ForWard 04.03.22
Upcoming Events
Ends tomorrow! April 4, 2022
PTO Planning Survey
April 4-11, 2022
Teacher/Staff Experiences Raffle
Monday April 4, 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
Buy Your Chances: One of a Kind Teacher/Staff Experiences!
The Teacher/Staff Experience Raffle is a chance to make special memories and to raise funds for the PTO. Students never want to miss out on these special moments with Ward teachers & Staff. Each experience is unique, carefully planned and becomes a highlight of the school year. Buy your raffle tickets and make your selections NOW! Names will be drawn Thursday, April 14th so ACT FAST. https://www.wardpto.org/teacherraffle
Mystery Dinner Tickets are NOW Available!
On Saturday, April 30th we will come together as an adult community for one of Ward’s longest lasting traditions: The Mystery Dinner! While this event is a PTO Fundraiser, it is most important that all community members feel welcome regardless of the optional donation. Also, if you need additional confidential financial assistance (such as child care cost coverage) in order to enjoy this evening, please contact Ward Cares at keren.wainger@gmail.com. Friend-raising before fundraising! Get your tickets here: https://www.wardpto.org/mysterydinner - all tickets must be purchased in advance (by April 20th!).
The Ward After-School Play!
Ward After-School is proud to present "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", starring many 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Ward After-School students! Ward families are welcome to join us for our outdoor performance on Tuesday, April 5 at 5:15 pm at Hyde Playground in Newton Highlands. Please bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc. We ask that spots closer to the stage be reserved for the families with children in the performance. All Ward students and other minors coming to see the show must be accompanied by an adult. Ward After-School is NOT responsible for supervising any students who are not a part of our program and in the play. Thank you! If the weather is questionable, please feel free to call us at 617-965-3087 or email us at donna@wardafterschool.com to see if the show is on.
PTO Survey: Last Chance!
Tomorrow is the last day to share your thoughts. 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! (3K and KCM are currently in the lead with 4L, KV, and 5LS bringing up the rear).
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!
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 4rd, at 8pm 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/
