Fitzy's Flyer
September 8, 2023
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We had a wonderful week together as a full school community, with all of the Kindergarten through fifth grade students in the building!
The fifth graders worked really hard to make welcoming yard signs for the Kindergarten students for the arrival on their first day of school. The words of encouragement included on their signs were truly heartwarming. We have great fifth grade leaders and role models here at FitzGerald!
Today we enjoyed our first "Fitzy Friday," and first assembly of the year! Our theme for today's assembly was showing a positive attitude (the core value for September at FitzGerald) and what it means to show a growth mindset. We read a story, played a fixed vs. growth mindset game together, and learned about a school-wide project that we will be working on over the next two weeks, which will be hanging up motivational words around the school. These words will help to continuously remind us to have a positive attitude, as well as to use the growth mindset to help our brain grow stronger and smarter with every new challenge we take on, with every new piece of information we learn, and with every mistake that we make along the way.
Thank you to the FitzGerald PTO for providing our Kindergarten students with a Spirit Shirt that each student will receive over the course of the next week! These shirts can be worn on Fitzy Fridays, field trips, Field Day, etc.
Fridays are "Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald! All members of the FitzGerald School community are invited to wear their Fitzy Wear, Spirit Shirts (another order form will come out this fall for more orders) or the colors blue/yellow!
Thank you for your continued partnership. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
Specialist Spotlight!
Each week, a different FitzGerald specialist will share an update of what is being worked on across grades. Look here every Friday to see which specialist is being featured! A reminder that our specialists teach subjects such as Art, Physical Education, Music, Drama, Science, Library, etc.
Specialist Class Featured This Week: Drama!
Hello and happy new school year! It has been wonderful seeing all the smiling faces back in our Drama classroom! As we review expectations and establish new routines, we are also getting started with new Drama content at each grade level.
Here is a little bit about what we focus on each year:
K: What is Drama? How can I create a character with my body? My voice? How can I safely do so in my own space? How can I show my best audience behavior? We use lots of books and act out the stories in class. Students learn the difference between being a narrator and acting out a story. There is a public speaking project each spring – all K students memorize and present a nursery rhyme to an audience!
1: From Stage to Page (Literacy on its Feet Part 1)
Students build upon group performance and storytelling principles learned in Kindergarten, and begin using scripts as emerging readers.
2: Individual and Group Performances (Literacy on its Feet Part 2)
Continuing to build upon concepts learned in prior years, we continue to “put literacy on its feet” by narrating a familiar story as well as writing scripts focused on conflict resolution - aka dramatic structure!
3: Teamwork!
Building upon prior years’ Drama concepts, 3rd grade is all about teamwork and accomplishing projects together. Using principles learned in 2nd grade’s conflict resolution unit, we work towards our ultimate goal – performing a scripted play in front of our school!
4: Improvisation
4th Graders learn the art of improvisation, which is a TEAM SPORT! Acting in front of an audience without a script or any rehearsal can be difficult for performers of any age. With the support of their “teammates” our 4th grade Improv teams spend the majority of the year implementing grade level Drama concepts without a script.
5: Making Greater Connections to the World
While most students lean towards the comedic choice, we explore more dramatic concepts in students’ final year in elementary school. We discuss how the greatest stories from history are turned into books and movies, and we make connections between what they are learning in class and topics discussed in Drama. This is the year we explore Acting for the Camera as we make our 5th grade movie!
I look forward to meeting you all at our back to school night on September 27th. If you would like to contact me, always feel welcome to contact me at KateKelly@WalthamPublicSchools.org. I’m excited for another great year!
Kate Kelly
Drama Specialist
PTO News
PTO News
Dear Families,
School is in full swing as Kindergarteners joined our fellow Fitzy friends this week! The PTO hosted a K morning coffee meetup this past Tuesday where new (and old!) families connected and briefly discussed some of the amazing activities that we have planned for this year!
If you missed our meetup, please see the Flyer that was distributed: KMeetup
Don’t forget to join us for our first PTO meeting of the year, this upcoming Wednesday, Sept 13th @ 6:30pm in the Cafeteria. A google link will also be sent the day of. We will be discussing upcoming events and multiple ways that YOU can help!
*FUNDRAISER ALERT*
Save those SNEAKERS! Fitzgerald Sneaker Drive details coming soon!
Keep updated with all things PTO on our socials below!
Website: www.fitzgeraldpto.com
Facebook: Fitzgerald Elementary School PTO
Instagram: Fitzgeraldpto
We look forward to meeting you and working alongside you to make this the best school year yet!
Ann Tierney & Diana Lehmann
FitzGerald School PTO Co-Presidents
Ongoing FUNDRAISING through BOX TOPS, RAISE RIGHT, MABEL LABEL, FITZY WEAR – Order online 24/7. Delivery takes 10 - 15 business days from date of purchase.
Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – Instagram
Weekly Notices
School Lunch Information
*Breakfast and Lunch will also be available for free again in 2023-2024!
** 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
9/25- No School, Yom Kippur
9/26- Schedule Change- Monday Schedule
9/27- Early Release Day, 1:00pm, Lunch will be served
9/27- Back to School Night at FitzGerald, 6:30-8:00pm- More information to come in next week's Fitzy's Flyer!
10/3- Picture Day
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2022-2023 Elementary Student Handbooks (2023-2024 Coming Soon)
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