ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Great to see so many new and familiar faces at Back to School Night last night. We hope it was a great night learning and thanks to all who stopped by our table in the cafeteria to hear a little more about the PTG. Please Save the Date for Alcott Bike/Walk to School Day on Tuesday, October, 3! We are looking for a parent volunteer to help with this event so if interested please email melissahun@gmail.com and gibbs.eliz@gmail.com
-Melissa Karczewski & Liz Gibbs
K-12 METCO Family and Friends Picnic is coming up! Save the date – Saturday, September 30, 1pm to 3pm. CLICK HERE to learn more!
Parent Social & Auction: The 2023-24 Alcott Parent Social will be hosted by Jen & Tom Lichoulas on Saturday, October 14th 6:30-10PM at their home in Concord. The event will feature a food truck and the Annual Auction. Come by to reconnect and meet new Alcott families. Look in the Owl next week for a link to start bidding on auction items and to purchase your social tickets!
Alcott Chess Club is Back!!!
The Alcott Chess Club resumed its fall session on Thursday, September 21, but it is not too late to enroll. The chess club offers ongoing lessons and play that your children can join in at any time without missing a beat. We hope your children will want to play chess and be a part of our club. We look forward to meeting them.
The club convenes Thursday mornings, 8 a.m. in the Faculty Lounge and we meet most every week through December. See the attached flyer here for details. We hope you will want to give your children the gift of a lifetime, the ability to develop their minds as they ponder over a chessboard. Be assured you will be pleased with the results.
Email Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com. Or call him at (617) 332-4483. Be sure to leave a message with any questions you may have. Go ahead! Make the decision. It's your move.
Alcott Spirit Wear
Alcott Spirit Wear is on sale now! Shop for t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, pajama pants, hats, shorts, bags, outwear and more. Each purchase benefits the ALCOTT PTG. The link for the store is on the Alcott PTG Website or you can access the store directly though the following link: Alcott Spirit Wear. Thank you for supporting Alcott! Happy Shopping!
Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on its new Twitter account!
Calendar and important dates
***Every Wednesday is a half-day***
Sep 20 - Back to School Night
Sep 30 - Picnic in the Park
Oct 9 - Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Oct 14 - Alcott Fall Parent Social and Auction
CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.
IN THE COMMUNITY
CCHS cheer invites you to be cheerleader for a day for aspiring athletes ages 5-12: Friday October 20th 6:00PM arrival through the end of halftime of the CCHS Varsity Football game Learn Cheers Dance with the Band REGISTER BY OCTOBER 5TH: https://forms.gle/s7SqAz3Kef8rDZVu9
Cub Scout Pack 133 invites Kids Grades K-5: Join Us for an exciting year of adventure, outdoor activities, service, and citizenship. Our pack operates as a family pack, welcoming Boys, Girls, and their families. We want to welcome current and prospective members to two exciting upcoming events:
A model rocket build/launch at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, at School Street Field in Acton (Right off Route 2, just past the rotary, 341 School St. Acton, MA 01742). We will have kits, engines, and launch pads.
Our first meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 27th, 6:30 pm at Emerson Field for some fun, field games, and get-to-know-you activities.
Typically, our pack meets indoors at the Concord Scout House on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Cub Scouts provides grade-appropriate programming to kids in grades K-5. New members may join in any grade and advance with their peers. We hope to see a lot of new faces at these fun events. For more information about Pack 133, please visit http://www.concordpack133.com.
Daisy Troop Leaders Needed! Volunteers are needed to organize a Daisy Girl Scout troop at Alcott for this year's kindergarten cohort. Girl Scouts provides opportunities for girls of all ages to learn skills and develop as leaders in STEM, the outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship. ClickHEREfor more info on stepping up to be a troop organizer or leader. Kate McEneaney is the leader of our current 5th grade troop at Alcott and is happy to provide guidance and answer questions, please contact her at mceneaney.kate@gmail.com.
Girl Scouts invite kindergarten families in Concord and Carlisle: see for yourselves how your child will have more fun learning, doing, and growing as a Girl Scout on Saturday, October 7th, at 3 PM in the meeting room at the Fowler branch. Siblings are welcome. Let us know you're interested at http://gsema.org/eventrsvp2.
LWVCC Fall Event: September 27, 2023 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.Concord Free Public Library, Goodwin Forum, 129 Main Street, Concord and via Zoom “The Role of Modern Policing in a Divided Country”
The Board is excited to welcome everyone to our opening Fall Meeting, which will be held in the Goodwin Forum of Concord Free Public Library on September 27th, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. We are starting a bit later in the fall than usual in order to hear from Concord’s and Carlisle’s Police Chiefs: Tom Mulcahy and Andrew Amendola. They will speak about “The role of modern policing in a divided country.” The Chiefs are excited to speak to us and will welcome questions after addressing the gathering. Please remember to bring a check for your membership renewal, a friend who might wish to join, and your usual bright engagement. The meeting will be hybrid, and Minuteman Media Network will be filming the event for those who cannot attend. Light refreshments will be served. For more info, contact Melissa Saalfield at events@lwvcc.org
Youth Soccer Clinic with Boston College Athletes: Sunday, October 15, 2-5 PM Downes Field located at 24 Highland Rd, Brookline, MA 02445
Link to event: https://www.athlinics.com/event-details/youth-soccer-clinic-with-boston-college-athletes
Train with Boston College Men's Soccer players CJ Williams, Erick Almendares, and Christian Bejar
Improve skills and fundamentals
Friendly competitions & tournament-style scrimmages
Learn about collegiate athletics, recruitment, and the student-athlete life
Connect with college athletes through educational material on the athletic journey
September 29th - 9:30 am / In–person - SEPAC Coffee & Chat
Please join us in person for an informal meetup on Friday, September 29th. Rideout Park Pavilion @ 61 Laws Brook Road, Concord, MA 01742
Coffee & Chats are a great way to meet other parents and members of SEPAC, discuss the back-to-school transition, ask questions and share ideas.
