The Thursday Owl - June 6, 2024

ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alcott Chess Tournament Winners: The Alcott Chess Tournament concluded and per club motto, everyone was a winner just by participating in the chess tournament. There was an eager roomful of parents to see their children receive medals, t-shirts and a host of prizes for their stellar results. Additionally, players from each of the three sections received trophies for top results. Those players are: Grades K+1: Bill Curran, Michael Flanagan, Harry Smith and Levin Laidlow; Grades 2+3: Kilian Bosdet, Jacob Stevens, William Gwin, Elise Brinker, Adam Siala and Gabriel Stevens; Grades 4+5: Eric Li, Jasper Weaver, Carter Schmidt and Erick Liu. What a thrill for the children to play in the 26th Alcott Chess Tournament. 

End of Year MFF Celebration: You’re invited to a final celebration of METCO Family Friends to mark the end of a great school year together. All K-8th grade students, with or without a buddy, are welcome.

When: After school on Wednesday, June 12th until 3:00pm

Where: Alcott Playground

What: Pizza & ice cream party

To let us know if you’ll join the party, please link to this Sign Up Genius. If you need the late bus (leaving Alcott at 3pm), please link to the Google Form. Parents/guardians who can chaperone, please reach out to Solange Benjamin at sbenjamin@concordps.org or by phone.

Looking forward to seeing you there! All of the information above is also included here.

From Art Teacher Hannah Brady

5th Grade Stop Motion Videos: Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for Arts Night on Wednesday, 5/29! 5th grade families can find the stop motion animation videos here

Green Art Bags: Please be on the lookout for any green Art Bags that you might have at home and send them back in with your students. We only have about 5 currently in the art classroom which makes it tricky to send home large format art. Thank you!

School Supplies 2024-2025: We've partnered with 1st Day School Supplies to make shopping for your child's supplies super easy! Just click here and purchase your child's supplies for next year (select the grade they will be in for 24-25) and it will be delivered to your child's classroom at Alcott before school starts in August. Please consider purchasing an extra kit or 2 to donate for those in need. Deadline to order is July 1.

Library Books: If you can't find your library books, please replace them or send in a check payable to "Alcott Lost Book Fund" so that we may replace the items. The Library Book Swap will run through June 7th. During class library time, students can exchange 1-3 books from home (elementary school age appropriate and in gently used condition) that they no longer want for books that other students have swapped. 

Thank you for supporting the Alcott Library.  -Kerry O'Rourke

Ice Cream Celebration: To celebrate the end of the school year and congratulate all our students on a fantastic year, the Alcott PTG is sponsoring an Ice Cream Celebration in school on Friday, June 7 after students' lunch recess period. Look out for more information from your child's teacher and respond to the survey to participate!

Alcott Instagram - Follow Alcott on Instagram

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on Twitter (X)

Calendar and important dates

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

June 7 - PTG Ice Cream Celebration and Alcott School T-Shirt Day Spirit Day

June 7 - Alcott Variety Show (evening)

June 12 - METCO Family Friends Celebration (after school)

June 13 - Last day of school (half day)

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

IN THE COMMUNITY

SEPAC Board Elections Thursday June 6th at 6pm: Interested in joining SEPAC? Membership is free and open to all parents of children with disabilities in our Concord, Carlisle and Boston communities and other interested parties.

The mission of the Concord SEPAC is straightforward — we aim to serve as a resource to families, foster an inclusive culture in our schools & communities, and advise our districts on issues that affect the safety & education of our children.

Do you have ideas on how SEPAC can be a better resource? Help build our community? Or collaborate with our districts? We are a parent run volunteer organization and YOU can make a difference in our schools & communities.

No special education background or experience required! Questions? You can reach us at concordsepac@gmail.com.

June 6th @6pm on Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86156736821?pwd=MVja5ZSucR7pdbmzjbZ21V4RCllL6B.1
Meeting ID: 861 5673 6821 / Passcode: 190554

Concord-Carlisle Fall 2024 Travel Soccer: Registration is open for Concord-Carlisle Fall 2024 Travel Soccer for players in grades 3 through 8. Registration closes on June 14th. For more information go to www.ccysoccer.org.

The Warner's Pond Task Force will host a workshop to collect public input and provide an update on the work of the Task Force to date. The workshop will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:30 - 7pm at the Harvey Wheeler Center (1276 Main Street).

CFPL Book Sale: Come to the biggest and best book sale around. Join us on the main library lawn from 10am-3pm on June 8th and purchase your summer reads for amazingly low prices. Special collectibles, DVDs, vinyl, CDs and of course any type of book you can think of will be available one day only. To volunteer for this amazing community event sign up here!

The Adrian Martinez Classic--Family fun at Emerson Track: The Adrian Martinez Classic, a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund (administered by the Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle) and The Friends of CCHS Track & Field, is on Saturday June 8th from 4-8pm. Sign up to run the mile, the 8-under 800m fun run, or the family fun 4x400 relay; stay to cheer on some of the best athletes in the world: the elite section of the meet will feature world champions, Olympians, and many other world class athletes. More information at www.martinezclassic.com.

Town Meeting - Ready for your input: Did you make it to Town Meeting this year? At the meeting (before and after as well), there was much discussion about making the meeting more accessible for more people. The Town Meeting Study Committee has begun its work. Your input is welcome anytime. Please email comments and suggestions to: TMSC@concordma.gov. Visit the webpage for the most current information: https://concordma.gov/3639/Town-Meeting-Study-Committee.

Registration Open for Summer Private Lessons at Concord Conservatory of Music—Sharpen your skills or learn a new instrument this summer. Whether you are starting fresh with the guitar, trumpet, violin, or cello, or looking to fine-tune your skills, our accomplished faculty is here to guide you. With their expertise and passion for teaching, they provide personalized instruction that caters to all ages and skill levels, ensuring a rewarding and enriching summer learning experience. Complete the New Student Lesson Inquiry Form on ConcordConservatory.org, email Student Services Manager Emma Huggard at ehuggard@concordconservatory.org, or call (978) 369-0010. Financial assistance available.

Enroll now for fall music lessons at Concord ConservatoryOne-On-One Music Instruction for all ages and abilities. Love music? Whether you are eager to learn a new instrument, enhance your current skills, or sing with confidence, we have you covered. Enroll yourself and your children for top-tier private music lessons for the fall, beginning Tuesday, September 3rd. Discover the benefits of CCM beyond private lessons with our free enrichment Music Achievement Program. CCM offers private lessons for various instruments, including bass, banjo, cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, mandolin, piano, saxophone, trumpet, viola, and violin as well as percussion and voice instruction. ConcordConservatory.org / (978) 369-0010. Financial assistance available.

Concord Conservatory of Music’s Early Bird Discount on Fall Classes—Ignite your passion for music—it's time for you and your whole family to learn an instrument in a fun and engaging group class. Enroll in a fall 2024 group class by Tuesday, June 11, to receive special early bird pricing. Delve into a world where musical exploration meets developmental milestones with our dynamic classes designed to promote physical, linguistic, social, cognitive, and musical growth in children of all ages and abilities. ConcordConservatory.org (978) 369-0010. CCM is the area’s non-profit community music school. Financial assistance available.

Kids Naturally Fall Registration is Now Open: Studies show that children who spend more time playing outside are happier, healthier, and do better in school. Kids Naturally, an experiential outdoor program created by a Concord parent and based in W. Concord, is now accepting registration for our fall programs: 

🌱 Wednesdays in the Woods: take advantage of the half day Wednesdays to get your kids outside

🌱 Wild Wonders Weekends: a monthly program on Sunday afternoons 

🌱Open-Air Thursdays: our newest program designed with a slightly younger crowd in mind

Register Now at Kids-Naturally.com.

Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council Concord Race Amity Day Community Celebration: We are the flowers of one garden, the leaves of one tree, and the waves of one ocean." The Race Amity Planning Committee is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Race Amity Day Community Celebration at Alcott Elementary School on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. We warmly invite all faculty, staff, students, families, town employees, community partners, and organizations from Boston, Concord, and Carlisle to join us for this special event. Click here or scan the QR code on the event flyer to RSVP, volunteer to assist with the event, sign up to bring a cultural dish or other food and beverages, or host an inclusive and appropriate activity table or field games. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the planning committee: Richard Yamartino at richyama8@gmail.com, Ji Orloff at jdorloff2008@gmail.com, or Andrew K. Nyamekye at anyamekye@concordps.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!

