ForWard 01.22.23
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 23, 2023
Newton School Committee Override Budget Presentations
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Ward Day at Hummus v’Hummus
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Ward Winter Concert
Tuesday January 31, 2023
Last Call for Annual Fund Contributions
Weds, February 1, 2023
Fifth Grade Valentine Fundraiser Launch
Weds, February 1, 2023
Winter Walk and Roll to School Day
Friday, February 3, 2023, 8:30 A.M.
PTO Meeting with Interim Superintendent Smith
See all events on our Calendar
News
How Will the Override Impact Newton Public Schools?
Interested in knowing how the general override that voters will decide on March 14 will impact the Newton Public Schools? Interim School Superintendent Kathy Smith and her team are now preparing two budgets to present to the School Committee on Monday, Jan. 23. One will show the impact of providing the $4.5 million that will be available to NPS if the override passes, and the other will show the impact to the Newton Public Schools if the override fails.
Watch the Jan. 23 meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/390017072. School Committee meetings are broadcast live on NewTV at the time of the meeting and can be found on the following channels according to your cable provider: Comcast - Ch.9, RCN - Ch.13, Verizon - Ch. 33
Then, bring all of your questions to our Feb. 3rd meeting with Superintendent Smith at Ward School. We will meet at 8:30am.
Annual Fund Last Call
Last call for this year’s Annual Fund Drive as we will close it on January 31st. We are grateful to all who have contributed as they are able. We are at about half of what we raised last year and we hope that you may feel inspired to give as you look forward to an exciting spring at Ward: the Gaga Pit is FINALLY getting installed; 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!
Ward School Day at Hummus V’Hummus
We are thrilled to welcome this new restaurant to the neighborhood and to celebrate - we will have a Ward School DAY at Hummus V’Hummus in Chestnut Hill on Thursday, January 26th from 11AM - 9PM. Hummus V’Hummus will donate 30% of ALL PROCEEDS ALL DAY (includes take out and web orders via Toast) to Ward School PTO that day and the menu is so good we think there could be reason to go for lunch AND dinner (and maybe some take out for the next day too!). Feel free to spread the word with your friends and neighbors. Plan your night off of cooking now!
Ward Night at the Red Sox: Save the Date
We have reserved a large block of tickets for the Red Sox against the Cincinnati Reds at Fenway Park on Thursday, June 1 at 7:10. We will send out a link to purchase tickets later this month, and you will have one week to go on and buy your tickets before prices go up. Plan now so you can act quickly. If you want to sit with another Ward family - please collaborate on buying tickets as we will not have control of seat assignment. Go Ward and Go Sox!
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
Call to artists in grades 2-8 : Safe Routes To School's annual Yard Sign Contest is underway.
Students are invited to create a message to encourage drivers to slow down near schools. Four winners will be selected from entries throughout the state and the yard signs will be available for all Massachusetts schools to place in their communities. See link for Guidelines and Eligibility Requirements.
Winter Walk, Roll and Ride to School Day is February 1st.
In preparation, Newton parents and caregivers - what is it that keeps you or your children from walking or biking safely to your destination? Be part of the solution and alert the City of Newton via Newton 311 and/or your Safe Routes to School Representative, Keren Wainger (keren.wainger@gmail.com).
Potholes, sidewalk repairs, traffic signals not working, faded or missing crosswalks, shrubs overtaking the sidewalk…snap a photo, note the location, and submit to Newton 311.
Make Newton safer for everyone!
https://www.facebook.com/NewtonSafeRoutes
Earn Cash for Ward; Boxtops for Education is New & Improved!
Looking for another way to earn money for Ward? BoxTops for Education is new and improved and an easy way to earn money for Ward on your everyday purchases. No more clipping and collecting the Boxtops from eligible grocery store products and then turning them into your school. Now you simply download the BoxTops App, set up your account to benefit Ward, and if you purchase eligible products that have the Boxtops proof of purchase, take pictures of your receipt via the app (BoxTops also accepts digital receipts). In a few seconds the app will add up your eligible purchases and turn it into cash for Ward (and sometimes bonuses depending on the store and time of year!). It’s an easy and quick way to turn your everyday purchases into money to benefit Ward! Learn more here: https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/how-to-earn
Community Notes & Announcements
Belmont World Film 20th Family Festival: Where Stories Come Alive!
https://bwffamilyfest2023.eventive.org/welcome
Saturday, January 21: Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington
January 20-22: Online
Travel the world with your children as Belmont World Film's 20th Family Festival continues in person at the Regent Theatre in Arlington on Saturday, January 21. Most of the films are also available for streaming online from Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22.
The festival features some of the most interesting and fun international films (the majority based on children's books) for children age 3-12, including the world premiere of Mo Willems's The Pigeon Will Ride the Rollercoaster and a screening of Last Film Show, on the short list for an Oscar nomination! Other films include Julia Donaldson’s (The Gruffalo) The Smeds and the Smoos (with the voices of double Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins and Adjoa Andoh of Bridgerton), Oink (The Netherlands), The School of Magical Animals 2 (Germany), The Path (Germany), The Websters (Czech Republic), Icarus and the Minotaur (France), How I Learned to Fly (Serbia) and Lucy Wanted (Germany), plus a selection of short film programs from Scholastic/Weston Woods based on picture books, including their newest never-before seen films, films about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contemporaries, and films based on Mo Willems books.
This year’s festival features stories about everything from a sassy young boy becoming captivated by movies in a village in India o a not-so-sassy girl who wants to save her parents ice cream parlor by hatching a crazy plan. All in-person screenings featuring films with subtitles will have the subtitles read aloud through headphones!
Contact info@belmontworldfilm.org or call 617-484-3980 for more information.
Free Public Speaking & Debate After-School Workshop!
Sign up for a free Public Speaking and Debate Workshop on February 9, 12, 13 (Online), hosted by Lumos Debate! Your child will love Lumos's friendly instructors and fun activities as they learn about: Speaking Confidence, Impromptu Speaking, Debate Fundamentals, Argumentation and Reasoning
Lumos After-School Online Workshop (FREE)
Ages: 8-14 years old
Locations: Online, 1-hour workshop
Dates: Choose from Feb 9, 12, or 13
Registration: lumosdebate.com/workshop
This workshop is free for all Ward students. Please make sure to use code WARD when you register to get an 100% discount. Please do not share this code with families that are not from Ward. Email info@lumosdebate.com or call 781-474-3359 with any questions. Register now at: lumosdebate.com/workshop
City of Newton Camp and Summer Program Fair
City of Newton Camp and Summer Program Fair is being held Sunday, January 29th from 12:00 – 3:00 at Newton North High School in the cafeteria. See what programs are being offered by the City of Newton this summer. Drop in anytime between 12:00 – 3:00 to talk with representatives from Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture, Newton Public Schools including Newton Community Education and Newton’s S.P.A.C.E. Camp, Heath and Human Services, and Historic Newton to learn about summer camps, summer programs, and summer resources that are offered for kids, teens and families this summer. Information on scholarships, summer jobs, and mental health resources will also be available. Contact Channon Ames at cames@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1529 for more information
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto