The Thursday Owl - February 16, 2023

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Special Election re: MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT TODAY February 16th.  Polling Locations on Election Day are open from 7:00am – 8:00pm, please see the Town’s website for the most up to date and accurate information in the event there are changes.   VOTE: 

Shall the Town of Concord be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds to be issued in order to pay for the additional costs to construct a new middle school, to be located at 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, Massachusetts (the present site of the Sanborn Middle School), including, without limitation, the costs of engineering, design, site preparation, construction, landscaping, paving, furnishing and equipping, demolishing the existing school, construction of recreational fields, driveways and parking lots, and all other costs incidental or related thereto? A yes vote on the ballot approves the increased spending required to commence the Middle School Building Project, and a no vote disapproves the increase and sends the project back to redesign with the Building Committee.  

Alcott Multicultural Night: Are you interested in sharing your family heritage with the Alcott Community on 9th March, 2023?! It will be held from 5-7 PM. Super excited to have these countries join us in showcasing their cultural heritage - Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland, Australia, China and Sweden!! If you are interested in showcasing yours, here’s the link. Come join us in celebrating what makes our Alcott Community so diverse and strong! Share a favorite dish in the Celebration of Food, make a Family Heritage Display or take part in the Cultural Show with a song or dance performance! Questions now? Email Megha Mathur and Melissa Karczewski at: mathur2619@gmail.com or melissahun@gmail.com 

ROSES!!  A big thank you to the Alcott Community for showing up of our teachers and staff for Valentines Day.  Almost 1100 roses were given away this year after lots of hard work trimming, watering, and sorting by Hilary Drake, Sarah Flynn, Liz Gibbs and their crew, and of course all the math and organization by Jess Reed our Treasurer.  Great Team Effort Alcott!! Our Valentines Roses would not have been possible without our Sponsor Lauren Walsh Interiors.

Alcott Before School Sports Session #4 starts Monday, March 6th. (This session runs from 3/6/23-4/13/23) The program is for Grades 1-5. Monday is 5th grade, Tuesday is 4th grade, Wednesday is 3rd grade and Thursday is 1st and 2nd grades. Come play some fun sports and games. You can register/sign up at www.concordrec.myrec.com

SEPAC February business meeting: Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).  Time: February 16, 2023 7:00 PM. Join Zoom Meeting

Please join SEPAC for a Special Education Basic Rights talk with Danielle Green. March 1st at 7pm.  Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 828 7429 8056, Passcode: 063781. Danielle Green is an attorney who advocates for and represents children with special education needs through her own practice, Exceptional Children Special Education Advocacy, LLC.  Her passion for ensuring all children receive a free appropriate public education was ignited because she needed to obtain special education services for her own son.  

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on its new Twitter account!

Update on the Middle School Project. The full schedule is here.

Calendar and important dates

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

February 17: Alcott Spirit wear - your favorite team apparel day

February 20-24: February Recess

March 9: Alcott Multicultural Night

March 27-30: Book Fair Class Room Visits

March 30: Book Fair and Math Night Community Event

CPS/CCRSD 22-23 School Calendar can be found here

IN THE COMMUNITY

The CMS Musical is BACK! The Concord Middle School presents Xanadu, Jr. on Fri., March 3 at 7:00 pm , Sat., March 4 at 7:00pm and Sun., March 5 at 2:00pm. Mark your calendars! Tickets will go on sale on Feb 24. Watch LivingConcord.com and The Concord Bridge for details.

Concord Conservatory (CCM) Presents Music & Water Concert & Lecture—Join us on Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 pm when CCM partners with OARS and The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council to present Music & Water. Guest speaker Alison Field-Juma, Executive Director of OARS, will act as a guide and help us explore our local rivers. Enjoy a chamber music concert inspired by water and performed by CCM faculty including Nicole Parks, Susan Gottschalk, Stephen Marotto, Yoko Hagino, and Justin Meyer. Both the Concord Cultural Council and River Stewardship Council provided funding support for the concert. $25 General Admission/free for kids 18 and under. Advance ticket purchase sales at ConcordConservatory.org or at the door. info@concordconservatory.org/(978) 369-0010 Concord Conservatory of Music is the area's non-profit community music school: 1317 Main Street, West Concord.

Does your child love to play sports? Join us at Star Camps! Star Camps is a sports camp for kids ages 5-15. Our mission includes helping children to have fun playing sports while also advancing their skills. Star Camps runs for four weeks during the months of June and July. Sport offerings include Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Multi-Sport, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball. Campers have the option of joining for either a half-day or a full-day. Join us for our 40th season! For questions about camp offerings, please visit the website or email info@starcamps.com. 

Registration is open for CCYS Winter futsal session II & Spring 2023 Intown Soccer.  InTown soccer is open to players in grades Pre-K through 4 and the registration deadline is MARCH 10th. Winter futsal sessions run Sunday mornings in Carlisle for players in grades 2-8.  Winter futsal is a fun, low-cost option for your players this winter. CLICK HERE to register.

CCYS has a club soccer program, Liverpool (LFC) that is open to players in grades 2 - 12. We currently have a few open roster spots for our girls U10 team. Tryouts will be held on Wednesday, March 1 from 6 to 7pm at Mill Works in Westford for players born in 2013 or 2014. Please email Mark Thomas at mark.thomas@lfciasne.com if your child would like to attend the try-out session. For more info please go to https://ccysoccer.org/

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

PTG online volunteer information and sign-up: Please visit 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 - February 8, 2023

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Today is the final day to order roses to show your appreciation to Alcott teachers and staff! Your $5 purchase of a single long-stemmed rose will brighten the day of our teachers and staff (who will ALL receive roses) and support the Alcott PTG too! Place your order by 5pm today, February 9th using the link below and select who you want to show your appreciation to this Valentine’s Day! Send a special message to your child's teacher, bus driver, our amazing building services team, or even Dr. Hunter. Or you can opt to let us spread the love wherever it's needed by purchasing a "General Appreciation" rose. Gorgeous arrangements will be delivered on Monday, February 13th. Let’s shower our entire Alcott team with roses as a thank you for all they have done this school year! Place your order here.

Alcott Multicultural Night - Are you interested in sharing your family heritage with the Alcott Community on 9th March, 2023?! It will be held from 5-7 PM. Interested to know which countries are participating so far? We have Ukraine, Jamaica, Cape Verde, Jordan, Egypt, Germany, and India all ready to showcase their cultural heritage!! If you are interested in showcasing yours, here’s the link. Come join us in celebrating what makes our Alcott Community so diverse and strong! Share a favorite dish in the Celebration of Food, make a Family Heritage Display or take part in the Cultural Show with a song or dance performance!  A google sign up will also be sent out through Room Parents so be on the look out! Questions now? Email Megha Mathur and Melissa Karczewski at: mathur2619@gmail.com or melissahun@gmail.com 

5th grade families: Transition to Middle School - Come join Coffee with CMS Principal at Alcott at 7pm. The Zoom coffee and coffees at each elementary school in the next few weeks are an opportunity to informally learn about the middle school. There is no formal presentation being made. Most often, the parents/guardians who attend these coffees are parents and guardians who oldest child is in 5th grade, and the family's exposure to the middle school is minimal. The only item that is presented and will be the same at each coffee is a quick sharing out of World Language and music program of study before we ask these class choices to be made. An email will be sent to all 5th grade parents/guardians sometime in early March about these class choices. May is when our formal Concord Middle School orientation is made and we do our best to engage all 5th grade students and parents/guardians. 

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on its new Twitter account!

Update on the Middle School Project. The full schedule is here.

Calendar and important dates

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

February 10: School Progress Reports are available through Aspen

February 13: CMS Principal Coffee at Alcott, 7pm

February 17: Alcott Spirit wear - your favorite team apparel day

February 20-24: February Recess

March 9: Alcott Multicultural Night

March 30: Math Night

CPS/CCRSD 22-23 School Calendar can be found here

IN THE COMMUNITY

February 11 Girls Basketball Clinic - Sponsored by CCHS Girls Basketball - The CCHS Girls Basketball team and coaches will host a one-day youth clinic at CCHS on Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. - 11:45 am.  All proceeds benefit the CCHS Girls Basketball program directly.  For more details and to register online visit: https://www.cchsgirlsbasketball.org/youth-clinics-community-events

Have you seen Civil Rights Lawyer and Activist Jeffery Robinson's film: Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism In America? Come view it with us! Pick the date and time that works for you, and join other community members for a film screening and discussion. There will be two screenings in Concord on Feb 11th at 1:00 PM at Fowler Library and Feb 12that 2:00 PM at First Parish. RSVP for all screenings here.