Owl Blast- METCO Family & Friends end-of-the-year celebration

Concord METCO End-of-the-Year Picnic

When: Sun, June 2 (no rain date)

Where: Hunt Almont Park 40 Almont Street Boston, MA 02126

Who: All are welcome!

We would be delighted to have you join us for the Concord METCO Family & Friends end-of-the-year celebration. We will enjoy games, laughter & good food together. Please feel free to bring a dish to share with the group, and a blanket or chair if you’d like to sit and relax. There will be tables, pizza & snacks provided for all.

Let us know if you will be attending by clicking here (link to google form). 

Click here (link to signup genius) to sign up for food.

Thank you, and looking forward to having you join us!



The Thursday Owl - May 30, 2024


ALCOTT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spring Concord METCO Picnic: Please join us for the Spring Picnic for Concord and Boston families! We are looking forward to this annual event and hope that your students and their families can enjoy this afternoon together for food, games, all-around fun and community-building!

Where: Almont Park, 40 Almont St. Mattapan, MA

When: Sunday, June 2nd, from 1:00-3:00pm

If you can volunteer to support this event, please contact Tanika Williams (tanikaw261@gmail.com). We need volunteers to bring in sports equipment from Alcott and to organize snacks and drinks on the day of the picnic. 

The Alcott Chess Tournament: wrapped up this past week and it was an overwhelming success. There were three sections: Grades K&1, 2&3, 4&5. And everyone in all three sections notched points. That is indeed success! All the prizes and gifts, medals, t-shirts and trophies were distributed Thursday, May 30. Needless to say, the children and parents were excited. Those who earned trophies will be announced next week. Stay tuned. Wishing you all chess and cheers for a long, fun summer.

School Supplies 2024-2025: We've partnered with 1st Day School Supplies to make shopping for your child's supplies super easy! Just click here and purchase your child's supplies for next year (select the grade they will be in for 24-25) and it will be delivered to your child's classroom at Alcott before school starts in August. Please consider purchasing an extra kit or 2 to donate for those in need. Deadline to order is July 1.

Library Books: Please return all checked-out books to the library by June 5th. If you can't find any items, please replace them or send in a check payable to "Alcott Lost Book Fund" so that we may replace the items. The Library Book Swap will run from May 28th - June 7th. During class library time, students can exchange 1-3 books from home (elementary school age appropriate and in gently used condition) that they no longer want for books that other students have swapped. 

Thank you for supporting the Alcott Library.  

-Kerry O'Rourke

Ice Cream Celebration: To celebrate the end of the school year and congratulate all our students on a fantastic year the Alcott PTG is sponsoring an Ice Cream Celebration in school on Friday, June 7 after students' lunch recess period. Look out for more information from your child's teacher and respond to the survey to participate!

Alcott Instagram - Follow Alcott on Instagram

Alcott Twitter - Follow Alcott on Twitter (X)

Calendar and important dates

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

June 2 - Spring Concord METCO Picnic

June 7 - PTG Ice Cream Celebration and Alcott School T-Shirt Day Spirit Day

June 7 - Alcott Variety Show (evening)

June 13- Last day of school (half day)

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

IN THE COMMUNITY

CFPL Book Sale: Come to the biggest and best book sale around. Join us on the main library lawn from 10am-3pm on June 8th and purchase your summer reads for amazingly low prices. Special collectibles, DVDs, vinyl, CDs and of course any type of book you can think of will be available one day only. To volunteer for this amazing community event sign up here! 

We need your gently used books! Please bring your gently used books to the main library in Concord for donation to the June book sale before 6/1. Many thanks for supporting your local library and the Friends of the Free Concord Public Library. If you have any questions, email friends@concordlibrary.org

The Adrian Martinez Classic--Family fun at Emerson Track:  The Adrian Martinez Classic, a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund (administered by the Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle) and The Friends of CCHS Track & Field, is on Saturday June 8th from 4-8pm. Sign up to run the mile, the 8-under 800m fun run, or the family fun 4x400 relay; stay to cheer on some of the best athletes in the world: the elite section of the meet will feature world champions, Olympians, and many other world class athletes. More information at www.martinezclassic.com.

Town Meeting - Ready for your input: Did you make it to Town Meeting this year? At the meeting (before and after as well), there was much discussion about making the meeting more accessible for more people. The Town Meeting Study Committee has begun its work. Your input is welcome anytime. Please email comments and suggestions to: TMSC@concordma.gov  Visit the webpage for the most current information: https://concordma.gov/3639/Town-Meeting-Study-Committee

Concord Conservatory of Music’s Early Bird Discount on Fall Classes—Ignite your passion for music—it's time for you and your whole family to learn an instrument in a fun and engaging group class. Enroll in a fall 2024 group class by Tuesday, June 11, to receive special early bird pricing. Delve into a world where musical exploration meets developmental milestones with our dynamic classes designed to promote physical, linguistic, social, cognitive, and musical growth in children of all ages and abilities. ConcordConservatory.org (978) 369-0010. CCM is the area’s non-profit community music school. Financial assistance available.

Music Lessons with IMSCC - Fall Enrollment for new students is underway! Fall lesson registration: IMSCC is accepting inquiries about Fall semester private lessons for new students! Click here to fill out the inquiry form to start the enrollment process. Currently enrolled students are automatically pre-enrolled in the fall session and will receive an invoice on June 3 - an inquiry form is not necessary for continuing students. Fall semester Small Group Lessons: Lessons in small groups of 3-5 students are available this fall for many band and orchestra instruments. These lessons, grouped by instrument, are for 4th and 5th graders in their first or second year of playing. Click here to learn more and to register. We will be adding more classes over the next few weeks - if you don't see the class you are looking for, you can email Debbie Levine and we'll contact you when that class has been scheduled and registration is open.  Summer lesson registrationALL students, new and returning, please fill out the inquiry formSummer ensembles: Click here for information about IMSCC's summer ensembles. Visit the IMSCC website to learn more about the program, email Debbie Levine with questions!

Free Rhythmic Solfège Class hosted by Concord Conservatory—Inspire your child's passion for music with a free Rhythmic Solfège class on Saturday, June 1 from 10 – 11 am for kids ages 6 through 10. Rhythmic Solfège introduces music theory through interactive rhythm games, creative movement, songs, ear training, sight-singing, and improvisation, making learning both fun and fulfilling. It’s the perfect complement to instrumental lessons or a wonderful preparatory step for younger children. Sign up in advance: concordconservatory.org/events/rhythmic-solfege-demo/  CCM offers Rhythmic Solfège as a yearlong program with multiple levels. A CCM instructor will evaluate your student to ensure appropriate placement. ConcordConservatory.org / info@concordconservatory.org / (978) 369-0010

Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council Concord Race Amity Day Community Celebration: We are the flowers of one garden, the leaves of one tree, and the waves of one ocean." The Race Amity Planning Committee is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Race Amity Day Community Celebration at Alcott Elementary School on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. We warmly invite all faculty, staff, students, families, town employees, community partners, and organizations from Boston, Concord, and Carlisle to join us for this special event. Click here or scan the QR code on the event flyer to RSVP, volunteer to assist with the event, sign up to bring a cultural dish or other food and beverages, or host an inclusive and appropriate activity table or field games. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the planning committee: Richard Yamartino at richyama8@gmail.com, Ji Orloff at jdorloff2008@gmail.com, or Andrew K. Nyamekye at anyamekye@concordps.org.

Milldam Ducky Fair - June 1, 10-12pm: Mark your calendars for the 19th Annual Milldam Ducky Fair on Saturday, June 1 from 10am-12pm. This year's fair will be in the middle of the Emerson Track Field (between Stow and Thoreau Streets). We hope you'll join us for music, train rides, ice cream, crafts, games, pony rides, and a fun run. Free Admission and all are welcome!

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!