Fitzy's Flyer
February 18, 2022
Weekly Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Community,
We have had a wonderful and fun week at FitzGerald School! We want to thank the PTO for the excellent enrichment programs that were brought to our school this week. All students had the opportunity to learn more about African American culture through music and dancing. Grade 4 students also had a program from the Acton Discovery Museum on lasers. Additionally, Mrs. McKeever, the FitzGerald Librarian, organized an opportunity for Grades 2 and 3 students to have a virtual author visit today. The students and staff enjoyed each of the interactive presentations immensely! More author visits will be taking place in the coming weeks for the other grades as well. Please check out the PTO News section for more information on these experiences.
We also celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Week this week. Students have been working hard to display and recognize acts of kindness that they were doing for one another around the school. We celebrated receiving over 100 acts of kindness by wearing bright colors at school today as we “Shine Bright with Kindness” at FitzGerald!
In Open Circle times this week, students also worked together to discuss some of the things that they love about their class and worked as classroom communities to create a display on this topic. Please take a moment to ask your child what types of things were discussed as part of their classroom conversation.
FitzGerald School’s Panther PRIDE has been on display in many ways, through strong teaching and learning experiences, discussing and practicing ways to display our school’s core values, and working together to share in acts of kindness with one another. We will miss everyone next week and we hope you enjoy a wonderful February vacation filled with rest, relaxation, and special memories. We will see everyone again on Monday, February 28th!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
Lost and Found Items- Do any items belong to your child/family?
Additional School Updates
Voluntary COVID-19 At Home Testing Procedures
1. Each student received a COVID-19 test kit today that contains 2 tests. This is for voluntary testing on Sunday February 27th and Sunday March 6th.
2. If your child is participating in the regular weekly at home testing at the school, your child also received a test kit this past Wednesday. One test is for Wednesday February 23rd. The other test is for Wednesday March 2nd.
Weekly At Home COVID-19 Testing Opt In Form
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.
REMINDER
1. 1-2 extra masks
2. A filled water bottle clearly labeled with your child's name
3. A warm jacket, gloves, and a hat
Thank you!
Healthy Waltham Pantry Dates- February 2022
Fitzy Parent University Workshop Update
Next Month's Virtual Presentation: Social Emotional Learning
Date: Tuesday March 1, 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.
Today, students in grades 2 & 3 were visited by Matthew Forsythe to discuss the book, Mina.
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/matthew-forsythe...
March 8, 4th & 5th Grades (virtual) Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by Julian Randall
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/book/9781250774101
March 15, Kindergarten & 1st Grade The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken by Jennifer Frank
https://www.wellesleybooks.com/.../jennifer-frank...
Books can be signed and personalized by the author
- PTO Enrichment Committee Update: Happy Black History Month!!! This month the PTO has planned some activities in collaboration with the school. Each morning during the announcements, the students will learn an interesting fact about a Black American. Teachers have been given the option to then extend the discussions within their classrooms. Keep your eyes peeled in the Fitzy Flyer for a link to the slide deck so that you can learn and discuss with your kids too! The PTO has also purchased 3 books for each classroom to add to their libraries. The books were chosen with input from the school librarian so that we know that the kids will really love them! Finally, in the week before break, a speaker will be coming into the school to teach the students about music and dance and how they are a big part of the African American culture! We hope everybody enjoys!
PTO Parent Directory: https://tinyurl.com/4ny6666p
If you would like to share your information for our parent directory, please fill out the form from the link above.- Restaurant Night - February 26th at Panera (Lexington Street location)
- Fitzy Wear- Our school Fitzy Wear store is open! Please see information in English and Spanish. Here is the ordering website: fitzgeraldelementaryspiritwear.com
- Shop with Scrip Program Information- Please see here for a gift card fundraiser for our school.
- Next PTO Meeting Date: March 1, 2022 at 6:30pm
- SAVE THE DATE: FitzGerald Science Festival: April 10th, 1-4pm, (see flyers below)
"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 January 2022
(minutes approved 2/1/22)
Next School Council Meeting: 3/1/22
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:
February Lunch Menu
*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.
Waltham Girls Softball Information
Upcoming Dates
2/21/22-2/25/22- February Vacation
3/4/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal
3/22/22- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal
4/5/22- MCAS Begins at FitzGerald (see specific grade level dates below)
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
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