Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
January 26, 2024
Principal's Message
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the new exhibit at the Somerville Museum. It is an amazing exhibit entitled Museo Inmigrante: Stories of Resistance from Somerville's Padres Latinos. Through artifacts and the photography of Mario Quiroz and Iaritza Menjivar, it explores the themes of immigration, home, family, memory, community, and finding purpose. Two Winter Hill moms / PTA officers, Ghandy Aldana and Rosa Valladeres, and one of your paraprofessionals, Ms. Alejandra, are also featured in the exhibit. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our community members.
Here is the link for more information: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/museo-inmigrante
New Free Resource for Parents & Caregivers
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new, free MPY Parenting Solutions Library. To date, over 2,200 videos have been borrowed. MPY is offering the MPY Parenting Solutions Library in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.
Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. When parents grasp the interconnection between the brain, body, and behavior, they experience reduced stress levels, resulting in less stress for their children.
The Peace At Home Parenting Solutions team, comprised of experts with advanced degrees, stays abreast of the latest advancements in child development. With more than 30 specialists focused on child and adolescent development, including specific issues such as difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, handling racism, navigating grief, and other matters parents and our partners identify. These experts present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
Parents can watch or just listen to experts who get right to the point solving big and small challenges. The 24 library presentations focus on the topics below.
· Inspire School Success for Elementary, Middle and High School Students
· Parenting Principles for Progress Not Perfection
· Mental Health Knowledge and Skills
· Support Your Anxious Child Library
· ADHD and Autism: How to Help Your Child Thrive
Each presentation includes a 10-minute video and handouts. At this time, these resources are only available in English.
PTA Update
Save the Date! Thursday Feb 29th at 6pm, PTA will conduct its Second Annual General Membership Meeting. We will discuss PTA funded projects for this year, fundraiser successes, budget updates, and upcoming elections for future PTA officers. Come speak with our Nominating Committee and learn about how PTA can grow and support the school in the future.
Grants Updates:
PTA will be working with homeroom teachers and specialists to distribute the $7,000 from New England Biolabs for classroom support, field trips and academic enrichment. All projects funded by this grant will be entirely at the discretion of teachers involved.
Stay tuned for more information on the STEM activities for students and families funded by the National PTA for our school, in after-school settings.
Upcoming Events:
Winter Hill Brewing Company (WHB) and Scott Brothers Kitchen are hosting a fundraiser for the PTA on Groundhog Day, Feb 2, 2024. Admission is free. There will be free appetizers for all school staff from 4-6pm, followed by Groundhog Day Trivia at 6:30pm. Proceeds from food and beverage sales will be donated to the PTA. PTA will offer prizes for winners, and incentives for individuals who make donations to the PTA that evening.
Fundraiser Updates:
Flatbreads Somerville has contributed $366 in “giveback” donations to from pizza sales. With better weather and a larger turnout, we are pretty sure this will be more successful next year. Thank you to Ms. Jen for all her support! PTA sold baked goods and Blind Book Dates at American Flatbread Company, for a total of $106.
Support WHCIS Teachers:
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst from WHCIS runs the Boston Marathon! Hello, my name is Melissa Starr, and I am passionate about making a positive impact in the world. I received my undergraduate degree in English Literature from Western New England University. I have a Master's in Education as well as Applied Behavior Analysis. I enjoy running, going to beach, and spending time with my family. In my free time, I volunteer at the West Suburban YMCA. I love being a part of the Wildcat family! I believe that small actions can create big changes. I have a fundraising goal I must meet as part of the Boston Marathon. Please join me in strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Together we can make a difference. https://www.givengain.com/project/melissa-raising-funds-for-west-suburban-ymca-71335
Become a Member! We continue to take members throughout the school year. If you haven’t yet signed up to become a member, you can sign up as a member online, and pay your dues online too! Unless we have the vast majority of parents, caregivers and teachers signed up as members, our PTA will not have the legitimate ability to speak for the whole school community. At a time when our community is so fractured and dislocated from our beloved location on Sycamore Street, we cannot amplify your voices until you join us! Please contact winterhillpta@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Events from the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative
For Teens @ the Edgerly Gym & Cafeteria - there’s room for more!
· FREE Dinners for TEENS (ages 12-18)! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share January Flier & February Flier.
· FREE Teen Volleyball League (ages 13-18)! For six Mondays only, January 22-March 11, 6-8pm with dinner served from 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share flier here.
· FREE Physical & Emotional Self-Defense Class for female teens (ages 12-18)! Every Wednesday from 6-8pm from Feb 7 - May 1. Register here. Share flier here.
· FREE Open Gym (ages 12-18)! Every Friday, 6-8pm with dinner served from 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share flier here.
For Parents
· WED, January 31, 7-8:30pm on Zoom. Parent Workshop to support kids with executive functioning. Open to all. Share flier here.
· Get FREE tax preparation help! How to access the MA Child & Dependent Tax Credit ($310 for each child under 13, immigrant filers and dependents with ITINs are eligible!) and How to identify where to get more tax credits and benefits. Share flier here and here.
Community Events
· SUN, January 28th, 2:30-4:30pm @ East Somerville Community School. Inaugural 2024 Somerville Lunar New Year Fest! Share multilingual fliers here.
Reference Links
· SPS Enrollment Fliers. Folder of multilingual fliers here.
· Community Schools Enrollment Fliers. Folder of fliers here.
· Basic Needs & Housing Support Services Brochure. Folder of brochures here.
· To access the folder of fliers, click here.
Health Reminders from Nurse Shannon
Although we are through the public health emergency of the pandemic, we are still seeing cases of COVID. Please be sure to follow these guidelines: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/district-departments/nursing-schools/coronavirus-information
Families and staff can also order tests from the government via https://special.usps.com/testkits
Coffee Hours
Join us at our next coffee hour!
February 16, 2024 8:15 - 9:00 --> Math Curriculum:
Come learn about our math curriculum
and how families can support students at home.
All are welcome! Interpretation will be provided.
Each month, from October - May, we will host a coffee hour for parents and caregivers to discuss various topics.
We will alternate between mornings (8:15 - 9:00) and afternoons (1:45 - 2:30). These will be held at the Otis Street Play Area (weather permitting) or in the main conference room. Please enter the building through 8 Bonair Street.
- March 15, 2024 1:45 - 2:30 --> Summer Programming & Preparing for the Next School Year: Come find out what programs are available for students over the summer and how to support students transitioning to the next grade
- April 26, 2024 8:15 - 9:00 --> Autism Awareness & Acceptance: Come learn about autism, our AIM (Adapt*Include*Motivate) Program for students with autism, and acceptance for neurodiversity
- May 17, 2024 1:45 - 2:30 --> Supporting Healthy Lifestyles & Good Nutrition: Come learn about activities and supports for students to choose healthy activities and foods
Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring these coffee hours and your generous donations of coffee and snacks!
Information from Coffee Hours:
Wildcat Blog
We feature a different class on our Winter Hill Wildcat Blog each week.
This Week: Ms. Robert (Grade 3)
Next Week: Ms. DiPaolo (AIM Grades 3-4)
Reminder: Winter Hill Community Meeting on February 1st @ 6 PM
Dear WHCIS Families and Staff,
First and foremost, Happy New Year to all. I hope that you had a restorative and happy winter break.
I am writing today to invite you to a community conversation on February 1st at 6:00 p.m. I am eager to meet directly with stakeholders from the Winter Hill to gather input and hear your questions and ideas around next steps. We will meet in the lower cafeteria at Somerville High School at 81 Highland Ave. This will not be a presentation, but rather an opportunity for us to connect directly and have a deeper conversation about your ideas.
On December 19th, we had a very productive meeting coordinated by the City where we reviewed the findings of the K-8 Capacity Study, and in particular we discussed some potential options for a new Winter Hill school that could also accommodate for the needs of the Brown School, should we as a district decide to pursue that option. To be clear: no decisions have been made. We are gathering community feedback as the very first part of this process. If you were not able to attend on December 19th, you can:
I anticipate we will have more opportunities for community engagement, but as a school who could be directly impacted by the MSBA process, I look forward to hearing from you early on in this journey. I hope you will be able to join me on February 1st.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rubén Carmona
Superintendent of Schools
Important January & February Dates
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Please see here for important dates on the Enrollment Calendar for SY25 school registration
Thursday, February 1st - Community Meeting @ Lower Cafeteria of Somerville High School
Tuesday, February 6th - Food for Free Market @ East Somerville 2:45 - 4:30 PM --> See attached flyer.
Wednesday, February 7th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Thursday, February 15th - Governing Board 6 - 7:30 Edgerly Library
Monday, February 19th - Friday, February 23rd - Winter Break, No School
Wednesday, February 28th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
115 Sycamore Street
Somerville, MA 02145
School: 617-629-5680
Cell: 781-227-7861