From the Co-Presidents
It was great to see so many of you at Fall Fest on Sunday! Even with a few drops of rain, it was such a fun way to kick off the school year! A huge thank you to our Fall Fest Committee — Paige Read, Michelle Sloane, KC Sylvestre, and Sarah Woods — for creating a wonderful afternoon for our community, complete with live music, an obstacle course, pumpkin and face painting, and lawn games. We’re so grateful for the time and energy you put in to help make Alcott such a special place!
We are lucky to be part of the Alcott community with all of you!
Abby + Sarah
News & Announcements
Join Alcott's School Advisory Council
We have two openings for parents to serve on Alcott’s School Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC brings together parents, teachers, community members, and the principal to support the School Improvement Plan, review the school budget, and advise the principal. Members serve a two-year term and meet six times per year at 8:00am (October 15, December 10, January 21, March 4, April 29, May 27). Interested? Email PTG Co-Presidents Abby Flanagan and Sarah Driscoll at ptgalcott@gmail.com with your name and a brief statement of interest by October 2.
If more than two people are interested, the PTG will hold an election in accordance with the policy of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in which the entire Alcott parent community can vote. For more info on the role of School Advisory Councils click here.
Alcott Annual Appeal
Each year, the Alcott PTG asks families and friends to make a gift to help fund the programs and experiences that make our school such a special place. We hope you’ll consider making a donation - every gift, at any amount, makes a difference. The PTG invests approximately $150 per Alcott student each year, providing enrichment programs, classroom experiences and supplies, community events, support for families in need, and more. Your gift helps make these opportunities possible for every Alcott student. Please Give a Hoot and donate today by mailing a check to Alcott (payable to Alcott PTG with Annual Appeal in the memo) or make your payment here.
Coming Soon: Grade-Based WhatsApp Chats
We're excited to launch Alcott PTG Community Chats, a simple way for families in each grade to connect, ask questions, and get to know one another. Each grade will have its own WhatsApp group, run by PTG volunteers. Watch for an email from your room parents next Monday with more details and the links to join your grade's chat. Joining will be completely optional, and you're welcome to join more than one group if you have children in different grades!
Share Your Knowledge with Alcott Students
Do you want to share your love of frogs, trains, fossils, or trees with curious minds? Do you make toys or have you created an invention? Do you work in clean energy, deep sea oceanography, or design bridges? Do you have extensive knowledge of equal rights or civil rights that you want to share with students? We are looking for caregivers in our community who have special knowledge/work experience in the above topics who would be interested in enhancing the EL modules for the students this year. Please reach out to the PTG enrichment committee to get involved at alcottenrichment@gmail.com.
Alcott's New Playground Needs YOU
Joana Fraser (mom of 2 current, one future Alcott students!) is spearheading the process for a wonderful new playground at Alcott. This is a multiyear project currently in its early stages, and she is looking for enthusiastic parents to join a small committee that will plan, implement, and oversee everything from design to funding, construction, and eventual completion. If you are excited by the opportunity to have a meaningful, lasting and visible positive impact on our school, please reach out to Joana at joana.l.riley@gmail.com. In particular, if you have a background or experience in fundraising and/or grant writing, we'd love your help in any capacity. Thank you!
METCO Family Friends Apple Picking
If you are interested in joining our METCO Family Friends program for an afternoon of apple picking at Honey Pot Hill Orchard, please RSVP here. This event takes place on Wednesday, October 7th (weather permitting). Enjoy a hayride, apple picking, feeding farm animals, plus delicious donuts and apple cider. RSVPs are due by September 30th. We cannot accept late sign ups. For questions, contact Solange Benjamin at sbenjamin@concordps.org or call 978-831-3522.
Alcott Walk & Talk: Friday, Oct 16, 9-10am
Come get to know your fellow Alcott parents and caregivers with our first monthly walk from Alcott. Meet us at the front entrance after drop-off, grab a free coffee or tea from the Alcott PTG, and join us for a leisurely stroll around town. It's a relaxed way to make new connections, catch up with familiar faces, and build the community that makes Alcott special. All caregivers are welcome, and younger siblings in strollers are more than welcome. No RSVP needed, just show up. Can't make October? Watch for the next walk next month!
Alcott Movie Night is October 2nd
The movie will be decided by the students starting NEXT Monday, 9/28. Students may vote for their preferred movie (Toy Story 5, Goat, Monsters & Minions, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie) via small change donations in buckets in the main lobby. Concessions will be available starting at 5:30, and the movie will begin at 6pm. Please sign up to volunteer here! Tickets are $25 per family and can be pre-purchased here. Families in need of ticket assistance may contact Mike Kordosky (mkordosky@concordps.org).
Please note: This is not a drop-off event. Every child should be supervised by an attending adult. Thank you!
Alcott Multicultural Day – Many Cultures, One Community - Time Correction
Join us Sunday, October 18 from 1-3pm at Alcott (not 3-6pm) for an afternoon celebrating the cultures, traditions, foods, music, and stories that make our community special! Families can share a cultural dish and its story, or submit a song representing their culture for our Music Without Borders playlist. Volunteers are also needed. Unity • Understanding • Respect. Find out more and sign up to participate and help us celebrate our diverse Alcott community!
Help Shape Concord's Vision of a Graduate
The district is seeking one parent from each school to join the Vision of a Graduate Design Team. The team will help define K-12 learning goals and the key experiences students should have before graduating.
