Fall | 2022

Welcome Fall!

Greetings and thanks from the NSF Board President

Your Impact in 2022

A record number of grants to the Newton Public Schools

31 TCP Graduates

Congratulations to The Calculus Project (TCP) Class of 2022

Tennis + Equity = A Win

$5,000 gift to TCP in memory of a devoted tennis player and mathematician

Newton Inspires

In 2022 we celebrated creativity in the classroom

You ♥️ Teachers

Honor Thy Teacher recognizes 880+ of Newton's finest

Grant Deadline

November 4 for Spring projects

New Faces at NSF

Meet our new Program Director and 4 new NSF board members

President's Message

Welcome Fall

As summer has come to an end and we welcome fall with all its splendor, we know this is a busy time of year for our families, donors and supporters. Getting back into the swing of things can be hectic, and routines lost over the summer can oftentimes be difficult to resume.

I’m happy to report that our operations are in high gear at Newton Schools Foundation.

Our board has once again started to work tirelessly on behalf of Newton educators and students. We had a very successful fundraising cycle and are working on solidifying our 2023 gift to NPS, which will fund grants for new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers and programs that promote equity for all students.

We couldn’t have done it without all of your generosity, engagement and participation. This fall newsletter highlights some of the successes that you made possible as we finish out 2022.

We look forward to continuing our development efforts to differentiate the Newton Public Schools as a premier educational district within the Commonwealth.

Wishing you success in resuming your routines and enjoying the cool days and bright colors of fall.

Amy B. Werner, NSF Board President

Your Impact: 52 Grants | $191,000

2022 | Record-Breaking Year

Because of the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Newton community, Newton Schools Foundation gave a record-setting 52 grants last academic year that touched all schools in the district, Pre-K to 12.

These programs range in scope from Math Challenge Boards at elementary schools and highly-rated professional development on Storytelling Strategies for all middle school world language teachers to supporting a new course at Newton South on Leadership for Social Justice and the Newton North Cluster Program for Black and Latinx students.

Your gifts this year to NSF made an impact. Thank you!

Calculus Project Celebrates Class of '22

Seniors from Newton North and Newton South celebrated the completion of The Calculus Project in June at an outdoor ceremony in the NSHS courtyard.

In all, 31 students graduated from the program in 2022.

NSF has given an annual grant to The Calculus Project (TCP) since 2013, with the leadership support of The Village Bank, the Robert Deutsch Foundation and over 100 individual donors from the Newton community.

Congratulations, TCP Class of 2022, and thank you, donors!

Give to The Calculus Project

Tennis + Equity = Winning Formula

Above, Left to Right:

Mary McKernan (NETEF),

Diana Fisher Gomberg (NSF), and Jeff Novins (NETEF)

NETEF Makes Gift to NSF for The Calculus Project in Honor of Long-Time Member and Mathematician

On October 2 as part of the festivities around The Friends of Newton Tennis’ Garden City Doubles event, NSF was proud to accept a $5,000 donation for The Calculus Project—our largest ongoing grant to NPS—from New England Tennis & Education Foundation.

The gift, which supports Black, Latinx and low-income students at both Newton high schools who enroll in and successfully complete high level math, honors the late Isadore Singer, a devoted tennis player and award-winning MIT mathematician.

Left to Right: Rebecca Robles Taylor (Bigelow), Amy McMahon (NNHS), Miles Wilcox (Ward), Jill Leibowitz (Cabot), David Weintraub (NSHS)

Celebrating Classroom Creativity

Newton Inspires 2022 was held during Teacher Appreciation week in May and right as NSF launched its Honor Thy Teacher Campaign, so it was only fitting that the “stars” we heard from this year were Newton Teachers who were also recipients of NSF grants.

A panel of distinguished educators (see above) joined us to discuss everything from Ukuleles to high tech and took questions from members of our audience who included students, parents, and local elected officials.

Emcee for the evening was Newton's own Barbara Howard, former host of "All Things Considered" on WGBH.

The community enjoyed refreshments and mingled in person to background music played by NNHS and NSHS jazz and classical musicians.

Read The Boston Globe Coverage

Newton Inspires Event Sponsors

880+ Teachers Honored | $50,000 Raised

Honor Thy Teacher | 2022

Thank you to all of you who honored NPS teachers, staff, paraprofessionals, and others from your school communities who made a difference in your students’ lives during the 2021-22 school year.

Many of you participated and even chose to honor multiple individuals. Those who were honored will soon receive personalized certificates and an NSF Honor Thy Teacher (HTT) keepsake magnet.

2022 Honored Teachers

Apply for an NSF Grant

Next Deadline November 4

Newton Educators!

Grant applications for Spring 2023 can be submitted beginning Monday, October 3, 2022. Application deadline is Friday, November 4, 2022 at midnight.

We will communicate decisions on Sunday, December 18, 2022.

Grant applications for Summer/Fall 2023 will be open from March 6 through April 6, 2023 (dates may be adjusted). Decision by May 26, 2023.

Applications are reviewed by the NSF Grants Committee and moved to a full board vote for approval.

More Information

New Faces at NSF

Meet NSF's Program Director

We are thrilled to introduce Cynthia Dantas to our community as NSF’s new Program Director.

Cynthia was mostly recently the Executive Director of Sibling Connections, a grassroots non-profit in Boston focused on reconnecting siblings separated by foster care. Her career has included stints in higher ed administration and business consulting and she is the parent of a Boston Public Schools student.

Welcome, Cynthia!

Four Community Leaders Join the Team

Elected to the NSF Board during FY22 were Sally Brickell, Karen Hite, Patty McCabe and Michelle Wetlaufer. These Board members bring to the table deep experience in our schools and other non-profits as well as a passion for the mission to advance excellence and equity in NPS.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome these superb advocates, strategizers, leaders and do-ers to NSF. Click below to read more about them and all of our Board and Staff.