ForWard 10.16.22
Upcoming Events
Saturday, October 22
Grade 3 Parent/Guardian Potluck
Thursday, October 27
Ward Fun Run
Saturday, November 5
Grade 5 Parent/Guardian Potluck
Sunday, November 13
Ward Fall Fest
12:30-2:30 (tentative)
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
Ward School ROCKED on Friday morning with an incredible show by Ball in the House…ask your students what songs they loved or moves they learned. A fun time was had by all and opportunities like this are true gifts from YOU - our donors - and our VERY dedicated CAS Team. Special thanks to Emily Josephsohn for getting our CAS events for this year rolling with this great concert.
We also offer a sincere thanks to Kat & Eugene Liao for hosting the 4th grade potluck on Saturday evening. It was a beautiful fall evening and a wonderful get together for the parents/guardians of fourth graders. Next up - third grade parents look forward to a great time next weekend!
And now for a Ward Fun Run UPDATE! What a week - such huge growth!!
As of today at noon:
Highest participation rate - Team Sylvester and Team Kurens are continuing to lead the way - go second grade!
SURPASSING fundraising goal - Teams Colarusso, Hingston
and Beaulieu-Jones….Way to Go!
We are at 77% of our whole-school goal of $8,000 ….can we get there THIS week!?
You can see how our school is doing at the
Ward Fun Run dashboard!
If you haven’t yet registered your child, please take a moment to do so (see registration information below - registration is free). This is a great opportunity to get friends and family involved in fundraising for Ward School. No donation is too small, and we are confident that together we can reach our goal! As a reminder, The Ward PTO generally spends in the range of $200-$250 per student per year. Our projected expenditures for the 2022-2023 year are approximately $60,000 and you can see how we spend our money on our website.
Have a great week!
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
copresidents@wardpto.org
Help reduce food waste and support the Newton Community Freedge - Volunteers Needed
We need your help to deliver food donations to the Newton Community "Freedge" (run by the Newton Food Pantry). Cafeteria food that will expire (or otherwise cannot be saved) needs to be delivered to the Freedge, located at 420 Watertown St. (in the parking lot of Central Drapery and Dry Cleaning).
It is a very easy and a small time commitment to collect the food from Ward and deliver it to the Community Freedge:
- Delivery is outside in a parking lot, is contactless, and takes only a few minutes.
- You can sign up for just one time or commit to one or two days a month.
- The items we donate are needed, appreciated, and are gone in a matter of minutes.
- It is very rewarding to deliver food that will otherwise go in the trash, to those in need.
- Volunteers can pick up the donations anytime after 1:45 pm. Sign up here.
Please contact Maria Sullivan at sullivanma@newton.k12.ma.us with any questions.
Ward SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Introduction
Please note this message was also sent via email on Saturday 10/15 with multiple language translations AND additional attachments.
For parents and guardians of students on or potentially qualifying for IEPs and 504s, we are your Newton SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Ward Representatives. Tabatha is a Grade 3 and Grade 6 out of district placement parent and can be reached at tabflores@gmail.com. Jordyne is a Grade 2 and 4 parent and can be reached at jordyne@gmail.com. We look forward to supporting the Ward community who have or are in consideration of IEPs and 504s. Next steps:
If you are not already a member, join the Google Group for Newton SEPAC families and Facebook group for distribution of info, events Q&A, etc. General email is Info@NewtonSEPAC.org
If you have trouble finding childcare for your children's needs (e.g. to attend adult only community events, etc.), feel free to email us and we can try to help brainstorm some options, including potentially subsidizing costs in partnership w/Ward Cares
Check out and update Newton SEPAC's crowd-sourced list of local accessible sports, activities, and recreation. Many are inclusive (including this Sunday's Newton Athletes Unlimited kids and adults road race) meaning that kids and adults w/disabilities and special education needs participate w/those without.
Email Tabatha and Jordyne for questions, feedback, hopes and dreams to support and cultivate our Ward SEPAC community
Ward Fun Run - Registration and Volunteer Information
We are excited to introduce a new event this year, the Ward FUN Run. With an emphasis on fun, the Ward FUN Run will promote our community in a fun, healthy way while raising funds for Ward School. The event is planned for October 27, during the school day from 9:00-11:30.
What is the Ward FUN Run?
Each grade level will have 30 minutes to run, walk, or skip the ¼ mile route around the Ward baseball fields on 27 October. Teachers will get the fun started with a 10-minute warm up/stretch, and then students will have about 20 minutes to do as many laps as they would like in whatever fashion suits them!
How Do We Participate?
1. REGISTER YOUR CHILD:
Please help support our FUN Run by registering your child here. Once registered you can easily share your child’s donation page via email or social media to solicit donations from relatives and friends. Donations can also be sent by cash/check to the school; checks can be made out to WardPTO. Donations are per child, not per lap. Regardless of donations, all students get to participate in the Fun Run and all students will receive a t-shirt!
2. JOIN US:
We would love to see you on the day of the event to cheer on your child/ren. There are also several volunteer opportunities, including set up, handing out water and snacks, taking photos, guiding students around the course, and helping to clean up! Sign up here.
3. Questions? Contact Penny at ismay@bc.edu
Community Notes & Announcements
Second Annual Newton Halloween Bike ride
Organized by Ward Parent Jon Leib!
SATURDAY OCT 29 at 11am
This is a family friendly bike ride and all ages and levels are welcome. There will be safety marshals, costumes and prizes. This is a low-stress parent-led large group ride. Costumes are strongly encouraged for this 1.5ish mile ride that starts at the Newton Center playground loops Crystal lake and the Highlands. Parents or guardians must stay with their kids during the ride that ends with a costume contest and snacks (provided by parents) at the playground. If you like the idea of kids biking in costumes, this is the event for you!
We will meet at Newton Centre Playground at 11am on Saturday, 10/29. Reach out to Jonathon Leib with any questions: jonleib@gmail.com or RSVP here: https://www.newtonfamiliesbikes.org/home
Upcoming ASA Hoops Offerings
ASA Hoops is offering School Holiday Clinics throughout the Fall for boys and girls ages 7-15 in Newton (9/26, 10/5, 10/10, 11/10. In addition, after-school and Saturday skills training takes place at 1337 Centre St. Since 1997 ASA has been serving the Newton community offering camps, clinics, skills training and AAU basketball. We hope to see you soon: Register at: asahoops.com / Contact: Coachb@asahoops.com
MIT Autism Research Study
MIT is looking for 7-11-year-old children with autism who have strong passions, interests, or hobbies to participate in an MRI research study. Participants will receive up to $100 and a picture of their brain! Sign up here to see if your child is eligible for this study. Feel free to email palstudymit@gmail.com with any questions.
Please follow Community Notes updates at: https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto