westwood living - September, 2023
Dawn of A New Era - The Foundation For Westwood Education
Nigel Smith, Liz Volpe and Drew Fortin are reinventing the way the Foundation For Westwood Education is serving the town and making a difference.
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Dawn of A New Era - The Foundation For Westwood Education
By Nigel Smith
Photo By: Rick Bern Photography
Publisher's Note: Nigel Smith is a Westwood resident, a seasoned public relations professional and founder of Next Step Communications. Nigel presents this month's cover story from his perspective as a Board Member of the Foundation for Westwood Education.
A 30-plus year legacy, more than $1 million in grants provided to the Westwood community, and ‘P-E-R-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-E,' as would be said in the Annual Spelling Bee - this is what the Foundation for Westwood Education has been known for over the past three decades. Now, this valued non-profit organization is reinvigorating its mission and evolving its approach to best meet today’s changing educational landscape and have a long-lasting impact on the Westwood community.
As many look to find ‘silver linings’ from our pandemic experiences, one thing became clear – in the aftermath of the COVID-19 disruption, the Foundation needed to redefine itself to best meet the needs of a growing and diverse Westwood community. Mindful that education in Westwood is not limited to the traditional school-aged population, but rather that all residents are actively learning and potential consumers of innovative educational programming, the Foundation started to imagine what might be possible if it tapped into Westwood residents’ passion and enthusiasm for diverse educational initiatives and continuous learning.
A New Era is Born
In the spring of 2021, natural turnover resulted in a consolidated Foundation board led by Drew Fortin, the founder and CEO of Lever Talent; Liz Volpe, a senior faculty member at HAVEN (Human Asset Ventures) who has also worked as an educator at Roger Williams University and Boston College, and me. All three board members are Westwood residents and parents of school-aged children. Our charge was to carry on the legacy of the organization and the thoughtful work done for many years by previous Board Members and volunteers.
Drew, Liz and I saw this unique moment as an opportunity to rethink how the Foundation could carry on its tradition of supporting high quality educational programming in Westwood, but in a larger, more strategic capacity.
“Right around the time of COVID, slightly before, as a board, we started talking about the playbook we'd been using since the inception of the organization," said Volpe, "We agreed the needs are always changing. The needs of the community are changing, the needs of the schools are changing. We really needed to assess if we were still able to meet those needs as a foundation and truly understand what the educational landscape in Westwood looks like.”
Since its inception, the Foundation for Westwood Education ‘brand’ has been well-respected for doing good things to support learning experiences. However, most Westwood residents can’t exactly point to the important work being done unless they have been directly impacted by an awarded grant. For years, the most highly-visible activity was the annual Spelling Bee held in January. Dozens of elementary students created teams and would practice the art of competitive spelling in the Westwood High School Auditorium. However, the pandemic-induced spelling bee disruption and slowdown in grant applications presented the perfect opportunity to reassess the organization's impact and make a strategic reboot.
"The organization was founded in 1991, by a group of community members and parents," said Volpe. "For the past 30+ years, the model of the foundation has been to award grants to community groups and organizations and to fund a bunch of different educational initiatives. So, many of those grants historically have been on the smaller dollar side.”
Drew, Liz, and I decided to take a step back and seek input from previous donors, grant recipients, and community leaders on how the Foundation could do the most impactful work possible. In addition, the Foundation engaged a consulting team of MBA students from Harvard Business School to assess the organization’s viability moving forward. The findings from this internal evaluation helped solidify our renewed focus on ways to best support Westwood.
Fostering High-Profile, High-Impact Programs
The reinvigorated mission is accomplished through collaboration between community members and the Foundation. This model works when the Foundation acts as a thought-partner and funding source for community-led projects. The Foundation takes an incubator-style approach, providing seed funding to educational projects with multi-year timelines that will have lasting impact and the potential to become self-sustaining or town-funded beyond the Foundation’s initial support.
In order to make this a reality, the Foundation wants to support each grant with multi-round funding that could exceed $25,000. Drawing on the venture capital business model, great ideas need passionate creators and the financial support that will allow each ‘investment’ to mature to a point where it can continue viability beyond the support of the Foundation. Ultimately, the goal is that each grant awarded results in a showcase program in Westwood that positively impacts residents while building greater awareness of and community support for the Foundation’s ongoing work.
“The magic of this Foundation is you can have an idea as a Westwood resident and you can bring that idea to fruition with other Westwood residents supporting you," said Fortin.
The full story is featured in the September issue of Westwood Living.
For more on the New Era of the Foundation for Westwood Education, listen to Tom Leyden's full conversation with Liz Volpe and Drew Fortin on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Buzzsprout, Amazon and YouTube.
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Expert Contributor
Safeguarding Our Little Learners: Injury Prevention Tips for Back-to-School Season
By Dr. Kurt Hofmann, Boston Sports & Shoulder Center
As the summer sun sets, and the school bells begin to chime, the excitement of a new academic year fills the air. With backpacks packed and shoes laced, children eagerly embrace the return to school. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, it is our shared responsibility to ensure that our little learners embark on this journey safely. Injury prevention is crucial during this back-to-school season, as children face various risks during their school-related activities. By adopting simple yet effective safety measures, we can create a secure environment for our kids to thrive and learn.
The Right Backpack Matters: One of the most common issues children face is the improper wearing of backpacks, which can lead to back, neck, and shoulder strain. To prevent these injuries, ensure that the backpack's weight is appropriate for the child's age and size. Encourage them to use both shoulder straps to distribute the load evenly and adjust the straps to fit snugly against their back. Additionally, look for backpacks with padded straps and a waist belt for added support.
Active Commuting Safety: Many children walk or bike to school, exposing them to potential road hazards. Before the start of the school year, review road safety rules with your child, such as using designated crosswalks, obeying traffic signals, and wearing reflective gear in low-light conditions. If possible, walk or bike the route with them to identify potential danger zones and safe areas to cross the road.
Playground Supervision and Equipment Inspection: Playgrounds offer a great opportunity for children to exercise and socialize, but they can also be hotspots for accidents. Ensure that there is adequate adult supervision during recess to monitor children's activities and intervene when necessary. Regularly inspect playground equipment for any signs of wear, rust, or damage that could pose a risk to children's safety. Report any issues to the school authorities immediately.
Sports and Physical Activities: Participating in sports and physical education classes is an integral part of school life. Before engaging in any physical activity, encourage your child to warm up and stretch to prevent muscle injuries. Provide them with the appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, knee pads, and mouthguards, depending on the sport they're involved in. Emphasize the importance of following rules and respecting opponents to prevent accidents.
Proper Ergonomics in the Classroom: The majority of a child's school day is spent in the classroom, so it's crucial to ensure proper ergonomics to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues. Pay attention to your child's posture while they study and use a desk and chair at an appropriate height. Encourage them to take short breaks and stretch during prolonged periods of sitting.
Hydration and Nutrition: Proper hydration and nutrition play a vital role in injury prevention. Ensure that your child drinks enough water throughout the day, especially during physical activities. Pack a well-balanced lunch and snacks to keep them energized and focused.
Cyber Safety: In the digital age, cyber safety is as important as physical safety. Teach your child about online privacy, the importance of not sharing personal information, and how to recognize and report any suspicious online behavior.
Mental Health Support: Back-to-school can be a stressful time for some children, so it's essential to be attentive to their emotional well-being. Encourage open communication, be supportive, and seek professional help if needed.
In conclusion, as our children embark on a new academic journey, injury prevention should be at the forefront of our minds. By implementing these simple yet effective safety measures, we can create a secure and nurturing environment for our little learners, allowing them to excel academically and enjoy a healthy and successful school year. Remember, the best gift we can give our children is the gift of safety.
Expert Contributor
Westwood: We're All Family Here
By Kristen Donahue
I started working when I was 15 years old, right here in Westwood. My first job was at the Islington Dunkin Donuts, which laid the groundwork for my professional tone. I learned quickly that even the slightest mistake in coffee color can change someone's day. I felt that my best bet was to “kill them with kindness” to survive the early mornings. It was a great life lesson to handle the coffee for most of Westwood.
Over the years, I have learned the importance of how you treat others. Making others feel heard and respected leaves a lasting impression. I have always led by listening first and then becoming that helpful resource, both in my job and as a friend. I am jokingly known as “The Kevin Bacon of Westwood” because I can find people and resources for everyone. I think it is very important to connect because we ARE neighbors, and as the years go by, friends as well. My goal is to be a go-to, helpful resource and provide a level of expertise for you in an area where you may have many questions. I will always listen, and I strive to be a helpful, friendly, and customer service-based agent. I provide a personal touch, which I believe goes a long way.
I grew up in Dedham and married a man from Westwood and we decided to raise our three children here because it has always been home. The people in this town are the best friends, neighbors, colleagues, and now family, to me and my family. My kids have wonderful friends and great adventures here in Westwood. When someone new moves to town I am very excited to talk about all the awesome people, places, and events we have here. It truly is an amazing community.
Insurance can be complicated for many people, and there are a lot of questions that you may not have the answers to, but the beauty of knowing an expert in the field is that you can turn to them for advice.
So whether it be home, auto, boat, business, cyber, or general liability insurance, I’m here to be that resource who can help lead you down the right path. And you can be sure I’ll lean on you in your area of expertise. That’s what community is all about. We help each other.
I am excited to be an expert in Insurance for Westwood Living. I promise to be a great contributor and resource for the Westwood community and beyond. If you see me around town, please say hi. I love meeting new people and connecting with the town.
Expert Contributor
The Great Wealth Transfer
By Ariel Dangelo, Nightingale Wealth Solutions
The Great Wealth Transfer is one of the largest transfers of wealth to happen in our history. Market research from Cerulli 1 and Associates estimates that $84 trillion in assets will be inherited around 2043 with $72.6 trillion going to heirs and $11.9 trillion to charity. While the prospect of a grand inheritance is outstanding for most families who are balancing mortgages, childcare, student loans, and caring for aging parents, they can come with unforeseen financial complications.
Here are some tips on what you need to understand if you are set to have an inheritance during the great wealth transfer.
1. Not All Assets Are Equal
It is important to understand the types of assets that you are going to inherit. While some think that they are just going to be getting a check when great aunt Mildred passes away, that is not always the case. You can inherit all different types of assets in addition to cash including securities, real estate, collectibles, cars, jewelry, antiques, and even pets. It’s important to understand the types of assets that you are inheriting so that you can understand how that will impact your ideal asset allocation.
2. With Great Wealth Comes Great (Tax) Responsibility
Not all assets are taxed the same way. This is why it’s so important to have your estate planning properly drafted and updated to ensure that any assets that should be placed in a trust or have a beneficiary updated are taken care of in a timely manner. It’s important to know what tax bracket you are in currently and if your inheritance will move you up another bracket as this will impact how your total earnings for the year are taxed. It is also important to know what your tax liability will be on the inherited assets, especially if it is an asset that you want to keep and not have to liquidate to pay the taxes (like a family vacation home).
3. Preparation is Key
Communication makes these transitions much easier for everyone. It is important to prepare your family for what they are going to inherit and if you have any special intentions for how these assets should be utilized. Depending on the tax liability of the family member set to inherit it might make more sense to start gifting sums of money on an annual basis rather than having inheritance tax take a whack out of what you intended to pass down. Currently the lifetime gift tax exemption is $12.92 Million (set to drop by $6 million by 2026 2).
4. Don’t Be Like the Lottery Winners
If you are set to inherit a large sum of money you want to ensure that you are prepared to do so. Before the overwhelming urge to immediately start spending (yes, even on debt) your windfall. You want to be sure to get a team together who can ensure that your assets are protected, tax liability is addressed, and that the current asset allocation of your current estate is not out of balance due to the inherited assets. You don’t want to end up like 70% of lottery winners who are broke within seven years 3, you need to have an effective plan in place.
5. Beat the 90% Rule
You don’t want to be another statistic of the 90% rule either. What is the 90% rule? 90% of money that is inherited is gone by the 3rd generation. The 1st generation makes it, the 2nd grows it, and the 3rd spends it. If you want to truly create generational wealth like the Rockefeller family who is in their 7th generation with over 170 heirs 4, you need a team on the cutting edge of complex planning and wealth structuring tactics. That is where our firm of subject matter experts has all of the resources, specialists, and knowledge to ensure that your legacy will endure, and you will have some fun along the way! If you are set to inherit wealth or are planning to leave a legacy, schedule a free consultation with us today at www.nwsadvisors.com and learn how you can be the most efficient with your estate.
Business Profile
Conlin Health Care – Heart and Compassion Make a Difference
By Tom Leyden
In an industry where personal touch and a caring nature sets you apart, both Mary Carlin and Betty Connors-Gay earn straight A’s in that category. From their office overlooking High Street, Mary, Betty and their colleague, Catherine Dunne, are consistently focused on the health and well-being of their clients, most of whom are senior citizens in need of regular home health care.
“We mostly take care of the elderly people, but it can be anybody that needs help or needs an aide,” said Betty as we sat around a table discussing the industry and how Conlin Health Care has grown in 22 years since opening in 2001. “We provide Companions, Home Health Aides (HHA’s), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) and Registered Nurses (RN’s), whatever might be needed. Anything from a six-hour minimum to around the clock care if that's necessary.”
To be successful in the home health care field, it takes great organization, care and responsiveness. Both Mary and Betty were nurses and spent time working, hands-on, in home health care. The knowledge they gained through that experience gives them an edge when pairing a professional aide with a client.
“We often say we could write a book,” said Betty, who is married to Mike and has two sons, Brian and Matthew. “We’ve experienced different personalities, different family dynamics. It's been great. What do I take away from it? You have to be flexible and go with whoever you're working with and do your best.”
Mary moved to Boston from Donegal, Ireland in 1987, almost a year after Betty made a similar move from Galway. The two Irish immigrants originally met in Brighton, shared common backgrounds, interests and skills and decided to start their own company in 2001.
“We both got married, both moved to Westwood and we decided we didn't want to work for a boss anymore,” said Mary. “We got our heads together, started Conlin Health Care and it took off a lot faster than we anticipated.”
Conlin, a name born from the perfect combination of “Connors” and “Carlin” started humbly, with Betty and Mary working out of the Carlin basement.
“My husband, Mike, did over the basement,” said Mary. “We worked there for a bit, then found an office in West Roxbury on the VFW Parkway. We were there for about five years, then we found this office on High Street and this was so convenient because we both lived in Westwood. My daughter, Michelle, went to school across the road at Deerfield. She used to walk over here after school.”
“We got busy quickly, but I think things have slowed down a bit over the last five years,” said Betty. “Since 2008, when things kind of went bottoms-up, it’s been steady and there’s still a big demand, but there’s more agencies now to cater to families.”
That’s where experience, compassion and the flexibility referenced above become difference-makers. The Conlin team knows who to call, what to look for when pairing an aide with a client and how to walk families through what might be a difficult decision-making process.
“I recommend families work with a geriatric care manager when they start thinking about home health care for a loved one,” said Betty. “They can help organize everything – taking notes at hospital visits, connecting with an agency like Conlin. Every case is different. Sometimes we meet the family and we talk about what’s the biggest need of their parent or whoever it might be. We’ll address that. Sometimes, we get a call and the family needs somebody as soon as tomorrow.”
Another issue we discussed while learning more about each other was the benefit of long-term health care insurance. Families who plan ahead and invest early in this type of insurance benefit greatly when home health care is ultimately needed.
“It can make a big difference financially, depending on the plan,” said Mary. “We have a family right now with a plan paying out $600 a day. That's a really good plan and they are benefitting from excellent care.”
Many of us in Westwood have parents entering the golden years, and taking some time to learn more about home health care is a smart idea. Mary, Betty and Catherine are available to help if you have questions and need guidance. You can reach them at 781-329-3400 or by emailing info@conlinhealthcare.com
For more, listen to my full conversation with Mary and Betty on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Buzzsprout, Amazon and YouTube.
Betty Connors-Gay and Mary Carlin started Conlin Health Care in 2001.
Business Profile
Christine Coughlin – Unmatched Energy and Diverse Experience
By Tom Leyden
With an energetic air of confidence, Christine Coughlin lights up Playa Bowls in Westwood as she makes her entrance. Through a contagious smile and laugh, she points out, “Who needs a Caribbean vacation when you can come here?”
And so kick-started our conversation over smoothies, a chat covering Christine’s upbringing in South Boston, her family’s move to Westwood, plus a career in real estate and investment that’s nothing short of inspiring, especially considering she and her husband, Kevin, have four children between the ages of 2-8.
“Kevin and I both grew up in the city our whole lives,” said Christine. “Westwood’s obviously dramatically different than South Boston, but I find a lot of the same values that I grew up with in South Boston - a strong sense of community and people who really look out for each other. I remember as a kid, if I ever was doing something I wasn’t supposed to do, there would always be an adult saying, ‘Hey, I know your mother!’ I wouldn’t know who they were, but they knew who I was, and everybody kept an eye on each other and looked out for each other and there was a strong sense of loyalty. I find a lot of those same community values here that really makes me feel at home. I feel people really do look out for each other and care about each other and we all share a lot of the same loyalty and values that I valued growing up.”
After graduating from Northeastern University, Christine embarked on a unique path covering many areas of expertise that ultimately led to her role as Vice President at Bantry Way Brokerage. Her diverse collection of professional experiences allows Christine to offer guidance, advice and counsel in many areas when she works with clients.
“What differentiates me from other real estate agents in this space is my investment focus. I’ve spent more than 15 years specializing in real estate finance and underwriting, research and data analytics, marketing and PR and property management,” said Christine. “That’s in addition to real estate sales and leasing – so an incredibly broad skill set that provides my clients with a unique perspective most agents simply don’t have.”
Whether you’re considering a primary residence in Westwood, a vacation property in Nantucket or a commercial space in downtown Boston, Christine can customize a strategy that will help you realize your goals.
“I love, love, love what I do,” said Christine. “I eat, sleep and breathe it. I have my own real estate portfolio that I love to run and manage. Kevin and I own several multi-family assets and we run those properties and manage them. I love helping my clients manage their portfolios outside of just buying or selling. I love keeping an eye on their portfolios, swinging by to make sure everything looks good. I just love this business.”
"My husband and I have had the pleasure of working with Christine as our real estate broker, who is quick, efficient and very professional," said Westwood resident Cassandra Nguyen. "Her knowledge and network has helped us grow our investment portfolio over the last few years and we couldn't be happier. Her support and guidance has helped us successfully navigate the ever-changing market shifts and continue to improve our investment values. We plan to have a long-term relationship with her in developing our financial growth and would highly recommend her to anyone looking."
As a busy mom, it’s no surprise Christine spends a lot of time engaged with her four kids, shuttling them from one activity to another.
“We did slow down a little bit for the summer because even they tell us, ‘You sign us up for too much stuff,’ but the kids do everything! They’re probably in four to five activities every season,” said Christine. “We swim, we do tennis, we do golf, we did cello this year, a very cool experience. The kids will be learning a language this year. We’re super excited to have the kids introduced to a new language they can develop. So yeah, we’re always busy. You know what? I need a hobby.”
The main reason Christine chose to come on board as a sponsor of Westwood Living was to broaden her impact here at home, and work with neighbors.
“Absolutely. I use all of the experience I have and now I’m taking it home, supporting some of the folks right here in our backyard and doing some really cool things that ultimately support the community,” said Christine. “That’s incredibly rewarding and something I enjoy doing at this point with Bantry Way Brokerage.
“I’m your neighbor. Feel free to swing by anytime. We’re right on Gay Street. Literally, knock on the door. We’re always around and we’ve got plenty of freeze pops, so bring the kids. We’ll head out to the backyard and hang out, chit-chat and the kids will have a great time, as well.”
For more, listen to my full conversation with Christine on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Buzzsprout, Amazon and YouTube.
Christine lives in Westwood with her husband, Kevin, and four children
Community Content
WESTWORD, VOLUME XVII
By Jay Resha
WESTWOOD – Ah, how I love me a good meme. They are everywhere, and since the technocracy knows everything I do online, plenty of funny memes and sundry targeted clickbait come my way, surely selected for my demographics and behaviors (I try to ignore that little detail, awash as I am in guffaws and chuckles.)
One of my favorite memes is the one that encourages you to shop local. For when you shop local, it says, the money remains local, you help workers pay their bills, help small business owners pay for their mortgage and their kids’ college expenses, all good stuff like that.
When you shop at a giant chain megamart store, however, you help some CEO acquire a fourth vacation home or second private jet, and help a bunch of faraway executive vice-presidents fund their golden parachutes – all while their worker bees fight for cost-of-living raises, and see their pension plans discontinued.
Now, don’t go there – I promise I am a capitalist, but I’m also a realist. I can root for all businesses to be successful, but still express some displeasure that Jaylen Brown will soon be making $60 million a year, or the head honcho of Hertz makes $182 million a year. Yes, really.
But today’s bleating isn’t about the distribution of wealth, anyway, because those who earn money are – sometimes sadly – entitled to keep it (seriously, would those megamart CEO’s still survive with, say, only three homes, just one private jet and also some big tax-deductible donations to help the less fortunate? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I digress.)
Rather, today I’m thinking more about YOU; and where YOUR dollars go.
One of the great things about being a community columnist is that I am not yet trying to sell anything to you. Instead, I want to shop WITH you, and embrace this great town and its people; let’s figure out together how best to navigate local businesses and get the most bang for our hard-earned bucks.
Look, I see those blue trucks delivering to your houses (and mine) every day – you can’t beat some of those prices and fast deliveries! For sure, they are amazin’. But take a closer look as you click through there…you can usually research and determine the actual seller, and it might be a megamart but it might be a small local business on the other end of that transaction. With a few clicks, you can often arrange to buy from them directly next time.
And with a few turns of these pages, you also just might find what you need right here in the 02090.
Welcome to September; a new school year, a new season, and a good time to evaluate our budgets and day-to-day habits. And a reminder: when you shop local, you are doing more for this community than any magazine or lecture ever could. So support your neighbors and friends here in town – there is a reason the best of them appear in here each month. Got it?
And don’t worry, for today I may want to take some of that local energy and help Tom pass it around and grow this thing we’re growing...but next month I plan to return to the usual complaints about things that annoy me.
Frankly, with so much material available, those are the easiest columns to write. Harrumph!
For today, though, spread the word, happy shopping and I hope to see you at Westwood Day; make a day of it and please do stop by the Westwood Living booth. I’ll see you there!
Westwood Living? No…thank YOU for living in Westwood. See you next month, and I look forward to hearing from you any time at jayresha@comcast.net (even if it is just funny memes, pictures of your pets making human faces, offers for super-cheap pharmaceuticals, etc.)
Community Content
Thurston Middle School PTO: Making A Significant Impact
By JoAnna French - “Retired” 2022-23 PTO Co-Chair
As I bid farewell to my time as the Thurston Middle School PTO Co-Chair, I am filled with pride reflecting on the extraordinary achievements of this past year. Despite the challenges following the pandemic, the united effort of our dedicated parents has been truly inspiring. I am honored to highlight our successes on behalf of the 2022-23 PTO Executive Board.
The support we received from the TMS community during the 2022-23 school year was staggering and signaled to us that families were longing for a ‘normal’ year for their students. More than half of TMS families contributed to our annual fund. This contribution, combined with our fundraising efforts, yielded more than $25,000 - the highest in five years! The Executive Board unanimously decided that these funds must directly support programming, events, and celebrations for our students, teachers, and the community. We certainly had our work cut out for us!
We successfully revived pre-pandemic activities and quickly established new TMS traditions, like the Friday Night Fun nights aimed at fostering community and building social skills. Attracting more than 75% of each class, these grade-specific events saw students shed their too-cool-for-school personas as they raced through giant inflatable obstacle courses, competed in basketball shoot-outs, and danced and played games led by a DJ. After three years of nearly zero organized social events, our children were ready to have fun together in a safe, positive environment.
We also prioritized inclusivity by working with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). We coordinated care for children who needed extra support during every PTO event and ensured all families, including our Boston resident families, were included. In the end, we provided $1,600 in financial aid and IA support, ensuring participation from all families in PTO and school events.
The TMS parent community demonstrated their dedication to our students by volunteering in significant numbers. Our Beyond the Board team expanded to more than 40 members, and across all events, 130+ parents chaperoned. Fundraisers and unique asks were met with enthusiasm, leading to record sales in the district-wide Westwood Apparel Sale and full funding for the Science department's pollinator garden within 48 hours of the request. Winning top prize for Most Random PTO Request: a dump truck to haul supplies for the pollinator garden. And yes, the community delivered again. In fact, multiple families offered to help!
Thanks to our successful fundraising and the generous support of our annual fund, we met every request from our teachers, including
- providing 50 pounds of Holi powder for the cross-country Fall Family Color Run
- supporting the two cast parties following the fall play and the spring musical
- supplying 1,200 plush Kudos Bulldogs to celebrate our students’ positive behavior
- providing 230 books for the 7th grade Writer’s Workshop
- bringing local athlete Matt Brown to TMS to share his inspiring story following a spinal cord injury
- purchasing the entire teachers’ wish list (totaling $1,000+) for our special education classrooms
- securing a first-person survivor speaker to conclude the 8th-grade Holocaust unit
- providing sports equipment for the PE department
- supplying ice pops for the 6th & 7th grade field days.
We sent our 8th graders off to high school in style with a week of celebration! We negotiated a near-private show with the Blue Man Group in Boston. At Aloha to High School, the Class of 2027 donned tropical attire, light-up sunglasses, and Hawaiian leis and danced the night away! The 20-member planning committee went overboard with tiki torches, surfboards, and more, to make the occasion memorable! On Field Day, students selected sweet treats from an ice cream truck and were gifted with a Westwood Class of 2027 tee-shirt bundled with a Sharpie marker so they could collect friends’ signatures throughout the gorgeous afternoon.
Finally, during our last PTO Executive Board meeting, the team unanimously decided to distribute a majority of our remaining funds to Thurston, allocating $5,800 across academic departments.
Thank you for an unforgettable year!
JoAnna French, Outgoing PTO Co-Chair
Pam Schnatterly, PTO Co-Chair (2021-2024)
Mariam Nasr, PTO Secretary (2022-23), Co-Chair (2023-34)
Amanda Drainville, Treasurer (2021-2023)
Members of the TMS Cross Country team participate in the Fall Family Color Run.