ForWard 9.12.21
Upcoming Events
Monday, Sept. 13 from 5:30-7:00
Fall Family Picnic
The Fall Family Picnic will include pizza and games for all and is a great chance to gather with new and old friends.
Saturday, October 2 from 6-8PM
Grade 4 Parents Potluck
Watch for an invitation!
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
International Walk and Roll to School Day
Plan to join the community and school children across the world and walk, bike or bus to school!
Thursday, October 7 at 7:30pm on Zoom
Fall PTO Meeting
Agenda items to include the annual budget and the annual calendar of events. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
News
Fall Family Picnic
An evening not to be missed! The Fall Family Picnic will include pizza and games for all and is a great chance to gather with new and old friends. Remember cash for the Ice Cream Truck and Ward Spirit Gear and don’t forget a reusable water bottle. Please note - no building/bathroom access available. Monday, September 13th 5:30-7:00 PM, Ward Field.
Grade Level Potluck Gatherings
We are looking for families to host grade-level potluck style get-togethers. As a host, your responsibility is the paper goods! Due to COVID precautions - events must be held outdoors so we are looking to plan these EARLY in the fall. Additionally, every grade is welcoming an exciting number of new families so it will be beneficial to meet each other soon. Given the current climate we recommend keeping it simple (ex: appetizers and drinks or drinks and desserts). It is really important this year for families to socialize and be together! Remember - this is an only adult event. If you are interested in hosting please email Sara Wantman: sbwantman@gmail.com. We would like all grades to have some sort of social gathering before the weather starts to change.
A Note from PTO METCO Rep
My name is Jonathon Leib and I am excited to serve as the Ward PTO METCO representative for the 2021-2022 school year. We moved to Newton in January of 2021 and the Ward community made the mid-year transition for our family extremely easy. We are thrilled to be part of such an inclusive school and I look forward to doing what I can to welcome new and returning METCO families to Ward. Please feel free to contact me any time: jonleib@gmail.com.
Parent Handbook 2021-2022
The Ward PTO Parent Handbook is live and updated for the new year! It’s available on our website under the “Your PTO” heading in the navigation bar. There is useful and important information for both new and returning families!
Directory
The Ward School PTO Family Directory is hosted online at Membership Toolkit. The access is free and it can be used by all Ward families. The directory is run and funded by the PTO thanks to your support! It can be found online at wardpto.membershiptoolkit.com. The online platform is a secure and easy to use tool that organizes contact information from all Ward families unless they specifically opt out. It is a convenient, environmentally conscious system that can be updated throughout the school year.
Please confirm that your information is correct and up-to-date. Most families already have an email associated with the online directory, but if there is a problem please contact Sarah Lenz at directory@wardpto.org.
STEP 1: Review the Parent/Family and then Student Information. Most of this information should already be available. Please just confirm it is correct. Or add new contact information.
STEP 2: Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
Note: Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can “invite” other email addresses to access his/her account. This allows the Secondary User to have their own login information, but still have access to the family account.
For Families new to Ward School-primarily families who have a student starting Kindergarten but other grades as well!:
Login as NEW USER, and create a new account
Click “Verify my email” and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link
expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders. Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
STEP 1: Complete the Parent/Family and then Student Information.
STEP 2: Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
Note: Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can “invite” other email addresses to access his/her account. This allows the Secondary User to have their own login information, but still have access to the family account.
Community Notes & Announcements
Consent forms for the NPS COVID testing program are now available in Aspen.
You ARE REQUIRED to provide consent for your student to be tested. Please log into Aspen to sign the consent form. Here is the Aspen Login Link. Please follow these instructions for accessing and signing the consent form.
Testing is scheduled to begin in mid-September.
Here are the details on the state-sponsored multi-tiered COVID testing program administered by CIC Health:
Symptomatic Testing: This protocol (a rapid test), will be used for students and staff who develop symptoms while at school.
Test and Stay (Close contact testing): This protocol (a rapid test) will be used to test unvaccinated asymptomatic individuals who have been identified as close contacts following possible exposure at school.
Routine (Weekly) COVID Pooled Testing: This protocol (anterior nasal swab) will be used for all individuals who opt-in to participate in the weekly COVID testing program.
Having trouble logging into Aspen? Email: aspen@newton.k12.ma.us
Attention Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families: Story Starters registration is open
Story Starters is enrolling families with 3- to 8-year-olds to participate in our fall 8-week program. Our program is designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. Story Starters gives families age-appropriate tools and skills to have meaningful conversations about race and racism. Story Starters families learn from educators, racial justice advocates, and each other.
Our program provides families with:
A bundle of 6 books
5 parent guides full of research, resources, and family activities to help parents start and deepen family race conversations
4 curated book lists to support further exploration and conversation
2 family events and 2 parent workshops
A vibrant community of families seeking to make an impact in their homes and beyond
Local playground meet-ups to facilitate community connections
The program kickoff is October 3rd from 5:00-6:00pm. For additional program dates and details, visit: www.story-starters.org/program
Indigenous Peoples Day Newton Ceremonial Celebration
Monday, October 11, 2021, 12 - 5pm, Albemarle Park
Everyone is welcome to attend Newton's very first Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration!
This free, family-centered event will feature numerous Indigenous artists from all around the Northeast- singers, poets, musicians, painters and more! You can learn more about Indigenous businesses and nonprofits at the marketplace. Participate in a talking circle. And, be sure to enjoy a delicious meal from the Indigenous food trucks!
Read about all the details at our website IPD Newton! https://ipdmassnewton.wixsite.com/ipdnewton
Register now for the Tour de Newton bike ride – Sept 19th
Tour de Newton is Newton's very own family-friendly biking event, is back for 2021! The 9th annual Tour de Newton will take place on Sunday, September 19th starting at 9AM. Registrations by 9/1 pay early-bird rates: $10 child, $15 adult, under 3 FREE. Register now at https://www.bikereg.com/tour-de-newton2021.