The Thursday OwL
The Alcott ptg weekly email
April 9, 2026
Second graders recently visited the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
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
Message from the President
Did you know there is an easy way you can raise money for the PTG and help the environment at the same time? You might have noticed the two big white textile recycling bins when you enter the Alcott parking lot. The PTG actually earns money based on how many pounds of textiles we recycle each year. If you’re in spring cleaning mode like me, drop your textiles off in the bins and help us raise a little money! - Abby Flanagan
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Place Your Orders: Our Art Fundraiser is LIVE!!
Check your child's school folder this week to find their custom Square 1 Art catalog with their personal artwork (which is also a peel-off sticker) featured on the cover! To place an order, scan the code located on the catalog. If you misplace the catalog, go to shop.square1art.com. Enter the required info to begin browsing.
If your student wants to create more art or has a family member who wants to get in on the fun, there is also the option to upload additional art for ordering. Go to www.square1art.com, click on "add art" on the homepage and then "upload." Insert the state and then "Alcott Elementary (Concord)" and you should be good to go!
The deadline for ordering is May 1st. Every order raises funds for Alcott! Our students worked hard on these masterpieces and now we can share them with loved ones as treasured keepsakes that celebrate our young artists! If you have any questions reach out to Becky and Alli at alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com.
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Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive - Ends Tomorrow!
Tomorrow is the last day for the Cradles to Crayons clothing drive. Feel free to drop your donations in the collection bins outside the main office on the way to your conference(s)!
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Register by Tomorrow for Alcott’s First Annual Spelling Bee! We Still Need Volunteers!
The Spelling Bee is for 3rd-5th graders and will take place on Friday, May 1 from 4:30-6:30pm. Find more info and register student teams here. Teams must register by tomorrow, April 10th.
We really need more parent volunteers to make this event a success. Please click here to learn more about the volunteer jobs needed and to sign up to help! If you have any questions, please reach out to Katie Carr (kcarr@concordps.org).
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5th Grade Dues
Every year, the 5th Grade Committee collects “5th grade dues” from the parents of fifth graders to support special year-end activities for the class. We ask for your dues contribution of $50 this year and sincerely thank you for your generosity. In addition to the dues mentioned, you can also contribute to 5th grade activities directly by buying “support shares” of five activities: class t-shirt & memory book, Roller Kingdom field trip, moving up ceremony & clap out, class gift to Alcott, 5th grade teacher gifts.
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Walk to School + Parent Coffee
On Wednesday, April 29th, meet at the main library lawn at 8:30am for spring fun and hot chocolate! If you are interested in helping, please sign-up HERE.
Parents are encouraged to stay after the walk to school for an informal parent coffee morning at Alcott. We will gather at the picnic tables in the play yard from 9-10am.
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Alcott School Parent Social
We hope you'll join us on Saturday, May 30 for the Alcott School Parent Social! Tickets will be available for purchase in the coming weeks. There will be a silent auction at the Social, and we need your help! The auction is one of our most important fundraising events and directly supports programs and opportunities for our students. If you’d like to contribute an item, host an experience, or help coordinate a gift basket, please click here. (Or, if you'd prefer to donate anonymously you can email us directly at alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com.)
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April Composting
Volunteers needed to help the students with their cafeteria composting! 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.
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Volunteer Opportunities
See all of our current volunteer opportunities here.
Please email alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com to volunteer to support our upcoming Parent Social Silent Auction this spring!
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Calendar and Important Dates
Every Wednesday is a Half Day
April 9 - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
April 10 - K-5 Conferences (No School)
April 10 - Spelling Bee Registrations Due
April 20 - 24 - April Break
April 29 - Walk to School Day + Parent Coffee Morning
April 30 & May 1 - Grade 5 Math MCAS
May 1 - Square 1 Art Fundraiser Closes
May 1 - Inaugural Alcott Spelling Bee
May 4 & 5 - Grade 4 Math MCAS
May 7 & 8 - Grade 3 Math MCAS
May 6 - PTG Open Meeting
May 12 - Bike to School Day
May 14 & 15 - Grade 5 Science MCAS
May 15 - A Summer Day in May Spirit Day
May 15 - Multicultural Night
May 30 - Alcott School Parent Social
In the Community
Let's Celebrate Our Fifth Graders! And Support Future Grants for the Concord Education Fund!
All yard signs are hand-delivered to the graduate’s home! Fifth grade yard signs will be delivered on a rolling basis all spring. For more details and to order, go to www.concordedfund.org. $30/yard sign to celebrate the 5th grade graduates and support future Concord Ed Fund grants for innovative learning!
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SEPAC Announcements
2026 SEPAC Appreciation Awards: We are excited to honor educators during our 9th Annual Appreciation Awards, with recipients recognized during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8). If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, please use this form to nominate exceptional educators, administrators, or staff.
SEPAC Coffee Chat: Please join us for our first evening coffee on April 13th from 9-11am at Starbucks (768 Elm St, Concord). Get to know other parents and caregivers with students who also have learning differences. SEPAC Board members will also be available to chat. You can find more information on our website and on social media about other events.
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Sprinkle & Create Youth Enrichment Workshops in Concord
This Concord-based mother-daughter business is hosting 2 workshops for elementary-aged children at Hunt Recreation Center:
Mother’s Day Cookie Decorating
Sunday, May 3 | 2:00–3:00 PM
A hands-on cookie decorating experience to celebrate Mother’s Day. Children attend alongside their mom or a special person in their life.
Cookies & Charms Experience (with Crafted Together)
Sunday, June 7 | 2:00–4:00 PM
A creative drop-off workshop combining cookie decorating and charm making (necklace, bracelet, or keychain).
Spots are limited and tend to fill quickly: www.sprinkleandcreate.com.
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CCM Media Project Workshops
Led by our composition and theory instructor Manuel Garcia-Baro, these "test drive" sessions allow students to go from a blank screen to a finished original track using GarageBand. We’re offering two distinct tracks, as described below. Please find more info here.
Fun with Music Making: A high-energy intro for ages 8–13. Mondays, April 27 – May 18 | 6:00 – 6:45 pm
My First Song in GarageBand: A producer-focused intensive for teens and adults. Fridays, May 1 – May 22 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
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Art Classes with Brigitte Livet
Art Classes with Brigitte Livet offer a welcoming, community-focused opportunity to explore creativity at the Bradford Mill. With nearly 14 years of teaching experience, Brigitte provides personalized instruction in drawing, painting, and mixed media for children (ages 7+), teens, and adults. Small class sizes and flexible scheduling support individual expression, skill development, and the joy of making art in a supportive local setting. More info here.
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Black Earth Compost Referral Program Clarification
There were some questions about the referral process last time we ran this opportunity. This is how it works: Visit www.blackearthcompost.com. Sign up for Home Curbside Food Scrap Pickup. Complete the checkout process. Once you pay, there will be a page with questions. That page has a referral field. Enter “Concord Public Schools” in the referral field. Our school’s name earns $10 for every signup of residential curbside food scrap collection.
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Concord Rec Announcements
Beede Marathon Challenge: Complete 26.2 miles by April 20. Finishers are entered into a raffle (bonus entries for the Sleep Marathon). Sign up at the Beede Center front desk.
Kite Festival: Join Concord Rec on May 2, 1–3 PM at Rideout Park! Enjoy professional kite flying and an ice cream truck. Bring your own kite or buy/build one there. For more info, visit www.concordrec.com.
Camp Three Rivers: For campers entering K through 10th grade, we have something for everyone. Field trips, archery, swimming, sports, crafts; these are just some of the experiences we offer. Register here to book your summer of adventure!
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Moms Run Concord
Moms Run Concord is a casual, supportive running group for moms in Concord, MA. We meet for local runs, fresh air, and good conversation - all paces welcome. Join us for our weekly Sunday morning run, or reach out anytime to organize an ad hoc run when you’re looking for a buddy. For details, see our Strava group or email Grace Giles at grace.emelia@gmail.com!
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Let’s Talk Tech: Parenting Workshop - New Date!
This workshop has been rescheduled from May 13 to May 14, 9:30–10:30am. Join us at the Concord Main Library (129 Main Street) for a casual discussion on technology—screen time, introducing devices, sleep challenges, and more. Bring your questions and experiences—we hope to see you there! This event is free, but registration is required. Due to the nature of this event, we will not be recording it. This event is sponsored by CC-ACE, ThinkGive, Turning Life On, Emerson Health, Concord Ed Fund, The Fenn School, and the PTGs at Alcott, Thoreau, Willard, CMS & Carlisle Public Schools, as well as the CCHS PA.
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School Committee Coffees
Join members of the School Committee for casual conversation.
Boston - Panera South Bay - May 1st at 11am
Carlisle - Kimball Farm - May 6th at 1pm
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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
Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA
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