Newton confronts affordable housing challenges

The average North student has seen countless lawn signs while commuting between school and home. Signs trend differently over time, whether political signs for elections, student graduation celebrations, or steady issues in the community—one example being housing. Throughout the years, Newton for Everyone and Save Newton Villages signs have remained staples on many lawns.

Signs for Save Newton Villages support a scaled-back version of Newton without major construction and increased density leading to more crowded roads and schools.

Across seven decades, North makes over style from past poodle skirts to present sweatpants

The constantly changing fashion landscape has captivated teens for decades. From poodle skirts and leather jackets to baggy jeans and crop tops, clothing trends and choices have helped teens both fit in and stand out through self-expression. At what was originally Newton High School—later split into Newton North and Newton South—students’ styles have varied greatly from decade to decade, often reflecting not just popular fashion but also the music they listened to and, at times, the political or social groups they aligned with.

Thanks to the school’s long-standing lack of a strict dress code, stating that “students and parents have the right to determine how the student will dress providing that attire is not destructive to school property, complies with requirements for health and safety, and does not cause disorder or disruption,” North students had the freedom to reflect cultural shifts through what they wore.

The Newtonite reached out to various North alumni to highlight the styles of students over the years, beginning in 1950.

Off-leash dog park completes construction on Washington Street

Walker Park, located on Washington Street, reopened Tuesday, April 1, with off-leash dog park access, an initiative spearheaded by the Off-leash Working Group, according to Assistant Director of Newton Parks and Open Space, Ahron Lerman.
The new dog park provides a play area for dogs in a neighborhood where residents saw a need, according North parent, Andrew Wardly, a West Newton resident and dog owner.
City Councilor, Susan Albright, a member of the Off Leash Working Group said, “It’s thrillin...

Federal policies stir debate within North's Community

Students and staff in the Newton Public Schools face uncertainty over recent policy changes of the Trump administration regarding transgender rights, Diversity Equity and Inclusion programming (DEI), and the policing of undocumented immigrants. "What the current status of executive orders means is unclear," Superintendent Anna Nolin said in an email. "What is also unclear is, given that state law expects us to do one thing and executive orders another, what the government at the federal level will do to our funding if we comply with state law."

Newton Teachers Association protests lack of kindergarten aides in classrooms

Newton Teachers Association (NTA) members gathered at the Newton Education Center Monday, Oct. 21, during a Newton School Committee meeting to protest the district’s decision not to hire aids for kindergarten classrooms, as stipulated in the Teachers’ Contract.
Last June, the NTA filed a claim with the state, arguing that Newton Public Schools (NPS) violated the contract by not hiring enough aides for kindergarten classrooms. In April, an arbitrator ruled that NPS must follow the contract and pr...

Deaf culture day aims to illuminate diverse perspectives

Deaf Culture Day educated students and teachers on the realities of living as deaf and hard of hearing in a hearing world Wednesday, May 1.
CAPS organized the event, which included various activities and panels throughout the day. According to sophomore Mikey Resmini, a CAPS student and panelist, it aimed to illuminate diverse perspectives and experiences within the deaf community.
“There was a time in my life when I thought being deaf meant I was broken, but I have come to accept my identity as...

ToBeGLAD Day combats hate with celebration

The Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club hosted an informative series of panels to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture amid controversy during North’s annual ToBeGLAD Day Friday, April 14.

Events during c-block, f-block, and g-block highlighted the existence of queer people and celebrated their pride and achievements.

“ToBeGLAD Day is really important because it helps normalize the existence of queer people, and helps educate people on how to deal with queerphobia,” said Wren Dunkailo Minehart, a club of...