Fitzy's Flyer
January 19, 2024
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We had another wonderful week at FitzGerald School!
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us last night at the first Fitzy Parent University of the school year! Mrs. DiMasi (FitzGerald Literacy Coach) led us in a conversation on ways to support reading at home and some resources that could be used to help. The next Fitzy Parent University will be held on February 13th from 6-7pm and the topic will be Social Emotional Learning at FitzGerald. An RSVP form for the workshop will come home to parents/guardians closer to the date.
We also enjoyed meeting with parents/guardians this morning at the monthly Principal Coffee Talk! We will continue to offer this as both an in person and virtual discussion time moving forward.
Here are some items coming up next week:
1. Wednesday January 24th- Early Release Day, 1:00pm dismissal (lunch served)
2. Thursday January 25th- PTO Meeting, 6:30pm (this is a virtual meeting and a link will be sent out the day of)
Save the date!- Tickets are on sale now for the Harlem Wizards game coming up on February 2nd! Mrs. Santillo and Mr. Brackett will be part of the staff team playing against the famous Harlem Wizards! It is going to be a really fun evening!
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 Update from Mr. Biela, FitzGerald Band Teacher
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As of this week, the Fitzgerald school has added an additional band teacher to the staff! Dave Daquil is a very experienced instrumental teacher who spent his career in the Northboro school system, but also has long ties to Waltham through playing in the Reagle players pit orchestra. His help will allow the flexibility to organize lessons into smaller, instrument-specific groupings, providing a much more effective and fun experience for your young musicians! Mr. Biela is delighted to have the opportunity to work with him this year.
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 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
PTO News
Dear Families,
The Wizards are coming to Town! The Harlem Wizards will be going against the Declan Hawkstars! Purchase your tickets here: http://tinyurl.com/DeclanHawkstars. The PTO is in search for 2 volunteers to help with the event. If our school provides volunteers, we will receive $3/ticket back to the school. More info HERE or email the PTO @ FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
Our next jamming event is approaching quickly with the Fitzy Valentine’s Party on Friday, February 9th 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. Flyers will be coming home soon with more information!
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
January 2024: Originally for 1/3/24 - New Date: Thursday, January 25th *VIRTUAL MEETING ONLY*
March 6th, 2024: 6:30pm
May 1st, 2024: 6:30pm
Restaurant Nights 2024
Tuesday, 2/13/24: Bistro 781
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
1/24- Early Release Day, 1:00pm (Professional Development)
1/25- PTO Meeting, 6:30pm
2/2- Grades K and 1 Report Cards Go Home
2/9- 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