Newtown High School Blog

Due to construction related issues, continuing tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9, 2010) until further notice, parking for Senior Students on the Newtown High School campus will continue on a first come, first serve basis.  This is the same method utilized since the first day of school.  Senior Students will not be assigned their designated parking space window permit until we are able to accommodate all Seniors eligible for on-campus parking at the same time.  There is no parking available for underclassman.

At the beginning of the school year, it was anticipated that sufficient parking would be available by this date.  Unfortunately, preparations are still being made to be able to turn over an additional 75 parking spots.  We hope to have the parking situation rectified within the next couple of weeks. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2010, Newtown High School will be able to accommodate student parking for every eligible Senior during the 2010-2011 school year.  As it stands now, there will be no student parking spaces available for Juniors this year.  Prior to 9/8/10, student parking will be non-designated, on a first come-first serve basis, and limited to about 100 spaces due to construction-related issues.  We strongly encourage students to ride the bus to and from school during the first two weeks of school.  We also recommend that parents planning to drive their child to school in the AM provide sufficient time as the volume of traffic on and around campus is expected to be heavy.  Please note that PM parent-student pick-up will again be permitted only in the parking lot adjacent to the cafeteria patio.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Per order of the Newtown Fire Marshal,  the Main Lobby is no longer a lobby. It is now a common hallway (just like any other hallway in the NHS building), and may only be utilized for pedestrians to ingress and/or egress adjoining hallways, offices, the auditorium, and/or the gymnasium (once gym construction is complete) . No tables or chairs are allowed in the Main Hallway, and students will not be permitted to loiter there after 7:15 am. However, students may sit in the cafeteria if they arrive to school early to await the bell for the start of homeroom. We understand that this will be a big change from past tradition, but the conditions and uses of areas of the building will be changing with the new construction and we will have new spaces for students to congregate.

The following items (partial list) have, at some point during the school year, been found and are being held in the Security Office, waiting for their rightful owners to claim them:

7 Cell Phones (5 Samsung, 1 AT&T, 1 LG)

6 IPODS

3 MP-3 Players

2 Wrist Watches

1 Gift Card (Eastern Mt Sports)

1 Wallet w/$

1 Calculator (TI-83 Plus)

1 Flashdrive (PNY Technologies)

Miscellaneous jewelry (ring, bracelet, etc).

Mr. Mark Pompano, Director of Security for Newtown Public Schools, was the first guest presenter in the Senior Health series. Mr. Pompano gave the historical account of Rodney King and the LA riots and the role electronic communication played in the courts. The terms “public” and “permanent” with relevance to student use of electronic media (email, blogging, face book, my space and text messaging) were discussed and the impact of future career choices. Additional legal terms, “procure,” “convey,” and “transfer” were defined with true life-examples given. Any student who missed Mr. Pompano’s presentation on March 1st, has the opportunity to view it next Monday, March 8, 2010.

The Newtown Fire Marshal has formally warned us that numerous student and faculty vehicles have been illegally parked in the fire lane along the fence surrounding the construction site in C-Lot. There are no fewer than four clearly posted no parking/fire lane signs mounted to the fence. Please DO NOT park in the designated fire lane.  Cars parked in the fire lane are subject to fines and towing.

There will not be any Junior Parking on campus for the remainder of this school year. There were fewer early graduates with parking spaces and the Fire Marshal modified the Fire Lane in the rear lot of the building, eliminating a number of available spaces. There are a few open spaces that can be assigned to current seniors who have recently obtained their driver’s licenses on a first-come / pro-rated basis.  eligible students should visit the Security Office.

Student safety is our first priority.  You can help with this important job.  If you have any concern about your safety or that of others, immediately discuss this with your parent, a counselor, a teacher, an administrator, or any other adult in the school building.  If you are not ready to talk with an adult face-to-face, then use the School Safety hotline.  This anonymous call, which you can make at any time, will be answered by an emergency dispatcher.  Your identity will not be known unless you choose so.  Time is important, so call promptly and be prepared to share what you know.

SCHOOL SAFETY HELP NUMBER

203.270.4357 (203.270.HELP)

Newtown High School was informed late yesterday afternoon (10/29/09) by the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department Supervisor that Oakview Park will be fenced off, and students and others will NOT be allowed to park there effective immediately. Please know that it is a violation of Connecticut General Statutes for students to park in the Commuter Parking Lot at the bottom of Exit 11. State Police and Newtown PD patrol the commuter lot, and any student parking there is subject to a ticket and their vehicle being towed at owner’s expense.

Note: Although Newtown High School students have been parking their vehicles at Oakview Park, parking at Oakview Park has never been sanctioned, approved, or encouraged by Newtown High School Administration or Security.

Construction and increased enrollment have necessitated changing traffic patterns for the afternoon at Newtown High School.  Until further notice, please observe the following updated conditions/requirements while accessing the campus by motor vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »

Senior packets, distributed this morning in homeroom, also contain parking information.  Seniors who wish to be considered in the lottery for a parking permit MUST return the parking form to the Security office by noon on September 4, 2009.

Our security team has a new member this year:  Please welcome Mr. Alicea.  Pictured above are Mr. Pompano (Director of Security), Mr. Alicea, Ms. Fritzinger, and Mr. Biondi.

Construction and growing enrollment bring parking challenges.  The above map (click to enlarge) indicates the designated parking areas and afternoon pickup location.  Senior parking permits will be distributed via lottery shortly after the start of school (information will be distributed in homeroom).  Thank you for your help parking in the appropriate areas. [Thanks to Mr. Daly for creating the map]

Since the stairwell from the patio outside the culinary classroom to the parking lot below has been removed, a temporary stairwell is being installed to accommodate emergency egress needs.  The stair is solely for emergency egress and should NOT be used to enter the building.

Due to modifications in the bus queue necessitated by the placement of the new portable classrooms, afternoon parent pick-up will be located in the lot adjacent to the cafeteria (on your right as you enter the lot from Route 34).  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Newtown High School has received a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in the amount of $16,445.  The funds will be used to upgrade security equipment and enhance access security for the campus and the building.

Parking at the high school (with the exception of visitor parking) is by permit only.  Spaces are limited and we are trying to accommodate those students who have purchased permits.  To raise awareness of parking violations, we have been “stickering” vehicles that have been parked without a permit or in an unauthorized manner. Read the rest of this entry »

It is the goal of the Security Department to work in partnership with administration, faculty, staff, and the community to ensure that Newtown High School consistently remains a safe and secure educational campus.  While a vast majority of people are compassionate, conscientious, and law-abiding, there unfortunately are a few people Read the rest of this entry »