December 13, 2021

December 13, 2021 |

On behalf of the faculty and staff I would like to express our gratitude to the PTG, and our parent community, for the wonderful Winter Staff Appreciation event last week. The delicious baked goods and barista were such a treat, thank you!  I hope you all have a relaxing vacation and a happy and healthy new year. 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

November 8th

November 10, 2021 |

Friday, November 12th, will be a half day for students for Thoreau only. After dismissal, staff will assist teachers moving into the modular classrooms with set up. We will use the afternoon of November 10th and the holiday on November 11th to pack and move the classrooms. Thank you for your support as we navigate, what we hope, will be the last phase of this process. Turkey Trot: Although modified from previous years, we are thrilled to be running the Turkey Trot the week before Thanksgiving Break! This year we will be running to support Open Table and each grade

October 6th

October 8, 2021 |

Fall is in the air!  We have enjoyed a wonderful first month of school and have been very busy settling back into routines and building community with our students.  Wishing you all a great month! Thoreau Bike-to-School Day: Friday, October 15 Rain or shine Save the date! This voluntary event is supported by the Concord Police Department, the Concord Public Schools and SRTS (Safe Routes to School). More detailed information regarding logistics will be forthcoming next week. Fall COVID Updates: We are thrilled to resume pooled testing this week and adding our Test and Stay program to our protocol for

May 6

May 6, 2021 |

On behalf of the entire Thoreau Staff, I would like to thank the PTG and our parent community for the fabulous Teacher Appreciation events this week! From the sidewalk notes and art to the fun raffles and ice cream truck, you made the staff feel like VIPS. We are grateful to have such an appreciative, generous, group of parents and families. Pooled Testing: All of our tests were negative this week! MCAS Testing Schedule: This year students in grades 3-5 will be participating in an abbreviated administration of our state-wide assessments.  Students in grades 3 and 4 will be taking one

April 1

March 31, 2021 |

Happy spring!  We have been busy planning for the transition from a half day hybrid model to a full day in-person model on April 5, 2021.  Our current safety practices, including maintaining 6ft. of social distance, reducing traffic throughout the building, wearing masks and contactless drop off/pick up will remain the same. What follows is information I hope you find helpful as we enter into this next phase of our reopening.  As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions. Devices: Laptops, iPads and chargers should be returned to school on April 5th.  Once we return to

March 12

March 12, 2021 |

It’s hard to fathom that, nearly one year ago today, school and life as we knew it was about to change so dramatically. While none of us could have imagined the impact that COVID would have on our students, ourselves or the way in which we do business, I couldn’t be more proud of the way in which the entire Thoreau community has persevered and supported one another along the way. Thank you!  Spring of 2021 Reminder: Per the Governor’s announcement last week, and state-approved mandate, the Concord Public Schools plan to return elementary students to full in-person learning on April

February 5

February 5, 2021 |

I hope your children enjoyed our first authentic snow day of the year.  It’s hard to believe that we are officially halfway through the 20-21 school year!  I would like to wish all Thoreau families a wonderful, healthy and relaxing winter vacation (2/15-2/19). Elementary Progress Reports:  Classroom 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 Thursday February 11th. 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

December 16

December 16, 2020 |

Inclement Weather Expected Tomorrow: Should the storm make in-person school unsafe, Dr. Hunter will notify the community via the traditional means that school will be fully remote for the day.  The schedule will consist of synchronous instruction from 9:00 AM-12:25 PM and special subjects will be held as usual (synchronous and asynchronous) in the afternoon. In the event of a remote snow day, teachers will be communicating specific instructions to families via email.  Special education and related services will occur, to the greatest extent possible, according to tomorrow’s regular schedule.  TEAM meetings scheduled to occur tomorrow will take place as

December 1

December 1, 2020 |

Thoreau Monthly: December 2020 I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving recess. Thanks to the generosity of the Thoreau community, we were able to donate 40+ boxes of comfort food staples to Open Table in honor of our 2020 retirees!  Today marks the 52nd day that we have been open and, as I’ve said before, we wouldn’t be here without your support so thank you! Wednesday, December 2nd: On the afternoon of December 2nd, all staff will be attending district-wide professional development.  Specialists who usually zoom on Wednesday afternoons will be unavailable due to their participation in these training

November 3

November 3, 2020 |

The Thoreau Monthly:  November As we planned to reopen this summer, I never dreamed we would still be open on November 3rd!  I am grateful for your support, the positivity and the vigilance of our entire school community in adhering to the guidelines we have set forth, and I remind myself on a daily basis that every day we are open is a gift. Thank you! Mini-Spirit Week and “Turkey Trot”: Between November 6th and November 25th, join the Thoreau School community by running or walking one mile as you are able to for our virtual Turkey Trot! You could run