Fitzy's Flyer
March 11, 2022
Weekly Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Community,
We hope that everyone had a wonderful week!
Please see below for a monthly update from Ms. Bernard, FitzGerald School Adjustment Counselor.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
From Ms. Bernard:
Good Afternoon Fitzy Families!
I hope everyone is enjoying the extra daylight we have been having as we get ready for Daylight Saving this Sunday!
I write to share that this week, students are doing a great job demonstrating this month’s Core Value of Role Model. Being a Role Model means having good values and behaviors, maintaining a positive attitude, and using your actions and opinions to positively impact others. We hear this definition every morning as a school community during announcements.
Students have been provided the opportunity during the beginning of Open Circle to have respectful conversations about the changes we all experienced this week with the mask optional option here at FitzGerald School. Students have done well respecting and accepting the choices their friends and families have made for themselves as well as expressing their feelings about this change. We appreciate the continued partnership and collaboration you have with us around this very important topic.
Please take a look at the literacy selection below that we have that highlights the Core Value of Role Model in our FitzGerald School Library. Students can select any one of these titles during their circulation time with their class, or if you would like, please outreach to me and I am happy to send a book home with your child(ren).
Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole
A Hat from Mrs Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards
I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
The Dark by Lemony Snicket
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
Ravis Roar by Tom Percival
Additionally in Open Circle this week, students worked hard on an activity on ways they can create their own luck by working hard to achieve a goal. Students were able to outline action steps for these goals and express how they can keep growing their brain if they get discouraged.
We are so proud of all the perseverance our students have shown this week and how hard everyone is working to reach their goals!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with me at any time if you would like any resources or if I can support your family in any way.
In health,
Ms. Bernard
Assistant Principal Interview Committee
Lost and Found Items- Do any items belong to your child/family?
Additional School Updates
Voluntary Weekly At Home COVID-19 Testing Procedures
Participating students received a COVID-19 test kit this week that contained 2 tests. One test was for voluntary testing on Wednesday March 9th. The next test is for voluntary testing on Wednesday March 16th. Please only report positive results to Mrs. Young, FitzGerald School Nurse. Negative results do not need to be reported. Thank you!
Voluntary Weekly At Home COVID-19 Testing Opt In Form
COVID Vaccine Clinic- 3.12.22
Daily COVID-19 Attestation Form
Please review the attestation form below each morning before your child departs for school. Please contact the School Nurse if you have any questions on symptoms.
March Pantry Dates
REMINDER
1. 1 extra mask for your child's backpack in case it is needed at any time
2. A filled water bottle clearly labeled with your child's name
3. A warm jacket, gloves, and a hat
Thank you!
Fitzy Parent University Workshop Update
This month, Ms. Bernard, the FitzGerald School Adjustment Counselor, presented on Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness strategies. Please see her presentation links below:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kfQzGt2otiOJ5SOQoLV7mhkAoGXka2n5lyzo9_yqjDQ/edit?usp=sharing
Next Month's Virtual Presentation: TBD
Date: Tuesday April 5, 2022
Time: 6:00-6:30pm
PTO News
Author Visits: We are happy to announce that Mrs. McKeever has secured author visits for each grade! The PTO has purchased a copy for each classroom, and parents are welcome to purchase their own copies from Wellesley Books.
Students in grades 2 & 3 were visited by Matthew Forsythe to discuss his book, Mina
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/matthew-forsythe...You will receive a signed bookplate from the author.
Students in grades 4 & 5 were visited by Julian Randall to discuss his book, Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/book/9781250774101
On March 15, Kindergarten & 1st Grade will be visited by Jennifer Frank to discuss her book, The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/.../jennifer-frank...
Books can be signed and personalized by the author.2. Save the Date: FitzGerald Science Festival: April 10th, 1-4pm. If you are able to donate supplies to support this free event, it would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a044fa9af2ea2fb6-science
3. PTO Parent Directory:
View the directory at https://www.fitzgeraldpto.com (password: FitzPanthers138)
If you would like to share your information for our parent directory, please send an email to fitzgeraldpto@gmail.com
4. Restaurant Night - March 24th at Chateau
5. Fitzy Wear- Our school Fitzy Wear store is open! Please see information in English and Spanish. Here is the ordering website: fitzgeraldelementaryspiritwear.com
6. Shop with Scrip Program Information- Please see here for a gift card fundraiser for our school.
7. Next PTO Meeting Date: April 5, 2022 at 6:30pm
"Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald!
FitzGerald School Council Information
Our FitzGerald School Council meets monthly to discuss school-related items such as our School Improvement Plan, the overall budget, etc. We have a representation of parents (5), faculty/staff (5), and a community member, on our School Council. Each month, our meeting minutes that have been approved by the School Council will be shared in this monthly update section.
Meeting Minutes from February 2022
(minutes approved 3/1/22)
Next School Council Meeting: 4/5/22
Virtual Coffee Talks
Mrs. Santillo will host virtual Coffee Talks every Monday (on school days only) to answer questions parents/guardians may have. The times each Monday will be:
9:00am
12:00pm
Here is the virtual meeting link:
March Lunch Menu
https://www.walthampublicschools.org/files/5316/4597/0094/Elementary_-_March_2022.pdf
*Lunch Monitor Help- We are looking for a lunch monitor at FitzGerald School for 3 days per week. The hours are 10:15am-1:15pm. If interested, please contact Mrs. Santillo.
Upcoming Dates
3/22/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal
4/5/22- MCAS Begins at FitzGerald (see specific grade level dates below)
4/5/22- School Council, 5:00pm
4/5/22- Fitzy Parent University, 6:00pm
4/5/22- PTO Meeting, 6:30pm
4/15/22- No School
4/18/22- April Vacation
4/29/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm
5/30/22- No School
6/20/22- No School
UPDATED- 6/21/22- Last Day of School (subject to change if additional snow days are needed)
Waltham Public Schools 2021-2022 Calendar
FitzGerald MCAS 2022 Dates
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