Fitzy's Flyer
February 9, 2024
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald community!
Tonight, the PTO is running a wonderful Valentine's Day event at the school from 6-8pm! There are a lot of really fun activities planned. Please see the PTO section for more information! Please note that this is not a drop off event. All students in attendance must be accompanied by an adult.
This week is National School Counselor Week and we want to take a moment to thank Ms. Bernard, Ms. A, and Mr. Monks for all that they do to support FitzGerald School in all areas of Social Emotional Learning!
Ms. Bernard and Mrs. Lamoly are looking forward to facilitating the next Fitzy Parent University on Tuesday February 13th from 6:00-7:00pm in the FitzGerald cafeteria. This is a voluntary parent workshop for any parent who would like to learn more about this topic. We will have childcare and refreshments available. If interesting in coming, please RSVP in order for us to be able to prepare enough materials for the event: https://forms.gle/xMAQ8Xiujkx6iuPZA
Lastly, the next Principal Coffee Talk is this coming Monday, February 12th, from 8:45am-9:15am. If you would like to join the FitzGerald Principal team for a coffee and a breakfast pastry, we would love to see you! We will be available to answer any questions you may have and talk about anything related to FitzGerald School! If you are unable to join in person, but would to join us with your coffee from work or home, here is a link to join virtually! https://meet.google.com/uxh-uiho-shw
Thank you for your partnership and collaboration! See everyone again on Monday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
An Upcoming Spirit Week at FitzGerald for Read Across America Week!
Each year, National Read Across America Week is celebrated starting on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Suess. It is a wonderful time of year that inspires young readers and promotes the joy of reading books. This week-long event will involve various reading activities and every day will have a fun theme...
Monday March 2nd: The Cat in the Hat: Dress like your favorite book character!
Tuesday March 3rd: Fox in Socks: Wear crazy socks!
Wednesday March 4th: Green Eggs and Ham: Wear green today!
Thursday March 5th: Oh the Thinks You Can Think: Wear your favorite college or FitzGerald shirt!
Friday March 6th: The Sleep Book: Wear pajamas to school
Here is a link to the flyer, in English & Spanish, that will be sent home with all students
MCAS Dates for Spring 2024
Each year, students in Grades 3-5 take the MCAS assessments. The FitzGerald School MCAS testing schedule this school year will be:
Grade 3 ELA Session 1- 4/4/24
Grade 3 ELA Session 2- 4/11/24
Grade 3 Math Session 1- 5/2/24
Grade 3 Math Session 2- 5/9/24
Grade 4 ELA Session 1- 4/3/24
Grade 4 ELA Session 2- 4/10/24
Grade 4 Math Session 1- 5/1/24
Grade 4 Math Session 2- 5/8/24
Grade 5 ELA Session 1- 4/2/24
Grade 5 ELA Session 2- 4/9/24
Grade 5 Math Session 1- 4/30/24
Grade 5 Math Session 2- 5/7/24
Grade 5 STE Session 1- 5/14/24
Grade 5 STE Session 2- 5/16/24
We kindly ask for families to please do their best to avoid appointments, etc. on the testing days. Thank you in advance for your help with this! More information will come home regarding MCAS testing closer to the testing dates.
Fitzy Parent Universities at FitzGerald!
We are excited to bring back Fitzy Parent Universities this school year! We ran these a lot during the COVID pandemic time (when students were learning virtually or in hybrid mode) as a way to provide more information for parents/guardians on how to support learning at home.
This year, we are bringing it back to continue the conversation on additional ideas and strategies to support learning at home!
Please see below for the schedule of dates and topics. We are offering the parent/guardian workshops on different days each month, to provide more flexibility for nightly family schedules/commitments.
We will be asking for parents/guardians to RSVP before each event (a Google Form will come out the week prior to each workshop) so that we can make sure to have enough materials/snacks available.
These sessions will be informational sessions, with opportunities for practice and learning for parents/guardians. Child care will be provided for in person workshops.
These voluntary workshops are completely free and will be held in the FitzGerald cafeteria or online.
Upcoming Fitzy Parent University Topics and Dates:
February 13, 2024- 6:00-7:00pm- 7 Habits of Leader in Me and the Core Values of FitzGerald (SEL-focus)
March 6, 2024- 5:30-6:30pm (Before the PTO meeting)- Math Games to Play at Home
April 11, 2024- 6:00-7:00pm- Internet Safety
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 has been able to join Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly for Coffee Talk time! The group has been enjoying coffee and pastries together and engaging in conversations about FitzGerald School!
We will be hosting a Coffee Talk monthly this year for parents/guardians in the FitzGerald cafeteria. We will also now be offering the chance to join in virtually each month as well!
The next Coffee Talk will be from 8:45-9:15am on Monday February 12th.
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 Update from Ms. McKeever
AUTHOR VISIT 2/14
Thanks to our generous PTO, Maureen Harrington, the author of the award-winning book, Ivy the Very Determined Dog, and her dog, Ivy, are coming to visit our K-2 students on Valentine's day. If you are interested in ordering a copy of her book, an order form went home with your student.
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
PTO News
Dear Families,
The Fitzy Valentine’s Party is TONIGHT from 6pm - 8pm where we will have DJ, Raffles, Craft Tables, and Games! $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. Please note: THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT! Parents must accompany all children regardless of their grade. Thank you for all of your donations and volunteer time to make this event happen!
FEBRUARY RESTAURANT NIGHT: Join us for our February Restaurant night with Bistro781! (336 Moody Street) 10% of all Dine In Dinner (4pm - 10pm) sales will be donated to the Fitzgerald.
SURVEY SAYS?!?: Join us for a parent social event this February 29th 6-8pm in the Fitzgerald cafeteria! We're looking to form six teams, one representing each grade to compete in our first ever Fitzy Feud! Survey questions will be sent out soon as well. Want to participate or have questions? Contact Dan Strafford @ DanStrafford@gmail.com.
5TH GRADE BREAKFAST: The PTO is looking to set up a committee for graduation day set up/breakfast. Please email lau024@hotmail.com if you would like to join in on the fun to make this day memorable for our 5th graders!
5TH GRADE PICTURES: If you have any pictures you would like to submit for the year book please email FitzGerald5thgradephotos@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE: Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 7th with a rain date of Monday, June 10th. More info in the coming months!!
FITZY SCHOOL STORE: The FitzyWear shop website is temporarily down due to technical issues. We are working on getting it open and will provide an update when we do.
*NEW* WINTER NEWSLETTER: Click HERE to read our November/December highlights!
PTO ELECTIONS FOR 2024-2025: Stay tuned for updates regarding PTO Elections coming up in June! We will have several positions available.
UPCOMING PTO MEETINGS & RESTAURANT NIGHTS
PTO Meetings 2024
March 6th, 2024: 6:30pm
May 1st, 2024: 6:30pm
Restaurant Nights 2024
Wednesday, 3/13/24: D’Angelo’s
Thursday, 4/11/24: Tempo
Thursday, 5/9/24: John Brewer's *In Person Only*
*ONGOING AND UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS/EVENTS*
2024 Science Fest: Our Science Fest last year was an absolute hit and could not have been possible without the generous support of the Waltham/Massachusetts Cultural Council! We will be at it again this year and our gears are starting to turn with ideas. Reach out to the PTO to find out information about this and more from our Enrichment committee!
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.
Our next meeting will be in February; date TBD. If you are interested in joining the Fun Run Committee, please Email Ann at FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
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!
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.
Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – Instagram
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: March 12, 2024
Time: 6:00-6:45pm
Location: Virtual (please contact Mrs. Santillo if you would like the link)
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
2/9- PTO Valentine's Day Party, 6:00pm
2/12- Principal Coffee Talk, 8:45am-9:15am
2/13- Fitzy Parent University #2, 6:00-7:00pm, Topic: Social Emotional Learning
2/19-2/23- No School, February Vacation
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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
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