ForWard 03.27.22
Upcoming Events
Ongoing through April 4, 2022
PTO Planning Survey
Monday April 3, 2022
International Night Informational Zoom
Wednesday April 6, 2022
Ward FORJ Parent Discussion Group - Zoom
Tuesday April 12, 2022
Creative Arts & Sciences AuthorFest
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Fifth Grade Pizza Fundraiser
Wednesday April 27, 2022
Spring PTO Meeting - Zoom
Saturday April 30, 2022
Spring Mystery Dinner
Sunday May 1, 2022
NewtonServes - Ward School Projects
May 2-6, 2022
Teacher Appreciation Week
Wednesday May 4, 2022
MA Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day
Wednesday May 11, 2022
International Night
Sunday May 22, 2022
Ward FORJ Picnic
News
From the Co-Presidents
We need your input, please! The PTO is an organization made up of all of us and everyone has a voice. In advance of our final PTO meeting of the year coming up in April where we will focus on planning ahead - can you share some thoughts? Please take this QUICK survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiYf53cyEJpRzb_YG5Tu9W0GsU7QvK_-eeJ59zbhiKEwjXBQ/viewform
As an added incentive - if you choose to include your child(ren)’s classes at the end of the survey - the teacher with the highest percentage of participation will receive a $100 Amazon Giftcard to be used towards classroom supplies/materials!
The busy spring season is upon us and this newsletter certainly reflects that. We apologize for the length but please take the time to review all of the important content below.
NPS Proposed Budget for 2022/23 School Year
There are many upcoming School Committee meetings on the proposed FY23 budget. To help facilitate communication throughout our school community, the School Committee asked if PTOs might be willing to share their newsletter that went out on Friday 3/25/22 about the FY23 budget process. Below is the link from MailChimp.
https://mailchi.mp/newton.k12.ma.us/nps-school-committee-newsletter-32522
Also, we acknowledge that the budget reports being shared create a lot of confusion and anxiety for many. Our PTO members include parents, caregivers, teachers, and staff, all of whom are affected by these cuts in many different ways. Many parents are curious how they can share their opinions and have their voices heard. Here are some options for taking action if you are so inclined:
Send a personal note outlining how these cuts will directly affect your child(ren) to Mayor Fuller and your City Council members (contact info listed below). These cuts will affect all NPS schools–not just Ward.
Mayor: Mayor Ruthanne Fuller: ruthanne@ruthannefuller.com
City Council Members: Email Address list
Ask Mayor Fuller to release more ARPA (The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds towards our school budget. Mayor Fuller has the authority to determine how these federal funds are allocated. Since this budget shortfall is pandemic related, it is appropriate to use these funds.
Ask Mayor Fuller and your City Council members to reallocate funds from other sources (e.g., an override as a longer-term solution, partnership with Newton Schools Foundation, etc.) to make supporting our schools a priority.
Consider joining the NPS staff and community supported rally on Thursday, March 31 from 3:30pm-5:00pm at Newton City Hall and War Memorial: https://fb.me/e/3gRgbEIHs
Participate in the “Stop the Cuts” email campaign sponsored by the Newton Teachers Association: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-the-cuts-3 If you click on the link, it will take you to a pre-written letter that you can send to Superintendent David Fleishman, the School Committee and Mayor Fuller. At the end of the process, you can share the link on social media.
Applications for Ward After-School 2022-23!
It is time to apply to Ward After-School for 2022-23! Applications will be emailed to currently enrolled families. For families new to our program, please email us at donna@wardafterschool.com to request an application. You must submit a new application each school year.
Some important things to note about our program and the application process:
We are a private, nonprofit program licensed by the State of Massachusetts
We have a two-day minimum for enrollment
There is a $50 application fee (made payable to Ward After-School Program)
Please let any friends or neighbors with incoming Kindergartners know about our program!
Applications are due by Thursday, April 14. This is a REAL deadline. We typically receive many applications so to be fair to all, we strictly enforce the deadline.
Tuition costs are determined by the number of applications received. For a summary of the current school year's rates, please inquire with the Director, Donna Marohn, donna@wardafterschool.com
Our program strives to accommodate all who apply by the deadline. However, we may receive more applications than spaces available in accordance with our child care license. A waitlist may be necessary.
If you have any questions or to request an application, please contact Donna Marohn at donna@wardafterschool.com or 617-965-3087.
