From the Co-Presidents:

Dear Ward Families,

Spring is finally here, and with it comes a busier school calendar filled with exciting events and activities. From fun family gatherings to special school traditions, there’s so much to look forward to in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to share all that’s ahead and hope you’ll join us in making this season a great one for our school community!

International Night is this Thursday, March 26th, from 5:30-7 PM in the gym. This is a special tradition showcasing the amazing diversity here at Ward. We currently have the following countries represented: Taiwan, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Hungary, Armenia, Myanmar, France and England. If you are interested, please sign up here or email our wonderful International Night Chair, Cristina Garcia, at cristina@wardpto.org for more information. Thank you so much to all those who have already signed up! We look forward to seeing you then!!

We also want to highlight a fundraiser with Tango Mango. Order ahead or eat in anytime from Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th. Mention Ward when you order and the PTO will get 15% of all orders. This is a great way to support our PTO as well a wonderful local small business.

As always, please reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org with your ideas, questions, concerns, or suggestions on how we can help you. You can also subscribe to our PTO calendar here.

- Elizabeth Loehr + Elizabeth Weinberg, Ward PTO Co-Presidents 2024-27

Upcoming Events

School Committee Meetings - 6:30-9:30 PM on 3/23, 4/8, 5/11, 6/15. You can join in person at 100 Walnut St. or via Zoom. We encourage you to join, even if you can only watch part of the meeting. Your engagement truly matters! More information can be found here.
International Night - Thursday, March 26 - We’re excited for this every-other-year tradition to return. This is one of our favorite Ward events and will be held indoors in the gym. We are looking for volunteers to host a table to represent their cultures. See below for more information.
Tango Mango + Ward PTO Fundraising - Thursday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29 - Dine in or order takeout from Tango Mango, and 15% of your purchase will be donated to the Ward PTO. Bring your family, invite friends, and enjoy a delicious meal—all while helping to fund programs, activities, and resources for our students. Just mention our school at checkout to ensure we receive the donation. Support our school and a local business—it’s a win-win for our entire community!
Ward After-School Play - Wednesday, April 8 - The third through fifth graders of Ward After-School are proud to present "The Wizard of Oz" on Wednesday, April 8, at 2 pm at the Ward School gym. Please note that all students MUST be accompanied by an adult (before, during, and after the show). We thank you for your cooperation and hope to see you there! Doors will open at 1:45 pm (please enter through the playground door). Admission is free; however any student not accompanied by an adult will not be allowed to attend. Thank you!!
School Committee Office Hours at Ward - Wednesday, April 15, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. Join us at the Ward library to learn about School Committee updates with Alicia Piedalue and Jason Bhardwaj.
Community Budget Forum #2 - Thursday, April 16, 7-8 PM. Charles E. Brown Middle School: Learn how the superintendent's proposal affects each sector of the school budget and programming. The superintendent and district administrators will present the impacts of a Level Service Budget. Zoom link here.
Newton Serves/Ward Community Day - Sunday, May 3 - Come help to beautify our school for this family-friendly community volunteer day! Newton Serves is an annual citywide event that focuses on building community through the clean up and “greening” of public spaces, and our school is included! Past efforts at Ward have included clearing debris and spreading mulch, trimming branches, tidying flower beds, and adding new plantings. More information to come! Many thanks to Jessie Jackson and Katie Shearer for organizing and leading this!
Mystery Dinner - Saturday, May 16 - You don’t want to miss this fun night, so be sure to get those babysitters lined up. This doubles as both a fundraiser and a community event and is a great way to build connections throughout Ward. More information will be coming in the next month or so on how to purchase tickets for this amazing night.
Ward Family Fun at Fenway - Saturday, May 23 - Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jack because we’re heading back to Fenway! Join us for an afternoon of baseball as the Boston Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, May 23rd at 4:10 PM. More information can be found below!

Upcoming CAS Events (Your PTO donations are going to work!)

March 23 - Botany Workshop (Grade 2)
April 17 - Origamido (Grade 3)
April 29 - A Day in Ghana (Grade 2)
May 14th - Scott Magoon, author visit (K and Grade 1)
June 2 - Rob Buyea, author visit (Grade 5)
June 11 - Techsploration (Grade 3)
June 17 - All-school assembly featuring violinist Adrian Anantawan

As a reminder, Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS) is our biggest PTO spend item and accounts for about 1/3 of our budget. Through CAS and your donations, we’re able to bring up to 3 programs to each grade level each year. Think of these programs as enriching in-school field trips that are tied to the curriculum. Huge thank-you to our Ward families for all your support, and to our CAS volunteers (Anita He, Ceri Evans, Chloe Comins, Jessica Harkiewicz, and Jaclyn Rubin) for coordinating and planning these events.

250th Anniversary Salute to Service Parade - Newton’s annual parade will take place this year on Sunday, May 17th at 3 pm. Mayor Laredo is encouraging schools to participate by marching or creating floats to expand community involvement and honor those who have served. We are reaching out to see if anyone would be interested in organizing and leading our Ward community to do this. Reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org.
Ward Library Volunteers - Our wonderful librarians are looking for help shelving books in the library every Monday and Thursday from 10-10:30 AM. Please sign up here! Thank you to the many volunteers who have already signed up!
International Night - host a table: This every-other-year tradition is back in March! We hope you’ll consider hosting a table to showcase your culture. How you do so is completely up to you - whether it’s sharing savory delights, intriguing giveaways, or finding a way to share different elements of your culture. Sign up to host a country here! Questions? Reach out to Cristina Garcia at cristina@wardpto.org.
Mystery Dinner Hosts - Do you love to host or know a Ward family who does? Would you be interested in hosting a dinner party for 8-16 people at your home on May 16? Reach out to Betsy Blazar (betsyblazar@gmail.com) and Emily Derr (emilyjderr@gmail.com) if you’re interested or have any questions!

Ward Volunteer Positions:

Looking ahead, we would love to welcome additional members to the PTO board next year. If you think you might be interested, please reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org—we would be happy to discuss what involvement might look like.

Board Member, Treasurer: This essential role manages PTO funds, tracks expenses, and ensures transparent financial reporting. We are planning ahead and looking for a treasurer for Fall 2027-Spring 2029. Training will take place in the Spring of 2027.
Teacher Appreciation Chair: Starting in the Fall of 2026, this rewarding role organizes all teacher appreciation meals and grade-level kitchen restocks. Our current longstanding chair, Melissa Prokop, graduates out of Ward this spring.
Ward Auction Co-Chair: The Ward Auction in December was a HUGE success. As we look ahead at next year, we are looking for an additional volunteer to help set up the auction items online (this is very straightforward) and get it organized. This is a great way to support our PTO and work in partnership with the PTO board.

Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jack because we’re heading back to Fenway! Join us for an afternoon of baseball as the Boston Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, May 23rd at 4:10 PM.

Seats: Right Field Box – $65 each

Transportation: You’re on your own—carpool, Uber, or take the T

Limited tickets available – don’t wait! If interested, text Kevin Woo at 857-472-1092 and send payment via Venmo.

Ward Afterschool Applications!

It is time to apply to Ward After-School for 2026-27! Applications will be emailed to currently enrolled families. For families new to our program, please email us at donna@wardafterschool.com to request an application. You must submit a new application each school year.

Some important things to note about our program and the application process:

We are a private, nonprofit program licensed by the State of Massachusetts
We have a two-day minimum for enrollment
There is a $50 application fee (made payable to Ward After-School Program)
Please let any friends or neighbors with incoming Kindergartners know about our program!
Applications are due by Friday, March 27. This is a REAL deadline. We typically receive many applications, so to be fair to all, we strictly enforce the deadline.
Tuition costs will be determined by the number of applications received. For a summary of the current school year's rates, please inquire with the Director, Donna Marohn, donna@wardafterschool.com.
Our program strives to accommodate all who apply by the deadline. However, we may receive more applications than spaces available in accordance with our child care license. A waitlist may be necessary.

If you have any questions or to request an application, please contact Director Donna Marohn at donna@wardafterschool.com or 617-965-3087.

Celebrating 100 Years of Ward — 1928 to 2028

In 2028, our school will mark an incredible milestone: 100 years of learning, growth, and community. As we prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration, we’re inviting you to play a special part.

Our centennial events will bring together students, alumni, families, and the community. To make it unforgettable, we’re building a dedicated team of volunteers and school alumni to support planning and day-of activities.

Be part of a historic milestone
Connect with other parents and staff
Help create meaningful memories for students
Show your pride in our school community

We Need Our Community. Join Us in Honoring the Legacy by filling out this form to let us know if you are interested in attending or participating in the Ward School's 100th Celebration, which will take place in Spring 2028.

We're currently only collecting contact information; the celebration committee will get in touch as we get closer to the event.

Interest Form

Join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 as we come together to run, remember, and celebrate Meghan--a daughter, sister, teammate, and bright light in so many lives. Last year, the first annual Meghan's 5K, was a beautiful day with almost over 400 volunteers and participants, who showed up to support their community, and overall - enjoy a day of Meghan's light and laughter.

We hope this year, more than ever, our community shows up - to support one another, to honor Meghan, and be part of something bigger than ourselves. Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or simply come to cheer others on, your presence means everything. Register now through the link in our flyer or by scanning the QR code! Let's run for Meghan!

Upcoming Event Highlights

Newton’s Earth Day Festival - May 3, 12 pm-3:30 pm

Join us for Newton’s annual Earth Day Festival, a celebration of all things green for the whole family! Groove to live music and savor delicious food while discovering countless ways to make a positive impact. Explore booths hosted by local businesses and nonprofits, offering guidance on everything from going solar and choosing electric vehicles to home insulation and composting.

Newton Little League

Newton Little League is open to boys and girls ages 5–12 across all nine of Newton's elementary schools, and with multiple skill divisions available, there's a perfect team for every child — whether they're stepping up to the plate for the very first time or are seasoned players looking to sharpen their game.

Registration is open NOW, but the deadline is March 31st, so we encourage all interested families to sign up in the next few weeks to secure your child's spot on a team.

Little League is a wonderful opportunity for kids to:
• Learn the fundamentals of baseball in a fun, supportive environment
• Build teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship
• Make lasting friendships with kids from across Newton
• Get outside and active this spring!

Ready to play ball? Register today at newtonllbaseball. org before the March 31st deadline. Questions? Visit newtonllbaseball.org or reach out to the Newton Little League board at info@newtonllbaseball.org — they'd love to help you find the right fit for your child.

ActiveMinds Tutoring

“Snow” Limit to What You Can Learn! Over 15 years of providing tutoring for all academic subjects, studying skills, and standardized test prep (SAT/ACT, ISEE, SSAT). Contact ActiveMinds to learn more about our personalized plans with experienced tutors. 617.227.2225 | learnmore@activemindstutoring.com | http://www.activemindstutoring.com/

NCE Programming at Ward

The Newton Community Education (NCE) is an incredible organization that offers programs for all ages, from toddlers to adults. They also have enriching after-school classes in NPS facilities. Right now, there are two NCE classes taking place at Ward, and we would love to bring more programming to our school. If you are interested in a specific class, please reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org, and we can connect you to the Community Innovation Specialist at NCE.

Do you need coverage during the week of April Vacation? Check out the NCE’s programming here.

NCE Summer Camps & Swim Lessons

2026 summer camps are now live, with offerings such as 3D Printing, Glass Art, Creative Filmmaking, Wide World of Storytelling, Art Adventures, Swim Lessons, and so much more! Families can view full camp listings and register through the new NCE Registration Portal. Scholarships are available through NCE’s Financial Assistance program

Click here to learn more and register!

If NCE is not yet at your school, email Sarah Housman at housmans@newton.k12.ma.us and we'll work with you to get clubs started!

Newton Girls Soccer

Girls’ soccer is having a moment! See for yourself why 1200+ girls join NGS each season to play this beautiful game. Register by February 28 to guarantee your child a spot on a spring team.

Visit https://newtongirlssoccer.org for details! Newton's premier, nonprofit girls soccer club is now enrolling PreK - 9th graders in its Junior and City Programs. (Travel and Academy Programs are accepting players to the waitlist only.) These are fun and friendly recreation-focused soccer programs for all skill levels. Players develop soccer skills while enjoying friends, exercising, and embracing values such as teamwork and sportsmanship.

The 10-week spring season kicks off on April 11 and runs through June 13. Regular fees are $220 for grades PreK - 1 and $235 for grades 2 - 9. Registration closes February 28. (Late registrations are accepted in March, space permitting.) NGS proudly provides financial aid to any player with demonstrated need. NGS strives to be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. Our programs are open to kids living in or attending school in Newton who identify as female (including cisgender girls, transgender girls, and nonbinary individuals).

April Vacation Program at the New Art Center

Eco-Art Extravaganza! Conservation through creation at New Art! Students will learn about artists who work with recycled and natural materials, and create their own masterpieces in four mediums each day: 2D(drawing and painting), 3D (sculpture), clay, and performing arts.

Please bring a lunch and 2 snacks daily. For grades K - 6, all materials are provided. Register here!

Holiday Coding & Robotics at Penguin Coding School - Friday 4/3, and Spring Break (4/20-4/24)

Coding & Robotics Holiday for Kids. Fun, Engaging, and Perfect for Ages 6-12. Camp Hours: 9am-3pm. Sign up here.

**New One Day Game Development Program for 9-12 year olds!** 1223 Centre St (Newton Center near Tatte) Want 20% off? Use Discount Code: springcamp2026. Spots are limited!

Bright Pearl Academy

Join our Bright Pearl Academy family! Our enrichment after-school programs and summer camps offer the perfect balance of academic excellence and creative expression for your child, providing an all-in-one home for families that features immersive Mandarin language, Singapore Math, and professional dance training in both ballet and Chinese dance. In our vibrant, year-round environment, we focus on building your child's confidence and love for learning, even offering carpool and transportation assistance to help support your busy schedule. Secure your spot today by visiting us at 61 Chestnut St, West Newton, MA 02465 or online at www.brightpearlacademy.com.

Please reach out to us by emailing copresidents@wardpto.org

ForWard 3.22.26