The latest announcements from the Principal and the PTO...

Understanding Our Differences: Thank You

The Physical Disabilities Unit of Understanding Our Differences has come to its successful conclusion.  Students explored barriers that people with physical disabilities encounter in our society: architectural and attitudinal.  They also learned that universal design strives to eliminate barriers, and saw the video, Kids Just Want to Have Fun, which illustrates a barrier free playground designed so that everyone can be included.  Our 5th graders also participated in a variety of hands-on activities with adaptive equipment and assistive technologies that enhance independence and participation. They were enthusiastic to meet our wonderful speaker, Becky Curran, who shared her personal experiences as a little person, and answered the students’ thoughtful questions about living with a disability.  To read about Becky’s experience at Bowen please go to http://beckymotivates.tumblr.com/post/50055260967/memorial-spaulding-bowen-elementary-school-speeches
We would like to thank our wonderful volunteer team of Maureen Parsons, Jocelyne Leger, Jennifer Walsh, Ken Munkacy, Anne Sperry, Suzanne Szwarcewicz, Leann Bailey, Linda Ratts, Eileen Sweeney, Shelly Autor, and Alisa Ozernoy Kuperman    We would also like to thank our dedicated teachers, Ms. Denney, Ms. Weinger, Ms. Mason, Ms. Tabor, as well as the entire 5th Grade Teaching Team, and our principal, Diana Guzzi, for their support. Understanding Our Differences host a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, May 17th, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m, at Newton City Hall, and all volunteers, past and present, are welcome to attend.

Volunteers needed 4th Grade Project Explore in the Garden this Thursday, 1-3pm

Bowen_tulipSpring is in the air and the plants around the school are blooming and growing again!  This Thursday from 1-3pm we will be working with the 4th grade in the Outdoor Environment.  We can’t do this work without the generous help of volunteer parents to supervise the small groups of 4th grade students.

If you are available to help, please consider joining us.  This is a wonderful way to be with your children and help them to beautify their environment.  No gardening experience is necessary and younger siblings are welcome, as always.

Contact Jenni Acosta,  jenni.acosta@gmail.com to volunteer.

Can’t help this Thursday?  Try helping from 12:30-3:00 during these other dates for Project Explore!

  • May 23rd — 3rd grade
  • May 30th — 2nd grade
  • June 6th — 1st grade

Spring Raffle and Spring Fling

img004 copyOnly one more week left until the Spring Fling on May 19th from 3-6 pm!

Bring your raffle tickets to the lobby at drop off or pick up and receive 5 free raffle tickets for every 25 tickets paid until May 15th!

We have 200 amazing prizes this year! Click on the ticket to get to the online raffle booklet.

To make this event successful, we need a lot of help from all of you! Please ask your room parents how you can help!

Thanks a lot!

 

 

Bikes not Bombs at our Spring FLing on May 19th

Dear Bowen Parents,

Do you have unused/outgrown bikes in your garage?

We will be  be collecting bikes for “Bikes not Bombs” at our Spring Fling on May 19th. Donated bikes will be send to overseas to economic development projects  in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean or will be used in Youth programs where teens learn bicycle safety and mechanics skills in the process of earning bikes to keep for themselves. Bikes not Bombs asks for a voluntary donation of $10 per donated bike to defray shipping costs.

Thank you!

 

Your PTO

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher Appreciation Lunch on May 21st

Dear Bowen Parents,

On Tuesday May 21st at 12:30, the Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Classes will be hosting a lunch for the teachers at Bowen to show our Appreciation for all the great work they do.

We need everyone’s help to make this occasion a success. We will need people to bring appetizers, main courses, desserts. There are signup sheets in the lobby at Bowen and you can sign up here online too:

Volunteer Signup: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094FADA92FA02-teachers

Food Signup: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094FADA92FA02-teachers1

The food can be bought in at teacher’s lounge during drop off or pick up time. If you have any questions please email Jennifer Heberlein at jenshea88@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for your help and support.

Spring Raffle on May 19th

The Spring Fling will be on Sunday, May 19th from 3-6pm.  This is a fun afternoon filled with food, games and activities including an obstacle course and bouncy house.  We also will announce the winners of the Spring Raffle at this event.

The Raffle books went out last week, let us know if you didn’t receive your copy!

We have more amazing prizes for you! We will send out a flyer this week, but you can also download the pdf version here.

And remember, sharing the Raffle Booklet with Friends and Family is easier than ever. Just share the following link by email/Facebook/Twitter etc:

http://www.tinyurl.com/BowenRaffleBook2013

Thank you for supporting Bowen School by buying and selling raffle tickets. Have fun and good luck!

UOD: Volunteers needed

 Dear 5th Grade parents,
We only have 5 volunteers for the upcoming Physical Disabilities Understanding Our Differences program on May 9th, and need at least 5 more!  If you are able to come but haven’t replied yet, please email Alisa at alisaozernoy@yahoo.com
 As always, grandparents and nannies are most welcome to volunteer!
There is also a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, May 17th, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m, at Newton City Hall.   It is a great event filled with good food, speeches from the mayor, superintendent and a chance for us to say “Thank You” to you.  Principal Guzzi will be attending, as well.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact  moslund@UnderstandingOurDifferences.org
Thank you!

Special Offer for 5th Grade Bowen Families

 Bowen 6 years
Drew Hyman, our school photographer, is offering a collage of the photographs that he took over the years at Bowen of  the current 5th graders. Click on the image to see it larger. Please check it out and, if you are interested, contact Drew directly at: 617-964-0444 or send an email to bydrew217@gmail.com.
Please note that the Bowen PTO does not receive any benefit from this offer.

Lost & Found

Did you ever wonderLostAndFound01 where your child’s lunchbox went?  How about a winter coat or boots? Missing a hat or sweatshirt?  Wonder no more.  It probably is in the Bowen Lost and Found. All the items from the lost & found box are displayed in the Bowen Lobby. Please come by and take a look.  All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday morning, May 3rd.

 

Help us spread the mulch this Thursday, right after early release!

Did you miss NewtonSERVES?  Are those piles of mulch out front bugging you?  Come help us spread the mulch this Thursday, right after the early release!

You may have noticed that we got a lot of mulch delivered on Sunday.  We had some great volunteers during NewtonSERVES, but there’s still a bit left to spread around the schools.  This is a great job for kids to help out with and a good way to meet other parents.  If you can spare a little bit of time right after pick up, we would love to have your help.  Pack a lunch and bring gloves and shovels/garden forks if you can.

Let me know if you think you can make it or have any questions. Thanks!  Email: jenni.acosta[at]gmail.com

Can’t help this Thursday?  Try helping from 12:30-3:00 during your child’s time in the garden during Project Explore!

  • May 16th — 4th grade
  • May 23rd — 3rd grade
  • May 30th — 2nd grade
  • June 6th — 1st grade