ForWard 05.22.22
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 5, 2022
TENTATIVE New date for FORJ Picnic
Wednesday June 8, 2022
COLOR DAY!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2022
End of Year Picnic
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
Thanks to all the volunteers that have committed to roles for next year. We are so inspired! It is not too late- we hope that you will consider adopting a PTO role that inspires you for the school year ahead. We can promise, from experience, that the rewards of serving Ward far outweigh the personal sacrifices in time! We ask that everyone CHOOSE ONE FOR WARD and we have included a sign up with more details below.
Please email copresidents@wardpto.org to set up a time to discuss any positions further. While we have many opportunities, this week we would like to feature two open positions:
Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS): This is an opportunity to influence your child(ren)’s learning and experiences at Ward! The largest spend in the PTO Budget goes towards our Creative Arts and Sciences Programing and we believe it can continue to be better and better each year. We have adapted this large role into a committee set-up and we are actively seeking a chair (attend district wide meetings and oversee collaboration at Ward) and 3 representatives (each to collaborate with teachers and plan for 2 grades).
Community Picnics: Who doesn’t love the Fall and Spring Community Picnics? Planning for these is actually a light lift (maximum 3 hours on your own schedule for each event) and then a few hours of execution which includes attending the event with your family. You can choose friends to work with (even more fun!) and even have a say in setting the date/menu/activities.
SIGN UP HERE! CHOOSE ONE FOR WARD!
For those that are interested, here are the slides from our spring PTO meeting that include some aspects of future planning.
Ward Color Day 2022
Ward Color Day is finally back for June 8th (with a rain date of June 15) and we need your help. To help the day run smoothly, we are looking for 15 volunteers for each time slot. Duties of a volunteer include running the water tent, managing a station for classes, helping with popsicle distribution at the conclusion, and of course, participating in the opening ceremony water balloon toss!
As you sign up below, PLEASE SPECIFY IN COMMENTS IF YOU CAN ALSO COME THE RAIN DATE OF 6/15!! It’s important we get volunteers for both dates to be prepared. You can sign up for one or both time slots from 8:30-10:30 and/or 10:30 - 12:10. If you have any questions please reach out to your color day coordinators: Matt Cusick, Duke Duchnowski, Tetsu Inada and Jeremy Fried via the copresidents@wardpto.org email address. Thank you again and we are so excited to have a great day!
If you haven’t updated your CORI form in the last 3 years you can do so here: CORI form
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 stationery 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. Order online now before it is too late! Ordering closes on May 31, 2022. All proceeds will go to Newton’s food pantries.
FORJ Picnic
June 5th, location and time to be announced shortly! In the meantime, please save the date! Questions? jeannechoe73@gmail.com or elizabethscooper@gmail.com.
Community Notes & Announcements
Panel Discussion: Asian Americans in Newton
Our neighbors from China, India and Korea represent three prominent Asian American groups in Newton. Join us for a panel discussion as we explore and honor these cultures in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Asian Americans in Newton: Reflection and Reimagination on Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. Panelists will reflect on the impact of current events on the Asian American community, the successes, and challenges of adjusting to life in a new country, and how we can all come together in solidarity. Participants include: Rakashi Chand (Massachusetts Historical Society), Anping Shen (Newton School Committee), Hyeouk “Chris” Hahm (Professor, B.U. School of Social Work), Lisong Liu (Professor and Moderator), and Newton student Shiv Sawhney.
Discussion on the complex dimensions of antisemitism
Temple Beth Avodah and Newton’s Human Rights Commission are considering the complex dimensions of antisemitism. Join Rabbi Ron Fish from the ADL, David Rhodes from Facing History and Ourselves, and Brady Epstein, a senior at Newton South High School. They will delve into the status of antisemitism in greater Boston and what we can do. Come on Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton.
ASA Basketball Camps
ASA Hoops is back in Newton for its 26th consecutive summer. In 1997 ASA started at the Cabot School court as a small program for Newton Parks and Recreation, it has expanded to 60 + basketball camps throughout MA and NH. Our Newton location is held at the Brown Middle School in Newton: boys and girls ages 7-16.
For more information visit: asahoops.com/camps or contact Coachb@asahoops.com
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.
See more Community Notes at https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/