/Science/Technology MCAS dates:
Grade 4     Math            Monday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 16
Grade 5     Science/Technology    Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18

Upcoming Events:
Luke the Lion            Monday, May 21st     visiting at lunch time
5th Grade Concert        Tuesday, May 22nd     7PM
Memorial Day            Monday, May 28th     No School
Principals’ Coffee        Friday, June 1st     8:35-9:30

Dear Memorial-Spaulding Families:

A Memorial Spaulding tradition many families have followed is to donate a gift book to the library in honor of your child, a teacher or a specialist at the end of the school year. A book donation makes a lovely way to combine recognizing someone with supporting our library. A special bookplate will be placed in the front of the book telling readers who donated the book to the Memorial-Spaulding Library in which person’s honor. You may donate a book at any time of year.

Students like to participate in this program and have a special fondness for “their” books, which they return to again and again. Teachers are gratified to see their names inscribed in library books for youngsters to enjoy for years to come.

To participate in the gift book program come in to the library to pay for and select one of the new books or send this form and a check to Mrs. Holzheimer, and she will help your child select an appropriate book. The cost of the average hard cover children’s book is $15.00. Checks should be made out to Memorial Spaulding Library.

To donate, just fill out and return this form with your check for $15.00.

Book Donation

Thank you!

Diane Holzheimer, Librarian 

Memorial Spaulding School

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Please join us on THURSDAY, MAY 17th @ 7:00PM in the LIBRARY to learn about the current and newly added PTO Officer roles we must fill;

PTO Co-Presidents (3) – There are typically three PTO co-presidents that serve two-year terms in office. Historically this is arranged on a rotating basis so that there will always be one experienced co-president at the beginning of every year.  We need a new co-president!

PTO Treasurer (1 or 2) -The PTO treasurer(s) manages the funds for the PTO, keeps track of the budget, approves requests for reimbursement, issues checks, helps to file annual tax statements, and produces the year-end budget proposal for the next fiscal year. The treasurer also regularly files with the state to maintain the PTO’s 501-c3 status. We need a new treasurer!

PTO Secretary (1) – The PTO secretary records notes from PTO meetings and posts them to the PTO website, helps to schedule and track all PTO events, and coordinates with the school calendar to avoid conflicts.  New Role – we need a PTO Secretary!

Room Parent Coordinator (K-2 & 3-5) – The Room Parent coordinator ensures that there is at least one room parent per classroom; and they will act as a liaison between the PTO and room parents.  We need room parent coordinators!

ELL Liaison (1 to 3) – The ELL Liaison(s) will bridge the gap between our English speaking school community and those in our community whose first language is not English, keeping the communication free flowing and open.  New Role – we need ELL Liaisons!

Program & Committee Chairs (1 or 2) – Committee Chair(s) act as the liaison between the various committees and programs and the PTO; communicating the committees ideas, plans, budget, progress, etc., for each particular event.  We need program and committee chairs too!!

PTO Board  – The Officers as listed above, as well as the past PTO president(s) who shall serve on the board for a one-year term after their term in office. Together all parties act as a board of directors with the PTO Co-presidents and meets every other month to discuss issues such as how to assemble volunteers, organize fundraisers and community events, and get a general read on all kinds of issues from the Memorial-Spaulding parent body at large.

 This is your opportunity to get involved as a PTO Officer and Board Member! 

 In addition, there are a wide range of Committees and Programs with varying time commitments such as International Festival, Teacher Appreciation,  ASCA, Inclusion, Halloween Dance, and Book Fair that also need your support.

We can’t do this without your involvement and support, so please consider lending your time and talent to one of the most valuable resources at your child’s school – your PTO!   Join us on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00pm in the Library.  Learn more about the ‘new roles’ we must fill and SIGN UP!!

If you are unable to attend this meeting you can contact us at info@memorialspauldingpto.org and let us know what position you are interested in.  Depending on how many people are interested in the same positions the candidate will be picked using a lottery system.

Thank you!

Once again, we will be honoring a few of the many members of NPS staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to have truly made a difference in the lives of our children. 

Do you have someone you’d like to recognize? Send your nominations PACawards2012@gmail.com by May 15th.

Please read the following important information regarding nominations!

All nominations must be received by May 15th. 

Nominations MUST include:

1) Your name (will not be made public – nominator’s names are known only to award recipients). 

2) Nominee’s home school and e-mail address. If s/he is a district-wide employee, please designate as such and note which school your child attends. 

3) A SHORT paragraph on why you believe s/he should be recognized (please help by keeping it short!) .

Please note that the awards are for the CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR ONLY. 

All nominees will be recognized. 

Nominees can be any member of NPS staff. They do NOT have to be special education dedicated if they made a difference to a child receiving special education services. 

There is no official limit to the number of staff members nominated per family, but please use your discretion. The awards are meant to recognize truly outstanding efforts. 

Please DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL.  

Send your nominations directly to Eileen at PACawards2012@gmail.com by May 15th.

If you are interested in helping with refreshments, set-up or clean-up for the awards ceremony, please write to PACawards2012@gmail.com
 to volunteer.

Thank you,

Sandy Carney and Caren Elias

 In order to make this a successful, fun-filled day, we need parents to volunteer to help at all stations. In the past, we have seen parents having as much fun (maybe more) as the children.

For the veteran Color Day parents, you will see that we are attempting a new and more efficient sign up process this year. All parents wishing to volunteer please log on to:www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4BAFA62DA02-memorial to sign up for a time slot and station of your choosing. Be sure to enter your name and email address in the comment field.

Keep in mind all events are easy to run, and for the most part self explanatory.

Thank you.

Sandra Carney; jdrph@comcast.net; (617) 964-7796

Caren Elias; celiasinboston@yahoo.com (617) 965-5293

For a description of events click here

DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS .

1. Beanbag Toss- Each team member gets once chance to throw a beanbag into a hoop.  The beanbag must land in the hoop to count.  any beanbags touching the hoop may also be counted
2.  Over under relay- Each team makes a straight line.  Ball starts with 1st person in line who passes the ball over his/her head to second player.  Second player passes ball between his/her legs to third player.  Ball continues to the end, when last player gets the ball, he/she runs to front of line.  Continue relay until all players are back in their original position.
3. Frisbee Toss-  Each team throws one frisbee. There will be two circles marked on the field. The player will receive 1 point if the frisbee lands in the large circle and 2 points if it lands in the small circle. The player gets the higher score if the frisbee lands on the line between the two circles.
4. Ball Bounce – Each member of the team stands behind the line and attempts to bounce the ball into the basket.  One try for each child.  Team with most baskets wins.
5. Alphabet soup-  There will be a basket of letters.  The K-1 and 2′s will do this as a cooperative activity. The kids will be asked to gather the letters (spread them out on the grass) and then stand  in a line so that the letters are in the order of the alphabet or place them on the ground.  If standing, some children will have to hold 2 letters  and obviously those 2 will have to be sequential.  You can help with this.  Time this to see how long it takes and then try again to see if they can do it faster.  This is also a chance for all to score together.  The 3-5 kids will be asked   to spell out words which we will provide that day.  This can be done cooperatively or competitively, at the teacher’s discretion.
6. Hoop Roll Relay –  Each team member must roll the hoop to the cone, leave it and run back.  The second person must run to the cone, pick up the hoop and roll it back.  Continue in this order until all team members have a turn.  The team sitting quietly first wins.
7. Obstacle Relay-  Each team member must run through the obstacles, go around the cone, return through the obstacles and tag the next person, who then goes, etc. Each person goes once. Contest ends when each team is sitting quietly.
8. Sneaker Relay – Children take off both sneakers (K – only 1) put them into 1 large pile.  One person from each team runs to pile, finds his/her sneaker, puts on sneaker, runs back to team and next player goes.  Shoes must be all the way on, but do not have to be tied.
9. Parachute Ball Toss –  The entire class spreads out around the parachute.  Three balls are placed in the center of the parachute (one red, one blue, and one green).  Everyone shakes the parachute.  The last ball to come off wins.  Next to last is second.
10. Ball in Spoon Relay - A person from each team runs to the cone and back carrying a small ball in a spoon.  One hand must be kept behind the runner’s back.  If ball falls, it must be picked up with the spoon.  Contest ends when each team member has had a turn and is sitting quietly.
11.  Pizza Box Relay-  The first child runs to the pile of pizza boxes and picks one up and brings it to the next child. The second child must carry the box to the pile, put it on top, pick up 2 boxes and bring them back. This pattern continues until all boxes (usually 7 or 8 per team) are picked up.
12. Knee-Ball Relay – Place the ball between the knees and hold it there without using hands.  In this position the child tries to move to the cone and back as fast as possible.  If the ball drops, start over again where it fell.  (K, 1, 2, 3 use nerf balls…4, 5 use playground balls.
13. Tug-O-War –  All three teams will hold a rope.  Further directions to follow.
14. Tug-O-Peace -  This is a whole group cooperative event.  You will time the group as to how long it takes to make the shape you request.  Each child takes a spot along the “rope.”  You will ask the children to make a shape and time how long it takes.  After one shape, you can have them try again  to improve their time or try a harder shape.  When the kids are successful, this is a place for all teams to get points, especially for teamwork.  Examples of shapes are square, circle, triangle for younger and pentagon, etc. for older.
15. 15.”Noodle” Toss –  Each child will throw the noodle 1 time.  Each team will be awarded 1 point for each time the noodle that passes the first line and 2 points for each time the noodle passes the 2nd line.  The team with the most cumulative points wins.
16. Clothes Change Relay –  At the starting line, the first person on each team puts on the clothes and runs to the cone and back.  When he/she returns, the clothes are given to the next person who does the same.
17. Clothespin Drop –  Each team member gets one chance to drop the clothespin into the bottle. Players must stand up straight with no bending at the waist.
18. Football Toss – Each team member gets one chance to throw the football through the hoop.  One point is given for each accurate throw.  Team with most points wins the contest.  Feel free to adapt throwing distance to class.
19. Jellybean Count –  Each team will guess once.  The team closest to the actual count of jellybeans in the jar will get the first place points.   The team in the school that is closest to the actual count will win the jellybeans for their class!!!
20. Sack Race –  One person from each team gets into the sack and goes up and back.  The sack is then given to the next player in line who does the same.
21. Running Relay –  A person from each team runs to the cone and back.  When back he/she tags next person in line who does the same thing.
22. My Cup Runneth Over Relay -  Each team member fills a spoon with water, runs/walks down to their team cup and fills with water.  When cup overflows, team has won.
23. Water Balloon Toss Relay –  Split each team in half and have them face each other,  shuttle form starting 2-5 feet apart.  Toss a water balloon to teammate opposite you and go to end of your line.  With each successful toss, move teammates back 1 step.  When your team balloon breaks, your team is out.
24. Baseball Pitch – Each team starts in a straight line.  One at a time each player throws at the target, retrieves ball, and resets the target

.

Calling All Memorial-Spaulding Families,

Please join us on THURSDAY, MAY 17th @ 7:00PM in the LIBRARY to learn about the current and newly added PTO Officer roles we must fill;

PTO Co-Presidents (3) – There are typically three PTO co-presidents that serve two-year terms in office. Historically this is arranged on a rotating basis so that there will always be one experienced co-president at the beginning of every year.  We need a new co-president!

PTO Treasurer (1 or 2) -The PTO treasurer(s) manages the funds for the PTO, keeps track of the budget, approves requests for reimbursement, issues checks, helps to file annual tax statements, and produces the year-end budget proposal for the next fiscal year. The treasurer also regularly files with the state to maintain the PTO’s 501-c3 status. We need a new treasurer!

PTO Secretary (1) – The PTO secretary records notes from PTO meetings and posts them to the PTO website, helps to schedule and track all PTO events, and coordinates with the school calendar to avoid conflicts.  New Role – we need a PTO Secretary!

Room Parent Coordinator (K-2 & 3-5) – The Room Parent coordinator ensures that there is at least one room parent per classroom; and they will act as a liaison between the PTO and room parents.  We need room parent coordinators!

ELL Liaison (1 to 3) – The ELL Liaison(s) will bridge the gap between our English speaking school community and those in our community whose first language is not English, keeping the communication free flowing and open.  New Role – we need ELL Liaisons!

Program & Committee Chairs (1 or 2) – Committee Chair(s) act as the liaison between the various committees and programs and the PTO;

communicating the committees ideas, plans, budget, progress, etc., for each particular event.  We need program and committee chairs too!!

PTO Board  – The Officers as listed above, as well as the past PTO president(s) who shall serve on the board for a one-year term after their

term in office. Together all parties act as a board of directors with the PTO Co-presidents and meets every other month to discuss issues such as how to assemble volunteers, organize fundraisers and community events, and get a general read on all kinds of issues from the Memorial-Spaulding parent body at large.

This is your opportunity to get involved as a PTO Officer and Board Member! 

In addition, there are a wide range of Committees and Programs with varying time commitments such as International Festival, Teacher Appreciation,  ASCA, Inclusion, Halloween Dance, and Book Fair that also need your support.

We can’t do this without your involvement and support, so please consider lending your time and talent to one of the most valuable resources at your child’s school – your PTO!   Join us on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00pm in the Library.  Learn more about the ‘new roles’ we must fill and SIGN UP!!

If you are unable to attend this meeting you can contact us at info@memorialspaulding.org and let us know what position you are interested in.  Depending on how many people are interested in the same positions the candidate will be picked using a lottery system.

Many thanks from your PTO.

Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7-11 is Teacher Appreciation week.  Please try to find some way of letting your child’s teacher know how much you appreciate them for the caring support both academically and emotionally that they give to your child(ren) everyday.

School Committee Meeting – Topics FAQ
On Friday, April 27th several members of the school committee and the Superintendent of schools visited with members of our community. We discussed the NPS budget, the budget process, class size, and the bullying policy.  Attached is the handout we reviewed at the meeting.  If you have any questions about anything please let me know.

Newton Food Pantry Drive
The Memorial-Spaulding Student Council is organizing a food drive with all classrooms.  Students have been encouraged to bring in canned food, toothpaste, and cleaning products that will be donated to the Newton Food banks.  Thank you for your support.  The food drive ends May 10th.

Dear Parents,
I am writing to ask you to come in and volunteer in the library once or twice more this spring.  I notice that in almost all classes the level of parent volunteer help in the library has fallen off recently.  The only classes that have parents signed up for each week are Ms. Baggs, Ms DeRusha, Ms Schreiner, and Ms. DeKing.  All other classes have one or even ALL the class times blank on the schedule!  It is very difficult to conduct a class without the extra pair of hands a parent volunteer brings.  And re-shelving a few books while you are here makes a HUGE difference to our students.  Please come in if you are able.

Thank you!
Diane Holzheimer

Upcoming Events:
PTO Meeting            Thursday, May 17    7PM
School Council Meeting        Monday, May 21    4-5:30
Principals’ Coffee        Friday, June 1        8:35-9:30

Math/Science/Technology MCAS dates:

Grade 3     Math            Monday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 9
Grade 5     Math            Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11
Grade 4     Math            Monday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 16
Grade 5     Science/Technology    Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18

Newton School Committee

Local School Committees derive their authority from the Constitution of Massachusetts, from statutes, and from the regulations of the State Board of Education. The Newton School Committee consists of nine voting members: one person is elected (citywide) from each of Newton’s eight wards, and the Mayor serves as an ex-officio member. School Committee members are elected every two years citywide with a term limit of 4 consecutive terms.

“The School Committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the Superintendent; shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district, consistent with the requirements of law and state-wide goals and standards established by the Board of Education.” Education Reform Act of 1993, Ch. 71. S. 37

School Committee Website: http://www3.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/

Email messages sent to schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us will be forwarded to the entire School Committee. Email sent to individual email addresses will not be automatically forwarded to other members. Telephone messages can be taken at 617-559-6110.

