The Thursday Owl - December 11, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

December 11, 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

Picture Day Retake Photos

Retake portraits were shipped last week on 12/4. If you have any questions (about order forms, late orders, missing orders & refunds etc.) please contact the Coffee Pond Customer Care staff directly via email at Lifeguards@coffeepond.com or phone 508-907-6633 ext. 0.  If a digital file was ordered with no prints, the photograph has been emailed to the address provided.  

Annual Appeal- Thank you!

Thank you for the incredible generosity of our community! During the Month of Giving, we raised $13,287.92 for the Alcott Annual Appeal, with 93 families contributing. Your support funds the events, resources, and experiences that make our school special—from beloved community gatherings and enrichment programs to essential supplies and classroom materials that help every child thrive. Though the Month of Giving has ended, donations are welcome year-round. With 405 students across 298 families, every contribution helps sustain traditions and create new opportunities. To donate: mail a check to Alcott (payable to “Alcott PTG”) or give online at alcottptg.org/annual-appeal-1.

Minted.com Fundraiser

Shop minted.com using code FUNDRAISEALCOTT to receive 20% off cards & gifts. 10% donated to the PTG.

Volunteer Opportunities

December Composting at Lunch: Sign up here.

Message from the PTG President

Such fun to see so many Alcott families join us for the tree lighting parade on Sunday and special thanks to Rebecca Muse-Orlinoff for our fabulous new parade banner!

Two quick reminders this week: 1. The lost and found at Alcott is overflowing and all items not claimed by December 23 will be donated.  2. When you stop by Alcott to search the lost and found, please check in with the front office and see if your CORI is up to date. Your CORI must be renewed every 3 years and you must complete a CORI specific to Alcott. If it is not up to date you will not be allowed to volunteer. No exceptions. 

Thanks! Abby Flanagan 

——

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • December 12- Sweatshirt Day

  • December 17 - METCO Family Friends at Launch

  • December 23 - Half Day

  • December 24 - January 4 - Winter Recess

  • January 5 - Classes Resume

In the Community

Ripley Staff Appreciation - sign up to support a tremendous team!

On Monday December 15th we’re hosting an all-PTG sponsored breakfast for the administrators and staff at Ripley. If you’d like to help us show this amazing team how much we value them please sign up to contribute an item here. In addition, we’d like to display messages of appreciation on the tables. Notes and cards can be dropped off as noted below or emailed to jenniferwerner09@gmail.com by December 12. Thank you!

Free Workshops at CCM

Elevate your musical passion this winter with the Concord Conservatory of Music's series of free workshops! From composition and recording techniques to dynamic bucket drumming and rhythmic exploration, these events offer accessible, hands-on learning for all ages, taught by our expert faculty. Join us to connect with music, expand your skills, and see what your support makes possible for our growing community. Additional information can be found here.

CCYL Registration

Registration is now open for the Concord-Carlisle Girls Youth Lacrosse program! Sign up by January 31, 2026. The season runs early April to early June, with practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays and games on Sundays. Our program focuses on instruction and welcomes all girls Grades 1-8, with or without experience. We proudly partner with Revolution Lacrosse to provide professional coaching throughout the season.  For more information and to register, click here!

Sudbury Camp Fair

Join us on Sunday, January 11 from 11am-2pm at Lincoln-Sudbury High School for the 24th annual Sudbury Camp Fair, featuring kids’ activities, giveaways, and raffles for free or discounted weeks of camp. Meet summer camp representatives, explore programs for all ages, and get expert guidance to help plan your child’s summer.  Learn more and check out our online camp directory at www.sudburycampfair.org

CCYS Registration

Registration is open for CCYS Winter Futsal & Spring 2026 Travel and Intown Soccer. Travel soccer is open to players in grades 3 through 8. The travel registration deadline is January 9th.  Intown soccer is open to players in grades Pre-K through 4.  The intown registration deadline is March 20th. More info can be found at: http://www.ccysoccer.org.  CLICK HERE to register.

IMSCC Music Lessons - Enrollment is open for the Winter-Spring session (January - June, 2025)!

New students are invited to sign up now for the Winter-Spring session. Lessons for all band and orchestra instruments, voice, piano, guitar, electric bass, and ukulele.  Group Lessons are available for clarinet, violin/viola, and flute. New students, please fill out this form to begin the enrollment process. Continuing students are automatically enrolled in the next session. Visit the website for more information; email Laryssa Doohovskoy with questions at ldoohovskoy@concordcarlisle.org

Holiday Toy Drive

Willard, Thoreau, Concord PossAbilities, the CCHS Football Program, and the Concord Fire-EMS Department, are helping to collect new toys for children in need locally and in area towns. If you would like to participate, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to Concord PossAbilities (199 Sudbury Road) by Wednesday, December 17th.  Thank you for your generosity! charity@willardptg.org

Bid BIG, Win BIG – Concord AMP Auction is LIVE!

Closes Monday, December 15 at 8:00 PM

Help Concord’s 4th–8th grade musicians while scoring amazing items like full orthodontic treatment ($7,000+ value), a Paris apartment stay, Bruins tickets, Shamrock Ball skip-the-line passes, spa packages, cookie deliveries, local gift cards, and more! Organized by Concord AMP, every bid directly funds lessons, instruments, and performance opportunities for our students. Open to all – please share with your families!

Bid now: https://go.rallyup.com/4concordmusic

SEPAC Hours and Updates

  • SEPAC Office Hours- Office hours are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11-12:30 in the Main Library in the cafe area.

  • December SEPAC Coffee- Come join SEPAC Board Members for a coffee and chat on 12/18 at 9am at Saltbox Kitchen (84 Commonwealth Ave, Concord)  

  • December Board Meeting - There is no board meeting this month as everyone's schedules are packed! 

Useful Links

PTG WEBSITE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OWL

ANNUAL APPEAL

ALCOTT SCHOOL CALENDAR

The Thursday Owl - December 4, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

December 4, 2025

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

The fifth-grade classrooms assembled more than 150 hand-decorated snack bags for Open table to distribute to families.

News and Announcements

METCO Family Friends @ Launch Trampoline Park

We’re hosting an 80’s-themed METCO Friends outing at Launch Trampoline Park [17 Chris Drive, Framingham] on Wednesday Dec 17th 2-4pm. Families are invited to help chaperone.  Buses will be available for students who need transportation to Launch.  They will also be available for students who need transportation back to Alcott/CMS or Boston. Food will be provided. If you have questions, contact Solange Benjamin (sbenjamin@concordps.org).

RSVP HERE

Turkey Trot Update

Thank you to all who have used the PayPal link (here) and sent donations! Friday, December 5th will be the LAST CHANCE to donate as we are closing the Paypal link and processing the donations for our charities to receive at the all school assembly on 12/10/25.

Tim Gaudreau, Alcott PE Teacher

Final week to reach our goal of 50% participation in our Annual Appeal!

Thanks to the generous support of our community, we’ve raised $9,442 so far towards the Alcott Annual Appeal. Thank you to the 70 families (23% of families at Alcott) who have donated — we’re officially in the last week of our Month of Giving! Please donate today to help us reach our goal of 50% participation in this year's Annual Appeal!

Here are 2 easy ways to make your donation:

1 - Mail a check to Alcott payable to Alcott PTG (memo-Annual Appeal)

2 - Make your payment HERE

Minted.com Fundraiser

Shop minted.com using code FUNDRAISEALCOTT to receive 20% off cards & gifts. 10% donated to the PTG.

Alcott Spirit Wear Makes Great Holiday Gifts!

Check out Alcott’s webstore to order attire and gear ahead of the holidays, or email Rebecca Muse-Orlinoff at mo.rebecca@gmail.com for in-stock items available for pick up locally (including fleece blankets, PJ pants, hats, and keychains)!

Select Spirit Wear items are created by students and young adults from the CCHS Pathways and Launch programs at Concord PossAbilities.

Volunteer Opportunities

December Composting at Lunch: Sign up here.

Message from the PTG President

During December the PTG will be celebrating the diversity of our Alcott families by participating in a variety of community events. We hope that by sharing in these experiences we will grow our sense of community and connection, all while having fun! If your family would like to invite the Alcott community to share in one of your cultural or religious celebrations please reach out to me directly. We hope to offer these opportunities throughout the year. On December 7, we will march as a group in the town tree lighting parade and on December 17 we will enjoy the town's Chanukah celebration. I hope to see lots of Alcott families at both!

Thanks! Abby Flanagan, PTG President (mom to Michael 2nd grade, Cora 1st grade, William pre-K) 

March in the Concord Tree Lighting Parade Sunday December 7- Join other Alcott families and our very own mascot Bronson in marching in the annual town Christmas Tree Lighting Parade! Meet at Hunt Gym at 4:15pm for hot chocolate and line up. Parade steps off at 4:30pm. 

Latkes & Laughter: KS-Concord Chanukah Celebration 2025 Wednesday December 17. Join Alcott families in celebrating Chanukah at the town's official Chanukah celebration featuring songs, games, and, of course, latkes!

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • December 12- Sweatshirt Day

  • December 17 - METCO Family Friends at Launch

  • December 23 - Half Day

  • December 24 - January 4 - Winter Recess

  • January 5 - Classes Resume

In the Community

Patriot Basketball

Patriot Basketball and Together We Rise have partnered to offer a winter basketball program for boys and girls in K - 3rd grade. It is designed for players of all skill levels and experience. Each session is an hour long and combines introduction to rules and individual skills that are developmentally appropriate. Saturdays starting December 6 - February 7th (OFF on December 20th and December 27th for the winter break). Open for boys and girls in K - 3rd Grade. Patriot Basketball/TWR Winter Programs - Registration Link

Calling All Volunteers the Library Holiday Book Sale is Here!

Thank you to all who have signed up!!! We are still in need of volunteers for this Holiday Sale. At this point, we need set-up help, cashiers throughout the sale and a strong clean-up crew. Many of the volunteers who consistently help with this sale work the entire 3 (or 4) days!  Please, even if you can only spare an hour, we need your help! Giving just an hour of your time helps the library and the numerous programs the Friends’ of the CFPL supports! Sign up today! 

FENN Enrichment Programs

We are thrilled to announce that The Fenn School will be offering after school enrichment programming for 2nd and 3rd graders beginning on January 13th!  Come and join the same awesome staff from The Fenn School and our Summer Fenn program, with full access to Fenn gyms, and our Stone Family Innovation Lab, Hammett Ory Library, and classrooms for a unique set of curated activities just for this age group. We will even have the Connolly Dining Hall open as a parent/family space with wi-fi and coffee/tea if you prefer to park and wait on campus. :)

Program and registration information can be found HERE.

IMSCC Music Lessons - Enrollment is open for the Winter-Spring session (January - June, 2025)!

New students are invited to sign up now for the Winter-Spring session. Lessons for all band and orchestra instruments, voice, piano, guitar, electric bass, and ukulele.  Group Lessons are available for clarinet, violin/viola, and flute. New students, please fill out this form to begin the enrollment process. Continuing students are automatically enrolled in the next session. Visit the website for more information; email Laryssa Doohovskoy with questions at ldoohovskoy@concordcarlisle.org

Holiday Toy Drive

Willard, Thoreau, Concord PossAbilities, the CCHS Football Program, and the Concord Fire-EMS Department, are helping to collect new toys for children in need locally and in area towns. If you would like to participate, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to Concord PossAbilities (199 Sudbury Road) by Wednesday, December 17th.  Thank you for your generosity! charity@willardptg.org

Bid BIG, Win BIG – Concord AMP Auction is LIVE!

Closes Monday, December 15 at 8:00 PM

Help Concord’s 4th–8th grade musicians while scoring amazing items like full orthodontic treatment ($7,000+ value), a Paris apartment stay, Bruins tickets, Shamrock Ball skip-the-line passes, spa packages, cookie deliveries, local gift cards, and more! Organized by Concord AMP, every bid directly funds lessons, instruments, and performance opportunities for our students. Open to all – please share with your families!

Bid now: https://go.rallyup.com/4concordmusic

Concord Rec Programs

Winter Registration is NOW OPEN for Alcott programs!

Secure your spot today: HERE

Useful Links

PTG WEBSITE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OWL

ANNUAL APPEAL

ALCOTT SCHOOL CALENDAR

The Thursday Owl - November 13, 2025

The Thursday OwL

The Alcott ptg weekly email

November 13, 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

Message from the PTG President

I hope many of you enjoyed the chance to visit Alcott this week for teacher conferences. It's always a treat to step inside the classrooms and see what a vibrant, joyful, and enriching environment all of the teachers and administrators have created for our children. I feel truly grateful for all that they do. 

