Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
April 26, 2024
Principal's Message
We had a wonderful week, returning from April break! The sun was out and the weather is warming up!
Our PK and K classes at Capuano participated in a Fun Run on Tuesday. On Thursday, a group of 8th grade students presented on their 8th grade civics project--see more information below about the project.
Thank you to all who attended the coffee hour on Friday. We had a great discussion about autism and special education in general. Below you will find a link to the Yardsticks guide with great information for parents and caregivers about child development at each age and grade, age 4 - 14.
As a reminder, we will continue with MCAS assessments this week. Grades 4, 5, and 8 will be assessing on Monday and Thursday.
8th Grade Civics Project Update
The 8th graders' Civic Action Project on the future Winter Hill school has taken off! They surveyed over 250 Winter Hill students through in-person interviews, gaining important perspectives on what students want. The 8th graders are now asking all families to take the community survey (link). The survey closes on Wednesday, May 8th. Please share widely!
Winter Hill After School Clubs for Spring 2024
We are excited to offer new after school clubs. Click here for more information: Winter Hill Afterschool Clubs for Spring 2024!
PTA Update
WINTER HILL STAFF APPRECIATION. All students are invited to show their love!
• Muffin Monday, May 6th: PTA will deliver muffins for all staff.
Idea for students: Say thank to your teachers in your home language.
Extra challenge: Make a card to show how "Thank You" is written in your script.
• Toffee Tuesday, May 7th: PTA will deliver sweet treats for all staff.
Idea for students: Ask your teachers what they love most about teaching.
Extra challenge: This is National Teachers Appreciation Day! Send a joke, song or dance to someone they don't see every day can email home videos to ty-winterhill@winterhillpta.org - We will not view your videos! Please put the teacher’s name in the subject line, so that we can compile and forward to the teacher for a Giant Surprise!
• Pizza Wednesday, May 8th: PTA will deliver real food for PD that day.
Idea for students: Give a compliment to teachers you meet.
• Thematic Thursday, May 9th: PTA will deliver a journal for all staff.
Idea for students: Wear your Wildcat gear and ROAR a little stronger.
• Fried Food Friday, May 10th: PTA will deliver yummy fried foods for all staff.
Idea for students: Wear your homeroom teacher's favorite color.
PTA ELECTIONS PROCESS. The PTA’s Nominating Committee is working to identify at least one individual to fill three positions that will be vacated at the end of June. These positions are: President, Vice President and Secretary. You will be considered for your service to the PTA regardless of whether you are already a member. Please email nominations@winterhillpta.org if you have any interest to learn more. We have job descriptions that you could look at, and discuss with the Chair of our Nominating Committee.
CAPUANO PTA FUNDRAISER. Wildcats at Capuano had an amazing Fun Run yesterday. The link for donating is still open. Any amount donated will be used by WH@Capuano teachers. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=937765741477013&set=a.777182650868657
Thank you to Capuano families. We are so excited to be back together again soon!
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 last coffee hour!
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
All are welcome! Interpretation will be provided.
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. Ellis (Kindergarten)
Next Week: Ms. Berkowitz (PK)
Important End-of-Year Dates
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Wednesday, May 15th - Kindergarten Math Night @ Capuano 5 - 6:30 - Come enjoy pizza from 5 - 5:30 and then engage with your child in math games from 5:30 - 6:30.
Thursday, May 23rd - PK - 8 Showcase of Learning @ Edgerly - More details to follow
Friday, May 24th - Spring Concerts: 4th - 8th grade 9:15 @ East, K - 3rd grade 1:15 @ East
Monday, May 27th - No School in Honor of Memorial Day
Friday, May 30th - Field Day: 4th - 8th grade in morning, 1st - 3rd grade in afternoon, all @ Foss Park
Friday, May 31st - Field Day: PK & K @ Capuano
Wednesday, June 12th - 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony
Thursday, June 13th - Step-Up Day
Friday, June 14th - Last Day of 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.
Math
- Grades 3, 6 ,7 - May 6 and 9
- Grades 4, 5, 8 - April 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