December 13, 2021

Alcott Newsletter

December 13, 2021

I hope this newsletter finds all of the Alcott community doing well.  Somehow December snuck up on me this year and I am finding it to be halfway over already!  Our days at school have been filled with amazing learning in the classrooms, trips to the STEAM lab, and new experiences like eating lunch in the cafeteria for the first time in 20 months! In this month’s newsletter, you will find a recap of November’s Turkey Trot, a reminder about dismissal routines and more!  What you won’t find are any reminders about COVID (first time in 20 months?)!

Turkey Trot Recap: Our annual Turkey Trot, pushed into November due to October’s Nor’Easter, was a smashing success!  It was wonderful to see so many families at Emerson Field to support their student runners.  Donations are still coming in but, so far, students have raised over $9,000 for Open Table and Concord Recreation’s Scholarship Fund.  We will be presenting the money raised to these organizations at an all school meeting next week.

All School Meeting: We have an all school meeting planned for the week before vacation.  Although we still aren’t able to bring the entire school together in person in the gym like we used to, this virtual event still promises to be a fun one that brings students together across the grade levels.  Students and staff will be showcasing their joy and enthusiasm in a variety of ways.  Our 5th graders will be introducing a fun activity they will be leading for the entire school starting after the new year.  And, of course, we will celebrate the efforts of students at the Turkey Trot by presenting the money raised to Open Table and Concord Recreation.  We may not be back to “normal” just yet, but it will still be nice for students and staff to come together.

Dismissal Reminders: This is just a reminder to include both the classroom teacher and the main office (kcorliss@concordps.orgtbertolami@concordps.org) when notifying the school of any changes to your child’s dismissal plans.  We also ask that you make every effort to communicate about changes before the start of the school day, though we do understand that last minute changes can, at times, be unavoidable.  Finally, please make sure that you include your child’s full name when emailing with dismissal changes.

Playground Use After Dismissal: With clocks being turned back last month, we are all feeling the early arrival of darkness.  Because it gets dark so early right now, Concord Recreation has been bringing students out to play on the structure as early as possible each afternoon.  This is just a reminder that the play structure is not open to the public during school hours and while the before and after school programs are using it.  If you do remain on school grounds after dismissal, just be mindful of when Concord Recreation brings the after school program outside.  Thank you!

Upcoming METCO Family Friends Event: Save the date!!  Our METCO Family Friends committee is planning a weekend outing to ice skate on the Frog Pond in the Boston Common.  This event is scheduled to occur on February 12th from 2-4pm and should be tons of fun.  I am very grateful to the METCO Family Friends committee as well as the PTG as a whole for their efforts to strengthen relationships amongst our families and provide social opportunities in the two communities our school serves, Boston and Concord.

December Vacation: The last day of school before vacation is December 23rd.  Dismissal on the 23rd is at 12:30.  School resumes on Monday, January 3rd.