ForWard 02.13.22
Upcoming Events
Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Valentine cookie pickup at Ward Field (or sent home with after school students)
Tues, Feb 15, 2022
Last Call for Lost & Found Items Before Donation Day
Thurs, Feb 17, 2022
Winter PTO Meeting with Dr. Fleishman and School Committee Members
News
From the Co-Presidents
While winter is a hard time to gather as a community (especially during a global pandemic!), we have felt the strong presence of our community in so many different ways throughout January and February. Thanks to donors of supplies and books; thanks to volunteers for safety training and shoveling; thanks to participants in various zoom meetings for ELPAC and FORJ; thanks to organizers and participants in the Valentine’s fundraiser; and thanks to everyone for always putting our community first when it comes to health, safety and kindness!
Looking ahead….please join us on zoom this week for our winter PTO meeting with Dr. Fleishman and Mrs. Brogadir and Newton School Committee Members. Have your questions ready! We will not have a ForWard next weekend and we wish everyone a restful February break because when we come back a busy spring will be right around the corner. Watch for details (and requests for help!) on our Teacher Experience Raffles; a Springtime Mystery Dinner; International Night; Art Show 2022; End of Year Picnic and MORE!
Blue Zone - Tip of the Week!
Blue zone students are some of the last students to exit the school. Start paying attention to the time your child(ren) make(s) it to your car - perhaps it’s a class that tends to be late or tends to be early - and plan your Blue Zone arrival accordingly! If you are sitting in the Blue Zone early but your child is late - you are causing traffic and back ups. Ideal Blue Zone arrival time is AFTER 2:50. If you like to come earlier - consider the park and walk approach. Your car will still be handy for a quick exit but you can wait for your children without causing a backup of Blue Zone traffic. Added perk - you can read the PTO calendar while you wait (posted in front of the main stairs) or chat with other parents and get to know more community members!
NPS COVID Testing Policies Change - Sign Up Required
A reminder that NPS has adjusted testing protocols and sign up is required! This new weekly at-home rapid antigen test is for ALL students PreK-12+ (vaccinated and unvaccinated.) All families need to “opt-in” to this new testing program. The previous consent form will not apply. Access the Opt-in form through your Aspen parent/guardian account. https://aspen.newton.k12.ma.us/aspen/logon.do
Lost and Found
LAST CALL for collecting winter lost and found items. ALL remaining items will be donated 2/15. Please check out the updated lost and found on our website and claim your items! https://www.wardpto.org/lost-found
Winter PTO Meeting
Please mark your calendars for our Winter PTO Meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 7PM on Zoom. We will be joined by Mrs. Brogadir, Superintendent Dr. Fleishman and members of the Newton School Community. We will hear from them and also have an opportunity for live questions and answers across any topics that may interest you. Don’t miss this important meeting!
We will use the following Zoom link:
https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/2039139153
Meeting ID: 203 913 9153
Passcode: Ward2022
One tap mobile
+525568269800,,2039139153#,,,,*40275179# Mexico
+525586596001,,2039139153#,,,,*40275179# Mexico
Interpretation For Families:
Interpretation for this meeting can be available. Please complete this Google form at least three days before the meeting if you require interpretation.
Community Notes & Announcements
February Vacation Basketball Camp
ASA Hoops is offering a February Vacation Clinic for boys and girls ages 7-15 at the Brown Middle School: 2/21 - 2/25. Since 1997 ASA has been serving the Newton community offering camps, clinics, skills training and AAU basketball. We hope to see you soon: Register at: asahoops.com / Contact: Coachb@asahoops.com
Little League season is around the corner! Sign up to play today!
Newton Little League registration is open for the Spring 2021 season. Sign up at NewtonLLBaseball.org. Open to boys and girls ages 4-15 - Little League for ages 4-12, Senior League for ages 13-15. Newton Little League will be following nationally established COVID safety protocols. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@newtonllbaseball.org
Music Lessons at The Conservatory at Highlands
Winter is in full swing and nothing makes the winter months fly by like playing music! If you’re starting a new instrument, or looking to develop your skills as a musician, The Conservatory is here to help. Locally owned and operated in Newton Highlands.
Students beginning new instruments in school benefit greatly from private instruction. Our teachers are experienced, patient, kind and supportive. We help musicians of any age reach their goals.
Sign Up/Inquire Here: https://forms.gle/WmHpoURxZoSNT6ZK6 or call/text/e-mail: 617-903-0944
info@highlandsconservatory.com
Center Street Food Pantry Kids Club Bags
As some of you know, the Center Street Food Pantry distributes around 100 Kids Club bags to families with children under 18 each time the Pantry is open. In an effort to better manage the influx of bags, we are asking for help. It would be most helpful if bags could be dropped off on Mondays, as our distribution day is Tuesday. Of course, we can accommodate you any time if Mondays are not convenient.
The bags should be doubled bagged with handles and contain:
1 jar jam/jelly
2 boxes mac n’ cheese
1 box of cereal
1 six-pack of applesauce or fruit cups
2 packs of cereal/granola bars
1 large bag of pretzels/chips
The items are also listed on our website. If your school is interested in participating in this great project, please sign up here.
Deborah Elliott will get back to you to confirm a drop-off date and answer any questions. You can also contact her directly at kidsclub@centrestfoodpantry.org.
Repurpose Unwanted Home Goods
Do you have gently used or new household items doing you no good? Please consider donating blenders, toasters, queen and king bedding, pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, towels and other basic household necessities. Welcome Home in Newton Centre collects home goods and redistributes them, at no cost, to people who need them. Please be sure your items are clean and not rusty, torn, stained, chipped or broken before donation.
Please contact us to schedule a dropoff appointment or make a request for items at www.welcomehomemass.org.
See more Community Notes at https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/