ForWard 11.27.22
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 25, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Ward Annual Fund Drive
Saturday, December 3
SEPAC Playground Event
Monday, December 5 at 7pm
PTO General Meeting In-Person with Principal Brogadir
Monday, January 9, 2023
Ward Night at the Celtics
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
We hope you had an enjoyable long holiday weekend. We are excited for the fun that comes in the final few weeks of 2022 at Ward!
If you have not already done so, we ask you to please take a moment to read our Annual Fund Appeal Letter that was sent out on Friday. Tis the season of MANY emails and we are grateful if you don’t let this one fall to the bottom of your inbox. Also - it is the season of giving and MANY companies are matching gifts on Giving Tuesday - please consider timing your gift to Ward with any incentives your company may be offering. Thank you for your continued support!
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
copresidents@wardpto.org
PTO General Meeting
Please join us Monday, December 5th at 7PM in Ward School Library for an in-person meeting with Principal Brogadir and the PTO Board. The jam-packed agenda includes, and is not limited to: “State of the School” (academic, facility, otherwise); Ward-Underwood Task Force Updates; Override-impacts at Ward; Reinstating of School Council; a preview of spring events and more! We look forward to seeing you!
School Council - Seeking Candidates
Are you looking to make an impact on important school decisions impacting your child(ren)? Now is your chance! Mandated by state law, the School Council serves as an advisory board to the principal. Members include the principal, 2 teachers and 2 parent representatives, and a community member. School Council provides a forum to discuss and advise the principal on issues that arise throughout the year, including programmatic matters; the school improvement plan; safety and building maintenance issues; and other relevant topics. Meetings will be held in January, March and May 2023 and, moving forward, approximately 4 times per year.
The Ward School Council is a separate entity from the PTO. School Council focuses on programmatic, operational, and budgetary issues, while the PTO provides social and community support and curriculum enhancement activities. The PTO administers the School Council election each year.
Parents/guardians are elected for 2 or 3-year terms to School Council. If you would like to be a candidate for School Council beginning in January 2023, please write a short description of your background, why you are interested in the position, and how you would make a difference to Ward. Candidate statements should be e-mailed to brogadirr@newton.k12.ma.us and are due by Friday, December 16. The School Council election will be held the following week and will be conducted through an on-line survey.
If you are considering running for School Council and have questions, please talk with Caitlin Cusick (prior council member) or Becca Brogadir for further information.
FREEDGE Volunteers
The Ward efforts to support the Newton FREEDGE continue. Thank you to our “regular” drivers - we could not do this without you! The PTO and Ward Staff have some open slots next week and many in December. Just a friendly reminder to sign up when you are able. (Sign up here .)
Many thanks,
Maria Sullivan
Lost and Found - Please help!
Thanks to a helpful staff member and a productive sweep of the playground - the FULL Lost and Found is now on display in the school lobby. Please come by and claim your items ASAP (or encourage your student(s) to check). Items left behind will be donated before the December break.
‘Tis the Season of Giving
This is such a fun time of year to recognize our teachers and staff. Be on the lookout for emails from your room parents coordinating whole class gifts. As a reminder, the NPS Gift Giving Policy states that:
1. Gifts of commercial value must be presented from the entire class/no individual gifts
2. Gifts may not exceed a value of $150/year
3. Individual gifts in the form of sentimental tokens are allowed
4. This policy does not include gifts for the classroom (if interested in further regulation on gifts for the classroom, please see the NPS Equity Policy).
Save the Date: Joint SEPAC Event
The SEPACs (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) of Ward, Underwood, Lincoln-Eliot and Cabot Elementary Schools are hosting a playground meetup (all are welcome, not just families of students with special education needs) on Saturday, 12/03 2-4p outside at Cabot Elementary School Playground. We will provide refreshments and are working on some activities with accessibility and inclusivity in mind. If you have particular accessibility and inclusivity needs, considerations or ideas to make the event awesome, feel free to leave in the Public Comment of your RSVP or email jordyne@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F49AEA723A7F58-ward1
A Quick Note for Your Spring Calendar
The Ward School Mystery Dinner will be April 29, 2023 - more info soon!
The Ward School Art Show will be May 4, 2023.
Dark Walks Home
We have all noticed that our after school pick-ups feel very different this week after Day-light Savings. Do you travel on the back path towards Woodchester Drive? We need your help! The Newton 311 system REALLY works and is the best way to get action on issues of concern. Can you support our grassroots effort to get lighting on this path? Download the Newton 311 App or Call 311 from a Newton landline and ask for lighting to keep all of our students and families safe this winter!
Community Notes & Announcements
Mayor Fuller’s Holiday Mini Golf Hole in Fun
On Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4 City Hall is being transformed into an 18-hole mini golf course complete with greens and holes winding through the secret staircase in the Mayor’s Office, City Council Chambers, and War Memorial. This event benefits the Holiday Gift Drive sponsored by The Village Bank in collaboration with the City of Newton Department of Health and Human Services and the Newton Rotary. Families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. Groups of up to ten can sign up.
Admission Fee:
A new and unwrapped gift(s) is your entry to play a round of mini golf. Gifts should be for children ages newborn to 10 and may include age-appropriate toys, games, electronics, and sporting goods. We welcome the community, and the generosity is appreciated in bringing gifts and holiday cheer to local families. In addition to a new and unwrapped gift, you are encouraged to give a gift card to a local grocery store or non-perishable items.
https://www.newtonma.gov/government/mayor-fuller/holiday-mini-golf
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto