ForWard 05.28.23
Upcoming Events
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
I think we have all heard all the cutesy sayings about gardens over time….”In order to bloom, you must grow.” Or “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Whatever the saying, however, there is SO much truth to the many types of beauty that the Ward Garden brings to our school. Beyond being the welcoming place of our school, this week - as it has many times before - the Ward Garden became a true outdoor classroom for all of our children. The committee that sows and plants and rakes and waters and cares for our greenery all year round, also carefully planned curriculum-connected, meaningful lessons AND led those lessons for all students this week. This level of commitment and generosity of time and spirit always inspires us and moves us! Please ask your child(ren) about the garden lessons this week (see themes below for talk tracks) and please join us in thanking this phenomenal committee of volunteers: Heba Haddad, Helene Perennes and Elizabeth Atlas.
Overarching Theme: Companion Planting and how plants help each other grow. The Ward Garden is a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Foundations so students also discussed habitats.
Kindergarten: Marigolds (The superheroes of the vegetable garden!)
1st grade: Sunflowers
2nd grade: Strawberries, Lettuce, Basil
3rd grade: 3 Sister's Garden (Corn, Beans, Squash)
4th grade: Tomatoes, Peppers, Basil, Parsley
5th grade: Brassicas, Beets, Nasturtiums
Have a meaningful Memorial Day and a great week ahead!
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
Family Celebration Honoring Ward Retirees
Please RSVP HERE! 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
Color Day
Color Day is soon approaching! This is a much anticipated event by students and teachers, and we need family volunteers to make it a success. If you are able to volunteer the morning of Wednesday, June 7 (or on our possible rain date of June 14), please sign up here. You'll be given directions the morning of, and it really is just a lot of fun! Feel free to direct any questions you may have to Chelsie Garrett: chelsievance@gmail.com.
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.
Gun Violence Prevention in Newton
*Thursday, June 1 (6:00-7:00 pm) June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. Join Newton Police, Newton Health & Human Services, and the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative on a Zoom webinar to learn about strategies to keep kids safe, store guns safely, and explore the ways that red flag laws can protect our friends, family, and community. Register at tinyurl.com/yc6y9u86 or for more info: https://facebook.com/events/s/community-forum-gun-violence-p/150484067887223/
Robotics STEM Program in Newton/Wellesley
Do your kids love creating something new and seeing their ideas come to life? Do they enjoy the challenge of building and programming robots? If so, we invite them to join Robotfun Academy (Newton-Wellesley), a new robotics STEM educational program founded by parents from Newton elementary school. Our after-school classes and summer camps, which are open to elementary and middle school students in grades 1-7, use VEX Robotics to teach engineering, programming, and teamwork skills. Let's have some fun building and playing with robots this summer! For more information about our summer camps, please visit our website at https://www.robotfunacademy.com/
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto