ForWard 09.11.22
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 15
Curriculum Night at Ward
Tuesday, September 20
Fall PTO Meeting, on Zoom at 7:30pm
Weds, September 21
Grade 1 Parent/Guardian Potluck (look for e-vite coming soon)
Thursday, September 22
Last day to purchase fall spirit wear!
Picture Day!
Saturday, October 1
Grade 2 Parent/Guardian Potluck
(note date change!!)
See all events on our Calendar
News
A Note from the Co-Presidents
Congrats! We all made it through week one. Many thanks to our amazing Back to School Picnic organizer Zlatena Simeonova for getting the year started right! We hope you all enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
As you settle into September, please consider how you plan to support the PTO this year. We are actively seeking room parents for all classes except 2K, 3MBJ, and 5. Each classroom needs 1-2 volunteers. We are also still looking for potluck hosts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Have an interest that we have not suggested? Reach out - the PTO belongs to all of us and we love new ideas and new volunteers!
Have a great week,
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
copresidents@wardpto.org
Call for Room Parents
We are seeking 1-2 parents per class to serve as “Room Parents”. Here is a glimpse at some of the responsibilities of a room parent:
Serve as a liaison between the classroom teacher and the parent/guardian community to coordinate classroom events, volunteers, supplies, teacher appreciation, gifts and more.
Serve as liaison between the PTO leadership and your classroom community by helping to solicit volunteers (example field trips, grade level potlucks, grade level programming such as Creative Arts and Sciences, etc), encouraging participation in events/meetings and representing your class to the PTO.
And more! You will have regular communication with the PTO Board to support overall efforts to build community amongst your class and grade level.
Questions? Please email copresidents@wardpto.org
Interested? Please sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/roomparents2223
All New Ward Spirit Wear
Plan early for upcoming spirit days and to rock Ward school spirit every day you choose! All new options available now thru September 22, 2022 so don’t delay! Spirit wear sales will reopen before winter holidays.
Call for Grade-level Potluck Hosts
One of our favorite fall traditions at Ward are the grade-level (adult only!) potlucks. Are you interested in hosting a grade level this fall? The hosting is simple….provide a space and some paper goods and send an invite and your guests do the rest! We will guide you through it all! Last fall many enjoyed beautiful events outdoors so we encourage hosts to set a date SOON to enjoy the September weather. Please email us at copresidents@wardpto.org if you would like to learn more and/or if you are ready to sign up! Each grade level needs a host (any evening of the week is fine) and the dates cannot overlap so first come-first served on date selection!
Ward Directory
Whether you are a new or returning family - please be sure your information is current in our directory! Remember this quickly becomes the key to all playdates, birthday parties and more - you don’t want to miss out! This directory is a must for family access to class lists so please be sure your child(ren) is/are listed. It just takes a minute!
FREEDGE Volunteers Needed
Last year the Ward PTO Freedge volunteers had tremendous success delivering unused food from our school lunch program to the Freedge located on Watertown St. in Newton. Please consider volunteering with this awesome program, which this year will consist of packaging, labeling and delivering the food to the Freedge on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons after 1:30. As we did last year, 5th grade students will be invited to assist after their lunch, truly making this a community effort. To volunteer, contact Maria Sullivan, 5th grade assistant, sullivanma@newton.k12.ma.us
New PTO Calendar - Subscribe now!
Our survey last spring indicated a strong interest in better calendar functionality for the PTO. Please subscribe to our calendar for the year ahead and sync to your own google calendar and/or phone.
Construction Impacts on Getting To/From Ward
Our Safe Routes to School Team has been working hard to advocate for students/families commuting to and from Ward. With detours crossing pedestrian paths we ask all families to talk with students about increased pedestrian awareness and safety. Lines will be painted in the week ahead that should help signal the rights of pedestrians but this work is not ending soon so while we all practice patience please also reach out to Newton Police (below) or to our dedicated SRTS Rep, Keren Wainger at keren.wainger@gmail.com if you have any questions or suggestions.
Ward families are encouraged to call the Newton Police Department with any safety concerns: 617-796-2100.
Community Notes & Announcements
Newton’s Community Table tickets now on sale!
The Newton Food Pantry is thrilled to host Newton’s Community Table — a unique event where guests can experience the tastes of some of Newton’s best restaurants, while also giving back to their community. Join us on September 22nd for great food, live music, a silent auction and our famous mystery boxes! All proceeds benefit the Newton Food Pantry.
Thursday, September 22nd, 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Windsor Club, 1601 Beacon Street, Waban
$125 per person
https://newtonfoodpantry.org/about-us/newtons-community-table
Please follow Community Notes updates at: https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto