ForWard 12.29.24
From the Co-Presidents:
We hope everyone has enjoyed a restful break and found time to relax and have fun. Just before the break, fifth-grade parents and teachers gathered for a coffee meet-up in the library to connect informally and discuss topics such as preparing for middle school. We look forward to the 4th Grade Family Coffee Meet on Thursday, February 6th, from 8 to 8:30 AM.
Ward families gathered at the BC basketball game on December 28th. Many thanks to Kevin Woo (dad to Quinn, K, and Hazel, grade 3) for organizing this event and arranging a private locker room tour. The kids loved it!!
We’re excited about our community activity: Ice Skating at the Jack Kirrane Ice Rink at Larz Andersen on Friday, January 17, from 5 to 5:50PM. Skating will cost $10 per person, plus the cost of skate rentals. Please email Christina DiNardi at christina@christinadinardi.com to RSVP.
We appreciate your support of the Annual Fund. So far, 23% of families have participated, and we’ve raised $6,191, which is 41% of the way to our $15,000 goal. The Ward PTO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit; all donations are tax-deductible. Every dollar raised is critical to providing the programs, support, and resources our kids and teachers need. We genuinely appreciate your support. See below for more information about how to donate via PayPal, check, or Venmo to @WardPTO.
As always, please email us anytime at copresidents@wardpto.org with your ideas, questions, concerns, or ways we can help.
We hope everyone has a fantastic New Year. See you in 2025!
- Elizabeth Loehr + Elizabeth Weinberg, Ward PTO Co-Presidents 2024-26
The Ward Annual Fund
The Ward PTO spends $200-$250 per student per year with a projected budget of $50,000 for the 2024-25 school year. The PTO has 4 major fundraising streams: 1) The Fun Run, 2) The Annual Fund, 3) The Teacher Raffle, and 4) The Mystery Dinner.
The Annual Fund Ask: Please consider donating to the PTO today. No donation is too small—we hope to raise $15,000 and get as close to 100% participation as possible. Currently we’ve raised $6,191 and are 41% of the way to our goal with 23% of families having participated. PTO funds go towards anything from community events, curriculum enrichment, and supporting the needs of our principal, teachers, and staff. Every dollar raised is critical for our students, teachers, and school community and we appreciate donations of any amount.
Does your company provide a match for charitable giving? Corporate matches have been essential to the Ward PTO Annual Fund, accounting for at least 10% of what we raise yearly. Please check with your employer – it’s an easy way to increase your gift to the Ward PTO.
Donations to Ward can be made in several ways!
Most convenient: Venmo to @WardPTO “Annual Fund.” or PayPal here.
Most valuable: Pay by check, 100% of which goes to the PTO. Make checks to Ward PTO and add a note stating “Annual Fund.” Put the check in an envelope labeled “Kristin Golden, Treasurer - Ward PTO Annual Fund” and give it to the front office staff.
Please consider one of the above; we cannot accept cash donations.
Digital Wellness Book Club
Join a Book Club with other caregivers and Ward staff focused on digital wellness for kids. The first book we'll discuss is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. This thought-provoking book delves into the rising mental health challenges facing young people today.
Date: Tuesday 1/7/25
Time: 7:30pm
Location: At the home of a Ward family - location to be shared after RSVP
We'll be discussing parts 1, 2 and 3 of the book at this meeting. Whether you've already read it or are just starting, come prepared to discuss the impact of social media on mental health, the role of parenting styles and strategies for fostering resilience in the next generation.
Please RSVP by email keren.wainger@gmail.com
Ward Family Ice Skating Event
January 17, from 5 pm to 5:50 pm, at the Jack Kirrane Ice Rink at Larz Anderson Park. This event will cost $10/person plus the cost of skate rentals should you need them.
To RSVP and for more information please email Christina DiNardi at christina@christinadinardi.com. Thank you to Christina for organizing this new Ward event. We hope to see you there.
Volunteers Needed
Ward Community Day (Sponsored by NewtonSERVES), May 4: We need a volunteer (or two!) to lead our annual Ward Community Day (Sponsored by NewtonSERVES). This position requires coordinating materials with the City of Newton and will help to organize the event. For more information, check out the NewtonSERVES website or email elizabethweinberg@wardpto.org with any questions.
Upcoming Event Highlights
New Art Center is offering a Creative Connections class in the New Year!
This class is facilitated by a registered art therapist and begins with a warm-up game to facilitate peer connections followed by creative/collaborative artmaking and closing with a compliment circle. The last session culminates in a parent-child artmaking and sharing experience! We operate this program on a sliding scale so that the cost of tuition is not a barrier to any students.
If you are interested, please click here to sign up or share with a friend.
Newton Youth Lacrosse Spring 2025 Registration. Learn to play North America’s oldest team sport and the fastest game on two feet! Newton Youth Lacrosse 2025 season registration is now open! NYL is a town-based program teaching and playing boys' lacrosse. We field teams at Grades 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. NO PRIOR LACROSSE EXPERIENCE is NECESSARY – we welcome new players at EVERY level! Our season runs from March through early June, with practices twice a week with volunteer and professional coaches and games on Sundays against local towns.
Learn more about our program and the sport of lacrosse on our website and follow us on Instagram at @newtonlax !
Please contact us with any questions about the program or to be connected with a current NYL parent: registrar@newtonyouthlacrosse.com
Final Fall Classes with Newton Community Education! Looking for fun and enriching activities for your child this Fall? Check out NCE’s final classes of the season! From Babysitting/CPR and LEGO® Engineering Design to Social Skills & Dining Etiquette and Swimming, there’s something for everyone. Register today!
Ward Community Day (Sponsored by NewtonSERVES), May 4. This is an AMAZING event where Ward families work to clean and beautify our school grounds. This is truly a great way for students and families to give back, meet other families, and make a difference!
Mystery Dinner will be on Saturday, May 10. Please save the date and get those babysitters lined up!! And while it’s still 6 months away, it’s never too early to let us know you may be interested in hosting :). If you’re new to Ward, feel free to go to our website or email us with any questions about what this fun adults-only community event and fundraiser entails. More to come!
Please reach out to us by emailing copresidents@wardpto.org