Ward Name Email Telephone

Ward 1 Geoff Epstein geoff_epstein@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-332-1626

Ward 2 Jonathan Yeo jonathan_yeo@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-630-8180

Ward 3 Angela Pitter-Wright angela_pitter@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-612-5576

Ward 4 Diana Fisher Gomberg diana_gomberg@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-243-9424

Ward 5 Steven Siegel steven_siegel@newton.k12.ma.us (C) 617-901-4959

Ward 6 Claire Sokoloff

Chair claire_sokoloff@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-527-2219

Ward 7 Matt Hills

Vice-Chair matt_hills@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-630-9862

Ward 8 Margie Ross Decter margie_rossdecter@newton.k12.ma.us (H) 617-965-3003

Mayor Setti Warren swarren@newtonma.gov 617-796-1100

Enrollment Growth Trends–+1,428 students (FY04-FY17)

846 more students (8% growth) FY04 to FY12

147 more students from FY11-FY12

265 ELL (+42%), 232 SpEd (+13%)

12,144 students projected in FY13

192 more students than in FY12

582 more students projected from FY13 to FY17

Expected cumulative growth (FY04-FY17): +1,428 students (+13%)

FY 12 Budget Recap–4 million dollar gap

Cut nearly 30 teachers

Cut programs at all levels (e.g., elementary art, music, middle school drama)

Added/increased $1 million worth of student fees.

Expanded efforts to innovate and cut costs while improving programs (e.g., co-taught classrooms, food service, out of district tuition income)

FY 13 Budget Recap–$0 gap

We settled contracts that kept health and compensation at 2.5% growth.

Governor’s proposal for increased state aid.

Sustained efficiencies (e.g., food services, utilities).

Schools prioritized in city’s budget.

TOTAL Budget $178,781,245, an increase of $7M over FY12. The breakdown reflects an increase to retain the baseline program from FY11 including mandated services (2.6%), and one-time adjustments due to enrollment (1%) and loss of federal funds (.5%):

Total FY13 Budget Increase +4.1% $7.0M

Maintenance of Effort +2.6% $4.4M

Enrollment Increase +1.0% $1.7M (+192 students)

Replace Ed Jobs Federal Funds +0.5% $0.9M

Elementary School Highlights

6 additional teachers added for enrollment

Slight reduction in class size and increased targeted and focused small group instruction during literacy and math K-2

Restoration of 4th grade chorus

Middle School Highlights

Nearly 5 additional teachers added for enrollment

Additional reading support to provide regular education intervention

High School Highlights

5 1/2 additional teachers to address enrollment increase

Student Services Highlights

Expansion of elementary co-taught classrooms

Additional mental health staff –full time coverage in all elementary schools

Development of citywide middle school programs for students with social/emotional

disabilities and students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Enrollment related increases: staffing and expenses

English Language Learning Highlights

Additional teaching staff (1.0 FTE) to accommodate enrollment growth

Additional aide support (1.0 FTE) to serve beginning English learners

Increased staffing (.55 FTE) to support students at risk of not passing MCAS

(funded by tuition revenue)

Supporting Technology

Continued strong support from PTOs and Newton Schools Foundation (Thank you!)

New partnership with Boston College

Close partnership with Newton Schools Foundation

Use of one-time health holiday funds: Technology for the middle schools

Update the South Language Lab

Improve network infrastructure to support access at all levels

School Buildings/Infrastructure

Short term space expansion includes 4 new modular classrooms installed this year at Burr, Zervas, and Horace-Mann and final plans for an additional 6 classrooms at Day

We have entered the state school building funding program to renovate or replace Angier school and we are planning renovate Carr school to use as swing space for Angier and future school projects.

School building needs are now integrated with the city’s 5 year Capital Improvement Plan. Our long range facilities plan was updated in the Fall. We are currently discussing strategies and prospective school expansion projects to address near term space needs due to enrollment increases.

Revenue Gaps: Implications for the Future

Increased Enrollment: Based on enrollment projections of 582 students by FY17, an additional $5.2m in operating expenses will be needed to cover enrollment increases alone.

Ensuring Innovation in Teaching: The funding gap for digital education as requested in the NPS strategic plan is estimated at $3million. Newton Schools Foundation and the PTOs are critical partners in this effort.

Fixing school buildings: In addition to Angier, our schools are deteriorating with many at or beyond capacity. Additional revenue will be needed to expand and improve our failing school buildings and to add needed classroom space for our growing population.

