Winthrop Weekly
June 5, 2024
Dear Winthrop Families,
Announcing the Retirement of Kerry Zagarella, The Legend!
Dear Winthrop School Community,
It is with a deep sense of gratitude and admiration that I announce the upcoming retirement of our beloved kindergarten teacher, Kerry Zagarella. Kerry has touched the lives of countless young learners and generations of families, leaving an indelible mark on our community. While she will not be officially retiring until mid-October, this will be her last kindergarten class, as she will transition into a supportive role for a few weeks in the fall leading up to her retirement.
Kerry Zagarella has been a lifelong advocate for developmentally appropriate education for young children. She studied at UMass Amherst, earning a double degree in Theatre Arts and Early Childhood Education. Kerry began her teaching career at the Lynn Community Charter School, where she served as the Kindergarten Team Leader. The charter school's focus on child development, social-emotional learning, and the Waldorf style of education greatly influenced her teaching philosophy, emphasizing art, project-based learning, and child-centered play.
In 2002, Kerry joined the Winthrop School family, teaching both morning and afternoon kindergarten classes. Although she once looped to first grade with her class, her heart has always been in Kindergarten. Kerry has successfully led our Kindergarten program through the prestigious and rigorous NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation process multiple times.
Kerry, along with Lina Lopez-Ryan and Karen Sekiguchi, wrote a grant to support a three-year professional development initiative focused on social justice issues. This initiative resulted in a comprehensive website with shared resources and model lessons. WGBH recognized their work and invited Lina and Kerry to present at a widely attended webinar. As an educational ambassador for WGBH, Kerry frequently authors and presents workshops at educational conferences.
In 2022, Kerry secured a grant for a district-wide professional development group dedicated to studying social justice issues in education. She presented this impactful program to the School Committee, reinforcing her commitment to promoting quality early childhood programming. Kerry also collaborated with local preschool teachers to form a play advocacy group, "Play is the Way...to Learn!"
Kerry's proudest moments are those spent working alongside her colleagues at Winthrop School to prioritize the interests of children and maintain the wonder of discovery and fun in classroom experiences. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she served as a building representative and union president for two terms.
Next week, we will celebrate Kerry's last Zagarella Plunge on Crane Beach Day. This event has become a cherished tradition, reflecting Kerry's joyful spirit and dedication to her students. I am sure we will still participate in this tradition for years to come but know how memorable next week's will be with Kerry leading the whole school into the shores of Crane Beach.
Please join me in celebrating Kerry Zagarella’s remarkable career and contributions to our school community. While we will deeply miss her presence in the classroom, we are excited for her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.
Warm regards,
Amy
Reminders...
- Crane Beach Day will be held on Tuesday, June 11th this year with a raindate of Wednesday, June 12th. This is a family day for ALL Winthrop Students and families. We greatly encourage families to attend with their children, if possible.
The last day of school for PK is Friday, June 7t and dismisal is at regular time- 2:45 p.m. The last day of school for Grades K-5 is Thursday, June 13th. Dismissal will be at 11:50 PM.
The Grade 5 Graduation/Moving On Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 13th at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn. Please see more detailed information below.
- Thursday, June 6th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30. K-5 @ 1:50, Free Open Door Mobile Mart at Dismissal
- Thursday, June 6th: Grades 4 and 5 SLC Meeting, 2-2:30 PM
- Thursday, June 6th: EDP Carnival @ Doyon, 2:30-3:30 PM
- Friday, June 7th: Mr. Daignault's Class Field Trip to Cedar Point, Crane Beach
- Friday, June 7th: Kindergarten Field Trip to Pavillion Beach
- Friday, June 7th: Green Team Harvest of the Month
- Friday, June 7th: Last Day of Preschool, Dismissal is at regular time- 2:45 PM.
- Friday, June 7th: End of Year Celebration, Sponsored by Winthrop FRIES, 5-7 PM
- Monday, June 10th: Variety Show During School
- Tuesday, June 11th: Crane Beach Day
- Wednesday, June 12th: Crane Beach Day Raindate
- Wednesday, June 12th: FRIES Meeting, 6:30 PM
- Thursday, June 13th: Grade 5 Graduation, 9:30 AM @ Winthrop Front Lawn
- Last Day of School K-5. Early Release Schedule- dismissal at 11:50 PM
For a complete list of school events, please see the Winthrop School Calendar
All Library books are now due! Check those backpacks, desks and home bookshelves - all Winthrop library books need to come back to school. Students who have returned or replaced any missing books will be eligible for a squishmallow raffle at the End of School Assembly.
We ask that our fifth grade families look extra hard before heading off to Middle School. Thanks for bringing them back!
The last day of school for PRESCHOOL is Friday, June 7th. Dismissal is at regular time- 2:45 PM.
Kindergarten- Grade 5
The last day of school for K-5 is Thursday, June 13th is the last day of school for K-5.
Dismissal is at 11:50 AM.
Lunch will not be served, but bagged lunches to go will be offered.
Please see the order form below.
Extended Day Program Registration 2024-2025
Opening Day of Registration: May 22, 2024
We are happy to announce that Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open!
EDP is available for students kindergarten through fifth grade at the Doyon and Winthrop schools. The Morning program opens at 7:00am and runs until the start of the school day. The afternoon program starts at school dismissal and runs until 6:00 p.m.
All families are required to complete a registration packet and send in a non-refundable $46.00 (per child) registration fee. In order to hold your spot, a registration fee needs to be paid. The Registration fee can be paid by check written out to EDP or paid online through city hall systems. Families are required to sign up for a minimum of two days.
An enrollment packet needs to be filled out per child being registered for EDP. Enrollment packets can be completed online through the Family ID System or found under the enrollment tab located at the links below. If completing an enrollment packet, please email the completed forms to Extended Day Program.
Tuition payments are due on or before the 10th of each month. A late fee of $10.00 will be charged to payments received after the 10th of the month.
Payments can be paid online through City Hall systems or by check written out to “Extended Day Program. All checks should be mailed or delivered to the Central office located at 1 Lord Square.
City hall systems City hall Systems
Family ID systems (Online Registration) Family ID
Enrollment Packet Packet
2024-2025- Tuition Rates: Tuition
We look forward to you joining us for the 2024-2025 school year!
For further information please contact Alicia Merry, EDP Director
Email: EDP@ipsk12.net Phone: 978-992-7454
All students who plan to ride the school bus MUST register in order to be issued a bus pass. School bus pass early registration for the 2024-2025 school year starts May 12 th and ends June 14th at a discounted rate of $225 per student. Starting June 15th, regular registration costs will be at the standard rate of $250 per student.
Online registration and information and procedures concerning the transportation fee process can be found on the school website, www.ipsk12.net, under "Bus Information" on the district home page.
For further information, you may contact Cindy Williams at cwilliams@ipsk12.net.
Field Day Smoothies
Winthrop students loved the May Harvest of the Month smoothies so much, that the Green Team made another batch of (300) smoothies for students to enjoy at field day. Yum! Here is the recipe to try at home. Yes - students devoured dark leafy greens when they were disguised in smoothie form! Thanks to Tendercrop for supplying the farm fresh kale.
THANK YOU to our family volunteers and donors for this year's Tiger Trot! Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised more than $10,000 to support Winthrop FRIES.
Join us next Wednesday, June 12, at 6:30pm at Winthrop for our final FRIES meeting, where we will plan budget and goals for next year!
Free Event at the Ipswich Museum
Creepy Doll Scavenger Hunt!
When: Tuesday June 18, 10am-12pm
Free for kids (all ages) with their caregiver, no registration required, just show up for fun, snacks and prizes.
Summer Art Camp Now Open for Registration
4 weeks of creativity and artistic exploration in the outdoors
Visit https://ipswichmuseum.org/dow-arts-classes/ to register
The Institution for Saving is pleased to continue with its Coins for a C.A.U.S.E. (Coins Add Up to Support Education) program to benefit elementary schools in our communities.
This is how it works: each month when an individual converts their coins into paper currency using our convenient coin-counting machines the Bank donates 100% of hte 5% user fee to local elementary schools.
The Winthrop Elementary School FRIES will be the recipient of funds collected in the month of June from the following offices:
- 112 County Road, Ipswich
- 2 Depot Square, Ipswich
- 161 South Main Stree, Middleton
- 5 Main Street, Topsfield
Winthrop School
Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976