FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

It is hard to believe that this is the last issue of the 2011-2012 Willard Weekly!  From my perspective, the year has flown by!

When I reflect back on the school year, I feel that it has been a great year for Willard students and staff.  Our students have enjoyed a wonderful year of learning.  Over the past few weeks, most teachers have held celebrations of student’s accomplishments: the Art Retrospective, Chorus/ Orchestra /Band Concerts, publishing parties, and presentations of classroom art portfolios and projects. On Tuesday, The Beanstalk staff met to collate and distribute the magazine. The Earth Care Club announced the results of their recycling campaign and the impact that the proceeds from the project will have on the environment. Yesterday, 4th and 5th grade classes gathered to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the Willard Math Olympiad participants.  In short, Willard students have achieved a great deal this year: academically, socially, and artistically.  I want to acknowledge the dedication of the entire Willard staff for their contributions toward another successful year.

As we prepare “go to press”, successful Field Days have been held for K-3.  Rain forced the postponement of Field Day for grade 4 & 5 until Friday. I would to acknowledge Physical Education teacher Mike Germond for organizing this event.  Special thanks are also extended to Willard parent, Paula Lublin, who coordinated all of the Parent Volunteers.  An event like Field Day would not be possible without the help of many parent volunteers.  We are so fortunate to have the enthusiastic support of our families!

I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Maren Holmes has been hired to fill the one-year Leave of Absence position in Grade 2.  Mrs. Holmes is currently teaching at Willard.  She is filling in for Mrs. Donoghue during her medical leave.  Sadly, I need to let you know that our School Psychologist Miriam Kornitzer is leaving Willard.  Ms. Kornitzer has recently completed an Administrative Training program and she has been hired to assume the position of Assistant Principal for Student Services at Day Middle School in Newton.  I know that you join me in wishing Ms. Kornitzer much success in her new position.

The last major event of the year is the 5th Grade Celebration, which is scheduled for Monday, June 18th at 10:30 in the Auditorium. All 5th grade parents are invited to attend. Following this event, the PTG will provide lunch to the 5th graders. During the afternoon, the 5th graders will participate in 5th Grade Fun Day, an afternoon of outdoor games and fun activities.  When school is dismissed at 12:25 on June 19th, Willard 5th graders will leave the building for the last time and will be cheered and applauded by the entire Willard School community as they line the pathway along the perimeter of the playground field.  The 5th grade students will walk to the buses along this path.

Please mark your calendars for the following dates: Progress Reports will be mailed on or before June 28th.  Placement letters will be mailed in mid-July.

As we prepare to end the school year, I would like to thank all families for your cooperation this year.  I wish all families a happy and relaxing summer!

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

- Pat Fernandes, Principal

 

WILLARD NEWS & EVENTS

A MESSAGE FROM THE PTG

Last Thursday night many Willard parents came together for the PTG Volunteer Appreciation Event.  This was a terrific gathering to thank the many volunteers who gave their time, talent and energy to support the array of PTG-sponsored programs and events held throughout the school year.  Also at the meeting the following individuals were elected to the Willard PTG Board for 2012-13:

Co-Presidents: Martha McKennitt & Polly Meyer

Vice President: Tina Labadini

Secretary: Lori Hick

Treasurer: Erica Mawn

Communication Chairs: Sandy Potter & Kathleen Reidy

Fundraising Chairs: Kristin Piper & Beth Athanasoulas

Social Chairs: Lynn Creamer & Katie Fahey

Auxiliary: Jennifer Wasserman

A calendar of Willard PTG events as well as information on volunteering will be sent out this summer in the July placement mailing. On behalf of the Willard PTG, we would like to wish all Willard families, teachers and staff a fun and relaxing summer.  See you in September!

-Martha McKennitt & Polly Meyer, Co-Presidents, Willard PTG

CARNIVAL UPDATE

Emily Sheehan enjoyed a VIP day for her top sales of raffle tickets for the Carnival. With a limo ride to school, catered lunch and other special activities, she was one lucky student!

More photos from the Carnival will be coming soon to the PTG website….stay tuned.

STAFF APPRECIATION

The final Staff Appreciation lunch of the year was held on Tuesday, June 12.  The menu included sandwiches, picnic salads, chips, brownies, lemonade and iced tea. A big thank you to all of the Kindergarten and First Grade classes who prepared food for this end-of-year event. This is my last week as a Willard parent and as chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has volunteered to help in countless ways with the many lunches over the past five years. Most of all, thank you Willard staff–you are the best!!

PTG EXPENSES

The PTG closes it’s books when Willard closes its doors for the summer!  Please be sure you’ve submitted any remaining receipts for reimbursement OR outstanding invoices to the PTG Treasurer by the end of school on Tuesday, June 19th.  You can either drop your receipts in the Treasurer’s mail slot at the Willard school office, or you can scan and email your receipts to Patti Reilly at patriciareilly@comcast.net.  Thank you!!

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS FROM TALENT SHOW

There are STILL a number of items of clothing, costumes, shoes, jackets, and props that were left in the CCHS auditorium following the Talent Show. We would like to return them to their owners, so please contact talentinfo@willardptg.org!

CCHS BUILDING UPDATE

The CCRHS Building Committee has hired a Construction Manager at Risk, Turner Construction, and is moving forward with the project. Current plans by the Committee will have the site preparation beginning this summer and groundbreaking to be in the Fall of 2012. To learn more and continue to be informed, please go to http://www.cchsbuilding.org/index.html.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTES AVAILABLE

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

A special invitation for all children starting Kindergarten in Concord this fall – Please join us for our annual get-together to launch the new school year. Meet new classmates and enjoy festivities including field games, craft activities, playground time, and, of course, popsicles! Wednesday, August 29^th, 3:30-5pm at Alcott School playground and fields. All incoming Kindergarten students will receive an invitation with RSVP information. Non-K students welcome! Questions? Email cfnpopsicleparty@yahoo.com.

Summer Arts Under the Umbrella

Looking for unique summer activities for your creative child?  Then Summer Arts Under the Umbrella is the place to be!  Learning, growing, and experimenting through art is at the heart of what we do.  Staffed by professional artists with years of teaching experience, the program offers drawing and painting, 2D and 3D mixed media, ceramics, and woodworking/workshop.  Each week is unique, designed to engage your child’s creativity and artistic spirit. Families may sign up for individual weeks or for the full eight-week program.  Plan around your family vacations or summer camp schedules. Visit www.emersonumbrella.org or call 978-371-0820 for more information.  The program runs from Monday, July 2nd – Friday, August 24th.GirlPower! A Positive Growth Experience for Girls 10 to 14

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. Sponsored by Concord-Carlisle Schools, Adult and Community Education, this offering of three one-week sessions will meet at CCHS, Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM daily: July 9th through 13th, July 16th through 20th, July 23rd through 27th Fee:  $525 includes lunch, snacks, professional instruction and materials. For more information and to register, contact Concord-Carlisle Adult and Community Education at 978-318-1432 , visit www.ace.colonial .net (keyword Girlpower) or email susanne@dancingwellness.com.

In Case You Missed It

• Concord Family Network (CFN)’s 8^th Annual Ice Cream Social with Performance by Jeff Jam on Saturday June 16^th 2012 from 3:30pm to 5pm at the Ripley School Playground
  
• Adrian Martinez Classic Mile Races take place on Saturday, July 7 at 4pm at The Skip O’Connor Track at Emerson Field, Concord. For more information, please contact Stephen Lane, Race Director, at (617)306-4650 or get your online entry form at www.martinezclassic.com
• Concord Youth Soccer Camp for Boys offered by Target Soccer Academy for boys entering 1st through 9th grade August 6th – 10th at CCHS.  Appropriate for players of all ability levels. For more information or to register online today, go to the following website: http://www.targetsocceracademy.com/.
• Concord Public Library Summer Programs include Wingmasters, an educational organization that rescues and rehabilitates birds of prey, will present a program at the Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, on Monday, August 13 at 7pm. World champion Frisbee thrower Todd Brodeur will also give a talk in the Hunt Gym, Stow Street, on Wednesday, August 22 at 7pm followed by Frisbee throwing outside in the Emerson Field.  This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  For more information about this or any Library program, visit the Library’s website at www.concordlibrary.org.
• 6th Grade Ballroom Dance Classes offered by the Concord Parents’ League this fall.  The cost is $80 for a six week session. Please go to the following site for more information and a registration form: https://sites.google.com/site/concordballroomdance/.