ForWard 04.23.23
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Mystery Dinner
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Walk and Roll to School Day
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Ward Art Show
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Newton Serves
Monday, May 8 -12, 2023
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Ward Night at the Red Sox
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Color Day
Monday, June 12, 2023
Spring Picnic
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
Welcome back! We are in the homestretch of the school year which means things are about to get BUSY. We have SO many spring traditions to look forward to at Ward - please keep an eye on the calendar and join us as you are able.
It is also important to continue to look ahead to next year! We will continue to use this space to recruit volunteers for next year as your commitment is what enables our planning! We are excited to have International Night come back next spring and would love to have a team of both experienced and new families collaborate to plan! This type of partnership is how our Ward traditions live on. Can you help? Please consider this or any other role for the school year 2023-2024? We promise it is more fulfilling than it is demanding!
Have a great week,
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
Ga! Ga! Go!
The highly anticipated Ward School Gaga Pit is officially part of our playground! Final details will be completed over the coming week: rubber mat flooring (thanks to the talented parents that are working on this!!) and signage are all to come. Staff and students will be working together to learn and practice the Ward recess Gaga rules throughout the coming week and teachers and after-school staff will have the ultimate say as to whether it is open for student use. Families are welcome to enjoy it together outside of school hours. Thanks to all who support the PTO and our many fundraisers, smiling students are the reward this week!
Walk and Roll to School Day
Join us for Massachusetts Walk and Roll to School Day this Wednesday, May 3rd. Make a plan now to take a day off from the Blue Zone….even driving halfway then walking! Students who bus, bike and walk to school help to reduce traffic and harmful emissions near our school building. It is also a great way to start the day with a little fresh air, movement and socializing. Give it a try this Wednesday and join Ward friends and students across the state of Massachusetts walking and rolling to school!
Join us: Newton Serves
Ward is excited to participate in Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department’s annual day of service: NewtonSERVES 2023 is scheduled, Sunday May 7, 2023. This year across Newton the goal is to focus volunteer efforts on cleaning and improving our parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. We are excited to participate at Ward and we NEED YOU to join us! This is a family friendly event….volunteers will work to clean and beautify our school grounds starting at 9AM on Sunday, May 7th. We will work until we are done (probably about 3PM) so join us for the entire time or as you are able in that window. The PTO promises to reward hard work with breakfast for the early birds and lunch for everyone powering through the afternoon. This is a GREAT way for students and families to give back, meet other families and make a difference! Questions? Our AMAZING leader is Corena Larimer: corenagl@gmail.com. Ready to register? Do so here (scroll down the alphabetical list to Ward School). Also, Corena’s youngest graduates from Ward this year and she would love to mentor someone who may want to take this event on for next year…let her know!
Teacher/Staff Experience Raffle
Thank you to all of our participants! We had over 60 families enter for a chance to win and we raised over $3000 so it’s a win for all kids no matter whose name is drawn. Winners will be contacted in the week ahead via email. We owe a HUGE thanks to our amazing teachers and staff for being so generous with their time and talents. Thank you also to Jenessa Freid for her organization and execution once again this year (we will miss Jenessa and she is very willing to mentor someone who may be interested in volunteering in this capacity next year.) Congrats to all the winners!
Community Notes & Announcements
Protect Class Sizes in Newton Public Schools
The Newton Public Schools School Committee will be meeting Monday, April 24th to approve an FY24 budget that results in elementary classrooms of up to 29 students and in maximum team sizes at middle schools of 100 students. The proposed cuts are unacceptable and avoidable. Please view, sign, and share this petition, co-authored by elementary and middle school parents, urging School Committee members NOT to approve the proposed budget-based staffing reductions, and instead to employ any and all available financial options to maintain adequate class sizes and vital support for students.
Save Newton Strings Concert TOMORROW 6p at Newton Ed Center
Want to hear beautiful string music played by 100+ Newton students (including several from Ward!) protesting the cutting of Elementary Strings from the Newton school budget? Come to the Newton Ed Center TOMORROW, Monday 4/24 for 6pm Stringfest concert. The students have been practicing over April vacation and already sound great at their first and only rehearsal.
When: TOMORROW, Monday April 24th, 2023 6pm concert
Where: Newton Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460
https://www.savenewtonstrings.com/stringfest
Newton Cub Scouts Recruiting
Join Newton Cub Scouts Pack 210 for our spring Ice Cream Social and Recruiting event, on Thursday, April 27 from 6-7pm at the Carroll Center. Please join us for fun games and activities, followed by an ice cream party (allergies accommodated), which has been generously donated by the Mayflower Council. This exciting event is for our existing scouts as well as friends/community members who are interested in learning more about our Pack. Newton Pack 210 welcomes boys and girls grades 1-5; please see our website for more info, Newton Cub Scout Pack 210 (http://pack210newton.scoutlander.com). Scouting is a great opportunity to make new friendships and learn new skills. We have had a great year so far, with Pinewood Derby, camping, hiking, community service, and fun group outings, as well as monthly Den/Pack meetings, with more fun events upcoming, including Sturbridge Village overnight, Woosox, and outdoor activities. We meet monthly at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton Centre, and also have fun weekend activities planned. We hope you can join us on April 27 to learn more! Please email Colin at (c.elliott.murphy@gmail.com) with questions.
Please RSVP if you will attend, to help us with planning.
https://forms.gle/RTbznurfLwgoxH8Z6
Newton Inspires 2023
Spend an evening on May 4th with fascinating Newtonians talking about how they got their start, their careers, and what inspires them. You’ll hear anecdotes and insights on everything from science and sustainability to beer and baking!
Join us at Newton Schools Foundation’s Newton Inspires, a celebration of ideas and community.
The evening will kick off with a reception with live music performed by NPS students and a light meal. You will then attend two stimulating sessions of your choice before reconvening for a keynote address by Tiziana Dearing, award-winning host of Radio Boston on WBUR and NPS parent.
Tickets $40 (including boxed meal from Better Life Food) – Buy a Ticket
Sponsors and additional donations welcome – Donate Now
Newton Schools Foundation advances excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by making grants in the three strategic areas including new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students.
Your ticket purchase provides vital support to Newton Public Schools.
https://newtonschoolsfoundation.org/newton-inspires/
PMC Kids Ride Newton/Needham
Registration is now open for this year's PMC Kids Ride. We are hoping to make this year's ride the most successful yet!
Registration and details can be found here: https://kids.pmc.org/newton-needham
We also need volunteers to help in planning as well as on ride day. Please register soon and spread the word.
Indigenous Dinner Celebration
Please join us for our annual Indigenous dinner celebration on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30p. It will take place at the Eliot Church of Newton UCC in Newton, MA.
You are cordially invited to enjoy a five-course dinner by notable Ho-Chunk chef, Elena Terry, to support Newton's 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration.
Chef Elena is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. She is the executive chef and founder of Wild Bearies, an educational, community outreach nonprofit that strives to bring ancestral foods to communities in a nurturing and nourishing way. The Bearies work with ingredients from seed to table, while promoting traditional food systems and farming techniques. Chef Elena seeks to honor stories, share knowledge, cook with community and clear the way as much as possible for the next generation. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with you.
Click here for tickets! https://givebutter.com/ancestor-dinner
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto