The Thursday Owl - May 15, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

The PTG provides information and support to the Alcott community and raises funds to help make our school the best it can be.

News and Announcements

School Supplies 2025-2026

We've partnered with 1st Day School Supplies again 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 25-26) 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. The order deadline is July 1.

Alcott Bike to School Day is May 20!

  • What: Our spring Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is Tuesday, May 20th!

  • When: Tuesday, May 20 starting at 8:30AM (Keyes Rd) and 8:45AM (Emerson Park)

  • Where: There are two departure locations: 1. The "Bike Train" leaves the station at the Keyes Rd. parking lot at 8:30AM. 2. A "Walking School Bus" for METCO students and any other Alcott Students, friends and family who may wish to walk and roll together, will begin at 8:45AM at Emerson Park.

  • Who: This event is for Alcott students, parents, family and friends. As always, thank you to the Concord Police Department for their support in making this event safe and fun for all!

The event will take place rain or shine. Please see additional information here.

5th Grade Spring Fair May 22nd

The Spring Fair is next week on May 22! It will be held during the school day. The Spring Fair is organized by the 5th graders to raise money and provide a fun morning out in the sunshine for the whole school. The 5th graders will be designing various games and activities, so please have your kids dress appropriately with sneakers. Each class will rotate into the fair for 30 minutes per class. This year we are doing pre-order ticket sales which will be $8 per student, and kids will be able to play as many games as the time is permitted. K-4 students can purchase their Spring Fair tickets HERE, or use the QR code below

Library Volunteers

Mrs. O'Rourke is looking for library volunteers for the 2025-26 school year.  Volunteers check in and shelve books Monday - Friday from 8:50 - 9:15 and will need to commit to a weekly spot for the whole year. If you are interested, please email korourke@concordps.org and let Mrs. O'Rourke know what day(s) you are available. Thanks for your support!

Alcott Parent Social

The Annual Alcott Parent Social will be Saturday June 7th. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased using this link. Food will be provided by Amigos Locos taco truck (included in your ticket purchase!). The PTG Auction will have amazing prizes to bid on - stay tuned! The event is BYOB. The event location will be disclosed with the purchase of your ticket. We look forward to gathering as a community at the social!

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. After starting the year with about 100 bags, we only have about 5 currently in the art classroom, which makes it tricky to send home large format art. Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunities

May Composting at Lunch (Alcott cafeteria): sign up here

Substitute Teachers Needed: If you are Interested in learning more about substitute teaching in Concord, please visit this website. To apply to become a substitute teacher, please complete this application.

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • May 15 and 16 - Grade 5 Science MCAS

  • May 16 - A Summer Day in May Spirit Day

  • May 20 - Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day

  • May 22 - Spring Fair (during school hours)

  • May 26 - Memorial Day (No School)

  • May 27 - Silent Auction Live (ahead of Parent Social)

  • May 28 - Field Day (during school hours)

  • June 7 - Parent Social

  • June 13- 5th Grade Moving up Ceremony

  • June 16- Last Day of School

In the Community

Rising 6th Grade Families, You’re invited to the CMS Book Fair!

We’re thrilled to partner with The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton to bring a magical week of books and reading to our school. The book fair will be open on Tuesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 22 from 3-5:30pm for families. This is an opportunity to take a sneak peak at a CMS PTG Event, support the PTG and have some fun at CMS. 

SEPAC coffee

SEPAC coffee - Wednesday, May 21st-9:00a.m. @ Saltbox Kitchen. Please join us for a casual conversation. Get to know other parents and caregivers with students who also have learning differences. SEPAC board members will also be available to answer questions and chat. You can find more information on our website and on social media about other events. www.concordsepac.org

Annual Town Meeting June 2

The 2025 Annual Town Meeting has been scheduled to begin on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM at Concord-Carlisle High School, 500 Walden Street and to continue subsequent evenings as needed. The full Annual Town Meeting Calendar can be viewed here. The 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant can be found here

Concord PossAbilities

A fun new store has opened in Concord called Concord PossAbilities. Concord PossAbilities is managed and staffed by Concord Launch students and staff. This amazing store can help you create customized gifts, Spirit Wear, signage and more!  Stop by and visit at 199 Sudbury Road, Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 2:15 PM. Stay tuned for a web presence! 

Summer Reading Dragons 2025!

We are very excited to announce that the Summer Reading Dragons program is returning to the Concord Free Public Library!  Last summer over 1,000 children participated in our initiative to help prevent the dreaded summer slide.  Kids may register at either the Main or Fowler Branch.  They will receive a reading log and are encouraged to read at least 15 minutes every day to start.  All forms of reading are accepted: graphic novels, audio books, even magazines.  When children bring their reading log to the library, they will have earned one dragon trading card for every other day of reading.  As cards accumulate, they earn raffle tickets for some really fun prizes: giant squishmallows, art supplies, science kits, etc...Registration starts on Monday, June 9th and the program runs for 10 weeks.  Reading Dragons is aimed for elementary school aged children but we are also running a Rubber Ducky Club program for pre-readers and a Teen program for middle and high school students.

Kids Naturally 2nd Birthday Party!

You're invited to the Kids Naturally 2nd Birthday Party! Sunday June 1st from 2 to 5 pm in W. Concord Play outside like nature intended with the whole family, and enjoy tasty fireside treats! This community event is FREE for the whole family, but registration is required. Register Now at Kids-Naturally.com

Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility

May 19 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility.  Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. Additional information can be found 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 2025 Summer Field Hockey Camp (CCHS; Tuesday, 6/17-Friday, 6/20; 9am-2pm):  https://www.patriotfieldhockeyclinics.com/

SEPAC Weekly Office Hours

SEPAC holds weekly office hours at the Concord Main Library in the cafe area. These take place every Tuesday from 11am-12:30pm, except for the third Tuesday of each month when they take place from 6-8pm. Office hours provide an opportunity to talk in person with a member of the SEPAC Board to help answer any special education questions and get parent-to-parent support. All are welcome!

Join the Alcott PTG

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!

Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA

The Thursday Owl - May 1, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

May 1, 2025

The PTG provides information and support to the Alcott community and raises funds to help make our school the best it can be.

Flowers at CCHS

News and Announcements

Concord Carlisle Courage

The families of Hannah, Jimmy and Maisey are in our thoughts and prayers, and we send our deepest sympathies to all those impacted.

Teacher Appreciation Week: NEXT WEEK!  

Please be on the lookout for an email from your room parents about how you can help show our teachers how wonderful they are! 

MFF Spring Picnic Now May 10

A reminder that the Metco Family Friends End of Year Picnic has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 10 from 1-3 pm at Almont Park in Mattapan. Please sign up here and sign up to bring a dish to share here. Questions? Contact Solange at sbenjamin@concordps.org.

Alcott PTG Open Meeting: Wednesday, May 14

The last open PTG meeting of the school year will take place on Wednesday May 14th. The slate for the 2025-2026 school year Alcott PTG Board and Committee will be voted on at this meeting. All are welcome to attend. The meeting will take place in the Alcott cafeteria from 7-8pm.

Alcott Bike to School Day is May 20

Save the date for Alcott’s Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day! The event will take place rain or shine. See more information here.

Alcott Parent Social Date Change: Saturday, June 7

The Annual Alcott Parent Social has been moved to Saturday June 7th. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased using this link. Food will be provided by Amigos Locos taco truck (included in your ticket purchase!). The PTG Auction will have amazing prizes to bid on - stay tuned! The event is BYOB. The event location will be disclosed with the purchase of your ticket. We look forward to gathering as a community at the social!

Alcott Field Day Volunteers Needed

Hello Alcott Community! Our annual Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025. We are looking for volunteers to help with stations (no experience necessary)! The event will run from 9am-12pm on Alcott school fields. We will meet in the Alcott gym by 9am to get assignments. You will need a current CORI form to volunteer. If you are unsure about your CORI form status, the front office can help. 

Please email me at tgaudreau@concordps.org by Friday, May 23rd. Thanks, Tim Gaudreau, Alcott PE Teacher

Square 1 Art Fundraiser Note of Thanks

We want to extend our appreciation and thanks to all of our students and their families for your participation in our first ever Square 1 art fundraiser. Thanks to your orders, and celebration of your child's art, we raised over $3600 for our school community! The money raised will go directly back to our school, funding additional enrichment opportunities, field trips, exciting events and more for our whole community. We are also incredibly appreciative of Mrs. Brady's help in inspiring our young artists and helping us organize the procurement of their artwork for this fundraiser. We hope you and your children will enjoy your uniquely wonderful Square 1 keepsakes for years to come!

The Alcott PTG Fundraising Team

Alcott Chess Updates

Welcome back from vacation everybody! The Alcott Chess Tournament begins this week with a warm-up session. The games begin next week, one a week through the end of May. And then June 5 is the gala celebration when all awards are distributed. And parents, you are invited to attend the awards ceremony! This is a memorable event. Be sure that your children don't miss out.

Tournament details are included here. This is not your normal chess tournament. It's for all ages, all grades, all skill levels. Don't be concerned if your child will enjoy it. They will. It's fun for everyone. Everyone plays, everybody wins! So, complete the attached form today and email it to alcottchess@hotmail.com. It's your move! 

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. After starting the year with about 100 bags, we only have about 5 currently in the art classroom, which makes it tricky to send home large format art. Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunities

May Composting at Lunch (Alcott cafeteria): sign up here

Substitute Teachers Needed: If you are Interested in learning more about substitute teaching in Concord, please visit this website. To apply to become a substitute teacher, please complete this application.

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • May 1 - Alcott Chess Tournament Begins

  • May 1 and 5 - Grade 3 Math MCAS

  • May 6 and 8 - Grade 5 Math MCAS

  • May 10 - MFF Spring Picnic

  • May 12 and 13 - Grade 4 Math MCAS

  • May 14 - PTG Open Meeting at Alcott (7pm)

  • May 15 and 16 - Grade 5 Science MCAS

  • May 16 - A Summer Day in May Spirit Day

  • May 20 - Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day

  • May 22 - Spring Fair (during school hours)

  • May 26 - Memorial Day (No School)

  • May 27 - Silent Auction Live (ahead of Parent Social)

  • May 28 - Field Day (during school hours)

  • June 7 - Parent Social

In the Community

Concord Family Bike Fest

Pedal into fun with bike skill-building, e-bike test rides, helmet fitting, and more! This is for all ages on Sunday, May 4 from 1-3pm at Thoreau School. Find more info here.

Concord Children's Center Preschool Open House

On May 3 from 10am-12pm, come learn about enrollment opportunities for the 25-26 school year! Special musical performance by beloved children’s musician, Peter Sheridan. Bring the whole family for a fun filled morning of discovery and entertainment! The Open House will be at the West Concord location (1300 Main Street).

Free Sarah Ward Seminar

Join Sarah Ward and Kristen Jacobsen on Tuesday, May 6 from 12-1pm for a free webinar about their new Time Tracker Program book series and get an inside look at the tools and strategies behind the program!

Whether or not you have the books, join them as they share practical strategies and tips for time management and executive functioning. This is helpful for caregivers, educators, and therapists who support students from elementary grades through college. Register for the free webinar here! Can’t attend live? Register to get the replay.

From Fear to Understanding: Fostering Open Conversations in the Digital Age

Join us on Tuesday, May 14, from 7–8:30 PM at Concord Middle School for an expert-led panel discussion on the impact of technology and social media on youth. Inspired by the powerful series Adolescence, this free event explores how digital life is shaping kids today—and what families, schools, and communities can do to support healthier habits. Hosted by Turning Life On, featuring expert panelists including State Rep. Simon Cataldo, Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Detective Sergeant Trista Manchuso, Adrienne Principe, and Dr. Nancy Santoro. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Find more info here. Hosted by Turning Life On.

Register: IMSCC Summer Lessons!

Would your young student like to get a head start learning a new instrument? Does your child who has had 1-2 years of school lessons want more in-depth individualized instruction? Does your middle or high school student want to work on fall audition pieces over the summer? Lessons are available for students of all ages and levels including adults. The summer session is flexible – families can sign up for as many weeks as fit their schedule. Here’s the form to begin the enrollment process.

IMSCC Summer Music Ensembles Enrolling Now!

Click here to browse summer music classes and to register.

-Orchestra Summer Program (string players in grades 4 and 5)

-String Chamber Music Ensemble (string players in grades 9-12)

-Trombone Choir (in its 16th year; for low brass players grades 6+)

Bassoon Reed-Making Workshop

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 2025 Summer Field Hockey Camp (CCHS; Tuesday, 6/17-Friday, 6/20; 9am-2pm):  https://www.patriotfieldhockeyclinics.com/

Milldam Open House May 10th 

Come join Milldam Nursery School on May 10th from 10:00 AM-Noon for a performance by local favorites Rockabye Beats, a craft led by Umbrella Arts staff, ongoing tours plus free coffee, juice and donuts. We have limited spaces in all classes ages 2-5.  Milldam Nursery School is located at 20 Lexington Rd, Concord MA 01742. To RSVP or for more information, please reach out to: membership@milldamnurseryschool.org

SEPAC Annual Appreciation Awards 

The Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be honoring educators during our 8th Annual Appreciation Awards. This year’s awards will be delivered to recipients during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025). If you have a child on an IEP or 504 plan, please use this linked form to tell us about any exceptional educators, administrators, or staff in our districts you would like to honor with an Appreciation Award. You may use this form to submit as many nominations as you wish. This year we also will be creating a video tribute to our educators to be posted to SEPAC’s website and social media. If you and/or your child(ren) would like to provide a short video tribute (10-15 seconds) to honor their educators, you may do so by emailing the video to concordsepac@gmail.com.

Eating Healthy for Kids 

Tuesday May 6th 7:30pm. Come join us for an informative panel discussion featuring Joanne Csaplar, a licensed and registered dietitian and Early Intervention specialist, alongside experienced educators from Concord Children's Center, who specialize in infant, toddler, and preschool care. Together, they will offer invaluable support by providing realistic, science-based advice and encouragement to help today’s busy families make healthy food choices. They will also share practical tips for making mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about how to begin building these positive, lifelong habits in your young children's lives! Please see attached flyer for additional information.

SEPAC Weekly Office Hours

SEPAC holds weekly office hours at the Concord Main Library in the cafe area. These take place every Tuesday from 11am-12:30pm, except for the third Tuesday of each month when they take place from 6-8pm. Office hours provide an opportunity to talk in person with a member of the SEPAC Board to help answer any special education questions and get parent-to-parent support. All are welcome!

Join the Alcott PTG

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!

Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA

The Thursday Owl - April 10, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

April 10, 2025

The PTG provides information and support to the Alcott community and raises funds to help make our school the best it can be.

News and Announcements

Alcott Parent Social May 3rd!

Come gather with new and old friends at this year's Alcott Parent Social. The spring social will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at 6:30pm at a local Concord home. Food will be provided by the Amigos Locos taco truck starting at 7:00pm. Bid on some amazing auction items, such as 4 Red Sox Tickets and Fan Experience, gift cards to some of Boston's hottest restaurants, 50% off 2 Weeks at Camp Birch Hill Overnight Camp, and the ever popular ride in a Police Cruiser. New this year: items kids can bid on at school and join the fun, such as "Principle for a Day" or "Pick the Spirit Day Theme." Online bidding will be available the week before the social as well as in person at the May 3rd social. Parent Social tickets are $30 per person on sale starting next week. Links for both to follow - stay tuned! The event is BYOB. 

24-25 ALCOTT YEARBOOK ON SALE


NOW THROUGH MONDAY, APRIL 28TH! It's time to order your Alcott yearbook!  Your student will love this keepsake of the 23-24 school year.  The yearbook price is $36 and you may order online at 
coffeepond.com.  The password for purchase is hellobronson (all lower case, no space).

Don't miss out--order today! If you have any questions, please reach out to alcottyearbookconcord@gmail.com.. 

Save The Date! MFF Spring Picnic

The Metco Family Friends End of Year Picnic will be on May 3rd (rain date May 10th) from 1-3 pm at Almont Park in Boston 

7 days remain to order from Square 1 Art!

If you haven’t already seen your child’s art catalog, check their class folder! Catalogs include peel-off stickers of each artist’s unique work as well as instructions for ordering keepsakes. Place your orders now to share your child’s art with loved ones and help support our Alcott community! This is a great opportunity to get some unique gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or upcoming birthdays. The deadline for ordering is April 17th. Link to shop: https://shop.square1art.com/Shop/

If you have any questions reach out to Becky and Alli at alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com.

Alcott Chess Tournament

It's that time, parents, when children should brush up on their chess skills and prepare for the Alcott Chess Tournament, which begins the first of May, right after April vacation. See the full details attached here. It's guaranteed fun for everyone. Everyone plays, everyone wins. There will be prizes and gifts for all your children, so be sure to sign up and get in on this event, the memory of a lifetime. Email questions to Ken Belt at alcottchess@hotmail.com. We want to hear from you. Just remember! Whatever may come, we hope to see your children come this May.   

Lost and Found Reminder

Just a reminder to have your children check the lost and found for missing hats, mittens, sweatshirts and jackets before April vacation. We hold all items for 6 weeks before we donate them. Currently, the lost and found cubbies are overflowing with clothes. If you would like to check the bins yourself, please buzz the front office and sign in as a visitor. Stop by and claim what’s yours!

Join the PTG! 

Want to make a difference at Alcott? Curious about how the PTG programs and events come together? Join a committee on the PTG! The time commitment is manageable and the rewards are great. Here are the committees that currently have open slots on the PTG for the 2025-2026: Green Team Committee (garden, composting and other sustainability focused initiatives); Events (Fall Fest, Movie Night, Parent Social and more!); Community & Philanthropy (the play yard sheds, Alcott Directory and other community initiatives). Email ptgalcott@gmail.com or gibbs.eliz@gmail.com for more information. 

Volunteer Opportunities

April Composting at Lunch (Alcott cafeteria): sign up here

Parent Social Silent Auction (volunteer to help or donate items): alcottptgfundraising@gmail.com

Substitute Teachers Needed: If you are Interested in learning more about substitute teaching in Concord, please visit this website. To apply to become a substitute teacher, please complete this application.

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • April 10 and 11 - Grade 5 ELA MCAS

  • April 11 - Crazy Shoe & Slipper Day

  • April 17 - Square 1 Art Fundraiser Deadline

  • April 21 - April 25 - April Vacation

  • April 28 - Classes Resume

  • May 3 - Parent Social

  • May 10- MFF End of Year Picnic

In the Community


Art-based Therapeutic Mentorship

This is a great opportunity for mentorship with a CCHS senior and interns at Evergarden Psychotherapy. A space to explore emotions through creativity and create a supportive connection. More information attached here. Contact: info@evergardenpsychotherapy.com

Location: 17 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742

Joint School Committee Meeting

This Concord and Carlisle School Committees are having a joint School Committee Meeting on Thursday April 10th at 6:00PM. This will take place at the Carlisle Town Hall. Parents are welcome to attend. 

Save the Date!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Concord Middle School. Saturday, May 3rd ~ 10:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to attend to see the new building! 

DESE Focus Group

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has contracted with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct a targeted district review of Concord Public Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District. The purpose of the district review is to provide formative and actionable feedback on district practices, enabling district leaders to reflect on progress and strengthen staff and student performance. This review occurs approximately every seven years by DESE of all districts across the state. As part of this review, AIR will conduct a virtual parent/guardian focus group on Wednesday, 4/16/2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. EST to gather perspectives on communication with families, opportunities for family involvement and leadership, opportunities for students within the district, and more. 

If you are interested in joining, please register ahead of time at Concord-Carlisle Family Focus Group -Registration

Rivers of Concord Show

Check out the Rivers of Concord show at Fowler Library in West Concord, March 27 - June 20. Featuring art from 50+ local artists ranging from ages 6 to 88, this show celebrates the beauty of the 3 rivers which meet in Concord: the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers. The show includes many types of art, including a quilt, collage, photographs, and needle felting, as well as maps which show where the rivers flow through Concord.

FREE PK Dance Center Classes During April Break

Sign up your child for a free dance class on Tuesday, April 22nd and get to know the PK Dance Center experience! Choose between Intro to Dance Class (for ages 2.9-5) from 3:15-4:00pm or Elementary Jazz Class (for grades 1-5) from 4:15-5:00pm. Sign up here and visit the website to learn more. Feel free to bring friends! 

SEPAC Weekly Office Hours

SEPAC holds weekly office hours at the Concord Main Library in the cafe area. These take place every Tuesday from 11am-12:30pm, except for the third Tuesday of each month when they take place from 6-8pm. Office hours provide an opportunity to talk in person with a member of the SEPAC Board to help answer any special education questions and get parent-to-parent support. All are welcome!

Alcott PTG, 93 Laurel St, Concord, MA 01742, USA