ForWard 01.08.23
Upcoming Events
Now - Jan 31, 2023
Ward Annual Fund Drive
Monday, January 9, 2023
Ward Night at the Celtics
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Ward Winter Concert
Friday, February 3, 2023, 8:30 A.M.
PTO Meeting with Interim Superintendent Smith
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
Happy New Year! Welcome back to school and we hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. It is not too late to contribute to our Annual Fund Drive - we will be keeping it open until January 31st. We are hoping to hit our goal to raise $20,000, and as of today we are a bit over half way there. We appreciate your support as we look forward to an exciting spring of events and improvements at Ward! The Gaga Pit is FINALLY getting installed at the first sign of spring; a few new picnic tables are in the works; the Art Show, Mystery Dinner, and Spring Picnic will be here before we know it; and SO many CAS events at each grade level are yet to come. Your continued support of the PTO truly makes all of these things possible - thank you!
Have a great week,
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
copresidents@wardpto.org
Warm Thanks for Holiday Giving
Our teachers and staff have expressed sincere gratitude to all Ward Families for gifts received during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who supported our school-wide effort to honor ALL staff members with a holiday gift this year. The Ward School Fleece Vests were well-received and are being spotted on staff members all the time now! A special thank you to room parents who supported the collection for these gifts and to our truly amazing and dedicated Teacher Appreciation Team - Melissa Prokop and Kathy Shields.
School Council Update
Thank you to all who supported our search for parent representatives to the school council via inquiry, application and voting! Congratulations to Keren Wainger and Emily Lindendoll who will serve as parent representatives for the current term. We thank Keren and Emily for serving our community and for being so generous with their time and talents.
Lost and Found - 3 Important Messages!
First, we are asking all families to look around their homes, mud rooms, garages, car trunks, etc for items that may not belong to them. We’ve had a few inquiries about missing winter coats (brrrrr!!!!), so if you find something that doesn’t look familiar, please send it to school with your child ASAP!
Second, all existing lost and found items (from before break) will be donated by Jan 15th. Check our Instagram post for items that may belong to you!
Third, we noticed while going through the lost and found before break that very few items of clothing were labeled. Items that are labeled have a much higher chance of being reunited with their owners. Please label your child’s jackets and hoodies especially!!
FREEDGE Volunteers
The Ward efforts to support the Newton FREEDGE continue. Thank you to our “regular” drivers - we could not do this without you! Just a friendly reminder to sign up when you are able. (Sign up here.)
Many thanks,
Maria Sullivan
Community Notes & Announcements
Art Class at Ward! Through NCE, starting soon!!
Newton Community Education is pleased to offer Young Artist Studio for students in grades K-5 beginning Friday, January 20. This class will be held at Ward Elementary School from 3-4pm. This colorful class allows elementary school artists to experience all types of arts and mediums. Ms. Izzy and the Kidcasso team of art educators will explore 2D and 3D art practices, along with a variety of fine arts techniques and styles. Each student will create one-of-a-kind works of art while using acrylic paints, pastels, pencils, inks, plaster, wire and collage. Ms. Izzy is looking forward to seeing art, creating art, and loving art with all students!
The cost of this class is $250 for 6 classes. To register visit: https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=19149
Newton Youth Lacrosse (Boys)
Learn to play North America’s oldest team sport and the fastest game on two feet! Newton Youth Lacrosse 2023 season registration is now open for boys in 1st through 8th grades, and beginners of any age are welcome!
NYL is dedicated to providing Newton boys and their families with a community-based developmental lacrosse program. Boys will have an opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse while being placed on evenly balanced teams to play against neighboring towns – we focus on equal playing time for all, and emphasize learning, mentorship, sportsmanship, and above all, fun! We welcome NEW players at any age or grade. Financial aid is available for qualifying families.
Practices start in March and end in June, and games are played on Sundays starting in April. Learn more about the program here: http://newtonyouthlacrosse.com and register at http://newtonyouthlacrosse.com/registration. Please contact Jason Boggs with any questions about the program or to be connected with a current NYL parent: jboggs15@gmail.com
Newton Girls Lacrosse
Newton Girls Lacrosse : registration deadline extended to Wednesday January 11th for grades 3-8 & March 4th for grades 1-2
We are excited to finalize registrations for Spring '23 for grades 3-8 and continue to build upon our current grades 1-2 registrations. If you haven't registered yet, head to our website and click the "Register Online" link in the left side menu and get the process started. www.newtongirlslacrosse.com
A Visit to the Allen Homestead for Children and Families
This visit invites children and their families to travel 150 years back in time to imagine what it would have been like to live and learn at the Allen home and this historic school.
This historic house was once the home of Nathaniel Allen, founder of The West Newton English and Classical School. Nathaniel Allen was a progressive educator who provided equal opportunities for girls and boys in racially mixed classrooms even before the Civil War. His curriculum was innovative, and students from all over the world came to attend his school.
Guests will explore the parlor, a classroom, and even the bowling alley as we learn about the family, the students, the school, and the unique curriculum. Our visit will finish in the barn, where you will have the opportunity to try some of the games and activities that children enjoyed at this time.
We hope you can join us to learn about the history of this newly renovated Newton treasure. Each visit will run approximately one hour. Free event, 3rd grade and up, registration required.
Dates: Sunday, December 11 3:00-4:00 PM
Thursday, December 15 4:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, January 22 3:00-4:00 PM
Thursday, January 26 4:00-5:00 PM Please register here
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto