ForWARD January 19, 2009

Monday, January 19th -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday, January 20th, 8:30 AM -- Kindergarten Literacy Program with Ms. Singer. PLEASE WEAR RED, WHITE, AND BLUE TO SCHOOL.
Friday, January 23rd, 8:35 AM First Grade Progressfolio Sharing (Classrooms)
Friday, January 30th -- Walk to School Day
Thursday, February 5th, 12:30 PM -- Early Release Day
Friday, February 6th -- Progress Reports sent home
Monday, February 15th - Friday, February 20th -- February Vacation SCHOOL CLOSED

From the Principal's Desk

Happy New Year!

I am pleased to announce that Ms. Griffith gave birth to a healthy, adorable baby boy, Jack, on December 29. Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well.

We encourage all students to dress in red, white, and blue on Tuesday, January 20 in honor of our new president. Teachers have been sharing websites and other materials to familiarize students with the inauguration and learn more about President Obama. Our entire school plans to gather in the gym to view a portion of the ceremony and share the excitement of this historic event.

Marc Laredo, chairperson of the Newton School Committee, visited our School Council last week to discuss some of the challenges that face the School Committee in the months ahead. The School Committee continues to look at long range facilities planning for the elementary and middle schools. The schools have engaged the community in looking at our collective visions. What do you want a graduate of Newton Schools to know and learn? This is an exciting initiative and many ideas may be implemented that don't necessarily involve a lot of money.

The school department anticipates a difficult budget season ahead. Not only are there serious financial constraints, but it is also a union contract negotiating year. Marc pointed out that the School Committee will be exploring other types of funding, including recommendations made by the Citizens Advisory Group, a group of Newton residents who are looking at ways to improve the City's operational and fiscal effectiveness, and examining the possibility of private/public (and college) partnerships. Class size will be looked at carefully. Trade-offs may need to be considered. If cuts are needed due to a budget shortfall, class size may go up to save other programs and positions.

To make our voices heard with the School Committee, Marc recommends:

emails from a large group of people rather than many emails saying the same thing
speaking at the Open Comments portion of the School Committee meeting
calling individual members of the School Committee
signing up for the School Committee email distribution list on their website.
taking time to communicate the positive stories (Write to the TAB or tell the School Committee about the wonderful and creative ideas happening in the classrooms and schools.)

We thanked Marc for his support of the Newton after-school programs and his dedication to providing programs for our children that exemplify excellence.

Our Literacy Specialist, Naomi Singer, will present an overview of the kindergarten literacy program on Tuesday, January 20 at 8:30AM We will meet in the art room.

Please note this change of date:

Progress reports will be sent home with students on Friday, February 6. A guide for parents in understanding the Progress Report is available on the Newton website. Look under curriculum and go to assessment to review this document.

Audrey Parad Peller
Principal
John Ward Elementary School
10 Dolphin Road
Newton Centre, MA 02459
Telephone: (617)559-6450
Email: audrey_peller@newton.k12.ma.us

School News

International Night 2009: Wednesday Evening, March 4, 2009, 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM, Gymnatorium. Come celebrate the Ward School Community's international diversity - Ward School students and families will receive 'passports' and will travel to international country booths, such as Turkey, Israel, China....! The evening will include an international potluck dinner, games, crafts and more! To volunteer and/or to ask questions, contact: Marla Libraty dlibraty@hotmail.com or (617) 795-0181.

Join our Pajama Party Drive & Win a Visit by the BRUINS MASCOT: This January & February, the CARE Committee is sponsoring a PAJAMA Drive for Cradles to Crayons. This drive is a little different than our past projects. As always we strive to teach children that giving can be fun & rewarding, but this drive is also a contest with an amazing Bruins prize! The school that collects the most pajamas will win a visit by the Bruins Mascot "Blades" and Bruins star, left-wing player P.J. Axelsson. This year's goal is to provide 5,000 brand new pajama's to children in need throughout Massachusetts. We have entered the Ward School in the contest and we need your help to reach our goal and win the Bruins prize! Pajamas will be collected in the bins in the CARE Corner in the entry of the Ward School Tuesday, January 20th through Friday, February 28th.

Give the Gift of Hope and help fight cancer ... with daffodils! Purchase your daffodils from the American Cancer Society (ACS) through their Daffodil Days campaign. Your gift funds cancer research, educational programs, advocacy and services for cancer patients and their families.

An order form is hanging in the lobby or contact mariasullivan18@hotmail.com or (617) 527-9136. Please leave checks, payable to the American Cancer Society, in the box marked "Daffodils" or mail to Maria Sullivan, 82 Park Ave., Newton, MA 02458.

The last day to order will be Friday, February 27th. The daffodils will be available for pick up March 16th - 19th (more information to follow when the flowers arrive). The ACS delivers the "Gifts of Hope" bouquets to cancer patients.

Bouquets of 10 daffodils                       $10 each
Bear and a Bunch                                 $25 each
Potted daffodil bulbs                             $15 each
Gifts of Hope                                         $25

Newton City-wide Walk - GO GREEN! Join other schools on the last Friday of the month

(January 30) and walk to school. Look for Maria and Karin to have your child's hand stamped, and don't forget to wear green. Let others know you walk!! A poster will be hanging in the lobby the last week in January for children to sign their name and grade every day they walk to school. Walking Wednesdays continue...dress for the black diamonds and you will be fine, afterall, 28 feels balmy! Contact Karin gavish@rcn.com or Maria mariasullivan18@hotmail.com for more info. on a bus stop near you.

Here's to Your Health

Important News from the Health Room
Regarding Lice and Strep Throat

Hello wonderful Ward Community! I hope you all had a fun and restful vacation! It is that time of year again. We have already had a few lice cases reported and I want to share a few helpful hints again!

If lice has been detected on your childs head, please treat with either the olive oil or over the counter treatment before the child returns from school.
Once the child has been treated, he/she can return as long as parents are actively checking and removing nits every night for two weeks following treatment and treated child again 10 days after detection.
The only way to ensure entire nit removal is by using the nit comb following treatment - Eaton Apothecary at the end of Adams street across from Dunkin Donuts - sells a very good nit removal comb. You should use gel and put a white towel on child's shoulders and comb section by section and of coarse wipe comb clean after each comb thru (some nits are white and some are dark and very small - comb will get them all if used properly)
There has been another lice fighting treatment reported. CETAPHIL!!!! you can go online and google head lice treatment with Cetaphil or also a product that conatains cetaphyl - nuvoforheadlice.com check it out - but you must follow all directions for this treatment. A mom at Ward attests that it works and is much easier than other treatments!!!!!

Four cases of Strep Throat have been reported at Ward since the return from winter break! Here are some helpful pieces of advice:

It is very important to treat Strep throat. If you treat the bacteria there are no lasting effects BUT if Strep throat goes untreated there could be lasting complications such as Rheumatic fever or heart valve complications later in life. A throat culture is easy to obtain and should be sought out with any question!!!
Sometimes a child will NOT have a sore throat but complain of a recurring headache and/or stomach ache with or without a fever and be cultured with Strep bacteria. PLEASE make a doctor's appointment with any of these symptoms and especially when you receive a letter home from school that informs you of your child's exposure!

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. (617) 559-6453

Best,
Karin Lieberman RN

Newton News and Events

Get the family dancing at the 4th Annual Winter Concert & Festival featuring Vanessa Trien! Live music, activities, crafts, a bake sale, raffle prizes, and a door prize from Exxcel Gymnastics in Newton (a $300 value). Saturday, February 7, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. For tickets, contact Joanna Mantell at tickets@burrcoop.org or (617) 467-5562. All proceeds to benefit Burr Cooperative Nursery School, a non-profit organization.

Parent's Advisory Council for Special Education: Tuesday, January 27th, 2009, the Strategic Planning Team, including Superintendent Jeff Young, School Committee members Dori Zaleznik and Claire Sokoloff, and Lisa Prior, Principal of Prior Consulting, will discuss some of the core concepts that have emerged--ideas such as "Preparing Students as Global Citizens", "Developing 21st Century Skills" and "Educating the Whole Child." This is a special meeting for PAC members who may miss the presentation on January 15th at Oak Hill Middle School. PAC meetings run from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in room 210 at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street. Networking and light refreshments begin at 7:15 PM. For more information, www.newtonpac.org or email info@newtonpac.org.

Green Team: The Newton Green Decade Coalition is initiating a School Outreach Program and is building a team at Ward School. Newton School parents Bob Warren and Meg Wilcox would like to pair up with a parent liaison at our elementary school to help expand "green" programs and practices at Ward. This system-wide effort involves all Newton's Elementary and Middle schools. So far, schools have focused on composting, recycling, promoting CFL light bulbs, catalog canceling and holding an Energy conservation Essay and Art contest. If you would like to help in the effort, please contact Bob attwarren@aol.com or Meg megwilcox@rcn.com. Thanks!

Newton's Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program needs volunteers. Trainings January 30th, 31st and Feb. 1st from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. CAP is looking for parents of pre-school and school-aged children, empty nesters, professionals and retirees who are interested in child safety and who can contribute 6 classroom hours per month for one school year. For more info: www.ncscweb.org, or contact CAP Director Gail Sommer: (617) 969-5906 x 143 or gsommer@ncscweb.org.

Save the Date! Annual "Against the Tide" coming June 20th. This is a family-friendly event to benefit the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Participants of all ages and abilities take part
in one, two or all three of the following: a one-mile swim, and two-mile kayak and/or a three mile recreational walk at Hopkinton State Park. For more info and to register: http://mbcc.org/swim/index.php

"Stand for Children's" 5th Annual Statewide Education Summit, "Keeping our Commitment to Kids in a Tough Economy", January 24th at Reading High School. The summit, featuring
hands-on workshops, information sessions, and a chance to meet education leaders, aims to give participants the knowledge and skills to become effective advocates for their own kids and kids across Massachusetts. Childcare is available. To register or for more information, go to www.stand.org/ma/summit or call (781) 891-1300. For more information: www.stand.org/ma.

The Ninth Annual Franklin Midwinter Coffeehouse will be held at 7:00 PM, Saturday, February 7th, at the First Unitarian Society Parish Hall, 1326 Washington St, West Newton. This event is one of Newton's only regular coffeehouses, and features singer/songwriters active in the Boston folk music community who have donated their time to benefit the PTO. The tradition of excellence continues in this, the ninth year of this unique fundraising event, with funny singer/songwriters Rob Siegel and Mark Stepakoff. The event is from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $15, available at the door to adults 21 or over. Refreshments include coffee, wine and beer, juice and soda, and snacks. For more information, contact Cindy Mapes at (617) 527-4858 or at midwintercoffeehouse@franklinpto.org. The event is wheelchair-accessible.

The Newton Schools Foundation presents "Green and Global": The Newton Schools Foundation's 2009 "Green and Global" annual fundraiser will offer a diversity of dinners presented by local restaurants and community hosts across Newton. Each venue offers a distinct green and global theme supported by international cuisine and stimulating conversation: a unique opportunity to spend an evening with friends and neighbors while supporting public education. This year's Winter Dinner Series will begin on January 24th and run through March 15th, with all proceeds benefiting Newton Public Schools. Details on specific dining options can be found at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org, by email tori_filler@nwton.k12.ma.us, or by calling the Newton Schools Foundation office at (617) 559-3120. We look forward to dining with you!

Early-Release Program - Magic at the Museum: Tuesday, January 13th, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Join magician Will Brierly for an exciting program about magic and the history of sleight-of-hand. See card and coin tricks performed in an intimate setting, then learn how to do some tricks yourself at this drop-off program. Cost: $10 ($8 for members); includes museum admission, materials, and snack. Prepaid registration is required, and space is limited. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. Newton History Museum, 527 Washington Street. www.newtonhistorymuseum.org or call (617) 796-1450 to register.

History Book Club: The next club meeting will be January 13th at 7:30 PM to discuss a National Book Award Winner, "The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl" by Timothy Egan. New members always welcome. Meeting held at the Newton History Museum, 527 Washington Street. For more information contact Melissa Westlake at (617) 796-1450. www.newtonhistorymuseum.org.

Newton History Museum is Seeking New Members to Join the Newton House Tour Committee. Committee members research and select homes to be featured on the 2009 Newton House Tour, conduct home visits, and work on promoting the Tour. If you are interested in any aspect of interior design, architecture, residential renovation, historic preservation, and landscape design, please join us. You need not be a Newton resident to serve. If you are interested in joining, or have any questions about the House Tour, please e-mail Melissa Westlake Public Programs Manager at the Newton History Museum, at newtonhousetour@gmail.com. www.newtonhistorymuseum.org. (617) 796-1450.

Take the Newton History Museum Family Programs Survey: Are you a parent with children under 18? The Newton History Museum would like to know how we can best serve your family. Please share your thoughts with us to help us improve our programs. Tell us about your program needs, concerns, and any suggestions you have. At the end of the survey, you may choose to be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate donated by Whole Foods Market in Newtonville. Thanks! Click to take the survey. (617) 796-1450.

Sleep and the School-Age Child: How to help your child get a good night's sleep - and out of bed the next morning! Join Dr. Dennis Rosen, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep specialist at Children's Hospital Boston, on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Williams Elementary School, 141 Grove St., Auburndale.

Getting children up, out of bed, and off to school in the morning can be a difficult and frustrating endeavor - matched only by the challenge of getting them into bed and asleep at night! How much sleep do children really need? What processes drive sleep and determine how easy (or not) it is for children to fall asleep and wake up? Why do some children have trouble keeping their eyes open past 8:00 PM, while others seem to catch their second wind at that hour? Learn the answers to these questions and others, and review strategies for improving children's sleeping patterns and habits. Although this talkwill focus primarily on elementary school-age children, many principles discussed will be applicable to all ages.

This is the second in a series of free presentations sponsored by: Newton PTO Council, Newton Parent Advisory Council, Project INTERFACE at WarmLines, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, and Newton Safe Schools/Healthy Students.

Big Joe The StorytellerI performance at Presbyterian Church Nursery School, 75 Vernon St., Newton, Saturday, January 24, at 11:00 AM. Big Joe uses his acting skills, as well as props, puppets and audience participation to bring his stories to life. Fun for the whole family! Tickets: in advance: $6/person, $25/family, at the door: $8/person, $30/family. All proceeds to benefit the Nursery school. Call PCNS (617) 332-9255 x1 for tickets and information. Snow date, Saturday, January 31st at 11:00 AM.

Community Classifieds

NCSC February Vacation Winter Skills Program (2/17-2/19): Looking for something fun for your child to do during February vacation week? Newton Community Service Center Summer Camp offers an outdoor skills program at the beautiful Hale Reservation in Westwood. Activities include fire, fort, and shelter building, team snowshoeing and sledding, big box hockey, and ice rescue. Transportation from Newton to Westwood is included. Sign up for one day or all three! Extended day care is available. For more information or to register go to www.ncscweb.org/recreation.html or contact Megan Cap-Renzi at (617) 969-5906 ext. 299 or mcap-renzi@ncscweb.org.

Be a summer star! Join the Brookline SmartSummers Theater Arts Program. We offer full day one and two week sessions in July for children ages 7-13. Children take classes in music,
acting,dance, and art and work on an original musical production. To find out more information about the program, check out the website http://theaterartsprogram.googlepages.com/home or email theaterartscamp@aol.com. To register, call Brookline Adult & Community Education at (617) 730-2700.

Registration Underway for Spring Newton North Little League (NNLL) for girls and boys age 5-12: Registration deadline is February 23rd, after which costs go up, with the final deadline March 4th. Register online at www.newtonnorthll.org. Newton North Little League is for children from Underwood, Horace Mann and Lincoln Eliot elementary schools as well as middle, private and home-schooled students from these districts. The T-ball program, for the youngest players, is open to all children who live or attend school in Newton. To be included on the NNLL email list, send your email address info to: nnllregistration@yahoo.com. NNLL is an all-volunteer organization and welcomes new help. If you are interested in coaching, contact Stephen Mastromattei at: stephenandlisa@verizon.net. If you are willing to offer any other kind of help, such as serving on the board of directors, fundraising, league administration, concessions, umpiring, field maintenance, etc, contact Chris Banks at chrisbanks@rcn.com.

The New Art Center: The February Vacation Program for 6th through 9th graders is full, but it's not too late to sign up for the April Vacation program. Class sizes are limited, so don't delay.
This program is for grades 6 through 9 who love art and want to move to the next level. Each day the students will attend three classes: Ceramics, painting/drawing and sculpture/mixed media. This is a highly individualized program with just 7 in the class, so act fast to save a spot. Tues-Fri, April 21-24, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (extended hours available). www.newartcenter.org or (617) 964-3424.

Baseball in the Bubble age 6-12 (at Boston College): "Parents' Night Out" Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day) - The folks get a night off while the kids play Birdball. Info and registration, and more about upcoming summer clinics, at www.birdballclinics.com

Piano teacher with Harvard master's degree has a few mid-year opening in her studio for new students. Over twenty years experience including piano accompanying in the Newton Public Schools. Active member of the New England Piano Teachers' Association. Beginners especially welcome. Call Anne for interview at (617) 332-5092 or e-mail:
annehartman@comcast.net.

Kindergarten Soccer, Spring 2009 - Time to Register! Boys and girls now in Kindergarten or entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2009 are welcome to join the program that has introduced Newton children to soccer since 1993. The focus is on fun, introducing soccer, and developing confidence. Teams are usually organized by elementary school -- so it's a great opportunity to meet other families from your school and give your child a chance to make friends before
starting kindergarten. Kindergarten children play at 9:15 AM and those in preschool play at 10:45 AM on Saturday mornings, April 25 through June 20 (except 5/23), at Zervas School Field and nearby Richardson Field. The $60 fee includes a team t-shirt as well as an end-of-program medal. Info and registration at www.kindergartensoccer.org. Questions? email:
ksoccer@kindergartensoccer.org or call (617) 527-9238. Registrations after March 31st are accepted only on a space-available basis.

JCC Kaleidoscope Creative Arts & Science Camp invites you to our 2009 OPEN HOUSES: Sunday, February 8 and Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459. Meet director Betty Lehrman; hear program details; tour the facilities. "A Place to Spread Creative Wings." Kaleidoscope campers in grades K-8 explore visual arts, drama, dance, music, science, swimming and sports at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC's expansive campus. Campers nurture their creativity in fully-equipped art studios, a professional stage, and indoor and outdoor fitness facilities. Two, four and eight-week sessions are available. 2009 Camp Dates & Hours: June 29 - August 21, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Early drop-off and extended day, 8:00 AM - 5:45 PM. Check out our website for more information: www.kaleidoscopecamp.org or call or email: (617) 558-6523; kaleidoscope@jccgb.org.

Piano Lessons: Jazz, Blues, Classical, theory, sight-reading. Berklee and New England Conservatory graduate with 25+ years teaching experience has several openings in studio.
Beginners Welcome. Gloria Jasinski, (617) 566-9704, piano566@comcast.net.

Many Sports, Most Ages: The Parks and Recreation Department will be offering classes and sports clinics at the Newton North High School:

American Red Cross Weekend Swim Lessons, $60: Register on line at www.activityreg.com or register in person at the Newton North Pool 7:00 PM Feb. 10th.
Lap Swim-Water-Jogging Program $25. Registration currently underway www.activityreg.com.
Youth and Juniors Lacrosse indoor clinic and league underway, mail-in registration form available at www.ci.newton.ma.us/parks.
High School Boys Lacrosse Program underway. Mail-in registration form available at www.ci.newton.ma.us/parks.
High School Girls Lacrosse Program underway. Mail-in registration form available at www.ci.newton.ma.us/parks.
High School Girls Field Hockey Program underway. $40. Register on-line at www.activityreg.com.
High School Boys Baseball Hitting Clinic underway. $40. Register on-line at www.activityreg.com.
Wrestling Clinics for High School Students, second session getting underway in March. $40. Register online www.activityreg.com.
Wrestling Clinic for Middle Schoolers underway, $40. Register online www.activityreg.com.
Adult Full Court Basketball Program Session 2 starts in February. $35, Register on-line at www.activityreg.com. (For more info go to www.ci.newton.ma.us/park then go to "NNHS Indoor Rec")

Keys For Kids Piano Lessons. SMALL GROUPS organized by age (4-11). Outstanding methodology. Experienced, certified instructor. Proven success. Keys for Kids goes beyond ordinary piano lessons: it teaches well-rounded musicianship. February registration. Free sample lesson February 4th. Contact Marina Gorny: MDGorny@comcast.net or (617) 527-4942
www.NewtonKidsLoveMusic.com. Individual instruction is also offered.

Tutor: Newton Public School teacher with Masters in Elementary Education and 8 years teaching experience is available this year to tutor students in grades 1-6 in all subject areas (reading, writing, math, etc.) for extra help, enrichment work or for general homework assistance. Call (617) 875-6870 or by email at aliciakeat@aol.com.

April Vacation Soccer Clinic at Boston College: The
Women's Soccer staff invite girls aged 6-14 to join them for a soccer
clinic at BC. The program runs April 21st - 24th from 9:00 AM - 3:00
PM, however, late pick up is available. The focus is on fun and
development. Come and join the BC players and coaches for a great
soccer experience. For information on all our programs and registration
please visit: www.bceagles.com/camps or call (617) 552-3214 or email soccer.clinic@bc.edu.

February School Vacation - Step Into Art: Two-day Step into Art Program sponsored by The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs.

Day 1: Tuesday, February 17 - 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM or 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM at
Newton Cultural Center. Bringing art to life with story-telling and
exploring color, sound, movement and light.
Day 2: Wednesday, February, 18 - 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Harvard's
Sackler Museum. Students see "face-to-face" the works they learned
about. Sketching in the museum galleries marks each program's
concluding step. Cost: $50 for Newton Resident Call (617) 796-1540 to
register.

Why wait for summer? The Paul Green School of Rock in Watertown has decided to host a week-long rock star boot camp from April 20th - April 24th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day. Write, rehearse, record, and perform a concert with a full rock band - all within the span of a week. All bassists, guitarists, drummers, keyboardists, and singers between the ages of 6 and 17 are welcome. Please call (617) 923-3434 for more information, or visit us on the web at http://www.schoolofrock.com/boston.

ForWARD Submissions

Next deadline: Friday, January 30th for the February 2nd 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.

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.

John Ward Elementary School PTO

Archive

User login

ForWARD January 19, 2009