PTO party for music teacher Margie Brodsky -- Monday, June 15th, 3:00 PM Ward School:  Please join current and former students and their parents to bid adieu to our beloved music teacher.  Please RSVP to Maria Sullivan if you plan to attend and PLEASE pass the word to all alum as we would love to give her a wonderful send-off. You may also bring an 8x10 card to be placed in a memory book to be presented to her that day, drop it in the basket in the lobby marked "Mrs. Brodsky", or drop it off to Maria in advance at 82 Park Ave. Contact mariasullivan18@hotmail.com (617) 527-9136 for more information and to RSVP.  This event is sponsored by the PTO.

The PTO is still looking to fill the following role before school gets out ....

PTO Publicity --  We really want to be sure there is a clear picture for the Ward community of what events are coming up and where PTO funds are spent.  We would love to utilize the front boards/railing better so people know what we are up to ... this person would have flexibility in how they see doing this ... digital pictures, signs, quotes from kids, notes in the Forward, banners in front of the school.    Time commitment would vary and could mostly be done at home.
 
Ward PTO Website -- Help update the information on the PTO website.  Adding articles and updates throughout the year.  We can train you but comfort on computers is needed.  Minimal web ability is preferably.  Commitment is primarily at home.
 
Spring Fundraiser -- Next year is a year in which we need to run a large spring fundraiser with an auction (replacing some of the smaller ones we did this year).  We already have many volunteers to work on the event (more are always welcome) but we need someone to take charge.  Please let me know if you would like to be involved.   Can be shared among 2-3 people!
 
Let Beth Coomber know if you are interested.

Let's talk about ticks, mosquitoes and the diseases they cause:  While mosquitoes fly and ticks merely crawl, the two creatures have a few things in common when it comes to preventing the diseases they cause. Read on to learn more about how to protect your family from diseases such as West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitics, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (also known as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis).

• Avoid exposure. Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Ticks can be found anywhere, even in your back yard. Ticks with Lyme and other diseases are now found throughout the state, not just on Cape Cod as in the past. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks will protect you from both ticks and mosquitoes. This may be difficult in hot weather, but it will protect you from both bugs, and make ticks easy to spot. Stay on cleared trails when walking or hiking to avoid the edge habitat where ticks are more likely to be found.

• Use a bug repellent. Different products work against different bugs. It's important to look at the "active ingredient" on the label. Products with DEET or permethrin are recommended for protection against both ticks and mosquitoes. Some repellents, such as picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, have been found to provide protection against mosquitoes, but have not been shown to work against ticks. DEET products may be applied to skin or clothing. Read label directions carefully and use as directed. Permethrin products are intended for use on clothing, shoes and outdoor gear and should not be applied directly to skin.

• Take action. Remove standing water around your house. Mosquitoes can breed in puddles and standing water that lasts more than four days. Check yourself and your pets carefully for ticks after you have been outside. Remove ticks promptly by pulling the head with tweezers.

• Know the signs and symptoms. Ticks can cause Lyme disease, among other tick-borne diseases. Lyme disease results in a bull's-eye rash in some people. Others have flu-like symptoms without the rash, sore muscles and joints, and swollen glands. If left untreated, the joints, nervous system and heart can be affected, resulting in serious complications. Early treatment is important to prevent chronic disease.  Ticks can also cause Babesiosis and Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (also known as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis. Mosquitoes can cause West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The first symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103º to106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. EEE is a rare disease, but it does occur in Massachusetts. West Nile Virus (WNV) is more common than EEE in this state. The majority of people who are infected with WNV (approximately 80%) will have no symptoms. A smaller number of people who become infected (~ 20%) will have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands. They may also develop a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness, including encephalitis or meningitis. Seek medical treatment if you are concerned about exposure to or symptoms of any of these diseases.

For more information about ticks, mosquitoes, and the diseases they cause, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at www.mass.gov/dph.  Click on "Public Health Fact Sheets" on the right side of the page and choose the topic you are interested in learning more about.

 
Brownies?  If your daughter is interested in joining Girl Scouts this fall and will be entering 2nd/3rd grade, please contact Karine Alexander (alexanderkarine@gmail.com or (617) 795.0442), so we can get an idea if we have enough girls to begin our own Ward School Troop!

Attention Those No Longer in Need of their Lunch Cards (Graduating Seniors, those moving away, those not intending to continue taking part in the lunch service at school).  Here is the policy on refunding money left on your child's lunch card:  You must put your request for a refund in writing and send it care of the Newton Public Schools Food Service, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, Ma. 02460.  Be sure to include your child's name and grade, and the school s/he attends, as well as your name and address.  Refunds will be mailed to you within 4 to 6 weeks. 

Registration for Fourth Grade Instrumental Music Lessons Now Open:  Students entering fourth grade in September may elect to participate in the Instrumental Music Lesson Program where they will learn how to play a band or orchestra instrument.  This fee-based program ($150) is a unique opportunity for students with little or no experience playing a musical instrument to receive a weekly 30-minute group lesson during the school day. For many children, this program marks the beginning of a lifelong endeavor as a musician in Newton Public Schools and beyond.

During these final weeks of school, our instrumental music teachers will be conducting a special demonstration/information session for all third grade students in their schools.  The teachers will provide an information packet with registration forms for students to bring home to their parents and guardians on the day of their demonstration.

All of the information about this program is now posted on the district website including registration and financial assistance forms that can be downloaded.  The registration deadline is August 31st.  If you have questions about this program, please contact Richard P. King, Fine Arts Coordinator by June 23rd at (617) 559-6149.  Newton Public Schools website: www.newton.k12.ma.us.

Ward Family Needs Your Help:  Whiskers needs a new home. FREE (includes cage).  Very Cute and Sweet Rat.  Easy to care for. We are moving out of state and can't take him with us.  Please call us at (617) 332-1665.

Newton Schools Foundation "Honor Thy Teacher 2009": Great teachers are truly priceless! Join the Newton Schools Foundation in our 12th annual "Honor Thy Teacher" celebration as we honor the inspirational teachers, administrators and educators of the Newton Public Schools.

The Newton Schools Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovation and creativity in the Newton Public Schools. For the next three years, the Foundation will support the Newton Public School strategic plan to invest in 21st Century classrooms in all 21 schools. Our goal is to impact each child's education by providing Newton Public School educators with the technology, skills and tools for 21st Century teaching and learning.

Ask your children who they honor and send your honored teachers' names with your donation to the Newton Schools Foundation. Your honorees will receive a card of thanks in your name and will be celebrated in the annual Honor Thy Teacher spread in the Newton TAB this coming fall. Please submit your honored teachers' names by September 1st.

To learn more or to donate, please visit our website at www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org or phone (617) 559-6120.