Fitzy's Flyer
November 9, 2023
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
It is hard to believe that the school week has come to an end! Even though the week was short, it was filled with enriching academic experiences. Additionally, in classroom Community Circles this week, students discussed World Kindness Day coming up on Monday November 13th and thought of examples of ways in which we can show kindness within our school community. Starting on Monday, we will be working on a school-wide kindness challenge. More information will be coming home on Monday with ways in which families can support this experience.
As we all start to gear up for the holiday season ahead, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to experience special moments with family. If anyone would benefit from financial assistance this holiday season, with either purchasing a meal, or supporting the purchase of gifts, please reach out to Mrs. Santillo (Principal) or Ms. Bernard (School Adjustment Counselor) for more information. All inquiries will be confidential.
Please note some upcoming items coming up on Wednesday November 15th:
- Early Release Day, 1:00pm
- PTO Sponsored Blood Drive in Memory of Kim Strafford and Tina Pulselli, 2:00-7:00pm, FitzGerald Gym
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Friday November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day. Please have students wear red, white, and blue colors to school on Monday as we learn more about Veterans Day and honor local veterans, as part of a school-wide assembly we will be having on Monday.
We are also looking forward to the debut of the FitzGerald School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, beginning on Thursday 11/16! Thank you to the students who have worked so hard to prepare for the musical, as well as Ms. Grimes (Director), Ms. Racine and Ms. Bolduc for all they have done to make this a great show!
We look forward to seeing everyone again next week!
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
An Update from Ms. Bernard, FitzGerald School Adjustment Counselor
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We hope everyone has adjusted to Daylight Savings and are geared up for the middle of the Fall Season!
We have had another great week of Social Emotional Learning here at school with robust conversations about Integrity, this month's Core Value and the Habits of leaders. We have also started on a school wide project that highlights World Kindness Day which is November, 13th. Students are learning the history of this day while creating a project that will include families and grownups at home. Be on the lookout for this in your child’s folder on Monday and be sure to check out the bulletin board in the lobby area when you are in the building next week!
Our Fourth Grade Council has been meeting weekly and working hard at collaborating with each other to determine this year’s committees. They are demonstrating leadership qualities by listening to each other’s ideas and thinking about ways to help our school!
Lastly, our Panther Partners are underway! Students were so thoughtful sharing their ideas with why they wanted to participate in this opportunity. We have shared the “wordle” above to highlight some of these examples. Teachers are excited to partner with students in their classrooms and other areas around the building to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate role model qualities for our younger grades.
As always we appreciate the home-school partnership with you! Please don’t hesitate to connect with me at jessebernard@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5689 with any questions about Social Emotional Learning or any ways we may be able to support your child and/or family.
Specialist Spotlight: Physical Education with Mr. Brackett!
This month in PE we are working on the skills of throwing and catching! We are learning to step with our opposite foot when throwing and making a diamond with our hands when we are catching a ball.
The students have been working hard and have been loving our throwing and catching stations. We have been rolling, bowling, underhand tossing, partner passing, and throwing at targets.
This month's games include poison ball, castle defender, and next week we are building into Mr. Brackett's favorite: flag football!
I hope everyone is having a great fall and continuing to get exercise daily as a family!
Lunch Monitor Position Available at FitzGerald!
We are looking for a part time Lunch/Recess Monitor for the lunch and recess periods at FitzGerald!
The daily shift is from 11:00am-1:45pm. The opening is for 5 days a week, but we can discuss availability during the interview process. If you are interested in learning more about this opening, please contact Mrs. Lamoly at julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org or 781-314-5681.
Coffee and Conversation with Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly
Thank you to everyone who was able to join Mrs. Santillo and Mrs. Lamoly today for Coffee Talk time! The group had coffee, bagels, and pastries and enjoyed conversation together about FitzGerald School!
We will be hosting a Coffee Talk monthly this year for parents/guardians in the FitzGerald cafeteria.
The next Coffee Talk will be from 8:45-9:15am on Friday December 8th.
Spanish and Portuguese translation will be available!
Come with questions, or just come enjoy a cup of coffee and/or a breakfast pastry on us! We would love to see you!
Library Guest Reader Program
I am happy to announce the return of the Fitzy Library guest reader program. All caregivers are welcome to come visit the library and read a story to their students' class during their scheduled library time. If you would like to be a guest reader, please email Ms. McKeever: elizabethmckeever@walthampublicschools.org
Fall Reading Challenge!
To inspire your students to read widely and often, we are excited to announce our school-wide reading challenge, which will continue throughout the season.
