The Thursday Owl - March 4, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Asymptomatic Pooled Testing: Asymptomatic pooled testing continues next week at Alcott.  If you would still like to sign up your student for inclusion in pooled testing, please enroll through the permission form on the Aspen portal.

Mar 8: Professional Day - No School for Students
Mar 26: Professional Day - No School for Students
Apr 7: Conference Day - No School for Students
Apr 19-23: April Recess - No School


2020-2021 School Calendar

IN THE COMMUNITY

Concord Conservatory of Music Lecture: Serialism for Kids! Join us online Saturday, March 20 from 10:00 – 10:50 am for a complimentary interactive event, Serialism for Kids, presented by CCM piano faculty member Kitty Cheung-Evans. Serialism is a unique way to write music without using major or minor keys. Instead, composers use numbers, shapes, and extreme timbre in an “ordered” way. Get your kids ready to visually and artistically explore the world of Serialism and expand their musicality. All instrumentalists, including singers, are welcome! Kids, at least 8-years old, should know the alphabet, understand negative numbers, and have minimum 3 years training in music. Register at concordconservatory.org/Lecture_Series. CCM is the area’s non-profit community music school, located at 1317 Main Street in West Concord. (ConcordConservatory.org, info@concordconservatory.org, (978) 369-0010)

Concord Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) Happy Monday Morning Message: Connecting the Community Through the Joy of Music—With the greater understanding that music is a critical aspect of well-being and connection, CCM developed strategies to keep the music going and engage the community. It instituted “MMM, Your Happy Monday Morning Message,” a weekly email highlighting happy musical news and moments, sent to CCM families and the community-at-large. CCM families and friends now look forward to a musical Monday morning, when their weekly MMM awaits them in their inbox. Stock full of happy music features and songs, the email includes a mélange of upbeat and feel-good stories. These weekly emails spread all the unequivocal benefits of music while keeping the community connected. Sign-up to receive the MMM: https://concordconservatory.org/newsletter

Spring and Summer Registration for Concord Recreation is now OPEN! Head to www.concordrec.com to check out the full list of classes, programs, and camp details.

Shamrock Ball In A Box! 3/13/2021: Although we cannot gather in large numbers this year we can celebrate family at home! Shamrock Ball in a Box kits will be filled with decorations, a corsage, crafts, raffle tickets and more! This year's virtual event also includes an hour long zoom show with a professional magician/comedian from 7:00-8:00PM.

Concord Esports League (Grades 3-5, 6-12 – Starts April 12th): Our Spring league is ready for sign-ups - we have Madden, Fortnite, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros ready for your child to play. Represent Concord in the North Shore League and bring home the title!

Drawing for Kids & Exploration in Drawing and Painting: Umbrella Arts is once again offering its popular Drawing for Kids (Ages 5-8, 8-10) classes. A new class, Exploration in Drawing and Painting (Ages 10-14) has kids exploring different ways of seeing and drawing, and then transitioning those skills to paint.

DIY Science Lab (Grades 2-5): Create your own do-it-yourself science toys. Each week we’ll explore and build fun toys and gadgets that you make - and learn the science behind them.

Kids Test Kitchen (Grades 1-5): Kids’ Test Kitchen is on a mission to get young eaters cooking, tasting, and thinking about healthy ingredients! Let’s continue to redefine kid food; LIVE via Zoom! Each class presents students with an opportunity to explore new or familiar foods in their raw, un-manipulated state.

Code Wiz Coding Classes (Ages 7-12): Code Wiz is offering a variety of classes this spring – including Minecraft Coding, Creating Your Own Roblox Game, and Animation! Check out the class listings to learn more about these awesome programs.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

Center for Parents & Teachers Upcoming Programs

The Center for Parents and Teachers invites all interested adults to the following free presentations, offered through CPT and in collaboration with other area nonprofits:


(1) Pandemic Parenting One Year In: Tools for Positive Communication 

Presented by Dr. Rachel Kramer

Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM

One year into pandemic parenting many families are experiencing stressful moments around communication with children and teens.  Please join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a webinar presenting tools for supporting positive communication.  Ample time will be provided for Q&A about this topic and any other parenting questions on your mind.

Presented by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Rachel Kramer (learn more about her at  www.drrachelkramer.com )

 

Please click the link below to join this free webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86929309291?pwd=RDhqSlBHSytXL2hYcFpueHNHUERjUT09

Passcode: 826176

Or iPhone one-tap :

    US: +19292056099,,86929309291#,,,,*826176#  or +13017158592,,86929309291#,,,,*826176#

 

(2) Perfecting Your Posture for Online Learning

Presented by Physical Therapist Jaimee Mace  

A Special Offering sponsored by Turning Life On

Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 6:30 to 7:30 PM 
Join Physical Therapist, Jaimee Mace, MSPT, for a presentation to learn about the effects electronic devices have on your student's posture and how it can be impacting their health and growing bodies.
You and your child will learn:
* What is "good posture"
* Why good posture is so important
* How to combat the effects of slouching
* How to properly set up and use electronics to alleviate strain on the body
Please plan to watch with your child if you can. Your whole family is invited to join!

Register ahead through the sponsor Turning Life On here:

https://www.turninglifeon.org/events/2021/3/10/perfecting-your-posture-for-online-learning

 

(3) How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed

Presented by Best Selling Author Jessica Lahey

Friday, March 26, 2021,  from 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Sponsored by the Foundation for Metrowest.  Pre-registration required in order to receive the log-on link.  Please follow the link below.

If there is one thing 2020 has taught us, it is that we are not always able to control the things that most affect us. Jessica Lahey, New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure, explains how, even in a pandemic, there are opportunities for kids to become more motivated, engaged, and present in their own lives. She will offer practical, actionable steps for parents, coaches, teachers and mentors who want kids to take hold of their lives, ownership of their learning, and become competent, fulfilled, happier young adults. There may also be a few heartwarming surprises in store during the event, so you won't want to miss it!

The link to the presentation will be shared prior to the event. The event is free to all but a suggested donation is encouraged to support the work of the Foundation for Metrowest. This is offered as part of the 2021 Spring Inspiration Virtual Series offered through the Foundation for Metrowest.  PRE-REGISTER AHEAD IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LINK AT:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-intimate-conversation-with-best-selling-author-jessica-lahey-tickets-141009795093

 

(4) “Talking to Kids About Race and Racism: A Conversation with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum”, moderated by WBUR’s Tiziana Dearing

Did you miss hearing noted author and educator Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum when she presented on this vitally important topic for the Discovery Museum?  You can listen to a recording of her thought-provoking discussion, moderated by Tiziana Dearing, by clicking on the following link:

https://www.discoveryacton.org/event/virtual-event-talking-kids-about-race-and-racism-conversation-dr-beverly-daniel-tatum

 

Please Note:  If you have particular topic you wish could be addressed in an upcoming program, please be in touch with the Center for Parents and Teachers by emailing us at cpt@concordps.org  We value hearing from you.  Learn more about our offerings and how you can support our small local nonprofit at www.centerforparentsandteachers.org  Stay well!

The Thursday Owl - February 25, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU, ALCOTT COMMUNITY, FOR MAKING THE “VALENTINE’S DAY FOR HEROES” EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS!

Thank you to all of the Alcott students and families who generously sent roses during our Valentine’s Day appreciation event!  All 100+ tutors, remote staff, specialists, teachers, administrators, building and cafe staff, bus drivers and crossing guards received Valentine roses and owl cookies from our thankful Alcott families to show appreciation for an incredible year of hard work, flexibility and heart!

In all, over 670 roses were gifted, and it was no surprise that our nurse, Paula Amante, received a lion’s share—60 roses—herself!

Also, many thanks to:  Claire O’Brien, PTG Fundraising Chair, for her inspiration and drive from idea to execution of this highly detailed event; Jessica Reed, PTG Treasurer, for handling hundreds of complex orders and payments; Lorell Ambrose, PTG website director, for managing a large online ordering process smoothly and seamlessly; Copper Penny Flowers, local floral shop, for fulfilling our outsize order of 56 dozen long-stemmed roses; and Jessica Kaplowitz, baker/owner of Acqua Sotto Baked Goods and Alcott parent, who created the gorgeous Valentine owl cookie treats that accompanied the roses.

We send our heartfelt gratitude to all Alcott families for your assistance in holding this event. Nothing that we do is possible without your generosity and collaboration.

Mar 8: Professional Day - No School for Students
Mar 26: Professional Day - No School for Students
Apr 7: Conference Day - No School for Students
Apr 19-23: April Recess - No School