The Thursday Owl - December 7, 2023

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you to the Alcott Community from Grade 5. The fifth graders would like to thank everyone who helped make our community service project to benefit Open Table a big success. With your generous donations, we were able to create 75 Kids Bags that will be distributed to children who visit the Open Table food pantry with their families. Each bag contains a selection of juice boxes, fruit cups, fruit or granola bars, cereal and oatmeal packets, soup, ravioli, macaroni and cheese, and crackers. We decorated the bags with cheerful pictures, puzzles, and riddles and were also able to provide many additional items to Open Table to fill their shelves. We are very grateful for your support of this important community organization and the kids and families they serve. Thank you!

Thank you for the Nurse’s Office clothing donations. There are a few items remaining if you are able to donate. Please refer HERE if you would like to contribute. Many thanks for your generosity. 

Concord METCO Family and Friends invites you to a fabulous afternoon of roller skating at Chez Vous, Saturday December 16, 2023, from 12:00-3:00pm. Come, enjoy, and get out all that energy, no matter what the weather outside! Please register on Sign-up Genius at the link here by Friday, December 15th:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49AEAB2BA5F9C52-46612009-roller

Where: Chez Vous | 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester Center, MA 02124

When: Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 12:00 - 3:00pm

Please note that transportation for this event is not provided, and parents/guardians will be required to stay with their children at Chez Vous. All Welcome!

The Concord Middle School Coats for Kids Club needs your help. Their annual Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids drive is underway. The goal this year is to collect 400 coats. Please consider donating any gently-used coats by sending them to school with your child. The drop off box is by the office. We accept any size coat, from infant snowsuits to oversized adult, but please do not donate clothing other than winter coats – no sweatshirts, vests, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens or snow pants. The drive runs until January 7th, 2024. 

From Nurse Colleen Asselin: Hello - As winter approaches, I would like to remind parents of some of the reasons children should be kept home from school.

Please keep your child home:

  • If your child is unable to participate fully in school activities because of illness

  • When your child has a contagious condition or a rash with an unknown cause

  • When your child has had a fever of 100°F or more within the last 24 hours when not taking fever-reducing medications

  • If your child has had vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours or is unable to eat normally

  • If your child has been diagnosed with strep throat and has not been taking antibiotic medication for at least 24 hours

  • If your child requires medication for fever or ongoing pain relief

  • If your child has red/pink eyes with drainage

  • If your child has been diagnosed with Covid-19

Please contact me when:

  • Your child's health status has changed

  • Your child has had a recent serious illness, injury, surgery, or hospitalization

  • Your child has been diagnosed with a contagious condition such as: strep throat, chickenpox, whooping cough, head lice

  • Your child cannot participate fully in Physical Education or recess

COVID Protocols 2023-2024
Our school policy remains the same as last year. If a student tests positive for covid, they must isolate through day 5. They may return to school on day 6, provided that symptoms are improving and fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. They must wear a mask on days 6-10 while in the school building. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for helping us keep the Alcott School a healthy learning place for all of our students.

NEW ALCOTT SPIRIT WEAR is NOW available for Holiday Ordering! Don’t miss out! The ordering deadline is Friday, 12/8 for delivery by 12/21. Check out Alcott sweatshirts in new and fun colors and our annual “400 Names” t-shirt for the 2023-24 school year! The “Names” shirt is available in both short sleeve and long sleeve performance material in reds, blues, silver and green! We have also added some awesome new winter hats! Proceeds benefit the Alcott PTG. 

Visit the Alcott PTG website, alcottptg.org and click on “Support” and “Alcott Spirit Wear”. Or click on the following link to place an order: Alcott Spirit Wear.

Alcott Instagram - Follow Alcott on Instagram

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on Twitter (X)

Calendar and important dates

***Every Wednesday is a half-day***

Dec 15 - Sweatshirt Day

Dec 22 - Half Day

Dec 25 - 29 - Winter Recess

Jan 1 - New Years Holiday

Jan 2 - School Resumes

CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Brighten the Night with WBYC: December 20, 2023

Brighten the night with green luminary kits from William's Be Yourself Challenge (WBYC) as we come together to shine a light on mental health and grief awareness and remember a beloved community member. On February 19, 2019, William Shaw died in a tragic ski accident. He was 9 years old, in 3rd grade at Carlisle Public School. Every year since, the Carlisle and Concord communities have lit luminaries on his birthday, Dec. 20.  This year, WBYC is selling luminary kits with 15 lights - 14 for William's 14th birthday, plus 1 light for you to use in memory of a loved one you have lost. For more information or to purchase a kit online, visit our website at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org. Proceeds will fund a continuation of the speaker series focused on bringing awareness and support to childhood grief and mental health. More to come with dates, times and speakers.

Register now for Raising Financially Savvy Kids – Your Role as Chief Financial Parent! Wed., Jan. 31, 7-8:30 at CCHS. Get a jump on the new year by signing up now to get real information and best practices from someone in the industry. Full information including how to register online can be found here: https://ccace.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=293399. Offered by CCACE; fee is $25 and scholarships are available and confidential.

IMSCC Music lessons - registration is open for the Winter-Spring session!

Enrollment is underway for the upcoming Winter-Spring session of one-on-one music lessons with IMSCC's expert instructors. The 16-week session begins in January. Lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele. Lessons take place after school and in the evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. New students can start the enrollment process by filling out a lesson inquiry form at https://ccace.asapconnected.com/#PrivateLessons. We will follow up by asking an instructor to contact you to arrange lesson times.

New this year - small group lessons for 4th and 5th graders! IMSCC instructors teach groups of 3-5 students learning the same instrument, with separate groups for first year and second year players. Group lessons are available for most band and orchestra instruments. Click here for information and to register.

More information about IMSCC including tuition rates, instructor bios and more, at http://www.concordcarlisleace.org/instrumental-music-school. If you have questions please email Debbie Levine.

Please join us in West Concord: 826 Boston, Barefoot Books and Kate Fussner

I'm so excited to invite you to our Sip, Shop, and Support event at Barefoot Books in West Concord on Dec. 13, from 6-8 PM. You'll get to meet the author Kate Fussner, author of The Song of Us, a retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in modern-day middle school. Kate is a former English teacher in Boston Public Schools. You can also take care of your holiday shopping by purchasing signed copies of Kate's book, Barefoot Books for young people, and/or 826 Boston's student-authored books. Proceeds from all book sales benefit 826 Boston programs.

This event is free, but an RSVP is required. Tell us you're coming by clicking here.

Appetizers from Saltbox Kitchen and wine from Barton and Guestier will be provided. Plus we'll have door prizes from local merchants, and of course, we will bring the joy of stories: an 826 Boston student author will open for Kate Fussner. I sincerely hope you can make it. RSVP today! And please let me know if you have any questions. Tyisha Edwards

P.S. If you can't make the event, you can donate to 826 Boston or participate in an online fundraiser for 826 Boston hosted by our generous friends at Barefoot Books.  Visit www.barefootbooks.com/find-a-book-fair + use code 23953.

Kids Naturally is proud to present "Once Upon a Solstice Eve: an Evening of Stories and Light." 

At this evening drop off program, kids will share stories and play in the (relative) dark of the woods as the longest night of the year draws near. Hot chocolate and treats included. Registration is open now at Kids-Naturally.com/register-now.

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

Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge: Concord kindergarteners and their adults are invited to join us to learn all about Girl Scouts and how YOU can participate as we do a fun activity from the Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge on Thursday, February 8th, at 6:15 PM in the Concord Free Public Library lower-level meeting room. Please confirm your attendance at gsema.org/eventrsvp2. Unable to attend or have an older child and want to learn more? Please visit gsema.org/moreinfo, and a council staff member will be in touch.

December Saturday highlights at Fowler Branch Library (1322 Main Street)

  • West Concord Holiday Stroll at Fowler: Saturday, December 9th, 1-4 PM

    It's time for the Holiday Stroll in West Concord, today from 1-5! Fowler will join local businesses and organizations to celebrate the season. Stop by Fowler to make citrus garlands and buttons and stay for cider! Mothers Out Front will be here from 2-4 to demonstrate an induction burner by making mulled cider for all. No registration required.

  • Ornament Making at Fowler: Saturday, December 16, 2-4 PM

    Drop in to make a range of ornaments. All ages welcome. No registration required.

  • A Family Noon Year's Party at Fowler: Saturday, December 30, 11:30-12:15

    Let's ring in 2024 early! Wear your sparkly best, and join Fowler staff for crafts, music, and a countdown for when the clock strikes 12! We will cheer in the new year with sparkling cider and snacks. No registration required.

Concord Rec Offerings

  • Alcott After School Programming

  • Alcott Before School Programming

    • Can't get enough Orchestra? The String Orchestra before school program is for students who have been studying basic skills since September and can play the first three notes on the D string by January. The program is suitable for 4th-year beginner students or second-year + players (5th graders). Join to further develop your ensemble playing skills on your string instrument. This is an extra enrichment class that is meant to augment your child's ensemble skills and introduce them to their first ensemble experience or add to the existing orchestra class. This class is not meant to replace group skills classes. More information and registration can be found here: https://concordrec.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30108.

    • Does your student want a fun and active morning before they start school? Before school sports is a great way for student to get some energy out, make new friends, and try different types of activities. These sessions are taught by your school’s Physical Education teachers and each grade level is assigned a different morning of the week. More information and registration can be found here: https://concordrec.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30772.

  • Other Concord Recreation Programming

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!