FS PTO Update

/in /by

Dear Field School families,

We hope you had a nice long weekend! It was great to see many of you at last week’s presentation by award-winning author/illustrator Jerry Craft, which was an incredible culmination of Field School’s all-school read of his graphic novel, New Kid. It was a morning to remember!

It’s another busy week so we encourage you to please read the following announcements (in bold below), along with a few reminders:

  1. Alastair Moock – Music Performance for Fifth Grade (Tomorrow) – Parents Welcome!
  2. Public Forum with WPS Superintendent Candidates (Tomorrow)
  3. Please Donate: Hope & Comfort Drive – Extended Until Friday With A New Incentive
  4. Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with WEEFC STAR Awards
  5. Register for Kids’ Night Out / Childcare for Town Meeting (May 8)
  6. Important Dates
  7. WEEFC’s 2023 Fall Fundraiser – Call for Auction Items & Sponsorships
  8. Bus Barn Lost & Found – Claim by Friday!
  9. Weston Fishing Derby (April 23)
  10. Weston PMC Kids Ride (May 7)
  11. Support METCO

We hope you have a wonderful week–and a happy and relaxing April break! We will be back in touch after the vacation week, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions in the meantime.

Best,

Laura Wilson & Taylor McIntire Field School PTO Co-Chairs

1. Alastair Moock – Music Performance for Fifth Grade (Tomorrow) – Parents Welcome! Throughout the fifth-grade social studies curriculum, students have learned how different people expressed their feelings when social change was occurring or when social change wasn’t occurring but needed to. One way that feelings were expressed and changes were inspired was through song. Alastair Moock, a 2013 Grammy Nominee and three-time Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Winner, will perform for the fifth grade on Monday, April 10 at 9:00 a.m. – and parents are welcome to attend! Alastair will introduce students to the music that shaped and connected three of America’s most important movements for change: Labor Rights, Civil Rights, and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement. This performance is brought to our fifth graders by the Weston PTO Performing Artists and Authors Committee (PAAC) and WEEFC. Your contributions to WEEFC help us provide our students with in-person enrichment programs like this. Thank you for your continued support!

2. Public Forum with WPS Superintendent Candidates: On Monday, April 10, the School Committee will hold a public forum with the WPS Superintendent finalists, enabling them to respond to questions submitted in advance by the public. The forum will be held via Zoom according to the following schedule:

  • 6:30 PM: Meeting opens
  • 6:45 PM: Dr. Karen Zaleski
  • 7:30 PM: Principal Paul Peri
  • 8:15 PM: Principal John Gibbons
  • 9:00 PM: Adjournment

During the forum, the public will be invited to provide feedback about each finalist. In advance of the forum, if you’d like to submit a question for one or more of the finalists, please use this Google Form. Questions are requested by tonight (Sunday, April 9) at 11:59 p.m. The public is also welcome to provide input about the finalists by sending an email to schoolcommittee@weston.org.

3. Please Donate! The Hope & Comfort Drive has been extended until Friday with a new incentive! The Hope & Comfort Drive has been extended until Friday, April 14 because donations are still very much needed! Please join Hope & Comfort and the Weston PTO to improve the health, self-esteem, and hygiene education of young people in our community by donating new, unexpired hygiene products. Collection bins are located in the Field School lobby for your convenience. NEW: There are three $50 Amazon gift cards that will be awarded to the top classes (and/or schools) who fill up the most bins.

Donations can also be made via Amazon Wish List by clicking HERE.

Basic hygiene items can make a huge impact on the health and well-being of children and adults in need. Items donated will be distributed to youth serving organizations, food pantries, and other human service agencies located in Greater Boston and beyond. Thank you for your support of this important service project!

4. Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with WEEFC Star Awards: National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12) is the perfect time to acknowledge a special teacher, aide, or staff member who has made a difference in your student’s life! Make a donation of your choosing to WEEFC, fill out the Star Award Purchase Form to designate your recipients, and we will create and send a personalized e-certificate. Submissions made through April 26 will be delivered during Teacher Appreciation Week.

5. Register for Kids’ Night Out / Childcare for Town Meeting: The WHS Student Council is excited to offer a Kids’ Night Out to support attendance at the annual Weston Town Meeting on Monday, May 8. Spots are limited so we encourage you to sign up today–and please spread the word!

