Clearly, I am in no position as any kind of spokesperson.  But as a parent and an aware human being, I am affected by the events last week in an elementary school in CT.  I have nothing to say about the security of Peabody schools.  That is someone else's place and area of expertise.  But doesn't it put into contrast- stark contrast- the difference between the way we want life to be and the realities of the world around us?  I cannot comment on those children's lives because it is too depressing- hits too close to home- to even look at their pictures, let alone learn about them.  But what we are working for, what we want for all of the children at Welch School is a place of innocence.  A place to play, to pretend, to imagine, to learn about each other.  I'm proud of the diversity of the Welch School community and happy my child is immersed in it.

And so, in the spirit of that diversity, I ask that whatever faith you are a part of, even if it is no faith at all, or a faith outside of organized religion, you send your best prayers, meditations, thoughts, whatever, toward the safety and innocence of the kids at Welch this holiday season.  Whatever you celebrate,  give a thought to the place our children spend their days.  And we hope you will cherish your friends, family, and community this holiday season.

Oh, and with that in mind- no meeting this month.  See you in January
 
Our next playground meeting will be a short one on Monday November 19th at 6pm (just before the regular PTO meeting which starts at 6:30.)

And please don't forget - you can buy tickets now if you are interested in coming to the Alumni sponsored steak tip dinner at Champions on Sunday, November 25th from 12-4pm.  If you or anyone you know would be willing to donate raffle items, we need them!  

The next Dine Out Night will be at Chuck E Cheese on Friday November 16th from 3-8pm - and we also need raffle items for that night.  If you have any unopened toys you are willing to donate, we would deeply appreciate it!

The committee is looking for a company to use in order to get personalized bricks for the playground. If you have any suggestions please let DR know.
 
Please come to our next meeting.  It  is on Tuesday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm.
Hope to see you there!
We'll be discussing the fundraising so far - including the chaotic 5k, talking about the upcoming alumni dinner, and thinking about fundraising going forward.

Continued Thanks!
 
Just a reminder about Clean up Day this Saturday, 9am-12.  We will be sweeping and cleaning off the surfacing, and painting fun designs and playground games!  

Bring your ideas! If you have something specific in mind, please make sure to bring the dimensions so we can mark it out.  Endicott College students will be with us to help clean, and also watch the kids!

If you are coming, please let me know as soon as possible so we are sure we have enough supplies for adults, and enough fun stuff/snacks for the kids.

If you would be willing to donate any coffee, snacks, or water please let me know (even if you aren't able to come!)
 
Please take some time to sign up for our 5k run/walk on October 6th!!  
www.pumpedforlife.net  
We're also looking for supplies and sponsors, if you might have leads on either.

We need VOLUNTEERS for the International Festival on Sept 9
the Clean Up The Playground Day on Sept 15th
and the 5k.
 
In a combination of popularity, and publicity, our group has been featured on the blog  http://ourdreamplayground.org/.  Click on the link to check out the site and see how donations are going (or donate yourself)  (or link to your facebook page so others can donate)
 
Save the date(s)!  Our big three fall events are coming, and we need your help!  

Sunday September 9th - Peabody International Festival!  We still need a few volunteers to take a 1-2 hr shift at the table anytime from 10-5

Saturday September 15th
Clean up the playground day!  We will have Endicott students with us as well, the plan is to clean the playground, pull weeds, and paint some fun stuff on the playground. Feel free to bring the kids - we'll have some activities planned for them.  9am-12pm  We need some food/drink donations as well as supplies! If you or someone you know would be willing to donate paint (for the asphalt not the building!), trash bags, gloves etc please let us know! We need as many volunteers as possible as well.

Saturday October 6th (Columbus Day weekend) 5k Race/Walk to the Playground!   We are partnering with Pumped for Life to hold our first (hopefully!) annual 5k!  We will have a shorter distance for kids as well as some post-race activities. Details for registration will be coming soon.  We will definitely need a lot of volunteers from about 7am - 2pm.  



  • Thanks to those who came to Chuck E Cheese -  'twas a small turnout because of the weather, but every little bit counts!  
  • Also remember Wendy's dine out nights both Fri August 24th and Monday August 27th at the Wendy's on Rt.1.
 
Chuck E Cheese night - 3-8pm THIS Friday (August 10th)

Endicott St. Plaza (in Danvers). 

A portion of all of the token and food sales goes to Welch, and we will have a few scooters and gift cards to raffle off! Please find Alisha or Devin (we'll be near the entrance) and we will give you a sticker for 10 free tokens!  Be sure to buy the tokens at the register - tokens purchased through the machine do not count towards our totals! 
 
We are ecstatic to announce that we got the Kaboom grant!  15 thousand dollars toward the goal!

Thank you to everyone who voted even once (and especially to those who faithfully voted every day), to those who raised awareness in the community, shared on their facebook pages, or got local radio stations and malls involved. 

This is a great victory and we as a community should feel proud.
 
As some of you may have heard, the playground will be dedicated to
Mrs. Papi, who just retired from teaching second grade after 48 years at the Welch School. 

There will be a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, June 20th at noon. There
will be light refreshments provided.  Please join us if you can!

If you are able to help with set up, contact Dr. Nappi at the school or drop by at 10:30am...

(And please don't forget to keep voting on Facebook!  Still in third place!)