ForWard 04.30.23
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Walk and Roll to School Day
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Ward Art Show
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Newton Serves
Monday, May 8 -12, 2023
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Spring PTO Meeting
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Spring Instrumental Concert
6:15-7:45pm
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Celebrating Ward Retirees
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Ward Night at the Red Sox
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Spring Luau Chorus Concert
6:15-7:45pm
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Color Day
Monday, June 12, 2023
Spring Picnic
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
What a fun night of community-building, memory making and delicious eating we had at last night’s Annual Mystery Dinner. This event takes a huge amount of coordination and we deeply thank Tracy Buckner and Bekka Cirel for leading it once again this year. Their energy and organization are what help to make the event such a success (as a fundraiser but also as a FUN night!). We also owe a huge thanks to ALL of our hosts - Joan Rosenberg set the tone for the night hosting a fun appetizer party; all the dinner hosts have been receiving rave reviews; and Alicia Piedalue and Matt McGinnis bravely took on the legendary dessert party and hosted one of the best yet! Lastly, thank you to all of our attendees….we are so thrilled you chose to spend the night with Ward friends and neighbors and to support our school. We say it over and over again but it takes a village and we love this village!
Next up in this busy spring line up - PLEASE sign up below and join us for NewtonServes at Ward on Sunday. Bring the whole family!
Have a great week,
Caitlin, Rashi & Susan
Walk and Roll to School Day
Join us for Massachusetts Walk and Roll to School Day this Wednesday, May 3rd. Make a plan now to take a day off from the Blue Zone….even driving halfway then walking! Students who bus, bike and walk to school help to reduce traffic and harmful emissions near our school building. It is also a great way to start the day with a little fresh air, movement and socializing. Give it a try this Wednesday and join Ward friends and students across the state of Massachusetts walking and rolling to school!
Sunday! Join us: Newton Serves
Ward is excited to participate in Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department’s annual day of service: NewtonSERVES 2023 is scheduled, Sunday May 7, 2023. This year across Newton the goal is to focus volunteer efforts on cleaning and improving our parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. We are excited to participate at Ward and we NEED YOU to join us! This is a family friendly event….volunteers will work to clean and beautify our school grounds starting at 9AM on Sunday, May 7th. We will work until we are done (probably about 3PM) so join us for the entire time or as you are able in that window. The PTO promises to reward hard work with breakfast for the early birds and lunch for everyone powering through the afternoon. This is a GREAT way for students and families to give back, meet other families and make a difference! Questions? Our AMAZING leader is Corena Larimer: corenagl@gmail.com. Ready to register? Do so here (scroll down the alphabetical list to Ward School). Also, Corena’s youngest graduates from Ward this year and she would love to mentor someone who may want to take this event on for next year…let her know!
Ward Spring PTO Meeting
All parents and guardians are invited to our spring PTO meeting on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00pm in the Ward library. We will learn about the Underwood/Ward Working Group goals, process, and timeline. Families will have an opportunity to share input. Underwood will be hosting a PTO meeting with the same purpose. We hope to see you there!
When? Thursday, May 18, 2023, 07:00 PM
Where? John Ward Elementary School, Dolphin Road, Library
Family Celebration Honoring Ward Retirees
Please save the date and spread the word! 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: Thursday, May 31; 4:00pm-5:00pm
Where: Ward School Library
Community Notes & Announcements
Note from SEPAC Board
As you may know, each year, parents, guardians, and students are able to nominate NPS and Out of District teachers and staff for a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Award. A SEPAC Award recognizes exceptional NPS and Out of District teachers, aides, behavior therapists, psychologists, bus drivers, crossing guards, administrators, and other staff for the role they played in a student’s special education journey this past academic year. Interested in nominating an exceptional NPS or Out of District teacher and/or staff member? The deadline for nominations is Monday, May 22nd. Here’s how the process works:
Submit a nomination through the nomination form
All celebratory nominations will be recognized
In early June, your nominee will receive:
A printed SEPAC Award delivered to their home school
A note with the kind words you wrote about your nominee
A short slideshow of anonymized nominations lifting up the good work taking place across the district
Each principal will receive a list of nominees from their school
Do you need to nominate everyone from your student’s team? Please only nominate the teachers and staff members who you feel have been exceptional!
Questions? Reach out to: newtonspecialeducationawards@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your participation recognizing the exceptional NPS and Out of District teachers and staff who work so hard to support special education students. Please help us share this message as widely as possible so the SEPAC Awards can reach all corners of our community!
Warmly,
2022-2023 SEPAC Board
Newton Inspires 2023
Spend an evening on May 4th with fascinating Newtonians talking about how they got their start, their careers, and what inspires them. You’ll hear anecdotes and insights on everything from science and sustainability to beer and baking!
Join us at Newton Schools Foundation’s Newton Inspires, a celebration of ideas and community.
The evening will kick off with a reception with live music performed by NPS students and a light meal. You will then attend two stimulating sessions of your choice before reconvening for a keynote address by Tiziana Dearing, award-winning host of Radio Boston on WBUR and NPS parent.
Tickets $40 (including boxed meal from Better Life Food) – Buy a Ticket Sponsors and additional donations welcome – Donate Now
Newton Schools Foundation advances excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by making grants in the three strategic areas including new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students.
Your ticket purchase provides vital support to Newton Public Schools. https://newtonschoolsfoundation.org/newton-inspires/
Indigenous Dinner Celebration
Please join us for our annual Indigenous dinner celebration on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30p. It will take place at the Eliot Church of Newton UCC in Newton, MA.
You are cordially invited to enjoy a five-course dinner by notable Ho-Chunk chef, Elena Terry, to support Newton's 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration.
Chef Elena is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. She is the executive chef and founder of Wild Bearies, an educational, community outreach nonprofit that strives to bring ancestral foods to communities in a nurturing and nourishing way. The Bearies work with ingredients from seed to table, while promoting traditional food systems and farming techniques. Chef Elena seeks to honor stories, share knowledge, cook with community and clear the way as much as possible for the next generation. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with you.
Click here for tickets! https://givebutter.com/ancestor-dinner
Story Starters Family Conversations Program
Story Starters is enrolling families with children ages 3-8 to participate in our upcoming Fall program. Our eight-week Family Conversations Program is designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. Story Starters gives families age-appropriate tools and skills to have meaningful conversations about race and racism. Story Starters families learn from educators, racial justice advocates, and each other. Our program provides families with:
A bundle of 6 books tailored to your children's ages
5 caregiver guides full of research, resources, and family activities to support and deepen family race conversations
4 curated book lists to support further exploration and conversation
3 in-person family events and 2 virtual caregiver workshops
A vibrant community of families seeking to make an impact in their homes and beyond
The program kickoff is October 1 from 3:00-4:30pm. For additional program dates and details, visit: www.story-starters.org/program.
*Now through May 31, sign up with a friend and save 20%. Use promo code BUDDIES when registering.
For more community notes: https://newtonptocouncil.org/category/community/
And please continue to follow the PTO on Instagram @wardelementary_pto