Winthrop Weekly
December 20, 2023
Principally Speaking
Dear Winthrop Families,
After a stormy start to the week with the wild weather, we have settled into the week before break with many festive activities. Over the past few days, we have had the pleasure of visiting classrooms engaged in craft activities thanks to your volunteerism. We love the candle-making, pinecone decorations, and sewing crafts the students have created in grades 3 and 4.
Today, grade 2 had a special grade-level pajama day as they engaged in learning about the Iceland Christmas Eve tradition: Jolabokaflod. The students read the story, The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore about the Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition, which is a unique and cherished cultural practice in Iceland, deeply rooted in the nation's love for literature and storytelling. In Iceland, ‘book flood’ is celebrated on Christmas Eve and revolves around giving and receiving books, often accompanied by delicious treats like hot cocoa and Icelandic chocolates. The night is spent in the company of loved ones, reading and sharing stories, creating memories that last a lifetime. Grade 2 students enjoyed cocoa as they exchanged books they had specifically chosen for a classmate based on their interests. Please enjoy some candids below of students in Mrs. DiBacco's and Ms. Zybert's classes.
Some first-grade students celebrated tomorrow’s Winter Solstice a day early today. They learned about the tomte, a character from Scandinavian folklore, that was believed to protect the farm animals and family. Then, they listened to Astrid Lindgren’s The Tomten, and created their very own tomte. The story instills the importance of peace and protection, which is especially poignant as we prepare for the long, cold Winter. Check out the student's original tomtes they crafted in the pictures below.
Best wishes to all the Winthrop Families for a safe and happy holiday season and restful vacation week.
Joyfully,
Amy B. Sullivan, Principal
Nicki Amisson, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, December 13th: Free Vaccination Clinic @ Doyon School for Ipswich Families,
- Wednesday, December 13th: FRIES Meeting, 6:30 PM via Zoom - see link below in the FRIES News section
- Thursday, December 14th: Early Release PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, December 14th: Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Friday, December 15th: KinderSwim
- Friday, December 15th: Harvest of the Month at lunch
- Tuesday, December 19th: Early Act Meeting, 8:00 AM -Winthrop Library
- Tuesday, December 19th: Winthrop School Council meeting, 7 PM via Zoom
- Thursday, December 21st: Early Release, Pk @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, December 21st: Free Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Friday, December 22nd: Whole School Pajama Day
- Monday, December 25th- Monday, January 1st: No School, December Break
- Tuesday, January 2nd: Classes Resume
- Thursday, January 4th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, January 4th: Free Open Door Mobile Mart at Dismissal
- Thursday, January 5th: Grade 5 SLC Newspaper, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Ipswich Public Schools Calendar
All School Pajama Day ~ Friday, December 22nd
On Friday, December 22nd all students are invited to wear their pj's to school to celebrate the last day before December vacation.
We have plenty of extra, new pajamas for any student who would like a pair. Please reach out to your child's teacher or Principal Sullivan if your child may need a new set and we will send them home (discreetly) ahead of time. We will also have plenty of extra new pj's ready for any student who may forget theirs on the 22nd.
Participating in PJ day is optional. Comfy clothes and sweats are perfectly acceptable, too.
Thank You For Your Contributions to Ipswich Caring
Thank you to everyone who made donations to Ipswich Caring this holiday season. Your generosity has raised over $1,000 for families in our community this holiday season.
Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year!
The Winthrop Staff
Reminder- No Dogs On Campus During School Hours
Kindergarten Round Up
Calling all families of incoming kindergarten students! Kindergarten Roundup is the first step in the kindergarten registration process. Each year at this time we try to determine the names of children who will enter kindergarten in the Ipswich Public Schools in September. It is essential that we have these names now so that we can begin the school registration process and plan for classes.
Families of students who are eligible to attend kindergarten in September 2024 should take a moment to complete a Kindergarten Roundup Form.
Please click on the link below for more information and access to the Kindergarten Roundup Form:
https://www.ipsk12.net/Page/1113
Harvest of the Month
Thanks to all who supported our 2nd Harvest of the Month last week. The carrots were a huge hit, we ran through all 25 pounds and heard rave reviews all around.
Attached are some shots from the day -- a great effort by all.
Also, here's the recipe again, HONEY ROASTED CARROT FRIES and the information about the farm they came from can be found here, Hungry Heart Farm. If we are sending another follow-up this week -- several kids asked for recipes to be sent home - the carrot-excitement was thrilling -- so maybe something for holiday tables ahead!
We are looking forward to sweet potato fun in January.
Happy Holidays everyone, stay safe out there today!
Lost and Found
Please stop by to check out our lost and found in the 1st-floor hallway before vacation for any missing items!
FRIES News
TOMORROW is our Winter Solstice Walk from 4:30pm-5:30pm on the Winthrop School Lawn. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with friends and experience a traditional solstice walk as we light up the darkest night of the year. Event is free, pre-registration required: https://forms.gle/Rfw7gxDQF54jMZXp9 *Note - all kids in EDP will be participating on the lawn if they are at school at 4:30pm! See you there.
Thank you to Meghan Ganley, Michaela Lemire and Erica Antonelli for showering our staff with appreciation this week! A staff raffle is taking place every day, with gift cards sponsored by Agawam Fence, and mini-treats provided throughout the week. We thank our staff for all you do!
Ipswich Public Library News
First graders are invited to join the Ipswich Public Library's monthly First Grade Junior Great Books program.
This program meets one Wednesday afternoon a month from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and involves reading and talking about a story together, with an emphasis on thinking about the actions within the text and why characters make the choices they do. Our next meeting will be Jan. 10. The library provides a snack and we do a simple craft to round out our time together.
For more information, or to register your child, please register via this link: https://ipswichlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/first-grade-junior-great-books-21/.There are approximately 5 slots remaining.
Ipswich Little League Baseball
Ipswich Youth Lacrosse
TTS/Ipswich Rec Winter Programs
Winthrop School
Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976