Hello Brown Community!

We hope you enjoyed the long weekend and had an opportunity to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy and to reflect on his enduring messages of justice, service, and community.

We have a lot of information to share this week so get your reading glasses ready!

PRINCIPAL COFFEE

It was wonderful to see so many of you at last week’s Principal Coffee. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us. See below for information shared at that meeting.

NEW LOGO

Exciting news — we have a new Brown Bears logo. Look for it below!

BOOK FAIR

We are gearing up for the book fair on January 27th and 28th in partnership with Wellesley Books. The PTO wants to ensure that all students can purchase a book of their choice and we are asking for your help. If you are able, please donate $20 (or more!) to buy a book for a fellow student. Donate here and write “Book Fair” in the notes. Thank you for your support. We are also looking for volunteers to support the event, please sign up here.

BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND CHORUS CONCERTS 

Our talented student musicians have been working hard preparing for their upcoming music concerts! Brown band students perform on Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00pmand Brown chorus and orchestra students perform on Wednesday, January 28th at 7:00pm. Concerts are free and open to all students and families. Support your performers and Brown’s Music Department by ordering roses – Order here and pay by Friday, January 23rd. Pick up your roses at the concert. See below for more details and how to order.

8TH GRADE FAMILIES

See below for some helpful information for 8th grade families transitioning to Newton South.

TAX RECEIPTS

Donations to the PTO are tax deductible; however, our records may not include all the information needed to issue formal tax receipts. If you would like a tax receipt for your 2025 contribution, please email the Treasurer at treasurer@brownpto.org with the date(s) and amount(s) of your donation.

BROWN PTO BOARD MEETING

The Brown PTO Board Meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:30pm. Please email brownpto@brownpto.org for login information.

NEWTON SEPAC 

Join Newton SPEAC on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:00pm for Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education, featuring guest speaker Attorney Alicia Warren. Register Online to attend.

Have a great week!
The Brown PTO Team
brownpto@brownpto.org

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to unveil Brown’s new logo, made possible by the incredible efforts of our community. A heartfelt thank-you to Katie Brigham for leading the Brownwear Committee and guiding the logo from concept to completion; Miriam Blankenship for her creative design work and multiple logo options; and Brian Adams (8th Grade Civics) for coordinating the schoolwide student vote to select the final design. Stay tuned for a spring flash sale featuring items with our new logo!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Principal Coffee on January 16—we appreciate the thoughtful questions and engaging discussion. Thanks to Assistant Principal Matt Bailey-Adams for running the event while Ms. Lysaght was out sick. For those who couldn’t attend, here is the powerpoint presentation that was shared during the meeting. The PTO will submit IT-related feedback and questions discussed at the meeting to the District (view the document here) and will share responses as they become available. If you would like to add your questions or comments, please email brownpto@brownpto.org by Friday, January 23 to be included.

Our talented student musicians have been working hard preparing for their upcoming music concerts, and we would love your help in celebrating their dedication!

Ordering a rose is a wonderful way to:

Show your support for the performers and celebrate their hard work.

Support the Music Department: all proceeds go directly to funding equipment and resources for Brown Music Department.

Make the concert experience extra special for our students.

Order here and pay by Friday, January 23rd. Pick up your roses at the concert.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our young musicians and for supporting the Music Department. Your participation truly makes a difference!

Please check Parent Square for an important announcement about South Incoming Family Night for Class of 2030 from NSHS Principal Stras on March 5th at 6:30 pm (in-person).

Additionally, on February 12th at 4:45 pm, NPS will hold a tour of Career and Technical Education Programs at Newton North (information about these programs will also be available at the March 5th event).

And, on March 12th at 7:00 pm there will be a Grade 8 Sports Night at the NSHS Field House to meet representatives from the HS athletic teams and learn more about the offerings.

Some more information for our 8th grade families who will be moving up to Newton South High School:

• In late February the NSHS Deans will present to the 8th graders about what to expect.
• Teachers and Counselors will then speak with the students about recommended core classes.
• Recommendations will be recorded in Aspen and parents will have an opportunity to address, discuss and potentially change any concerns.
• The NSHS course book will be fully digital, and teachers and counselors will help students access the information and formulate their requests for electives (also to be reviewed by parents).
• Registration is an iterative process that happens mid-late April and can be reviewed and amended as necessary.

Stay up-to-date and make your voice heard! The NPS School Committee is back in session and at the next meeting on Monday, January 26, the Committee will vote on the budget priorities that will shape Superintendent Nolin’s proposed budget for NPS. The current proposed budget includes interventionists at our middle schools, which would be a tremendous help to our students and teachers.  Committee meetings are open to the public (in person in Room 210 of the Ed Center at 100 Walnut Street and on Zoom). Anyone can make a three-minute public comment in person or virtually at the beginning of every meeting (unless noted otherwise on the schedule). Outside of meetings, you can contact the entire School Committee by emailing schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us or reach out to members individually to share your thoughts and ideas.

Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education

Guest Speaker: Attorney Alicia Warren

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 7PM

Register Online

Newton South High School Teen Summer Expo

Tuesday, February 10 | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm | 140 Brandeis Road, cafeteria

Meet in-person with the directors of more than 75 of the best summer enrichment programs for students ages 12-18 and efficiently find the perfect summer opportunities. From local day programs to worldwide adventures, there are programs for every interest and budget.

The Expo includes pre-college programs on university campuses, academic enrichment, community service, teen tours, test prep, traditional summer camps, STEM, internships, theatre arts and music, language learning, outdoor adventure and much more!

The Expo is FREE and open to everyone. Parents should attend with their teens and bring friends.  To see the programs attending go to www.TeenSummerExpos.com. For more information: Newton South.

Pre-register here to get in quickly and receive a reminder.

WinterFEST kicks off with ice, music, and magic!

Friday, January 23 at Newton Centre Green from 5 – 6:30 pm

Enjoy live ice sculptures carving, a cappella performances, interactive art by Brighter Ignited, free hot chocolate, warm churros and glow sticks, plus a visit from Olaf. Bring a blanket to donate to Welcome Home. See more details.

NCE Winter/Spring Clubs

Winter/Spring middle school clubs are open for registration, with offerings such as Dungeons & Dragons, Babysitting/CPR, and EmpowHER: Movement, Strength, & Mindset! Families can explore and register through the new NCE Registration Portal. Scholarships are available through NCE’s Financial Assistance program.

NCE Summer Camps

2026 summer programs are now open for registration. Middle school options include Basketball (Boys and Girls).

• Wed., Jan 21 : Newton SEPAC event, 7PM
• Wed., Jan 21: Brown PTO Board Meeting, via Zoom, 7:30PM
• Jan. 27 & 28: PTO Book Fair in the library
• Tues., Jan 27: Band(s) Concert, 7PM
• Wed., Jan. 28: Orchestra and Choruses Concert, 7PM
• Thurs., Feb 5: Early release day (11:20AM dismissal)
• Thurs., March 5: Grade 8 Open House at NSHS, 6.30PM
• Mon., March 16:  Grade 5 Parent Information Night in auditorium, 7PM