From the Co-Presidents:

Dear Ward Families,

We hope everyone is enjoying the start of April break! Whether you’re traveling or staying local, we hope you’re finding some time to relax and be with family and friends.

It’s hard to believe, but when we return, there will be just two months left in the school year. There’s so much to look forward to, with plenty of opportunities to come together as a community—we’re really excited for what’s ahead!

We’ve been anticipating Mystery Dinner all year—and it’s finally almost here! Paper invitations came home in homework folders last week, and tickets are now available through May 8th. Thank you, as always, for showing up to support our school—this truly is a night you won’t want to miss. We can’t wait to see you on Saturday, May 16!

As we begin looking ahead to next year, we wanted to share an early look at the PTO Board for the 2026–2027 school year:

Co-Presidents: Jenn Epstein (Year 1 of 2); Elizabeth Loehr & Elizabeth Weinberg (3rd & final year)
Treasurer: Jun Ma (final year)
Vice Presidents: Cristina Garcia & Jaclyn Rubin
Secretary: Julia Maggiorre

We’re always looking to grow and welcome new voices into the PTO—whether that’s stepping into a role down the line, shadowing a current board member, or simply getting more involved in ways that fit your schedule. If you’re curious or want to learn more, we’d love to connect!

We’re also currently looking for support with the following role:

Teacher Appreciation Committee – Coordinate bi-monthly staff appreciation efforts (such as restocks and/or breakfasts) and help organize Teacher Appreciation Week in partnership with the PTO board.
Ward Auction Committee - We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help organize and upload items to our online platform—and we’d love your ideas and creativity to help make this fundraiser a success! The process is very straightforward, and it’s a great way to support the PTO while working closely with the board.
PTO Treasurer - This board position manages PTO funds, tracks expenses, and helps ensure transparent financial reporting. We’re planning ahead and looking for a treasurer for Fall 2027–Spring 2029, with training beginning in Spring 2027.

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

Ward Community Day - Sunday, May 3rd, from 1-4 PM - Join us as we come together to help beautify our school grounds! We’ll be clearing debris, spreading mulch, tidying flower beds, and adding some fresh plantings for spring. You’re welcome to sign up and show up for any amount of time that works for you—every bit helps. The PTO will provide snacks, and it’s always a fun (and very kid-friendly) afternoon!
Mystery Dinner - Saturday, May 16th - Our signature spring fundraiser is right around the corner! Invitations have gone home, and tickets are available online—hope you’ll join us for this special night.
Internet Safety PTO Coffee Meeting - Friday, May 22 - Join us in the library at 8:30. The PTO will provide coffee as we listen to the expertise and experience of fifth-grade teacher Mark Tugwell and NPS Resource Officer Isaiah guide us through a data-driven session on what happens when we give young people phones and how to keep them safe online.
Ward Family Fun at Fenway - Saturday, May 23 - There are just a few tickets left! Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks 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. Information on how to buy tickets is below!

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

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.

Ward Community Day/Newton Serves - Add this to your calendar now!

Don’t miss this annual community service event—join Ward families in giving back and helping beautify our school grounds. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to pitch in, whether you can stay for 30 minutes or a couple of hours. As part of a citywide effort, Ward is one of the sponsored sites, and all are welcome—feel free to invite friends and neighbors to join in!

Sign Up Here!

Ward Garden Committee: Do you enjoy gardening, getting your hands dirty, or having an excuse to get outside? If so, this is the committee for you! The Garden Committee is looking for new members to help, and no experience is necessary. Some responsibilities include garden maintence and helping with the Spring Planting days (where each grade gets to plant something in the garden!) Please reach out to the Garden Chair, Sara O’Conner here to learn more!
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!

**Lost & Found Volunteers**

If you are willing to assist with the bagging, laundering, and donation of the remaining items, please email brogadirr@newton.k12.ma.us
**Parents: please take a moment to check the lost and found for any of your children's items before they are donated!**

We have just a few Red Sox tickets left! We will sell out, don’t wait!

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.

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 or donate now! 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.

This Week’s Featured Club! Prove Them Wrong Basketball: Skill Development, Mentorship, Competition, & Fun

This 1-hour weekly course blends elite-level skill development, mentorship, and live competition, all built on PTW’s core values of commitment, integrity, and grit.

Our team will guide students through structured skill work, age-appropriate challenges, and competitive play — all while teaching leadership, confidence, resilience, and teamwork through the game of basketball. This program mirrors the same model we use in our school partnerships across MetroWest, offering young athletes a supportive environment to grow on and off the court. Leave each session more skilled, more confident, and more prepared — not just as players, but as people! April 13th- May 18th, grades 4-8 at Day Middle School. Tuition $300. Register Now!

Scholarships are available!

Next Play Newton Youth Basketball Clinic

Registration is now open for a co-ed small-group basketball skills clinic led by Brody Ryan, a basketball coach and school adjustment counselor at Newton South High School. This spring, the program will serve st udents in grades 3–5, emphasizing skill development, confidence-building, and fostering a positive, structured environment for young athletes to thrive. For additional details and registration, please visit here.

Location: Newton South High School

Dates/times: Wednesdays & Fridays, 6-7pm

ActiveMinds Tutoring

April Tutoring: Nurturing Growth, Harvesting Success
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 ex perienced tutors. 617.227.2225 | learnmore@activemindstutoring.com| http://www.activemindstutoring.c om/

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.

April Vacation Classes with NCE!

Looking for a fun and engaging way to keep children active and inspired over April Vacation? Newton Community Education’s April Vacation Programs will run April 21–24, from 9 AM –3 PM. Early drop-off begins at 8:30 AM, and an extended day is available until 5 PM. From creative arts like Glass Art, Zentangle, and drawing workshops to hands-on STEM experiences like Minecraft Innovators, LEGO Challenges, and The Great Gooey Workshop, plus sports clinics, chess programs, and more—there’s something for every kid. Click he re to view the full list of programs and register online.

NCE Summer Camps and 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!

Bright Pearl Academy

Join the Bright Pearl Academy family! This 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 4.19.26