Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
March 8th, 2024
Principal's Message
Today is International Women's Day and this month is Women's History Month. The theme of Women's History Month this year is: Women Who Advocate for Equity Diversity, and Inclusion!
Ramadan is a holy time and month of reflection for Muslims and is expected to begin March 11. We will see members of our community fasting starting March 12. You can learn more about Ramadan from the Islamic Networking Group here. If your student is fasting, please remind them that we will have games and coloring set up in the room attached to the cafeteria during lunch.
If you would like to learn more about Ramadan at home with your child, you can check out these read aloud videos:
PTA Update
YEAR TO DATE FINANCIAL UPDATE
As of Feb 29, 2024, we have $22,253.20 in our bank account! Considering that we started off the current fiscal year with $6,150.51, we have indeed made enormous strides in fundraising. Most of the new funds came in as grants from corporations, National PTA, and from corporate matches. Click to review our Unaudited Financial Statement and Fundraising Report.
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.
Coffee Hours
Join us at our next coffee hour!
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
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.
- 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. Ashe (AIM Grade 2)
Next Week: Ms. Han (Grade 1) & Mr. Cruz (ESL Specialist Grades K - 2)
Important March Dates
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Wednesday, March 13th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Thursday, March 21st 5 PM - 7PM - Conferences for Grades 1 - 8 @ Edgerly
Wednesday, March 27th 3:14 - 4:45 - Conference for Grades 1 - 8 @ Edgerly
--> Teachers will reach out to parents and caregivers directly to schedule conferences.
*Due to a conflict with conferences, the March Governing Board meeting will be canceled.
Wednesday, March 27th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Friday, March 29th - No School
MCAS 2024
We will begin our annual MCAS testing at the end of March. Our students have been working very hard this year to grow emotionally, socially, and academically. This is their opportunity to show what our 3rd - 8th graders know and their growth in English Language Arts and math and for our 5th and 8th graders in science.
Please see the dates below for when each grade will be testing. We ask that caregivers avoid absences as much as possible on these dates so that students can take the assessments with their planned group, which supports students to do their best. Thank you for your support.
English Language Arts
- Grades 3, 6, 7 - March 28 and April 1
- Grades 4, 5, 8 - April 4 and April 8
Math
- Grades 3, 6, 7 - May 6 and May 9
- Grades 4, 5, 8 - May 29 and May 2
Science
- Grades 5, 8 - May 13 and May 16
Information for the 2024 - 2025 School Year
2024–2025 School Year Calendar. Available now. Find the new calendar in English on the SPS website. Translated versions will be available soon. The first day of the 2024–2025 school year for grades 1–12 is August 28, 2024. The first day of school for students in grades PK and K is September 3, 2024. Beginning in the fall of 2024, PK–8 students will be released early every Wednesday. Learn more.
Please see here for important dates on the Enrollment Calendar for SY25 school registration
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
@ 8 Bonair Street
Somerville, MA 02145
School: 617-629-5680
Cell: 781-227-7861