FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Students and staff returned from April vacation appearing relaxed and well rested! With renewed energy, we begin the final phase of the 2011-2012 school year.
Most Willard classrooms have spent time enjoying poetry over the past few weeks as part of National Poetry Month. This year, Willard has been invited to participate in a Science Poetry Exchange with Purvis Elementary School in Bermuda. As part of the exchange, many Willard teachers have agreed to provide time for their students to write and illustrate a science poem. We expect to complete this project by the end of the week. Boston College Professor (and Willard grandfather) George Ladd is facilitating this exchange project. This opportunity provides our students with an authentic audience for their work as poets and illustrators and also provides them with the chance for an interesting cultural exchange.
Willard Kindergarten Registration concludes today. During three sessions, we welcomed 70 incoming kindergartners. Kindergarten Registration triggers a sense of renewal each spring as we welcome our incoming students and prepare to say goodbye to our exiting 5th graders. Speaking of 5th graders, the 5th Grade Celebration Committee is hard at work planning the first 5th Grade Service Day, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22nd. Since this is an early release day, participating 5th 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 5th grade event is the 5th Grade Art Retrospective. This annual event provides an opportunity to celebrate the Arts at Willard. From 6:00 – 7:00 PM, families are invited to view the 5th 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!
Family Reading Night will be held at Willard on Wednesday evening, May 2nd from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. During this event, teachers will be stationed in various classrooms and will welcome students and parents into their classrooms to listen to some wonderful books read aloud. The reading stations will be organized by age and/or grade level. At 7:15, we will transition to the cafeteria to listen to a special guest reader. When you arrive for the event you will pick up a program outlining the reading locations, the teacher readers, and the books that will be read. Last year’s event was well attended and well received. I hope that many families will be able to attend. Please add this date to your calendars!
Finally, all parents are invited to a Principal’s Coffee on Friday, April 27th from 9:30 – 10:15 AM in the Cafeteria. At this time, I look forward to sharing information about Willard and answering parent questions. I have asked Willard Technology Specialist Terry Smolka to join me for this event. Mrs. Smolka will share information about internet safety and technology initiatives at Willard.
As always, thank you for all you do for Willard School.
- Pat Fernandes, Principal
WILLARD NEWS & EVENTS
Staff Appreciation
Principal’s Coffee
Principal’s Coffee on Friday, April 27th from 9:30 – 10:15 AM. Principal Fernandes looks forward to greeting you and sharing information about Willard. Terry Smolka, our Technology Specialist, will join her at the Coffee to share information about technology use at Willard and to offer tips about internet safety at home.
Family Reading Night
Join Willard staff for a night of reading fun! In several areas of the building, teachers will welcome students and families to listen as they read some of their favorite books. Parents must accompany children to this schoolwide event. All families will meet in the cafeteria at 7:15 for a special performance by a guest reader. Please bring a blanket to spread out on the cafeteria floor to sit on while you enjoy a special performance.
CONGRATULATIONS, SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPANTS!
The registrations are in and this year’s Science May-hem looks like a Mega-Fun Educational Event! With Willard students busily creating more than 100 different exciting explorations in science!
A Registration Confirmation Form has been emailed to all participants’ parents. Please fill it out BY WEDNESDAY this week. If your child registered but you did not receive a confirmation e-mail, please e-mail sciencefair@willardptg.org.
Confirmation information has been emailed. Team Parents, please let us know ASAP if:
1. Your child registered but did not receive a participant information email
2. You need electricity or have other special requirements that you did not already indicate during registration.
3. Your child or team registered but has decided not to participate.
If any of the above applies to you, please e-mail sciencefair@willardptg.org
SCIENCE FAIR PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Parents, want to join in the Science Fair fun? We can still use volunteers for the following:
1. Be an official Parent Scientist to visit student displays, discuss their projects, and present participation ribbons.
2. Help with clean up after the fair.
3. Help sell snacks in half hour shifts during the fair
If you can help with any of the above, please e-mail sciencefair@willardptg.org. Thanks!
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
Carnival posters have been distributed through your child’s classroom so be on the lookout! 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
Film Showing of “The Economics of Happiness” at First Parish of Concord
On Friday, April 27th from 7-9pm, this powerful, award-winning documentary film will be shown which speaks to the condition of the human spirit on our highly growth-oriented, economically globalized planet. It not only deals very effectively with environmental issues, but also places them within a larger context and contains an optimistic message about the path to greater human happiness.
The event will be hosted by the Environmental Leadership Team of First Parish Church, and co-sponsored by Tri-Con Church and ConcordCAN. It is offered free of charge to the community. Three panelists, with varying backgrounds and perspectives will comment on the movie and engage with the audience:
Mike Hanauer: a veteran sustainability, climate change, and population activist for over twenty-five years, who has provided leadership for Zero Population Growth organizations at the state and national levels.
Rev. Dr. John Lombard: Senior Minister of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord. Well known for his deep commitment to the betterment of local community life, to peace and justice, and to the environment.
Karl Seidman: a nationally known Senior Lecturer in Economic Development in the Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT. His current research is focused on how economic development organizations are responding to climate change and the green economy.
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. Dates are April 28, 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.) Information: http://www.concordplayers.org ; 978-369-2990.
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
Thoreau Road Race
Get ready to RUN! The Sixth Annual Thoreau School Road Race is Sunday, May 20th. Kids’ Fun Runs (.5 mile and 1 mile) start at 11 AM; the 5K follows at noon. A family BBQ picnic and award ceremony will be held after the race. Mark your calendars and join us for a fun challenge for the whole family! For more information and to register, go to: www.thoreauptg.org
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
From day one, all children show unique personalities, styles, and preferences in how they interact with the world. For instance: Does your baby get hungry and sleepy at the same time each day—or is she thoroughly unpredictable? Does your toddler rush into new situations, or does he like to wait and watch before getting involved? Does your child prefer to interact with one person at a time, or is it “the more the merrier”? 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.
Concord Museum’s Garden Tour
The Concord Museum’s 23rd annual Garden Tour will take place June 1st and 2nd from 9:00am to 4:00pm. There are 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).
Concord Public Library Used Book Sale
On 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.
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.
Summer Basketball Clinic for Girls
In Case You Missed It
- Milldam Nursery School: Milldam Nursery School is accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year. Please visit our web-site to get download and application and request a tour. www.milldamnurseryschool.org Milldam is a cooperative preschool located in the Center of Concord, 20 Lexington Road.
- CCPI Survey: The Concord Carlisle Parents Initiative wants to know what’s on your mind! Please take part in this 10 item survey to help CCPI identify parents’ concerns. We appreciate your responses and look forward to offering programs that meet your needs. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PQWGXVX