The Thursday Owl - January 13, 2022

ALCOTT TAKES ON FRIGID TEMPERATURES! Brrrr! Many thanks to our tireless Alcott team of transportation professionals, faculty, staff, facilities management, administration and Nurse Amante for continuing to provide a wonderful school experience for our students during this week's extreme, almost-Arctic temperatures!

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A NOTE FROM NURSE AMANTE: If your student has received both doses of the Covid -19 vaccine, please provide documentation to the Alcott nurse's office. You may send in a hard copy, fax (978-318-9545), or take a photo/scan and email to Nurse Amante (pamante@concordps.org). Thank you!

METCO Family Friends - Frog Pond Skating event, Saturday, February 12, 2022: Come to the Boston Common Frog Pond from 2pm - 4pm, Saturday, Feb. 12, for a bit of winter fun with the community, on skates! METCO Family Friends is sponsoring this wonderful event. Please see the informational flyer below and click HERE for the live link to register. Please contact METCO Academic Liaison Savaughn Dickerson (Sdickerson@concordps.org) if you have any questions.



Alcott Chess Club: The fun begins Thursday, January 20, 8 a.m. in the Faculty Lounge for 50 minutes. Children enter via the door to the right in front of the auditorium, wash hands and proceed to the game room. The club convenes weekly for 10 weeks through March 31. Click HERE for information. Any questions, please email alcottchess@hotmail.com, or call Ken Belt at (617) 332-4483. (All District COVID protocols are implemented.) ALCOTT WEAR: Outfit yourself for winter and show off your Alcott spirit!

Our first online school spirit wear store is live! Check out the store under the Support tab of the Alcott PTG website or click HERE to find the latest and greatest Alcott wear. Alcott PTG receives 10% back on all items purchased throughout the school year so consider purchasing an item today!

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


Jan 17: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 21: Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 21- 25: February Recess (NO SCHOOL)


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

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

SPECIAL CONCORD TOWN MEETING
Thurs, Jan. 20, 2022, 7:00 pm @ Concord-Carlisle High School

The Special Town Meeting warrant posted on November 12, 2021 and can be found HERE. There is one article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant: appropriate a sum of money for the construction of a new middle school. The Concord Middle School Building Committee, whose charge was approved by the Select Board, has been providing periodic updates to the public. Its website can be accessed HERE, and includes project updates, meeting minutes, presentations on design and schematics, and recordings of public forums. Please consider attending to cast your vote.

  • Extensive COVID mitigations

  • Free childcare (register HERE)

  • Fully accessible

For more information on the proposed building project, attend one of the last two Building Committee virtual “Coffees”:

  • Thursday, January 13 at 7:00pm

  • Wednesday, January 19 at 1:00pm

Zoom links can be found HERE.

Mothers Out Front Concord is leading a Get Out the Vote campaign for the new sustainable Concord Middle School building, which will be voted on at a Special Town Meeting on Thursday, January 20th. Please note that childcare will be provided by Concord Rec for kids ages 2.5-12 years of age. Pre-registration is required. For more information on this campaign, click HERE.

CONCORD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC updates:
Arabic Music complimentary online lecture, Jan. 27th - Explore the beautiful and diverse sounds of Arabic music with guest lecturer Layth Sidiq. Join us online on Thursday, January 27 at 7:00 pm when Layth, an award-winning violinist, composer, educator, and the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra, presents an exciting music history lecture. Register HERE by 5 pm on January 27th to receive the link.

Children's group classes offer a collaborative setting with others who share your love of music. It’s an opportunity to receive excellent music instruction that balances rigor with the joy and fun of creating music. Small classes for your kids gives each student individual attention, yet learning in a social experience. We encourage registering as soon as possible due to maximum enrollment per group class and check out all our offerings.
MUSIC MAKERS for 3-year-olds
MUSICAL GATEWAY for 4 and 5-year-olds
BEGINNER VOCALS for ages 6 - 8
RHYTHMIC SOLFÈGE for ages 6 - 9
Introduce your young kids to music complete with dancing and creative games fostering fantastic growth and development. Financial assistance is available.

CONCORD RECREATION updates:
Shamrock Ball (3/12/22) Register – Tuesday, February 1st at 7:30am
Camp Three Rivers - Registration opens Wednesday, February 9th at 7:30am
*** Visit www.concordrec.com for more details ***

Skyhawks Multi-Sport (Ages 7-9, Mondays @ 5:15pm beginning 1/24) This t-ball, basketball, and soccer class uses age-appropriate games and activities to explore balance, hand-eye coordination, and skill development. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe, and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons in sports and life; such as teamwork, respect and sportsmanship!

Skyhawks Floor Hockey (Ages 7-12, Mondays @ 5:15pm beginning 3/7) Come join us and learn the skills of hockey!  From stick handling to passing and shooting, we will develop and enhance the abilities to play the fastest game on (ice) the floor!

February Vacation Week Need childcare during February vacation? The February Vacation Program (Grades K-5) is from 8:00am to 6:00pm at Hunt Recreation Center from 2/22-2/25. (Participants must bring lunch unless noted) $100 per day per person. Registration open to general public. First come, first serve basis. This program has NO AFFILIATION with Concord Recreation’s Before or Afterschool Program.

CC YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Registration for the Spring Season is open from JAN 1 - JAN 31.  Building on an incredibly successful programming and record numbers in 2021, CCYB/S is offering robust programming from T-Ball through Babe Ruth. Don’t miss out on baseball and softball’s showcase season! REGISTER NOW!

Book PALS, an organization run by CCHS students to help kids in urban communities, needs books for kids ages 4-8. Please donate new and gently used children's books by leaving them in the labeled box in Alcott's main entrance hallway. Donate your favorites! CCHS students will read them with their book buddies at the Cambridge YMCA afterschool program, and then give the books to their buddies. The book drive runs through January 14th. Help support kids and reading.

IRISH STEP DANCE: The Inishfree School of Irish Dancing offers classes at our studio in West Concord. Join our Winter Session Beginner Classes for a fun and lively introduction to the basics of Irish step dancing, including posture, foot placement, and musical awareness. You will even learn a simple reel and jig step to perform for St. Patrick’s Day! No prior dance experience necessary.

  • Tiny tots class for ages 3-4 Saturdays 9:15-9:45

  • Beginner classes for ages 5+ Mondays 5:00-5:45 and Saturdays 10:00-10:45

For more details or to schedule a free trial class, contact Meghan at inishfreema@yahoo.com or 551-265-7942.

Music lessons with IMSCC - The Winter-Spring session of music lessons starts this month!  We welcome new students of all ages and all levels, including adults. Expert instructors are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, guitar, ukulele, electric bass, and piano. 

During this time families have a choice of in-person or remote lessons. In-person lessons are located at CCHS and the Carlisle public school campus and follow school district music protocols for Covid safety. Click here to request lessons, or here for more information about IMSCC. Questions? email Debbie Levine. We look forward to working with you!

The Thursday Owl - January 6, 2022

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME BACK ALCOTT COMMUNITY! We are grateful to all our teachers, staff and administration for their endless commitment to community safety and transparent communication during this most recent Covid surge. We appreciate you all! Reminder that our Alcott-based Covid email account is alcottcovid@concordps.org if you have any questions.

ALCOTT CHESS CLUB: Is this the year you enroll your child in the Alcott Chess Club? The fun begins Thursday, January 20, 8 a.m. in the Faculty Lounge for 50 minutes. Children enter via the door to the right in front of the auditorium, wash hands and proceed to the game room. The club convenes weekly for 10 weeks through March 31. Any questions, please email alcottchess@hotmail.com, or call Ken Belt at (617) 332-4483. (All District COVID protocols are implemented)
January COVID-19 vaccine clinic happening TODAY. The school district is hosting another vaccine clinic at CCHS today, January 6th. The clinic is open to everyone in the community over age 5. Please CHECK HERE to see if there are any additional appointments available. ALCOTT WEAR: Outfit yourself for winter and show off your Alcott spirit!

Our first online school spirit wear store is live! Check out the store under the Support tab of the Alcott PTG website or click HERE to find the latest and greatest Alcott wear. Alcott PTG receives 10% back on all items purchased throughout the school year so consider purchasing an item today!

The Alcott Lost & Found is here to help! Are you wondering where your student's jacket/water bottle/hoodie/lunch box is? The Lost & Found Gazebo day will be rescheduled soon- please watch your email and social media. Any questions or requests can be sent to alcottlostandfound@gmail.com.


The Concord Middle School Coats for Kids Club needs your help!  Their annual Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids drive is NOW UNDERWAY!  The goal this year is to collect 300 coats!  Please consider donating any gently-used coats in good condition by sending them to Alcott with your child. The drop-off box is next to the office. We accept any size coat, from infant snowsuits to oversized adult, but please do not donate clothing other than winter coats – no sweatshirts, raincoats, vests, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, or snow pants. The drive runs until January 8th, 2022. If you get a new coat for the winter, consider donating your old coat to Coats for Kids. Thank you very much for your generosity!

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


Jan 17: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 21: Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 21- 25: February Recess


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

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Special Town Meeting
Thurs, Jan. 20, 2022
7:00 pm @ CCHS
(Snow Date Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 7:00PM at CCHS.)
The Special Town Meeting warrant posted on November 12, 2021 and can be found HERE. There is one article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant: appropriate a sum of money for the construction of a new middle school. The Concord Middle School Building Committee, whose charge was approved by the Select Board, has been providing periodic updates to the public. Its website can be accessed HERE, and includes project updates, meeting minutes, presentations on design and schematics, and recordings of public forums.

CC YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Registration for the Spring Season is open from JAN 1 - JAN 31. Building on an incredibly successful programming and record numbers in 2021, CCYB/S is offering robust programming from T-Ball through Babe Ruth. Don’t miss out on baseball and softball’s showcase season! REGISTER NOW!


Book PALS
Book PALS, an organization run by CCHS students to help kids in urban communities, needs books for kids ages 4-8. Please donate new and gently used children's books by leaving them in the labeled box in Alcott's main entrance hallway. Donate your favorites! CCHS students will read them with their book buddies at the Cambridge YMCA afterschool program, and then give the books to their buddies. The book drive runs through January 14th. Help support kids and reading.


IRISH STEP DANCE The Inishfree School of Irish Dancing offers classes at our studio in West Concord.  Join our Winter Session Beginner Classes for a fun and lively introduction to the basics of Irish step dancing, including posture, foot placement, and musical awareness.  You will even learn a simple reel and jig step to perform for St. Patrick’s Day!  No prior dance experience necessary.

  • Tiny tots class for ages 3-4 Saturdays 9:15-9:45

  • Beginner classes for ages 5+ Mondays 5:00-5:45 and Saturdays 10:00-10:45

For more details or to schedule a free trial class, contact Meghan at inishfreema@yahoo.com or 551-265-7942


Music lessons with IMSCC
The Winter-Spring session of music lessons starts this month! We welcome new students of all ages and all levels, including adults. Expert instructors are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, guitar, ukulele, electric bass, and piano.
During this time families have a choice of in-person or remote lessons. In-person lessons are located at CCHS and the Carlisle public school campus and follow school district music protocols for Covid safety. Click here to request lessons, or here for more information about IMSCC. Questions? email Debbie Levine. We look forward to working with you!


Concord Recreation updates:

Mark Your Calendars for registration:
Shamrock Ball (3/12/22) Register – Tuesday, February 1st at 7:30am
Camp Three Rivers - Registration opens Wednesday, February 9th at 7:30am
*** Visit www.concordrec.com for more details ***


Skyhawks Multi-Sport(Ages 7-9, Mondays @ 5:15pm beginning 1/24) This t-ball, basketball, and soccer class uses age-appropriate games and activities to explore balance, hand-eye coordination, and skill development. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe, and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons in sports and life; such as teamwork, respect and sportsmanship!

Skyhawks Floor Hockey(Ages 7-12, Mondays @ 5:15pm beginning 3/7) Come join us and learn the skills of hockey!  From stick handling to passing and shooting, we will develop and enhance the abilities to play the fastest game on (ice) the floor!

February Vacation Week Need childcare during February Vacation? The February Vacation Program (Grades K-5) is from 8:00am to 6:00pm at Hunt Recreation Center from 2/22-2/25. (Participants must bring lunch unless noted) $100 per day per person. Registration open to general public. First come, first serve basis. This program has NO AFFILIATION with Concord Recreation’s Before or Afterschool Program.

Please visit this space for updates on sports, music and theater registration dates, seminars, and more events throughout town.

The Thursday Owl - December 23, 2021 External

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAPPY WINTER BREAK, ALCOTT COMMUNITY! What a first four months it has been! We are truly grateful to the entire Alcott team for inspiring our students and creating a supportive school environment in which they can thrive. Many warm wishes to our students, faculty and staff during this well-deserved winter break with your families. Enjoy this special time, have a happy new year and we will see you in a much-anticipated 2022!

Alcott Wear Store: Outfit yourself for winter and show off your Alcott spirit! Our first online school spirit wear store is live! Check out the store under the Support tab of the Alcott PTG website or click HERE to find the latest and greatest Alcott wear. Alcott PTG receives 10% back on all items purchased throughout the school year so consider purchasing an item today!

Superintendent Hunter announces January COVID-19 vaccine clinic: The school district is again hosting a vaccine clinic at CCHS on January 6th thanks to the arrangements made by the local health officials. The clinic is open to everyone in the community over age 5. The details to make an appointment are found below.

Click HERE to schedule an appointment for the January 6th COVID-19 vaccination clinic:

COVID Vaccine Clinic
Ages 5 and up 
Thursday, January 6
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Concord-Carlisle High School

The Alcott Lost & Found is here to help!  Are you wondering where your student's jacket/water bottle/hoodie/lunch box is?  It MIGHT be in the Alcott Lost & Found (located in the cafeteria hallway), which students can check during the school day.  While parents/guardians are still NOT allowed into the main school hallways, we will be bringing the Lost & Found items to the Alcott Gazebo on Wednesday, January 5th during the school day.  Please come by and take a look; you might be surprised to FIND your LOST item!  Any questions or requests can be sent to alcottlostandfound@gmail.com.

The Concord Middle School Coats for Kids Club needs your help!  Their annual Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids drive is NOW UNDERWAY!  The goal this year is to collect 300 coats!  Please consider donating any gently-used coats in good condition by sending them to Alcott with your child. The drop-off box is next to the office. We accept any size coat, from infant snowsuits to oversized adult, but please do not donate clothing other than winter coats – no sweatshirts, raincoats, vests, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens or snow pants. The drive runs until January 8th, 2022. If you get a new coat for the winter, consider donating your old coat to Coats for Kids. Thank you very much for your generosity!

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

Dec 23: Half-day (12:30pm dismissal)
Dec 24-31: Winter Recess (NO SCHOOL)
Jan 3: Classes resume
Jan 17: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)


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

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS


Concord Conservatory of Music: Register now for high-quality, private lessons for Concord Conservatory of Music’s winter semester. Develop your kids' musicianship through individual instruction, workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities - included in tuition. Private lessons are offered in banjo, bass, cello, clarinet, composition, flute, guitar, improvisation, mandolin, percussion, piano (classical and jazz), saxophone, theory, trumpet, ukulele, viola, violin and voice. The Music Achievement Program, a free enrichment curriculum, provides access to a broader and more comprehensive music education. A thorough placement process ensures students are matched with a teacher who tailors instruction to best fit their needs and goals. Submit a Student Interest Form at ConcordConservatory.org, or call (978) 369-0010. Financial assistance available.

Concord Recreation updates:
Beede Swim and Fitness Center’s Winter Vacation Program December 27, – December 30. Looking to swim and play over December vacation week? Join us at Concord Recreation’s Beede Swim and Fitness Center for a week of all things aquatics! Participants grades K-5 will have the opportunity daily to participate in free swim, aquatics games, use aquatics props (kiddie pool spray features, diving boards, water slide, etc), do aquatics-based crafts, and more! Participants will be supervised by three camp staff and lifeguards as they get to enjoy all things Beede aquatics!
Code Wiz - online coding classes At Code Wiz, we believe that learning to code is the easiest way to shape your child’s future. Our students develop programming skills along with invaluable approaches to critical thinking and problem solving. Best of all, anyone can learn to code—no matter their age, tech proficiency or personal interests. We’ve designed fun, flexible programs to ensure every child becomes a wiz! Do Minecraft Coding, Roblox Game Development, and so much more!
Kids Night Out Sunday, January 16 - drop your kiddos off at Beede and have a night out! From 5:00pm-8:00pm, kids will enjoy pizza, swim time, and a movie.

IMSCC's Music Lessons are up and running and enrollment is ongoing for the fall session! New students can start lessons at any time; all levels and all ages are welcome. Instructors are available for all band and orchestra instruments, voice, guitar, ukulele, electric bass, and piano. Families have a choice of in-person or remote lessons. Click here to request lessons, or here for more information about IMSCC. Questions? email Debbie Levine.

Please visit this space for updates on sports, music and theater registration dates, seminars, and more events throughout town.