Dear Parents and Guardians of Students in the Newton Public Schools:
This letter provides information on all student fees for the 2017-2018 school year and an explanation of family caps and the overall fee limit for families, or supercap. Instructions for using the district’s online fee information and how to apply for a fee waiver are included.
List of All Fees for 2017-2018
The following is a summary of all School Committee approved fees and corresponding family caps for school year 2017-2018. Family cap refers to the maximum dollar amount a family pays for any one fee per school year. The supercap is the maximum amount a family pays for all fees per school year.
- Bus: Annual round trip is $350 per student, with a family cap of $700. There is no fee for grades K-5. The fee is required for students in grade 6 residing less than 2.0 miles from their school and grades 7-12 regardless of distance.
- High School Athletics: $325 per sport per season, except football, ice hockey and alpine skiing (new in 2017-2018) which are $425 each. Family cap is $975.
- Middle School Athletics: $180 per sport per season. Family cap is $540.
- Middle School Student Activities: $60 per student per year if drama is not included, or $100 per student per year if drama is included.
- High School Drama: $150 per participant per play, maximum of $450 per participant per year.
- Elementary School Instrumental Music: $150 per student per year; Grade 4 has the option to pay $75 per semester.
- All City Band, Chorus & Orchestra: $150 per student per year. Students who pay the elementary school instrumental music fee are exempt from the All City music fee.
- High School Parking: $350 per year, payable on a semester basis of $175.
- Elementary School Early Morning Program: $12 per day with payment by semester.
- School Lunch: $3.30 per elementary school student meal, $3.60 per middle school student meal and $3.85 per high school student meal.
- Supercap: $1,500 maximum family cost per year for fees. The supercap does not apply to high school parking, the elementary school early morning program, or the school lunch program.
The Waiver Process
As in prior years, it is the intention of the Newton Public Schools that no student should be excluded from fee-based activities due to inability to pay. Families may apply for a fee waiver based on financial hardship so that no student is denied participation in school-sponsored activities and bus transportation. Waivers are based on income and family size as well as special circumstances such as unforeseen medical problems, change in family status, change in employment status, other emergencies, or temporary hardships. All waiver applications are confidential. Financial waivers do not apply to high school parking.
How to Use the District’s Website for Information, Waivers and Online Payments
Newton families may access detailed fee information including financial waiver instructions and online payment options on the district’s website by visiting http://www3.newton.k12.ma.us/
All school-related fees can be paid electronically via UniPay Gold, a secure and convenient online payment system or by check.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Liam T. Hurley
Assistant Superintendent/Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
