FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

I wanted to remind all parents that MCAS testing resumes next week for grades 3 – 5.  The MCAS Math schedule is as follows:

• Grade 3 – May 7 & 8

• Grade 4 – May 9 & 10

• Grade 5 – May 7 & 8

Make-up testing will be conducted on May 11 & May 16.  Fifth grade students will take the MCAS Science Technology & Engineering assessment on May 14 & 15.  Make-up testing will be conducted on May 16 & 17.  Please make sure that your child arrives at school on time.

Last night more than 50 Willard students and their families attended our 2^nd Annual Family Reading Night.  We offered children and parents four different settings for read aloud experiences.  Each read aloud session was staffed with two teachers who chose stories to appeal to their audience: Preschool/Kindergarten, Early Elementary, or Upper Elementary students.  After the classroom sessions, all children and parents gathered in the cafeteria for a special presentation by a guest reader.  This year’s guest reader was Mr. Charles Douglas.  Mr. Douglas, who described himself as a Concord Farmer, Patriot, and a member of the Sons of Liberty, had an uncanny resemblance to our Head Custodian Carl Sweeney.  Mr. Douglas, dressed in his Colonial garb, read Longfellow’s famous poem, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere’s Ride”.  He also shared the picture book, Paul Revere’s Ride, which was illustrated by Ted Rand.  I would like to acknowledge the staff members who participated in this event:  Jeanne Connolly, Heather Crowley, Liz Merrill, Susan Halter, Kate Mullen, Erica Chicco, Kate Squire, Carl Sweeney (aka Mr. Douglas).  I would also like to thank Technology Specialist Terry Smolka for all of her tech support for the event.

As mentioned a few weeks ago the staffing plan for the 2012- 2013 is being finalized.  In order to accommodate our shifting enrollment profile, a few teachers will be changing grade levels.  The staffing plan for next year is noted below:

• Kindergarten – 4 classes (Mrs. Gluck, Ms. Turner, Ms. Spalding, Mrs. Madfis)

• Grade 1 – 4 classes (Mrs. Connolly, Ms. Merrill, Ms. Morris, Mrs. Barry)

• Grade 2 – 5 classes (Mrs. Mullen, Mrs. Halter, Ms. Lehn, Mrs. Fitzgerald, TBA)

• Grade 3 – 4 classes (Mrs. Shear, Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Donoghue, Mrs. Tracy)

• Grade 4 – 4 classes (Mrs. Wylie, Mrs. Squire, Mr. Smith, Ms. McManus)

• Grade 5 – 3 classes (Ms. Lekorenos, Mrs. Lyons, Ms. River/Mrs. Hehn)

As mentioned last week, the 5^th Grade Celebration Committee is hard at work planning the first 5^th Grade Service Day, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22^nd.  Since this is an early release day, participating 5^th graders must bring a lunch from home.  After dismissal, students will eat their bagged lunch in the cafeteria.  At 1:00, students and parent volunteers will travel by school bus from Willard to one of 4 service sites.  All students and parent volunteers will return to Willard at approximately 3:45.  Parents are expected to pick their children up at Willard at that time.  Boston students will be dropped off at Alcott to meet the late bus to Boston. Children who typically go to Hunt Gym after school will be dropped off there. Students will have a chance to volunteer at the Old Manse, Emerson Field, Harvey Wheeler Senior Center, or Gaining Ground.

Another upcoming 5^th grade event is the 5^th Grade Art Retrospective on June 6th.  This annual event provides an opportunity to celebrate the Arts at Willard.  From 6:00 – 7:00 PM, families are invited to view the 5^th Grade Art Retrospective.  This Art Exhibit features a collection of each fifth grader’s favorite art pieces that have been created during the child’s elementary experience.  At 7:00 PM, the Willard Orchestra, Band, and Chorus will perform in the auditorium.  This event is a wonderful celebration of students’ artistic talents!

In addition, please mark your calendars for the 5^th Grade Celebration which is scheduled for Monday, June 18^th at 10:30 in the Auditorium.  More details will follow in next week article

Finally, if you received a notice about Summer School and you have not responded, please do so immediately in order to guarantee a spot for your child.

As always, thank you for all you do for Willard School.

- Pat Fernandes, Principal

WILLARD NEWS & EVENTS

SCIENCE FAIR EXCITEMENT

Come see what the Willard scientists have discovered and created! The annual Willard Science Fair is Sunday, May 6th from 2 – 4 pm in the cafeteria.

5th GRADE CELEBRATIONS

Willard School traditionally marks the end of 5th Grade with a variety of celebrations for students. To see a complete list of events, deadlines,  and volunteer opportunities, visit the Willard PTG website at http://willardptg.org/news-events/school-day-events/5th-grade-celebration/

PORTABLE GENERATOR NEEDED!

Do you have a portable generator that you are willing to loan to the Carnival for the day of Sunday June 3rd? The committee would like to move the entertainment to the field and need the power supply to make this happen. Please contact carnival@willardptg.org if you can help.

CARNIVAL POSTERS

Creatively decorated carnival posters are starting to come back to the office and they are surfacing around too! Keep the creativity coming and encourage your child to help decorate these posters and submit to the box outside the office by May 11th. Your help is also appreciated in having these posters hung around town to spread the word that the Carnival is coming!

FIELD DAY

It’s hard to believe but we need to start preparing for field day. This day is a day that the students look forward to all year and is a nice break from their normal routine. We have had some great parent involvement over the years and I know that this will continue. To make this day a success we need at least 20 parent volunteers for each grade level to help run the events. The dates for field day are:

• June 11th       Grade 2 & 3     9:10 – 11:45
• June 12th       Grade K & 1     Kindergarten 9:10 -10:35        Grade 1 10:40 – 12:00
• June 13th       Grade 4 & 5     9:10 – 11:45

Rain Dates June 14th, 15th and 18th as needed. All volunteers must have an up to date CORI on file at Willard. Please contact Paula Lublin at paulalublin@comcast.net if you would like to help with this fun filled day.
-Mr. Germond

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

The Concord Players Present Little Women

The Concord Players are offering 2-for-1 seats for the Saturday matinee performances of their 8th decennial production of Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s book and adapted for the stage by David Fielding Smith. Remaining dates are May 5 and May 12 at 2 pm. Regular price tickets are $19. Call 978-369-2990 to reserve or purchase at the door. (NOT available for online purchase.) For more information visit http://www.concordplayers.org.

CCHS Interact Club Talent Show

Come see the 3rd Annual CCHS Interact Club talent show on May 4th - fun for the whole family! Special acts include CCHS principal singing with a metal band, an african drumming group, the school’s most popular rock band, a juggler, and CCHS acapella singing groups. Tickets are $10 at the door, proceeds benefit The Sharing Foundation http://www.sharingfoundation.org/.

CCHS Baseball and Softball Day at the Park

Come join CCYBS for a day of fun for the whole family and cheer on CCHS Baseball and Softball games with the first of what we hope to be an annual “Day at the Park” on Friday, May 4th at CCHS with games starting at 3:45pm. Watch both CCHS Baseball and Softball Teams play and afterwards please stay for a BBQ for spectators and CCHS players and coaches!

Event hosted by CCHS Softball & Baseball and BBQ for CCYBS players immediately following the games compliments of Concord Carlisle Youth Baseball and Softball.

CCHS Boys Lacrosse Spring Work Days

Concord Conservatory of Music Hosts Open House

Whether you are looking for a parent-child musical experience, group classes or private instruction – CCM offers something for you. Parents and children are invited to an Open House on Saturday, May 19, 1:00 – 3:00 PM.  This is an opportunity to meet the CCM faculty, learn about the extensive programs available for children 6 months through adults. Instruments will be available for students to try. The event will include introductions to the beginner Suzuki violin and cello program, as well as to the piano, guitar, traditional violin, viola, cello and voice programs.  The faculty will also be available to meet with each family for questions and instrument options. *Lessons are also available on percussion, saxophone, flute and clarinet. At the Open House you can enter the drawing to win a free semester (16 – 30 minute private lessons) of private lessons.  Summer and Fall semester registration is currently underway. For more information about the Open House, and about The Concord Conservatory, please visit www.ConcordConservatory.org, or call 978-369-0010.  The Concord Conservatory of Music is located in the West Concord Union Church at 1317 Main Street in West Concord.

Thoreau Road Race

The Center for Parents and Teachers Announces Empowering Parent Education Series

” ‘Wow! Does My Child Have Me Stumped!’: Working With Your Child’s Temperament … And Your Own!” facilitated by Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D., Parenting Educator

Through exploration of four major temperamental qualities, this workshop will help you recognize and appreciate your child’s unique temperament, including strengths and challenges, as well as your own.  Working with your child’s temperament—instead of against it!—helps you set limits more effectively while you nurture your child’s growing self-esteem.  Dr. Weinstock -Savoy is a very popular and seasoned parent education facilitator who has worked with young families for over two decades.  Come prepared to gain amazing insights that increase your family harmony and reduce your family stress! (Meets for three weekly morning sessions: Tuesdays May 8, 15, and 22 from 9:30 to 11 AM in the Ripley Building in Concord MA).  PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! To register email cpt@colonial.net and type “May Parenting Workshop” in the subject line or call (978) 202-1143. Sliding Scale Fee: $30 to 60 (your full fee helps others who can only pay part). Limited number of spots so sign up soon if interested!. If needed, please inquire about full scholarship as we want all to attend who are interested.

5^th Annual PMC Kids Ride Concord Registration Open Now

Join the fight to conquer cancer. The PMC Concord Kids Ride will take place on Sunday, June 10 from 8:30-12 at Middlesex School in Concord. This is the 5^th year of the ride and we hope to break a record with at least 500 kids riding.  Kids ages 5-15 from Concord, Carlisle, Sudbury, Acton, and Lincoln are encouraged to sign up to ride for 1,5,10 or 15 miles.  Ride to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  Kids under the age of 5 can take part in the Kids Junior Ride as well so bring the whole family. The morning includes lots of festivities, food and of course the ride.  For more information, to register to ride or volunteer online go to kids.pmc.org/concord.

Bedford Farms Gift Card Fundraiser Extended to May 13

Stop by Bedford Farms Ice Cream in Concord and purchase a “Concord School Gift Card” and you can use the card to purchase any Bedford Farms item. The gift card does not expire and may be used at any time. At the end of the promotional period, May 13th, Bedford Farms will contribute 20% of total gift card sales back to the Concord schools!

In Case You Missed It

• Summer Basketball Clinic for Girls: Joe Bodenrader, the Girls Varsity Basketball coach at CCHS, will be running a basketball clinic for girls entering grades 3 – 9 this summer.  The clinic will take place at CCHS from August 6 – 10 and will run from 9 AM to 3 PM each day.  Sign up through the Concord Recreation Department.
• GirlPower!: A Positive Growth Experience for Girls 10 to 14 Sponsored by Concord-Carlisle Schools, Adult and Community Education Three one-week sessions meet at CCHS, Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM daily. July 9-13 July 16-20 July 23-27 9th through 13th, July 16th through 20th, July 23rd through 27th. Be inspired. Try something new. Discover your unique strengths, and empower yourself in a nurturing and non-competitive setting and have the freedom to try new things while feeling safe, nurtured and supported. Fee:  $525 includes lunch sponsored by Whole Foods, snacks, professional instruction and materials. To register, contact Concord Adult and Community Education at 978-318-1432 or visit www.ace.colonial.net (keyword Girlpower); for questions, email susanne@dancingwellness.com.
• Concord Public Library Used Book Sale: Saturday, June 2 from 10 am to 3pm, join the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library on the front lawn of the Main Library for books, music, refreshments, and fun! More than 20,000 books in good condition will be for sale. Lots of kids’ books! Books are carefully sorted into more than 20 categories for easy browsing and are priced to sell. The sale sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. Proceeds are used to buy library books, movies, CDs, museum passes and to fund concerts, poetry readings, and author talks. www.concordlibraryfriends.org. Rain date: June 9.
• Concord Museum’s Garden Tour:  June 1st and 2nd from 9:00am to 4:00pm with 8 wonderful gardens on the tour, and tickets may be purchased at the Concord Museum (978) 369-9763 through the days of the tour.   If you are a parent interested in being a Garden Guide we would love to have you, and you can get your ticket at half price!   Garden Guides commit to a 2.5 hour shift in one of our lovely gardens to check in guests – no gardening experience required.   If interested, please contact Jennifer Lannan  at Jenlannan@comcast.net  (Parent-child pairs for 7th graders and older are welcome).