ForWard 3.31.24
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 8
School viewing of Solar Eclipse
Thursday, April 11
Parents Night Out #2
Saturday, May 4
Spring Mystery Dinner
Sunday, May 5
Newton SERVES Day
Thursday, May 16
Ward International Night
Friday, May 31
Ward School Night at Fenway Park
See all events on our Calendar
News
From the President
Wow! What an eventful month - first with the Teacher Raffle, then a fantastic pizza sale and finally the much awaited Book Fair! A round of thanks are in order:
Thank you to the many students and families that participated in this year's Teacher/Staff Experience raffle. Our teachers and staff are so popular that this event raised over $4000 for the PTO and its many initiatives! Winners have been contacted and will now schedule their experiences directly with staff. If your child's name was not drawn this time - we hope you know your participation was so appreciated and we all win by having these critical funds provided to our PTO to support its mission of serving the entire Ward community. Thank you for your continued support of the Ward PTO!
Thank you to the fifth grade committee and volunteers for organizing an amazing pizza sale and to all fifth graders for helping! The Ward Class of 2024 thanks you for supporting their many fundraising efforts. The money raised supports fifth grade graduation festivities, yearbooks, a class gift and more!
And FINALLY, a HUGE THANKS to all the volunteers who showed up to help make our BOOK FAIR a huge success! As the children made their selections and proudly carried their new books, you could see the excitement gleaming in their eyes. It was clear that the book fair had sparked a love of reading in each and every student, leaving them eager to dive into their next literary adventure. In the end, it wasn't just about the books they purchased – it was about the memories made, the friendships formed, and the joy of discovering the magic of reading together. Now that the book fair buzz is settling down, let's keep that love of reading alive and kicking until next time!
Happy Easter to those who celebrate!
Rashi
Ward PTO President
Parents Night Out #2
Calling all parents again! It's time to take a break and have a night to yourselves. Join us for Parents Night Out at Baramor (45 Union St in Newton Centre) on Thursday 4/11 at 7:30PM to have a drink with old friends and meet some new ones. For any questions, please contact Keren Wainger or Elizabeth Loehr
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
Ward International Night on 5/16/24
Join us for an exciting adventure without leaving Ward School! Discover diverse cultures, tantalize your taste buds with international flavors, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of our global community.
Tables representing different countries will be set up in the outdoor tennis court, offering insights into their unique traditions and customs. From savory delights to intriguing giveaways, each stop promises a new experience! Children will be issued paper passports to collect stamps as they journey through each country, earning delightful prizes along the way.
Would you like to showcase your culture by hosting a table? Sign up here to represent a country and share its wonders with our community!
Do you have a special talent to share, such as a dance or a song? Reach out to Lauren, Roopali, or Heba to discuss your performance. We look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you. *In case of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the Ward School Gym.
Ward International Night Committee - Roopali Misra, Heba Haddad, and Lauren Khanna
Community Notes & Announcements
Upcoming Programs with Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture
Spring is just around the corner and we are ready to be active with indoor and outdoor activities with Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture. Check out everything that is running and register online at www.newtonmarec.com
Newton Community Education - Upcoming Programs
Summer Camp: We offer a wide variety of programming so your child can try something new every week. Whether they want to explore their creative side with our visual & digital art camps, be a mad scientist in our STEM camps, or conquer public speaking, we have a camp for everyone from kindergarten and up!
School Year Programming: Our classes for kids & teens are meant to enrich their mind, strengthen their body, and help them have fun with new friends! With programming at almost every NPS school, our programming is accessible to students of every background all around town.
Scholarships: We want all members of our community to be able to participate in our programs, and we provide scholarships to as many students as possible. Full and partial scholarships are available with preference to Newton residents and students of Newton Public Schools. More information at www.newtoncommunityed.org
Please let us know if you have any questions!
And please continue to follow the PTO on instagram @wardelementary_pto