ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WECO is coming to Alcott! Feeling tired of cooking after the holidays? Stuck for new meal ideas? Alcott PTG has a solution for you! The PTG is launching a new fundraising initiative with WECO - a freshly prepared, healthy meal delivery service. For the next four weeks, order any meal from the weekly WECO menu and 10% of the profits will go back to Alcott. You have dinner planned, and the PTG raises funds that support the Alcott community. Win win! Every Wednesday WECO will launch the new menu for that week. To make sure you get a copy, enter your email on the private Alcott WECO landing page (this is key!!) Make sure you order through https://bit.ly/alcottptg or else Alcott will not receive the 10% back. Bonus - you are encouraged to share the Alcott WECO page with friends, neighbors, relatives in the WECO delivery area and they too can order from WECO and support Alcott, all at the same time! Just forward them the Alcott link so they are in the loop. Here are some FAQs about the WECO program and a summary of how to sign up. Please email alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com if you have any questions. Bon appetit! PTG Fundraising Committee
PTG Coffee: January is a busy month for many and lots of our community is struggling with winter colds and more. Because of this we have decided to postpone our Winter Coffee on Friday January 13th until the Spring. Please stay tuned for the new date, likely in April or May! Thank you. The Alcott PTG
TOWN MEETING: The Alcott PTG reminds parents that Town Meeting is January 19th at 7pm. Please note that each ADULT not household can vote, so regardless of which way you chose to vote, your vote will be heard based on the amount of individuals who are voting. A 2/3 majority is required to pass the Middle School Article approving the 7% increase in budget and 1/3 therefore to deny the ballot question. If you are in need of babysitting that night, the registration link for childcare that evening is here. A ballot vote is scheduled for February 16th, which, unlike Town Meeting, needs a simple majority to pass or fail. If you plan to be out of town, you may request a vote by mail packet through townclerk@concordma.gov or this link.
Want to Learn More or Become Involved with the SEPAC? The Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a volunteer group of parents and guardians of children with a disability from ages 3 - 22. We serve as a resource to families, foster an inclusive culture in our schools, and advise our districts on issues that affect the education of our children. Membership is free and open to all parents and guardians of students with a disability and other individuals interested in special education from the Concord, Carlisle, and Boston communities. We welcome new members!
Happy New Year! The Alcott Chess Club is resolved and ready to roll for 2023. Chess classes will begin January 19, 8 a.m. in the Faculty Lounge and run each week (except February 23) for 12 weeks through April 13, or if you prefer, you may sign up for just 10 weeks through March 30. See the attached flyer for details. Be sure your children know when they come to class each week to enter by the right-side door in front of the auditorium. We will be there to meet and greet them! To enroll, please fill out and sign the attached registration form. For any questions, email Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com or call him at (617) 332-4483. He'll gladly answer all your questions. If you are interested in our Chess Challenge, here's a tip about FIDE ratings. We are always here for you. Register your children, so that they are here for us, too. It's your move!
Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on its new Twitter account!
Update on the Middle School Project. The full schedule is here.
Alcott Multicultural Night - Are you interested in sharing your family heritage with the Alcott Community this March? Come join us in celebrating what makes our Alcott Community so diverse and strong! We are planning the 2023 Alcott Multicultural Night and are looking for families to participate! Share a favorite dish in the Celebration of Food, make a Family Heritage Display or take part in the Cultural Show with a song or dance performance! Sign up Genius will be sent out through Room Parents so be on the look out! Questions now? Email Megha Mathur and Melissa Karczewski at: mathur2619@gmail.com melissahun@gmail.com
Please take note that ALL Alcott Families, Concord & Boston, have access to the Family Fund if the need arises. If participation in these events causes financial stress, please reach out to our School Counselor, Rene Kashmiri at rkashmiri@concordps.org to discuss your options.
Calendar and important dates
***Every Wednesday is now a half-day***
January 19: Principal’s Coffee – Remote
January 19: Chess Club starts at 8:00 am
January 20: Crazy Slippers and Shoes Alcott Spirit Day
February 20-24: February Recess
CPS/CCRSD 22-23 School Calendar can be found here
IN THE COMMUNITY
Concord Free Public Library (Main branch). Board Games - Sunday February 5 from 2 to 4 PM Don't let Winter boredom get you down... Bust that boredom with a cozy afternoon of board games at the Concord Free Public Library (Main branch). Join us Sunday February 5 from 2 to 4 PM where we'll have games for all ages, including children's games in the Children's Wing, Kahoots for tweens and teens in the Teen Lounge, and adult offerings in the Forum. You can also bring your favorite game from home to play. Come for the games, stay for snacks, raffle prizes, and more!
Milldam Nursery School, a cooperative nursery school located in Concord Center, is looking for families interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year. We still have spots left in our three/four year old classrooms. If interested please check out our website milldamnurseryschool.org and/or email one of our membership chairs at membership@milldamnurseryschool.org
IMSCC Music Lessons - the Winter-Spring session begins this month! Registration is open for the Winter-Spring session that gets underway this month. We have instructors for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar, banjo, and ukulele. Lessons are one-on-one and open to students of all levels and all ages including adults. Lessons take place at CCHS and the Carlisle school campus. Click here to learn more about IMSCC; click here to submit a lesson inquiry and begin the enrollment process. Email Debbie Levine with questions. Join us!
CC YOUTH BASEBALL / SOFTBALL - Registration for the Spring Season is open from JAN 9 - JAN 31. Building on an incredibly successful programming and record numbers in 2022, CCYB/S is offering robust programming from T-Ball through Babe Ruth. Don’t miss out on baseball and softball’s showcase season! REGISTER NOW at www.ccyb.org.
Free Public Speaking & Debate After-School Workshop! Sign up for a free Public Speaking and Debate Workshop on February 9, 12 or 13 (Online), hosted by Lumos Debate! Your child will love Lumos's friendly instructors and fun activities as they learn about: Speaking Confidence, Impromptu Speaking, Debate Fundamentals, Argumentation and Reasoning. Lumos After-School Online Workshop (FREE): Ages: 8-14 years old. Locations: Online, 1-hour workshop, Dates: Choose from Feb 9, 12, or 13, Registration. This workshop is free for all Alcott students. Please make sure to use code ALCOTT when you register to get an 100% discount. Please do not share this code with families that are not from Alcott. Email info@lumosdebate.com or call 781-474-3359 with any questions. Register now at: lumosdebate.com/workshop
A Parent’s Guide to TikTok Jan. 24, 1-2 pm Online Learn how the fastest-growing social media app is being used, and how to keep your kids safe on it. Cell Phones & Parenting – Oh My! Feb. 2, 1-2 pm Online
We simplify this technology so that you’ll understand recommended safety settings for your child’s Smartphone, allowing them to use the phone safely. Bullying, Cyberbullying & the Effects of the Pandemic on Children Feb. 9 7-8:30 pm Online The focus is on concrete approaches that emphasize ways for parents to improve social skills and reduce screen time. Full information and registration is available at www.concordcarlisleace.org or 978-318-1432.
English Language Learner classes winter session registration open now. CCACE is offering ELL classes at all levels, from beginner to conversation. Classes begin January 30 and run two evenings a week in person at CCHS. Conversation class begins January 25 and runs evenings for eight weeks online. Scholarships are available at all levels. New students should plan to attend an orientation on Wednesday, January 25, 7 pm at CCHS, where they will be tested to determine their level of language ability for appropriate placement. For more information and to register, go online to concordcarlisleace.org/adult-ell or call our office at 978-318-1432. Registration closes February 9, 2023.
All the Letters: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities & Experiences with Robyn Ochs is returning to Concord on Wednesday, February 1st, from 6:30 pm - 8 pm at Concord-Carlisle High School. Robyn Ochs has been an advocate for and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community her entire life and has been among the founding members of several social justice groups over her career as an activist, an academic, a Harvard administrator, and the many other hats she has worn. Robyn's presentation for the parent community is titled: All the Letters: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities & Experiences -- How are people using and experiencing sexual orientation and gender in 2022? And what do you need to know to be culturally competent in this area? Bring your questions and an open mind. Please RSVP to this event by using the following link, here. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact DEIB Director Mr. Nyamekye at anyamekye@concordps.org.
Alcott Before School Sports Alcott Before School Sports is a 6-week program open to Alcott School students, grades 1-5. In Session 3 of Winter Before School Sports, students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports/games like corn hole, roller racers, and spike ball - as well as gymnastics!
Business Sharks with Right Brain Curriculum Got an idea for a side-less taco, a shirt that never stains or a no-spill baby bottle? Then it’s time to put on your inventor’s hat and design the business of your dreams! As our Right Brain Curriculum teachers get you up to speed on business plans, market competition, budgets and presentation skills, you will bring your one-of-a-kind idea to life. You will design your flagship store, write and perform in your own TV commercial and create a prototype of a product that will change the lives of millions. Armed with your “elevator pitch” you will present your business to our volunteer panel of Sharks in the Shark Tank, persuading them to get behind your big idea!
Metrocraft with Right Brain Curriculum Join our community as we build and govern a world-class Minecraft city, complete with everything needed for incoming residents! Build, budget and furnish your own house. Plan a marketing campaign as you create your own business. Design a flag to represent your community after examining flags and their symbols and colors from around the world. Serve on the city council and vote to shape the city’s future as you help create a constitution of laws for your citizens. Plan public transportation routes and determine crucial city infrastructure. Our Right Brain Curriculum teachers will guide you through – demonstrating how math, economics, and community-building are key to a successful, working urban environment. STEM skills have never been so much fun!
Before School ASL (Gr. 3-5) At Concord Scholars, our mission is to provide intensive foreign language instruction to school-aged children and young adults in a creative, fun and interactive setting. Let your children be part of a community, where they may expand their world through language learning.
Musical Theater - Snow White Starring in March! For over 25 years, Elaine Jarvis and Jen Jarvis and the Musical Theater Experience staff have offered children the opportunity for children in grades 1-5 to learn and then perform for family and friends, an age-appropriate version of both original and well-known musicals. Emphasis is on building self-confidence and self-esteem. No auditions or experience is necessary, and everyone gets a part, along with singing and dancing.
SkyHawks Floor Hockey Come join us and learn the skills of hockey! From stick handling to passing and shooting, we will develop and enhance the abilities to play the fastest game on (ice) the floor!
SkyHawks MiniHawks (Ages 4-6) This multi-sport program was developed to give children a positive first step into athletics. Sports are taught in a safe, structured environment filled with encouragement and fun. Through exciting games and activities, participants explore balance, hand/eye coordination and skill development at their own pace.
SkyHawks Multisport (Ages 7-9) This t-ball, basketball, and soccer class uses age-appropriate games and activities to explore balance, hand-eye coordination, and skill development. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe, and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons in sports and life; such as teamwork, respect and sportsmanship!
Please visit this space for updates on sports, music and theater registration dates, seminars, and more events throughout town.
PTG online volunteer information and sign-up: Please visit our website to discover all the ways both working and non-working parents and guardians are needed to support our wonderful staff, students, and families. Have something to offer that you don’t see listed there? There’s a place for you to submit that info as well! We hope to hear from you!