Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
November 3, 2023
Principal's Message
We had a good start to November this week! Although the weather was a little cooler, we were able to get out for recess everyday except on Monday.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 9 at the virtual community meeting at 6 PM. Please look for a communication from Somerville Public Schools with additional information and the zoom link.
Be sure to read below for all the different events happening in November.
National Children's and Teens' Awareness Month
Next week, the Children's Room will be offering awareness activity to our students during their lunches as part of National Children's and Teens' Awareness Month. The attached flyer is in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Children & Teens’ Grief Awareness Month is an opportunity to consider the unique needs of these children and teens. As a member of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief, The Children’s Room “is committed to serving as a catalyst to support, advocate and raise awareness about the needs of grieving children, teens, and their families.”
PTA Update
Welcome April Luna to PTA!
We are very pleased to announce that our 6th Grade Math and Science teacher, Ms. April Luna has been appointed as treasurer, allowing our PTA veteran, Fran Carino, to take a step back to focus on other things for the next few years. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Fran Carino for her unwavering commitment to the PTA for over 25 years! And our heartfelt thanks to April Luna for not thinking twice before saying yes to serving as treasurer. Welcome aboard!
PTA Gift to WHCIS
Mr. Senecal’s set of mobile speakers and microphone, used regularly in the gym, was lost during the move to the Edgerly. Our school really needs them replaced, because the equipment is constantly in use at events. As with any “gift” to the school, our Audit Committee needed to approve it, and last night, they did. Mr. Senecal should have what he needs to make the Annual Turkey Bowl a success!
Donations for Nurse Shannon
Please donate what you can! You may drop your contributions off at school, or hand them to a PTA officer at drop-off time. These would be Rosa Valladares at the morning bus stop; Uma Murugan or Cassie Walston at the Edgerly; and Bev Feldman or Tara Barreira at the Capuano.
· Reusable ice packs
· Reusable heat packs
· Girls underwear (for older girls)
· Fidget toys
· Stress balls
· Water bottles for kiddos who simply do not have one
Clothing Drive
Winter Clothes for Wildcats! PTA and Family Liaisons are hosting a Winter Clothing Drive for our school community. We will build custom clothing packages for families who fill out this form: https://forms.gle/JKT4qnpoYN4Z54gZ7
Wildcat Wish Lists
Please check out the wish lists from our AIM teachers!
· Ms B’s CLASS https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3CAO0VJL30LKR...
· Ms. DiPaolo’s CLASS https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/VRE6J64EDD4...
· Ms. Landry’s CLASS https://www.amazon.com/regist.../gl/guest-view/1QGOW1JALNJAZ
· Mrs. H’s CLASS https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ELB6XBPYWPA0?ref_=wl_share
Fundraising Updates
Restaurant Fundraiser! On half day Wednesday, November 15, our PTA will partner with Himalayan Kitchen of Union Square on a “Giveback” fundraiser. All orders, eat-in and take-out, will count – all day, that is 11:30am through 9:30pm. Please call the restaurant directly at 617-623-9068 to place orders. They stay very busy, but Wednesdays are the slow day, and they very much appreciate our business. If you aren’t a fan of Nepali and Indian cuisine, their chicken wings are delicious too!
Join our Fundraising Committee! Email us at winterhillpta@gmail.com if you can help us or if you have any exciting fundraising ideas. We are always looking for help with identifying restaurants, coffee shops and ice cream parlors who can help us fundraise. If you are a local business owner, or if you know local business owners who want to advertise through us, or sponsor our events, get in touch please!
Become a Member!
We will 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.
Reminder - Lockdown Safety Drill
Coffee Hours
Each month, from October - May, we will host a coffee hour for parents and caregivers to discuss various topics.
All are welcome! Interpretation will be provided.
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 cafeteria.
- November 17, 2023 1:45 - 3:00 --> Community Resource Fair: Come find out what resources are available in the community (This event will be longer and in the music & after school rooms.)
- December 15, 2023 8:15 - 9:00 --> Meet Our School Counselors: Come learn about the role of counselors in our school
- January 19, 2024 1:45 - 2:30 --> Online Safety: Come learn about how to keep students safe on the Internet
- February 16, 2024 8:15 - 9:00 --> Math Curriculum: Come learn about our math curriculum and how families can support students at home
- 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
Information from Coffee Hours:
- 10/20/23 - ELA Curriculum - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ifnzM-9VXprhNpDcKQakDwIea_qUUpiGYcgT-BtQPVE/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring these coffee hours and your generous donations of coffee and snacks!
Wildcat Blog
We feature a different class on our Winter Hill Wildcat Blog each week.
This Week: Ms. Luna (6th grade math & science) & Noelle Pino (6th-8th grade ESL specialist)
Next Week: Ms. Galvez & Mr. Keegan (6th grade newcomers)
Flu Clinics
We will be having two flu clinics in conjunction with Health & Human Services. Please register and attend. They are open to all SPS staff and families.
West Somerville Neighborhood School, Cafeteria 11/8/23 3:00-5:00. Use this link.
East Somerville Community School, Cafeteria 11/16 3:00-5:30 use this Link to register.
Important October & November Dates
November 3, 2023 - Quarter 1 Ends
November 7, 2023 - No School, Election Day
November 9, 2023 - Virtual Community Meeting 6 PM
November 10, 2023 - No School in Honor of Veteran's Day
November 15, 2023 - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
November 16, 2023 - Governing Board 6 - 7:30 in Edgerly Library
November 17, 2023 1:45 - 3:00 - Coffee Hour
Community Resource Fair: Come find out what resources are available in the community (This event will be longer and in the music & after school rooms.)
November 20, 2023 - Report Cards Go Home for Quarter 1
November 22, 2023 - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
November 23-24, 2023 - No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Please see here for important dates on the Enrollment Calendar for SY25 school registration.
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
115 Sycamore Street
Somerville, MA 02145
School: 617-629-5680
Cell: 781-227-7861