News

Dear friends,

I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving and is getting ready for the start of a new year! This month, I want to give an update on my campaign, share my thoughts on an exciting initiative from the Newton Public Schools, and provide some information on Newton Community Education.

Campaign Update

Yesterday, Mayor Fuller announced that she will not be running for a third term. I am grateful to Mayor Fuller for her many years of hard work on behalf of our city. She leaves a strong legacy of accomplishment, and I look forward to working with her during the remainder of her term in office.

Here are some highlights of the campaign to date:

• We have over 250 public endorsers. Please let us know if we can add your name to our list!

• Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages and sign up to follow the campaign.

• We have raised over $75,000 from over 220 donors since the beginning of May. Donations are critical to the success of a campaign. If you have not done so, please donate – the link is here.

Alumni Event for Newton Public Schools

On Wednesday, November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving), the Newton Public Schools sponsored an alumni breakfast to gather feedback on the NPS Portrait of a Learner initiative and discuss future alumni engagement.

I am very excited about creating a Newton alumni network. Having helped organize several of my Newton North class reunions, I can attest to how many alumni still feel a connection to the Newton Public Schools and, at the same time, how difficult it is to locate classmates.

Building an alumni network would have multiple benefits for our school system, including fundraising and networking opportunities for current and past students. We do not have to start with a blank slate - colleges and universities throughout the country do it successfully and we can use them as a model. But it does require resources, including staff support and building a database of alumni, and, as Mayor, I will be fully committed to this effort.

Newton Community Education

Newton Community Education (NCE) was created by city ordinance in 1991 to provide community education for Newton residents as a component of the Newton Public Schools. In the aftermath of the pandemic and the teachers’ strike, NCE is facing serious financial difficulties.

NCE is a critical part of our community – providing summer camps, after school activities, and an array of classes for personal well-being and intellectual growth – and we should be doing everything possible to help it grow and thrive in a financially prudent way. As Mayor, I will ensure that our various city departments, including Parks and Recreation, Senior Services, and the Library, work collaboratively with NCE to avoid duplicative courses, encourage joint and inter-department efforts, and build on the strengths of each organization. You can help NCE today by signing up for courses and camps now at their website.

As always, I welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and criticisms!

Thanks,

Marc