ForWard 1.21.24
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, Jan 23
Ward Winter Chorus & Instrumental Concert @ 6:15pm
Tuesday, Feb 6 - Friday, Feb 8
Ward Book Fair
Wednesday, Feb 7 @ 8:30am
PTO/Superintendent/School Committee Meeting
Monday, Feb 19 - Friday, Feb 23
Winter Vacation - No School
Friday, March 1 - 8:30 - 9:15am
Principal Coffee - Learn about ELL Curriculum
Saturday, May 4
Spring Mystery Dinner
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
We know the uncertainty surrounding the Teacher's Strike has been very difficult. We commiserate with you and wish we had more clarity and answers. At this time, we do not have any more information than what has already been shared by NPS, School Committee, and the Mayor.
However, we did want to share with you an open letter drafted by the PTOC with input from all the PTO Presidents and VPs on Friday. There were many opinions going around to say the least, but all were in agreement to send a strong message to Mayor Fuller to fully fund Newton Public Schools so that all parties can bargain in good faith. Please find the letter here and the Mayor’s response here.
The letter was sent Mayor Fuller as well as the following people:
The City Council
The School Committee
Superintendent Anna Nolin
Members of the Press
Meanwhile, we are compiling a list of community childcare resources and here is the link for anyone in need of childcare. If we come across any additional information or resources we will keep you posted.
Rashi & Bryan
Ward PTO Co-Presidents
Ward Winter Chorus & Instrumental Concert
Ward Book Fair is Back - Setup your eWallets now!
Thanks to all of you who have already signed up to be book fair volunteers! We are still looking for additional volunteers at certain times. See the sign-up sheet here. Please note that the book fair dates are Feb 6-8 in the Ward Library.
You can now open an eWallet for your student! Further instructions are available here. As mentioned in a previous email, the eWallet is a digital account that can be used by your student for book fair purchases. If you’d prefer to send your child with cash, that works too! If you need assistance setting up your eWallet, contact Marisa (morrison.marisa@gmail.com) or Rashi (rashi@wardpto.org).
Lost and Found - Important Message
We are still looking for a parent volunteer to manage the lost and found items in the school. This would be someone who either puts the items on display (or via e-board photos) and then collects, washes, and donates the unclaimed clothing at natural breaks like the upcoming school vacation. Please reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org if you are interested in helping out!
Spring Mystery Dinner
Save the date for the Ward mystery dinner! This is an adults only event and the most fun you’ll ever have as an elementary school parent/caregiver! If you are interested in hosting appetizers, a dinner or dessert please let us know. Appetizers and dessert are 75-125 ppl. Dinners are 8-15 people. This event is made possible by the generosity of our hosts! It’s a wonderful way to meet and get to know our Ward community. Sign up to host! Questions? Emily Derr (emilyjderr@gmail.com) or Betsy Blazar (betsyblazar@gmail.com)
Community Notes & Announcements
Newton Community Education Programs
Newton Community Education offers enriching and affordable programs for grades K-12. Explore our offerings for grades K-5 and register here!
NEWTON NEIGHBORS IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Want to help your neighbors but unable to commit to long term programs? Come and help out with some of the programs run by Newton Neighbors. Sign up for a day a month or multiple days a week, whatever fits your schedule! Involve your kids too!
Call for Volunteers: Food Pantry Delivery: We are looking for volunteers who can help deliver groceries from our local food pantries to our neighbors who are unable to get to the pantries on their own.
We especially need drivers for our TUESDAY deliveries from Centre Street Food Pantry.
Our schedule is:
Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry. Pickup at either 12 or 12:15 before the pantry opens to the public.
Wednesdays from Newton Food Pantry. Scheduled pickups between 12:15 - 2:45.
It usually takes about an hour of your time and makes a big difference to so many in our community! Sign up here for January.
Call for Volunteers: Newton Community Freedge
Newton Neighbors continues to support the Freedge, Newton Food Pantry’s community refrigerator and pantry initiative. Located in the parking lot of Central Cleaners at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, the Freedge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers free food and personal-care items to anyone in need. Newton Neighbors oversees volunteers on Thursdays and has volunteer opportunities throughout the day. Activities include picking up food from business partners and bringing it to the Freedge, shopping for items, and cleaning and maintaining the Freedge. Our link for January signups is here.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto