ForWard 12.12.21
Upcoming Events
December 2021
Ongoing Ward Annual Fund
Monday, December 13 at 7:40am
Anti-racism & Equity Rally, Bigelow
Wednesday, December 15
El Pelon Take-Out Fundraiser
News
A Note from FORJ
We are writing in light of recent events targeting our NPS Principals: Chassity Coston (Bigelow) and Henry Turner (Newton North). Please see below for more information and consider joining the Bigelow community in a rally Monday (12/13) at 7:40 am to show our support for our NPS principals in our goal toward anti-racism and equity.
If you cannot join the rally, to condemn racist attacks on our school leaders and express support for their unwavering commitment to antiracism, social inclusion and cultural connectedness, please consider sending a quick note to Superintendent David Fleishman (Fleishmand@newton.k12.ma.us), Mayor Ruthanne Fuller (rfuller@newtonma.gov), and/or the Newton School Committee (schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us).
Thank you!
Ward FORJ
Angela Brooks, Sandyha Strobert, and Jeanne Choe-Arrieta
JOIN Bigelow FORJ on Monday, December 13 at 7:40-8:00 am at Vernon/Park intersection crosswalk island to demonstrate our support for the leadership of our NPS principals (particularly Bigelow Principal Coston and NNHS Principal Turner in light of recent events, pls refer to below statement), administrators, counselors and teachers who are pursuing educational agendas aligned with the district-wide values and commitment to equity. Bigelow FORJ unequivocally denounces all forms of systemic racism and social exclusion and will continue to push and act for antiracism, social justice and inclusion.
Please spread the word, ask your children, families and neighbors to join us to demonstrate that the Bigelow community (whether as parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors, staff or supporters) stands united in continuing to push for equity for all. Bring signs, posters, slogans (this would be a fantastic opportunity to include your children/students' creative ideas for designing rally materials) and most importantly, yourselves!
Ward Annual Fund
We have passed the halfway mark to our $20k goal and the generous MATCH OFFER from Asher Nichols of Asher Nichols & Craftsmen is still on the table. Can you help us reach our goal by the end of 2021?
There are two ways to donate:
Online at our PayPal page (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=W3QC82Y3M9S8G)
By Check: Made out to “Ward PTO” and sent in an envelope to school clearly labeled “Kristin Golden, Treasurer - Ward PTO”
THANK YOU for your ongoing support!
El Pelon Take Out Fundraiser
THIS WEEK! Ready for an evening off of cooking while simultaneously supporting the PTO and supporting a great local business? Stop by El Pelon on Wednesday, December 15th from 2-5 PM and mention “Ward PTO” when ordering. 10% of all sales will go to the PTO and the increased business during their usually more quiet hours will help them out as all local small businesses work hard to stay open during these trying times. Hot tip: wise community members have told us that their Platos are delicious and re-heat really well for dinner or for lunches later in the week too!
Ward Street/Waverly Avenue Intersection
We would like all Ward families that travel through the Ward/Waverly intersection to be aware of safety concerns and related upcoming enhancements to this busy traffic area. Whether you are a pedestrian or passing through via vehicle, please take notice to the many directions of traffic at this intersection. In late November, our longtime crossing guard at the corner of Ward St. and Waverly Ave. was victim to a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident. A car was traveling on the wrong side of the Ward Street median and he was "sideswiped" by the moving vehicle. While we are very grateful to report there was no serious injury as a result of this incident and our loyal crossing guard was back on the job the next day, we must remind everyone in our community to take extra care when traveling in this area, especially during the busy school crossing hours. Also, please be aware of actions being taken in response to this incident:
Supplemental signage has been ordered for this intersection including: New signs to alert drivers that driving on the north side of the Ward Street WB approach median is incorrect; the outdated "Keep Right" sign on the median will be updated and moved up higher on the post; and the existing "Yield to Pedestrians on Turns" sign on the Ward Street WB approach will be moved up to hang closer to the stop bar.
These changes will take place later this month once the signage has arrived.
We also will make a commitment to offering Pedestrian Safety Training to Ward Students via the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Director, Vivian Ortiz. Please stay tuned for more information on these trainings as we will be seeking parent volunteers to support the lessons and also to learn from Vivian so that we can then continue to conduct these trainings annually as a Ward community.
If you have comments, questions or concerns please reach out to Ward's Safe Routes to School Representative, Caitlin Cusick at Caitlin@wardpto.org.
Lost and Found
The Lost & Found page has been updated with some new items. Any unclaimed items will be donated on December 22nd. Please contact Heba Haddad with any questions hebaqhaddad@gmail.com
NCE Winter and Spring Offerings at Ward School
Newton Community Ed will be offering new classes at Ward this winter and spring! For more information and/or to get registration information please contact Anna Ford McKeown of
Newton Community Education at mckeowna@newton.k12.ma.us or visit https://www2.newtoncommunityed.org/registration/. Classes are grouped by grade levels (listed in the last column) and range in price from $235 - $325 for the semester.
Winter offerings include:
Anatomy Academy & Potion Makers: Grades 1-4 Mondays
Fiber Arts: Grades 3-5 Tuesdays
Mixed Media: Grades 3-5 Fridays
Spring offerings include:
French Club: Grades 1-5 Tuesdays
Spanish Club: Grades 3-5 Monday
Robotics 101: Grades K-2 and 3-5 Wednesdays
Spanish Club: Grades K-3 Fridays
Community Notes & Announcements
Support the Williams Elementary PTO at their Online Auction!
LAST CHANCE! Find some bargains and support our friends across town at the same time! Check out the Williams PTO Online auction at www.biddingforgood.com/williamsPTO/2021. The auction runs through TONIGHT December 12!
Opportunity for Children Ages 4-7 with the BU Learning Lab
BU Doctoral students are working on research for their dissertations and would love for you and your children to be involved! For this work, we will play two quick (10-15 minute) STEM games with your child online. In return, you will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. If you have any questions, please email learnlab@bu.edu. Fill out this form if you are interested: https://forms.gle/TrpNj35k5bktUtYK6
Lacrosse Registration Open for Girls, Boys and a Winter Clinic
Girls: Register at www.newtongirlslacrosse.com by 1/4/22 for grades 3-8 and 3/1/22 for grades 1-2. A quick summary of important details. More details can be found through the registration process.
Boys: Register at www.newtonyouthlacrosse.com, open to boys in grades 1 – 8 who live in Newton or attend a school in Newton.
Winter Indoor Clinic: Get ready for spring with a winter lacrosse clinic run by Newton South! A great way to build skills and have some winter fun at a great price. Open to grades 4-8, the sessions are run by Newton South coaches and upper-class team members on Sunday mornings at 9AM. Proceeds support the NSHS Lacrosse team. Sign up today!
Dates: January 30, February 6,13 & 27 and March 6 & 13
WHERE: Newton South High School Field House, 140 Brandeis Rd., Newton, MA
Contact: briggsm@newton.k12.ma.us
See more Community Notes at https://newtonptocouncil.org/community/