The team will meet six times at CCHS:
Monday, October 5: 11:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 9: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 2: 11:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 4: 11:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Interested or have questions? Email the PTG Co-Presidents at ptgalcott@gmail.com.
3rd Grade Fall Meetup
When: Friday, 10/23 at 4pm
Where: Emerson Playground, Concord
What to bring: A picnic dinner if you'd like — we'll also have some kid-friendly snacks on hand. Feel free to bring a craft, Pokémon cards, or another quiet activity if your kid isn't in the mood for the playground.
Hope to see you there!
Alcott Front Flower Beds Restoration
Please sign up to plant Alcott’s front flower beds this Sunday, September 27th from 9-12. Bring gardening gloves and trowels if you have them!
Wednesday Library Volunteer Needed
Mrs. O’Rourke is still looking for someone to shelve books on Wednesdays from 8:50-9:15am. If you can commit to a weekly spot, please email korourke@concordps.org. Thank you!
Composting Volunteers Needed
Calendar & Important Dates
Every Wednesday is a half day
September 25 - Pink Day
October 2 - Movie Night
October 7 - METCO Family Friends Apple Picking
October 12 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day - No School
October 13 - Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day
October 16 - Alcott Walk & Talk
October 18 - Multicultural Day
October 23 - 3rd Grade Fall Meetup
November 6 - K-5 Conferences - No School
November 11 - Veterans Day - No School
In the Community
Cheerleader for a Game
Cheer with the CCHS Cheerleaders on Friday, 10/2 at the CCHS vs. Bedford Football Game! Sign up and Pay Here!
A Grandparent's Guide to Autism: Building Strong Connections & Bright Futures
Join CCACE for this presentation designed specifically for grandparents looking to deepen their understanding of ASD. Thursday, October 1st from 10-11:30am @ Municipal Light Plant Conference Room, Concord Register here.
Kids Naturally Try-It Day Today
Kids Naturally is offering a free Try-It day today, Thursday, September 24 in the Thoreau Club woods from 4-6pm. This is for ages 4-10. Space is limited. Pre-register by emailing Amanda@Kids-Naturally.com.
Patriot Hoops and Together We Rise Basketball
Together We Rise (TWR) and Patriot Hoops are hosting basketball programs this fall at Concord-Carlisle High School for boys and girls of all skill levels. Saturday Low Rim Clinics for K–1 (8-foot rim, 10:30–11:30) and grades 2–3 (9-foot rim, 11:30–12:30) run October 17–November 21 and emphasize skills, fun, and teamwork. Monday Night Hoops for grades 3–8 meets 6:45–8:15 on selected Mondays from September 28–November 23, with a skills clinic led by Coach Chris Ryan and high school varsity players followed by 4v4 or 5v5 games. Learn more and sign up at togetherwerisesports.com.
Kicks for Cancer is September 26
Kicks brings the community together to raise funds to advance research at Dana Farber focused on the early detection of ovarian cancer. Find event details here.
Safe Routes to School Family Travel Surveys
Please complete these two-minute, anonymous MA Safe Routes to School Travel Surveys for each school that your children attend. Select your language in the top left corner. The survey runs through 9/28.
CCHS Survey
CMS Survey
Alcott Elementary Survey
Concord Peace Crane Event on Sunday
Please join us this Sunday, 9/27 (our rain date) from 11:30am-3:30pm at Monument Square. In celebration of International Peace Day, we are hosting an origami paper crane folding event. See our video, learn how to fold, and learn about us. Event info here.
Art Classes with Brigitte Livet
Art Classes with Brigitte Livet offer a welcoming, community-focused opportunity to explore creativity at the Bradford Mill. Brigitte provides personalized instruction in drawing, painting, and mixed media for children (ages 7+), teens, and adults. Small class sizes and flexible scheduling support individual expression, skill development, and the joy of making art in a supportive local setting. More info here and here.
CCM Group Keyboard for Kids
We’ve expanded our popular Group Keyboard for Kids program by adding brand-new Thursday and Saturday section options starting late September. Designed for young beginners ages 5–7, Group Keyboard offers a fun, social way for kids to build foundational piano skills, sight-reading, and ear training through movement and interactive ensemble play. Please see attached for more info.
IMSCC Fall Enrollment is Open
We welcome students of all ages with expert instructors offering lessons for band and orchestra instruments, plus piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, and voice. Small group lessons for first- and second-year players are available on select instruments, offered after school and evenings at CCHS and Carlisle School. Click here to start enrollment. Questions? Contact ldoohovskoy@concordcarlisle.org. Visit www.imsccma.org.
The Garden Club of Concord
The Garden Club of Concord is soliciting proposals from local organizations seeking funding for gardening-related community projects. The club’s grant program promotes horticulture and environmental conservation. To request a grant application or for more info, contact Sarah MacEachern at smaceachern@comcast.net or visit our website. The deadline is 10/26.
Milldam Nursery School Portraits Fundraiser
Milldam Nursery School is partnering with the talented, local husband and wife team Cole & Keira photography to offer family portraits as a fundraising effort. There are mini, double and custom sessions available to meet your needs. The upcoming date is 10/10. Book yours today!
SEPAC Office Hours
Held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11-12:30 in the Main Library in the cafe area.