Season Passes for White Pond/ Emerson/ Triple Play - Registration for season passes for our summer aquatic facilities opens on February 8th at 7:30 am. Enjoy the great water-based facilities Concord has to offer! The Triple Play membership gives you access to all 3: Beede Swim and Fitness Center, Emerson, and White Pond!
White Pond- Link HERE
Emerson Pool- Link HERE
Triple Play- Link HERE

Does your child love to play sports? Join us at Star Camps! Star Camps is a sports camp for kids ages 5-15. Our mission includes helping children to have fun playing sports while also advancing their skills. Star Camps runs for four weeks during the months of June and July. Sport offerings include Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Multi-Sport, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball. Campers have the option of joining for either a half-day or a full-day. Join us for our 40th season! For questions about camp offerings, please visit the website or email info@starcamps.com. 

Registration is open for CCYS Winter futsal session II & Spring 2023 Intown Soccer.  InTown soccer is open to players in grades Pre-K through 4 and the registration deadline is MARCH 10th. Winter futsal sessions run Sunday mornings in Carlisle for players in grades 2-8.  Winter futsal is a fun, low-cost option for your players this winter. CLICK HERE to register.

CCYS has a club soccer program, Liverpool (LFC) that is open to players in grades 2 - 12. We currently have a few open roster spots for our girls U10 team. Tryouts will be held on Wednesday, March 1 from 6 to 7pm at Mill Works in Westford for players born in 2013 or 2014. Please email Mark Thomas at mark.thomas@lfciasne.com if your child would like to attend the try-out session. For more info please go to https://ccysoccer.org/

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

PTG online volunteer information and sign-up: Please visit 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 - February 2, 2023

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Last WECO Week! The menu for the last WECO promotion week is now available! As a reminder, the Alcott PTG has partnered with WECO to help raise funds for Alcott Elementary School. WECO will donate a portion of every meal you enjoy back to the PTG. To participate, first click the link to register as Alcott, and then order as many dinners for next week as you would like. No minimums and no subscriptions. 

Step 1: If you haven't done so already, please make sure you first register your email with Alcott  https://bit.ly/alcottptg 

Step 2: Start ordering your delicious meals! NOTE: if you are new to WECO you will be asked to create a password and enter some contact details. This is just so they can deliver your meals right to your door. 

Step 3: Enjoy! 

LAST CHANCE! Menu for Week 2/6-2/10

Show your appreciation to Alcott teachers and staff with a $5 purchase of a single long-stemmed rose and support the Alcott PTG too!  Place your order by February 9th using the link below, and select who you want to show your appreciation to this Valentine’s Day! Maybe an extra-dedicated teacher, your favorite crossing guard, Mr. T, Dr. Hunter ... ?  All our teachers and staff are included, or you can opt to let us spread the love wherever it's needed!  On Monday, February 13th, the PTG will brighten their day with the delivery of these gorgeous arrangements.  Let’s shower our teachers, specialists, tutors, front office staff, nurse, crossing guards, bus drivers, and administrators with roses as a thank you for all they have done this school year! Place your order here: https://alcottptg.org/alcott-store/valentines-day-2023

The Alcott Chess Club got off to a wonderful start with a strong group of chess enthusiasts. It's not too late to join and we'll adjust your rate. This is the perfect time to brush up on your chess skills or develop new skills in time for the annual Alcott Chess Tournament, which will begin the week after April vacation. This tournament is designed to be fun for everyone, and everybody comes out a winner. It's a superb event! How can you say 'no'? For you 5th graders, it is your last chance to participate in Alcott Chess, so check it out. If you decide to join, contact Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com or ring 617-332-4483. The attached flyer has all the details for your warm winter session. Next class is Thursday. See you there!

Alcott Multicultural Night -Are you interested in sharing your family heritage with the Alcott Community this March? We have Jordan, Egypt, Germany, and India all ready to showcase their cultural heritage!! If you are interested in showcasing yours, here’s the link https://forms.gle/gxYfUjf8B72WQ7879 . Come join us in celebrating what makes our Alcott Community so diverse and strong!  We are planning the 2023 Alcott Multicultural Night and are looking for families to participate!  Share a favorite dish in the Celebration of Food, make a Family Heritage Display or take part in the Cultural Show with a song or dance performance!  A google sign up will be sent out through Room Parents so be on the look out!  Questions now? Email Megha Mathur and Melissa Karczewski at: mathur2619@gmail.commelissahun@gmail.com Please take note that ALL Alcott Families, Concord & Boston, have access to the Family Fund if the need arises.  If participation in these events causes financial stress, please reach out to our School Counselor, Rene Kashmiri at rkashmiri@concordps.org to discuss your options. 

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on its new Twitter account!

Update on the Middle School Project. The full schedule is here.

Calendar and important dates

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

February 20-24: February Recess

CPS/CCRSD 22-23 School Calendar can be found here

IN THE COMMUNITY

Please join WBYC for our Winter Lecture. Be Yourself Through Movement -featuring Dr. Kelly McGonigal Thursday, February 9th from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Zoom Webinar - link will be sent to registered guests before the event. Register for this free event at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org. Dr. Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. As a pioneer in the field of “science-help,” her mission is to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities. Kelly's most recent book, The Joy of Movement, illustrates why movement is integral to both our happiness and our humanity. In this special engagement, Kelly will focus on issues important to the WBYC community, including using physical activity as a means to help with mental health challenges, expressing oneself through physical activity, and finding joy and connection in collective movement experiences. This virtual event is free and open to all. We hope parents, caregivers, educators, seniors, and our teens will join in for this important conversation. Register for this free event at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org.

Teaching Today’s Kids To Spot Tomorrow’s Fake News, with Dr. Susan Engel of Williams College. Free virtual speaker event by Discovery Museum. Thursday, February 9, 7-8pm via Zoom webinar. How do we teach children to distinguish good information from bad? Susan Engel will share research on how young children decide whom to trust, how they learn to separate fact from fiction, and how we can support their growing ability to seek the truth. Event is free, advanced registration is required at http://bit.ly/DMSpeakerSeries.

February 11 Girls Basketball Clinic - Sponsored by CCHS Girls Basketball - The CCHS Girls Basketball team and coaches will host a one-day youth clinic at CCHS on Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. - 11:45 am.  All proceeds benefit the CCHS Girls Basketball program directly.  For more details and to register online visit: https://www.cchsgirlsbasketball.org/youth-clinics-community-events

Concord Youth Theatres' Junior Company brings Pure Imagination to the stage.
Come enjoy your favorite numbers from Annie, Seussical, Winnie the Pooh, Honk!, Frozen, Shrek, and more!

Friday, February 3, 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 4, 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 5, 2 p.m.
https://concordyouththeatre.org/tickets/

Have you seen Civil Rights Lawyer and Activist Jeffery Robinson's film: Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism In America? Come view it with us! Pick the date and time that works for you, and join other community members for a film screening and discussion. In Carlisle, the screening will be held at the Gleason Library on Tuesday February 7 at 6pm. There will be two other screenings in Concord on Feb 11th, 1:00 PM at the Fowler Library and Feb.12th at 2:00 PM at First Parish. RSVP for all screenings here.

The Concord Museum is delighted to welcome Olympians AJ Mleczko Griswold and Angela Ruggiero on Tuesday February 7 at 7 PM for the first in our Rebels & Revolutionaries speaker series.  AJ and Angela will discuss their experiences as elite athletes, the future of girls’ and women’s athletics, and the role of women in inspiring the next generation of athletes.  They will share their journeys from the locker room to the board room and the odds-defying leadership and perseverance that led to outstanding careers on the ice and beyond.

 Following the program, there will be a wine and cheese reception with AJ and Angela.  Tickets to the reception are limited; please reserve early.

 Tickets to the program are $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $15 for students. A ticket for the program and reception is $75 for members or $85 for non-members. Please visit the event page at https://concordmuseum.org/events/revolution-in-womens-athletics/ for more details and to purchase tickets. 

Concord Conservatory’s Summer Piano Camp July 17-21 at Concord Academy—A unique and fun summer experience for pianists 3rd – 12th grade. Concord Conservatory of Music and Concord Academy will offer a weeklong Summer Piano Camp for rising 3rd-12th graders with at least two years of private instruction. Each day the camp will culminate in a performance and talk by a guest artist. Campers will have the opportunity to play for one another in an informal performance class, a masterclass, and in a camp recital. Piano campers will end the week with a greater appreciation of music in a fun and low-stress environment—the perfect combination of music, outdoor fun, swimming, and friends. info@concordconservatory.org/(978) 369-0010. 

Art in Action! Welcoming Refugees, Ages 0 - 10, Tuesday, February 21 at 2 PM in the Children's Library at the Main Library. Kids will learn about displaced people around the world and the crises that force them to leave their homes. Afterwards, there will be an art project creating postcards to welcome refugee families to our community and inform them about the area. For every postcard created, the Bezos Family Foundation - sponsors of Students Rebuild - will donate $5 to refugee-aid organizations. No registration required. More info here. Program in partnership with COAR.
Hip Hop Dance Party with West Concord Dance Academy, Ages 0 - 13, Wednesday, February 22 at 3:30 PM in the Goodwin Forum at the Main Library. Join us for a hip hop dance party led by West Concord Dance Academy! Learn some new moves and get your feet moving to the beat! No registration required. More info here.

Concord Free Public Library (Main branch). Board Games - Sunday February 5 from 2 to 4 PM Don't let Winter boredom get you down... Bust that boredom with a cozy afternoon of board games at the Concord Free Public Library (Main branch). Join us Sunday February 5 from 2 to 4 PM where we'll have games for all ages, including children's games in the Children's Wing, Kahoots for tweens and teens in the Teen Lounge, and adult offerings in the Forum. You can also bring your favorite game from home to play. Come for the games, stay for snacks, raffle prizes, and more!

Free Public Speaking & Debate After-School Workshop! Sign up for a free Public Speaking and Debate Workshop on February 9, 12 or 13 (Online), hosted by Lumos Debate! Your child will love Lumos's friendly instructors and fun activities as they learn about: Speaking Confidence, Impromptu Speaking, Debate Fundamentals, Argumentation and Reasoning. Lumos After-School Online Workshop (FREE): Ages: 8-14 years old. Locations: Online, 1-hour workshop, Dates: Choose from Feb 9, 12, or 13, Registration. This workshop is free for all Alcott students. Please make sure to use code ALCOTT when you register to get an 100% discount. Please do not share this code with families that are not from Alcott. Email info@lumosdebate.com or call 781-474-3359 with any questions. Register now at: lumosdebate.com/workshop

Cell Phones & Parenting – Oh My! Feb. 2, 1-2 pm Online We simplify this technology so that you’ll understand recommended safety settings for your child’s Smartphone, allowing them to use the phone safely. Bullying, Cyberbullying & the Effects of the Pandemic on Children  Feb. 9 7-8:30 pm Online The focus is on concrete approaches that emphasize ways for parents to improve social skills and reduce screen time. Full information and registration is available at www.concordcarlisleace.org or 978-318-1432.

English Language Learner classes winter session registration open now. CCACE is offering ELL classes at all levels, from beginner to conversation. Classes begin January 30 and run two evenings a week in person at CCHS. Conversation class begins January 25 and runs evenings for eight weeks online.  Scholarships are available at all levels. New students should plan to attend an orientation on Wednesday, January 25, 7 pm at CCHS, where they will be tested to determine their level of language ability for appropriate placement. For more information and to register, go online to concordcarlisleace.org/adult-ell or call our office at 978-318-1432. Registration closes February 9, 2023. 

All the Letters: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities & Experiences with Robyn Ochs is returning to Concord on Wednesday, February 1st, from 6:30 pm - 8 pm at Concord-Carlisle High School. Robyn Ochs has been an advocate for and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community her entire life and has been among the founding members of several social justice groups over her career as an activist, an academic, a Harvard administrator, and the many other hats she has worn. Robyn's presentation for the parent community is titled: All the Letters: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities & Experiences -- How are people using and experiencing sexual orientation and gender in 2022? And what do you need to know to be culturally competent in this area? Bring your questions and an open mind. Please RSVP to this event by using the following link, here. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact DEIB Director Mr. Nyamekye at anyamekye@concordps.org.

School Based Child Care 2023-2024

Registration for our Before and AfterSchool programs opens on February 8th at 7:30 am.
BeforeSchool Registration- Link HERE
AfterSchool Registration- Link HERE

 Summer Camp 2023 - Summer Camp registration opens also on February 8th at 7:30 am. These programs will fill! Register by what grade your child will be rising into in fall 2023.

 Shamrock Ball - Join us for annual dance with your loved one! Shamrock Ball is Saturday, March 11th at the Westford Regency. Tickets are sold as a pair.

Spring Group Exercise - Concord Recreation offers a large variety of group classes held at 90 Stow St. Hunt Gym and 55 Church Street's Human Services Building. Beede members receive a discount on classes; non-members are welcome as well. Classes include several varieties of yoga, Pilates mat and private Pilates reformer training, indoor cycling, stability ball, small group personal training, and boot camp.

Alcott Before School Sports: Session 5 - Alcott Before School Sports is a 6 week program open to Alcott School students, grades 1-5.

 Season Passes for White Pond/ Emerson/ Triple Play - Registration for season passes for our summer aquatic facilities opens on February 8th at 7:30 am. Enjoy the great water-based facilities Concord has to offer! The Triple Play membership gives you access to all 3: Beede Swim and Fitness Center, Emerson, and White Pond!
White Pond- Link HERE
Emerson Pool- Link HERE
Triple Play- Link HERE

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

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