Alcott Owl

The Thursday Owl, September 9, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

School Picture Day: Wednesday, Sept. 15 (Rain Date Sept. 17)
Picture Day is on!! You should receive an order form in your child's backpack this week--if you didn't, no problem!! Go to www.coffeepond.com and follow the prompts to order your child's portraits online.

Wanted: Picture Day Volunteers!
We need help on Wednesday, Sept. 15 to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We will be outside, masked and socially distanced. You will assist a photographer in managing lines, collecting forms (in a bucket for no contact) and reminding students to be distanced. Sign up here.

The Alcott Chess Club returns! Great news! The Alcott Chess Club is back onsite and ready to bring you chess live. For the past year, we've kept Alcott Chess going online and we'll continue to do that, but now we'll also be in the Faculty Lounge. We trust you're as excited as we are to be back.

First and foremost, our goal is to comply with Covid safety guidelines to bring you chess in a healthy environment. We know you'll do your part. We're all in this together. Classes begin September 23 and run for just 10 weeks into December. Cost of the program is $180, payable by Venmo or PayPal to alcottchess@hotmail.com, by check or just bring it to the first class. See our flyer for details and other exciting news, such as discounts and the Chess Challenge.

The Alcott Chess Club is for everyone - all ages, grades, levels of ability. Don't know the moves? We'll happily teach you. Chess is a great way to start the day, bright-eyed and eager to learn. For all questions, email Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com, text or call him at 617-332-4483. Can't make it Thursday mornings? Don't worry! There are online sessions. Just ask for the flyer.

It's your move, mate! We're waiting to see you!

Donate to Alcott with AmazonSmile: Do you shop on Amazon? If so, one easy way to support our PTG is to shop through smile.amazon.com. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of all qualifying purchases to a charitable organization of your choice. There is no catch and no extra fees; just designate “Alcott School Parent Teacher Group Inc” as your charity, then shop through the “AmazonSmile” link!

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


Sep 15: School Picture Day
Sep 22: Back to School Night (virtual), 5:30-7:30pm
Oct 11: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day

CPS/CCRSD 21-22 School Calendar can be found here

IN THE COMMUNITY

Mothers Out Front Family Walk
Family Walk with OARS!
DATE: September 12, 2021
TIME: 10:00am – 11:00am ET
LOCATION: The Walden Woods Project’s Bear Garden Hill

Please join us to reconnect with friends and nature on this family-friendly walk along the Sudbury River led by wetlands specialist, Ingeborg Hegemann Clark from OARS. Learn about local watersheds, their soils, and the important role these protected wild spaces play in heat reduction and carbon sequestration.

REGISTER HERE


Concord-Carlisle Youth Basketball registration now open: Concord-Carlisle Youth Basketball has opened registration for the 2021-2022 travel basketball season to boys and girls in Grades 4 - 8. Earlybird registration is open until 9/19 and tryouts will take place on October 13-15. More details can be found at the CCYB website at http://ccybasketball.org.


Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting - September 13: Please join Concord Public/Concord-Carlisle Regional Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) for our first meeting of the 2021-22 school year. We'd love to hear about your ideas for priorities, events, and concerns for this year. All are welcome.

Concord SEPAC September meeting
Time: Sep 13, 2021 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84963740730?pwd=QVdtdVZnbHJnbWFRK3hwTkNKbWNpZz09
Meeting ID: 849 6374 0730
Passcode: U911NF


The Umbrella Arts Center Fall Registration now open: Register now for fall at The Umbrella Arts Center. There are many new and improved youth classes and workshops. Please check out: Youth Classes & Workshops | The Umbrella Arts Center for more information.


The 4th Annual Mighty Moose 5K Fun Run: Join us on September 26, 2021 for the 4th Annual Mighty Moose 5K Fun Run, a community event to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer research. Please see the flyer for registration details.


Concord Free Public Library's "Read to Luna the Dog Live!": The Concord Free Public Library invites children to “Read to Luna the Dog Live!” on the Main Library Lawn the third Wednesday of each month between 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. The upcoming dates to read to Luna are Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, and Dec. 15. When the weather gets cooler or if there is rain, Luna will meet with readers inside the Main Library. Reading to dogs boosts reading skills and emotional and social skills for children. This event is for children ages 5 and up. Register in advance for a 15 minute individual session with Luna. Details can be found here.

MADE POSSIBLE BY YOUR SUPPORT

Welcome Back luncheon and treats for the Alcott team

Thanks to the generous support of PTG donors like you, the entire Alcott team enjoyed a Welcome Back luncheon on August 27th, followed up with surprise cookie treats on the first half-day of the school year. With your continued support, we can show our appreciation to these Alcott team members who create a wonderful experience for our students every day.

The Thursday Owl - September 2, 2021

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year at Alcott!
Greetings, Alcott community! We hope that you all had a great summer and that you are enjoying the first days of school. We look forward to working with Alcott faculty, staff and families for another wonderful and unique elementary school year. Our PTG volunteer programs will continue to evolve based on current guidelines for in-person volunteering, but our primary goal of enhancing the day-to-day experiences of Alcott students, team members and families remains the same. Please watch for more information in this Thursday Owl space in the weeks to come.

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

School Picture Day: Student portraits will be taken on Wednesday, September 15th by Coffee Pond Photography. Details and order forms will be distributed soon, and information will be included in the next Thursday Owl.

'21-'22 Room Parents Needed: Are you interested in helping out your student's classroom this year? Each classroom will be looking for two volunteers to assist classroom teachers by serving as Room Parents during the school year. Signups will be distributed in the coming week. Thank you for your time and energy!

A message from Ms. Kwarcinski (former Alcott Music Specialist) to the PTG and Parents:
Please see the attached letter from our beloved Music Specialist, Ms. Kwarcinski, who retired last summer after many decades of dedicated and inspired instruction.

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


Sep 3: No School
Sep 6: Labor Day (No School)
Sep 15: School Picture Day
Sep 22: Back to School Night (virtual), 5:30-7:30pm
Oct 11: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day

CPS/CCRSD 21-22 School Calendar can be found here

IN THE COMMUNITY

Concord Free Public Library:

Rockabye Beats Fall Concerts The Concord Free Public Library will host monthly free, family-friendly concerts featuring Rockabye Beats this fall on the Main Library’s front lawn on Thursdays at 10:30am on September 9 and October 14. Rockabye Beats’ music is reminiscent of founder Marcos Valles’ Puerto Rico. Their songs offer a range of styles from rock n’ roll to calypso to funk and even blues. Their music will have you bopping and moving along in no time!

Beede and Books The Beede Swim and Fitness Center and the Concord Free Public Library are teaming up to bring you "Beede and Books." Join us in the Beede Center lobby and Children’s Play Pool for a collaboration of reading and swimming. A librarian will read books from 11:30 am-11:50 am. Then children get a half hour of swimming fun from 12 pm-12:30 pm. This free program happens once a month in 2021 on the following Fridays: Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, and Dec 17. Register at concordlibrary.org.

Going Green program The Children’s Department at the Concord Free Public Library is excited to host Going Green in Your Backyard on Wednesday, September 29 from 2:00—3:00 PM on the front lawn of the Main Library. Help us celebrate Climate Preparedness Week and also learn about local wildlife and what you can do to help the environment beginning in your own backyard! This program is open to all ages! In case of rain, the program will be rescheduled. No registration required. This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.


Concord Recreation Fall 2021 Offerings:

Concord Recreation is excited to offer a wide variety of programs for the Fall 2021 Season! Check out our offerings below – you can register by clicking the program title hyperlink.

Alcott School Programs located right at Alcott!
Before School Sports (8:00-8:50am): Alcott Before School Sports is a 6 week program open to Alcott School students, grades K-5. In Session (1) of Before School Sports, students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports/games like speedball, indoor soccer, floor hockey, and other PE games.

Chess Club (8:00-8:50am Gr K-5): Kids must already know how to play chess. They will play each other right from the start, and added to the virtual chess club!

Lego Engineering (3:30pm-4:30pm Gr 2-5): In Lego Engineering Concepts investigate simple machines including gears, pulleys, cams, inclined planes, and ratchets.

Skyhawks: Golf, Flag Football, and Floor Hockey
September 13 – October 4__Monday: Floor hockey, ages 7-9 3-4pm……ages 10-12, 4:15-5:15pm

September 15 – October 6__Wednesday: Golf, 3-4pm ages 5-8 …… Flag Football, ages 7-9, 4:15pm-5:15pm

Code Wiz (Online Classes)  Ages 7-12: Learn coding through Minecraft, learn to build a game in Roblox, or participate in coding strategy games! Code Wiz promotes a vision in which all students critically engage in computer science issues; approach problems in innovative ways; and create computational artifacts with a practical, personal, or societal intent.

Esports League NEW to Concord - Esports leagues and events for ages 8-18! You can safely play your favorite games in a competitive league, or one off major event. Play Madden 21, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros, or Rocket League.

Outdoor Movie Night Join Concord Recreation for an outdoor, family friendly movie to be shown on the basketball courts at the Hunt Recreation Center (90 Stow Street Concord, MA).  Bring your chairs, blankets and snacks. Registration recommended.
 

Concord Conservatory of Music:

Discovery Day Open House—Saturday, September 11th, from 1 - 3 pm. Our Instrument Petting Zoo enables you to explore instruments in a safe environment with COVID-19 protocols in place. Introduce your kids to the world of music through singing, dancing, and games! Sign-up for a free Music/Movement demo class at the Open House (1:30 pm-ages 3-7, 2:30 pm-ages 8-15) or kids ages 5-7 can try Group Keyboard at 2:00 or 3:00 pm: concordconservatory.org/Open_House Learn about the Music Achievement Program—a free, private lesson enrichment program included in fees. Enter a raffle at Discovery Day for a chance to win a free CCM Group Class for 2021 fall semester! Anyone registering for a group class at Discovery Day will receive a 15% discount. Financial assistance available.

New American Roots Offerings—for all acoustic instrumentalists and singers! The Guitar Journey – The Vast World of Roots Music will expand your repertoire while gaining ideas and approaches to playing with others. Contemporary String Band is the best class to acquire a mastery of essential techniques common to American music. Banjo Study Group is ideal for helping dedicated banjo players master new skills, play new songs, and learn rhythm and backup techniques. Relieve stress and get your creativity going by joining Mandolin 1 or join The Fiddle Tunes Jam Toolkit class to explore instrumental music from several fiddle styles and learn jam techniques. Group classes begin the week of September 20th (register by September 16) concordconservatory.org/offerings/american-roots

New Music & Movement Classes—Kids ages 3 through 15 can build a musical foundation through movement. Partnering with a music-focused, nonprofit, Integral Steps, CCM will offer integrated learning experiences that allow students to experience music through singing, dancing, and games. Young musicians will explore all the qualities of music through movement—learning about pitch, phrasing, accent, and all of the richness of music. They won’t even realize that they’re gaining ear-training skills and other musical concepts. Explore the fall offerings and register today: Music Makers (age 3), Musical Gateway (ages 4–5), and Rhythmic Solfège (classes divided by age and skill level- appropriate for age 6-15. Financial assistance is available.

Ukulele Taster—Free class on September 9th, 7:15 – 8:15 in West Concord. Get hooked on playing the most infectious and fun instrument, the ukulele! Join Concord Conservatory of Music’s free Ukulele Taster at Reasons to Be Cheerful in West Concord on Thursday, September 9th from 7:15 – 8:15 pm with Covid-19 protocols in place. Ukuleles will be available to use for the evening, but it is advisable to bring your own if possible. Plan to learn a song and treat yourself to ice cream, what could be more enjoyable? Sign up athttps://bit.ly/UKETASTER or show up for an entertaining evening and please bring your face mask to wear in the building.

