December 2, 2022

Cardinals,

With November now behind us, we have some major annual events on our school calendar. We also have a winter break quickly approaching. Make sure that you are checking our district calendar (ww.newtoncsd.org) so you do not miss out on some of the highlights and important dates of our school year.

The month of December always means winter programs for our students across the entire district. We invite you to attend any of our 2022 concerts:

December 5 – BMS Choir Concert (5:30 PM) – BMS Commons Area

December 8 – TJ/WW Winter Program (K-1 st) (6:00 PM) – NHS Auditorium

December 12 – NHS Band Winter Concert (7:00 PM) – NHS Auditorium

December 13 – BMS Band Concert (5:30 PM) – BMS Commons Area

December 15 – AH/EH Winter Program (K-1 st) (6:00 PM) – NHS Auditorium

December 19 – NHS Vocal Winter Concert (7:00 PM) – NHS Auditorium

Don’t miss out on what is often the most exciting night of the year for our young students. They are always thrilled to have their family members in the audience to watch them perform.

Winter Break is also coming up soon. Students have an early dismissal on Thursday, December 22, 2022 and will return to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. There are lost and found items at each of our buildings that belong to a number of our students. Make sure you remind your child(ren) to bring home their cold weather gear and if they cannot find it have them check the lost and found. Those items may come in handy over the winter break.

One other thing for you to be watching out for is the proposal of school calendars for the next two years. These calendars are in the process of being developed by a district calendar committee. School calendars for 2023-24 and 2024-25 will be posted on our website from December 15, 2022 through January 4, 2023. During that time, we will be asking for feedback from anyone in our Cardinal Community. Once the feedback is received, our calendar committee will review the suggestions and make any necessary changes to the calendars before presenting them to the school board for approval. The calendars will not be finalized until the board approves them. The public will also have the opportunity to address the school board at the meeting when the calendars are on the agenda. The input of our school community is greatly appreciated and valued.

As we finish up 2022 I would like to thank everyone for the great start to our school year and wish everyone a happy holiday season. And most importantly, thank you for trusting the Newton Community School District with the responsibility of educating your children. We are happy to have them all here where we are honest, caring, positive, fun, and supportive.

Yours truly,

Tom Messinger

Join us December 16th for Christmas in the Gym!

Red Pride runs deep when it comes to giving back to the community. Christmas in the gym is a team effort and is important part of how the high school gives back over the holiday season.

Newton Community Educational Foundation UPDATE

Purpose: The purpose of the Excellence in Education Award is to pay tribute to the excellent teachers we have in the Newton Community School District.

If you are a parent, alumni, community member or student, you are eligible to nominate a teacher.

REMINDER: NOMINATE A TEACHER TODAY

Cardinal Families: The Newton Community Educational Foundation (NCEF) is looking for great stories of learning and life changing moments from those who have been inspired by one of our teachers! If you are a parent, alumni, community member or student, you are eligible to nominate a teacher.

Nomination Forms are due: Sunday, January 1, 2023

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A NOMINATION FORM

Community Feature: Gary Hansen

Gary Hansen is a community member that gives back in a way that is memorable for parents and athletes. Learn about what it means to the Athletic Department and the community about when Gary shows up and showcases student's events!

Dollars for Scholars

The Newton Dollars for Scholars® chapter, located in Newton, Iowa, is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success in our community. As part of Scholarship America's® national network of locally based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters, our mission is to mobilize our community on behalf of postsecondary education success for our students.

Dollars for Scholars chapters like ours help hometown students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process, and distributing scholarships each year.

Last year, $197,500 was awarded to students in scholarship funds by Dollars for Scholars. Some of these scholarships are renewable, and help encourage students to continue their college education. In its 36 years, Newton Dollars for Scholars has awarded over 3,307 scholarships totaling more than $2,450,150 to Newton Senior High School, Basics & Beyond High School, and WEST Academy High School graduates.

This year we ask seniors to please join us at our January meeting in 2023 to learn about how they can fill out the application and apply.

Scholarships are received on May 5th, at our Awards Ceremony.