In this week’s newsletter:

[Recap] Back to School Social
Communicating with the PTO
Picture Day-September 23rd
Room Parent & Library Volunteers
New Directory
Multicultural Night – Thursday, September 26
Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming Events
Quick Links

Back to School Social “Movie Night (not) Under the Stars” a success!

We are so thrilled that the threat of rain and EEE did not keep our Williams families away from joining us for the Back to School Social. The movie may not have been under the stars, but it was still a wonderful community event and a great way to launch our year. Bringing our community together is always a top priority of the PTO and this was definitely a great way to start the school year. We hope to do it again next year in pajamas!

Thank you to Wally’s Ice Cream for their continued support. A huge thank you shout-out given to the parent volunteers who helped make this night such as success: Eddie Thomas & Diana Guzzi and Emily McMains.

CREATING A CIRCLE OF SUPPORT

At Williams it is an important priority that everyone is assured a sense of belonging and feels supported. Throughout our classrooms, teachers are helping students get to know one another and discussions are being had about the role we each play in making Williams a productive and fun place for everyone to learn and grow.

We understand that this support extends outside the school walls with the intricate network of people in our lives; friends, family, caregivers, mentors, spiritual groups and/ or coaches and many more.

They are the people we value in our lives, who help us achieve our dreams or lend a hand when we are in need. We can count on them to be there for us!

The Williams staff together with the PTO are creating classroom collages that represent this circle of support. We are asking that each student bring in one or two photos of people who are supportive in their lives to add to these collages.

Who’s in your circle?

Communicating with the PTO

We are working to find the balance between the piles of papers our kids bring home everyday, our ever expanding email inboxes, and connecting with families at Williams.

To help with this balance, we will continue to connect through these options:

We are always available through our email presidents@williamspto.org

The Williams PTO Website will get updated weekly with all the newsletters, Principal’s letters, and has great useful information.

You can find community support and great advice at our private Williams Parents Facebook Group

You can get text reminders by checking out the Remind App or signing up for text reminders HERE

Finally, we are excited about all we have planned for this year, but we cannot do it all. We are asking families to step up and help us in the various open positions and we need your help. You can find out more at the Volunteer slate.

These include Halloween Dance Committee, Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Understanding Our Differences for 3rd Grade, Color Day, Fundraising Coordinator . The success of these events depend on parent participation, and we hope you will join in to make this beloved events a success.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions or ideas, we welcome your input and involvement.

Sincerely,

Cristina, Sofia and Omer

PTO Co-Presidents

Picture Day: Monday, September 23rd

Just a friendly reminder that Monday, September 23rd is School Picture Day! Each student was sent home with a package plan from Hayward Photography. Please select your photo option and enclose your check payable to Hayward Photography before or on Monday, September 23rd. If paying with cash, please pay exact amount-no change given.

Also you may pre-pay for your selected package with credit/debit card online at Haywardphotography.com and use code: WIL19 (if you’re like us, you’ll be grateful to have one less check to remember to send).

***Please note: even if you do not purchase a package, your child’s picture will be taken with the class for a complimentary 5×7 Picture***

Room Parent & Library Volunteers

We are still looking for Room Parents for Ms. Norton’s First grade and both 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. As well as a second parent for Mr. Joyce’s Kindergarten, Ms. Mitchell’s 1st grade, Ms. Prihoda’s 2nd grade and Ms. Sabin’s 2nd grade.

Being a Room Parent is a great way to get involved in the Williams community by meeting other families in your child’s class and getting to know your child’s teacher. Room Parents are an important liaison between the PTO, teachers, and families.

For more questions, feel free to reach out to Sarah Cheslock

The Library needs volunteers for the following times:

Kanode: MONDAYS 11:15-11:45
Sawan: MONDAYS 1:15-1:45
Mitchell: THURSDAYS 10:00-10:45
Marshall: THURSDAYS 11:30-12:15
Azia: THURSDAYS 12:15-12:45
Messenger: THURSDAYS 1:30-2:00

Please reach out to Sarah Henry or Julie Jakubowski

New Online Directory

MySchoolAnywhere is now…. MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT!

It has some of the same great features of MSA, but has added a few more cool tools to make connecting at Williams even easier.

Here’s what you need to do:

Go to williamsptoauburndale.membershiptoolkit.com.
Click on the Register/Login button.
Note: you will need to Register on a browser before using the App

Download the Free App!

Search for Membership Toolkit in the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

After you register on the website, use the same username and password you chose in the app to access our directory, manage your family information, make purchases, signup for volunteer activities, and more— all from your cell phone.

Multicultural Night –

Thursday, Sept. 26

Calling all the makers of pita, roti, injera, focaccia, lavash, arepa, Pão de queijo, mandu, shumai, peirogi, kreplach, samosas and the world’s delicious foods…

Bring your delicacies and treats or just your appetite and join us for our school favorite, Multicultural Night.

Williams Elementary is unique in Newton to have one of the most culturally diverse communities, and we want to celebrate this!

Multicultural Night is a FREE night of family fun! All Williams students and families are invited to this annual event on Thursday, September 26 from 6:00-7:30pm but its success truly depends on the involvement of our Williams families!

Families sign up to bring food, music, and introduce Williams’ families to their culture and background. In an hour and a half, our students and families travel around the world and learn all about our community’s roots.

However you choose to become a part of this wonderful night, be sure to join us in celebrating the diverse community we call home. More details are on the link. Sign up HERE to bring food for the potluck table or to represent your country!

Volunteer Opportunities

All parents and guardians of students at Williams School are members of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). Parent involvement in the school is a fundamental part of what makes the school experience here so special. There are various volunteer opportunities during school (Art and Library class) and after school as well as vital behind-the-scenes tasks that working parents can do to help. Please click HERE to take a look at our volunteer opportunities and consider signing up!

Note: If you have already volunteered for something, please be sure to update the Volunteer slate as we have transitioned from sign-up-genius.

If you are interested in a position but not sure because you have lingering questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the PTO Presidents.

NCE Classes @ Williams

Chess (Tuesdays 12:45-1:45) Grade 1-5
Digital Game Design (Wednesdays 3:15-4:15) Grade 3-5
Drawing Club (Thursdays 3:15-4:15) Grade 2-5

Cub Scouts

Contact Cubmaster, Rowell Levy for more information.
For prospective and new scouts the Open House is Wednesday, Sept 18th, 7 – 8pm, Waban Library Center, 1608 Beacon Street.For new and returning scouts the first meeting is Tuesday, September 24th, 7 – 8pm, Waban Library Center, 1608 Beacon Street.

NEWTON FORJ: Families Organizing for Racial Justice

Join the Newton Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) at their city-wide meetings Oct. 2 and Oct. 23. Family Meetings in November.

Inaugural meeting of the Newton FORJ Book Group— Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 6:30-8:30pm, Oak Hill Middle School Library

For more questions, contact Alison Callahan, Emily McMains and Katie Annas FORJ @ Williams coordinators.

Also, check out the new Newton FORJ Book Group, meeting monthly at various locations throughout Newton.
QUESTIONS? contact: jenniferdirga@gmail.com.

Click here to learn more about the FORJ Group

Newton’s One-to-One Program, our very own “Big Brother/Sister Program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 30 years.

If you think your elementary aged child would benefit from a mentor in their life and you can commit 2.5 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May – see information HERE or reach out to 617-315-8733.

Upcoming Events

September

Monday, 9/23 – School Photos
Thursday, 9/26 – EARLY RELEASE
Thursday 9/26 – Multicultural Night 6-7:30pm
Monday, 9/30 – Rosh Hashanah, NO SCHOOL

October

Wednesday, 10/2 – citywide FORJ meeting (adults only)
Wednesday, 10/9 – Yom Kippur No School
Tuesday, 10/22 – Flu Clinic 8:30-10:00
Wednesday 10/23 – citywide FORJ meeting (adults only)
Friday, 10/25 – Halloween Monster Bash