Fitzy's Flyer
September 29, 2023
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We hope that everyone enjoyed the FitzGerald School Back to School Adventure Night! Thank you to everyone who was able to make it and took their personal tour with their "tour guide!" We are very excited to share that we had 82% of FitzGerald families in attendance on this evening, which is definitely a record for Open House at FitzGerald! We would love to hear your feedback on what you liked about the evening and what we can do next year to make it even better. If you have a moment to provide us with feedback on this survey link, that would be great:
Survey link: https://forms.gle/DF1zUMNeVdqfWQHN6
Here are some important reminders for next week:
Picture Day- Tuesday October 3rd
Walking Wednesday- Wednesday October 4th (forms and information about these events will be coming home on Monday)
Fitzy Friday- Friday October 6th
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
Each week, a different FitzGerald specialist will share an update of what is being worked on across grades. Look here every Friday to see which specialist is being featured! A reminder that our specialists teach subjects such as Art, Physical Education, Music, Drama, Science, Library, etc.
SPECIALIST CLASSES FEATURED THIS WEEK: Physical Education and Challenge!
Physical Education with Mr. Brackett!
Hi FitzGerald Families!
This is Mr. Brackett, your child's Physical Education teacher. I am so glad to be back teaching all of your amazing children! They have been hard at work and learning a lot. In the beginning of the year (August and September) we have been working on the following things:
Class Rules and Expectations for the gym
Team building games, teamwork, working together
Communication, emotional regulation, problem solving skills
Spacial awareness, moving in space, locomotor movements
Grades 3-5 have been working on their fitness! Every class we do squats, lunges, pushups, planks, and sprints
Grades K-2 have been working on their movement skills- skipping, galloping, hopping, shuffling
Everyone has been doing a terrific job. I can't wait to hear how they have all been working on eating healthy and exercising at home the next few weeks!
Have a great weekend and remember to get active!
Challenge with Ms. Heny!
The 3rd grade students are learning about the hidden reasons behind volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, mountains, and hills. They are tasked with researching an Earth volcano of their choice.
The 4th grade students are learning about stars, why they emit light, and the life cycle of stars. These students are tasked with researching some of the major differences between planets and stars.
The 5th grade students are embarking upon the topic of exploration, the tools and instruments that help explorers find their way, and the importance of map reading and finding the coordinates. They are tasked with researching an explorer anywhere in the world and from any time period. What did they explore? What challenges did they face? What tools did they use to find their way? These students now have a newfound appreciation of the compass and how Earth's magnetism works.
PTO News
Dear Families,
By now you should have received a flyer for our upcoming Trunk or Treat event scheduled for Friday, October 13th, from 5pm - 7pm at the Fitzgerald Playground. Registration links for volunteers, donations and Trunk spots are now OPEN! Reminder, this is not a drop off event.
Volunteer/Donate: Sign up here
Reserve a Trunk Spot: 2023 Trunk Registrations
We appreciate all you can do to help us have another fantastic event for our FitzGerald community.
Thank you for volunteering, donating and making it fun!!
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 ⬝ Trunk or Treat ⬝ Holiday Shopping ⬝ Valentines Day Party ⬝ Field Day ⬝ Fun Run ⬝ Garden ⬝
Send us an email @ FitzgeraldPTO@gmail.com to obtain more information!
*ONGOING AND UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS*
SNEAKER DRIVE: The Fitzgerald Sneaker Drive is in effect with GotSneakers! Bring your pre-loved sneakers (only!) to the bin located by the front entrance. You may also send in with your child.
OCTOBER RESTAURANT NIGHT: October's Restaurant Night (October 5, 2023) is Panera Bread (1030 Main Street, Unit 15, Waltham, MA)! Support Fitzgerald and the PTO with your orders where 20% of all sales will be donated to the school.
SOCCER SHACK: Join us on Saturday, October 21, 2023, where the Fitzgerald PTO will be selling concessions at the Soccer Shack located at Veteran’s Memorial park from 9am- 4pm. The PTO will be looking for small snack donations as well as volunteers to help throughout the day!
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
School Lunch Information
*Breakfast and Lunch will also be available for free again in 2023-2024!
** 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
10/3- Picture Day
10/4- Walking Wednesday
10/9- No School
10/10- Schedule Change- Monday Schedule
10/11- Walking Wednesday
10/18- Walking Wednesday
10/25- Walking Wednesday
10/25- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
11/7- No School
11/8- Schedule Change, Friday Schedule
11/10- No School
11/15- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
11/22- VERY Early Release Day, 11:45am Dismissal, Lunch Served
11/23-11/24- No School, Thanksgiving Recess
12/6- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
12/25-1/1- No School, December Vacation
1/2- School Resumes
1/4- Schedule Change- Monday Schedule
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Waltham Affordable Connectivity Program
Xfinity is proud to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualified households with a credit of up to $30/mo towards internet and mobile services.
Information on the Program:
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program;
- Participates in one of these assistance programs:
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Federal Housing Assistance, including:
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811
- Public Housing
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline;
Sign Up Information for the Waltham Public Schools App
2022-2023 Elementary Student Handbooks (2023-2024 Coming Soon)
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