ConcordConservatory.org / info@ConcordConservatory.org / (978) 369-0010.


Concord Youth Theatre hosts a Family Fun Fair featuring Games, Fun, Food, Music, and Prizes! Join us for the fun on Saturday, September 18th, 1 PM to 4 PM (rain or shine). Admission is $25 per family and $10 for individuals. All proceeds benefit CYT programming. Get your tickets here.

Please visit the Community Events page for updates on sports, music and theater registration dates, seminars, and more events throughout town.

The Thursday Owl - May 20, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Student Garden Gallery: This weekend, the Alcott Student Garden Committee will turn the garden into an outdoor art gallery! The display will showcase the (laminated) pieces that your children created in Mrs. Gordon’s art class. Students were asked to either draw (K-2) or collage (3-5) something that one might find in a garden. The art will be on display from Monday, May 24th through Friday, June 4th. You are invited to come see their masterpieces outside of school hours, or they are welcome to view the art when they have recess in that area.

Alcott Events Committee: The Alcott Events Committee is gearing up to plan some traditional (and a few new!) events for the next school year. We cannot make these events happen without your help- please join us on the Event Committee to meet other parents and give input on the special events planning for the coming year. Many volunteer jobs can be done at home. Please email Lynn Morel at bookfairalcott@gmail.com to learn more.

20/21 Alcott Yearbook order deadline extended! Due to the processing time of student photos and retakes, the all-school yearbook will be available in late Summer 2021. Thank you for your patience and understanding. The cost for each yearbook is $38 and the deadline to purchase has been extended to Wednesday, 5/26/21! Order online at coffeepond.com. The password is hello bronson (all lower case with the space).

Looking for 20-21 remote-school or Alcott-located photos! Do you have photos of your Alcott student during remote afternoons or Remote Academy? Or with a school-assigned art project or written work? Or snapshots of them from pickup or dropoff at Alcott? If so, the yearbook staff would love to receive them! Please upload to Alcott 20-21 Dropbox. Please upload photos at the highest resolution possible. If you have any questions, please email: alcottyearbook01742@gmail.com.

May 28: Professional Day - No School for Students
May 31: Memorial Day - No School

Jun 16: Last Day of School

2020-2021 School Calendar

IN THE COMMUNITY

Green Thumbs Workshop at the Concord Free Public Library (In Person! Outdoors!): Come to The Green Thumb Workshop, an hour-long planting extravaganza outdoors and in-person at the Concord Free Public Library Main Library! The program will take place Friday, May 28th at 2:30pm. Participants will learn to plant small flowers, which will contribute beauty to the library’s outdoor programming space. Participants will also assemble and take home a seed planting kit for their at-home horticultural experience. Leave with practical knowledge, a plant of your very own, and a green thumb --- literally!

Read to Luna the Dog Live! at the Concord Free Public Library Beginning in June: The Concord Free Public Library invites children to Read to Luna the Dog on the Main Library lawn the second Friday of each month beginning in June between 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Luna is a certified therapy dog through Pets and People Foundation. Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills and emotional and social skills for children? This event is for children ages 5+. Children are invited to register for their own individual 15 minute session with Luna. Register in advance by visiting the library's events calendar online at concordlibrary.org.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley summer programs: Learn more about the programs the Goys & Girls Club is offering this summer. If interested, register on their online at: bgcav.org.

Shop through Amazon Smile: Do you shop on Amazon? If so, one easy way to support our PTG is to shop through smile.amazon.com. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of all qualifying purchases to a charitable organization of your choice. There is no catch and no extra fees; just designate “Alcott School Parent Teacher Group Inc” as your charity, then shop through the “AmazonSmile” link!

Helpful Links:

PTG online volunteer information and sign-up: Please visit our SignUpGenius Page and 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!