Winthrop Weekly
February 7, 2024
Principally Speaking
Dear Winthrop Families,
Yesterday was the 100th Day of School and a day to celebrate the milestone of successfully completing 100 days of learning! The unofficial holiday started when in 1979 in Livermore, California, by teacher Lynn Taylor to help her students understand the concrete lesson of the number 100. Since then it has grown into a day when students create 100-day collections and participate in a math-themed day as they build their number skills with our base ten system. I was greeted at breakfast yesterday by first-grader, McKenzie Lee, who could not wait to show off the Lego structure of the number 100 she had built.
Festivities continued today with Global Play Day! The mission of Global Play Day is to allow students ample time for free play without the use of screens, structured games, or adult direction. The idea is to let children explore their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interactions in an unstructured and spontaneous environment. Please ask your child what activities they engaged in today and we will have plenty of pictures to share in next week's newsletter.
Warmly,
Amy B. Sullivan, Principal
Nicki Amisson, Assistant Principal
PK Screening- No School Dates for Current Preschool Students
- Thursday, March 7th @ Doyon and
- Friday, March 15th @ Winthrop
For planning purposes, we are alerting all current PK families that there will be NO SCHOOL for all current preschool students on Friday, March 15th at Winthrop.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, February 8th: Grade 5 Workout, 8 AM
- Thursday, February 8th: Grade 5 Workout, 8 AM
- Thursday, February 8th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30. K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, February 8th: Free Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Thursday, February 8th: Public Hearing Budget, 7 PM
- Friday, February 9th: Green Team Harvest of the Month
- Tuesday, February 13th: Grade 4 Field Trip to Harvard Peabody Museum of Natural History
- Tuesday, February 13th: Grade 3 Show, 7 PM @ Winthrop Cafeteria
- Wednesday, February 14th: Valentine's Day
- Wednesday, February 14th: Winthrop FRIES Meeting, 6:30 PM @ Winthrop Cafeteria
- Thursday, February 15th: Grade 5 Workout, 8 AM
- Thursday, February 15th: Early Release PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, February 15th: Free Open Door Mobile Mart at Dismissal
- Thursday, February 15th: No Place For Hate Meeting, 2 - 2:45 PM
- Monday, February 19th-Friday, February 23rd: No School, February Vacation
- Monday, February 26th: Classes Resume
- Thursday, February 29th: Grade 5 Workout, 8 AM
- Thursday, February 29th: Early Release PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, February 29th: Free Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Thursday, February 29th: Grade 5 SLC Newspaper, 2-3 PM
Ipswich Public Schools Calendar
Breakfast Club Extended Times
Winthrop School offers free breakfast every morning from 8:15-8:40 AM. We have added 10 minutes to Breakfast Club for bus students who arrive after 8:30 AM.
Students participating in Breakfast Club should arrive no earlier than 8:15 AM. Some students have been arriving too early. Please note that doors do not open to Breakfast Club until 8:15 AM.
All students attending the Breakfast Club should be here to eat breakfast and not arrive at school early for childcare purposes.
Spring MCAS Dates
We are sharing the dates of this year's spring MCAS testing for grades 3, 4, and 5. We strive for 100% attendance on the days of testing to avoid the need for many make-up sessions which pull teachers away from their regular schedules. Please mark your calendars.
Grade 3 ELA - April 3rd and 5th
Grade 4 ELA - April 9th and 11th
Grade 5 ELA - April 8th and 10th
Grade 3 Math - April 30th and May 2nd
Grade 4 Math - May 10th and14th
Grade 5 Math - May 1st and 3rd
Grade 5 STE - May 15 and 17th
Winthrop Science Fair- March 12th
Spring ACE Programs
Spring ACE Registration
Music Notes
Save the Date for Upcoming Performances
- Tuesday, February 13, Grade 3 Show, GO FISH! 7 p.m.
- Monday, March 4, Grade 2 Show, COOKIES the MUSICAL 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 6, CHORALFEST (Grade 5-12) PAC 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 20- STRINGFEST (grades 4-12) PAC
- Wednesday, March 27- ALL TOWN BAND (grades 5-12) HS Gymnasium
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
Green Team News
Harvest of the Month
This Friday, February 9th, HOTM is back! Butternut Squash Soup will be served at the cafe during all lunches. Thanks to our parent volunteers for their time and energy to prepare this delicious and nutritious treat, student leaders for their masterful serving skills, and Farmer Dave's local farm for providing the squash.
Watch our seedlings grow!
Last week, the Green Team hosted an afterschool workshop to teach students how to sort, save, and sow seeds in the winter months. Take a peek inside the milk jugs on the backside of Winthrop to see if you can spy any flowers or herbs sprouting over the next few months! There are also mini-magazines, "zines", in the little free library in front of Winthrop; take one to learn more about how your family can sort, save, and sow seeds at home!
FRIES NEWS
February FRIES Meeting
This month's FRIES meeting will be on Wednesday, February 14, at 6:30pm in the Winthrop cafeteria. Please join us and find out ways to get involved with our organization!
Thank you to our FRIES Community!
We had a blast this weekend celebrating National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Thanks to all who attended, volunteered their time and donated items to help support Winthrop FRIES!
Ipswich Public Library - February School Vacation
February 20
Curious Creatures is New England’s original interactive and educational live animal program.
Their staff of experienced and professional exhibitors teach respect and appreciation for exotic and unusual animals. The presentation is hands-on and interactive. We include interesting facts and stories about our creatures in an educational and entertaining environment.
Recommended for children in Kindergarten and older school age children. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Choose from 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Space is limited. Registration is required at www.ipswichlibrary.org/events
February 21 from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
“Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.” from Disney press release.
Rated PG. Common Sense Media recommends for ages 6 and up.
Popcorn and bottled water will be provided. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
February 22 from 10 a.m. to noon
Drop-In Craft for school-age children. Woven hearts!
This paper-weaving craft is intended for school-age children due to the degree of difficulty. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a (patient) adult caregiver to actively assist with the project. No registration is required.
February 23 from 10 a.m. to noon
STEM Building
Drop in to build with blocks, KINEX, marble race courses, and other building materials (some retro). Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. No registration is required.
TTS Players ~ Seussical Kids
Winthrop School
Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976