Our next PTO meeting is on Tuesday, March. 11 at 7:00 pm in the NHS Guidance Area. There will be Zoom access for this meeting and a link will go out via parent square and the PTO newsletter prior to the meeting.
Everyone who is a caregiver or staff member (or student!) is warmly welcome (you’re automatically a member of the PTO by being part of this school community).
Come learn more about NHS, meet other caregivers, and share your ideas.
We’ll send a reminder with a Zoom link the day before. And as always, reach out anytime at nohopto@gmail.com
NOTABLE UPCOMING DATES:
Next PTO meeting is Tues, March. 11 at 7:00 pm in the NHS Guidance Area
Feb. 17-21: NO SCHOOL Vacation Week
Thurs. Mar. 13: 1/2 Day
Mon. Mar. 31: 1/2 Day
UPCOMING PTO MEETINGS:
3/11, 4/8, 5/13
School Traffic Safety Plan
You can see the proposed design and FAQs here:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29036/FAQ-page-for-Northampton-High-School
To send comments or questions, please email:
Spring Musical HADESTOWN
Teen Edition
NHS is proud to present the Tony award-wining musical HADESTOWN, which puts a new twist on the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. We look forward to seeing you in March!
SHOW TIMES
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7 PM
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 7 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 7 PM
Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2 PM
Northampton High School Main Auditorium
The direct link for tickets is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hadestown-at-northampton-high-school-northampton-ma-tickets-1128242747429?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
Learn more at nhsmusical.com
Northampton Community Rowing Spring Season Starts 3/17!
Join Northampton Community Rowing with no experience necessary! The Novice Competition Team is built of rowers ages 12-18 years who are in the first year of their rowing career but are looking for the challenge of racing. Practices will consist of both on-water and land practices designed to teach the rowing stroke, and build strength and endurance. Members of the Novice Competition Team will be expected to attend all practices and regattas in which they are competing.
Build skills and confidence! Meet new people and make friends! Be part of a supportive community! Train with experienced coaches!
Tons of financial aid available. Please contact youthinfo@hampcrew.com to inquire about the program and learn about financial aid, carpooling options and more.
Youth Spring Varsity Competition Team
Program Dates: 3/17/25 – 6/1/25
Practice times: Monday – Friday 4:15 PM – 6:30 PM
Youth Spring Novice Competition Team
Program Dates: 3/17/25 – 6/1/25
Practice times: Monday – Friday 4:15 PM – 6:30 PM
REGISTER HERE: https://northamptoncommunityrowing.org/youth
Jill Shulman 12/10 PTO Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker at our Dec. 10 PTO meeting was Jill Shulman, the Amherst-based author of College Admissions Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) From the Madness. You can read more about Jill at: https://www.jillshulman.com
Jill was a great source of information (and perspective!) on the college admissions process. You can find lots of free resources and links on her website:
We have also purchased a copy of her book, College Admission Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) from the Madness, which we will give to the counseling office.
Florence Bank Community Choice Awards
Vote for NHS PTO in the Florence Bank Community Choice Awards – each vote means dollars for our school! If you (or your partner, child, friend, neighbor) have a Florence Bank account, you can vote for NHS PTO to earn a grant. Just go the link below and vote for Northampton High School PTO. Voting ends on Dec. 31 each year.
Thanks for helping NHS PTO!
https://www.florencebank.com/customers-choice-community-grants
NHS Wishlist
(Drop off donations in the library at Open House before you head to classes or to the office during school hours with a PTO sticky note on it)
GIft cards to Stop & Shop, Big Y, Walmart or Amazon (this helps the science teaching team buy the consumables needed for their science courses, and
helps teachers in the GOALS and other programs purchase needed supplies). Snacks Any boxes (large or small) or prepackaged snacks (nut free please)
are a highly-requested item from many people who work in the building. If you are in Walmart or Costco and could grab a box of granola bars, goldfish,
etc., it would be very appreciated. Used or new tennis balls- these are needed for the bottom of chairs. We need
36 to get this classroom set!
Assorted Tea and sweeteners. Several teachers create calm spots in their room and would love to offer tea and sweetener (packets of sugar, stevia, or a
bottle of honey). Tissues: everyone in the building needs tissues. If you are able to bring a box (or 5) they will certainly go to good use in many places around NHS.
Toiletries: feminine care products, toothbrushes/paste, deodorant.
Clothing in good condition- t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, cozy blankets
We also have requests for:
Sewing machines (used are great)
Fabric and leather supplies
Fishing rods and fishing tackle
Mason jars
Working vacuum
Electric tea kettle
If you have any questions, please reach out to nohopto@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
NHS Art Department WISH LIST
Hey Folks! We need your help providing supplies for fall art classes at NHS!
Below is a wish list compiled by our art teachers – anything you can do will be much appreciated and will impact hundreds of students. Thank you!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1512X3PXBGJQV?ref_=wl_share
EVENTS ways to help
The PTO sponsors several events and fundraising campaigns each year. Please contact us at nohopto@gmail.com if you would like to be involved or if you are interested in helping organize a program in support of NHS.
FALL
NHS Open House: Take a short shift at our table, meet fellow caregivers and NHS staff, manage the School Council ballot collection.
Florence Savings Bank Customers’ Choice Community Grant: Help distribute ballots during lunch and at school events to ensure strong support for NHS in this annual grant program.
WINTER
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon: Help with set up and/or clean up, or contribute a dish to this event.
NHS Open House: Take a short shift at our table, meet fellow caregivers and NHS staff.
Eat for Education: Help contact Northampton restaurant owners to confirm participation in our early-April city-wide fundraising event.
SPRING
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast (May): Help with set up and/or clean up, or contribute a dish to this event.
Honor Thy Teacher: Help promote this year-end fundraising campaign, and assist with preparation of letters to teachers for the last day of school.
YEAR-ROUND
Parent Communications: Help with updates to the PTO website, Facebook page, and listserv.
Hamp Highlights: Help compile, edit, and format submissions to the PTO online newsletter.
Monthly Coffee Hours: Each month we put a call out for treats to be delivered to the Counseling area from 8:15am-9:15am to build morale and connections between the PTO and Teachers and Staff at NHS. See below for Coffee Hour dates for the 2024-2025 school year. Drop off some yummy treats, stay if you can! This is a great way to show appreciation and get to know your student’s teachers.
COFFEE HOURS 8:15am-9:15am
Shop our SPIRIT WEAR! As of 2024, we now have a spirit wear shop that is full of gear–everything from sweatpants, hats, tees, blankets and more–all to show your school spirit! Every sale is made to order and ships directly to your home, no need to pre-order or for long-waits. 10% of every sale goes directly to the PTO and helps support our school and teachers!
What has the PTO done in this school year?
Thanks to the generosity of our community and through fundraising efforts by the parents who make up our PTO, the Hamp Pto has funded lots during the 2023-2024 school year.
In the 2023-2024 school year, the PTO funded:
- Monthly breakfasts/coffee hours for staff
- Staff lunch at start of school year
- Staff appreciation lunch (May 24)
- Busses for field trips to Grow Food Northampton
- Busses for art students to Northampton Center for the Arts
- Bus for Art History class trip to MOMA in NYC
- Honorariums for guest speakers to Genocide Studies classes
- Honorariums for college admissions officers for 11th Grade Caregivers Night
- Gift cards, snacks and supplies for GOALS program
- Gift cards for PACE program
- Field trip to David Ruggles Center
- Field trip to Historic Deerfield
- Retirement cakes and gifts for staff
- Gift cards for family needs
- Taiko drum workshop and drum rental for Band
- Art supplies for multiple art classes
- Snacks for students during MCAS tests
- Supplies for chemistry class
- Books for Multicultural Literature class
- Books for Genocide Studies and AP European History classes
- Footwear and gear for student athletes
- Support for Takeaways segment of The Transcript
- Fee for students’ participation in Powers of Truth Conference, April 2024
- Tickets for prom for free and reduced lunch students
- Funding towards senior breakfast
Guest speakers at PTO meetings this year have included:
- Karen Hidalgo, Guidance Dept. Chair
- Bill Wehrli, Principal
- Gwen Agna, School Committee member
- Rochelle Garfinkel, Librarian
- David Proulx, Athletic Director