Register for NewtonServes
The theme for NewtonServes this year is Building Community Through Service - what a perfect way to bring us all together! Ward Elementary School will be a Newton Serves site this year and we need your help! Projects will include indoor and outdoor cleaning and beautification. Families and community members will gather at Ward Sunday May 1st from 9-4. Come for as much of the day as you are able and kids are welcome (and encouraged to help!). IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU REGISTER - for many reasons and not the least of which is that the PTO will determine our final budget for supplies and materials based on how many people we will have on hand to get the job done! More volunteers = more budget = greater results! Register here: https://newtonma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30256
Questions? corenagl@gmail.com
We do notice this could be an early start the morning after the Mystery Dinner so the PTO promises to provide coffee!
Last Call for Mystery Dinner Hosts!
This year’s Mystery Dinner will be held on April 30th: Appetizers at 6pm; Dinners at 8pm; and Dessert at 10pm. We have spots available for dinner hosts - please let us know if you can help! bucknertracy3@gmail.com or rebecca.cirel@gmail.com
International Night Information Session and Call for Hosts
Ward International Night has been set for Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30-7pm. We are so excited to welcome everyone back to the gymnasium again!
We will be hosting a Ward International Night informational session open to all. Whether you have committed to host or volunteer, or if you are new and want to learn more before signing up, please attend so we can address your questions, provide you with more information about the event and what it entails for hosts and volunteers. We also just simply want to meet and welcome you! This is one of the best events at Ward School, and is loved by all. We hope that you will make a point to join us and be a part of this great night! This session will be on April 3rd, at 7pm via Zoom. Looking forward to seeing you there!
ZOOM MEETING INFORMATION
https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/99027215285?pwd=ZXl2WW81VEd4ZWJCaGtqWlQwYkRFQT09
Meeting ID: 990 2721 5285
Passcode: 497136
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
If you've already made up your mind to host or volunteer, and we are so glad that you did, please sign up using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zuQpoMChzr159_gfsvRKXK4aUO0WJJsHpN1BOlouJnY/edit
Creative Arts & Sciences AuthorFest 2022
On April 12th all students will enjoy a special author and/or illustrator visit to Ward. Then all presenters from across Newton will be gathering at Cabot School for a book sale and signing and meet and greet between 3:15-5:30 PM. The event is open to the public. Newtonville Books will be on hand with a selection of books for sale and they are also taking pre-ordeers now until 3/21. Please stop by the store or go to: www.newtonvillebooks.com/npsauthorfest.
CAS AuthorFest is made possible by a generous grant from the Newton Schools Foundation with additional support from The Village Bank, Harmony Foundation and parent contributions to the PTO. For more information please see the flier at the end of this email.
Ward FORJ Parent Discussion Group on Zoom
On April 6th at 6:30 pm join Ward FORJ for a parent discussion group on the podcast series Nice White Parents, a five-part series about “building a better school system, and what gets in the way” and explores the intentions versus impacts of efforts to integrate NYC public schools. Join Zoom Meeting here: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/j/98284246141 (phone access: 646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 982 8424 6141)
Community Notes & Announcements
Healthy Kids Running Series - Get up and Go!
Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the Series the boys and girls who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants receive a medal on Week 5! The registration fee ($35 until April 10, $40 after April 10) covers the entire five (5) weeks of the series and is non-refundable.
PLACE: Newton Centre Playground, 81 Tyler Terrace, Newton, MA US 02459
Learn more here: https://runsignup.com/hkrsnewtonma?rsus=100-200-e537eec1-aaba-4987-8972-9c16f27326bb
Summer Basketball Clinic with Newton South Varsity Coach
Steve Matthews, current Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for the Back-to-Back DCL Large Champion Newton South Lions, and one of college basketball’s all-time great shooters, will run four-day shooting clinics this summer. Attendees will learn how to shoot with perfect form. The clinics will include all aspects of the game of basketball. There will be lectures, drills, contests, and games.
Location:
Newton South High School Field House 140 Brandeis Rd. Newton, MA 02459
Dates:
Tuesday, July 5th - Friday, July 8th
Monday, July 11th - Thursday, July 14th
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Boys & Girls entering grades 5-9 (Fall 2022) Cost: $299 per attendee
Please complete and submit application online at www.stevematthewsshootingclinic.com
Summer Camps - ASA Hoops
Since 1997, ASA Hoops has been offering summer basketball camps in Newton for boys and girls ages 7-15. Our summer season starts June 20th and doesn’t conclude until Sept 1. Our camps are for all levels of play and promote a fun yet competitive environment. We hope to see you soon: Register at: asahoops.com / Contact: Coachb@asahoops.com
See more Community Notes at https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/
