ForWard 05.08.22
Upcoming Events
Wednesday May 11, 2022
International Night
Sunday May 22, 2022
Ward FORJ Picnic
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Ward FORJ Discussion Meeting
Monday, June 13, 2022
End of Year Picnic
News
International Night & Fifth Grade Concert - THIS WEEK!
This Wednesday, May 11 - 5:30-7pm, NOW @ the Ward Tennis Courts*
*event will be moved into the gym in case of rain or poor weather conditions. Masks are encouraged if held indoors and additional protocols will be communicated in advance.
Over 20 countries will be represented in this year's International Night! Students will be given a passport to fill up to encourage visiting each country, as well as, the opportunity to do a special trivia-based scavenger hunt. Small prizes will be given to those who complete the scavenger hunt. Midway through the event we will have the gift of song! Mr. Miles and the 5th grade will perform a few songs to keep the party going. Also, the 5th grade class will have a bake sale to raise money for year end activities (please pr. Most host families will provide samples of food or beverages and some may even have little gift items for the kids to take home. Don’t miss this incredible community event!
Teacher Appreciation Week: Thanks to all!
A whole-school effort to show appreciation for our amazing teachers resulted in delicious meals, beautiful flowers, thoughtful cards and mini spa-treatments throughout our school this week. Thanks to all who participated! A special thanks to our leaders: Anita He and Zlatena Simeonova and to generous Ward parent, Dr. Renee Moran and her team at Dr. Renee Moran Medical Aesthetics.
SEPAC Collection for Ward Staff Member
We are all saddened to hear that Cynthia Silverman's husband is facing a health crisis and that Cynthia is taking time to care for him. We would like to send Cynthia and her family a care package with notes from the Ward community letting them know they are very much in our thoughts. If you would like to contribute to the gift/basket please send whatever amount you choose to the information below. Also, if you would like to send any notes or/and checks/cash in lieu of the payment options, please drop them by Susan Tempesta's office where there will be an envelope with Cynthia's name on it. Thank you! Ways to contribute:
Purchase Ward Student-Designed Notecards to Benefit the Newton Food Pantries
Purchase a pack of notecards to support a great cause! We all appreciate having beautiful stationary on hand and these one-of-a-kind fun cards were created by Ward school students with our amazing Art Teacher, Mrs. Corbo-Hudak! Special thanks to Keren Wainger and WardCares for spearheading this meaningful community initiative. Samples will be available for viewing at International Night. Order online now before it is too late: https://www.wardpto.org/notecards
Ordering closes on May 31, 2022. All proceeds will go to Newton’s food pantries.
Ward Garden Day
Our wonderful Garden Committee will be hosting Spring Garden Day on May 19th. All students will have a chance to spend time in the Ward garden and do some spring planting and gathering. Be sure to ask your student(s) about the experience! Huge thanks to Elizabeth Apgar for her Garden leadership over many years and for her time this year transitioning that role to our newest Garden Committee Members Heba Haddad and Helene Perennes. Our garden remains in great hands!
FORJ Picnic
May 22 (Sunday), 12:30 – 3:30 pm: Spring Picnic at Franklin Park Playstead, Pierpont Rd, Boston. Please join us for a spring picnic with music, games, pizza, and dessert. Playstead area is across from the Zoo entrance. Questions? jeannechoe73@gmail.com or elizabethscooper@gmail.com.
FORJ Article Discussion Meeting
Ward FORJ Article Discussion Meeting: The history of tensions — and solidarity — between Black and Asian American communities: How white supremacy tried to divide Black and Asian Americans – and how communities worked to find common ground. You can find this article in Vox: https://www.vox.com/22321234/black-asian-american-tensions-solidarity-history.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/j/98284246141 (phone access: 646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 982 8424 6141)
SEPAC Awards
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is pleased to announce that the annual SEPAC Awards nominations are open from May 2 through Tuesday, May 17. Nominees will be notified virtually again this year. Families will submit nominations using the Google Nomination Form:
https://forms.gle/7c1drqBiKXdGmyJMA
The annual SEPAC Awards are a way to honor Newton Public Schools (NPS) and Out of District (ODD) staff who have gone the extra mile to support our special education students. Nominees span a wide range of staff, including teachers, aides, BTs, therapists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, other support staff, etc. All nominees receive an award. The SEPAC Awards were held in person pre-pandemic, but will be virtual again in 2022.
Community Notes & Announcements
Enriching & Fun Summer Camps for Kids 4-14 at Burr
KidzToPros, an educational enrichment provider, is offering exciting and educational STEM, arts and sports summer camps for students 4-14 at Burr this summer! They’re offering $75 OFF the cost of registration using code DISTRICT75 (valid through 5/31) when you sign up at KidzToPros.com. If you have any further questions regarding camp programs, email KidzToPros directly at contact@kidztopros.com.
Newton Neighbors Diaper Drive
April 30 - May 13: Citywide Diaper Drive
May 14: Diaper Pickup
One in three families struggle to afford diapers, making it even harder for them to buy food and other necessities. Support local families who need diapers! Sizes requested: newborn — 6. Open boxes are welcome, but please put diapers in labeled plastic sleeves or bags.
Donate diapers at:
1. FamilyACCESS of Newton (492 Waltham St, West Newton) Drop off inside the front doors from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm when the building is open. Look for a table with a diaper dropoff sign. NO weekend dropoffs.
2. FUUSN church (1326 Washington St, West Newton) Drop off 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday-Friday. Enter the back door, and turn left. Follow hallway to Children's Chapel (last door on the right before entering Parish Hall).
3. American Legion Nonantum Post 440 (295 California St, Nonantum) Drop off in the main office 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. From the parking lot, enter the glass doors, up the steps, and turn left.
4. Porch dropoff (33 Hamlin Road, Newton Centre) Leave your donation on the front porch.
5. Purchase diapers from our Amazon Wish List. Diapers will be shipped directly to one of our collection points.
Pick up free diapers for your family on May 14, 7:30am - 12:30pm at:
American Legion Nonantum Post 440 (295 California St, Nonantum)
FamilyACCESS of Newton (492 Waltham St, West Newton)
https://www.newtonneighbors.org/
Newton/Needham PMC Kids Ride for Dana Farber
The Ride had been canceled for the last two years but is back this year on Sunday May 22nd and we're hoping to make it a success again. Riders can participate individually or as part of their school team (enter Ward School!). It's a fun and meaningful morning for all. https://kids.pmc.org/newton-needham
Carroll Center for the Blind’s 5K and Walk for Independence
The Carroll Center for the Blind invites members of the Newton community to attend our 10th Annual 5K and Walk for Independence on Saturday, May 14 at the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst, 100 Carlson Ave, Newton. Our organization is dedicated to the blind and low vision community, serving a population of all ages and stages of vision loss. Attendees can participate in a professionally timed 5K (by Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray) or a one-mile walk. Activities will include mingling with New England Patriots players, bounce house, touch-a-truck, cookout, and games for all ages! All funds raised through this event ensure the Carroll Center for the Blind can continue to empower those of all ages and all stages of vision loss to lead independent, fulfilling lives. Register today at www.carroll.org/walk.
See more Community Notes at https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/