The Thursday Owl - January 23, 2025

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

METCO School Committee Representative Needed

Be the Voice of METCO on the School Committee! The Concord and Concord-Carlisle School Committees recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and the unique value the METCO community brings to the table. Currently, we have an opening for a K-8 METCO representative, while Ayesha Lawton will continue to represent CCHS. All Boston-resident Concord or Concord-Carlisle METCO parents, guardians, and alumni families are eligible for this position.

The role of the school committee is to examine district policies, engage in the budget process and evaluate the superintendent according to his/her goals and the district strategic plan. The role of the METCO representative is to sit in all open sessions of the school committee and participate fully in committee discussions.  Meetings are typically held two Tuesdays per month at the Ripley Administrative Building, with the option to attend in person or via Zoom. The selected representative will fill the remainder of Domingos DaRosa’s term, which ends in June 2027.

To ensure transparency and provide more information about this role, sitting METCO Rep Ayesha Lawton is planning an informal coffee and information session in February (details to follow soon).  If you want to serve as the K-8 METCO representative, please contact Ayesha Lawton at alawton@concordps.org by January 24. If there are multiple candidates, METCO families will elect one person to fill this position. here

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Multicultural Night

Alcott’s Annual Multicultural Night will be back again this year on Friday, February 7, 2025. Please join us in the gym from 5-6:30 We invite our community to showcase your culture through food, trinkets, a performance, or attire from your country. Currently we have 10 countries signed up but always have room for more! 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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Math Night Coordinator Needed

Alcott Math Night will be on Thursday, March 27th, the last night of the Book Fair! If you are interested in helping coordinate math night, please reach out to Matt (Matthew.lech@gmail.com)

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Alcott Chess Club

The Alcott Chess Club got off to a terrific start in the new year. We're excited how well the new session has "come together right now". Even if you missed the first class, not to worry. The nature of chess and the club is that you can join in anytime seamlessly and it'll feel as if you've been there since day one. If you're still deliberating to join the Alcott Chess Club, be reassured we will be happy to have you and your children share in the enjoyment of chess.   And we'll gladly pro-rate your membership. It's that easy. Just fill out the attached form and email it to alcottchess@hotmail.com with your questions. Or call Ken Belt at (617) 332-4483. Every class starts 8 a.m. until time to go to class.

Go ahead! It's your move. 

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Silent Auction Fundraising Volunteers Needed

Calling all volunteers to join our Parent Social Silent Auction fundraising team! Calling all volunteers to join our Parent Social Silent Auction fundraising team! Every year our Alcott Parent Social includes a fun silent auction full of diverse and exciting items to bid on. We are assembling a team to help with: reaching out to potential donors, managing the auction website, and preparing the items for presentation. No fundraising experience required. If time commitment is an issue, no problem! We are also accepting donations—if you have an item to donate or can connect us with someone who does, please reach out to us at alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com. This is a fun way to get involved with an event that gives back significantly to our community. We look forward to hearing from you! 

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Volunteer Opportunities

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Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • Jan 24 - Orangetheory Night (6pm)

  • Feb 7 - Comfy Cozy Day

  • Feb 7 - Multicultural Night (5:30-7pm)

  • Feb 17 through Feb 21- February Vacation (No School)

In the Community

WBYC Lecture

Join Lainie and Liz from LA Based Lila Learning for an inspiring and heartfelt presentation! In this insightful session, Lainie and Liz will share their personal journeys through "special" education, diving into both the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced along the way. They’ll also discuss powerful strategies that have helped them navigate their learning differences and offer practical tips for supporting your own children as they chart their own educational paths. A must-attend event for parents, educators, students, and anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive learning environment. Monday 2/10 at 7PM at Concord Carlisle High School. Register now on WBYC's website! www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org. See attached flyer for more information.

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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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Fowler Branch Library Programs

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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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. Students also have the opportunity to perform at the Festival. Click here for more information and to sign up for training sessions with a professional dancer and high school volunteers.

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Join the Alcott PTG

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!

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