ForWARD - March 22nd, 2019

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ForWard

The John Ward Elementary School PTO Newsletter

March 22, 2019

Dear Ward Parents,

 

Welcome to the new edition of the Ward Elementary School Newsletter ForWARD for the 2018-2019 school year.  
 

* To stop receiving this newsletter, or update your email information please use the links at the end of the newsletter.
   
Ward School Banner
  • Spring Gala and Live Auction - April 6
  • NewtonSERVES - April 28
  • Ward Night at Fenway - May 10
  • Annual Art Show - May 22

Teacher Raffles - 
Deadline Extended to Tuesday, March 26th
 
Dear Ward parents,
 
Your student will have a chance to win one of 23 amazing prizes that the teachers and staff donated!
 
Each ticket is $5. You can submit the raffle tickets along with Cash or Check in an envelope. There's a box at the entrance to the school.
 
DEADLINE for submission is extended to Tuesday, March 26th.
 
We will announce the winners by email the following week.
 
Flyers went home in your child's folder yesterday or today. Just in case, please find attached the list of raffle items and Raffle tickets.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Gabriela at frinulia@hotmail.com
 
Good luck to all the kids!

Spring Gala and Live Auction
 
Dear Ward Parents,

The Spring Gala is almost here! Invitations are being sent home in your children's folders this week, so please be on the lookout.

Here is the essential information:

Please join us for Ward Elementary School's Spring Gala on Saturday April 6, 2019 from 8-11 pm at Union Street Restaurant, Newton Centre

Live auction & Art auction
Music & raffles
Lite bites & cash bar

There are three ways to purchase tickets:
1) Leave a check in the box in Ward's front lobby. Please put names of attendees on the envelope
2) Venmo $75 per person to the Ward PTO Venmo account (WardSchool-PTO). Be sure to indicate attendee names in the comment field.
3) Pay online at www.wardpto.org/springgala

Please email with any questions at Wardauction2019@gmail.com

We hope to see you all there! 
Susan St. Pierre, Caitlin Cusick, and Magda Duchnowska

Fitness "Peek Week"
 
You are cordially invited to the 2nd annual Fitness "Peek Week" at Ward!
It's that time of year again where the Ward Fit Fam opens its doors to you! 

During the week of March 25-29, we will be holding a "Peek Week", where adult family members are welcome to join their student's PE class to participate in a Ward Workout together.

Students will be working to master the skills in fitness and are eager to share their knowledge with you. They will get the chance to show you how to properly use fitness equipment, lightweights, ropes, yoga, and how to participate in other fitness activities. Below are the PE times for all classes during the week. We are looking forward to sharing a great "Peek Week" with you!

* Don't forget to sign in at the office when you enter the building. After signing in, please go directly to the gym. *

KCH - Thursday 10-10:45 and Friday 9:35 - 10:20
KCM - Monday 11:30-12:15 and Friday 10:20-11:05
1C - Monday 12:30- 1 and Thursday 12:45- 1:15
1P - Thursday 11 - 11:30 and Friday 2:20 - 2:50
2F - Tuesday 12- 12:30 and Thursday 12- 12:30
2R - Wednesday 2:25- 3 and Friday 8:30- 9
2H - Wednesday 1:55- 2:25 and Thursday 8:45- 9:15
3K - Wednesday 12:45- 1:15 and Thursday 2- 2:30
3G - Wednesday 1:15- 1:30 and Thursday 1:30- 2
3MBJ - Tuesday 9:25-9:55 and Thursday 2:30-3
4R - Tuesday 10:10-10:40 and Friday 1:05-1:35
4G - Monday 2- 2:30 and Friday 1:35-2:05
4L - Monday 2:30- 3 and Wednesday 9:30- 10
5R - Wednesday 8:45- 9:15 and Friday 11:35- 12:05
5S - Tuesday 10:50 - 11:20 and Wednesday 11:40- 12:10
5P - Tuesday 11:20- 11:50 and Wednesday 11:10- 12:40

Can't wait!

Ms. Pargoli

Applications for Ward After School 2019-2020
 
Ward After-School is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year!
 
Applications will be emailed to current families.  For families new to our program, you can email us at donna@wardafterschool.com to request an application.  Applications are due by Friday, March 29.   
 
Some important things to note about the application process:
  • Newton will be going to a Full Day K schedule next school year.  Therefore, our K program will now be available beginning at 3:00 four days of week, and at 12:30 on Tuesdays (in other words, same hours as Grades 1-5)
     
  • We have a two-day minimum for enrollment.
  • There is a $50 application fee.
  • Applications are due by March 29.  This is a REAL deadline!
  • Tuition costs will be determined by the number of applications received.  To see the current year's rates, please email the director.
  • Our program strives to accommodate all who apply by the deadline.  However, we may receive more applications than spots available in accordance with our child care license.  A waitlist may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at donna@wardafterschool.com, or 617-965-3087. 

Annual Art Show
 
Ward's Annual Art show will be on May 22! 

If you are able to help with setup on May 21 at 12:30pm or take down on May 23 at 3pm, please email Betsy Blazar at betsyblazar@gmail.com

Lost and Found
 
Spring has arrived so let's clean up the Ward Lost and Found. Is your child missing a jacket, hat, sweater or water bottle? Chances are, it can be located in the Lost and Found. Please note that the Lost and Found has been moved from the school entrance foyer to the area near the stairs leading to the Library. 

Come take a look or remind your child to look in the lost and found. Items not picked up by 3:00 pm on Friday, 3/29/19, will be donated to charity. 

If you have any questions, contact Sandra Kelley at skelley021@gmail.com. 

Ward School on Twitter
 
Did you know that you can follow Ward School on Twitter? If you have an account or plan to make one, follow us: @ward_elementary.

Make Money for Ward When You Shop on Amazon
 
Simply bookmark this new link and click it every time you want to shop on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zp3zZW
Qualifying purchases made through the Amazon.com link above result in a payback range of 4% - 8.5% on total purchases.

But you have to click the link EACH time you go to shop as the cookie expires after 24 hours.

The payout percentage Ward receives on purchases through the Amazon Associates program (using the link above) is much greater than the payout percentage received through the Amazon Smile program.  
 
Questions?  Contact Linda Gillespie.

Community Posts
 

Food Services at Newton Schools
 
On March 28, the the working group who is in charge of hiring the new food services management company for Newton schools will be interviewing representatives from Sodexo and Whitens (the two companies that sent proposals) in order to determine which vendor we will be moving forward with once the current contract with Sodexo expires later this year.
 
While the interview is not open to the public, Matthew Miller, from the School Committee, feels that the parent/student/community voice needs to be heard. As such, they have assembled a form to collect questions.  
 
Please send your questions here.

Ward Community Connections
 
FORJ representatives published and signed on to a March 6, 2019 Newton TAB article, Group Offers Perspective on METCO benefits to Newton. 
 
It provides facts about the METCO program, offers perspective on how the METCO program is beneficial to our children and broader community, and addresses factual errors in an earlier article published in the Newton TAB. Almost every school and every School Committee Member was represented.

Newton School Committee Update
 
The latest updates of the School Committee meetings and events can be found here:

Social Media Discussion and Screening of LIKE
 
Please join us for a viewing of "LIKE" -- a documentary film that explores the impact of social media on our lives followed by a panel discussion with NWH child development experts.
 
Technology is a tool. It's here to stay and social platforms are a place to connect, share and care, but what's really happening? Are children and teens addicted? Are we? What do kids and parents need to know?
 
WHEN: Wednesday May 8th 6:15-8:15pm  
WHERE: Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Shipley Auditorium

This event is FREE and open to the public. To reserve a seat, please register at www.showclix.com/event/like-newton-wellesley-hospital

For more information about the film and/or to watch the trailer: www.thelikemovie.com.

Community News and Advertisements  
 
If you're looking for news about local educational and non-profit events, or services offered by local tutors, merchants, and other service providers, check out the Community Notes page maintained by the Newton PTO Council.  Click here to link to their website, which you can search by category.