The Thursday Owl - November 21, 2024 (Copy)

The Thursday Owl

The Alcott ptg weekly email

November 14, 2024

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

Sunday's Fall Fest was a great success! Thank you to all of the families who attended and supported this event. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make it happen, including: CCHS Green Team and other student volunteers; Concord Conservatory of Music (the band!); Umbrella Arts; Alcott 5th graders and committee members; the many parents who either led an activity station or helped with concessions, bounce house safety and pumpkin bowling; the set-up and clean up crews; and of course our dedicated PTG Board and Committee members. Without our many volunteers, events like Fall Fest just aren't possible. If you are interested in being part of next year's committee please email Liz Gibbs at ptgalcott@gmail.com. —

Fall Fest Guessing Jar Winners

Thank you to all who participated!

  • M&M's and Hershey Kisses- Nora Stoyanov

  • Jelly Beans- Avery Bellows

  • Starbursts and Marshmallows- Nina Rossetti

  • Jelly Pumpkins and Jolly Ranchers- Arthur Waller

  • Minecraft Acorn Mug- Lyra Nash

  • Gumballs- Gus Neath and Thea Fawcett (tie)

Alcott Annual Appeal: November is the Month of Giving!

Our 2024-2025 Annual Appeal has gotten off to a great start! We are about half-way and about 35% of Alcott families have donated so far. Let's keep it going and try to get to 100% by the end of the month!  $5, $10, $25 goes a long way if everyone contributes. Without your help our community events, enrichment activities, and financial support for those in need would not happen!   Please read the attached letter highlighting all the wonderful ways in which your donation will enrich our Alcott community.  Please consider donating today! 

Here are a few easy ways to make your donation:

●      Mail a check to Alcott, payable to “Alcott PTG” with “Annual Appeal” in the memo

●      Make your payment here: http://alcottptg.org/annual-appeal-1


Thank you to everyone that has already contributed! Your support means more than you know! Happy Holidays! 

Turkey Trot Update

Hello Alcott Community!  I wanted to send out an update on our pledge collections so far for the Turkey Trot.  As of Monday, 11/18 we have raised approximately $3,000.  Thank you to all those families who have either sent pledge money in or used the paypal link on the PTG website.  You can click here to access the Turkey Trot page and send your electronic donations.  We raised over $11,000 last year for our charities, let's try to get close to that amount this year.  Again, thank you in this busy time of year for helping make this event successful and beneficial for our charities.  

Thanks, Tim Gaudreau Alcott PE Teacher

Plastic Free Lunch Day

Eat lunch and go plastic free on Friday November 22nd! See attached flyer for more information.

November Nurses Note

Please find monthly newsletter attached.

5th Grade Collection for Open Table

Through November 22nd, Grade 5 students are hosting a school-wide collection of items needed to make Kids Bags for Open Table, and we need your help to make it a success! 

Each grade is being asked to bring in different items to create the Kids Bags: Kindergarten should bring fruit cups or applesauce cups (no sugar added), First Grade should bring small, individual boxes of cereal or oatmeal packets, Second Grade should bring 100% juice boxes, Third Grade should bring boxes of macaroni and cheese, Fourth Grade should bring granola bars or fruit bars, and Fifth Grade should bring cans of soup or canned ravioli or snack size packs of crackers or pretzels.

Students can drop off the donations in the bins outside their classrooms. All donations will be sorted, and Kids Bags will be prepared by fifth graders and delivered to Open Table in early December. Please see this flyer for more info. Many thanks for your support of this great organization and the kids and families they serve!

Volunteer Opportunities

November composting: sign up here 

December composting: sign up here

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • Nov 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving Recess

  • Dec 6 - Principal’s Coffee (Virtual)

  • Dec 20 - Half Day

  • Dec 23 through Jan 1- No School (Winter Recess)

Open Table Holiday Gift Bag Donations

Donate a Family-to-Family Holiday Gift Bag - Open Table invites you to help spread joy by creating a holiday gift bag filled with 12 special items for either a family or a senior experiencing food insecurity. Open Table distributed 700 bags last year and demand for our services is up 30% this year.  Add this joyous and meaningful tradition to your family or business this season and make the holidays brighter for everyone!  Bags will be collected in Concord on Friday, 12/13 between 4-6pm & Maynard, 12/14 between 10am - 1pm.  Link for more information or to register your bag.   

Concord250

Join us in celebrating 250 years of American spirit and Concord’s pivotal role in the birth of our nation. Concord250 marks the semiquincentennial of the historic battles of Concord and Lexington and honors the ideals of liberty, equality, and responsible citizenship that shaped our country. Residents, friends, and neighbors are invited to commemorate and celebrate this momentous anniversary. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 19, 2025 for the Concord250th Celebration and look for Concord250 events happening every month. Concord250.org  

2024 Holiday Book Sale at the Library

The Holiday Book Sale is coming! This event is both a wonderful community experience at the library and a way to raise money for adult and children’s materials and library programs, including poetry and author readings, art lectures, film series, music series, and the annual Concord Festival of Authors that brings nationally-known speakers to Concord. Most Library events are free due to the funds raised by the Friends. If you have just 2 hours, you can help! You'll have a lot of fun seeing friends and neighbors at the sale. There are jobs for all ages and interests. High school students welcome! Sign up yourself, your friends, and your family members for a time slot (or two). We need lots of help. Please join us!  

IMSCC Music Lessons new session starts in January!

Save the date! Enrollment for new students opens on December 1 for the Winter-Spring session of private and group lessons, January to June 2025. Private lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments including upright bass; also voice, piano, guitar, electric bass and ukulele. Group lessons for 4th and 5th graders are available for many band and orchestra instruments. 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. Fall private lesson registration is ongoing - click here to inquire about November-December lessons.  

CCHS Football Annual Work Day fundraiser

Join CCHS Football for their Annual Work Day fundraiser on Saturday, November 23rd (rain date: November 24th). Teams of 2-4 players will help with yard projects, including raking leaves, cleaning flower beds, and stacking firewood. Morning (9 AM - 12 PM) and afternoon (1 PM - 4 PM) shifts are available. This popular event sells out every year, so secure your spot today to support the team and enjoy some yard work assistance.

Sign up using the form here: [HERE]. For questions, contact christopher.m.ward@gmail.com or sean.ruhmann@mac.com.

CCYL Girls Spring Lacrosse

CCYL Girls Spring Lacrosse registration OPEN! Season begins the first week in April through early June. 

• Girls Grades 1st + 2nd: In house program meets SUNDAYS: 10:00-11:15AM on the CCHS Upper Grass 

• Girls Grades 3rd - 5th: Practices on Tues + Thurs 6:00-7:15/30 (depending on age group) on CCHS Upper Grass/Turf 2. Games are Sundays.  *3rd-5th grade registration closes 12/31/24

REGISTER HERE: Visit the CCYL homepage ---> Hover over REGISTER (top right) ---> Select GIRLS REGISTRATION (direct link HERE)

Plate to Mind

Nov 21st. 5:30-7:30 @ The Concord Public Library-129 Main St.

Join Naturopathic Physician Dr. Maura Scanlan for a multidisciplinary presentation that explores food's impact on the brains and minds of our youth and ourselves. Following the presentation, Dr. Scanlan will engage in a thoughtful conversation with Psychologist Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg and Registered Dietician Joanne Caplar. There will also be time for audience discussion. Register to reserve your spot. Presented in partnership with Concord-Carlisle Regional SEPAC.

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