From the Principal Message
Angier in ActionWeek of January 12th, 2025
GREETINGS!
Dear Angier Families,
Our first full week of 2025 was filled with new learning, mid-year assessment — and indoor recess. Last week was chilly! We’re hoping the weather this week will be a bit warmer. Students go outside daily for recess when the “feels like” temperature is 16 degrees or higher. Please be sure to send them with appropriate winter clothes including long pants, jackets, mittens/gloves, and hats. Thanks for helping to ensure that recess is warm and fun this winter.
Congratulations to fifth grader Dasha Goryacheva, whose beautiful and thoughtful drawing has been selected as our new Angier logo. Every student’s submission was wonderfully creative, and we are so proud of everyone who took the time to participate. All submitted drawings will be displayed later in the year.
Have a great week ahead! I look forward to seeing many of you at our PTO/Principal Coffee on Friday morning.
Warmly,
Orla
JANUARY CELEBRATIONS & OBSERVANCES
We are committed to respectfully acknowledging a variety of celebrations and observances, ensuring that Angier is an inclusive and affirming space for the diverse identities and experiences of our students, staff, and families. We appreciate you sharing the holidays and celebrations that are meaningful to your family; you may continue to do so HERE.
As January begins, we recognize several holidays celebrated by Angier families. We wish you joyful beginnings on New Year’s Day. May Russian Christmas bring warmth and cheer. Enjoy meaningful traditions on Dia de Reyes / 3 Kings Day / Epiphany. Take time for reflection and inspiration on Martin Lurther King Jr. Day. Finally, we wish you happiness and prosperity for Lunar New Year!
ATTENDANCE AND ON-TIME ARRIVAL
The Massachusetts Department of Education has shared research about attendance and absenteeism in MA. Consistent attendance and on-time arrival to school is essential for academic success. Soon I will be sending mid-year letters about attendance to those who meet the chronically absent threshold (i.e, absent 10% of days enrolled).
Below are some ways to support student learning:
- Ensure your student arrives between 8:10am-8:20am: Being on time sets the tone for a productive day and ensures students don’t miss valuable learning at the start of the day.
- Ensure consistent attendance: Students learn best when they are in school every day.
- Recognize the impact of absences: Absences can add up quickly, often without families realizing. Absenteeism Facts includes information about the impact absences have on a student’s learning.
- Plan trips thoughtfully: Avoid scheduling trips during school days whenever possible.
- Keep your child home when necessary: If your child is sick, please keep them home to recover and to prevent spreading illness to others. Nurse Cornelia (culicic@newton.k12.ma.us) can help if you are unsure about whether to send your child to school.
Please reach out to me (higginsaverillo@newton.k12.
WINTER GEAR
Students go outside daily for recess when the “feels like” temperature is 16 degrees or higher.
- Please be sure to send them to school with the appropriate winter clothes including long pants, boots, snow pants, jacket, mittens/gloves, and hat.
- Please be sure to LABEL all items so we can return any clothes that may get lost this winter.
Thanks for helping to ensure that recess is warm and fun this winter!
PARENT/PTO/PRINCIPAL COFFEE – FRI, JAN 17th
The PTO co-presidents and I invite you to join us for a principal/PTO coffee on Friday, January 17th at 8:20am (after arrival). We will meet in the cafeteria. Our literacy specialist, Megan Kamm, will join to share updates and answer questions about our literacy curriculum. This is also an opportunity for us to hear what’s on your mind.
Dates for remaining coffees this year (all at 8:20am):
- January 17th
- February 28th
- April 11th
- May 16th
NEWTON FOOD PANTRY DRIVE: 1/13 – 1/17
Angier’s annual food drive will run from Monday, Jan. 13th to Friday Jan. 17th. We ask for your help in stocking the Newton Food Pantry with needed items. Please see needed items below, which we’ve organized by grade level so that the food pantry gets what’s most needed. We appreciate your help!
- Kindergarten: Tea (any type), coffee (pre-ground), and solid white tuna in water
- 1st grade: Shampoo, conditioner
- 2nd grade: Canned soup (hearty – meat, bean, veggie)
- 3rd grade: Dry pasta and canned pasta sauce
- 4th grade: Cereal, oatmeal (regular size boxes only), and shelf-stable milk (including almond and soy)
- 5th grade: Toothpaste (kids and adult sizes), deodorant, and cooking oil
SPIRIT WEEK: 1/13-1/17
We’re looking forward to a fun Spirit Week from 1/13-1/17:
NEWTON’S ANNUAL MLK DAY CELEBRATION – 1/20/25
Newton’s 57th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration is Monday, January 20, 2025. You are invited to join The Harmony Foundation and community members at 9:30 a.m. for reflection, music, student voices, children’s programming, and more at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton 1326 Washington Street, Newton. The theme this year is “Only When it is Dark Enough Can You See the Stars.”
Please note that registration is requested, Newton’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration.
Believe it or not, we are already planning for the next school year. In order to join the kindergarten class in September 2025, your child must turn five years old on or before August 31, 2025.
- If you have an incoming kindergartener, please let us know by filling out THIS FORM. Please also forward it to any neighbors who may be sending a child to kindergarten next year.
- Save the Date: On the evening of Monday, February 27th, 2025, NPS will hold a virtual information session for families NEW to the Newton Public Schools.
For more information about the kindergarten registration process, please click HERE.
NEWS FROM NEWTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION (NCE)
Keep your child curious and engaged this winter and spring with NCE! They can invent games, learn Spanish, dive into Public Speaking, try Track & Field, explore anatomy, or create in our Glass Class—and that’s just the beginning! Our fun, hands-on classes spark creativity, build skills, and help kids make new friends. Students are welcome to join classes at any school, and, if you do not see what you want at your school, email Alejandra Sivila at sivilaa@newton.k12.ma.us and she’ll work with you to make it happen.
- Summer brings even more fun with our 5 week Theater Camp, full-day Sports Camps – with swimming – in soccer, basketball, and more, plus classes in Chess, Carpentry, and Drawing Imaginary Creatures (just a sampling). Explore our summer camp options here.
Scholarships are available, so every child can join the fun. Check out all our offerings and sign up at newtoncommunityed.org today!
MOOD BOOST IN THE CAFETERIA
On Thursdays from 12/19 through 2/10, Chartwells will run the Mood Boost program. This means Chartwells will be offering healthy, mood-boosting food samples during lunch– students can taste new menu items that can help them understand how healthy foods and nutrients can positively impact their well-being.
UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE
- 1/13-1/17: Spirit Week
- 1/13 – 1/17 : Newton Food Pantry Food Drive
- 1/17: PTO/parent/principal coffee, 8:15am
- 1/20: NO SCHOOL– MLK Day
- 1/22: All school assembly
- 1/27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
- 1/29: NO SCHOOL – Lunar New Year
- 2/5: PRIDE Club at 12:20 pm
- 2/5: Angier Green Team at 12:20 pm
- 2/6: Early Release at 12:10
- 2/14: Pajama/Cozy Day
- 2/17-2/21: NO SCHOOL – Winter Recess
- 2/26: All School assembly
- 2/27: Invention Invasion
- 2/28: PTO/parent/principal coffee, 8:15 am
- 2/28 – 3/30: Ramadan
You can also subscribe to our Angier Family Calendar by clicking HERE.
HOW TO REACH US
- Angier Main Office: 617-559-9300
- Orla Higgins Averill, Principal: higginsaverillo@newton.k12.ma.
us - Claudia Rossi, Executive Assistant: rossicl@newton.k12.ma.us
- Cornelia Culici, School Nurse: culicic@newton.k12.ma.us
