ForWard 10.08.23
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 9
No School - Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 10
Fall PTO Meeting
Friday, October 13
Grade 4 Parent / Guardian Potluck
Wednesday, October 18
Grade 2 Parent / Guardian Potluck
Sunday, October 22
Ward Fall Spooktacular
12:30-2:30
Friday, October 27
Ward Fun Run
Saturday, Nov 4
Grade 3 Parent / Guardian Potluck
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
It was great seeing so many of you at Curriculum Night on Thursday. A big thank you to Mrs. Brogadir and the impressive team of Ward teachers and staff who welcomed us into the school and classrooms, making it clear that we are in for a great year at Ward! The presentation can be viewed here: Principal/PTO Back To School Night 2023 Slideshow.
Thank you to Charlene Gillespie and Brian Hillburn for their wonderful hospitality showing fifth grade parents a great time on Friday night!
And now for a Ward Fun Run UPDATE! As of today:
Highest participation rate - Team Kaplan at 55%!
Closest to fundraising goal - Team Beaulieu Jones at 72%!
As a school, we are at 45% of our goal of $8,000
with 19 days left to go! Can we hit it? Can we surpass it?
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). 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!
Have a great week,
Rashi Khanna & Bryan Saltzburg
Ward PTO Co-Presidents 2023-24
Fall PTO Meeting
We hope that you can join us in the Ward library on October 10th at 7pm for our first PTO General Meeting of the school year: ALL are welcome! We will take a look back at the success of the 22-23 school year and share some exciting glimpses of what we have in store for 2023-24! We will be seeking input and comments and will open the discussion to any and all questions that may be on your mind as we all settle into the new year. If you have something specific you would like to discuss at the meeting, please email us at copresidents@wardpto.org
Announcing the Ward School Fall ‘Spooktacular’!
An event you do not want to miss! Join us at the Ward School playground on October 22nd from 12:30-2:30 PM for a Halloween themed Fall Festival. This event will be fun for the whole family and is open to the entire Ward community! Feel free to dress up in Halloween costumes if you wish!
We are grateful for all you do and look forward to spending the afternoon together celebrating our school. Planners and volunteers are needed to help with the various craft and activity stations. Please sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BAEA72EA5FFC70-44710278-ward. Questions? Kerry at kreynolds7@partners.org
Newton Safe Routes to School - RRFB “How To” Update
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) also known as Flashing yellow lights are now operational at 21 new locations in Newton including 3 near Ward School at Waverly and Lorna, Commonwealth and Manet and Commonwealth and Irving. It just became a whole lot safer to walk,bike or roll to school.
Please remind your students to ALWAYS push the button to activate the yellow flashing lights and to WAIT until drivers stop before stepping out into the crosswalk. Eye contact and a wave are best! www.newtonsaferoutes.org/RRFB
Ward FUN Run
The FUN Run is a fundraiser that culminates in an all-school run/walk/skip around Ward field on the morning of 27 October to promote our community in a fun, healthy way while raising funds for Ward School. It is not a race and there is no set distance, just 30 minutes to move on the field. The kids decide what their goal is. Three grades will run at the same time; the other three grades will cheer them on.
Schedule
8:45 – 9:15 Grades 3-5
9:15 – 9:45 Grades K-2
How Do We Participate?
There are two ways to participate.
1. REGISTER YOUR CHILD: Please help support our FUN Run by registering your child. Last year we raised over $10,000. We are shooting for $8000 this year.
NOTE: If you registered your child last year, just go here, login with your credentials, and click the green “add to event” button. If you did not register your child last year, you can do that here. Once registered you can easily share your child’s donation page 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 and a sticker!
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. Sign up here.
Questions? Contact Penny Ismay Bea’s Mom (3MBJ) at ismay@bc.edu or Lexi Lee Sullivan, Bobby (5G), Jojo (3MBJ), and Aug’s (KM) mom lexilee180@gmail.com.
Community Notes & Announcements
3rd Annual Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023 11 AM–5 PM ET @ Albemarle Field, Newton MA.
Celebrate & amplify Indigenous peoples & voices. All are welcome to this free, family-friendly, Indigenous-led, volunteer-run event to enjoy great music, check out cultural dances & presentations, meet local Indigenous vendors & non-profits, & eat delicious food.
Newton North Field Hockey Fundraiser
Looking for a night out? The Newton North Field Hockey program is hosting a "Parents Night Out" FUNdraiser! On October 14th and 21st from 6:00-8:00 pm, parents can drop off their kids at Newton North to be babysat by the field hockey program! There will be sports, tag games, arts and crafts and other activities.
For more information, please complete this form for October 14th: https://forms.gle/xQHUvQHDVuXzW9cS6
Complete this form for October 21st: https://forms.gle/YimDozJYMcHzEa1i8
Please spread the word and reach out if you have any questions (baugherl@newton.k12.ma.us). Thank you for your support. Go Tigers!
ActiveMinds Tutoring
ActiveMinds Tutoring is the pick of the patch! Fall into the swing of the school year with tutors who care. 17 years providing tutoring for all academic subjects, studying skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT). Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about our personalized plans with experienced tutors. 617.227.2225 | learnmore@activemindstutoring.com | http://www.activemindstutoring.com/
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto