The Thursday OwL
The Alcott ptg weekly email
January 9, 2025
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
MFF Discovery Museum Trip
A group of 50+ kids and 17 chaperones had a wonderful afternoon (staying warm!) indoors exploring how magnets, sound, water, wind, light, static, and gravity work - all while having a great time together. It was a jam-packed two hours of noisy fun and joyful chaos.
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Bingo at Alcott: Details!
Bring the family to Alcott on Sunday January 12 for bingo! We will play from 3-4pm in the cafeteria. Small prizes will be given to the winners. Light concessions available for purchase (please bring cash). This is a free event! All ages welcome. If you would like to volunteer to help, please sign up here.
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New Year - New You! Join us for Alcott Night at Orangetheory!
The Alcott PTG has teamed up with Orangetheory for a class dedicated exclusively to Alcott Elementary on Friday, January 24th at 6pm! Whether you are new to Orangetheory, or a regular, this class is suited for all levels of experience. The cost per participant is $25 and all funds go directly back to Alcott. This is a great opportunity to help the community while also introducing yourself to a new workout for 2025. Spots are limited, so sign up today! Please RSVP by Wednesday 1/22/25.
Click here to view the invite and sign up!
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Multicultural Night: New Date!
Alcott’s Annual Multicultural Night will be back again this year on Friday, February 7, 2025. Please join us in the gym from 5:30-7. We invite our community to showcase your culture through food, trinkets, a performance, or attire from your country. Currently we have India, Pakistan, and Italy signed up! Please fill out this google form if you would like to participate.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer in running the event, please reach out to Matt Lech (Matthew.lech@gmail.com).
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January Nurse’s Note
Please see the January Nurse’s Note here.
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Alcott Chess Club
The Alcott Chess Club wishes you a very merry 2025. It is ready to bring you the warmth of chess as we muddle through this cold winter. Chess is a great way for children to organize their minds, hone their creative skills and prepare for the school day ahead. And it is great fun for the children!
The Chess Club will begin Thursday, January 16. All details are here in the attached flyer. You have the choice to enroll for either 10 or 12 weeks. Each class starts at 8 a.m. until it's time to go to class. For questions, please email us at alcottchess@hotmail.com, or call Ken Belt at (617) 332-4483. The winter session starts soon so be sure to sign up today. We look forward to seeing your children.
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Volunteer Opportunities
January Composting at Lunch (cafeteria): sign up here
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Calendar and Important Dates
Every Wednesday is a Half Day
Jan 12 - Bingo at Alcott! (3-4pm)
Jan 17 - Hat Day
Jan 17 - Principal’s Coffee
Jan 20 - MLK Jr. Day (No School)
Jan 24 - Orangetheory Night (6pm)
Feb 7 - Multicultural Night (5:30-7pm)
In the Community
SEPAC Coffee
Thursday, January 16th-9:15 a.m. @ Saltbox Kitchen. Please join us for a casual conversation. Get to know other parents and caregivers with students who also have learning differences. SEPAC board members will also be available to answer questions and chat. You can find more information on our website and on social media as well: www.concordsepac.org.
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SEPAC Library Event
Growth: Harmonizing Solitude, Guidance, and Freedom
Thursday, January 23 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Concord Main Library
Join us to consider your options and ensure a balanced, enriching experience for your children during after-school hours and in the summer. Panelists will discuss various ways kids may spend time leading to growth, and then Psychologist Dr. Andrew Richlin will address the balance between isolation and socialization, family and community, goal-driven activities and open-ended play, and self-direction versus being led. Find more information here.
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Verrill Farm Seed Sowing
Verrill Farm (11 Wheeler Road, Concord) will host two Native Plant Winter Seed Sowing Workshops for all ages, on Sunday, January 12 in the Verrill greenhouse (part of the store). The CCHS Green Team, the Concord Pollinator Health Committee & the Concord Library will lead two hands-on, one-hour workshops with free materials. Please pre-register. You will learn how to sow seeds in gallon jugs for easy, outdoor germination of native pollinator-supporting plants for sunny or shady areas. Take home your “mini-greenhouse” to keep outside all winter to provide the cold period needed to promote seed germination. Native plants are climate resilient and maintain biodiversity by feeding and hosting native insects, birds and mammals. Browse our resource table to learn more!
Register here for the 1st Workshop from 1-2 pm.
Register here for the 2nd Workshop from 2:30-3:30 pm.
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Fowler Branch Library Programs
Portraits for the Generations (Grades K-6) Wednesday, 1/22, 2-3 PM: In honor of Fowler’s current community art show, Generations, we will have students draw portraits of seniors (ages 60+). This program is offered in partnership with the Concord Council on Aging. Sign up on the library event calendar to be an artist, and let's celebrate connections across generations! Questions? Call Fowler at 978-318-3350.
Paul Revere’s Ride at Fowler (Ages 12 & under) Wednesday, 1/29, 4-5 PM: As we near the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, join members of the Paul Revere and Old Concord Chapters of the DAR for a reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Participants will have a chance to make their own lanterns and maps as we remember “that famous day and year.” Register on the library event calendar.
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Ongoing Fowler Programs
Craftlab (ages 12 and under) Wednesdays, times vary, 2pm and/or 4pm depending on the week.
Lego Club (ages 12 and under) Fridays, 3:30-4:30pm.
Bookworms (Grades 4-8) Typically meets the first Wednesday of the month at 2pm.
Read to a Dog Third Thursday of the month from 4:30-5:30pm.
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IMSCC: Winter-Spring Lessons!
New students, join us for music lessons! Private and group lessons with IMSCC's expert faculty start this month. Lessons take place after school and evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. One-on-one lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments including upright bass; also voice, piano, guitar, electric bass and ukulele. New students, please fill out this form to begin the enrollment process; (returning students can check email for your re-enrollment invoice).
Group lessons for 4th and 5th graders are available for many band and orchestra instruments - new and continuing students, click here for information and to register. All lessons take place after school and evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. Visit the website for more information; email Debbie Levine with questions at dlevine@concordcarlisle.org.
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Lunar New Year Celebrations
Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday in many Asian countries. CCHS held its first Lunar New Year celebration in February 2024. It was a tremendous success, drawing 600 attendees. For the second annual celebration on February 8th from 2-4pm, Concord Elementary School students are invited to join in various ways—performing on stage, enjoying arts and crafts activities, and, of course, sampling delicious Asian food and beverages. See more information here. Students also have the opportunity to perform at the Festival. Click here to sign up for training sessions with a professional dancer and high school volunteers.
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Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA
