Fitzy's Flyer
December 1, 2023
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
It's been another fantastic week at FitzGerald School!
We are looking forward to BINGO Night tonight, from 6:00-8:00pm, in the FitzGerald cafeteria! It's going to be a really fun time!
Please see below for an update from Ms. Bernard, School Adjustment Counselor, as well as Mr. Irwin, FitzGerald Music Teacher.
Please note that Wednesday 12/6 is an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 1:00pm.
Have a great weekend and see everyone again on Monday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
An Update from Ms. Bernard, FitzGerald School Adjustment Counselor
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We hope everyone had a nice break last week while finding time to spend together relaxing before the busy end of the year approaches!
We have had another excellent week of Social Emotional Learning as we wrap up this month’s core value, Integrity in addition to our World Kindness Day conversations. Students worked together learning how Integrity and kindness are connected and had collaborative discussions with each other on ways they can show integrity and kindness throughout the school building and in their communities. Thank you to all the families who sent in their squares for the “FitzGerald Kindness Quilt”! This was a great way for students and families to work together on a school wide project that is visible to all who visit FitzGerald School!
The Fourth Grade Council is excited to announce their first initiative for this school year, a Food Drive! Students will be making posters and sharing information over the announcements starting on 12/4. Anyone can participate in this voluntary initiative by sending in any non-perishable food item(s) with your child starting Monday. All donations will be distributed locally in Waltham and will be collected through 12/15. Thank you in advance for your support in this opportunity for our students by showing them the importance of giving back to their community.
Lastly, Grade 5 Panther Partners will begin on Monday! Students received their assignments and job descriptions today and are so excited to begin helping throughout the building. They will be demonstrating their Core Values by being positive role models and leadership qualities by taking on these responsibilities. We are so proud of all the Fifth Grade students who are participating in this great opportunity to help their school!
As always we appreciate the home-school partnership with you! Please don’t hesitate to connect with me at jessebernard@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5689 with any questions about Social Emotional Learning or any ways we may be able to support your child and/or family.
Specialist Spotlight: Music with Mr. Irwin!
Hello Fitzy Family!
December has arrived and the Holiday Concert is soon upon us! Your child(ren) have been working super hard in music class since late October learning their Holiday Concert songs. Every class has been making excellent progress in learning their songs! This week we have begun singing on the risers, practicing with other classes, and working on our bows. During the week of the concert, each grade will meet together to have an all grade dress rehearsal as we put together the finishing touches for the concert.
There is also a lot of work that happens outside of music class to prepare for the concert! Mrs. Kelly has been working on choreography for many of the songs for the concert. During art class, Mrs. Walsh has been having students make decorations for the concert! It is truly a team effort for the concert.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the concert!
FitzGerald Holiday Concert
December 15th, 2023
1:00pm - Grades 3-5, Band and Orchestra
2:00pm - Grades K-2
If you would like to contact me, please feel free to reach out to me at CharlesIrwin@walthampublicschool.org.
Mr. Irwin
General Music
Before School Exercise Program is Returning to FitzGerald!
Thank you to everyone who has returned participation forms for the Before School Exercise Program!
At this time, we will need to close registrations for this upcoming session. We are at full capacity!
More information will be coming home to those who signed up. The first session is on Wednesday 12/13.
The FitzGerald School Before and After School YMCA Program is Now Enrolling!
The YMCA is currently enrolling students for Before and After school! For any additional information or to register please contact Marina Mullaney at MMullaney@ymcaboston.org.
Lunch Monitor Position Available at FitzGerald!
We are looking for a part time Lunch/Recess Monitor for the lunch and recess periods at FitzGerald!
The daily shift is from 11:00am-1:45pm. The opening is for 5 days a week, but we can discuss availability during the interview process. If you are interested in learning more about this opening, please contact Mrs. Lamoly at julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5681.
Coffee and Conversation with Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
Thank you to everyone who was able to join Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly today for Coffee Talk time! The group had coffee, bagels, and pastries and enjoyed conversation together about FitzGerald School!
We will be hosting a Coffee Talk monthly this year for parents/guardians in the FitzGerald cafeteria.
The next Coffee Talk will be from 8:45-9:15am on Friday December 8th.
Spanish and Portuguese translation will be available!
Come with questions, or just come enjoy a cup of coffee and/or a breakfast pastry on us! We would love to see you!
Library Guest Reader Program
I am happy to announce the return of the Fitzy Library guest reader program. All caregivers are welcome to come visit the library and read a story to their students' class during their scheduled library time. If you would like to be a guest reader, please email Ms. McKeever: elizabethmckeever@walthampublicschools.org
Fall Reading Challenge!
To inspire your students to read widely and often, we are excited to announce our school-wide reading challenge, which will continue throughout the season.
K-2 Fall Reading Challenge(English)
K-2 Fall Reading Challenge(Spanish)
PTO News
Dear Families,
Tonight is BINGO! night in the cafeteria from 6-8pm and the PTO will have you covered with concessions. We will be selling drinks, snacks and Pizza. Cash & Venmo accepted!
Fitzy Holiday Shop is here! Tuesday, Dec 5th and Thursday, Dec 7th (during school hours only) where your child(ren) can purchase holiday gifts! Prices will range from $1 - $5. Only 4 items max can be purchased. Please send cash only in an envelope/ziploc bag & a note with who they are buying gifts for. For financial assistance, please contact Mrs. Santillo.
December Restaurant Night: Join us on Monday, Dec 11th with CHIPOTLE (1030 Main St location only 4-8pm) where 33% of all orders will be donated to the PTO. English and Spanish Flyers located HERE!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING 2023-PTO STYLE
NEED GIFT CARDS? RaiseRight’s 2023 Holiday Guide is HERE with over 750 brands available! Purchase what you need AND help the PTO along the way where a percentage of your purchase amount goes towards our fundraising goal! You can click HERE to sign up.
FITZY DRINKWARE: Customizable Drinkware showing your Fitzy Pride. A portion of all sales go to the PTO to support our students. Click HERE to view options and order!
These amazing events and more would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers! Please consider signing up for one of our many subcommittees below:
⬝ Enrichment ⬝ Fitzy Wear ⬝ Valentines Day Party ⬝ Field Day ⬝ Fun Run ⬝ Garden ⬝
Send us an email @ FitzgeraldPTO@gmail.com to obtain more information!
ICYMI: FALL NEWSLETTER: Click HERE to read our September/October highlights!
*ONGOING AND UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS/EVENTS*
The 6th Annual Fitzy 5k Fun Run is coming up this Spring with a tentative race date of May 30th, 2024. We are looking to form a committee to look at the current race route and start planning the event.
First meeting will be at the end of November; date TBD. If you are interested in joining the Fun Run Committee, please Email Ann at FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
Catalog orders are scheduled to arrive sometime next week. Your child will bring home with them.
Mark your calendars for a fun, family night of Bentley Hockey 1/5 7:05pm, 1/6 4:05 p.m. Order forms coming home later this month in your child's folder.
We look forward to meeting you and working alongside you to make this the best school year yet!
FitzGerald School PTO
Ongoing FUNDRAISING through BOX TOPS, RAISE RIGHT, MABELS LABELS, FITZY WEAR – Order online 24/7. Delivery takes 10 - 15 business days from date of purchase.
FitzGerald School Site Council
The FitzGerald School Council is a group that includes parent, staff, and community representatives that discuss items such as budget, School Improvement Plan, etc. Approved meeting minutes are posted in the Fitzy's Flyer office communication.
Next Meeting:
Date: December 12, 2023
Time: 3:15pm
Location: FitzGerald School Library
School Lunch Information
*Breakfast and Lunch are available for free again for all students this school year!
** All students should bring one snack and a water bottle to school each day.
"Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald!
Every Friday is "Fitzy Friday" at FitzGerald! Everyone is invited to wear Fitzy Spirit Wear or the colors blue and/or yellow to school, if they would like to!
2023-2024 District Calendars
Upcoming Dates
12/6- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
12/15- Winter Concert/ Grades 3-5 at 1:00pm, Grades K-2 at 2:00pm
12/25-1/1- No School, December Vacation
1/2- School Resumes
1/4- Schedule Change- Monday Schedule
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Information About the Clever App
Clever is an app we use at school that makes it easy for students to access many online learning programs and resources with their Waltham Public Schools Google account. Students can also access Clever at home on a personal device. Click HERE for directions.
Sign Up Information for the Waltham Public Schools App
2023-2024 WPS Elementary Student Handbooks
Please see below for electronic copies of the student handbooks for this school year. We appreciate your support in reviewing the handbook contents at home with your child.
Weekly Notices
Learn to Skate Flyer
James FitzGerald Elementary School
Email: jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Website: https://www.walthampublicschools.org/fitzgerald/
Location: 138 Beal Road, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-314-5680