ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January Nurse’s Note from Colleen Asselin: With the cold weather upon us, please remember to dress your children appropriately for the weather conditions when sending them to school. All students go outside for recess, and we want everyone to be warm when having fun outside! Long pants, jackets, snow pants, boots, scarves, hats, mittens or gloves all help to keep our students warm and safe as they enjoy their time outside. We want them to be comfortable while enjoying these brisk winter days.
Mittens are warmer than gloves. Dressing in layers is always a good thing, and layers offer superior insulation. Please be sure to include these items so they can enjoy the snow. If your child wears their boots to school on PE day, please remind them to bring sneakers to school for PE class. As the weather warms up (thinking of spring already!), your child can shed a layer at a time.
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Calendar and important dates
***Every Wednesday is a half-day***
Jan 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 19 - Hat Day
CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.
IN THE COMMUNITY
IMSCC Music lessons - the Winter-Spring session starts this month! Enrollment is underway for the Winter-Spring session of one-on-one music lessons with IMSCC's expert instructors. The 16-week session begins this month. Lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele, after school and evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. New students can start the enrollment process by filling out a lesson inquiry form.
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 start at the end of January and are available for flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, low brass and violin/viola. Click here for information and to register. More information is on IMSCC's website. If you have questions please email Debbie Levine.
Come watch and discuss The Busing Battleground, a PBS documentary showing how civil rights battles were fought in Boston as it implemented court-ordered school desegregation in the 1970s. Viewing followed by panel discussion involving individuals with direct experience with the controversial busing plan. Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2:00-5:00 pm. In person and via Zoom. Register here to receive updates and to obtain a Zoom link for the event. Drop-ins welcome. Hosted by the Racial Justice Action Group at First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord.
WBYC 3rd Annual Speaker Series: A Conversation with Nick & Susie Shaw
Five Years Later: A Journey of Love, Hope and Resilience: In 2019, Carlisle parents Nick and Susie Shaw suffered what many parents view as their worst nightmare when their 9-year-old son William died in a tragic ski accident. In the five years since that devastating event, the Shaws have faced down the darkest days and nights of grief as they mourned their beloved boy -- but they have also discovered the ways that a loving family can evolve and grow in even the most difficult times, touched by glimmers of joy. Together, Nick and Susie have explored the ever-shifting boundaries of strength, love, hope, and resilience, and in doing so, they have created a belief system for how we can all face down difficulties and maneuver our way through challenging times. Please join us for this important conversation about the unexpected lessons that the shared experience of life can teach all of us. Seats can be reserved at WBYC.
About WBYC: WBYC is a local nonprofit that strives to shine a light on mental health and grief awareness. You can learn more about WBYC, our mission, and our inspiration - William Shaw - at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org.
CCYBS Softball SPRING SEASON REGISTRATION: Registration for the spring season of Concord-Carlisle Softball is open until February 10th. Beginning on February 11th, there will be a $50 late fee, so REGISTER NOW. Families registering more than one player will receive a $30 discount. If you require financial assistance with the costs for clinics or season registrations, please do not hesitate to contact Toni-Lynn Hansen (Softball Director, director.ccybs.softball@gmail.com).
Concord Public Library Events
All Ages
Winter Seed Sow with Lady Fern Farm: Saturday, January 20 at 2 PM at Fowler
Register: Lady Fern Farm will educate participants about winter seed sowing and the benefits of adding native plants to our yards. Participants will then plant two milk jugs with native seeds that require cold weather for germination. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
Teens and Tweens
Otaku Bell: Thursday, January 11 at 4 PM at the Main Library
No Registration Required: Join this club and celebrate Japanese media and pop culture! Discuss your favorite manga and anime titles, share art, learn about local conventions and events, and eat delicious Japanese goodies! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.
Random Insanity Game Show: Thursday, January 18 at 4 PM at the Main Library
No Registration Required: Be a contestant in our mad mash-up of game shows and do your best to navigate the chaos of ridiculous rules to win fabulous prizes! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.
Video Game Tournament: Tuesday, January 30 at 3:45 PM at Main Library
No Registration Required: Grab a prize at this ranked Super Smash Brothers tournament, but bring your deodorant because the competition in this classic brawler is going to be extra sweaty. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.
Kids
Sustainability Studio with Mothers Out Front (Ages 7 & under): Sat, Jan 27 at 11 AM at Fowler
No Registration Required: Together with Mothers Out Front, we'll explore the theme of "Reduce, Reuse" through a mix of stories, songs, and crafting. More info here.
Parents and Educators
Opting for Growth by Embracing Stress and Emotion: Let's Get Uncomfortable with Karin Hodges: Thursday, January 18 at 5:30 PM at the Main Library
Register: With the current mental health crisis affecting the younger generation, it's more critical than ever to concentrate on fostering environments that promote growth. Dr. Hodges will share her insights on how to foster such an environment as a parent or caregiver for children and teens.
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.
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!