Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
March 1st, 2024
Principal's Message
Happy March!
This morning our Kindergarteners had a wonderful literacy event. Thank you to our Kindergarten staff, students and all who attended. They are doing an amazing job at learning their letters, sounds, and starting to read! The handouts are attached below for families to use at home.
It is time to start planning for summer vacation! There will be a Summer Camp Activities Fair at the East Somerville Community School on March 7th from 5 - 7 PM.
Reminder: Summer Camp and Activities Fair
PTA Update
SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
No members were in attendance at our General Membership meeting yesterday, Feb 29, 2023. However, all elected officers of the PTA’s Executive Committee and the Nominating Committee were able to have a productive meeting to plan for the upcoming school year. Since the meeting was canceled, we will circulate a members-only financial report next week.
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.
FUNDRAISING UPDATES
All of the money we have in the bank right now doesn’t even include the proceeds from our Trivia Night at the Winter Hill Brewing Company. All the fun and the funds are thanks to the wonderful Chair of our Fundraising Committee, Tara Barreira, and our amazing PTA volunteer Shauna Powers, who also worked hard on our Holiday Gift Drive. Thank you, Tara and Shauna!
We have two pending grants that are still under consideration. One is a $2,000 grant from Whole Foods, and another is a $500 mini grant from Massachusetts PTA’s Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPRTUNITIES
- SPS Summer Camp Fair at the ESCS Gym
On Thursday, March 7, from 5-7PM Check out the Summer Camp/Activities Guide to get a sneak preview of the fair and to start looking at options for your child(ren).
Would you like to help us with our PTA bake sale at this event? All you need to do is staff the sales table for one hour. Please email winterhillpta@gmail.com if you are able to help.
- WHCIS Year-End Learning Celebration
On Thursday May 23 (Time TBD) Our school will host our annual year-end open house where families can come see how much children have accomplished this year in school. This year will be extra special because:
- PTA plans to have a food truck come to the school. We have to work out the details on this, including any permitting and fees, but we think this could be such a fine way to celebrate at the end of the year. Follow us for updates on this!
- Children will display any PTA-funded STEM activities that homeroom teachers choose to organize in the coming weeks. Activities will have a family engagement component, so please stay in touch with communications from your homeroom teachers.
Would you like to help us with our PTA bake sale at this event? All you need to do is staff the sales table for one hour. Please email winterhillpta@gmail.com if you are able to help.
- Field Day Festivities
On Thursday May 30th at Foss Park (Specific details to follow from the school in a few weeks). Prepare for an exciting day that includes an inflatable obstacle course, sponsored by the PTA! You asked for it last year, and we were fortunate to be able to make it happen.
Would you like to help chaperon the walk to Foss Park for the 6th graders and perhaps also for the little kids? Please email winterhillpta@gmail.com if you are able to help.
SUPPORT WHCIS TEACHERS!
- Wishlist from AIM teacher: “Hi! My name is Sandy Orosz, and this is my first year at WHCIS. My assistants and I made an Amazon Wish List for our classroom. Our Room number is 105.” https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HPNS0DH7STWS?ref_=wl_share
- Boston Marathon Fundraiser: “Hello, my name is Melissa Starr, and I am running the Boston Marathon this year. I have a fundraising goal I must meet, and I am hoping the Wildcat Family will join me in strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Together we can make a difference. https://www.givengain.com/project/melissa-raising-funds-for-west-suburban-ymca-71335
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.
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS
Somerville Youth Soccer (SYS) is offering a new opportunity of a clinic (called Just for Kicks) for kids (boys and girls) who are ONLY in grades 2d, 3rd and 4th. This program offers the opportunity to learn and play the game in a recreational setting. It will better suit kids with SPECIAL NEEDS (any kind), NEW players, for families with SEVERAL kids or players who ARE NOT SURE that soccer is their sport: (https://www.somervillesoccer.org/news_article/show/1291558) The program will run ONLY during six weeks starting on April 25th-June 6th. The Clinic sessions will take place once a week on Thursdays (no weekend commitment) at the Healey School Field from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. The cost of the program is $40 but as ALWAYS we have financial aid available.
Highlanders Youth Softball Organization The spring 2024 registration is open for a few more weeks and we particularly need more 8U participants (8 years old and under). Registration is open at this link: https://form.jotform.com/jrhighlandersoftball/spring-2024-registration-form. You can also get more details on our website. They would love to see some of your families on the diamond this spring!
Middle Grades Sports
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. Buccelli (AIM Grade 2)
Next Week: Ms. Ashe (AIM Grade 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 rescheduled.
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