K-2 Fall Reading Challenge(English)
K-2 Fall Reading Challenge(Spanish)
PTO News
Dear Families,
As the temperatures start to drop, the PTO is starting to gear up for the Holidays! The PTO is here to help you get your shopping started with several current and upcoming fundraisers and events:
NEED GIFT CARDS? RaiseRight’s 2023 Holiday Guide is HERE with over 750 brands available! Purchase what you need AND help the PTO along the way where a percentage of your purchase amount goes towards our fundraising goal! You can click HERE to sign up.
FITZYWEAR: Get ready to show that Fitzy Pride with our FREE SHIPPING event from our school store! From now until Nov 19th, all orders will ship FREE to the school. Click HERE to access the store!
FITZY DRINKWARE: Customizable Drinkware showing your Fitzy Pride. A portion of all sales go to the PTO to support our students. Click HERE to view options and order!
HOLIDAY SHOP: Our Holiday Shop is happening in early December. Students will have the opportunity to purchase items ranging from $1 - $5. We will be looking for volunteers to help assist with set-up, cashiers, wrapping and clean up. If you are interested in signing up early to help with this event, please send an email to FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
Sip N Script Fundraiser @ City Streets: Join us on Monday, 11/13 from 7-8:00pm for a fundraiser to benefit the 5th grade! Come paint a hostess gift for the upcoming holidays and enjoy some parent socialization. Check out the flyer HERE for more information and to purchase a ticket!
PIZZI PIES: Thank you to all who supported our Pie Fundraiser! Pies will be delivered to the school on 11/21. Time TBD. More info to come next week.
Our Blood Drive in Memory of Kim Strafford and Tina Pulselli will be on Wednesday November 15th from 2pm - 7pm in the gym. Only a few spots left if you would like to donate - Click HERE to sign up (We are the first option - FITZGERALD).
KID AREA: We will have a small area set up with board games and coloring activities for school aged children where they can wait quietly if you are having childcare conflicts. The Waltham Badass Warriors will be on hand for support. Cookies and juice will be available and donations can be made to the Badass Warriors, who support women & families through their cancer diagnosis.
NOVEMBER RESTAURANT NIGHT W/ SHOPPERS CAFE: Join us on Tuesday, November 14th at Shoppers Cafe @ 731 Moody Street where 20% of all Dine in or Take out Orders flagged for “FITZGERALD” will be contributed to the PTO.
ICYMI: FALL NEWSLETTER: Click HERE to read our September/October highlights!
These amazing events and more would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers! Please consider signing up for one of our many subcommittees below:
Enrichment ⬝ Fitzy Wear ⬝ Holiday Shopping ⬝ Valentines Day Party ⬝ Field Day ⬝ Fun Run ⬝ Garden
Send us an email @ FitzgeraldPTO@gmail.com to obtain more information!
*ONGOING AND UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS/EVENTS*
The 6th Annual Fitzy 5k Fun Run is coming up this Spring with a tentative race date of May 30th, 2024. We are looking to form a committee to look at the current race route and start planning the event.
First meeting will be at the end of November; date TBD. If you are interested in joining the Fun Run Committee, please Email Ann at FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com.
We look forward to meeting you and working alongside you to make this the best school year yet!
FitzGerald School PTO
Ongoing FUNDRAISING through BOX TOPS, RAISE RIGHT, MABELS LABELS, FITZY WEAR – Order online 24/7. Delivery takes 10 - 15 business days from date of purchase.
Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – Instagram
FitzGerald School Site Council
The FitzGerald School Council is a group that includes parent, staff, and community representatives that discuss items such as budget, School Improvement Plan, etc. Approved meeting minutes are posted in the Fitzy's Flyer office communication.
Next Meeting:
Date: November 14, 2023
Time: 3:15pm
Location: FitzGerald School Library
School Lunch Information
*Breakfast and Lunch are available for free again for all students this school year!
** All students should bring one snack and a water bottle to school each day.
"Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald!
Every Friday is "Fitzy Friday" at FitzGerald! Everyone is invited to wear Fitzy Spirit Wear or the colors blue and/or yellow to school, if they would like to!
2023-2024 District Calendars
Upcoming Dates
11/10- No School, Veterans Day Observance
11/15- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
11/15- PTO Sponsored Blood Drive, 2:00-7:00pm, FitzGerald Gym
11/22- VERY Early Release Day, 11:45am Dismissal, Lunch Served
11/23-11/24- No School, Thanksgiving Recess
12/6- Early Release Day, 1:00pm Dismissal, Lunch Served
12/15- Winter Concert/ Grades 3-5 at 1:00pm, Grades K-2 at 2:00pm
12/25-1/1- No School, December Vacation
1/2- School Resumes
1/4- Schedule Change- Monday Schedule
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Sign Up Information for the Waltham Public Schools App
2023-2024 WPS Elementary Student Handbooks
Please see below for electronic copies of the student handbooks for this school year. We appreciate your support in reviewing the handbook contents at home with your child.
Weekly Notices
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