Fitzy's Flyer
June 17, 2022
Weekly Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Community,
We had a busy and memorable week at FitzGerald! We celebrated the fifth graders in an outdoor ceremony yesterday and in their fun Olympics Day today, we enjoyed the Fun Run yesterday evening, and we also had a special theme week together where lots of fun was had! What an excellent way to come together as a community in so many ways before we get ready to depart for the summer.
Congratulations to the 56 fifth graders on their hard work and many accomplishments over their time at FitzGerald School. We will miss you very much as you move on to middle school and we hope that you come back to visit and tell us all about your journey!
Tuesday 6/21- Last Day of School (a full day):
- On Tuesday, we will hold one last Spirit Day- another Fitzy Day! The whole FitzGerald community is invited to wear Spirit Shirts and/or Fitzy Wear, as we celebrate the last day of school! - We will spend Tuesday talking about our Summer Reading and Math Challenge, wrapping up the year in our classrooms, and starting to learn more about next year's grade. Students will get to meet the whole grade level team of their next grade level and hear about some of the fun things that they can expect as they move on to the next grade. These will be grade level presentations, where all students will have a mini-assembly with all teachers from the next grade.
Classroom Assignments for the 2022-2023 School Year- We will be sending individual classroom assignments out in August. Mrs. Santillo will update everyone in a summer SMORE newsletter on an exact date to expect this information.
Summer Reading and Math Challenge- Please see the Fitzy Parent University section below for information on this summer's Reading and Math Challenge. Students will learn about this challenge on the last day of school, as well as what the BIG prize will be if we meet our goal!
This will be the last Fitzy's Flyer of the 2021-2022 school year! We want to thank everyone for your partnership this year. If you have any questions over the summer, please feel free to email Mrs. Santillo at jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org. You can also call her office line at 781-314-5685.
We hope you have a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
Staff Retirements from FitzGerald This Year
Today we would like to honor two FitzGerald staff members retiring this year: Teresa Hachey and Nancy Nunes. Please see below for information on their impactful careers in Waltham:
Mrs. Hachey:
Mrs. Hachey started at old FitzGerald School building 20 years ago as a paraprofessional in the Learning Center. After a couple of years, she transferred to the Kindergarten, where she has worked for the last 18 years. Mrs. Hachey shared that she absolutely loves her job, working with the incredible young kindergarteners coming in in September and seeing them grow into amazing students excited to go to first grade. When the students come back to visit as seniors in HS, she appreciates reflecting on their time together and seeing where they are now.
Mrs. Nunes:
Before coming to FitzGerald, Mrs. Nunes worked in a series of community-based organizations while teaching ESL to adults in the evening. She completed her Masters in Education in ESL and in Moderate Special Needs, with the intention of becoming an educator focusing on working with families in the areas of linguistics. She spent a couple of years in Framingham before coming to FitzGerald in 2006. She truly enjoyed teaching in Kindergarten through Grade 4 and working with the students and families.
Congratulations to Mrs. Hachey and Mrs. Nunes for their admirable work over their incredible careers. We will miss you tremendously and all that you have done for the FitzGerald School community!
SEL Update from Ms. Bernard, School Adjustment Counselor
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
I hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful late Spring early Summer weather we have been having!
I write to share our final Core Value of the year; Empathy and an update on our Fourth Grade Council.
Empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Understanding how actions and words may hurt someone’s feelings, and being kind to a friend who is hurt or sad.
Students have been working in classrooms and throughout our community on how showing empathy impacts others in a positive way. Students are learning how to use empathy across all areas of their school day and how not showing empathy makes others feel.
Additionally, the Fourth Grade Student Council completed their final projects of the school year this week. This year we had the largest number of students ever to join the council to impact our school community as a whole. They worked hard weekly to develop, collaborate and finally share their ideas with Mrs. Santillo for approval.
The Environmental Committee worked hard to organize the entire fourth grade to complete a trash pick-up around the playground and court area. Students had the opportunity to see the impact of such a small gesture and what this could mean going forward.
The School Culture Committee had the opportunity to organize structured activities for the first grade, while the Community Committee worked with the Kindergarten and paired up with buddies in various centers.
We are so proud of the passion and commitment these students have shown this year and all that they learned about working together to complete a mutual goal of helping the FitzGerald community.
I am already looking forward to the fall and all of the amazing opportunities and lessons we will learn together through Social Emotional Learning and the FitzGerald Core Values.
As always, please don’t hesitate to connect with me via email at jessebernard@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5689.
In health,
Ms. Bernard
June Food Pantry Dates
2022-2023 Private Music Lesson Information
Additional School Updates
Daily COVID-19 Attestation Form
Please review the attestation form below each morning before your child departs for school. Please contact the School Nurse if you have any questions on symptoms.
Fitzy Parent University Workshop Update
This month, Mrs. Santillo discussed ways that parents/guardians can support with summer learning activities. We discussed the upcoming Summer 2022 Reading and Math Challenge. Students will learn more about this challenge on the last day of school! Please see the slideshow below for more information.
PTO News
Thank you to everyone for their support of the PTO this year. Despite many pandemic-related challenges, we were able to hold some fun community events, engaging enrichment programs, and raise money to support our school.
A huge thank you to the outgoing members of the board: Sheila Gastrock and Amy Savoy.
A great, big welcome to the newly elected 2022-2023 board:
Anne Tierney Bailey & Diana Lehmann, Co-Presidents
Lynette McSweeney, Treasurer
Charlene Volk, Secretary
Caitlin Perry, Director of Communication
Libby Gifford, Director of Enrichment
Erin Poppe, Director of Fundraising
Melissa Hunter, Director of Events
Lauren Fournier, Director of 5th Grade
Amazon Smile, Box Tops, and Raise Right are open for fundraising year round. Please continue to support our school in these ways if you are able. And, when you begin back to school shopping, don't forget to order your new Fitzy Wear at fitzgeraldelementaryspiritwear.com.
Have a fantastic summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year!
June Lunch Menu
https://www.walthampublicschools.org/files/4316/5400/3263/Elementary_-June_2022.pdf
Chef Special Days:
June 21st - Pizza
Upcoming Dates
No School- Monday June 20, 2022
Last Day of School- Tuesday June 21, 2022
FitzGerald School Summer Fun at the Waltham Public Library!
Tuesday July 19th- 4-5pm
Monday August 15th- 4-5pm
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