Newsmakers: New appointments, new leaders and a rising young star
Editor’s note: Newsmakers is a regular feature spotlighting accomplishments of Newton community members, businesses and organizations. Have an announcement you’d like to include? Email editor@newtonbeacon.org. Metropolitan [...]
Creem files legislation for database to monitor quality of special education in districts
A proposed bill on Beacon Hill sponsored by Newton’s state senator would require the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to publish more detailed [...]
Alicia Piedalue lays out vision as Newton School Committee’s chair-elect
Ward 7 School Committee member Alicia Piedalue won a special election in March and was sworn in on April 2. Now, she’s been elected to [...]
Analysis of MCAS scores shows struggle with writing, improvement in math
An in-depth analysis of the Newton Public District’s MCAS scores found trends that the district aims to use to improve its curriculum. Although no longer [...]
Ward/Underwood public hearing shows community connection to neighborhood schools
The Ward and Underwood elementary schools are each more than 100 years old and in need of repairs. And they're both dealing with low enrollment, [...]
Antisemitism Commission recommendations bring concerns about free speech
Some in Newton are questioning whether recommendations to fight antisemitism in schools across Massachusetts protect students or threaten free speech rights. The Massachusetts Legislature’s Special [...]
Lasell launches ‘Tuition Commitment’ to clear financial roadblocks from pathway to education
As families grapple with higher education costs nationwide, Lasell University has launched a new program aimed at knocking down financial barriers to higher education. The [...]
Nolin: This year brings challenges but also new determination to ‘thrive’
Superintendent Anna Nolin uses five budget models for a guide—color-coded, ranging from a “cuts” budget with cuts shown in yellow to a “thrive” budget with [...]
Nolin kicks off school year with DESE commissioner, introduces NPS Family Engagement Center
Superintendent Anna Nolin has started her third school year at the helm of Newton Public Schools, and she and her leadership team marked the new [...]
NTA addresses backlash after Zilles comment goes viral
A post that went up on the news blog "Contrarian Boston" over the weekend, and quotes Newton Teachers Association President Mike Zilles talking about priorities, has [...]
U.S. News & World Report gives Newton’s high school high rankings on its annual national list
U.S. News & World Report has released its rankings of the best public high schools in the United States for the 2025-2026 academic year, and [...]
Leaders laud recommendations by antisemitism commission
The Massachusetts legislature’s Special Commission on Antisemitism voted on Friday to approve a swath of recommendations for schools across Massachusetts. “Antisemitism has no place in [...]
Judge dismisses parents’ second attempt at strike-related lawsuit
Judge Christopher Barry-Smith of Middlesex Superior Court has dismissed a class-action lawsuit filed by Newton parents over last year’s Newton teachers’ strike. “No Massachusetts common [...]
Former Newton teacher suing NPS for racial, gender discrimination
Katani Sumner, a longtime Newton public school teacher, is suing Newton Public Schools for race, color, sex, and age discrimination over the fact that they [...]
School Committee candidate and educator Mali Brodt hopes to help reshape NPS
Mali Brodt moved to Newton for the school system. Now she wants to reform it. A mother of three and a longtime educator, Brodt, 46, [...]