March PTC Meeting
2023-03-24 09:15 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Save the Date: March PTC Meeting
Friday, March 24th at 9:15 AM
Newman Cafeteria
Please join us for our March PTC meeting! We will be joined by Superintendent Daniel E. Gutekanst and School Committee Rep. Alisa Skatrud.
We hope to see you there!
Please email newmanptcpresident@gmail.com with any questions.

PreK-12 Early Release
2023-04-05, 2023-05-03 | MA

Good Friday (No School)
2023-04-07 | MA

Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent / April 10
2023-04-10 18:30 - 19:15 | Zoom
This year I will host several virtual opportunities for families and parents to connect with me to learn about school and district happenings as well as provide time for questions about our work in the NPS.

The Zoom meetings will last 45 minutes and the planned dates include: April 10 and May 22.

These virtual meetings will not be recorded and the next Virtual Coffee will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 10.

I look forward to seeing you!

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
He/His/Him
781-455-0400 x11203
dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us

Patriot’s Day (No School)
2023-04-17 | MA

April Recess
2023-04-17 - 2023-04-21 | MA

PreK-8 Early Release
2023-04-26, 2023-05-31 | MA

Newman Adult Spring Social
2023-04-29 19:00 | The Village Club, 83 Morton St, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
This event is sold out!
This annual tradition has not been held since the spring of 2019 & it is coming ROARING back on Saturday, April 29th, 7-11 PM at the Village Club in Needham. Dancing, drinks & lively conversation all in support of Newman is all on the menu! We have some fun surprises up our sleeves as well.
You’ll be able to bid on auction prizes such as: a three-night stay in Stowe, VIP floor seats to a Celtics game, courtesy of Scott MacFarlane and MacFarlane Energy, and prime Red Sox tickets courtesy of the Rubin family!
In order to make this event a huge success – meaning we connect & bond as a community AND we raise funds for our school, we need your help! Sign up to volunteer here!
There are many ways you can support this community wide event!
Buy your ticket now & encourage your friends/neighbors to do the same! You can buy tickets from this page (on the left).
Do you have an item to donate to our Raffle or Silent Auction (and/or have a connection to a business or individual who can?). We are looking for items to support our Silent Auction & Raffle (& we have already received many amazing items)! Here are some ideas:
Tickets: Boston Sport, Concert, Show Tickets, etc.
Experiences: Golf 4-somes, Private Chef, Private Tour at a Museum/Sports Venue/Music Venue, Meet & Greets with a local celebrity (needham or Boston, etc) or sports team/player (including college teams), Birthday Parties, Personal Training, Home Design/Organization, Vacation Homes week/weekend donation, Hotel stays, Timeshare Weeks…
Gift Certificates: Local Businesses, National Businesses, Restaurants, etc.

Do you have a business you can easily source from?
Do you have any unused gift cards in a drawer (like I do??!)? As long as it is still valid, we can use it for our raffle or auction packages!
Does your company donate gift certificates or items to school fundraisers? We have all the tax info needed and can send your way.

Talents: Calling all talented community members- whether you are a professional or amature, do you (or someone you know) have something you could donate- either your time or a custom item? Photography, Art, Pottery, Gardening, Musician, Chef, Language Instructor, Tutoring, Personal Training, Make-up/Hair Artist, etc.

Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent / May 22
2023-05-22 18:30 - 19:15 | Zoom
This year I will host several virtual opportunities for families and parents to connect with me to learn about school and district happenings as well as provide time for questions about our work in the NPS.

The Zoom meetings will last 45 minutes and the final planned date is May 22.

These virtual meetings will not be recorded and the next Virtual Coffee will take place at 6:30 p.m. on May 22.

I look forward to seeing you!

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
He/His/Him
781-455-0400 x11203
dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us

Memorial Day (No School)
2023-05-29 | MA

Last day of school - No snow days Early Release
2023-06-15 | MA

Juneteenth Independence (No School if the school year is extended due to snow days)
2023-06-19 | MA

Last day 5 snow days - Early Release
2023-06-23 | MA

Kindergarten Adult Social
2023-09-22 18:30 - 21:00 | MA
This event is an opportunity for parents/caregivers of Newman kindergarten students to meet, mingle, and discuss their experiences from the first few weeks of school.
This event is funded by the Newman PTC, and graciously hosted by PTC Springfest Co-Chair Tracy Hoffman and her husband Dan.
There will be refreshments, including wine/beer; adults only!
This will take place in the backyard of the Hoffman home, so please dress accordingly.
Please RSVP

Newman PTC Fundraiser with Shoott - Oct 14
2023-10-14 | Charles River Peninsula
Capture memories with your loved ones at the Charles River Peninsula while raising money to support the Newman Elementary School PTC. For every purchase, Shoott will donate $20; For every full gallery purchase, Shoott will donate $40*. Dates available are Oct 14, 15, 21, 22.

BOOK a 30 minute photo session – no sitting fee!
RECEIVE a digital gallery of 40+ photos in 3-5 days
PAY only for the photos you love
RAISE $20 when you make a purchase. Raise a BONUS $20 if you buy the full gallery!

Pay only for the photos you want. Photos starting at $25 each. The more you buy the more you save.
Sign up for a session with Shoott.
Can’t make the fundraiser? Book a standard Shoott session at the date and location of your choice with code NEWMANPTC to raise $20 when you make a purchase.

Newman PTC Fundraiser with Shoott - Oct 15
2023-10-15 | Charles River Peninsula

Newman PTC Fundraiser with Shoott - Oct 21
2023-10-21 | Charles River Peninsula

'Homecoming' Adult Social
2023-10-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Needham History Center & Museum (on the Newman Campus), 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
What is it?
A casual, informal night out for parents and caregivers to socialize, featuring a light dinner and cash bar. This is an adult-only event.
When is it?
Saturday, October 21st, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Where is it?
The Needham History Center and Museum, conveniently located on the Newman campus.
Guests can socialize in the charming antique schoolhouse and museum, and in a comfortable outdoor space on the lawn.
Pizzas and salads will be provided, along with desserts. Waters and seltzers will be available free of charge; alcoholic drinks will be sold separately.
Drink tickets will be available for purchase at the door. It will cost $8 for 1 drink ticket; $20 for 3.
You will be able to purchase drink tickets with cash, check, credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay.
How can I volunteer?
If you are able to volunteer to help with set-up or take-down on the day/night of the event, please sign up here. We’re also looking for “hosts” to help replenish food and ice, and make sure everything is running smoothly. And, if you enjoy taking photos, we’d love your help, too!
How do I get tickets?
Tickets to the event are being sold for $30 per person.
Tickets may be purchased online from this page with PayPal. Alternatively, checks should be made out to “Newman Elementary PTC” and either delivered or mailed to “Newman PTC, Newman Elementary School, 1155 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02492”. Checks should have a note written on them noting the payment is for “Homecoming 2023.”
If the price of tickets is prohibitive, subsidized tickets are available by confidentially contacting Newman Lead Secretary Susan Eyler at: susan_eyler@needham.k12.ma.us
Space is limited at the History Center, so grab your tickets while you can!
An extra special thank you to co-chairs Stefanie Forman, Beth Tuck and Melissa Baucom.
Questions? Please contact Beth at: newmanptcfallsocial@gmail.com

Newman PTC Fundraiser with Shoott - Oct 22
2023-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Charles River Peninsula

Spooky Walk & Trunk-or-Treat
2023-10-22 16:00 - 17:30 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
What is a Spooky Walk and trunk-or-treat, you ask?
On October 22nd, the entire Newman community is invited to get into the Halloween spirit together.
Parent volunteers will decorate the outdoor walkway, starting by the Newman basketball courts, with Halloween decor. The kids (hopefully in costume!) and their families will enter by the basketball courts to make their way down the path, take in the spooky sights, and head toward the preschool parking lot, where the decorated cars will be.
Families and teachers are invited to sign up to decorate their cars for Halloween, sometimes creating elaborate scenes out of their trunks. They will then hand out pre-packaged candy and/or non-food items to students and their siblings who walk from vehicle to vehicle, collecting treats.
Sign up here
For those who decorate their car trunks, candy and knickknacks will be provided to hand out to kids (in addition to anything that you choose to hand-out.)
Decorated cars should park in the spots in Newman’s preschool parking lot.
Attendees should park in the main parking lot. The trunk-or-treat will be in the preschool parking lot.
All attendees are encouraged to dress in costume!
The Spooky Walk and Trunk-or-Treat will take place from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Please reach out to Jared Wilk at: newmanspookywalk@gmail.com or text 617.817.3827 if you have any questions. Thank you!

Candy Bar Bingo Night
2023-11-17 18:45 - 20:30 | Pollard Middle School, 200 Harris Ave, Needham, MA, 02492
Come one, come all, let’s have a ball!
The Newman PTC invites all Newman students to a CANDY BAR BINGO NIGHT on Friday, November 17, at Pollard Middle School.
Guest star, Principal Jessica Peterson, will emcee the event, and the Newman Lion will be there, too!
There will be two sessions to accommodate as many kids as possible. (Please note the bingo cards are for students/siblings only.)
Session 1 will take place from 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. and Session 2 will take place from 7:45 – 8:30 p.m.
Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.
Please only register for one time slot.
Candy bars will be given away as prizes; parents are responsible for checking the labels to see if the candy prize contains your child’s allergen. (Fruit bar options will also be available for winners that want a healthier prize.)
***Cost of admission? FREE! But, we are teaming up with the Needham Community Council, and collecting breakfast cereal boxes for those in need. Please bring a box with you, to be collected at the door.***
Siblings are welcome. If they plan to participate in the bingo games, they must register, as well.
Paper bingo sheets and chips will be provided.
The PTC will also be selling Newman spirit wear at the event.
We hope to see you there, and share some smiles together!
Please note: This is not a drop-off event. Parents are responsible for the child(ren) they bring.
Questions? Please contact Allison at: newmanptcpresident@gmail.com

Family Skate Night
2024-01-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Babson Skating Center, 150 Great Plain Ave, Wellesley, MA, 02492, United States
What’s better than having a long weekend off from school? Enjoying a family skate night!
Come join the Newman community at the Babson Skating Center on Saturday, January 13th, for an evening of fun hosted by the PTC! The event will take place from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. You may arrive up to 30 minutes before our ice time to put on your skates.
The Babson Skating Center is located at: 150 Great Plain Ave, Wellesley, MA 02482.
When RSVPing, please be sure to indicate in the comments the number of people who will be skating. RSVP here.
We ask that if you own a pair of skates or know someone you can borrow from, please do so! Babson has limited quantities, and we cannot guarantee there will be enough for everyone.
FREE admission and FREE skate rental, but your own personal helmet is recommended. See you on the ice!
Please note: This is not a drop-off event. Parents/caregivers are responsible for the child(ren) they bring. The ice is reserved for Newman families only.
Questions? Please contact Allison at newmanptcpresident@gmail.com.

The Newman PTC's Multicultural Festival
2024-02-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The families of Newman Elementary School represent a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities. The Newman PTC is hosting a Multicultural Fair on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Newman cafeteria. RSVP here
Several Newman families have signed up to share elements of their culture, ethnicity or family traditions with other Newman families. Some of the countries that will be represented at the fair are: Mexico, Peru, China, Portugal, Korea, Argentina, Israel, Russia, the Philippines, Ghana, Italy, Greece and more. This will be a learning celebration of culture, heritage, identity and tradition!
All children will receive “passport” books, and will visit each table and get their “passports” stamped.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to host a booth, please contact Allison at: newmanptcpresident@gmail.com

The Newman PTC's 2nd Annual Glow Dance
2024-03-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Save the date for the Newman PTC’s 2nd annual glow dance party!
This will take place on Saturday, March 16, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Newman Elementary. All Newman students are invited!
There will be a DJ, PHOTO BOOTH, games, glow-in-the-dark party supplies, and lots of fun at this awesome, FREE event.
Did we mention there will also be FREE raffle prizes to give away? Each student will be given two raffle tickets to put into the boxes containing the prizes they hope to get!
(And, if any of you have a raffle prize that you would like to donate, please let us know!)
There will also be a room set up with board games and arts and crafts for students who need a break from the loud music and bright lights.
RSVP and volunteer at the event
Questions? Please contact Allison at: newmanptcpresident@gmail.com

Mayrathon 2024
2024-05-03 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Save the date for Mayrathon 2024, which will be run on Friday, May 3rd (with a rain date of May 17.)
The Mayrathon is Newman’s annual fun run and encourages activity, sportsmanship, community and Newman spirit, in addition to raising money for a special cause.
This year’s Mayrathon will honor the rededication of the Eastman Conservation Area located behind the Newman School. The money collected will be used to purchase benches along the Newman Trail which runs through the Eastman Conservation Area.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of its dedication in honor of Tom Eastman, a science education and Director of Science for the Needham Public Schools from 1967 until his death in 1973.
Dr. Eastman was instrumental in the development of the 35-acre nature study and conservation area. In addition to his passion for education and the environment, Tom Eastman was committed to training the next generation of scientists and had a profound influence on many in the community. This conservation site was named in his honor with the goal of continuing his work to make this a better world!
The Newman Trail is enjoyed by many Needham residents, and is primarily used by elementary students across town as a part of the science curriculum. It is a particularly special space for Newman students to enjoy nature and the outdoors any time of the year. Families are encouraged to donate by scanning the Newman PTC PayPal QR code (please include a note in PayPal that your donation is for Mayrathon 2024), or by writing a check to the “Newman PTC.” Checks can be mailed to the PTC at 1155 Central Ave. Needham, MA, 02492. Please include a note on checks, as well, that your donation is for Mayrathon 2024. We encourage students to spend some time over break “training” for the Mayrathon by getting outdoors, having fun and being active! Spectators are welcome to come to Newman to watch the students run, and cheer them on. The Mayrathon will take place on the running track behind the school.
The schedule is as follows:
9:15 AM – 1st Grade
10:00 AM – 5th Grade
10:55 AM – 2nd Grade
11:45 AM – Kindergarten
1:30 PM – 3rd Grade
2:15 PM – 4th Grade
Please have your child(ren) wear sneakers, appropriate clothing (Newman Spirit Wear is encouraged!) and sunscreen. Students should bring water bottles; water jugs and paper cups will also be available. Popsicles will be provided!
Sign up to volunteer!
Thank you for your participation and support!
Questions? Please contact Mayrathon parent coordinators Abby and Chen at: newmanmayrathon@gmail.com

Spring Adult Social - Newman Night Fever - 2024
2024-05-18 19:00 - 23:00 | The Village Club, 83 Morton St, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
The event will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 7-11 p.m. at the Village Club in Needham.

Let’s celebrate our awesome Newman community with a parents’ & caregivers’ night out! Enjoy food, drinks and dancing with friends old and new at this not to be missed event. This will sell out again so get your babysitter now! Optional Disco theme attire encouraged.
Tickets are $25 per person, which includes light bites, sweet treats and entertainment. A cash bar and silent auction/PTC fundraising opportunities will also be available. If the price of tickets is prohibitive, subsidized tickets are available by confidentially contacting Newman Lead Secretary Susan Eyler at susan_eyler@needham.k12.ma.us.
The photo booth will be sponsored by The Samantha Eisenberg Group (a Newman mom!) and we’re looking for additional sponsors for the dessert bar and DJ. By becoming one of our sponsors, you will be helping the Newman PTC to foster the growth and development of our students through curriculum grants and enrichment programs, field trips, author visits, and more. There are sponsorship levels to fit all budgets! Reach out if you’d like to discuss.
Volunteers are needed in multiple capacities to make this event a success! Please check out all of the options to contribute your time & skills HERE! Can’t make it to the event but would still like to donate your wonderful fundraising expertise? Feel free to reach out, all help is appreciated!
Please email Stefanie with any questions: newmanptcvicepresident@gmail.com

Newman Art Show & Book Fair
2024-05-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Join Ms. Johnson and Ms. Carpenter in celebrating your artist. Please plan to attend the Newman Elementary K-5 Art Show with your child and enter through the cafeteria doors.
Book fair in the library to follow (7-8pm).

Field Day
2024-05-31 | Newman Elementary, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Field Day Volunteers Needed!

Newman’s annual Physical Education Field Day is coming up on Friday, May 31! This event provides our K-5 students with the opportunity to try a variety of fun activities that promote health and fitness. Our day is based on student choice, focusing on active participation (rather than on simply winning/losing), and application of skills learned in PE throughout the school year.
Volunteers make our Field Day a success! Volunteers are needed to monitor each station activity, assist and encourage students, put a sticker on the tag of each student who attempts the activity, and to be willing to have some FUN (more detailed information for volunteers to come soon!).
The students will be participating during different blocks of time on Friday, May 31 (rain date: Monday, June 3). The schedule will be as follows:

9:15 – 10:30 – Grades K and 1
10:45 – 12:00 – Grades 4 and 5; Note: 5th graders should wear their class shirts!
1:15 – 2:30 – Grades 2 and 3

If you are ready, willing, and able to volunteer, please fill out the volunteer form by Friday, May 24. Thank you in advance to all volunteers – we can’t do it without you!
Yours in Wellness,
Craig Brenhiser, Jim Everhart and Kerri Smith
