ForWard 3.17.24
Upcoming Events
Mar 11- Mar 22
Teacher Raffle
Wed, Mar 20
Walk, Ride & Roll to School Day
Thur, Mar 21 @ 12:10pm
Early Release Pizza Sale
Tues, Mar 26 - Thur, Mar 28
Ward Book Fair
Thur, April 4
Parents Night Out
Monday, April 8
School viewing of Solar Eclipse
Saturday, May 4
Spring Mystery Dinner
Sunday, May 5
Newton SERVES Day
Friday, May 31
Ward School Night at Fenway Park
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the Co-Presidents
Thank you for your attendance at the Parent Coffee event featuring Dr. Anna Nolin, Superintendent of Schools, along with members of the Newton School Committee. It was a pleasure to engage in a lively and informative discussion with the PTO and many parents. We have an eventful spring ahead, filled with various activities, and we deeply appreciate your ongoing support with initiatives such as the Book Fair, Mystery Dinner, International Night, 5th Grade Pizza Sales, Newton Serves, and more.
Currently, our school stands as the only one in Newton without a Newton Serves Coordinator. This role not only contributes to enhancing the aesthetics of our school but also positively impacts our community. We kindly request those who are able to spare some time to consider signing up to chair for this position. Further information is provided below.
And as you all know, we are ACTIVELY seeking volunteers for all PTO Roles in 2024-2025. We are in need of two co-president(s) and a Treasurer who can commit for a 2 year term (has kids at Ward for the next 2 years) as it is critical we continue to have leadership overlap. Please review all of the volunteering opportunities and consider helping your school! An update from Co-President Bryan below.
Rashi
Ward PTO Co-President
Letter From Bryan Saltzburg
Due to unforeseen circumstances I need to step down from my role as Co-Chair of the Ward PTO. I will continue to support, on an ad hoc basis, the amazing efforts of Rashi, the other leaders of the PTO, Mrs. Brogadir, parents and teachers as we continue to supplement the Ward community with added programs and events.
We would greatly value any additional volunteers that are able to provide time or leadership throughout the remainder of the year and into 2024/2025.
🎉Teacher/Staff Experience Raffle 🎉
Don't let this opportunity slip away! This is the final week to purchase tickets for unforgettable experiences with our amazing Ward Staff. We've got some fantastic deals on bulk packages that you won't want to miss. This may be our most exciting list of offerings yet! HUGE thanks to Caitlin Cusick and Betsy Blazar for their organization and work on this long standing, beloved tradition and of course it would not be possible without the generosity of Ward Staff. Every student has already received one raffle ticket to enter at school this week, but the rest of your luck is in your hands! Act quickly because ticket sales close on March 22nd. Winners will be notified via email the following week. Buy tickets here!
Of course...everyone is ultimately a winner because your participation also supports our PTO and its efforts including such things as Creative Arts and Sciences experiences, community events, teacher appreciation, technology support and tools for our school, and more!
Goodbye Winter Hello Spring Walk, Ride & Roll to School Day - March 20
Will you walk, roll, bike or bus? Choose what works for your family to welcome in spring this year. And if you can't make it in the rush of the morning you can also WALK - ROLL - RIDE from school!
Contact your Safe routes to school representative Keren Wainger with any questions or concerns.
🎓🍕Fifth Grade Pizza Sale this Thursday🎓🍕
Calling all pizza lovers! Our fifth-grade class is hosting a delicious pizza sale this Thursday, March 21st, to raise funds for our graduation events and our class gift presentation. What could be better than treating yourself to a scrumptious pizza lunch? With dismissal at 12:10, join us for a mouthwatering meal right after school. This event is open to all after-school students and families during pick-up time.
For just $5, you'll get a mouthwatering slice of pizza along with a refreshing clementine. It's a deal you won't want to miss! Thank you for supporting our fifth-grade class and making our graduation celebrations truly unforgettable!
See you there!
📚 Ward Book Fair 📚
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up to volunteer for the Ward Book Fair! Your support means the world to us! We still need a few more helping hands, especially for managing the cash register from March 25th to March 28th in the afternoons, as well as for cleanup duty on April 1st. See the sign-up sheet here.
Schedule:
Monday, (3/25) will be a book fair preview day for all teachers and students. Students will have 10-15 minutes to walk through the fair to see what kinds of books are available and optionally make wish lists.
Tuesday (3/26) through Thursday (3/28), students will visit the book fair during this schedule. Students in after-school also will be brought to the book fair. Because the book fair will be open until 4:30pm each day and until 6:30pm on Thursday, families are welcome to bring their students after school is out. NOTE: Please pickup your student before you come in to the book fair.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event:
When?: Mar 26 - Mar 28 2024
Where?: Ward Library
How to pay for books? Cash or eWallet
You can now open an eWallet for your student! Further instructions are available here. As mentioned in a previous email, the eWallet is a digital account that can be used by your student for book fair purchases. With the eWallet, it’s easy for family and friends to add to your child’s account. If you’d prefer to send your child with cash, that works too! If you need assistance setting up your eWallet, contact Marisa (morrison.marisa@gmail.com) or Rashi (rashi@wardpto.org).
f your child is in need of financial assistance with book fair purchases, please reach out to our principal, Rebecca Brogadir (brogadirr@newton.k12.ma.us) or our school social worker, Kadesia Woods (woodsk@newton.k12.ma.us).
Ward After-School Applications for 2024-25
It is time to apply to Ward After-School for 2024-25! 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 Thursday, March 28. This is a REAL deadline. We typically receive many applications so to be fair to all, we strictly enforce the deadline. Note that there is no school on Friday, March 29 so all apps must be received by Thursday, March 28.
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 Donna Marohn at donna@wardafterschool.com or 617-965-3087.
Spring Mystery Dinner: Save The Date: 5/4/24
Save the date for the Ward mystery dinner! This is an adults only event and the most fun you’ll ever have as an elementary school parent/caregiver! If you are interested in hosting appetizers, a dinner or dessert please let us know. Appetizers and dessert are 75-125 ppl. Dinners are 8-15 people. This event is made possible by the generosity of our hosts! It’s a wonderful way to meet and get to know our Ward community. Sign up to host! Questions? Emily Derr (emilyjderr@gmail.com) or Betsy Blazar (betsyblazar@gmail.com)
Chair Needed for Newton Serves on 5/5/24!
NewtonServes! is an annual citywide event that focuses on building community through the clean up and “greening” of public spaces. This one-day event spans across many sites in Newton and traditionally the Ward school grounds have been a designated site. Past efforts at Ward have included clearing debris and spreading mulch, trimming branches, tidying flower beds and adding new plantings. The Chair is responsible for identifying the needs and scope of the work to be done. They also serve as a liaison with the City planning team and organize the volunteers.
The PTO is seeking a volunteer (or duo) to lead our Newton Serves initiative this spring. NewtonServes! Will be held on May 5th this year and this role will require additional planning time prior to the 5th. If you are interested in learning more about the lead role, please look here for more details. Any questions, please reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org
Community Notes & Announcements
Newton Girls Softball
Registration for Spring Rec Softball is closing soon. Teams will be finalized in late March. We have plenty of spots available in our K-1 T-Ball and 2-3 coach pitch divisions. Our Rec program welcomes players, in grades K through 8, of all abilities and experience level playing softball. All teams are coaches by parent volunteers. Sign up your player(s) at our web site -- https://www.newtongirlssoftball.org/. For any questions, please first read our policies and guidelines page on our web site. Further questions: info@newtongirlssoftball.org.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto