The Thursday Owl - January 25, 2024

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PTG Board 2024/2025: The Alcott PTG Board is looking to fill positions for the 2024/2025 school year. If you are interested in getting more involved on the PTG Board or at Committee level, please email gibbs.eliz@gmail.com. One of the roles we are specifically looking for is a new Treasurer (after many years of dedicated service from our current Treasurer!). If you have a finance or accounting background, please reach out! Being a part of the Alcott PTG Board is a great way to get more involved. Thank you! 

Valentine's Day Roses are Back:  Show your favorite Alcott teachers and staff members how much you care with a rose this Valentine's Day! Our annual tradition returns with a chance for everyone to shower the Alcott team with love in the form of beautiful, long-stemmed roses. Roses are $5 each and proceeds support our PTG. Watch out for details when the sale kicks off on Monday, January 29. Want to get involved behind the scenes? Check here for ways you can help: Rose Volunteers 2024

Multicultural Night SAVE THE DATE: March 8th, 2024 With the success of Alcott’s first ever Multicultural event last year, the school is inviting all families to come and join the multicultural night this year again!! Showcase your culture through food, trinkets from your country, a performance…keep an eye out for the google sign up coming soon! If you have questions or would like to volunteer in running the event, please reach out to Megha Mathur or Jen Lichoulas.

Alcott Chess: Alcott Chess is already underway. If you missed the start, no worries. We'll happily welcome your children to the club roster. Just fill out the attached chess flyer and email it to Ken Belt, alcottchess@hotmail.com, or call or text him at 617-332-4483. Chess is an exciting way to spend these cold winter days. And soon it'll be spring. So, what say you to hop onboard the Alcott Chess Club train before it passes by? If you miss this opportunity, though, the club will continue in April with its year-end Alcott Chess Tournament, which is always fun for everyone! You must be there! And bravo to the Alcott Chess Team, who participated in the Gosselin Grade Chess Championships this past Sunday. In alphabetic order, hats off to: Bill Curran, Max Cardinal, Oliver Gertzenstein, Vivian Irwin, Alan Karbeyaz, Eri Li, Erick Liu, Adam Siala, Gabriel Stevens, Jacob Stevens and Theo Webb. Also on the chess team are Kilian Bosdet, Lucas Perez-Ortiz and Levi Teman. There will be a couple of team tournaments coming up in February and March. If you see any of these chess players around, be sure to congratulate them!

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Calendar and important dates

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

Feb 19 - 23- February Recess

Feb 26- Classes resume

CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Redefining Classical Music—W4RP at Concord Conservatory on February 9th— Energetic and unexpected chamber music that crosses musical genres. On Friday, February 9th at 7:30 pm, immerse yourself in an extraordinary musical journey as Mikael Darmanie (Piano), Ju Young Lee (Cello), Rick Martinez (Percussion), and Josh Henderson (Violin) come together in a groundbreaking performance. W4RP is not just a musical ensemble but a convergence of chamber music finesse, rock band intensity, and avant-garde artistic expression. Visit ConcordConservatory.org for tickets. We thank our Lead Sponsor, Emerson Health, for supporting the 2023-2024 CCM Concert & Lecture Series and our Supporting Sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank.

CCHS Girls Youth Basketball Clinic Saturday, February 10th 11am– 2pm at CCHS: Come for a fun basketball clinic and pizza lunch with the CCHS Varsity Coach Amy Davagian, her coaching staff, and varsity players.Clinic is open to girls grades 1-8. Cost is $50 per participant - all proceeds directly support the program. Register NOW before spots fill up at: https://www.cchsgirlsbasketball.org/youth-clinics-community-events No prior basketball experience necessary — the clinic is designed to be both competitive and fun. Players will be broken up appropriately by age/skill level. Please bring clean sneakers and a water bottle, we’ll provide pizza.

Alcott kindergarteners are invited to talk about sisterhood and do a fun craft from the free Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge, available at girlscouts.org/trolls, while their adults learn how to bring Girl Scouts to your neighborhood as an adult leadership volunteer and get started with a new Girl Scout troop on Thursday, February 8th, at 6:15 PM in the lower-level meeting room at Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main St., Concord. Please let us know you're attending at https://www.gsema.org/en/get-involved/event-rsvp-region-2.html or that you're interested at https://www.gsema.org/moreinfo.

Kids Naturally is proud to present "Night Mysteries": At this evening drop off program, kids will explore the secrets of the woods at night, share stories around the campfire and enjoy some tasty treats! Registration is open now at Kids-Naturally.com/register-now The Mission of Kids Naturally is to inspire wonder for nature and a desire for exploration and discovery through free play outside. Kids Naturally creates a safe, nurturing and fun space where children can build resilience and develop creativity and independence away from screens and sedentary entertainment.  Learn more: kids-naturally.com

Jubilee Kids: You are invited to join 4th and 5th grade kids throughout Concord to learn and work to build a more inclusive community. Jubilee Kids is an 8-week program designed for 4th and 5th graders that provides an age appropriate exploration of race, racism and racial identity. This program will be co-taught by Amy Freedman and Anderson Manuel.  It will also provide your child with basic information and experiences that open conversations in your family about responsibility and respect as it relates to racial justice and inclusion. Emphasis is on experiential learning through art, drama, games, and group circle processes. We will begin with a Jubilee Kids and Parent/Caregiver Introduction on 1/28 at 10:15 am. Please join us on this learning experience and bring a friend too!

Contact Amy Freedman for more information: afreedman@firstparish.org
Download flyer & schedule: HERE

Patriots Field Hockey Clinics: Patriot Field Hockey Clinics offer players fun and intensive field hockey programs for children entering Grades 3-9. Our clinics are appropriate for players of all levels and allow for maximum enjoyment, improvement and understanding of the game for every camper. Registration is open for our 2024 Summer Camp on our website. https://www.patriotfieldhockeyclinics.com/ 

2024 Summer Field Hockey Camp: Concord Carlisle High School, 9am-2pm  

  • Session 1: June 17th-21st

  • Session 2: July 22nd-26th 

Concord Middle School Presents: Beauty and the Beast Jr. Dates: Friday Feb 2- Saturday Feb 10 at 7PM (4 shows) | Location: CMS Sanborn Auditorium | Tickets will be live for the general public on 1/21/24  (1/19/24 for families of the cast). Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. musical is playing at CMS Sanborn Auditorium from Friday February 2nd through Saturday February 10th at 7pm. (In case of inclement weather, there will be a snow date for each weekend of shows, Sunday February 4th at 2pm and Sunday February 11th at 2pm). The 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 1994 Broadway production and Disney’s 1991 animated feature film. The 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 1994 Broadway production and Disney’s 1991 animated feature film. The CMS cast includes 80 students led by Hannah Vincent, Kathryn Denney, Kellee Messier, and Sarah Kiefer (CCHS Senior). For information on purchasing tickets please visit https://ticketstage.com/T/CONCORDMS

IMSCC Music lessons - the Winter-Spring session starts this month! Enrollment is underway for the Winter-Spring session of one-on-one music lessons with IMSCC's expert instructors. The 16-week session begins this month. Lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele, after school and evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. New students can start the enrollment process by filling out a lesson inquiry form.

Small group lessons for 4th and 5th graders: IMSCC instructors teach groups of 3-5 students learning the same instrument with separate groups for first year and second year players. Group lessons start at the end of January and are available for flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, low brass and violin/viola. Click here for information and to register. More information is on IMSCC's website. If you have questions please email Debbie Levine.

WBYC 3rd Annual Speaker Series: A Conversation with Nick & Susie Shaw

Five Years Later: A Journey of Love, Hope and Resilience: In 2019, Carlisle parents Nick and Susie Shaw suffered what many parents view as their worst nightmare when their 9-year-old son William died in a tragic ski accident. In the five years since that devastating event, the Shaws have faced down the darkest days and nights of grief as they mourned their beloved boy -- but they have also discovered the ways that a loving family can evolve and grow in even the most difficult times, touched by glimmers of joy. Together, Nick and Susie have explored the ever-shifting boundaries of strength, love, hope, and resilience, and in doing so, they have created a belief system for how we can all face down difficulties and maneuver our way through challenging times. Please join us for this important conversation about the unexpected lessons that the shared experience of life can teach all of us. Seats can be reserved at WBYC.

About WBYC: WBYC is a local nonprofit that strives to shine a light on mental health and grief awareness. You can learn more about WBYC, our mission, and our inspiration - William Shaw - at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.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 - January 11, 2024

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

January Nurse’s Note from Colleen Asselin: With the cold weather upon us, please remember to dress your children appropriately for the weather conditions when sending them to school.  All students go outside for recess, and we want everyone to be warm when having fun outside! Long pants, jackets, snow pants, boots, scarves, hats, mittens or gloves all help to keep our students warm and safe as they enjoy their time outside. We want them to be comfortable while enjoying these brisk winter days.  

Mittens are warmer than gloves. Dressing in layers is always a good thing, and layers offer superior insulation. Please be sure to include these items so they can enjoy the snow. If your child wears their boots to school on PE day, please remind them to bring sneakers to school for PE class. As the weather warms up (thinking of spring already!), your child can shed a layer at a time. 

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Calendar and important dates

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

Jan 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan 19 - Hat Day

CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

IMSCC Music lessons - the Winter-Spring session starts this month! Enrollment is underway for the Winter-Spring session of one-on-one music lessons with IMSCC's expert instructors. The 16-week session begins this month. Lessons are available for all band and orchestra instruments as well as voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele, after school and evenings at CCHS and the Carlisle school. New students can start the enrollment process by filling out a lesson inquiry form.

Small group lessons for 4th and 5th graders: IMSCC instructors teach groups of 3-5 students learning the same instrument with separate groups for first year and second year players. Group lessons start at the end of January and are available for flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, low brass and violin/viola. Click here for information and to register. More information is on IMSCC's website. If you have questions please email Debbie Levine.

Come watch and discuss The Busing Battleground, a PBS documentary showing how civil rights battles were fought in Boston as it implemented court-ordered school desegregation in the 1970s. Viewing followed by panel discussion involving individuals with direct experience with the controversial busing plan. Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2:00-5:00 pm. In person and via Zoom. Register here to receive updates and to obtain a Zoom link for the event. Drop-ins welcome. Hosted by the Racial Justice Action Group at First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord.

WBYC 3rd Annual Speaker Series: A Conversation with Nick & Susie Shaw

Five Years Later: A Journey of Love, Hope and Resilience: In 2019, Carlisle parents Nick and Susie Shaw suffered what many parents view as their worst nightmare when their 9-year-old son William died in a tragic ski accident. In the five years since that devastating event, the Shaws have faced down the darkest days and nights of grief as they mourned their beloved boy -- but they have also discovered the ways that a loving family can evolve and grow in even the most difficult times, touched by glimmers of joy. Together, Nick and Susie have explored the ever-shifting boundaries of strength, love, hope, and resilience, and in doing so, they have created a belief system for how we can all face down difficulties and maneuver our way through challenging times. Please join us for this important conversation about the unexpected lessons that the shared experience of life can teach all of us. Seats can be reserved at WBYC.

About WBYC: WBYC is a local nonprofit that strives to shine a light on mental health and grief awareness. You can learn more about WBYC, our mission, and our inspiration - William Shaw - at www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org.

CCYBS Softball SPRING SEASON REGISTRATION: Registration for the spring season of Concord-Carlisle Softball is open until February 10th. Beginning on February 11th, there will be a $50 late fee, so REGISTER NOW. Families registering more than one player will receive a $30 discount. If you require financial assistance with the costs for clinics or season registrations, please do not hesitate to contact Toni-Lynn Hansen (Softball Director, director.ccybs.softball@gmail.com).

Concord Public Library Events

All Ages

  • Winter Seed Sow with Lady Fern Farm: Saturday, January 20 at 2 PM at Fowler

Register: Lady Fern Farm will educate participants about winter seed sowing and the benefits of adding native plants to our yards. Participants will then plant two milk jugs with native seeds that require cold weather for germination. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Teens and Tweens

  • Otaku Bell: Thursday, January 11 at 4 PM at the Main Library

No Registration Required: Join this club and celebrate Japanese media and pop culture! Discuss your favorite manga and anime titles, share art, learn about local conventions and events, and eat delicious Japanese goodies! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

  • Random Insanity Game Show: Thursday, January 18 at 4 PM at the Main Library

No Registration Required: Be a contestant in our mad mash-up of game shows and do your best to navigate the chaos of ridiculous rules to win fabulous prizes! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

  • Video Game Tournament: Tuesday, January 30 at 3:45 PM at Main Library

No Registration Required: Grab a prize at this ranked Super Smash Brothers tournament, but bring your deodorant because the competition in this classic brawler is going to be extra sweaty. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

Kids

  • Sustainability Studio with Mothers Out Front (Ages 7 & under): Sat, Jan 27 at 11 AM at Fowler

No Registration Required: Together with Mothers Out Front, we'll explore the theme of "Reduce, Reuse" through a mix of stories, songs, and crafting. More info here.

Parents and Educators

  • Opting for Growth by Embracing Stress and Emotion: Let's Get Uncomfortable with Karin Hodges: Thursday, January 18 at 5:30 PM at the Main Library

Register: With the current mental health crisis affecting the younger generation, it's more critical than ever to concentrate on fostering environments that promote growth. Dr. Hodges will share her insights on how to foster such an environment as a parent or caregiver for children and teens.

Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge: Concord kindergarteners and their adults are invited to join us to learn all about Girl Scouts and how YOU can participate as we do a fun activity from the Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge on Thursday, February 8th, at 6:15 PM in the Concord Free Public Library lower-level meeting room. Please confirm your attendance at gsema.org/eventrsvp2. Unable to attend or have an older child and want to learn more? Please visit gsema.org/moreinfo, and a council staff member will be in touch.

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 - January 4, 2024

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Concord Public Schools: How Are Our Children Doing After Covid? Dr Hunter will be speaking on Friday, January 5, 2024, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Main Branch of the Concord Public Library regarding the Concord public schools’ handling of the post-Covid academic, social, and emotional demands on students and challenges for educators. Please consider joining the forum in person or virtually for this update

Alcott Before School Sports Session #3: Our program starts back up on Monday, January 8th and ends on Thursday, February 15th. All the info can be found by clicking this flyer. We look forward to your students having a fun-filled session of games, gymnastics and sports. Registration is live and can be accessed through this link. It's under the "register here" tab and then "general recreation programs-Alcott Before School Sports." Thanks, Tim Gaudreau and Jan Flannery

The Concord Middle School Coats for Kids Club needs your help. Their annual Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids drive is underway. The goal this year is to collect 400 coats. Please consider donating any gently-used coats by sending them to school with your child. The drop off box is by 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, vests, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens or snow pants. The drive runs until January 7th, 2024. 

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Calendar and important dates

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

Jan 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan 19 - Hat Day

CPS/CCRSD 23-24 School Calendar can be found here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

January 4th 7:00-8:30 pm / Online SEPAC Presents:  Summer Programs: Although it’s still winter, we are already thinking about summer! Come join SEPAC to learn more about the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) programs for the summer. Plus a handful of local camps including Concord Recreation & Inclusion Camp, Fuse Academy, Drumlin Farm, Peter Pan Center & Timbernook Camp.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82727052124?pwd=cUgrd05lVTVrQ2JOc283ZUZtcnpSdz09

Meeting ID: 827 2705 2124 Passcode: 631697

Registration is open for CCYS Winter Futsal & Spring 2024 Travel and Intown Soccer. Travel soccer is open to players in grades 3 through 8. The travel registration deadline is JANUARY 5th. Intown soccer is open to players in grades Pre-K – 4. The intown deadline is MARCH 4th. Winter futsal sessions run Sundays in Carlisle for players in grades 2-8. Winter futsal is a fun, low-cost option for your players this winter. More info can be found at: http://www.ccysoccer.org.  CLICK HERE to register.

CCYBS Softball Opportunities

  • WINTER CLINIC REGISTRATION: It’s time to grab gloves, bats and helmets to get ready for the spring season. This winter, we are offering a winter clinic at AtBats in Boxboro, MA. We are thrilled to share that CCYBS Softball will be offering small group instruction this winter for players in Grades 4-8 starting January 16, 2024 and ending February 15, 2024. Please REGISTER by January 8th. For more detailed information about the clinics, visit our website and scroll down to the Winter Clinics section. Stay tuned because we will also be offering pre-season April larger group clinics for Grades 1-8.

  • SPRING SEASON REGISTRATION: Registration for the spring season of Concord-Carlisle Softball is open until February 10th. Beginning on February 11th, there will be a $50 late fee, so REGISTER NOW. Families registering more than one player will receive a $30 discount. If you require financial assistance with the costs for clinics or season registrations, please do not hesitate to contact Toni-Lynn Hansen (Softball Director, director.ccybs.softball@gmail.com).

Concord Public Library Opportunities

All Ages

  • Winter Seed Sow: Sunday, January 7 at 1 PM at Verrill Farm

Register: In this workshop led by Isabel Bailey of the Concord Pollinator Health Committee, we will learn how to sow seeds into milk jugs for easy, outdoor, over-wintering germination of native pollinator-supporting plants. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

  • Winter Seed Sow with Lady Fern Farm: Saturday, January 20 at 2 PM at Fowler

Register: Lady Fern Farm will educate participants about winter seed sowing and the benefits of adding native plants to our yards. Participants will then plant two milk jugs with native seeds that require cold weather for germination. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Teens and Tweens

  • Otaku Bell: Thursday, January 11 at 4 PM at the Main Library

No Registration Required: Join this club and celebrate Japanese media and pop culture! Discuss your favorite manga and anime titles, share art, learn about local conventions and events, and eat delicious Japanese goodies! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

  • Random Insanity Game Show: Thursday, January 18 at 4 PM at the Main Library

No Registration Required: Be a contestant in our mad mash-up of game shows and do your best to navigate the chaos of ridiculous rules to win fabulous prizes! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

  • Video Game Tournament: Tuesday, January 30 at 3:45 PM at Main Library

No Registration Required: Grab a prize at this ranked Super Smash Brothers tournament, but bring your deodorant because the competition in this classic brawler is going to be extra sweaty. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. More info here.

Kids

  • Dance Workshop: An Introduction to Bharatanatyam (Ages 3-7): Sat, Jan 13 at 11 AM at Fowler

Register: Explore the imaginative world of dance through this workshop in the Bharatanatyam repertoire, a South Indian classical dance form. Participants will be introduced to basic steps, rhythm, expressions, and storytelling.

  • Sustainability Studio with Mothers Out Front (Ages 7 & under): Sat, Jan 27 at 11 AM at Fowler

No Registration Required: Together with Mothers Out Front, we'll explore the theme of "Reduce, Reuse" through a mix of stories, songs, and crafting. More info here.

Parents and Educators

  • Opting for Growth by Embracing Stress and Emotion: Let's Get Uncomfortable with Karin Hodges: Thursday, January 18 at 5:30 PM at the Main Library

Register: With the current mental health crisis affecting the younger generation, it's more critical than ever to concentrate on fostering environments that promote growth. Dr. Hodges will share her insights on how to foster such an environment as a parent or caregiver for children and teens.

Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge: Concord kindergarteners and their adults are invited to join us to learn all about Girl Scouts and how YOU can participate as we do a fun activity from the Trolls It Takes Two Activity Challenge on Thursday, February 8th, at 6:15 PM in the Concord Free Public Library lower-level meeting room. Please confirm your attendance at gsema.org/eventrsvp2. Unable to attend or have an older child and want to learn more? Please visit gsema.org/moreinfo, and a council staff member will be in touch.

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!