ForWard 02.27.22
Upcoming Events
Monday, Feb 28, 2022
Ward FORJ 7-Day Anti-Racism Challenge
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Anti-Racism Challenge Culminating Zoom Gathering
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Spring Mystery Dinner
Sunday, May 1, 2022
NewtonServes - Ward School Projects
News
Family Education and Reflection for Black History Month
As we are all learning about what we can do to build an anti-racist school, community, and world, we hope you can join us for a week-long school-wide learning activity: The 7-Day Anti-Racism Equity Challenge - originally sponsored by Brandeis University. The purpose of the week is to engage in reflection and practical thinking on how to integrate racial equity into our work and daily habits for ourselves, our families, and our school. Even if you think you/your kids have "done that" we want to encourage all our families to take part.
Ward School's 7-Day Challenge will begin (all on your own time) on the last day of Black History Month - February 28th, 2022 and will run until March 6, 2022. Each activity takes about 15 minutes to complete. Then, on March 8, join us on ZOOM, we will come together as a school community to reflect on what we are learning.
To participate, please RSVP to jeannechoe73@gmail.com. You will then receive a link to the challenge and sign-up form for the group discussion. This event is brought to us by Ward FORJ.
Mystery Dinner
Save the Date - Saturday, April 30th, 6pm.
Our Spring Mystery Dinner planning is in full swing! This is a school-wide adults-only fundraiser - line up your childcare now! This is a night you will not want to miss! More information to follow shortly.
Questions? E-mail: bucknertracy3@gmail.com or rebecca.cirel@gmail.com
End of Year Picnic Coordinator(s)
Remember that fun fall night on the field with pizza and games and SO many Ward families? Great news - this is a tradition we also share in June with our “End of Year Picnic”. To keep this tradition going, however, we are seeking an event chair (or 2 or 3 - grab your friends!) for the 2022 End of Year Picnic. This is a one-time commitment with all planning done from home/on your own time and even an opportunity to help choose the date that works for you! Please email copresidents@wardpto.org if you are interested in helping.
Community Notes & Announcements
Ultimate Frisbee Sign Ups
There’s now an Ultimate Frisbee BUDA program for nearly every age group (sorry, toddlers!) in Newton. Programs meet on Sundays, and we will be returning to Newton North this season.
Details/Register: https://www.buda.org/find-an-event-league-or-tournament?location=Newton%2C+MA%2C+USA&distance=5&map_size=none&page=
All programs will run from April 24 to June 19, 2022. There will be no formal program on Memorial Day Weekend, May 29. Contact Burt Granofsky, BUDA Newton Youth Ultimate, if you have any questions: burt.granofsky@buda.org
Youth Rock Band Program
The Plugged In Band Program Spring Session begins February 28 (both in person and virtual). Plugged In is a nonprofit youth rock band program in Needham where young musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Students are grouped by age, skill level and musical interest. I am emailing you in the event you know of any youth ages 8-18 who could benefit from participation in this unique, non-competitive and fun music program. More information and online registration can be found at www.pluggedinband.org.
Spring programming includes in person or online Band Classes, Songwriting and Production, Intro to Digital Audio Production, Creating Music with Coding, Livestreaming 101 and Amped Up: Planning a Youth Music Festival (more details below).
Plugged In combines music education, philanthropy and diversity in a creative and collaborative environment where students gain music education, self-esteem, connection and community and are prepared for a life of civic participation in an inclusive society.
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
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/