Weston Schools

PTO LogoPTO's Westword Newsletter

February 1, 2012   
PTO's Westword Newsletter is published weekly during the school year. Announcements may be included in Westword if sent by 3pm the Thursday prior to publish date.  Please submit announcements for the February 8th issue no later than Thursday, February 2nd to westword@mail.weston.org.  

Do you have news or an event to post on the website?  Instructions on how to submit news and event information can be found under "Contact Us" on the Weston Schools website, or click here.

For more information about the Weston PTO, please visit the Weston PTO Website at www.westonpto.org or follow us online at Twitter and / or Facebook.
 
Middle School / High School
 
Youth Sporting Activities

All_GradesAll Grades

PTO Board Meeting  

The next PTO Board Meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:30pm, at the Field School Library. The public is welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Hochberger (PTO President) at 781-893-4123. 

Weston School Committee Meeting

The next School Committee meeting is scheduled to be Monday, February 6, at 7pm, at Case House, 89 Wellesley Street. The tentative agenda includes a Public Hearing on School Choice, WEEFC Proposals, Advanced Placement Courses (comparison data from other districts), iPad Pilot Mid-point Report, Review of Superintendents Proposed FY13 School Budget, Second Reading of Concussion Policy, Superintendent's Mid-year Report, Discussion of Town Report, and Updates on Facilities Projects (High School Science Labs, Field School Project). All members of the community are encouraged to attend this and all School Committee meetings.

PTO Nominations Begin

If you would like to join the PTO Board, or if you would like to nominate someone

to serve for the 2012-2013 school year please let us know! Names are gathered, passed by the nominating committee, vetted through a process beginning in mid Jan. Our final slate will be presented in April. Please check out the PTO website to see what positions are on the board! If you have any questions, or would like to nominate someone for a board position, please contact: Liz Hochberger, Leslye Fligor, or Danielle Black.

WEEFC's Kids Kreations Fundraiser 

Turn your child's art into a priceless keepsake, and support your schools, too!  Perfect for Mother's and Father's Day or just to enjoy at home.  Choose from a variety of options ranging from mugs, note cards, t-shirts and many more.  Simply return the packet with the completed order form (please note shipping on the form) and a check payable to Town of Weston, WEEFC, to school by February 14.  For questions or additional packets, please contact Mary Beth Henry.

PTO Calendar Discount Sale! 

Weston PTO is selling off the remaining 2011-12 Calendar/Student Directories for $5 each. Replace a lost Calendar, or get an extra for your car in time for the spring sports carpooling season. Please stop by the Case House to pick one up, or contact Alison Barlow with questions.

English Learner Education Parent Forum

ELL Forum will be held on Thursday, February 9, from 9-10am in the large conference room at Case House, 89 Wellesley St. Come meet your child's ELL Teachers and learn about Weston Public Schools' English Learner Education Program. A question and answer session will follow a brief presentation. 

Wanted: Scientists to help "Jumpstart" Weston 10th grade biology students into research

Students design and carry out an independent research project and we hope you would like to be a part of it. The PTO Science and Math Council is recruiting community members to help students clarify their experiment and projects. Advisors meet with students on Feb 2 and 3 during regular class blocks. Time commitments can be as short as 1.5 hours and as long as 2 days. Advisor background should be in science, research, medicine, or other health backgrounds. Easy Enrollment click here. Questions? Contact Marilyn Savage.

ElementaryPre-School / Elementary School News

Give Your Pants a Second Chance  

Check out your closets and open those drawers.  If your pants don't fit, donate them to a great cause.  Now through Friday, February 3rd, the PTO will hold its 3rd annual pants drive to benefit Cradles to Crayons.  Cradles to Crayons helps provide children with the basics of life - free of charge.  New or gently used pants may be dropped off in the lobbies of Field, Country, or Woodland Schools.  Please contact Laura Miller or Cristen Tabors with any questions.

Middle_HighMiddle School / High School News

Principal's Coffee
Join us for a Principal's Coffee on February 3rd: Open forum questions from 9-9:30am, followed by a teacher demonstration of how the iPad is being used in the classroom. Held at the MS Library
8th Grade Parent Forum on the Transition to High School

Middle School/High School guidance departments will be available to answer questions and help parents through the final stage of the HS registration process. Thursday, February 16, 8-9:30am in the MS library.

Weston Middle School Drama Club: Fiddler on the Roof

The Weston Middle School Drama Club presents their musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The performances are Thursday, February 2 at 7pm, Friday, February 3, at 3pm, and Saturday, February 4, at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $6 for students. Contact Amy Cuzzupoli (our Parent Ticket Coordinator) if you would like to reserve tickets for a show. With over 100 students involved, both onstage and off, it is a show not to be missed! 

High School Chorus to Perform Vivaldi's Gloria

Please join us as the Weston High School Chorus, Concert Choir, Weston Community Chorus and In Choro Novo perform Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria on Wednesday, February 8th at 8pm in the Regis College Fine Arts Center.  The snow date is Thursday, February 9th.  As always, admission is free.  ATTENTION:  PARKING IS NO LONGER ALLOWED AT REGIS COLLEGE FOR THIS EVENT.  Instead, you will park at Weston High School (444 Wellesley Street) and be chauffeured by school bus from the front entrance of the high school directly to the Regis College Fine Arts Center.  This COMPLIMENTARY shuttle service will operate continuously between the hours of 7-9:45pm. 

Order your Vivaldi's Gloria CD's Now! 

Don't delay, place your order now for the CD of the HS Chorus Concert at Regis College. $12 per CD. Pick up forms in the HS Chorus Room or call Donna Goulart 781-891-1065.

SportsYouth Sporting Activities

CommunityCommunity News

After School Book Clubs

The Weston Public Library is offering three new sessions of After School Book Clubs for kids in grades 1-5.  First, second and third graders can choose either our Tuesday or Thursday session.  Children take bus #6 to Field School, where they're met by a librarian and walk over to the library in a group to listen to a story and discuss books they're reading.  Pick up is at 3:15.  Fourth and fifth graders can sign up for our Monday session. For more information or to register, please visit the library or call us at 781-786-6150.  

Be My Valentine, Hosted by the Weston Recreation Department

Boys and girls come enjoy a special celebration of games and crafts at this afternoon event!  Children can create handmade Valentine's Day cards, decorate sugar cookies and have their pictures taken with friends!  All of this while enjoying music and light refreshments.  If you have any questions, please contact our office at 781-786-6260. Sunday, February 12, 2pm-4pm, cost is $15/child. 

Daffodil Days

The 2012 American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days Campaign has begun. Daffodil orders will be accepted through February 10. Deliveries will be made the week of March 19th. Purchasing one bunch will: fund cancer research; provide services to cancer patients and their families; educate our community on cancer prevention and early detection;  provide free housing to cancer patients seeking treatment far from home; and make our family, friends and teachers smile! Order forms are available from K-8th grade homeroom teachers. Please contact Victoria and Catherine Argyrople at 781-772-1121 with questions or orders.  

Land's Sake After School Maple Program
Learn about the other mail: A Knights Tale
Mr. Neal Bourbeau from the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester will speak at the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History at Regis at 1pm on Sunday, Feb 5. His program provides an introduction to the history of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. He will demonstrate types of authentic arms and armor. The program is appropriate for children and adults.  Also arts and crafts activities, making Valentine Day cards and free stamps starting at 2:30.  More info here or contact Henry Lukas, Education Director. Regular Museum hours are Thursdays to Sundays, 12-5pm. 
Discussing Topics of Crime and Safety with Pre-School & Early Elementary Aged Children

What is the best way to discuss the scary topics of crime and "bad people" with children?  How do we answer our children's questions about the crime they see in the media?  Tonight, Wednesday, Feb 1st, Weston Police Officer Kellie Connarton will provide parents with strategies for discussing the difficult topics of crime and safety with our pre-school and early elementary-aged children.  Light refreshments will be available at 7pm, followed by Officer Connarton from 7:15-9pm.  Sponsored by the WCCA, this event is being held at a private home in Weston.  For event location and to RSVP, please email Nicole Papas.

Weston Talks Trash! - Featuring Bob Hoffman

The Weston Climate Group is hosting a presentation and discussion about stuff, where it comes from and where it goes when we think that we are done with it. Although it is easy for most of us to just "throw stuff away," it is amazing to see what actually happens once you realize that there is no such thing as "away." Come to the Weston Public Library at 7pm on Wednesday, February 8th to learn how to watch your waste in a whole new way. For more information, contact Rudy Ruggles or visit our web site.

Weston 300 Upcoming Meeting

The next Weston300 town-wide meeting will be Thursday, Feb 9th at 7pm at the Weston Community Center.   

Weston School Programming on the Air

The following link has the current schedule for school programming on the air. 

Understanding Uganda- A Mixed Media Exhibit by Claudia Krimsky

During the entire month of February, photographs and crafts from the Krimsky/Kee family's trip to the Kasiisi Project schools in Uganda will be on display in the gallery of the Weston Public Library.  Please join us for an artist's reception from 2-4 on Saturday, February 4th.

10th Grade Parent Discussion Group

10th Grade Parent Discussion Group - Please join us for the next parent discussion group being held on Wednesday, February 8th at 11am at the home of Allegra Manacher - 39 Westerly Road, Weston. Please rsvp to Allegra

12th Grade Parent Discussion Group

Please join us on Thursday, February 2nd at 11:00 at the home of Liz Gilbard 156 Highland Street for a conversation about senior internships, summer jobs and plans for the month of June...post graduation. Any parent/caregiver of a 12th grader is always welcome. Please note new location and RSVP to Lisa Lewtan or Claudia Krimsky.

"Shade Gardening" Presentation

Catherine Wiersema, Landscape Designer Boussard Designs, will speak about "Shade Gardening" on Monday, February 6 at 7pm sharp in the Community Room of Weston Community Center. Catherine is best known in Weston for her beautiful landscape design work at the Weston Community Center. Hosted by The Provisional Group of the Weston Garden Club.

ReduceReduce, Reuse, Recycle

Tips for Weathering the Winter
  • Use non-toxic de-icing substances 
  • Winterize your vehicle 
  • Save your ashes from your wood burning fireplace 
  • Use electric snow removal products 
  • Use rechargeable batteries 
  • Recycle old newspapers 
  • Do routine check-up and necessary maintenance on heating systems 

For more information, please click here


Please note, not all announcements included in Westword are PTO sponsored.  They are included as a service to the Weston community.  Criteria for inclusion are as follows: 
"Community based, non-profit, non-sectarian, children's activities and parenting oriented activities."
The Superintendent's office will continue to review and approve the form and content of each issue of Westword, including the "Community News."

Sincerely,
The Weston PTO
 
email:  westword@mail.weston.org
PTO | PO BOX 123 | WESTON | MA | 02493