ForWard 9.8.24
From the Co-Presidents:
Phew! We made it!! What an incredible first week of school. It’s been so great to see and feel all the energy from the kids at drop off in the morning. As much as we love summer, it really does feel good to be back!
We are grateful for all the opportunities we’ve already had to be together as a school community. We loved seeing so many of you at Popsicles in the Park before school started and we were thrilled by the turnout and the opportunity to catch up over coffee after drop off on the first day of school. Many thanks to Mrs. Brogadir and the many teachers that were able to join us, along with some guest visits from Superintendent Anna Nolin and a few additional representatives from Central Office.
We very much acknowledge that September is a whirlwind as we all settle back into the school year routine. We hope this newsletter continues to be a useful source of information for you and, as always, welcome any thoughts, ideas or concerns you may have by emailing us as at copresidents@wardpto.org
Here’s to an excellent school year.
Elizabeth Loehr + Elizabeth Weinberg, Ward PTO Co-Presidents 2024-26
Upcoming Events:
Ward Picnic - Monday 9/9 from 5:30 - 7PM: Meet us on the field for fun and games from Knucklebones and pizza provided by the PTO. Don’t forget a picnic blanket, water bottle and treat money for the ice cream truck. Continued thanks to Katie Megrian for all her work on this! **Please park on the neighboring streets to keep the parking lot accessible for After School and minimize traffic.
Ward Back to School Night - Tuesday 9/17 from 6-7:30: We hope to see you all at Ward for a chance to build community connections, learn about your child(ren)’s classroom and get an overview of grade level curriculum. More to come!
Grade Level Potlucks: Thank you so much to the amazing families who have volunteered to host! Please be on the lookout for invitations coming soon!
Kindergarten - Wednesday 9/25 hosted by Ellen + Colin Murphy
First Grade - Monday 9/23 hosted by Mary Jo Sisk + Dave Grossman
Second Grade - TBD
Third Grade - Thursday 10/10 hosted by Christina DiNardi + Kevin Woo
Fourth Grade - TBD hosted by Emily Derr + Brent Markus
Fifth Grade - TBD
Fall Spooktacular - Sunday 10/20 from 2-4PM: We encourage your kids (and you!!) to wear your costumes and meet us on the playground to celebrate together. Interested in being a part of this fun event? See Volunteer Opportunities below for more information or sign up here. Many thanks to Kerry Reynolds for her creativity bringing this event to life.
Fun Run - Thursday 10/24: Mark your calendar for this fun Ward tradition! More information to come! Big thanks to Penny Ismay and Lexi Sullivan for bringing this fun community event and fundraiser back for another year.
Volunteer Opportunities:
We are so grateful to everyone who has already volunteered for our upcoming fall events. Thank you!! Truly!!
Grade Level Potluck Hosts - We’re still looking for hosts for grades 2 and 5. Hosts choose a date, provide a space and paper goods, and send an evite - your guests do the rest! We will guide you through it. Last fall many enjoyed beautiful events outdoors so we encourage hosts to set a date soon to enjoy the September weather. Please email us at copresidents@wardpto.org if you would like to learn more and/or want to host!
Room Parents: Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered! We’re looking for 1-2 parents per classroom. Please consider signing up here. The role will vary depending on grade level and the needs of the specific teacher. General responsibilities include 1) coordinating with the teacher to acquire classroom supplies, 2) organizing and identifying volunteers 3) sending emails about upcoming PTO events and volunteer opportunities 4) coordinating teacher gifts. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with the teacher and families and be involved in the PTO. Please email us at copresidents@wardpto.org if are interested and/or would like to learn more.
Fall Spooktacular: Do you have a chili recipe you love? Do you love to face paint or do temporary tattoos? Have a fun game you want to set up? Or maybe you just want to bring the hot chocolate :) Please sign up here and help us make this fun event possible.
Sunflower Success!
The Ward garden sunflowers are stunnng this year! Special thanks for Heba Haddad, Christelle Naud Ravard, Helene Perennes Parot, Sara O-Connor, and Aleksandra Lamont for all of their hard work planting flowers and vegetables, and caring for the garden.
Want to join the Garden Committee? Email: copresidents@wardpto.org
From the Community
Fall Registration for Scouts 355 in Newton is Tuesday, Sep 10 from 6:30-8pm. Scouts BSA is available to girls and boys from Grade 1 to age 17. Visit Troop355.org for more information. If you would like a fun and meaningful way to spend time outside with your kids, Scouting is the way to make that happen.
Cub Pack 355 is for girls and boys in grades 1-5.
Troop 355G is for girls ages 11-17
Troop 355B is for boys ages 11-17
Our Troop focuses on Outdoor adventures, Life skills, Leadership skills, and Community Service. Troop 355 Scouts have a high rate of earning Eagle rank.
Email Valerie Davisson, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 355 Troop355scouts@gmail.com
CALLING ON ALL NEWTON MOMS TO PLAY CATCHBALL! - Catchball is a game very similar to volleyball but a lot easier to learn and play... If you can catch a ball, you can play catchball! We play 1x week and are actively recruiting new players. Absolutely no experience or athleticism is necessary. Most of us are women in their 40s and 50s. Come check us out!
https://bostonet.org/register/ to give it a try, or email Gul at gyanmaz@gmail.com for more information.
The Fourth Annual Newton Monarch Festival is on Saturday, September 14 from 9 am – 11:30 am (rain date, September 15) in Wellington Park, West Newton (entrances on Kilburn Road and Princess Road). Attendance is FREE and preregistration is encouraged if you would like to be notified of any weather related changes or other pollinator related events. Monarch Festival is cosponsored by Newton Conservators, Newton Parks Recreation and Culture Department, Newton Community Pollinator Project, Mothers Out Front, and Friends of Wellington Park. Newton Conservators, Newton Parks Recreation and Culture Department, Newton Community Pollinator Project, Green Newton, Friends of Cold Spring Park, Friends of Wellington Park, and Mothers Out Front Newton
We will have:
Butterfly Oriented Kids Games, Activities, and Crafts
Native milkweed seed and plant exchange
Butterfly Garden Tours
Live Monarchs in different stages – egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly
Butterfly information and Monarch release
Butterfly Related Prize Drawings for registered attendees
Join Newton Cub Scouts Pack 210
Boys and girls grades K-5 are invited to join Newton Cub Scout Pack 210 (http://pack210newton.scoutlander.com). Scouting is a great opportunity to make new friendships and learn new skills. We have an exciting year planned, with fun activities including camping, hiking, Pinewood Derby, outdoor activities, community service, overnights, and monthly Den/Pack meetings.
Stop by for "Join Scouting Day” in Newton Centre on Sunday, Sept 8 from 10am-2pm to learn more - we will have fun, food and games.
Our first meeting is on Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Carroll Center for the Blind, 770 Centre St in Newton Centre. The meeting will feature Metric Mike from WhizKidz, who will provide an exciting science demo, followed by ice cream/popsicles (food allergies will be accommodated, please contact with specific allergy needs), and it will be a great opportunity to learn more about our Pack and upcoming year. Please join us (feel free to email us if you know you are attending, and drop-ins are welcome too) or email Tom at (tom@tdwright.co.uk) with questions or if you’re interested in joining. We look forward to a great Scouting year ahead!
Please reach out to us by emailing copresidents@wardpto.org