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. Our purpose is to serve as a resource to families, to foster an inclusive culture in our schools, and to 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!
We are also looking for liaisons to each of our districts’ special education programs, from CIPS to CCHS! If you’re interested or would like more details, send us a note at concordsepac@gmail.com.
Concord Rec Offerings:
Events:
Outdoor movie night – Basketball court at Hunt, 90 Stow St. Sept 29th – Honey I Shrunk the kids 7:00 pm; Sept. 30th – Jurassic Park 7:15 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets.
Registration is open for the Sleepy Hollow 5K on October 28th.
Programs:
Nashoba Ski Program grades 2-5 opens for registration 10/11/23 at 7:30am for residents and 10/18/23 for non-residents. Lessons are for beginner and intermediate skiers. Snowboard lessons are a direct sign up with Nashoba. Participants in this program ski independently. There is NO transportation to Hunt from the schools. Ski rental day will be in November, TBD.
We still have a space available in the Before School Sports program. The program includes one morning per week (the day of the week depends on the grade of your student) from 8:00 am – 8:50 am.
Fitness Classes:
Boot Camp w/Carolyn. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m – 10:30 am. Hunt Gym:This one-hour class is a low impact, high intensity workout with the focus on maximum cardio benefit. We will utilize body weight and a variety of equipment and High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) to maximize cardio, strength, and balance.
Baby and Me Dance! Wednesdays 11:30 - 12:20 p.m. Hunt Gym:Get your groove on with your baby this fall! Bring baby in secure baby carrier for a fun dance class. We’ll jam to great tunes as we disco, two-step and salsa throughout the 30 minutes. The last 20 minutes of class includes time to get to know one another and allow the babies to visit too! This class is for non-crawling infants only - Ages 6 weeks to 6 months.
Baby and Me Bootcamp! Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. Hunt Gym:Bring your child to a great workout at Hunt Gym consisting of cardio and strength exercises. You’ll get a fantastic workout with no need for a babysitter! Be sure to bring a car seat or stroller for your child. Ages 6 weeks to 1.5 years old.
Stretch & Arthritis. Fridays, 10 - 11 a.m. 55 Church Street, Concord MA. The Stretch and Arthritis class is a low-impact exercise program from the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP). The objectives of this class focus on improving functional ability, mobility, muscle strength and coordination. The class aims to reduce fatigue, pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Key activities include multiple exercise activities such as warm-up, range of motion/stretching, strengthening, cardiovascular endurance, and cool down. Balance and coordination activities are included.
More information and registration can be found at concordrec.myrec.com and/or concordrec.com. Thank you for your continued support of Concord Recreation!
Concord Library Offerings:
Family Nature Walk: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 2-4 PM - Join Peter Alden, naturalist and Audubon field guide author, to observe birds and native plants on Concord Land Conservation Trust’s Nashawtuc Hill Circuit. For event details and registration: https://concordlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/.
Family Bike Rodeo: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 3-4:30 PM (Rain Date 10/14) - Harvey Wheeler Lot at 55 Church Street (across the street from the Fowler Branch Library). We'll have bike decorating, safety checks, practice courses, and more fun for all! Get ready for Safe Routes to School's Bike to School events at the beginning of October! Register: https://concordlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/.
Family Hindi Storytime: Thursday, September 28, 4:30—5:15 PM - Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street - Join Fowler Staff for Hindi stories, songs, and a hands-on activity. Families with children ages 12 and under are welcome to join, whether you speak Hindi or wish to learn a new language. No Registration Required.
Scarecrow Festival: The Concord Free Public Library would like to invite you to participate in the 8th Annual Scarecrow Festival! This year, the Festival will run from Tuesday, October 10 through Tuesday, October 31. Join town departments, schools, and local organizations in this fun community event! Build a scarecrow and bring visibility and community awareness to your organization. Here's how it works:
1) Complete this short Google form to reserve your spot at either the Main Library or the Fowler Branch!
2) Create your scarecrow! Let your imagination run wild and/or be inspired by this year's (optional) theme: Read, Renew, Repeat (sustainability and recycling). Be sure to create a sign with your organization's name or include it somewhere on your scarecrow.
3) Pick up a frame for your scarecrow (or build your own). Bases will be available at the Main Library starting Monday, September 25.
4) Return your decorated scarecrow to your chosen library branch by Friday, October 7. We will create a display on our front lawn to share with the entire community!
Note: You can build your scarecrow in place at the library, if you prefer, starting Tuesday, October 10.
Thank you for considering our invitation, and we hope you'll be part of this year's fun! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Food Drives Needed - Open Table, your local food pantry, is looking for community leaders from scout troops, athletics, clubs, organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, and neighborhoods, to run a food drive (among your members or involve the public - it's up to you!) this autumn. We pinky promise your group will feel great working together to help neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Go to https://www.opentable.org/donation-activities/ for more information and to register your food drive. Email questions to fooddonations@opentable.org.
Kids Naturally Program: What are your kids doing on half-day Wednesdays? Kids Naturally is an experiential outdoor program. We are registering NOW for our Wednesday program from 2 to 5pm on the Thoreau Club's beautiful 35 wooded acres in West Concord. The Mission of Kids Naturally is to inspire wonder for nature and a desire for exploration and discovery through free play outside. Kids Naturally creates a safe, nurturing and fun space where children can build resilience and develop creativity and independence away from screens and sedentary entertainment. Learn more: kids-naturally.com
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!