During conferences your child's teacher likely mentioned the new literacy curriculum being used in classrooms across the district this year. If you'd like to learn more about that curriculum, please join us this evening at our PTG Open Meeting. Three times a year, the PTG hosts an open meeting where all parents and guardians are welcome to attend. This year, with the help of our fantastic PTG Vice President, Sarah Driscoll, we are revamping these meetings. Tonight's meeting will include a presentation from literacy specialist and Alcott parent Katie Carr about our new EL curriculum, an update on what the PTG is working on, and then a chance for you to offer your feedback on what is (and what isn't) working when it comes to the PTG and your family. We truly want your feedback, so I hope to see lots of new faces tonight. As an added bonus we have snacks and you can probably get out of bedtime! 

PTG Open Meeting: Tonight, 11/13 from 6:30-8:00pm (Alcott Library)

Alcott Spirit Wear Makes Great Holiday Gifts!

Check out Alcott’s webstore to order attire and gear for the whole family ahead of the holidays, or email Rebecca Muse-Orlinoff at mo.rebecca@gmail.com for in-stock items available for pick up locally (including fleece blankets, PJ pants, hats, and keychains)! Proceeds support the Alcott PTG!

Did you know? Select Spirit Wear items are created by students and young adults from the CCHS Pathways and Launch programs at Concord PossAbilities. The Alcott PTG is proud to partner with this incredible organization!

From the Nurse’s Office

Please find information here about a Mass General Brigham for Children Food Allergy Buddies Program called The Food Allergy Adventure: Build, Discover and Create.

Find the November Nurse’s note here.

Alcott Annual Appeal

It's here!! 2025 November Month of Giving! Our 2025-2026 school year has gotten off to a great start! So far, we have had a wonderful movie night, a successful student picture day, our annual Fall Fest, and several in-class enrichment programs. Still to come, we have many of our favorite annual traditions, including multicultural night, math night, and the parent social. These school community events are directly supported by your essential contributions to the Alcott Annual Appeal. The Annual Appeal is the PTG’s largest fundraiser and accounts for 40% percent of our annual budget. In this November month of giving, we are reaching out to ask for your support. A little goes a long way, and any amount of support is appreciated! Last year, 50% of our families contributed to the Annual Appeal. We are hopeful that this year's participation rate will be even higher! 

Here are 3 easy ways to make your donation:

* Mail a check to Alcott, payable to “Alcott PTG” with “Annual Appeal” in the memo. *Make your payment HERE *Use this QR CODE, which links to the Alcott Annual Appeal website.

Please “Give a Hoot” and donate today. We are so thankful for all of your support!  - Allison Flynn and Rebecca Redington, Co-Fundraising Chairs, Alcott Elementary School

UMass vs. BC Hockey Alcott Fundraiser

The details are:

Friday, December 5th @ 7:15 PM

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

Boston College Eagles @ UML River Hawks

Purchase tickets here. Come support as $5 of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Alcott Community! Get your tickets now, as this is a popular game and will sell out!

Alcott Variety Show

The Alcott Variety Show will showcase on November 20, 2025!

The Alcott School Variety Show is a family-friendly evening that showcases the awesome talents of our Alcott students (and sometimes teachers!) This is meant to be a fun, supportive night, with no competition involved.

First Grade Events

Adults-Only Social: Thursday, 11/20 at 6pm (Revolution Hall in Lexington)

Donation Opportunities

Turkey Trot: Click here.

Annual Appeal: Click here.

Volunteer Opportunities

November Composting at Lunch: Sign up here. Feel free to come often!

Calendar and Important Dates

Every Wednesday is a Half Day

  • November 13 - PTG Open meeting 6:30pm in the Alcott Library

  • November 14 - Crazy Sock Spirit Day

  • November 20 - First Grade Adult Social (6pm)

  • November 20 - Alcott Variety Show (6pm)

  • November 27 - 30 - Thanksgiving Recess

  • December 23 - Half Day

  • December 24 - January 4 - Winter Recess

  • January 5 - Classes Resume

In the Community

Donate Your Extra Halloween Candy for Veterans!

Cub Scout Pack 133 is collecting Halloween candy for Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops, a program that sends sweet treats and gratitude to our veterans and deployed service members. If your family has extra candy after Halloween, please consider donating it to brighten a veteran’s day! Bring your candy donations to the Concord Scout House on Wednesday, November 19th, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Jumpstart your Holiday Season with "The Nutcracker" Ballet!

Commonwealth Ballet Company's “The Nutcracker” returns for 9 upcoming performances November 28-30 and December 19-21 at nearby Regis College in Weston. Click HERE for all the details, including a sensory- and family-friendly matinee on November 28. In addition, the Sugar Plum Fairy is hosting a tea on December 13 at Acton School of Ballet (click HERE) and members of "The Nutcracker" cast are doing a library reading tour at various local libraries (click HERE). With professional-level dancing, gorgeous costumes and stunning sets, CBC has enchanted families for 28 years with this timeless story. 

IMSCC Music Lessons - New Session Starts in January!

Enrollment for new students opens on December 1 for the Winter-Spring session of private and group lessons, January to June 2025.

  • Private lessons available for all band and orchestra instruments including upright bass; also, voice, piano, guitar, electric bass and ukulele. 

  • Group lessons for 4th and 5th graders available for many band and orchestra instruments.

  • Visit the website for more information; email Laryssa Doohovskoy with questions at ldoohovskoy@concordcarlisle.org.

  • Fall private lesson registration is ongoing - click here to inquire about November-December lessons.

  • Look for another announcement soon with links to register for Winter-Spring session private lessons!

Safe Cycling in Concord

"Can Bicycling Be a Normal Mode of Travel in Concord? Here’s How." Thursday, November 20, 6:30 PM at the Concord Main Library, 129 Main Street. Mass cycling – meaning lots of people riding for everyday transportation – is critical to public health, climate, safety, and livability goals. Hundreds of kids riding to the high school and middle school; hundreds of commuters riding to the train station; thousands more doing errands and going on recreational rides. Mass cycling can only be achieved by “low-stress connectivity” – meaning people have a bike route with little traffic stress from home to their destinations.

We’ll describe what low-stress connectivity looks like and how it is measured, so that it can become a goal for a community like Concord. We’ll describe some innovative road designs for creating low-stress bike infrastructure without road widening, including flexpost-protected bike lanes, advisory lanes, and sidepaths. Sponsored by Mothers Out Front and Bike-to-School Concord. Please see the library event calendar at cfpl.info/events for more information and registration.

Sip, Sweat & Shop to Support Out Students!

From November 13-23, eight local businesses will donate a percentage of all purchases to the Concord Education Fund, which provides teacher grants for innovative programs that enrich learning for students in the Concord-Carlisle school district - programs that go beyond what school budgets can cover. It's an easy way to support our teachers and students - just shop, eat, or work out locally! See more details here.

Helping Teens (and Parents) Thrive in the Digital Age

The second event in the Growing Up Well community event series, The Anxious Generation: Supporting Teens in a Tech-Driven World, is on November 19. Join us for a reception starting at 6pm, followed by a panel discussion from 6:30-7:30pm, where an interactive panel of experts explores how smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood—and what families and communities can do to reclaim balance. This event is free, but registration is required.

SEPAC Summer Camp Info Night

Come learn from camp directors how their camp can support your child. This event will be held on December 1 from 6-7:30pm at the Concord Main Library. Camps attending include Concord Rec, Emerson Umbrella, Good Pickin’ Farm, Drumlin Farm, Fuse, Timbernook, and Aspire. www.concordsepac.com

SEPAC Coffee Chat and November Board Meeting

SEPAC Coffee Chat: November 19th 9-11am at 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 be available to answer questions and chat.

November Board Meeting: Feel free to join our November board meeting to hear the latest updates and exciting news from the School Committee, Dr. Hunter and the SEPAC President. This month's meeting is on 11/24 at 7:30pm. Zoom link to follow. 

SEPAC Office Hours Change

Normally office hours are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11-12:30 in the Main Library in the cafe area. Due to the Veteran's Day Holiday, the office hours will be held on 11/18 at 11am. 

Useful Links

PTG WEBSITE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OWL

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