Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
February 2, 2024
Principal's Message
Happy February! It is hard to believe that we are more than half-way through the school year.
On Tuesday, February 6th, students at the Edgerly will have their 100th day of school and we will celebrate with a pajama day.
On Thursday, February 8th, students at the Capuano will have their 100th day of school and will celebrate with the Capuano students. PK and K teachers will share information with families.
Quarter two report cards go home on Monday. This quarter, you may find additional information your child's report card envelope.
- Students in grades Kindergarten - grade 3 will receive a DIBELS report showing their child's growth in reading. This is a universal early reading assessment. Please see the attached letters with more information about how we use this assessment.
- Students who have nine or more absences will receive a letter indicating how many absences they have to date. We understand that students often have excused absences and are unable to come to school. We also want to ensure that parents and guardians are informed and understand the impact of absenteeism on their learning.
- Students who have had perfect attendance for the first half of the school year will also receive a letter recognizing this.
Please reach out to your child's teacher, the deans, or the counselors if you have any questions about your child's report card.
PTA Update
Save the Date! Thursday Feb 29th at 6pm, PTA will conduct its Second Annual General Membership Meeting. We will discuss PTA funded projects for this year, fundraiser successes, budget updates, and upcoming elections for future PTA officers. Come speak with our Nominating Committee and learn about how PTA can grow and support the school in the future.
Valentines Day Potluck! Sign up to offer a variety of lunch foods and snacks on Wednesday, Feb 14, 2024 for all WHCIS staff. Winter Hill PTA: Valentines Day Lunch/Snack Potluck (signupgenius.com) We welcome homemade goods, but please avoid peanuts (school rules). Any extra nonperishable foods will be used to stock the teachers' break room. Food donations can be delivered at the Edgerly main door until 10:00am. If you are ordering food for delivery (for example, pizza) please note that the delivery person must ring the bell on Door No. 1 on Bonair Street. Feel free to coordinate independently to cover things like "all the pizzas." Thank you for your generosity! We are sure the teachers will appreciate it!
Support WHCIS Teachers!
Message from AIM teacher: “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
Events from the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative
For Teens @ the Edgerly Gym & Cafeteria - there’s room for more!
· FREE Dinners for TEENS (ages 12-18)! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share February Flier.
· FREE Teen Volleyball League (ages 13-18)! For six Mondays only, January 22-March 11, 6-8pm with dinner served from 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share flier here.
· FREE Physical & Emotional Self-Defense Class for female teens (ages 12-18)! Every Wednesday from 6-8pm from Feb 7 - May 1. Register here. Share flier here.
· FREE Open Gym (ages 12-18)! Every Friday, 6-8pm with dinner served from 6-6:30pm. Register here. Share flier here.
· Get FREE tax preparation help! How to access the MA Child & Dependent Tax Credit ($310 for each child under 13, immigrant filers and dependents with ITINs are eligible!) and How to identify where to get more tax credits and benefits. Share flier here and here.
Reference Links
· SPS Enrollment Fliers. Folder of multilingual fliers here.
· Community Schools Enrollment Fliers. Folder of fliers here.
· Basic Needs & Housing Support Services Brochure. Folder of brochures here.
· To access the folder of fliers, click here.
Coffee Hours
Join us at our next coffee hour!
February 16, 2024 8:15 - 9:00 --> Math Curriculum:
Come learn about our math curriculum
and how families can support students at home.
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.
- 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
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. DiPaolo (AIM Grades 3-4)
Next Week: Ms. Manning (Grade 2)
Important January & February Dates
Somerville Public Schools Calendar can be found here.
Please see here for important dates on the Enrollment Calendar for SY25 school registration
Monday, February 5th - PK / K conferences @ Capuano
Tuesday, February 6th - Food for Free Market @ East Somerville 2:45 - 4:30 PM --> See attached flyer.
Wednesday, February 7th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Thursday, February 15th - Governing Board 6 - 7:30 Edgerly Library
Monday, February 19th - Friday, February 23rd - Winter Break, No School
Wednesday, February 28th - Early Release Day
*PK dismissed at 11:30
*Kindergarten dismissed at 12:15
*Grades 1 - 8 dismissed at 12:00
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
115 Sycamore Street
Somerville, MA 02145
School: 617-629-5680
Cell: 781-227-7861