March 2024

March 5, 2024

Dear Thoreau Families,

We hope you had a wonderful February break and are feeling rejuvenated for the remainder of the school year. We kicked off our return with an inspiring all-school meeting where our fourth graders showcased their incredible turtle rescue project—a true testament to their creativity and compassion. As we dive into March, I wanted to highlight some exciting events on the horizon. Also, in the coming weeks, I will be sharing our updated feasibility study campus plan, which is exciting to all and will be an enormous win for our students.

  • March 8th – “Favorite Story Character Day” Students can optionally dress up as there favorite story character to kick off our book fair. Please note that they should refrain from wearing masks or face paint, bringing in anything resembling a weapon, and ensure it is culturally responsive.
  • March 8th – Book Fair Kickoff & Math Night (Brochure Below)
  • March 8th – March 15th – Book Fair
  • March 23rd – Spelling Bee
  • March – May – MCAS (schedule below)

We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events and continuing to celebrate the achievements and talents of our students. As always, I appreciate your partnership and commitment to Thoreau.

With Gratitude,

Principal Sparks

February 2024

February 5, 2024

Thoreau Families,

It’s hard to believe we’ve passed the midpoint of the school year and will be celebrating the 100th day of school next week. The highlight of the year for me was certainly our first all-school meeting. Our entire community came together in the cafeteria to celebrate, learn from eachother, and engage in some fun activities. Henry Husky even made an appearance! I’m thrilled to share our excitement about the progress we’ve seen so far this year. Your children have shown incredible dedication to their learning journey, and it’s heartening to see the positive impact of their hard work. From academic accomplishments to personal growth, each student’s journey contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our school community. The support and collaboration between families, students, and our exceptional staff have been instrumental in making the first half of the year a success. As we embark on the second half, I’m filled with optimism for the continued growth and success of our students. Together, we’ll build on the foundation laid, facing new challenges with determination and embracing fresh opportunities for learning and collaboration. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Below I’ve highlighted some information, news, celebrations, and upcoming events that I hope you’ll find timely and pertinent.

Please find additional information on my February Thoreau Family Newsletter.

With Gratitude,

Principal Sparks

January 2024

January 4, 2024

Welcome back to a brand new year filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for growth! I hope your winter break was filled with joy, laughter, and special moments with your children. As we embark on this journey in 2024, I’m so grateful for the partnership we’ve built. Collaboratively, we’ve created a nurturing environment where all students thrive. We’re committed to fostering a school community where every child feels a deep sense of belonging and connectedness. Our shared dedication to providing a supportive and inclusive space is the cornerstone of our success. Our goal is to provide your children with numerous opportunities for deeper learning, exploration, and growth. We’re committed to igniting their curiosity and nurturing their passions, guiding them toward a future full of possibilities. Together, let’s continue to inspire, support, and uplift our young learners, guiding them toward becoming confident, compassionate individuals ready to make a positive mark on the world. Here’s to an excellent year ahead!

I’ve highlighted additional information in the January Thoreau Family Newsletter.

December 2023

December 5, 2023

As we approach the halfway mark of this year, I wanted to take a moment to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you for the incredible partnership we’ve forged thus far. Your support and active involvement have been instrumental in fostering the thriving learning community we have here at Thoreau Elementary. Together, we’ve embarked on a journey that prioritizes joy, excellence, and connectedness. Your dedication to ensuring your child’s attendance, engagement in learning activities, and encouragement at home has made a significant impact on their educational journey. It’s because of our collaborative efforts that we’re witnessing the progress and achievements of our students every day. Your trust in our educators, active participation in school events, and feedback have been invaluable in shaping our strategies and enhancing the overall learning experience for students. Your commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment both at home and within our school walls truly embodies the essence of a strong partnership. As we move forward, I want to reassure you that our commitment to providing an enriching and safe learning environment remains steadfast. Together, we will continue to inspire, motivate, and empower our students to reach their fullest potential. Thank you for your continuous support, collaboration, and trust in us. Together, we will continue to create a positive impact on the lives of our students and uphold the spirit of excellence that defines our school community. Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and happiness!

I’ve highlighted some additional information in the December Thoreau Family Newsletter.

September 2023

September 25, 2023

Thoreau Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and filled with excitement, as we embark on a new school year together. We’re thrilled to share that our first days at Thoreau have been nothing short of spectacular! The enthusiasm and positive energy that our students and staff have brought to the classrooms and hallways are truly remarkable. From the moment the school doors opened, it was clear that everyone was eager to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Our students were very busy reconnecting with friends and staff after a fun-filled vacation. Laughter and smiles have been a constant presence as students reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It’s heartwarming to see the bonds of friendship forming so quickly. Our dedicated staff is working tirelessly to ensure a safe and nurturing environment where every child can thrive. We’re grateful for the incredible support and partnership of our families. Your involvement in your child’s education is invaluable, and we look forward to many more opportunities to work together. As we look ahead to the rest of the school year, we are filled with optimism and excitement for the adventures and achievements that await us. Together, we will continue to foster a nurturing, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment for all our students. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We are confident that the 2023-2024 school year will be one filled with success, growth, and wonderful memories.

Thoreau Monthly – March 2023

March 10, 2023

I can’t believe it is March already!  Last weekend’s weather aside, spring is right around the corner!  On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to express our gratitude for the delicious Taco Tuesday staff appreciation luncheon. The Book Fair is in full swing and our students are thoroughly enjoying browsing and shopping the wide selection of new and used books. Warm thanks to all of our wonderful parent volunteers for your time and for making this event possible.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate the support I have received from many of you regarding my candidacy for the Director of Student Services position. Thank you!

MCAS Schedule for Grades 3-5: As a reminder, MCAS begins at the end of March and continues through the middle of May. Please use the following link to our webpage to see the dates for our annual administration of our state-wide assessment: MCAS Dates.

Elementary Progress Reports:  Classroom progress reports are available through March 30, 2023. If you have multiple children attending Concord Public Schools or Concord-Carlisle High School, each child’s name will appear next to any available reports. Reports can be downloaded and saved as .pdf files if you wish. To access the portal, login from the Parent menu of your child’s school website. (A link to request a password reset can also be found at this website or email parentportal@concordps.org.) If you have not already done so, please set a security question upon logging into the portal, so that you can self-recover if you forget your password in the future; password resets are addressed during business hours only.

Heritage Week and the International Food Festival March 13th-17th: This is just a reminder that we will be celebrating the different cultures, heritages and traditions that weave into the Thoreau School community. Please see the handout that the PTG sent home in your child’s backpack this week for all of the wonderful events happening next week!

Thoreau Monthly – December 2022

December 12, 2022

On behalf of the faculty and staff I would like to express our gratitude to the PTG, and our parent community at large, for your partnership so far this year! It has been so wonderful to see the return of volunteers, mystery readers, and to simply see parents stopping into the main office and getting the chance to reconnect. Wishing you all a relaxing winter break and a happy and healthy new year!

Reminder: Elementary Safety Drills Webinar Tomorrow
Please join Detectives Cara Paladino and Derek Rodriguez, Concord Police Department School Resource Officers (SRO), and the Concord Schools’ district leaders for a zoom forum on December 12 (this Monday) at 11:00 AM for parents and caregivers to learn more about the schools’ safety protocols. The zoom information is below. The webinar will be recorded for those who can’t synchronously participate. If you have questions, you are also welcome to contact the SROs directly at: cpaladino@concordma.gov and drodriguez@concordma.gov.

Topic: CPD/CPS Emergency Preparedness Webinar

Time: Dec 12, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://concordps.zoom.us/j/98932275792?pwd=WTVLa1c3MzlUQTlaODhsMUVUUEpPdz09
Meeting ID: 989 3227 5792
Passcode: 316587

Recess in Winter:
We go outside each and every day, unless we have a frigid wind chill or it is raining. Please send your child dressed to play outside.  If we have snow on the ground, your child will need to wear snow pants and boots to play in the snow.

Teacher Gifts and the Conflict of Interest Law:
As public school educators, the staff at Thoreau is subject to the conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A.  This means that we may not accept any gift worth $50 or more that is given because of the positions we hold at Thoreau.  The Ethics Commission recently created an exemption to permit class gifts to teachers. A teacher may accept a gift, or several gifts during the school year, from public school students and/or their parents and guardians, with an aggregated value of up to $150, if the gift is identified only as being from the class, and the identity of the givers and the individual amounts given are not identified to the recipient.  Please call the main office if you have questions about the Conflict of Interest Law as it pertains to teacher gifts.

Mini Spirit Week: Winter Edition

Monday 12/19: Comfy Clothes Day, always a hit!

Tuesday 12/20: Wacky Tuesday, don your favorite hat or go crazy styling your hair or wear a mismatched outfit.

Wednesday 12/21: Sparkle and Shine Day, celebrate the first day of winter in your brightest and shiniest apparel.

Thursday 12/22: Thoreau Spirit Day, show your school spirit in your Thoreau gear or by wearing our school colors: blue and white.

Friday 12/23: Pajama Day, ease into winter break in your pjs!

CMS Coats for Kids:
The Concord Middle School Coats for Kids Club needs your help! Our goal this year is to collect 300 coats!! Please consider donating any gently-used coats in good condition by sending them to school with your child. The drop off box is by the office. We accept any size coat, from infant snowsuits to oversized adult, but please do not donate clothing other than winter coats – no sweatshirts, raincoats, vests, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens or snow pants. The drive runs until January 9th, 2023. If you get a new coat for the winter, consider donating your old coat to Coats for Kids. Thank you very much for your generosity!

Pets at Arrival and Dismissal:
We respectfully request that parents who bring their pets to school during arrival or dismissal time keep them a safe distance from other students and clear of our entrances.  Thank you!

Thoreau Monthly – November 2022

November 14, 2022

It finally feels like fall is here! It is hard to believe we are only 7 school days away from Thanksgiving break but this time of year is always busy here at Thoreau. Please take a moment to read about some exciting upcoming events below.

PTG-sponsored Food Drive:
The Food Drive for Open Table begins this week! For those that aren’t familiar with Open Table, it is a local non-profit with a mission to address hunger by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment that respects the dignity and diversity of those served.

We will collect items from Monday 11/14 through Tuesday 11/22, right before the Thanksgiving break. Food donations can be sent into school with your child (where they will be collected in the classroom) or they can be dropped off at the front office. Click here for most needed items. Here is a list of the most needed items:

  • Flour (especially 5lb bags), Sugar (especially 4lb bags), Brown Sugar, Baking Powder, Baking Soda
  • Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Chocolate Chips, Walnuts
  • Ground Coffee, Honey, Syrups, Jams & Jellies
  • Hot Cereal, Cold Cereal (low sugar preferred)
  • Hearty Soups

*Please consider donating Box Tops products and support two great causes this month!

If you have any questions, please reach out to us! Thank you for your support of this wonderful cause that has now become a Thoreau tradition!

Colleen Bixby (colleen.bixby@gmail.com)

Julie Lynch (julslynch@gmail.com)

PTG Community Service Chairs

Turkey Trot: Wednesday, November 23rd:
One of our most beloved school traditions is back! We are thrilled to be hosting our 33rd Annual Turkey Trot on Wednesday, November 23rd from 11:10 AM-12:00 PM. The Turkey Trot is a non-competitive fun run, which begins with a pep rally in the gym at 11:10 (due to limited capacity in the gym the rally is for students and staff only) and ends with the students chasing “Tom the Turkey” through the Thoreau school neighborhood, which will begin at 11:30.

Parents are invited to show their support for the students by cheering them on along the route. Because this event ends so close to our dismissal time, 12:25 on the 23rd, some parents have opted to pick up their students at end of the event at 12:00. In an effort to ensure a safe and less chaotic dismissal for those parents who choose to pick up their students before 12:30, dismissal will be from their classrooms and not from the field, starting at 12:00. If you do choose to pick up your students before 12:25, please let the teachers know in advance.

Mini-Spirit Week:
The week before Thanksgiving break we will be holding a mini-spirit week consisting of three theme days:

Monday 11/21: Comfy Clothes Day Begin the week in your comfiest ensemble!

Tuesday 11/22: Go Team Day! Come to school wearing your favorite sports team swag.

Wednesday 11/23: Thoreau Pride Day Show your support for Thoreau by wearing your Thoreau swag or our school colors: blue and white.

Upcoming Events:
11/23 Turkey Trot and Early Release at 12:25 PM
11/24-25 Thanksgiving Recess: No School

Thoreau Monthly – October 2022

October 11, 2022

Partnership with Therapy Dogs International:
We are very excited to announce that Thoreau will be piloting a therapy dog program this year! Lester Alloway, our canine friend, has completed an extensive training program and is certified by Therapy Dogs International. Lester and his handler Evy will be visiting our school for roughly an hour each week on Fridays.

Nurse Sequeira will be reviewing student health records to ensure compliance with allergy plans and to identify students who are allergic to pet dander. Our plan is to have Lester visit every classroom throughout the year and homeroom teachers will be in touch prior to scheduled visits.

Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day:
On Thursday October 18th, Thoreau will be participating in this wonderful town wide event supported by the School District and Safe Routes to School. Each elementary school will be provided an escorted safe route “bike train” from a specific meeting location. Please find information on our meeting location from the Concord Police Department below.

Meeting Location location is the BFRT parking lot on Comm. Ave. Meet participating families at 8:30 AM. Depart the lot at 8:40 AM with one bike officer escorting the “bike train”.
Follow the BFRT to Main St.
Second officer to assist the Main St. crossing. The route will follow Derby St. to Riverside Ave. to Pleasant St and end at Thoreau School.
Third officer will assist on Pine St. by Pleasant St.
Fourth officer and MSP will assist riders across rt. 2 at Baker Ave.
After dismissal at 3:25 PM the same route and officer assignments will be used to escort students back to the BFRT parking lot.

Pets at Arrival and Dismissal:
We respectfully request that parents who bring their pets to school during arrival or dismissal time keep them a safe distance from other students and clear of our entrances.  Thank you!

February 10, 2022

February 11, 2022

Elementary Progress Reports:  Progress reports will be published through the Aspen Portal in the Published Reports section on the front page of the portal by 4:00 PM on February 18th. If you have multiple children attending Concord Public Schools or Concord-Carlisle High School, each child’s name will appear next to any available reports. Reports can be downloaded and saved as .pdf files if you wish.

To access the portal, login from the Parent menu of your child’s school website. A link to request a password reset can also be found at this website or email parentportal@concordps.org. If you have not already done so, please set a security question upon logging into the portal, so that you can self-recover if you forget your password in the future; password resets are addressed during business hours only.

Dismissal/Arrival: Important
With students needing to pass between the modular classrooms and the main building via the crosswalk in front of the loading dock, please avoid entering the parking lot and turning around in the loading dock. We also respectfully request that parents who bring their pets to school during arrival or dismissal time keep them a safe distance from other students and clear of our entrances.  Thank you!

Absence Reporting: Please report all absences/illnesses to the school office before the start of the school day via the attendance form posted on our school website: http://thoreau.concordps.org/report-attendance-form/. The absence phone line is no longer in service.

Bus Safety: From time-to-time it is useful to review basic rules for cooperation and safe travel by the school bus. We ask that families review these rules together.  They are intended to contribute to the safety and well-being of all passengers. These rules are also found on page 31 of the 2021-2022 Parent and Student Handbook. All students are expected to behave in a manner that demonstrates respect for themselves, their schoolmates and the adults with whom they come into contact. Student’s misconduct while riding the bus will result in disciplinary action that may range from temporary loss of student bus privileges to suspension from school.

Required Conduct aboard the Bus:

  • Riders must remain in seats or in place when the bus is in motion.
  • Whistling and shouting are not permitted.
  • Profanity and obscene language are forbidden.
  • The following disturbances are prohibited:
    • Pushing or wrestling.
    • Annoying other passengers or disturbing their possessions.
    • Talking to the driver.
    • Throwing objects within the bus or out of windows.
    • Climbing over seats.
    • Standing.
    • Opening or closing windows.
    • Leaning out of windows.
    • Littering the bus.
  • Parents will be held responsible for any defacing or damaging the bus.

Upcoming Events: 
2/11 PTG Meeting, 9:30 AM
2/21 Presidents’ Day
2/21-2/25 Winter Break:  No School