The Thursday Owl - March 18, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you to one and all for making the Boxed Lunch Staff Appreciation Luncheon on 3/11 a success!

We treated the staff to personalized boxed lunches from The Concord Market. All your generous financial contributions helped fund this event, which truly showed the Alcott staff our appreciation for all they do for our children, especially during this, well, unique and trying school year. We are more grateful than ever for the efforts of every teacher, specialist, support staff member, bus driver, and crossing guard! And we were overwhelmed by the e-mails from staff thanking us for the special lunches.

The Concord Market was a terrific partner for our complex order with three sandwich options, two side options, dessert, and a gluten-free menu.

Thank you,
Angela Lipson and Jessica Kaplowitz, The Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs

Mar 26: Professional Day - No School for Students
Apr 5: Return to Full In-Person Learning
Apr 7: Conference Day - No School for Students
Apr 19-23: April Recess - No School
May 28: Professional Day - No School for Students
May 31: Memorial Day - No School


2020-2021 School Calendar

IN THE COMMUNITY

CCM Lecture - After the Plague, Vocal Music of the High Renaissance: Join us online Saturday, April 10 from 10:00 – 11:00 am for the complimentary lecture, After the Plague, Vocal Music of the High Renaissance, presented by CCM voice faculty member Dr. Greta Feeney. We'll explore the fascinating and impactful influence that the tragic Black Death pandemic in the 1300s had on the arts and the new directions composers took with their music. You'll learn about Guillaume de Machaut and Francesco Landini, two composers that were dominant figures in music at the time. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants beforehand. For more details and to register, visit concordconservatory.org/Lecture_Series, email info@concordconservatory.org, or call (978) 369-0010 to learn more about CCM.

IMSCC March Student Showcase: This month we are sharing some of the exciting music happening right now at IMSCC. You can hear this month's featured student performances on our website here. Interested in starting music lessons? Click here to request lessons, or click here to learn more about IMSCC. Lessons can start any time!

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

Bunny Egg-stravaganza: Join us on Saturday, April 3rd for a drive through egg hunt event! Drive up to receive a bag of goodies including eggs, and have an opportunity to take a photo with our Bunny. By registration only, registrations done by car.

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!

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.

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

Maintenance helpers needed for the Alcott Student Garden! The beds need preparing, the fence needs mending, and the birds need scaring! Anyone interested in lending a hand with maintenance for the garden this spring, please contact sorrelsammons@hotmail.com. We have activities for children and adults alike though out the spring (children may come with only their own household). Anyone with skills in fence installation and gate securing would be greatly appreciated as we try to repair damage from snow before the critters can get in. Also, please check out the Alcott Student Garden on Facebook to see what is happening over the spring. https://www.facebook.com/alcottgarden/

SEPAC Appreciation Awards - is there a special teacher, staff member or administrator who has made a positive impact on your child's life? The SEPAC Appreciation Awards were introduced in 2017 and we have received really positive feedback from the recipients. They told us the acknowledgment and public recognition of their work was highly valued. We are inviting parents and caregivers with children on an IEP or 504 plan to submit the name of one special person in our school district who has made a difference to your family this year. This may be a classroom teacher, coach, special educator, guidance counselor, or any other school employee that has made a positive impact on your child or family. Given the challenges this year for all of us, these awards are even more important. All names submitted will be honored and recognized publicly in the Spring.

Please visit our website to nominate your special person! Submissions for the SEPAC Appreciation Awards closes on April 3rd. If you have any questions, please email us at appreciationawards@gmail.com.

Alcott Chess Club: The Alcott Chess Club continues to go strong online in alliance with Sudbury schools. It's an experience you won't forget. There are two 10-week sessions beginning March 30 and April 1, no fooling! The cost is $180 or $270 for both. Payment can be made by Venmo or PayPal or snail mail a check. Email Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com for details, discounts and any questions you may have. And watch for announcements about the annual Alcott Online Chess Tournament coming this May. You won't want to miss out
on the fun! Check it out! I believe it's your move now.

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!

The Thursday Owl - March 11, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Maintenance helpers needed for the Alcott Student Garden! The beds need preparing, the fence needs mending, and the birds need scaring! Anyone interested in lending a hand with maintenance for the garden this spring, please contact sorrelsammons@hotmail.com. We have activities for children and adults alike though out the spring (children may come with only their own household). Anyone with skills in fence installation and gate securing would be greatly appreciated as we try to repair damage from snow before the critters can get in. Also, please check out the Alcott Student Garden on Facebook to see what is happening over the spring. https://www.facebook.com/alcottgarden/

SEPAC Appreciation Awards - is there a special teacher, staff member or administrator who has made a positive impact on your child's life? The SEPAC Appreciation Awards were introduced in 2017 and we have received really positive feedback from the recipients.  They told us the acknowledgment and public recognition of their work was highly valued. We are inviting parents and caregivers with children on an IEP or 504 plan to submit the name of one special person in our school district who has made a difference to your family this year.  This may be a classroom teacher, coach, special educator, guidance counselor, or any other school employee that has made a positive impact on your child or family.  Given the challenges this year for all of us, these awards are even more important.  All names submitted will be honored and recognized publicly in the Spring. 

Please visit our website to nominate your special person! Submissions for the SEPAC Appreciation Awards open on March 11th and close on April 3rd. If you have any questions, please email us at appreciationawards@gmail.com.

Alcott Chess Club: The Alcott Chess Club continues to go strong online in alliance with Sudbury schools. It's an experience you won't forget. There are two 10-week sessions beginning March 30 and April 1, no fooling! The cost is $180 or $270 for both. Payment can be made by Venmo or PayPal or snail mail a check. Email Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com for details, discounts and any questions you may have. And watch for announcements about the annual Alcott Online Chess Tournament coming this May. You won't want to miss out
on the fun! Check it out! I believe it's your move now.

Return to Full In-Person Learning: Concord Public Schools plan to return elementary students to full in-person learning on April 5, 2021. Students will attend school from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9:00 AM-12:30 PM on Wednesdays. We will continue to provide remote instruction to our students in the Remote Academy. Students attending in person will be expected to attend the full day schedule. All information regarding changes to our original Reopening Plan is found here. For planning purposes, families who want to change their program are asked to please communicate this by completing this form by March 15, 2021. 

Mar 26: Professional Day - No School for Students
Apr 5: Return to Full In-Person Learning
Apr 7: Conference Day - No School for Students
Apr 19-23: April Recess - No School
May 28: Professional Day - No School for Students
May 31: Memorial Day - No School


2020-2021 School Calendar

IN THE COMMUNITY

Concord Youth Theatre Spring 2021 In-person Classes:
STORY INTO PLAY (Ages 4-6 years; Instructor: Joey Talbert; Tuesdays 3:40-4:30pm) Fairytales and folk tales will be brought to life by young students as they learn to become characters, understand plot, and interpret feelings in this exciting early acting experience. Family members will be invited to an informal performance during the last class. Limit 8 students. Tuition: $250

DRAMATIC FANATICS (Grades 1-3 limit; Instructor: Joey Talbert; Tuesdays 4:40-5:40pm). Children will be guided through the exciting process of play-making in a safe environment that encourages ensemble work. The class will use exciting original scripts to create and rehearse a play to be performed for family members during the last class. Limit 10 students. Tuition $300

MAINSTAGE MIRROR (Grades 3-6; Instructor: Amy Nosowitz; Wednesdays 4-5pm) Can’t participate in our MainStage production company because you’re not old enough or don’t have enough time in your week, but love the great shows? Here is a unique chance to learn and informally perform scenes and songs from “Honk” for your family and friends. Emphasis is on developing successful presentation skills. Regular attendance required. Limit: 20 students. Tuition: $300

For more info go to Concord Youth Theatre

Little Hands, Big Hearts runs through March: Valentine's Day may be over but the season for spreading some love never ends! Please join the Auxiliary of Emerson Hospital by creating a card for someone special this March. We are not able to gather in the hospital to make our cards together, but we've come up with a way to safely share your creations. Send pictures (no faces please) to us at Facebook.com/EmersonAuxiliary or EmersonAuxiliary@gmail.com. Click here for the virtual event flyer. Enjoy and thank you!

CFPL March StoryWalk: The Children’s Department at the Concord Free Public Library has installed a March StoryWalk on the Main Library front lawn. This month the StoryWalk features A Sled for Gabo, a Spanish-infused picture book by Emma Otheguy with vibrant illustrations by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez. This is an uplifting tale about shy Gabo, who tries to make new friends after it snows in his neighborhood.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with CFPL and Gaining Ground: Together with Gaining Ground, the Library is accepting poems written by all ages to be featured in a Poem Walk at the Gaining Ground farm, and some poems may be featured in a poetry walk on the Main Library lawn as well. Visitors to the farm will be able to read the poems as they walk through a peaceful natural setting. Poems about vegetables, weather, Spring, birds and bugs, and nature can be submitted to poems@gainingground.org by March 15.