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions for School Committee—Spring 2012
Proposition 2 ½ gives us a tool to increase our budget each year. Why doesn’t the NPS create a sustainable budget and live within its means?
NPS has done a great deal to manage costs over the last few years, including negotiating labor contracts that grow by no more than 2 ½ % a year, outsourcing the lunch program, and developing  special education programs to meet student needs in cost-effective ways.
At the same time, enrollment has been growing by over 100 students a year on a recurring basis over the last eight years (+846 students). The same rate of growth is projected for the next five years, with an additional 192 students expected next year.
Because of the additional students, more teachers are needed just to keep class sizes at current levels.  Next year, $1.7 million (approximately 1% growth on a $178 million budget) is needed for these enrollment related positions.
If enrollment increases continue, NPS needs a 3.5% revenue increase simply to fund the current program.
Do we need an override?
The Mayor is the only person who can officially docket an override proposition and the Board of Aldermen must approve it before it goes on the ballot.  Mayor Warren has made it clear that we need additional revenues to build Angier as well as to make progress on other long range facilities projects.  Newton’s bonding capacity is not sufficient to fully address these projects.  Therefore additional revenue is needed through development, other sources such as state aid, and/or an override (operating or debt exclusion).  It is unlikely that we can renovate/rebuild our aging buildings without an override.  The Mayor will put forth a funding proposal in the late fall once the Long-Range Facilities and Capital Improvement Plans are further developed.

In terms of an operating override, the same principles apply in that additional revenue is needed if we are going to experience continued enrollment growth.  While our contracts are growing at the same rate as our revenues (2.5%), enrollment projections suggest that an additional 1-2% revenue growth is need to fund the enrollment increases, restore program cuts and maintain or improve class sizes and breadth of program.

The reason we didn’t feel more pain in this year’s budget is because of $2.7 million additional in Chapter 70 money that the Governor earmarked for education and the Mayor passed along to the school budget.  This covered our enrollment increase.  However, this is an unusual move and we cannot count on it for next year(s).

What happens if class sizes get too large over the summer? What is the magic number for adding another teacher?

We have 2 reserve teachers at elementary and 1 for secondary (middle and high) to be deployed based on unexpected enrollment increases.

To add another teacher, there needs to be a classroom available.  If there is one, then other factors the come into play are: the grade (K-2 is prioritized), the number of years in a large class (multiple years may trigger a teacher), and if other models can be used (e.g. .5 teachers for core academics).

How come we’re not doing FDK?
With very limited additional resources for next year, the School Department decided to use funds to address a literacy achievement gap in the lower grades.  They considered a FDK pilot which would have helped students at one school but for the same price the resources are being targeted at our youngest children in need (K-2) across all the elementary schools.

As a clarification, Newton has a hybrid kindergarten model that includes children staying for two full days and two half days.  During the afternoons of the full days only half the children are in attendance allowing for much more individualized attention.

Like Wellesley, our hybrid model is considered FDK by the state and we have received FDK grants for 12 years and continue to do so.  Other comparable communities with FDK have full time aides in the classroom.  This would cost Newton over $ 1 million.

Why don’t have more digital education in the Newton Public Schools?  Why can’t students bring their own devices to school?

Digital education/technology is expensive and we don’t have a recurring funding source that is sufficient to address our needs.
We will need approximately $2.3 million to bring all classrooms up to the district standard (projection, document camera, and Audio/media system) with sufficient access to computer/tablet technology when it is needed for instructional activities. We have approximately $300,000 available per year in the operating budget for hardware of this kind. The current operating budget will require an additional $1.4 million a year to maintain and support this investment.

The current infrastructure at the secondary schools does not support enough wireless clients to officially allow students to BYOD (Bring Their/Your Own Device) to school. We have plans to expand the current infrastructure in all the middle and high schools to support two devices for every human in the building. Estimates are in the range of $1 million for infrastructure to equip buildings appropriately to support the number of devices and network capacity needed by our schools. We have E-rate funds and operating budget available to cover approximately $175,000 per year.
The School Dept. is working in partnership with the NSF, PTO’s, Boston College and private industry aside from expenditure in the city and school budget. In addition, the technology department has formulated a five-year CIP plan to target large portions of the needed infrastructure.