Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
December 15, 2023
Principal's Message
We had two wonderful concerts today. Thank you to Ms. Stier, our amazing music teacher, for leading our 1st - 8th grade students in their preparation and performances. She was supported by our whole community including the fabulous specialist team, Mr. Mac (shuttle bus driver), and our teachers and paraprofessionals. A huge wildcat ROAR to our student musicians and we look forward to our Kindergarten concert at Capuano next Friday.
Next Friday is an early release day. Dismissal times are as follows:
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
My next newsletter will be in the new year on January 5, 2024. I wish our entire Winter Hill community a happy holiday season, a safe winter break, and a wonderful new year!
Spirit Week sponsored by the Student Council
Next week,
our student council is sponsoring a spirit week.
Be sure to show your school spirit!
Monday 12/18 - PJ day
Tuesday 12/19 - Culture Day. Wear colors from your cultures or your flag
Wednesday 12/20 - Sports team day. Wear a shirt from your favorite sports team
Thursday 12/21 - Hat day
Friday 12/22 - Ugly sweater day
Message from the Director of School Health Services
Dear SPS Families:
With cold and flu season in full swing, we have seen an increase in illnesses such as flu, strep throat, and COVID-19. This is typical for this time of year as people travel and spend more time indoors.
As with any virus, common cold, flu, or other illness, we ask that individuals take precautions to avoid spreading illness when they are not feeling well. Precautions may include staying home, wearing a mask, doing a home test, or seeking medical evaluation. We also recommend frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
In anticipation of winter break, we are making COVID-19 at-home test kits available at every school for families and staff to take home. Contact your school nurse or main office if you would like at-home test kits. Please be aware that the FDA has extended the expiration dates for these Flow Flex tests and they are good for one year beyond the expiration date. For more information, please visit the United States Food and Drug Administration webpage about at-home COVID-19 test kits.
For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, and when to stay home for other illnesses, please visit the SPS webpage: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/nursing
Thank you and have a wonderful break!
Liz Quaratiello, BSN,RN,NCSN
Director of School Health Services, Somerville Public Schools
PTA Update
$7,000 Corporate Grant. We have secured $7,000 from New England BioLabs for classroom support, field trips and enrichment activities for all grades!
Daddy Jones will donate $286 to our PTA! Full house at the Dec 13th “Fun Raiser” at Daddy Jones restaurant and bar. Lots of families celebrating the MSBA’s donation and the holiday spirit!
Holiday gifts from Winter Hill Brewing: Please contact our Family Liaisons to sign up for anything on your family’s wish list!
Neighborhood Produce Fundraiser. 415 Medford Street. Shop all “Dollar Deal Monday” items throughout December, and 5% will be donated to our PTA.
New website! Check out our new and improved www.winterhillpta.org website. All our weekly news is available to all Wildcat families, regardless of membership status, in the preferred languages of our diverse community.
Lindsay Weaver joins PTA Audit Committee. Ms. Weaver, a teacher in Newcomer Academy, has agreed to take on oversight of PTA media and communications. She will onboard new PTA officers to our social media channels, maintain our website, back up our Wildcat Weekly newsletters. Thank you Ms. Weaver! We do appreciate your expertise and support so much!
Volunteer Recognition: We would like to recognize Shauna Powers for setting up partnerships with Winter Hill Brewing Company and Daddy Jones.
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
We hope to see you at our next coffee hour!
January 19, 2024 1:45 - 2:30 --> Online Safety:
Come learn about how to keep students safe on the Internet
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 cafeteria.
- February 16, 2024 8:15 - 9:00 --> Math Curriculum: Come learn about our math curriculum and how families can support students at home
- 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
- 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
Information from Coffee Hours:
- 10/20/23 - ELA Curriculum - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ifnzM-9VXprhNpDcKQakDwIea_qUUpiGYcgT-BtQPVE/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring these coffee hours and your generous donations of coffee and snacks!
Wildcat Blog
We feature a different class on our Winter Hill Wildcat Blog each week.
This Week: Ms. Singleton (6th-8th grade AIM)
Next Week: Ms. Walsh (4th grade)
Important December & January Dates
December 22, 2023 - Winter Hill @ Capuano Concert 9:30 AM
December 22, 2023 - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
December 26, 2023 - January 2, 2024 - Winter Break, No School
January 3, 2023 - Students return from winter break
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Please see here for important dates on the Enrollment Calendar for SY25 school registration.
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
115 Sycamore Street
Somerville, MA 02145
School: 617-629-5680
Cell: 781-227-7861