The Thursday OwL
The Alcott ptg weekly email
October 2, 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
A Message from the PTG President
This week kicks off what might be the busiest month of the year for the Alcott PTG. We have so many opportunities to gather as a community this month that I'm sure your family will find something to get excited about. October marks the return of family favorites like Bike/Walk to School, Fall Fest and Movie Night and the chance to join together with Alcott families at Concord community events like Trunk or Treat. Your room parents have been hard at work planning grade level playdates and parent meet ups, many of which are also happening in October.
As PTG president it's been really gratifying to watch so many different parents/guardians volunteer to help make these events happen. There is a real sense of energy and excitement at Alcott these days and I'm grateful for each and every one of you who has stepped up. Be sure to keep an eye on room parent emails for additional opportunities to volunteer.
And a special thanks to PTG volunteer extraordinaire Sarah Driscoll who is not only serving as Room Parent Coordinator this year but who is also now serving as your Vice President! Sarah will be undertaking some major new strategic initiatives for the PTG in the coming months so a huge thank you to Sarah!
Happy Fall!
Abby Flanagan
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Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is October 9!
What: Our Fall Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is Thursday, October 9th!
When: Thursday, October 9th starting at 8:30AM (Keyes Rd) and 8:45AM (Emerson Park)
Where: There are two departure locations: 1)The "Bike Train" leaves the station from the Keyes Rd. parking lot at 8:30AM. 2)A "Walking School Bus" for METCO students and any other Alcott Students, friends and family who may wish to walk and roll together, will begin at 8:45AM at Emerson Park.
Who: This event is for Alcott students, parents, family and friends. As always, thank you to the Concord Police Department for their support in making this event safe and fun for all!
Please note some important details about this event:
The bike train is ONE WAY ONLY to school!
Please make the necessary arrangements to collect your child's equipment at the end of the school day if they will not be riding home and confirm with the school if their dismissal process has changed.
This is NOT a drop off event. Parents are asked to either participate in the bike train with their child or wait until the bike train has departed Keyes Road before leaving. Please coordinate with another adult if you are unable to accompany your child(ren).
A safety reminder: Massachusetts law requires all participants who bike, scoot, rollerblade or skateboard to wear a helmet!Before the bike train departs, the Concord Police Department will have a few child bike helmets available on a first come, first served basis.
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Meadow Farms Fundraising Sale
The Meadow Farms sale is here! Starting today, Thursday, October 2, and continuing through Thursday, October 23, Meadow Farms offers an opportunity to purchase items from their catalogue, with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting Alcott as part of our fundraising efforts. It's a win-win!
You can purchase anything from candles to wrapping paper, to food and kitchen items, to flower bulbs! Get an early start on your holiday shopping and support your child's school community. Feel free to share with grandparents, family friends, or anyone who would enjoy this great opportunity!
Use the following link to browse the online storefront. Meadow Farm Sale. Alternatively, follow the instructions in the flyer that will be sent home today to set up your own account and share it with family and friends.
Thank you from the Alcott Fundraising Team
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Save the Date for Alcott Movie Night!
Join us Friday, October 24th 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!
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Serve on Alcott’s School Advisory Council (SAC)
We have an opening for one parent for a two-year role on Alcott’s SAC. This council is made up of parents, teachers, community members, and the school principal. It meets six times a year before school - in person and Zoom options are available. The main responsibilities of the SAC are to ensure the completion of the School Improvement Plan, review the school budget, and serve as an advisory board to the school principal.
Anyone interested can a statement of interest to Abby Flanagan (ptgalcott@gmail.com) by TODAY October 2, 2025. If there is more than one person interested in the position, the PTG will hold an election in accordance with the policy of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For more information on the role of School Advisory Councils, click here.
Advisory council meetings take place at 8am on the following dates: October 16; December 3; January 14; March 5; April 8; May 28.
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MFF Apple Picking: October 8
Join METCO Family Friends at Honey Pot Hill Orchard on Wednesday, October 8 from 1:15-3pm for our fan-favorite apple orchard adventure! The group picks apples, goes for a hayride, feeds farm animals, and wraps up the afternoon with cider & donuts. Please RSVP by Friday, October 3rd at 10pm - the sign up sheet will close at this time. See you at the orchard!
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Calling all Kindergarten Families! Let’s Get Together!
Kindergarten Playground Meet Up: Please join us on Saturday, 10/4, anytime from 9-10:30am at Emerson Playground. We'll bring some snacks and coffee and look forward to meeting you and your families there!
Adults-Only Meet Up: Please join us Thursday, 10/9, at Revolution Hall in Lexington at 6pm. Come catch up with fellow Alcott K parents for a casual evening get together! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Feel free to reach out to your room parents with any questions!
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Second Grade Community Events
Second grade families are invited to two upcoming events! Join us!
Carlisle Castle Playground Playdate: Sunday 10/5, 2pm-4pm! Siblings are more than welcome!
Adults-Only Get Together at Revolution Hall in Lexington: Thursday 10/16, 6pm-8pm. A casual get-together for adults to catch up. You can purchase your own food/beverages there!
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Volunteer Opportunities
October Composting at Lunch: Sign up here! Feel free to come often!
Alcott Bike to School Day: Sign up here to make this event a success!
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Calendar and Important Dates
Every Wednesday is a Half Day
September 26 - Wear Pink for Kicks for Cancer
October 2 - Meadow Farms Sale Opens!
October 4 - Kindergarten Emerson Playground Playdate
October 5 - 2nd Grade Carlisle Castle Playground Playdate
October 8 - MFF Apple Picking
October 9 - Bike/Walk to School Day
October 9 - Kindergarten Adults-Only Get Together
October 13 - No School (Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day)
October 16 - 2nd Grade Adults-Only Get Together
October 24- Alcott Movie Night
In the Community
Join us to celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouts in Concord and Carlisle!
Past and present Girl Scouts, friends, and family are all welcome at the historic Concord Scout House on Saturday, October 18, from 1-3 p.m. Come for cake, music, and crafts, and celebrate a century of leadership and service. Interested in joining a troop? We encourage you to attend and learn more! RSVP and get more details here: https://evite.me/dBerZn7qWG
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SEPAC News
Parents as Partners
October 9th 5:30 pm / On Zoom: ID 92869081583. Please join us for a dialogue with the Concord Public Schools and Concord Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent, Dr. Laurie Hunter, Director of Student Services, Angel Charles, and her administrative team to talk about how parents and guardians can engage and “partner” with their student’s team and the administration in the new school year to support their student’s success.
Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
October 6 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Please join us for a workshop with the FCSN addressing what bullying is, the school’s legal obligation to prevent and address bullying, some strategies and tools for dealing with bullying, and how to address bullying in the IEP. Registration: https://fcsn.org/event/bullying-10-6-25/.
SEPAC Coffee Chat
Please join us October 22nd-Saltbox Kitchen @9am. 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 about other events. http://www.concordsepac.org
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Concord Rec Programs and Events
Trunk or Treat- Sunday October 26, 2-3:30pm more info HERE
Morning String Orchestra- and other before/after school programs at Alcott, more info HERE
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IMSCC Music Lessons - Registration for the Fall Session is OPEN!
We welcome new students of all ages to register for one-on-one music lessons with the Instrumental Music School of Carlisle and Concord's expert instructors.
Rolling enrollment - lessons can begin at any point in the semester!
Available for all band and orchestra instruments, voice, piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele
After school lessons at CCHS and the Carlisle School
New Students, fill out an inquiry form HERE. Small Group Lessons information HERE. Want to learn more about IMSCC, visit, click HERE. If you have any questions, please reach out to IMSCC Program Coordinator, Laryssa Doohovskoy, at ldoohovskoy@concordcarlisle.org
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Try a Free Class Week at PK Dance Center!
Sign up here. Check out PK Dance Center (located at 191 Sudbury Road in Concord) during their "Try a New Class Week" October 6-10! If you sign up after class then October tuition is free! Discover a variety of classes for ages 4-18 - view the class schedule here.
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Community Closet Coat Drive
October 1 - October 16. The Concord Carlisle Foundation's Community Closet is hosting a Winter Coat Drive for CC families in need. Please donate your gently used winter coats - infants through adults! Drop off at either the CCF office (37 Main Street, Suite 3, Concord) or the TriCon Church (54 Walden Street, Concord - look for the box outside of Parish Hall).
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Your voice matters! Help us plan for the library’s future
You're invited! You have the opportunity to help the Concord Free Public Library with our new strategic plan. The library is holding community focus groups and we would love for you and other parents and caregivers to participate in a conversation about our community and our future. We want to better understand the wants and needs of our community so we can incorporate them into our new strategic plan. Please REGISTER in advance for this virtual conversation held on Zoom. Wednesday, October 22, 5:30 - 6:30 PM. Virtual Meeting Requirements: You’ll need a device with a microphone and, ideally, a camera. Your phone, tablet or laptop should have these built right in. In this 60-minute conversation you can expect to talk about: Your aspirations for our community, the challenges we face in reaching those aspirations and what needs to change in the community to reach those aspirations. In addition to helping the library hear diverse opinions from the people in our community, it’s fun! Please register for the conversation using the links above.
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Concord Children’s Center 50th Anniversary Live Auction
There are some amazing items in CCC’s 50th anniversary live auction on October 18:
a first edition of Wicked signed by Gregory Maguire and four orchestra seats to Wicked (Broadway or Boston),
the chance for six children to be a vet for an afternoon at the Concord Animal Hospital,
Bruins and Celtics tickets, and
Couples’ getaways and family long weekends!
All items available for proxy bidding!
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Helping Teens (and Parents) Thrive in the Digital Age
Growing Up Well is a community event series that tackles one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to raise healthy, resilient kids in the digital age. This series brings together leading experts, community leaders, educators, and families to share insights and practical solutions.
The first event, on October 28, 2025, from 6-7:15pm at Concord Carlisle High School, is Thriving Together in a High-Tech World, where Jean Twenge, PhD—award-winning psychologist, author, and mother of three teens—shares ten evidence-based strategies from her acclaimed book 10 Rules for Raising Teens in a High-Tech World.
More information and registration here.
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Family Portraits at the North Bridge: Oct 5 & 11
Register for a mini photo session with Cole and Kiera Photography and help raise funds for Milldam Nursery School while getting some great holiday card shots. Sessions are 15 minutes long at the North Bridge on October 5 and October 11. Grab a slot today before they fill up!
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Concord Launches Troop 147 for Girls
Concord Scout House introduces Troop 147, Concord’s inaugural Scouting America troop for girls (ages 11-17)! This youth-led troop fosters leadership, teamwork, and resilience as members strive for Eagle rank. Kate McLaughlin (scoutmaster@troop147concord.org) is Scoutmaster, with Ben McLaughlin as Committee Chair. Interested families can register at BeAScout.org. Founding members receive a special patch! Let’s support Concord’s future leaders.
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Concord Conservatory of Music: Family Notes Class
Our new Family Notes group class (for newborns to 4-year-olds) is a chance for kids to learn and create music as a team. This isn't just another lesson; it’s an opportunity to build a musical foundation at home and strengthen family bonds. For registration details, please click here.
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Field Hockey Roots and Goals Clinic
Patriot Field Hockey's Roots and Goals Clinic is designed for players of all levels in grades 2-8. Join Patriots Varsity Coach Jacqui Turner and varsity players for a fun day of skills, games and competition.
Monday, October 13th at Concord-Carlisle HS from 9am - 1pm.
Players should bring a stick, mouthguard and shin guards. Goggles are optional. Players should also bring plenty of water and a snack. No experience needed! Sign up link
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Standing SEPAC Office Hours
Office hours are an opportunity to talk in person to help answer any special education questions and get parent-to-parent support. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 11am-12:30pm at the Concord Main Library.
Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA
