ForWard 05.07.23
Upcoming Events
Monday, May 8 -12, 2023
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Spring PTO Meeting
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Spring Instrumental Concert
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Celebrating Ward Retirees
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Ward Night at the Red Sox
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Spring Concert Luau
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Color Day
Monday, June 12, 2023
Spring Picnic
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
With the busy spring schedule comes lots of gratitude in this space. Our volunteers are what make our community strong, connected and vibrant. First, thank you to our Art Show Committee for bringing back this beloved tradition - back and better than ever before! We had a power house of volunteers and we owe sincere thanks to all: Art Teacher Jeannie Corbo-Hudak and Parents Lexi Sullivan, David Ismay, Ceri Evans, Katie Shearer, Elizabeth Weinberg and Tabatha Flores.
We had a fantastic, productive day at Newton Serves, today! Thank you to the many volunteers that came and worked hard on our school grounds. Ward is looking better than ever! Thank you to Corena Larimer and her family for overseeing this wonderful day of service for MANY years in a row. Your leadership has made this event a success once again and we are thankful for your service and will miss you as you move on from Ward!
As we move into Teacher Appreciation Week, we encourage students and families to make and send in homemade cards to any and all staff throughout the week ahead. See below for more details of how Ward will celebrate our terrific teachers.
Have a great week,
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
Teacher Appreciation Week
At Ward we show appreciation to our amazing staff all year with potluck breakfasts, catered lunches, holiday gifts and more. This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurse’s Day. April brought Administrative Professionals Day and Principal’s Day. So - we have much to celebrate at Ward and that is what we will do ALL week:
A Potluck Breakfast (thanks K and 5th Families) will be served for all staff on Tuesday.
Two days this week we will host a chair masseuse to help staff relax and unwind during break times.
A luncheon for all staff will be served on Thursday (half day).
Room parents have coordinated flower/plant delivery to all classroom teachers this week.
Families are encouraged to make and send in cards to staff members throughout the week. Often times kind words are what is most appreciated!
Ward Spring PTO Meeting
All parents and guardians are invited to our spring PTO meeting on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00pm in the Ward library. We will learn about the Underwood/Ward Working Group goals, process, and timeline. Families will have an opportunity to share input. Underwood will be hosting a PTO meeting with the same purpose. We hope to see you there!
When? Thursday, May 18, 2023, 07:00 PM
Where? John Ward Elementary School, Dolphin Road, Library
Family Celebration Honoring Ward Retirees
Please save the date and spread the word! The PTO is hosting an open house for families to celebrate and honor Cynthia Silverman and Maria Sullivan for their combined 38 years of service and dedication to the Ward School community.
When: Wednesday, May 31; 4:00pm-5:00pm
Where: Ward School Library
Community Notes & Announcements
Restore Kindergarten Aides
With recent budget cuts, this very critical position has been elimanted. How can you help?
• Please add your signature to this letter:
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/760/723/039/restore-kindergarten-aides-in-newton-public-schools/
Share this message with all your friends, preschool families, teachers and anyone who might be interested in signing.
• Contact your elected officials by writing emails/letters, attending office hours or if unavailable, inviting them to coffee/walk/conversations.
Email the Mayor at rfuller@newtonma.gov, she has the power to change this.
Email your city council and school committee representative https://www.newtonma.gov/government/city-clerk/city-council and https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/688 (Email messages sent to schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us will be received by the entire School Committee)
Email the Superintendent smithkath@newton.k12.ma.us
• Make a public comment at a school committee meeting.
Community DPW Day
The City of Newton Public Works Department is excited to host a Community DPW Day in celebration of National Public Works Week. We invite you to join us for an exciting event at the War Memorial at Newton City Hall on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday May 21st.
It is great day for families to enjoy games, prizes, music, a touch-a-truck event, food for purchase from a local restaurant, and learn about how Newton is “Connecting the World Through Public Works”
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto