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ForWard
The John Ward Elementary School PTO Newsletter
November 24, 2008
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Ward Quick Links and Contacts
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Dear WardPTO Notice,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Ward Elementary School Newsletter ForWard.
* To stop receiving this newsletter, or update your email information please use the links at the end of the newsletter.
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 Mark Your Calendars
For a full schedule of events, see the Calendar.
- Wednesday, November 26th, 12:00 PM -- Early Release, No Afterschool
- Thursday/Friday, November 27th/28th -- Thanksgiving Break, SCHOOL CLOSED
- Tuesday, December 2nd - 4th, 8:30 AM -- Ward School Book Fair
- Thursday, December 4th, 9:00 AM -- 5th Grade Circus
- Thursday, December 4th, 12:30 PM Early Release
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 From The Principal's Desk
The Newton Public Schools and the Beijing Jingshan School in China have had an educational exchange program since 1979. This week our second graders were fortunate to have a visit from exchange students and teachers from the Beijing Jingshan School. These students and teachers are spending a semester at Newton North or South High School. They delivered lessons for students including how to make a dumpling (using play doh), counting in Chinese, and relaxation exercises that are done in Chinese schools. Our students surprised our visitors by singing a song in Chinese that they learned in music class with Mrs. Brodsky. These engaging experiences provide a wonderful way to extend students' knowledge of their social studies unit on China.
Last year's PTO auction provided our school with updated technology for our classrooms including new desktop classroom computers, an additional laptop cart on the top floor for fourth and fifth graders, and additional LCD projectors and carts for classroom use. This updated equipment has allowed teachers to integrate technology to enhance learning. Some examples of current technology use include:
- Teachers projecting information from the internet such as aerial maps, videos, and reference materials
- Students creating powerpoint presentations on social studies topics
- Students gathering information about a topic using webquests
- Students using proscopes (hand held microscopes) to examine living organisms
- Teachers projecting reading and writing strategy lessons from their laptops
Thank you for your generous support of the PTO fundraisers that bring these resources to our school.
During this season of thanks, I want to be sure to express the gratitude of the Ward staff for the many ways you contribute to the important work of educating all children. We appreciate your partnership in the process as we work to create the optimal learning environment for our children. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Audrey Parad Peller
Principal
John Ward Elementary School
10 Dolphin Road
Newton Centre, MA 02459
(617) 559-6450
audrey_peller@newton.k12.ma.us
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And Now a Word From the PTO
As we enter the holiday season I would like to offer our thanks as PTO Co-chairs for the support and involvement of the many Ward families that make this a great school for our kids. All the wonderful programming and activities would not be possible without your help and involvement.
We are thankful to be part of such a wonderful community. We hope you are able to get some rest over the break and enjoy the upcoming thanksgiving holiday with family, friends, and loved ones.
We also want to extend our thanks to everyone who helped make the recent Mystery Dinner a huge success. It was the first time we ran the event at Ward and already we have requests to repeat it next year, so if you missed it this time around we hope you will join us, or even consider hosting, next fall.
Together we raised over $4,000 for the Ward PTO, which will help support the many programs funded by the PTO such as the Creative Arts and Sciences enrichment programs, technology for the kids (check out the board as you enter school for pictures of your PTO $ in use), new books for the library, and classroom supplies for our teachers.
For those who missed the event here is a re-cap:
At 6:30 over 80 people gathered for appetizers and beverages at the home of Laurie and Paul Gershkkowitz. Everyone had a wonderful time socializing and enjoying the gourmet spread of food and beverages that were provided. It was hard to leave, but --
At 8:00 we headed off to our surprise dinner destinations which had been revealed during appetizers. Dinners for small groups of guests were held at 8 different Ward School homes. A big thank you to the hosts who generously volunteered their homes and who took great care and time to prepare special meals -- Julie and Tom Egan, Stacy and Carl Schwartz together with Wendy and Jason Kritzer, Batya and Albert Benmayor, Maria Sullivan and Paul Donovan together with Sherri and Doug Wolf, Kim and Gary Creem, Rebecca and Russell Stein, Elisabeth and Dag Hovdhaugen, Stephanie and Rakesh Khurana.
At 10 p.m. guests were encouraged to leave their dinners and reconvene at the final stop of the evening - the Dessert Party at the home of Peggy and Charlie Evangelakos. The party lasted late into the evening as people enjoyed dessert, drinks and the fire pit out on their deck!
Thanks to all of you who participated - for your generous donations and for your terrific community spirit.
A special thanks to Christine Elder whose store, Blanchard's Wines and Spirits, contributed generously to the evening which was a big help to the various hosts. And also thank you to Klee Miller and Julie Egan for their help designing the printed material.
Overall a fun time was had by all, we enjoyed old friends, we made new friends, we ate delicious food, and we raised over $4,000 for the Ward School. A great night!
Beth Coomber Batya Benmayor
coomber@rcn.com bbenmayor@hotmail.com
Contact information for the Ward PTO can be found at http://www.wardpto.org/contactinfo.
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What's New at After-School?
It's very hard to believe that it is almost December! Time flies when you're having fun! At After-School, we have been enjoying our new theme of "Toys and Games". With this theme, we are learning about vintage toys, playing some classic board games, playing with paper dolls and making our own wooden toys!
Our Kindergarten Program continues to flourish. We are so impressed with our Ks this year. What an amazingly friendly, creative and enthusiastic bunch! If you have a Kindergartner who would like to join us, please do not hesitate to call me (617) 965-3087 or email me wardafter@juno.com.
We also have space in our program for children in grades 1-5. A two-day minimum is required for enrollment (grades 1-5). After-School is great way to meet new friends of all ages and to try new things (pottery, tennis, making homemade ice cream, dancing, drama improv games -- to name a few!). Please feel free to contact me!
Sincerely,
Donna Marohn
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School News
Ward Creative Arts and Science 2008-2009: The Ward School PTO Creative Arts and Science Committee is excited for the school's CASC programming year. The school already had the first of two exceptional performing arts programs, called the Concert Series, that are part of a citywide tour for elementary and middle schools. The series features outstanding performing artists and often a multicultural component.
On Friday October 17th, the Ward School had its first Concert Series performance, the Prometheus Dance Company. The professional dance company brought seven of its dancers, a percussionist, better known as drums, and a narrator for its school performances. The program cleverly presented contemporary dance, rhythm, synchronization, improvisation and freedom of expression through math, english and music lessons! The students were engaged through exercises of math - adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers in forms of beats, and then using their understanding of words to conceptualize opposites and forms of expression and then wrapping it all up in what they know about rhythm and synchronization! It was a beautiful morning workout of mind and body.
Looking forward, February 27, 2009 will be the school's next and last Concert Series with an African American storyteller, Valerie Tutson. Please check the Ward School PTO website Calendar section should you like to attend. Parents are welcome to attend any CASC program.
A special thanks to all those volunteering parents who helped out with the first group of second graders that enjoyed Storytelling Arts with Nan Rumpf on November 12th and 14th. This was an unique and charming program. Artist Nan Rumpf came into the classroom and with assistance from volunteering parents, helped the children to create artwork of backdrops, paper puppets, masks, interactive scenery representing characters and settings of a selected folktale. Since the second grade is studying China, a chinese folktale about Dragons was chosen. The folktale was then dramatized in the form of a performance for parents and invited audience within Ward School. It was amazing to see how quickly the children could rehearse, and within 45 minutes, give a stellar performance. This program not only encouraged individual expression but also provided a framework for kids to work together on a cooperative, dramatic, arts project. The next group of second graders will perform December 1st. Check the website calendar section for its listing of exact date and time. Thank you again to all that support CASC.
Holiday Assistance Program: Make a Dream Come True with Frosty's Friends! Frosty's Friends is a Winter Holiday gift drive affiliated with Boston Cares. Families respond to hand-written letters from disadvantaged children with a small holiday gift ($25-40). You and your children buy and wrap items specifically requested for in personal letters written by local children in need. We have 30 letters that need to be fulfilled by Monday, December 8th. If you are interested, please contact Amy Silberstein (amyjim45@comcast.net) and she will give you a Frosty's Friend letter. There is also a sign up sheet in the lobby.
Still have Halloween Candy? If you would like to donate any left over Halloween Candy we will be collecting until Tuesday, November 25th in the Ward lobby. This provides an opportunity for "cleaning out" the candy from your house and we will donate it to a good cause. This year the candy will be donated to a local hospital and to a nutritionist who has developed a program with Buittoni - for each pound of candy we donate they will donate 1lb of pasta to a local shelter.
Cradles to Crayons Community Drive - A BIG SUCCESS: Thank you everyone who participated in the drive from November 3rd - November 7th at the Ward School for gently used and new children's clothing, toys and books and baby gear. We received TRUCKLOADS of items from the community! We also want to thank all the volunteers who helped to carry, sort and load the items at the Newton Cultural Center on Saturday, November 8th. Your time and donations made a big difference for children in need in local communities! Thank you!
Please Donate!
What: Canned goods and non-perishable items (pasta, cereal, even toothpaste)
Where: Ward School Foyer
When: Monday, November 24 - Wednesday, November 26
Why: To benefit the Newton Food Pantry at this important time of the year
Thank you for your generosity! Ward Fifth Graders and The Newton Food Pantry
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Newton News and Events
The Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble's "A Dancer's Christmas", 'a uniquely spiritual and celebratory performance, bring out the true meaning of Christmas'. WCVB TV is quoted, "...for more than 25 years, 'A Dancer's Christmas' has delighted audiences, young and old alike, and has earned its place as one of Boston's Holiday Traditions". The ensemble includes several Newton Middle and Elementary School students, including Bigelow dancer Luisa Donovan, her sisters sisters Grace and Isabella (Ward), Ashley Babigian (Cabot) and Caitlin Connell (Bowen). December 13th & 20th - 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM. December 21st - 3:00 PM. Tickets: $30 adults, $20 seniors and students, $15 each for family special (2 adults with 2 children). Robsham Theatre Arts Center, Boston College. Free parking. Wheelchair accessible. (617) 552-4002 or www.adancerschristmas.org.
Do you need help making your home more energy efficient? Are there repairs to your home you need to make but can't afford? The City of Newton may be able to help. Federal funds are
available for those who are income-eligible or who are landlords with income-eligible tenants. Among repairs allowed: New window. boilers, insulation, roof and gutter repair/replacement, removal of hazardous materials, structural work and installation of ramps and grab bars to make a property handicap accessible and more. Contact the City of Newton Planning and Development Department at (617) 796-1150 or (617) 796-1120.
Time's running out to enjoy a Gourmet Thanksgiving Pie created by one of Boston's best restauranteers/caterers. Apple, Pecan, Pumpkin or Sweet Potato pies cost $25 ($15 is tax deductible), with 92 cents of every dollar going directly to Community Servings. Order deadline this Sat. Nov. 22. Pies may be picked up the day before Thanksgiving at a location of your choice, including several in Newton. Each pie you order will help provide a week's worth of meals to a critically ill client. Each day, Community Servings prepares and delivers a nutritious lunch, dinner and snack to those with the greatest need: 725 homebound individuals and families in 16 communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Each November since 1993, Boston's best restaurants, bakeries, caterers and hotels donate thousands of pies. Rest assured, when you enjoy one of these delicious pies, you are helping homebound individuals and families struggling with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and too sick to shop and cook for themselves. To place an order or for more info www.pieinthesky.org or call (617) 522-7777.
The Seventh Annual Celebrate Newton! Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival will take place on Sunday, December 7th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Newton South High School. This
Citywide PTO-sponsored fair raises money for all Newton schools. For the past five years, Celebrate Newton! has attracted shoppers and spirit from across the city, and this year's fair promises to be even better. The day will feature 60+ artisans with ties to Newton: crafters and artists in the show are Newton residents, teachers, parents, students, employees, alums and more. Shoppers can also enjoy on-site craft projects, live music from community and school groups, a raffle, bake sale and lunch cafe. Alll proceeds benefit the Newton public schools. Please see www.perugi.com/newton for more details. Questions? Please contact Sara Coen at (617) 558-3695 or at saracoen3@aol.com.
The Sunday School for Jewish Studies invites the community to join us for our annual Chanukah celebration and gift boutique. The event will take place at Pine Manor College, 400 Heath Street i Chestnut Hill on Sunday, December 21, 2008, 9:45 AM. through 12:00 PM. Family, friends, kids and grandparents can come to celebrate the holiday and purchase a variety of gifts from exhibitors. The Sunday School for Jewish Studies is a one-day-a-week school for children in grades K through 7. Call (617) 264-8855 for more information.
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Community Classifieds
Spanish for kids- FREE 2 Week Mini Series: ages 9-12 Nov 24 and Dec 1st in Newton Highlands. Multicolores is a fun Spanish program -through Drama Classes, Games, Songs, Artistic & Corporal Expression. Please join us! info@multicolores.net or (617) 943-2935.
Charming Victorian Home for Sale in Family Neighborhood - Mason-Rice School District. 5 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths. Enormous level yard. One block from the Newton Free Library. 10 minute walk to Newton Centre T. Walk to Houses of Worship. 249 Homer Street Corner of Manamet, driveway on Manamet. Call Julie at (914) 450-2278.
ActiveMinds Tutoring, LLC: Your source for in-home tutoring. Effective, Personalized and Convenient. All grades/all subjects, including test preparation (MCAS, SAT, SSAT...). Sign your child up for academic success and receive 1 free lesson by December 19th. Call: (617) 663-5700 during business hours, or (617) 227-2225 Eve/Wknds. Please visit the web site at www.activemindstutoring.com.
The Center for Early Education of Ohabei Shalom is now taking applications for fall 2009. This is a five-day program for children age 2.9 to 5 from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 PM, with a flexible schedule for working families: Early drop off at 8:00, Enrichment Program 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM and Extended Day until 6pm. This welcoming new program in our historic Reform synagogue features state-of-the-art classrooms designed to make children and their families feel safe, nurtured, stimulated and happy. Experienced teachers appreciate the uniqueness of each child, encouraging each to realize his or her highest potential. Conveniently located in Coolidge Corner near Longwood Medical Area on the 'C' train of the T's Green line. For more information, contact Shari Churwin, Education Director: (617) 264-2801. Information and application can be found at www.ohabei.org.
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ForWARD Submissions
Next deadline: Friday, December 6th for the December 8th issue
Please send articles to news@wardpto.org
The ForWard will now be distributed
electronically every other week instead of monthly as in past years.
On weeks when the full newsletter is not distributed This Week at Ward will be used to inform you of
dates and events in the upcoming week. We hope that a single email each week will help you keep track of
important dates and events.
The
Ward PTO, at its discretion and as space is available, may permit
announcements to appear in the ForWard from not-for-profit
organizations that offer a direct service to children/families in the
Ward community and from for-profit individuals or businesses that offer
a direct educational service to children/families in our community. The
Ward PTO may edit announcements and does not endorse any individuals or
business whose announcements are published.
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About NPS TAC Support for PTO Communications
Volunteers from the Newton Public Schools Technology Advisory Council (NPS
TAC) are helping to set up and support PTO communications, including this system used by the Ward PTO.
Learn more here.
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