The Thursday Owl - March 14, 2024

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alcott celebrated Multicultural Night on Friday night and it was another great year! 16 countries were represented with food and cultural tables celebrating food, art, literature, holiday traditions and more. Sincere gratitude for the time and energy put into this event by the family participants and the volunteers. We look forward to celebrating this special event again next year. If you have any feedback please let us know! Have a great week, Melissa Karczewski and Liz Gibbs.

For those that were not able to attend the Open March PTG Meeting and listen and ask questions of those running for Concord School Committee please know that another event is being organized and we will provide an updated date when that information becomes available. For now, the leadership of the other schools in our District are working to field questions for the candidates during that forum through this google form. Please feel free to submit your questions through this link. If you have any general questions about this process please feel free to email Melissa Karczewski at melissahun@gmail.com.

Alcott Nurse Colleen Asselin has written a March Newsletter. Please read it here.

Book Fair: All students will have the chance to visit the book fair during their school day with their teacher sometime between March 26-28. Be sure to send money in with your child the day of their visit! We will also need volunteers to help support the classroom visits. You can sign-up to help. As a reminder, you will need an active CORI to volunteer. Stop by the Alcott office with your photo ID if you need a CORI ASAP!

Out of this World Family Night! (Book Fair and Math Night Open House): We will hold an open house for families to come to Alcott after school to visit the book fair and participate in “Math Night from Outer Space” on Thursday, March 28th. The book fair open house for families will open at 4:00 pm at Alcott Auditorium and Math Night will run from 4:00-6:30 pm at Alcott Gym. There is no need to sign up in advance to attend either the Book Fair or Math Night on March 28.

We also will need parent volunteers to support Family Night.  You can sign up here Parent Volunteer Sign-Up to volunteer during Family Night. Training will be provided to all Book Fair and Math Night volunteers. 

Middle School and High School Alcott Alums: Do you know a middle school or high school Alcott alum who is in need of community service hours? We are looking for student volunteers to help run the math games at Math Night - we would love to welcome back Alcott alumni to help out! Student Volunteer Sign-Up

Support Alcott Elementary: Join Our Fundraiser with WECO Hospitality! We're thrilled to announce our upcoming fundraiser in partnership with WECO Hospitality, scheduled from March 1st to March 15th. WECO Hospitality offers an array of chef-prepared meals delivered straight to your door, including dinners, appetizers, desserts, and kids' meals. By participating in this fundraiser, you not only treat yourself to delightful cuisine but also contribute to the advancement of our school.

During the fundraising period, WECO will generously donate 10% of every dinner bill to support Alcott Elementary. Your involvement will play a pivotal role in enhancing our school community. To take part, simply visit wecohospitality.com, choose your meals, and use the promo code "AlcottFundraiser" during checkout.

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Calendar and important dates

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

Mar 15 - Coffee with the Principal and Favorite Activity/Sport/Hobby Apparel Day

Mar 25 - Mar 29 - Book Fair

Mar 26 and 28 - Grade 3 ELA MCAS

Mar 28 - Math Night

Apr 1 and 2 - Grade 4 ELA MCAS

Apr 4 - K-5 Conferences

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

IN THE COMMUNITY

As many of you are aware School Committee elections are coming up on April 9. In past town elections, turnout has typically ranged between 11%-15%. It is critically important for everybody’s voice to be heard! Please take the time to get to know the candidates and vote on April 9th. Information on early or absentee voting can be found here: https://concordma.gov/2341/AbsenteeEarly-Voting-in-Concord. Precinct information can be found here: https://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/33673/2021-Precinct-Map

CPS Early Literacy & Approach to Reading Instruction: March 20th, 6 pm: Please join us for a CPS presentation to the SEPAC highlighting Early Literacy in Grades K-3. Assistant Superintendent Kristen Anderson and Reading/Language Arts Specialists from each elementary school will discuss Skills, Structure, Screening, and Support in an Evidenced-Based Approach to Reading Instruction.

Topic: SEPAC: Early Literacy in Grades K-3

Time: Mar 20, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://concordps.zoom.us/j/95953283017

Barefoot Books + ThinkGive: ThinkGive is hosting a free event at Barefoot Books in West Concord (23 Bradford St. 2nd Floor, Concord, MA 01742) on Thursday April 11th from 6:30 - 8:30pm. Join us for drinks and appetizers, a raffle, browse Barefoot Books’ award-winning collection of books for ages 0-12, and hear from ThinkGive leaders and an educator about our efforts to empower youth to take actions that positively impact themselves and others; building character, confidence, and connection. Our partner educators have put together a wish list of books that they would love to be able to bring to their classrooms. 40% of all book sales will be donated to ThinkGive! If you are unable to attend, the wish list of books will be available online at www.thinkgiveproject.org between April 11 and April 21. To learn more and to RSVP click here.

Calling all household plastic!  As part of The Umbrella Art Center’s upcoming Earth Month exhibit in April-June “Tapped In: Moving Hearts and Minds through Art and Science, artist Lisa Barthelson will build an outdoor community sculpture from cast off plastic: The Plastic Wave, a symbol of the overwhelming tide of plastic threatening our world’s climate, ecosystems and health.  Plastics are made from fossil fuels and harmful chemicals and they don’t break down, instead, they break apart over time. Please drop off clean plastic for the outdoor sculpture through March 17th in the lobby of the Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street, Concord. More information can be found here.

CCYL BOYS SPRING REGISTRATION is still open for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd GRADE!!! The details:

What: Fun Friday nights focusing on skill development, scrimmages & love of the game

Where: Concord Carlisle High School (CCHS) Upper Grass Fields

When: Season runs mid April - June. Practices take place Friday nights 6-7:15pm

How: Registration is open @ www.ccyouthlacrosse.com (register HERE)

Please join SEPAC for a presentation by Dr. Karin Hodges: Opting for Growth by Embracing Stress and Emotions - March 21st 6-8pm Willard Elementary School Auditorium, 185 Powder Mill Rd-Concord. More information is available here.

Kids Naturally is delighted to present: WILD WONDERS: A Spring Sunday Series: This drop-off series will give kids the opportunity to explore the woods through discovery and creative play, inspired by stories and imagination. And, of course, we always have yummy snacks! Register for one, two or all three evenings! Register now at Kids-Naturally.com. The Mission of Kids Naturally is to inspire wonder for nature and desire for exploration through free play outside. Kids Naturally creates a safe, nurturing and fun space where children build resilience and develop creativity and independence away from passive entertainment. Learn more: Kids-Naturally.com.

Now Introducing Concord Recreation's morning half-day summer programs! From LEGO building to chess challenges and an introduction to 3D printing, there's a variety of options to explore. Check out our offerings and register today through this link: Concord Recreation Department: Summer Specialty Programs (myrec.com)

Concord Carlisle Youth Hockey 2024-2025 Travel Registration Open: Registration is now open for the CCYH 2024-2025 Travel Season. Evaluations will take place this Spring for the 2024-2025 season and are required for placement on a team. Evaluations will take place at Valley Sports on the following dates/times:

  • Mites (2016 and 2017) will be on Thursday 3/14 and Thursday 3/21 from 5:40-6:40pm

  • Squirts (2014 and 2015) will be on Thursday 3/14 and Thursday 3/21 from 6:50-7:50pm

  • Peewees (2012 and 2013) will be on Thursday 3/14 and Thursday 3/21 from 8:00-9:00pm 

  • Bantams (2010 and 2011) will be on Tuesday 3/12 and Tuesday 3/19 from 8:40-9:40pm

Please visit https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/420654 to register your child for the 2024-2025 season. Registration is required prior to participating in evaluations. Please contact Mark Daniel, CCYH Registrar (ccyh.registrar@gmail.com), with any questions.

IMSCC Music Lessons: Meet our newest faculty members! Noah Stone, piano and Alex Brander, drums and percussion join the team of 32 dedicated and expert instructors at IMSCC. Spring lessons are underway and new students are welcome to begin lessons at any time - to inquire about starting lessons click here. We have lessons for all band and orchestra instruments, plus voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele. Summer lesson registration opens April 22. Visit the website in April for more information and to register. Summer ensembles and classes: some ensembles are online now, others coming soon!

Peter and the Wolf: A Kid-Friendly Story Ballet, March 23-24 in Maynard: Looking for an easy way to give your children exposure to performing arts without them having to sit still for hours? The Commonwealth Ballet Company presents a one-act dance performance of "Peter and the Wolf" on March 23-24 at the Maynard High School auditorium. Set to Prokofiev’s iconic score with kid-friendly narration, this 40-minute story ballet is sure to delight and entertain audience members of all ages. After an intermission, the company will also present several pieces of classical and contemporary dance repertoire. More info and tickets at https://www.commonwealthballet.org/peter-the-wolfcontinuum.

Concord Library Offerings:

  • Talk Yoga at Fowler, Fri. 3/15, 1-1:45 PM, ages 3-5: Talk Yoga classes incorporate movement, mindfulness, games, and music to boost language, articulation, and sensory awareness. Benefitting children of all abilities, these classes help students connect their minds and body and gain acceptance, confidence, and self-awareness. Register on the library event calendar.

  • Literacy and Littles at Fowler, Sat. 3/16, 10:30 AM—12:00 PM: Join Concord Family Network, the Concord Children's Center, and library staff to celebrate and support early literacy! We'll start with storytime, and then invite children to make nature journals. Caregivers will have time to hear from our panel of teachers and librarians about ways to support their children on their reading journey. Drop ins are welcome, but register on the library event calendar if you would like to receive updates.

  • Earth Month Event at Fowler, Wed, 3/27, 4 PM—5PM: Passionate about protecting both people and the Earth?   Join us to celebrate Earth Month with stories and crafts while learning about the benefits of green transportation with the Fowler Library staff, CCHS Green Team and Mothers Out Front.  Children, ages 12 and under, are welcome to attend “The Green Routes to School Storytime & Crafts” program on Wednesday, March 27 from 4-5 pm at the Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, West Concord. Please pre-register here.

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!