Fitzy's Flyer
February 5, 2022
Weekly Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Community,
It was another wonderful week of learning and growing at FitzGerald School! We engaged in conversations about Black History Month, learned more about the Lunar New Year, and pondered if we will have 6 more weeks of winter weather, as predicted.
We want to thank the PTO Enrichment Committee for the organization of an upcoming enrichment program, as well as purchasing more books for classroom libraries, that support the lessons on Black History Month happening in the classrooms. The PTO Enrichment Committee also put together a slideshow resource with information as well. Please see the "PTO News" section below for more information.
We also started conversations about this month's core value: Personal Ownership. We describe this core value as taking responsibility for our own actions and efforts in and out of school.
The Fourth Grade Student Council began this week as well! It was wonderful to hear their ideas on subcommittees that they can create to support our school in different ways.
Many students were also introduced to a Kindness Challenge during Open Circle times this past week. Students who were scheduled to have a class Open Circle lesson on Friday will learn more about this challenge on Monday. From now until the 100th day (Thursday), the goal is to complete at least 100 kind acts as a school! We read the book Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Miller, and discussed how we could have "our kindnesses spill out of our school." More to come on this in next week's newsletter!
Additionally, please review this form if you are interested in having your child participate in the weekly at home COVID-19 testing process that will begin soon: COVID-19 At Home Testing Opt In Form
Thank you for your continued partnership! We hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
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.
REMINDER
1. 1-2 extra masks
2. A filled water bottle clearly labeled with your child's name
3. A warm jacket, gloves, and a hat
Thank you!
Healthy Waltham Pantry Dates- February 2022
Upcoming COVID Vaccine Clinic- 2.12.22
Fitzy Parent University Workshop Update
PTO News
- PTO Enrichment Committee Update: Happy Black History Month!!! This month the PTO has planned some activities in collaboration with the school. Each morning during the announcements, the students will learn an interesting fact about a Black American. Teachers have been given the option to then extend the discussions within their classrooms. Keep your eyes peeled in the Fitzy Flyer for a link to the slide deck so that you can learn and discuss with your kids too! The PTO has also purchased 3 books for each classroom to add to their libraries. The books were chosen with input from the school librarian so that we know that the kids will really love them! Finally, in the week before break, a speaker will be coming into the school to teach the students about music and dance and how they are a big part of the African American culture! We hope everybody enjoys!
- "Show Some Love for FitzGerald"- We are launching a social media campaign for Valentine's Day called "Show Some Love for FitzGerald." To enter, take a picture of your student (Valentine's attire optional but encouraged) and tell us one thing they love about FitzGerald. Post your entry between now and February 14th. If you would like us to post on your behalf, please send your submission to fitzgeraldpto@gmail.com. Each participant will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
- Restaurant Night - February 26th at Panera (Lexington Street location)
- Fitzy Wear- Our school Fitzy Wear store is open! Please see information in English and Spanish. Here is the ordering website: fitzgeraldelementaryspiritwear.com
- Shop with Scrip Program Information- Please see here for a gift card fundraiser for our school.
- Next PTO Meeting Date: March 1, 2022 at 6:30pm
"Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald!
FitzGerald School Council Information
Our FitzGerald School Council meets monthly to discuss school-related items such as our School Improvement Plan, the overall budget, etc. We have a representation of parents (5), faculty/staff (5), and a community member, on our School Council. Each month, our meeting minutes that have been approved by the School Council will be shared in this monthly update section.
Meeting Minutes from January 2022
(minutes approved 2/1/22)
Next School Council Meeting: 3/1/22
Virtual Coffee Talks
Mrs. Santillo will host virtual Coffee Talks every Monday (on school days only) to answer questions parents/guardians may have. The times each Monday will be:
9:00am
12:00pm
Here is the virtual meeting link:
February Lunch Menu
*Lunch Monitor Help- We are looking for a lunch monitor at FitzGerald School for 3 days per week. The hours are 10:15am-1:15pm. If interested, please contact Mrs. Santillo.
Upcoming Dates
2/10/22- Grades K and 1 Report Cards Go Home
2/21/22-2/25/22- February Vacation
3/4/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal
3/22/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal
4/5/22- MCAS Begins at FitzGerald (see specific grade level dates below)
4/15/22- No School
4/18/22- April Vacation
4/29/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm
5/30/22- No School
6/20/22- No School
6/21/22- Last Day of School (subject to change if additional snow days are needed)
Waltham Public Schools 2021-2022 Calendar
FitzGerald MCAS 2022 Dates
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