Whitney Wolves Weekly News

As we close out December and enter into our winter break, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday. Enjoy your time with family and friends. We look forward to seeing you and your children in the new year!

Curriculum: Happy Winter Break! Remember to keep reading and practicing your math facts!

Writing

Math

Science

ELA:

Reading- Author’s Study

Writing- Literary Essay

Social Studies:

Explorers and Early Settlements

Science:

Earth and Space Systems

Math:

Unit 2- Understanding Decimal Place Values and Powers of 10

The IAL classroom has been working this month on a thematic unit using the Polar Express Story. We have studied in reading class; what is a fact and what is an opinion, for example “snow is white “or “my favorite gift is a blue bike”, sequencing events of the train ride to the North Pole, doing math word problems using coins involving elves, understanding what makes the train engine move in science class and where is the North Pole located during social studies class. In our writing class we filled out elf applications and addressed the envelopes to the North Pole. When we return from our Polar Express ride to the North Pole we will be reading and following the directions on how to make homemade hot chocolate.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holiday.

Mrs. Ziba

Please note the change in our PTO website name.

PTO Executive Board:

• Cindy Kinney- President

All families are encouraged to join the Eli Whitney PTO. Meetings will be held on a Wednesday of each month. Times will be announced

We look forward to collaborating with our Whitney community.

The next meeting will be held on 1/3/24, TEAMS link will be provided to all for virtual attendance.

January:

• 1/1 No School, New Years Day 1/2 return to school. Revised
• 1/3 VIRTUAL PTO MEETING
• 1/11 Parent and student engagement event: Math, Reading and Specials
• 1/12 Berkshire Theater, The Magic Tree House 1:30pm, APR
• 1/15 No School, MLK Day
• 1/19 Progress reports sent in emails
• 1/24 Early Release@ 1:30pm, PL Day

• 2/8 Winter Chorus concert at EHS, snow date 2/9
• 2/16 No School, PL Day
• 2/16-20 Winter break
• 2/20 Staff PL
• 2/19 No School President's Day
• 2/20 No School PL Day
• 2/23 Berkshire Music, 9:45am, APR grades 3-5

• Smarter Balance Assessment PEP Rally, TBD
• 3/13 Early Release @ 1:30pm PL Day
• 3/23 Spring chorus concert
• 3/29 No School Good Friday
• TBD: 5th grade parent night for all 5th grade familes at JFK School, Technology Safety
• TBD: 5th grade Technology Safety w/EPD

April:

• 4/17 @ Public Library: One Book Three Schools- Kick-off 6-7, APR
• 4/08-4/12 Spring Vacation
• 4/24 Early Release @ 1:30pm, PL Day
• SBAC

May:

• One Book Three Schools
• SBAC
• 5/22 Early Release @ 1:30pm, PL Day
• 5/27 No School, Memorial Day
• 5/29 Field Day, Rain Date 5/31
• 5/30 Author Visit

• 6/3 EW Awards Assembly
• 6/10- Scheduled last day of school
• 6/19 Juneteenth Celebration

Hello, caregivers,

With cold weather quickly approaching. please be advised that students must wear clothing appropriate for cold and wintery days in order to participate in outdoor recess. Students need to have access to sweatshirts, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves or mittens to play outside. Students without these items, or who wear shorts to school will need to have inside time to support their safety and health. While the nurse and lost and found is often available for students to access a 'shared' coat, these items must be returned if used. Note, that often, the lost and found and nurse does not have specific sizes to fit all students. As the weather increasingly gets cold, please see the charts above and below to help guide your own decision-making.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs. Flanaghan

Principal

First, a big thaank you to all caregivers for following our safety guidelines when dropping off and picking up students in the parking lot area.

Second, because safety is always first, we have reviewed our procedures and find that in most cases things are working very smoothly. A few reminders and simple changes you may want to note:

• One way traffic only
• Students will be called to vehicles by the staff to ensure monitoring adults see them safetly to the vehicle
• NO PASSING other vehicles for any reason on the left or right.
• New NO PASSING signs will be posted on the right, while adult monitors are stationed on the left.
• Children should enter the left (Diver's) side of the car whenever possible. This allows us to make sure the child is in the car before the car begins to move. Entering the vehicle on the passenger side limits our ability to ensure your child's safety.
• If you are asked to pull up, please stop at the cones or where directed. This will help students remain safe while walking to your vehicle.
• If you are asked to park, because your child has forgotten something, please understand that this allows them the time to get their item from the school, while allowing the flow of traffic to occur without the need of passing. A staff member will walk your child to your car if you are asked to park.