Weston children ages PreK to Grade 5 will be supervised by WHS student volunteers from 6:00-9:30 p.m. at multiple school locations so parents/residents can participate in Town Meeting. Children will be separated by age (PreK-K, G1-3, G4-5) and will be engaged in games, sports, crafts, and entertainment. Light snacks and water will be provided.

Space is limited and a signed waiver and prepayment is required by April 30 (Late registration accepted until May 5). Please note, NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 5. Proceeds will support students’ fundraising efforts and grade events. Click here to register and pay.

Early registration and payment received by April 30:

$20 per child

$10 for each additional sibling

$40 max per family

Late registration and payment received between May 1-5:

$30 per child

$15 for each additional sibling

$60 max per family

Please contact Eunice Feller, Student Council faculty advisor, or Henry Moon, WHS Instructional Coach, with questions. We hope to see your kids for Kids’ Night Out and to see you at Town Meeting!

6. Important Dates: Please note that this week’s events are in bold below.

  • Monday, April 10: Fifth Grade Performance by Alastair Moock | 10:00 a.m. | Field School Gym – Parents welcome!
  • Monday, April 10: Public Forum with WPS Superintendent Candidates | 6:30 p.m. | Via Zoom
  • Wednesday, April 12: School Committee Initial Superintendent Deliberation | 12:00 p.m. | In person and via Zoom
  • Friday, April 14: School Committee Superintendent Final Deliberation and Vote | 9:00 a.m. | Via Zoom
  • Monday, April 17 – Friday, April 21: No School | April Break
  • Sunday, April 23: Weston Fishing Derby | 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Weston High School Pond
  • Monday, April 24: School Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 27: Principal’s Coffee re. Grade 5 Transition to Middle School | 9:00-10:00 a.m. | Field School Cafeteria
  • Sunday, May 7: Weston PMC Kids Ride | 8:00 a.m. | Weston Middle School

  • Monday, May 8: Annual Town Meeting | Weston High School Auditorium | 7:00 p.m. | Register for childcare here!

7. WEEFC’s 2023 Fall Fundraiser – Call for Auction Items & Sponsorships: Planning has begun for WEEFC’s Fall 2023 Fundraiser, scheduled for September 30. Tickets will go on sale in late summer, but we could use your help now to ensure the event is a success. We’re currently seeking businesses, artists, musicians, craftsmen, and local stores/sports teams/hotels/theaters that might be willing to provide or donate a service or item for the auction. Whether you’ve got a connection to spa services, lawn care, destination getaways or something in between, we want to hear from you! Interested in helping plan the event? Our next meeting is this Friday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Case House, and everyone is welcome. Please contact Steph Corcoran with auction/event ideas and Katie Strohacker if your business might be interested in sponsoring the event.

8. Last Chance to Claim Bus Barn Lost & Found Items! You can stop by the Bus Barn (456 Wellesley Street, Weston) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday to look for any missing items. Please note that you must stop by in person, as the Transportation Department staff is unable to look for items from phone or email requests. Any unclaimed items will be donated after this Friday, April 14.

9. Weston Fishing Derby: Calling all Weston area children! The Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland invites you to our annual Fishing Derby–a 40+ year tradition–on Sunday, April 23 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Weston High School Pond. Bring your own gear, bait (no lures, please), and bucket. Fishing starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp! Prizes are in four age categories up to age 14. Please note, this is a free event, and you can register online to attend by clicking here. This event takes place rain or shine since the fish like to eat in all weather! Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Volunteers are welcome to help measure fish. Fishing is great family fun! Click here for more information.

10. Weston PMC Kids Ride (May 7): Grab your helmet and get biking for a great cause! The Weston PMC Kids Ride is back for its 6th year with in-person and virtual options for riders ages 2-12. Click HERE for more information, registration, and volunteer sign-up. 100% of proceeds go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Contact WHS junior Olivia Rome with questions or to volunteer.

Date: Sunday, May 7, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. registration/check-in followed by 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. ride. Fun activities to follow the ride. Event wraps up by 10:00 a.m.

Location: Weston Middle School, 456 Wellesley St. Weston, MA 02493

Online registration is open now!

Fee: $20 registration fee with a commitment of $40

More Info:  https://kids.pmc.org/weston

11. Support METCO with the purchase of METCO Matters merchandise! Please use the link to submit your orders, which will be shipped directly to you.