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!

The Thursday Owl - May 13, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

20/21 Alcott Yearbook: It's Time to Order Your 20/21 Alcott Yearbook! The cost for each yearbook is: $32 if ordered by 5/16, $38 if ordered by Friday, 5/21. The final deadline to purchase is Friday, 5/21/21. Order online at coffeepond.com. The password is hello bronson (all lower case with the space). Please note: yearbooks will be available during early summer vacation and the ordering window is short this year, so don't miss out--order today!

Your Alcott-related photos needed! Please upload any Alcott-related photos to be considered for the yearbook by Sunday, 5/16 to Alcott 20-21 Dropbox. Please upload photos at the highest resolution possible. If you have any questions, please email: alcottyearbook01742@gmail.com.

PTG Open Meeting - Friday, May 14, 2021, 9:30am via Zoom: We hope to see you at our last Open Meeting tomorrow (Friday 5/14) at 9:30 am via Zoom. The PTG will discuss year-end topics and forward-looking initiatives for the entire Alcott community. Thank you to all for a very special school year!

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 9702 3185
Passcode: 684435

Thank you to one and all for making the Teacher Appreciation Week Breakfast on 5/5 a success! We treated the staff to the Muddy Waters coffee truck and blueberry muffins, yogurts, and fruit drinks. All your generous financial contributions helped fund this event, which lifted the staff’s spirits on a rainy day. During this unique year, we are more grateful than ever for all the efforts and talents of the Alcott staff!


Bike to School Day: Thank you to all the families who chose to walk, bike, and roll to school on a beautiful Bike to School Day yesterday! In town kids had a great time taking over streets in a "bike train", and METCO students made a "walking bus". With your efforts, we had over 110 participants choose a green route to school! If you want to be involved in future events, reach out here, and we hope to see lots of kids continuing to walk, bike, and roll for the last weeks of the school year!

Interested in the status of the Middle School Building project? Check out the new website: www.cmsbuildingproject.org

Thank You from Mrs. Atkinson:
Dear Students, Families and Members of the Alcott PTG,

Last Friday was a bittersweet day for me. After nine years of working in the warm, caring Alcott community, Friday was my last day before retirement. I have many fond memories of Alcott.

Many of these memories include you. I met many of you during new student registration, when parents came to the school to volunteer and work on the many wonderful PTG activities, through parent phone calls and emails and many students when you visited the office or while walking through the school hallways. I am so grateful to have gotten to know so many of you.

I know the Alcott community is a loving and giving one. I have witnessed this caring nature throughout the years in so many ways, but this even more evident last Friday. I was touched and astonished by the generosity you bestowed upon me when I was presented with the gorgeous flower arrangement and gift card. The adorable singing and dancing 2021 graduation stuffed owl is really a hoot! So cute and fun. Thank you for these lovely gifts! I will cherish these memories and your thoughtfulness.

Thank you too to those of you who emailed, called, sent cards or gifts wishing me good times in my retirement. Many of the children wrote an “Alcott Final Dismissal Note” which was displayed in a beautiful photo book. The collection of notes and drawings had me laughing or brought tears to my eyes. The book is priceless!

Enjoy the final weeks of the school year. Have a great summer and an even better 2021 – 22 school year!

I hope to see you around town.

Fondly,
Mrs. Atkinson/Norma Jean

May 14: Alcott School Spirit Day - Hawaiian Luau Day!
May 14: PTG Spring Open Meeting
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

Juneteenth Celebration: The Children’s Department at the Concord Free Public Library is inviting children to celebrate Juneteenth Day! Join us for a Juneteenth read along Thursday, June 17 from 5 - 6pm with the Crossroads group - a student organization created by Concord Carlisle High School students to discuss important cultural, social, and diverse topics! Children can celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, by listening to books, readings, and participating in a discussion with the Crossroads high-school students. Register at https://concordlibrary.org/news-events/events-calendar to receive a Zoom invite.

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.

Virtual Unity Farm Tour: The Concord Free Public Library will host a free virtual tour of Unity Farm Sanctuary in Sherborn, MA to celebrate the start of our Summer Reading Program on Thursday, June 17 at 11am. Have you ever met a Scottish Highland Bull? Or a fluffy llama? Those are just two members of the herd at Unity Farm Sanctuary. Join us on Zoom for a tour through the beautiful sanctuary grounds. You will have the chance to meet both mammals and feathered friends. Everyone here is a rescued farm animal! Learn more about their stories and get to know their unique personalities! Register to receive the Zoom information.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Concord Youth Theatre summer programming. CYT is pleased to offer Summer Stock Troupe, a 3-week workshop to sharpen your performance skilts; Center Stage Players, 1-week creative workshops to satisfy all your dramatic needs! Register Online

Concord Youth Theatre presents Honk, a musical tale of "The Ugly Duckling." May 14-16, 21-23. Tickets are limited to 60 seats per show. Tickets go on sale on May 7th. For more information: Honk Tickets

Emerson Hospital 2021 Run~Walk for Cancer Care: Family-Friendly Virtual Event: The Auxiliary of Emerson Hospital and the Auxiliary’s Young Families Committee invite you to join us on team Aux Rox for the Emerson Hospital Run~Walk for Cancer Care, a virtual event to be held May 1 – May 15, 2021 to benefit patients at Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital – Bethke located in Concord, MA. Anytime over those 2 weeks, choose anywhere and any way to do your 5K—whether you run, walk, pedal, swim, hike, or stroll, always keeping in mind the importance of social distancing. Register every member of the family and receive the same number of souvenir kits OR register just one of you but still do the mileage together. You can even register your pet, or a favorite stuffed animal! Use promo code RWHIGH5 to receive a discount. Click HERE to join us!

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 - May 6, 2021

ALCOTT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

5th Graders' "Reverse" Give a Hoot Awards for Staff Appreciation Week: The Alcott 5th grade class undertook a very special project this spring, with the assistance of the 5th grade parent committee and the warm welcome of Ms. Krakow: the first-ever "Reverse" Give a Hoot Awards! That's right, in the Alcott tradition of recognizing acts of caring and community this time it was the students awarding the Hoots to the teachers and staff. Over the past few weeks, working separately but together, the 5th graders ensured each member of the Alcott team received at least 1 Hoot-- namely, a personalized, hand-written message on a festive Alcott "Give a Hoot" award certificate. When all the Hoot creations were in it was 265 of them, or 5 pounds of Hoots! They were delivered by the Front Office this Monday 5/3 to kick-off Staff Appreciation Week. Over 100 individuals received one, from Alcott teachers to building services staff to crossing guards, bus drivers, and Dr. Hunter. The first reverse Hoot was awarded to Norma Jean Atkinson on her last day before retirement. Thank you to every member of the Alcott team for all that you do for all the students, this year and every year. And to Alcott 5th graders, we celebrate YOU as you celebrate your school! What an incredible, unforgettable act of kindness and joy.

hoot1.jpg


PTG Open Meeting - Friday, May 14, 2021, 9:30am via Zoom
Please join us for our last Open PTG Meeting of the year, via Zoom, next Friday, May 14, 2021 at 9:30am. We will present the 21-22 PTG Executive Board slate for approval and discuss year-end plans and initiatives for the Alcott School students, staff and community. Thank you to our parents, guardians and families for your amazing support during this extraordinary school year. We look forward to being "together" next Friday.

Topic: Alcott PTG Spring Open Meeting
Time: May 14, 2021 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 9702 3185
Passcode: 684435

Alcott Student Garden: The Alcott Student Garden Committee would like to thank Alcott families for the bulbs that were purchased to benefit the garden. The daffodils have added such color and beauty to our school this spring. In addition, proceeds from the bulb sale have gone to purchase the lettuce that the 5th grade is planting, the radish seeds that 2nd grade is planting, and lots of other exciting garden activities to come. We appreciate your support and contribution to the school!

From the Nurse: Spring is a time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine! Spring is also a season when ticks become more prevalent. Please read the attached letter for some helpful tips on how to prevent tick bites.

REMINDER - School Picture Day is tomorrow, Friday, May 7: You should have received an order form in your child's backpack - if you didn't no worries!! Go to www.coffeepond.com and follow the prompts to order your child's portraits online.

May 7: School Picture Day
May 12: Alcott Bike to School Day
May 14: Alcott School Spirit Day - Hawaiian Luau Day!
May 14: PTG Spring Open Meeting
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

Concord Youth Theatre summer programming. CYT is pleased to offer Summer Stock Troupe, a 3-week workshop to sharpen your performance skilts; Center Stage Players, 1-week creative workshops to satisfy all your dramatic needs! Register Online

Concord Youth Theatre presents Honk, a musical tale of "The Ugly Duckling." May 14-16, 21-23. Tickets are limited to 60 seats per show. Tickets go on sale on May 7th. For more information: Honk Tickets

IMSCC May Student Showcase: This month we are sharing more of the exciting music happening at IMSCC! You can hear this month's featured student performers, including Alcott second grader Eva McEneaney, on our website here.

IMSCC Summer Music Lessons: Enrollment is open for the summer session, June 21 to August 27. In-person lessons are back! Lessons will be offered remotely and on campus at CCHS and the Carlisle School, depending on instructor availability. Summer schedules are flexible: choose your lesson weeks, and choose in-person or remote instruction. For more about summer lessons click here. To request lessons click here. Questions? email Debbie Levine

Reconnection and Wellness: May 11 at 7pm, Presented by Penny Austen (ThinkGive), Amy Bell (School Psychologist, Acton-Boxborough Regional School District), and Adrienne Principe (Turning Life On). In this session we will discuss how the pandemic might have impacted our kids, the challenges they are facing today, and provide insight to help them reengage with their families, peers, and communities. Through conversations and exercises, participants will explore social atrophy, the power of human connection, and digital wellness. Register here

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Emerson Hospital 2021 Run~Walk for Cancer Care: Family-Friendly Virtual Event: The Auxiliary of Emerson Hospital and the Auxiliary’s Young Families Committee invite you to join us on team Aux Rox for the Emerson Hospital Run~Walk for Cancer Care, a virtual event to be held May 1 – May 15, 2021 to benefit patients at Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital – Bethke located in Concord, MA. Anytime over those 2 weeks, choose anywhere and any way to do your 5K—whether you run, walk, pedal, swim, hike, or stroll, always keeping in mind the importance of social distancing. Register every member of the family and receive the same number of souvenir kits OR register just one of you but still do the mileage together. You can even register your pet, or a favorite stuffed animal! Use promo code RWHIGH5 to receive a discount. Click HERE to join us!

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!