The 25 Greatest Violinists of All Time, presented by CCM: Join Concord Conservatory of Music online Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 – 11:00 am for the lecture, The 25 Greatest Violinists of All Time, presented by CCM violin faculty member Hyungjung Kim. We’ll introduce you to 25 exceptional violinists who have inspired other musicians with their playing. You’ll experience their masterful work by previewing performance videos that highlight their playing characteristics. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants beforehand. To sign-up, visit concordconservatory.org/Lecture_Series.

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

Bunny Egg-stravaganza: Join us on Saturday, April 3rd for a drive through egg hunt event! Drive up to receive a bag of goodies including eggs, and have an opportunity to take a photo with our Bunny. By registration only, registrations done by car.

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!

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.

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!

March Newsletter

Dear Alcott Families, 

I know I say this at the start of every month, but it feels truly remarkable to be at this point in the school year, particularly after the spike in positive cases we experienced at Alcott right before February vacation!  As we approach the one year milestone of when this pandemic forced us all to change our lives dramatically, I need to express my gratitude once again to everyone who has made it possible for us to make it to this point.  The last year has shown what a remarkable community of students, staff and families we have at Alcott!  I know we may all be feeling pandemic fatigue these days, but, personally, I only need to look around at all of your children learning together with their teachers each day to remind me that all of the distancing, restrictions and sacrifices have been worth it.    

Included in this months newsletter is a reminder about tomorrow's professional day, information about spring's reopening, asymptomatic testing, an arrival reminder and information about the Star Reading Assessment.

Spring 2021: As I imagine you are all aware now, late last week, the state board of education voted to approve a mandate to fully reopen schools in early April.  We have already started conversations about how to make this possible without jeopardizing any of the important safety measures that we already have in place.  I want to thank everyone who completed the survey that Dr. Hunter sent out when we first learned of this possibility - your feedback is going to be critical as we make plans for full in person school days!

Professional Day: This is just a reminder that tomorrow, March 8th, is a professional day for teachers, which means there is no school for students.  There is also another professional day scheduled for March 26th.  Although coincidental, the timing of these two days is fortunate as it gives school staff time to prepare for reopening in April.   

Asymptomatic Pooled Testing: We completed our second first week of pooled testing last week.  Although we did have one positive pool, all individual PCR tests came back negative, which was wonderful news.  We hope future testing continues to reassure us that there are not asymptomatic positive cases in the school.  If you did not sign your child up for pooled testing, I want to urge you to consider doing so.  One incredibly powerful safety measure that we can implement is widespread testing.  The more students who participate, the more likely we can catch asymptomatic cases quickly and prevent school based transmission.  Particularly as we make plans for a full reopening, it is more important than ever that we screen for asymptomatic positive cases.

Drop Off Time: This is just a reminder that students are expected to be in their classroom by 9am.  Please make sure that you are arriving at school with enough time to get to the front of the drop off line and for your child to get into the building on time.  In response to questions about why we don’t direct cars into the bus loop every morning after buses have departed, it is because it is just safer to use the smaller loop for car drop off.  We do direct traffic into the main bus loop on mornings when the line is particularly long.  However, it is much harder to control the flow of traffic, ensure cars are driving slowly, prevent unsafe passing, and safely help individuals use the main crosswalk when the larger loop is in use.  If your arrival time has been slowly creeping later and later in recent weeks, it would be great if you could adjust so that you are arriving with enough time for your child to get to their class by 9am.

Star Reading Assessment: Please see the following note about the Star Reading Assessment, given three times a year to measure student progress in reading and math.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

During the 2020-2021 school year, your child participates in the Star Early Literacy or Reading assessment.  To monitor progress, students will be tested three times during the year (fall, winter, spring).  Students are assessed in areas of alphabetic principle, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension with this 15 minute computerized test.  


The STAR assessment is used to screen students for dyslexia. "Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. Students at risk for reading difficulties are followed by additional testing or short-term progress monitoring.  Further assessment may be appropriate for students who do not make adequate progress.  Upon identification, parents will be informed and students at risk will receive evidence-based, code-based, core instruction or intervention, in addition to regular classroom instruction.  

Our school is committed to identifying and addressing the needs of each individual child.  I encourage you to reach out with any questions you may have about your child’s Star Early Literacy score report or concerns about your child’s development.