Ward Elementary School
Spring 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Ward School Families,
Every day I am grateful for the Ward school community. Your partnership in this wild journey of adjusting to everything (work, school, extracurricular activities, family, etc.) at home is so very appreciated. Please remember, above all, to take good care of yourselves so that you can care fully for your children and one another. While we yearn for "normalcy" at this time, not much in our lives is normal as we become accustomed to waves from afar rather than hugs, the feeling of a mask on our faces any time we leave our homes, and work extra hard to read social nuances through screens. As I recently read from a Ward graduate who is now a clinical counselor, school counselor, author, and journalist, Phyllis Fagell, “Kids won’t retain much of what they learn during the 2020 pandemic, but they’ll remember who helped them get through it.” As school and teachers are in your homes and parents/guardians have become primary teachers, her article written for educators is relevant to all of us.
We continue to work hard to develop thoughtful, meaningful and worthwhile learning and connection opportunities for all of our K-5 students .As we continue on the remote learning journey, we ask for your continued partnership for the next few weeks leading up to the end of the academic year. As the leading force at home, we truly appreciate everything you are doing. Parenting has certainly presented us all with many new layers and you are doing an amazing job-- each doing what is best for our children and families. As always if you have questions or concerns or you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out.
In addition to daily learning, class meetings, small groups, etc, we also have fun and engaging activities ahead to ensure connection and closure. Please see below for details regarding our 5th grade student council's community service project-- we need your help!
We are also planning for a distanced/contactless distribution of student materials (student workbooks, folders, personal belongings, etc.) during the week of June 1. I will outline details for a safe and efficient process in a separate email next week. Please take note of the dates and times listed below.
Sending you all my best wishes for good health, compassion, and wellbeing,
Principal
On the Calendar... Planning Ahead
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day- No School
Monday, June 1: 3rd Grade Material Pick Up; 11:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, June 2: 4th Grade Material Pick Up; 12:30pm-2:30pm
Wednesday, June 3: 5th Grade Material Pick Up; 11:30am-1:30pm
Thursday; June 4: 2nd Grade Material Pick Up; 11:00am-1:00pm
Friday, June 5: 1st Grade and Kindergarten Material Pick Up; 11:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, June 16: Virtual Color Day
Wednesday, June 17: Kemp Harris Virtual Classroom Enrichment Assemblies by Grade
Thursday, June 18: Final Day of School
Wednesday, June 19: Happy Summer!
Tuesday, September 8: First Day of 2020/21 School Year!
Nurse's Notes:
Hi Ward families!
I miss seeing you all every day in the hallways, in specials, in classes, and helping you all in my office. Your bright faces made my days better every day. I hope you are all finding your way at home and doing your best to stay healthy and help others stay healthy. Continue to wash your hands before touching others, after touching something dirty, and throughout the day, and try not to touch your face! As the days get warmer and sunnier, getting outside is important; make sure you are wearing sunscreen and drinking plenty of water. As tick season approaches, any playtime in grassy or wooded areas should be followed by a tick check. I am still holding office hours Tuesday & Thursdays from 9-11am if any student or parent would like to connect. Just send me an email to set up a call.
Be well,
Nurse Gretchen Egan
Assistance for Families & Ways to Help
The Newton COVID-19 Care Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to Newton residents, people who work in Newton, and families with children receiving childcare services in Newton or enrolled in Newton Public Schools who have been financially burdened by the pandemic. City of Newton First Responders who incur new childcare expenses or other expenses as a result of the crisis are also eligible.
For those of us who need help – ranging from unemployment insurance and SNAP benefits to mental health resources and emergency intervention – please also see the list of resources here and here. The Mayor’s office will update this list of resources as they learn of them.
If you are experiencing any financial insecurities due to the pandemic, please contact Ms. Kennedy or Ms. Leggio for assistance in accessing resources. We are here to help!
Ward High Five: Be Safe-- Be Kind-- Be Respectful-- Persevere-- Love Learning
Kindergarten
First Grade
~Mrs. Colarusso & Ms. Steele
Second Grade
~Mrs. Fabrizio & Ms. Ring
Specials
Art
Music
Virtual Instrument Ensemble Opportunity for 4th and 5th Graders
We are excited to invite your 4th or 5th grader to partake in this awesome opportunity to play in a virtual instrument ensemble with students from across all 15 elementary schools in Newton. We hope that you will join as we spread the joy of music through our community!
Here is what we will need from you:
Read carefully, fill out and submit this release form by 5/29/20. Only the parent/guardian can fill out this sheet, not students.
Record a video while playing your instrument to the play-along tracks provided below.
Submit your video to Mr. Leavitt
All videos must be submitted by Friday May 29, 2020
Upload your final video submission to this Google Drive folder
Specials Class Zoom Times
Class Day/Time
KCM Tues- 11:00am
KCH Tues- 11:30am
1C Thurs. 12:00pm
1H Thurs- 12:30pm
2F Thurs- 12:00pm
2R Thurs- 12:30pm
3G Tues- 1:00pm
3K Tues- 1:30pm
3MBJ Tues- 2:00pm
4G Tues- 11:00am
4R Tues- 11:30am
5L Tues- 1:00pm
5P Tues- 1:30pm
5S Tues- 2:00pmThird Grade
~Ms. Beaulieu Jones, Ms. Graziano & Mrs. Kaplan
Poetry and Gratitude to First Resonders
Book Projects
Fourth Grade
~Ms. Goldman & Mrs. Ritchie
Fifth Grade
Gratitude and Supporting Those in Need: Fifth Grade Sponsors Ward School Community Service Drive for Center Street Food Pantry
The fifth grade student council is organizing a food drive for the Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton. The food drive will run from May 25th- June 8th. We will be collecting brown paper bags filled with food items for kids. See this flyer for the specific items. Bags can be dropped off at 111 Kirkstall Road in Newtonville, and they will be picked up and delivered to the Centre Street Food Pantry. Thank you for your help!
Ward PTO
Kemp Harris Virtual Grade Level Assemblies- June 17
Kemp Harris has been involved in the lives of children as a teacher and a storyteller for many years. He taught Kindergarten in Newton, MA for 38 years before semi-retiring. Mr. Harris’ teaching skills as well as his background in music and theater are every present in his performances. His repertoire includes African folktales, original stories and families stories in literature.
Thanks to the support of Ward’s PTO, all grade levels will have a special enrichment learning opportunity with storyteller, Kemp Harris, on Wednesday, June 17th. Mr. Harris will tailor his activities for each grade level zoom session (approx. 45 minutes). Teachers will communicate details in advance.
We are looking forward to our upcoming guest presentation!
Ward School Garden-- Planting Seeds for the Future
Ward Elementary School
Email: brogadirr@newton.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/ward
Location: 10 Dolphin Road, Newton, MA, USA
Phone: ((617)559-6450
Twitter: @ward_elementary