Fitzy's Flyer
March 8, 2024
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald community!
We had a lot of fun together as one school community celebrating our theme week! We concluded the week by holding an all school "Drop Everything and Read" time today at 2:20pm, where the entire school participated in activities such as read alouds, independent reading, music notation reading, etc. Thank you to the fabulous Mrs. McKeever, the FitzGerald School Librarian, for organizing such a wonderful week for our school!
Upcoming Dates To Keep in Mind for This Month:
Tuesday March 12th- FitzGerald Virtual School Council Meeting, 6:00pm (see information below)
Wednesday March 13th- Early Release Day
Wednesday March 20th- Early Release Day
Monday March 25th- Spring Pictures (Individual Pictures Only)
Wednesday March 27th- Fitzy Parent University #3- Social Emotional Learning at FitzGerald, 6:00pm
Thursday March 28th- Term 2 Grades 2-5 Report Cards Go Home
Friday March 29th- No School
Thank you for your partnership and collaboration! Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Jenn Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Julie Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
An Update from Ms. Bernard, FitzGerald School Adjustment Counselor
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We hope everyone had a nice week and is getting ready for brighter days ahead with the time change this weekend!
I am writing to share that this month during Community Circles students have been working on our March Core Value, Role Model. Students are learning and sharing what being a good role model looks and sounds like. This week, students have been engaged in the book I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët which can be found in our school library. This is a great book for all ages as it is all pictures and students learned about how each character is feeling by “reading” and understanding their facial expressions.
Throughout this month, we will be learning what it means to be a good teammate and how this is related to being a role model. Students will work together on drawing pictures of themselves being role models and completing a puzzle together. We are focusing on what it means to cooperate together and how important it is to demonstrate this Core Value each and every day inside and outside of their communities!
Our Fourth Grade Council is excited to share the following letter announcing our next community wide initiative!
Dear Fitzy Flyer Readers,
The Fourth Grade Council has decided to run a toy drive! We will be collecting new toys for kids that are recovering from being sick while in the hospital. Some suggestions we thought of are: art supplies, toys without small parts/pieces, toys for all ages, toy cars and soft things like teddy bears. Any donation can be brought or sent into Ms. Bernard’s office. We appreciate your help in making this possible. Please look for more information soon!
Sincerely,
FitzGerald Elementary Fourth Grade Council
Lastly, our Panther Partners and Safety Squad continue to work hard at demonstrating the Core Value of role model by arriving at their responsibilities on time and helping out other students and teachers!
Great Job Council Members, Panther Partners and Safety Squad!!
As always, we appreciate the home-school connection and collaboration together on integrating our Core Values and Community Circle topics into your family conversations.
Please let us know if you would like us to share any resources with you or any additional ways we can support your family by reaching out to me at jessebernard@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5689.
We hope you enjoy a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
Ms. Bernard
School Adjustment Counselor
Kindergarten Registration 2024-2025
Kindergarten Registration is under way for 2024-2025! If you have a child entering Kindergarten next school year, please click on this link to learn more about how to begin the process:
https://walthamma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/wps/page/kindergarten-registration-information
MCAS Dates for Spring 2024
Each year, students in Grades 3-5 take the MCAS assessments. The FitzGerald School MCAS testing schedule this school year will be:
Grade 3 ELA Session 1- 4/4/24
Grade 3 ELA Session 2- 4/11/24
Grade 3 Math Session 1- 5/2/24
Grade 3 Math Session 2- 5/9/24
Grade 4 ELA Session 1- 4/3/24
Grade 4 ELA Session 2- 4/10/24
Grade 4 Math Session 1- 5/1/24
Grade 4 Math Session 2- 5/8/24
Grade 5 ELA Session 1- 4/2/24
Grade 5 ELA Session 2- 4/9/24
Grade 5 Math Session 1- 4/30/24
Grade 5 Math Session 2- 5/7/24
Grade 5 STE Session 1- 5/14/24
Grade 5 STE Session 2- 5/16/24
We kindly ask for families to please do their best to avoid appointments, etc. on the testing days. Thank you in advance for your help with this! More information will come home regarding MCAS testing closer to the testing dates.
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:
March 27, 2024- 6:00-7:00pm- 7 Habits of Leader in Me and the Core Values of FitzGerald (SEL-focus)
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 Friday April 5th.
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 Update from Ms. McKeever
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,
It’s March - Are you feeling lucky? Please support the Fifth grade and buy a raffle ticket for $20 to win a Pot of Gold ($100 worth of scratch tickets). Please check Instagram or Facebook for more information. Good LUCK!
Join forces with the Fitzy Fun Run Committee and become a proud sponsor of the 6th Annual Fitzy Fun Run/Walk. Together, we can ensure that Fitzgerald continues to offer exceptional programs and events for our students. Our goal is $15,000 and we are about 1/3 of the way there! Help us reach our goal and continue to offer the exceptional programs and events that FitzGerald is proud to offer for free or at a low cost for all students!
If you would like or are able to join us this year as a sponsor, email the Fun Run Committee at FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
If you are interested in volunteering at our next events, please send an email to FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com. We are ALWAYS looking for volunteers! There is a wide range of volunteering opportunities. If you are unable to volunteer but would like to make a donation, you may do so through Venmo (@FitzGerald-PTO) or by sending a check payable to FitzGerald PTO (memo: General Donation). These funds have recently been used to pay for Field Trip Transportation, Author Visit, Books, and resources to host our Valentine’s Day Party.
SAVE THE DATES:
Spring Soccer Shack is happening soon! Keep an eye out for volunteering and donation opportunities.
Fitzy Fun Day at Fenway is happening on Sunday, May 12th at 1:35pm. Kids under the age of 12 get to run the bases too!
Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 7th with a rain date of Monday, June 10th. More info in the coming months!
5TH GRADE BREAKFAST: The PTO is looking to set up a committee for graduation day set up/breakfast. Please email lau024@hotmail.com if you would like to join in on the fun to make this day memorable for our 5th graders!
5TH GRADE PICTURES: If you have any pictures you would like to submit for the yearbook please email FitzGerald5thgradephotos@gmail.com.
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
May 1st, 2024: 6:30pm
Restaurant Nights 2024
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
Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – InstagramFitzGerald 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
TENTATIVE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (UPDATED)- Friday June 14, 2024
Upcoming Dates
3/13- Early Release Day, 1:00pm, Parent Conferences
3/20- Early Release Day, 1:00pm, Professional Development
3/25- Spring Pictures (Individual Pictures Only)
3/27- Fitzy Parent University #3- Social Emotional Learning at FitzGerald, 6:00pm
3/28- Grades 2-5 Term 2 Report Cards Go Home
3/29- No School
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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