The Thursday Owl - September 3, 2026

From the Co-Presidents

We are excited to officially welcome you back to the 2026-27 school year and hope the first few days of school are going well, especially for our kindergarten and new Alcott families. As we kick off a new year, we also wanted to take the time to introduce ourselves! 

  • I'm Sarah Driscoll. I am excited to officially have both of my kids at Alcott - Hailey (3rd grade, Ms. R's class) and Connor (kindergarten, Ms. Lupinksi's class). I'm a former teacher and I really believe in the power of meaningful family engagement, and I look forward to working with many of you this year!

  • I'm Abby Flanagan. This is our 4th year as an Alcott family and my 2nd year as PTG President (now with a wonderful co-president). I have three kids - Michael (3rd grade, Ms. Knowles' class), Cora (2nd grade, Mrs. Martin's class), and William (pre-K, Concord Integrated Preschool). I've seen first hand the positive impact that truly engaged families can have on our schools and I'm excited for what this year will bring to the Alcott community!

Looking forward to seeing many of you at Back to School Night on Wednesday 9/16 and at Fall Fest on Sunday 9/20!  

Best,

Abby + Sarah

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News & Announcements

School Picture Day

School Picture day will take place on September 23rd. Parent volunteers are needed! Please consider signing up here.

Alcott Front Flower Beds Restoration

Thanks to a generous grant from the Garden Club of Concord we will be planting shade and drought- tolerant native plants to beautify the front flower beds at Alcott! Please join us on Sunday September 27th from 9 to 12: Planting Volunteer Sign-up. Bring gardening gloves and trowels if you have them!

Library Volunteers Needed

Mrs. O'Rourke is looking for a few library volunteers to shelve books Monday - Friday from 8:50 - 9:15. If you are interested in committing to a weekly spot for the year, please email korourke@concordps.org and let Mrs. O'Rourke know which day(s) you are available. Thanks for your support!

Fall Fest

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 20th from 11am–1pm! Join us for an afternoon of fall fun with bounce houses, games, crafts, face painting, pumpkin activities, and more! We’re also looking for parent volunteers to help make Fall Fest a fun and successful event for everyone: volunteer here. We can’t wait to celebrate with our Alcott community!

Alcott After School Programming

Concord Rec wants to hear from you! Concord Rec is sharing a short Feedback Survey to learn more about what types of programs families are interested in and how they can improve their afterschool enrichment offerings. Your feedback will help shape what programs will be offered in the future. Use this link for more details on the variety of afterschool enrichment programs offered this fall: Alcott School Programs - Concord Rec.

Volunteer as a Room Parent

Sign up here as a Room Parent to support your child's teacher, get to know the PTG better, and build connections with other parents. We currently still have a few open slots that need to be filled:

  • 3-Lentini: 1 slot open

  • 3-Refrigeri: 1 slot open

  • 5-Wilson: 1 slot open

Save the Date for Alcott Movie Night: October 2

Join us Friday, October 2nd for Alcott Movie Night! The movie will be decided by the students the week leading up to the event. Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities, ticket sales, and more!

September Composting Volunteers Needed

Little kids and big trays sometimes need a helping hand, as well as some guidance as to what is compostable and the occasional removal of a ketchup packet or fork! Sign up here.

Calendar & Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a half day

  • September 4 - No School

  • September 7 - No School

  • September 16 - Back to School Night

  • September 20 - Fall Fest

  • September 23 - Picture Day

  • October 2 - Movie Night

In the Community

Elementary School Crossing Guards Needed

The Town of Concord is seeking a dependable person for part-time position assisting children and directing traffic at school crossings. Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM, and 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.; Wednesday: 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM, and 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Pay Rate: $30.00 per hour with 2 hours minimum pay per day. Apply HERE.

Concord Rec Musical Theater

We still have spots available for the Musical Theater Experience this Fall! Register here: Here

The Garden Club of Concord

The Garden Club of Concord invites local organizations to apply for grants supporting gardening-related community projects. Over the years, we have made a significant impact on the community through our grants program.  Funded by profits from the club’s annual May plant sale, grants support garden preservation, restoration, development, horticulture, and environmental conservation in Concord. To request an application or learn more, contact Sarah MacEachern at smaceachern@comcast.net or visit www.gardenclubofconcord.org.

Your Attention Please Film Screening

Join us for a screening of the powerful, new documentary Your Attention Please, followed by a panel discussion featuring the film's director/producer and writer. Additional panelists will include Turning Life On's founder, Adrienne Principe and Lexington Pediatric's Clinical Social Worker, Kerriann Ostlund. Hosted by The Intentional Tech Coalition Concord, Lex Kids Be Kids, and Tech-Wise Arlington. Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Lexington Venue, 1794 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA. Additional. Registration HERE.

Disney-Themed Kids Night Out

Need a Friday evening off? Drop off your K–4th graders for a fun Disney night hosted by Girl Scout Troop 64151 to help earn funds for our trip to NYC! Join us at the Concord Scout House on Friday, September 11, from 6:30–8:30 PM for Disney-themed games, crafts, and activities supervised by 8th-grade Cadettes and First Aid certified leaders. Cost is $20/child or $30/family (cash/Venmo at the door). Register here.

Join Cub Scout Pack 133

Interested in learning more about cub scouts? Pack 133 welcomes all genders, ages, and stages in Alcott, Thoreau and other Elementary Schools in the area. Join us for our first pack meeting (9/9, 6:30 pm, Concord Scout House), campout (9/19) and/or Rocket Launch (10/3). See our website, email cubmaster.concord133@gmail.com, and/or stop at our table at Back to School Night to learn more! 

Concord Carlisle Adult & Community Education (CCACE) Fall Registration is Open

We have so many great programs this fall, including BLAST Babysitting Safety & CPR, Adulting 101: A Practical Boot Camp for Teens & Young Adults Preparing for Independence, and SAT Prep. Also check out the Early Learning Collaborative: Toddler Playgroup & Caregiver Education class and our Driver Education program. More info here.

Milldam Nursery School Portraits Fundraiser

Milldam Nursery School is partnering with the talented, local husband and wife team Cole & Keira photography to offer family portraits as a fundraising effort. There are mini, double and custom sessions available to meet your needs. The upcoming dates are: 9/20 and 10/10. Book yours today!

Kicks for Cancer T-Shirt Donations

Donate new or gently used Kicks for Cancer pink shirts at the Community Closet on 9/12 from 10-12pm or the CCF office 9/1-9/3 from 9am–4pm. Or purchase a new shirt to donate at the Kicks Pop-Up Merch Sale on Saturday, 9/19 at CCHS or at Back to School Nights in Carlisle on 9/17 and 9/24. Questions? Contact jbarry@concordcarlislefoundation.org.

SEPAC Hours

SEPAC Office Hours: Office hours are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11-12:30 in the Main Library in the cafe area.Useful Links

The Thursday Owl - August 20, 2026

August 20, 2026

The Thursday Owl

The Alcott PTG Weekly Email

President’s Message

While the school year officially kicks off next week with the Open House on Friday, August 28th, we are excited to welcome you back to the weekly Owl newsletter. The PTG has lots of new faces, new energy, and new ideas this year, and we can't wait to share it with you! Enjoy the last few days of summer and keep an eye out for next week's back to school Owl edition.

Email us

News & Announcements

Kindergarten & New Family Meetup

Join us on Sunday, August 30 from 10am–12pm at the Alcott playground for a casual meetup for our incoming kindergarteners and new families! We’ll have bubbles, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, and water on hand. Come play, say hello, and meet other families before the school year begins. We can’t wait to meet you! Contact Amanda and Becca with any questions at alcottptgcommunity@gmail.com.

Volunteer as a Room Parent

Sign up here to be a Room Parent! Volunteering as a Room Parent is a great, low-lift way to support your child's teacher, get to know the PTG better, and build connections with other parents. Thanks for supporting our school!

School Supplies Update

If you ordered school supplies through 1st Day School Supplies, they will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom by the PTG.

Stock the New Staff Lounge

Please help us stock the newly refurbished staff lounge with drinks and snacks for the beginning of school! This was done over teacher appreciation week last spring with great success, and we would like to do the same to get the year off to a good start with our Alcott staff. Please visit this link to sign up to donate some items! 

Save the Date for Fall Fest

Join us Sunday, September 20th from 11am-1pm for Fall Fest! Fun for the whole family. More details to come. Together, we make a great community!

Calendar & Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a half day

  • August 22 - METCO Block Party (RSVP here)

  • August 28 - Alcott Open House (1-1:45pm)

  • August 30 - Kindergarten/New Family Playground Meetup

  • August 31 - First Day of School

  • September 4 - No School

  • September 7 - No School

  • September 16 - Back to School Night

  • September 20 - Fall Fest

  • September 23 - Picture Day

  • October 2 - Movie Night

In the Community

Mattering in a High-Pressure World: Helping Teens Thrive Beyond Achievement Culture

Join a community conversation with author and educator Stephanie Malia Krauss on helping teens feel valued beyond grades and achievement. Krauss, author of How We Thrive and Whole Child, Whole Life, will share practical ways parents, educators, and teens can push back against achievement culture and build a stronger sense of "mattering." Free and open to parents and teens — choose Concord (Wed, 9/30, 6–7:30pm at Concord-Carlisle High School) or West Acton (Thu, 10/1, 7–8:30pm at Gallery at Villageworks). Register here.

Milldam Nursery School Portraits Fundraiser

Milldam Nursery School is partnering with the talented, local husband and wife team Cole & Keira photography to offer family portraits as a fundraising effort. There are mini, double and custom sessions available to meet your needs. The upcoming dates are: 8/22, 8/30, 9/20 and 10/10. Book yours today!

Calling All Field Hockey Players

Ready to elevate your game and have a blast on the field? Come meet the new CCFH Varsity Coach, Coach Desmond, and our skilled Varsity players for a fun, high-energy, and informative clinic! Whether you are picking up a stick for the very first time or looking to sharpen your advanced game, this clinic is for you. No prior experience needed, all skill levels welcome. Open to 3rd-8th grade players. More info here.

Kicks for Cancer T-Shirt Donations

The Concord Carlisle Foundation is partnering with Kicks for Cancer to help ensure every K–12 student in Concord can take part in this beloved community tradition. This year, we're expanding access so that any student or family needing assistance can receive a pink Kicks for Cancer t-shirt. You can help in two ways!

Donate new or gently used Kicks for Cancer pink shirts at the Community Closet on September 12 from 10-12pm or the Concord Carlisle Foundation office during our collection days: August 25–27 and September 1–3 from 9:00 am–4:00pm.

You can also purchase a new shirt to donate at the Kicks Pop-Up Merch Sale on Saturday, September 19 at CCHS or at Back to School Nights in Carlisle on September 17th and 24th.

Follow CCF and Kicks for Cancer social media channels for additional info. Questions? Contact jbarry@concordcarlislefoundation.org.

IMSCC Fall Enrollment is Open

We welcome new students of ALL ages. 

  • Outstanding, expert instructors

  • Lessons for all band and orchestra instruments, voice, piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele

  • Small group lessons for 1st and 2nd year players - offered on some instruments

  • Lessons after school and evenings at CCHS and Carlisle School

New student? Click here to start the enrollment process. Questions? Contact Laryssa Doohovskoy, IMSCC Program Coordinator. Click here for more info.

CCM Free Kids & Teens Open House

This event will be held on August 29. It is free and open to the public. Find more info here.

Useful Links

The Thursday Owl - June 11, 2026

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

June 11, 2026

The PTG provides information and support to the Alcott community

and raises funds to help make our school the best it can be.

News and Announcements

President's Message

The last days of school always feel like a whirlwind, and this year is no exception. Between class celebrations, ice cream socials, and an incredibly joyful march down Main Street in the Pride Parade, the fun at Alcott is in full swing! Thank you to all of our room parents and other PTG volunteers who have made these end-of-year celebrations possible. 

The school year might be ending, but the work of the PTG for next school year is just beginning! Over the summer, we will be refreshing the teachers’ lounge, hosting playground meet-ups for incoming families, recruiting for a few additional volunteer roles, and planning a full year-long calendar of events, which will be made available to families at the beginning of the school year. A thank you in advance to our wonderful board members who work through the summer to make sure we hit the ground running in September.

This will be our last Owl newsletter for the school year. The Owl will return on August 20, but please be on the lookout for a handful of emails over the summer highlighting some of our summer opportunities. And if you have any PTG-related questions over the break, feel free to reach out to us at ptgalcott@gmail.com.

Wishing all of you a wonderful summer!

With thanks, Abby Flanagan, PTG President 

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Welcome to the Alcott Kindergarten Community!

We're so excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten families! PTG Organizers Amanda Allen Nurse and Becca Muse-Orlinoff invite you to a Park Playdate on Sunday, June 14th, 3–5pm at the Alcott Elementary School Playground. Meet classmates, make friends, and enjoy popsicles and surprises! Check your inbox the morning of June 14th for any weather updates.

Please fill out our Google Form to stay connected or reach us at alcottptgcommunity@gmail.com. See you there!

Amanda (Addie & Riley's Mom) & Becca (Levi & Zara's mom)

Celebrate Our Retirees, Mrs. Chatlosh + Mrs. Desmond!

The PTG would still love your help to celebrate Mrs. Chatlosh and Mrs. Desmond. Here's how:

  • Give cards, notes, or student artwork! These may be dropped off in the main office through next Tuesday (June 16).

  • Contribute to a school-wide retirement gift! Any amount is appreciated, and participation is entirely optional. Donations will be accepted through tomorrow night (June 12).

We will be presenting both gifts at the all-school assembly on Wednesday next week. Thanks!

From the Library

Please return all checked-out materials ASAP. If you are unable to find any items, please replace or send in a check payable to "Alcott Lost Book Fund" so that we may replace the items.

The Library Book Swap runs through tomorrow, June 12th. Students can exchange 1-3 books from home (elementary school age-appropriate and in gently used condition) that they no longer want for books that other students have swapped. 

Remember to Order School Supplies and Alcott Magnets!

Click here to purchase your child's supplies for next year (select the grade they will be in for 2026-2027). Please consider purchasing an extra kit or 2 to donate for those in need. Deadline to order is July 1.

Show your Alcott love with a car magnet! Order yours by filling out this form. We'll send them home with your child. $7 each; sale proceeds support the Alcott PTG.

 —

Volunteer Opportunities

See all of our current volunteer opportunities here.

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • June 11 - Crazy Hair Day

  • June 12 - Fifth Grade Moving-On Ceremony

  • June 14 from 3-5pm: Playdate for Incoming Kindergarteners (Alcott Playground)

  • June 17 - Clap Out and Last Day of School

  • August 30 from 10am-12pm: Playdate for Incoming Kindergarteners (Alcott Playground)

In the Community

Milldam Nursery School Ducky Fair

Emerson Field this Sunday, June 14th, 10AM-12PM. Free family event with train rides, crafts, games and more! Open to all. Visit our website to learn more. 

20th KICKS FOR CANCER and New KICKS BALL for Adults on September 18th!

For nearly twenty years, the Concord-Carlisle community has come together every September to raise funds to support research for women’s cancers through the Lois Wells Memorial Kicks for Cancer event. This year, Kicks celebrates its 20th Annual Kicks for Cancer event on Saturday, September 26 at CCHS. Funds raised benefit the Concord-Carlisle Kicks for Cancer Fund at Dana-Farber, which supports critical research into the early detection of ovarian cancer.

This special year will “kick off” with The Kicks Ball on Friday, September 18, 2026, 7pm-11pm. This event is a brand-new 21+ fundraising evening at the Concord Country Club with dancing, food, open bar and an auction. Attire is “elegant chic with a touch of pink” and tickets are on sale now at www.kicksforcancer.org – only 200 will be sold!  We are more than halfway sold out! Get your tickets today!  (Discounted ticket price until July 1st!)

Pink Shirt Initiative for Kicks for Cancer

Kicks for Cancer is celebrating its 20th anniversary this September! To help ensure that every child attending Concord and Carlisle schools can participate in this beloved community tradition, the Concord Carlisle Foundation is partnering with the Kicks for Cancer team to help provide pink Kicks shirts to students who may not be able to purchase one. To support this effort, we are collecting gently used pink Kicks shirts of all sizes. Questions? Contact Melissa Karczewski at melissa@concordcarlislefoundation.org.

Drop-Off Dates

Concord Carlisle Foundation Office — August 25–27 (9-3pm) and September 1–3 (9-3pm)

West Concord Porchfest

West Concord Porchfest Saturday, June 13 1:00–5:00. A free, family-friendly music festival will be filling West Concord Village and the surrounding streets with music on Saturday, June 13, from 1-5 PM (rain date: 6/14). Grab a map at an event hub (the Harvey Wheeler Center and Thoreau School) and check out over 50 musical acts. Park at the MBTA lot or on local streets. Info at: WestConcordPorchfest.org.

Useful Links

PTG WEBSITE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OWL

ANNUAL APPEAL

ALCOTT SCHOOL CALENDAR

Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA

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