ForWard 2.9.25
From the Co-Presidents:
We are officially past the halfway point of the school year, with some students celebrating the 100th day of school on Wednesday, February 12th. The year is flying!!
Last Thursday, first grade parents met with grade level teachers for an informal meet up in the library. Thank you to Mrs. Colarusso, Ms. Keefe, Mrs. Sylvester and all the parents who attended. We’d love to hear feedback on your experience from any first grade, fourth grade, or fifth grade parents that have attended these so far this year, so please reach out to us! We look forward to the joint Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Meet Up on Thursday, March 6th, from 8-8:30 am in the library.
Please save the date for the our next in-person PTO meeting on Tuesday, April 1st from 8:30-9:30 in the library. We will be joined by Superintendent Anna Nolin and member(s) of the School Committee. We will see you there!
If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to order some Aloha Bracelets to send to Ward teachers and staff of your choice. Tomorrow is the last day for orders!! All purchases will go towards fifth grade graduation, their end-of-the-year party, and to cover the costs of 5th grade yearbooks. These bracelets are adorable and handmade by our fifth graders. We are certain they will spark joy for our fantastic Ward teachers and staff. See below for more information.
The Ward Spirit Store is officially closed. We'll reach out to you in the next week or two with information about how to pick up your order at a designated time, either before school or at pick-up. We can’t wait to see people rocking the new gear!!
If your child/children are missing any items (clothing, water bottles, etc.), please check Ward’s lost and found, which is located in the school’s foyer.
We are truly grateful to everyone who has donated to the Annual Fund. Thank you!! If anyone would like, you can still make a last-minute donation via check to Ward PTO or Venmo to @WardPTO. We have two upcoming fundraisers - the Teacher Raffle in March and the Mystery Dinner in May. Thank you to Caitlin Cusick and Betsy Blazar for coordinating the Teacher Raffle and Emily Derr and Betsy Blazar for leading the Mystery Dinner.
As we look ahead to next year, we’d love to have additional voices join us on the PTO Board. If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you and chat more. As always, please email us anytime at copresidents@wardpto.org with your ideas, questions, concerns, or ways we can help.
- Elizabeth Loehr + Elizabeth Weinberg, Ward PTO Co-Presidents 2024-26
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2025-26
Ward is already planning for the next school year. Your child must turn five on or before August 31, 2025, to join the kindergarten class in September 2025.
If you have an incoming kindergartener, please inform us by completing THIS FORM. Please also forward it to neighbors who may be sending a child to kindergarten next year.
Save the Date: On the evening of Monday, February 27th, 2025, NPS will hold a virtual information session for families NEW to the Newton Public Schools.
For more information about the kindergarten registration process, please click HERE.
The Ward Annual Fund
We’ve raised $8,216 which is 55% of the way to our $15,000 goal. While we have not reached our goal, we are very thankful to everyone that has donated to the PTO this year for both the Annual Fund and the Fun Run in the fall. We still have two big PTO fundraisers coming up this year. Be on the lookout for information about the Teacher Raffle in March and Mystery Dinner in May. Thank you to everyone for being a part of our wonderful school community.
Any last minute 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.
The 5th Grade Committee is excited to launch our first annual Aloha Bracelets Fundraiser! This is a fun way to show ALOHA to our amazing teachers and staff at Ward School, with handmade bracelets crafted by our fifth graders. Order now and we’ll deliver them to your favorite staff members on Valentine’s Day (February 14th)!
Order Dates: February 3 to February 10
Pricing:
1 bracelet for $3
All Specialists: $10
All Support Staff: $75
Bracelets for All Ward Teachers & Staff: $150
How to Order:
You can easily order Aloha bracelets following these 2 steps:
Order. Complete the form at this link.
Pay. Send payment via Venmo app to @Kimberley-Clark (last 4 digits 8113). In payment notes please include your Full Name.
Let’s spread some Aloha and raise funds for the fifth grade! Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS) Programming:
February 28th - 1st Grade: Author Visit - Emilie Boon
March 7th - 4th Grade: Taiko Drum
March 11th - 2nd Grade: A Day in Ghana
March 13th - 1st Grade: Mass Audobon - Wild Adaptations (Birds of Prey)
May 5th - 3rd Grade: Origamido
June 6th - 3rd & 5th Grade: Techsploration
Volunteers Needed
Girls on the Run (GOTR), Date TBD: This non-profit program serves girls in grades 3-8 to build self-confidence and increase physical activity too, Participants will complete a celebratory 5K run. We are looking for a volunteer (or two!) to become a coach. Seasons run for 8-9 weeks. For more information, reach out to us at copresidents@wardpto.org.
As a coach, you will:
Receive all the tools and support you need to lead interactive and easy-to-follow lessons with your co-coaches
Help girls grow their confidence, stand up for themselves, and give back to their communities
Help to transform and strengthen the next generation of girls
Experience the positive impacts yourself!
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
ASA Hoops February Vacation Camp: ASA Hoops is offering February Vacation Clinics and ongoing Winter training for boys and girls ages 7-13. Since 1997 ASA has been serving the Newton community offering camps, clinics, skills training and AAU basketball. We hope to see you soon: Register at: asahoops.com / Contact: Coachb@asahoops.com"
Newton Community Education Classes! Are you looking for fun and enriching activities for your child after school? NCE has three classes that will take place at Ward:
Check out their full schedule here!
Tanglewood Marionettes presents: Cinderella
Tickets are on sale now for a spectacular production of the classic story Cinderella on Thursday, February 20, at 11am. This classic tale is told by wooden marionette puppets brought to life by the artistic talents of Peter and Anne Schaefer – Tanglewood Marionettes. Tickets are on sale now at www.newtonmarec.com (click Show Tix then Ticket Sales). Tickets are $10 per person in advance or $15 at the door if seats are available; admission is free for children under 12 months who sit on an adult’s lap.
Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. Don’t miss the beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, colorful sets, and integrated lighting and sound that create a fully immersive theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
There is a limited number of tickets available for families with financial need through the Newton Arts Pass program. Email culture@newtonma.gov or call 617-796-1540 with questions.
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 Girls Lacrosse Registration has been dedicated to providing Newton lacrosse players and their families a community based developmental lacrosse program since 1999. The program delivers a fun, safe and inclusive youth sports environment. The goal of this instructional program is to teach our players sportsmanship, lacrosse skills, core lacrosse elements (attacking, defending, transition) as well as to provide a space for building new friendships with players from across Newton. Our program is open to players in grades 1-8. Please note, our program offers financial assistance to families that have a need for some financial support. Before you register please email ngl.program@gmail.com and the Program Director will follow up with you. A large part of our program relies on parent coaching volunteers. We will train you! If you would like to coach with us we offer a 50% Discount on one child's registration. Use 2025COACH at checkout.
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
Ward Community Day (Sponsored by NewtonSERVES) is May 4. This is an AMAZING event where Ward families work to clean and beautify our school grounds. It 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, 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