Hello Fitzy Family! I hope 2025 is off to a great start! Please see below to learn about what each grade has been doing to start the new year.

Grade K - Kindergarten has begun learning their first musical instrument - the rhythm sticks. They have been learning to keep a steady beat on the rhythm sticks. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. They’ve been doing this by copying my playing and by finding the steady beat in various songs and rhymes. Kindergarten has also begun learning about improvisation by singing melodies they make up on their own while Mr. Irwin accompanies them on the ukulele.

Grade 1 - First grade is continuing their work on singing posture, singing voices, and matching pitch while singing echo songs and simple songs. They have also been improvising their own melodies as well in a minor key. In these improvisations, students have been focusing on how to have a musical conversation by taking some of the same material sung by the person before them, but still altering it to make it a conversation.

Grade 2 - In addition to our normal singing objectives, second grade has been working on playing ostinatos (a short repeating pattern) on drums, learning about dynamics (the volume of music.) They will soon be continuing their work with eighth notes and quarter notes by decoding the patterns they hear.

Grade 3 - I hope you have been hearing beautiful music at home from your recorder players! January marks the time when recorders become my main focus in music class. For the remainder of the year, students will be trying to earn “recorder belts” as they master songs on the recorder. We began working on Hot Cross Buns in January which is their white belt song. Please encourage your child at home to play with a gentle breath and to have their left hand on top. That will be super helpful!

Grade 4 - Fourth grade has been focusing their time using Song Maker from Chrome Music Lab. They have been working on creating their own song in Binary form (AB form) where both sections sound different but still belong together.

Grade 5 - Mrs. Vizard has joined music class to help us work with a website called Soundtrap. They have been choosing “loops” to make an ABA form song, making sure that the sections sound different but still belong together. Soon they will be adding an improvisation on top of their loops using “musical typing.” Then they will refine their work by making any changes necessary to make their song exactly as they like.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mr. Irwin

CharlesIrwin@walthampublicschool.org

General Music

Waltham Weekend & More

The PTO is thankful for everyone who purchased tickets for Bentley athletics this weekend. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Make sure to get your Wizards tickets for January 31st as well (more information below)!

EVENTS

Mark your calendars for the upcoming events!!!!

❤️ Valentine’s Party - February 28th! The flyer will be sent home with your child in the next few weeks for ordering tickets! $5 per person, $20 per family. An evening of fun is planned: DJ for dancing, face painting, crafts, and raffles!!

Spring events: Pickleball Tourney (April); Fitzy Fun Run (May), Field day- (June)

If you are interested in volunteering please contact the FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com or FrancescaRpto@gmail.com

FITZY FUNDRAISING 🐾

📣 Jan 24th - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to sell concessions at BINGO Night & are seeking snack donations: Sign up HERE

⛹🏽‍♀️Did you hear Ms. Grimes & Mr. Brackett are joining the Waltham Hawkstars this year to take on the Harlem Wizards?! Cheer them on Friday, January 31st - buy your tickets HERE

🍴Restaurant Night - What is it? A wonderful way for FitzGerald friends and families to gather for dinner at a local restaurant (or get take-out)! As a PTO fundraiser, the restaurants we partner with offer a portion of sales back to the PTO. Coming up…

• Feb 12th - Fiorella’s (Newton)

• Mar 11th - City Streets

• Apr 15th - Jake N JOES

👕Fitzy Gear - Buy some family faves, hoodies & flannel pants…or check out our new gear: a cozy pom hat, fanny pack & umbrella now available!

💸 Ongoing Fundraisers
Each of these partnerships offers a percentage of your purchase back to our PTO!!

• Raise Right - It’s a gift card fundraiser with some of the largest returns to the school and it’s easy to use! Download the app today and use FitzGerald’s Enrollment Code - 1B5L864C89184

• Mabel’s Labels - Customizable, durable, and WASHABLE labels to put on clothing, water bottles, and school gear

• Box Tops is now digital - simply scan receipts / email digital receipts to earn cash back. Check it out and select FitzGerald

• Fitzy Drinkware - FitzGerald Stainless Steel Water Bottles, Cans, and Acrylic Tumblers available for purchase from Crafted by Dee. Personalization is available on all items. Show your school spirit while helping to support the PTO’s fundraising efforts—25% of sales goes to the PTO! Place your orders here.

💵 Interested in an “UN”fundraiser? There is nothing to buy or sell, it is a simple open donation where 100% of your contribution goes directly to the FitzGerald PTO to help us meet our annual goal! You may Venmo @FitzGerald-PTO and tag it as “un-fundraiser”

💡 We need your ideas for future fundraisers! Email FitzGeraldPTO@gmail.com and let us know how we can raise more money for our school children.

Parent Directory is available if you'd like to contact classmates! Be sure to submit your own information so that others may reach you too. (Contact information is only available for families who have provided it)

FIFTH GRADE

Last week, our 5th graders had their first field trip of the year to the Museum of Science. They had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits and taking part in various activities. It was a fantastic experience that was made possible thanks to the funds raised through our recent fundraisers. We thank you for your continued support!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Next week, the 5th graders students have been invited to see the McDevitt Middle School production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Wednesday, Jan. 22. A bus will be provided to transport the students to and from McDevitt Middle School. Please ensure your child arrives on time to school as the bus will leave FitzGerald at 8:45 a.m. This is a free event.

YEARBOOK REMINDER

If you have not already submitted your photo consent form (English/Spanish), please do so as soon as possible. This is essential for the creation of the 5th grade yearbook. We are also beginning to collect photos of our 5th grade students for the yearbook. If you have any photos from previous years (Kindergarten, 1st grade, etc.) or recent events that you would like to see included, please email them to FifthGradeFitzPTO@gmail.com.

FUNDRAISERS

The 5th grade committee will continue to fundraise for the next several months to help with end-of-the-year activities costs. Please continue to check social media for updates or send an email to FifthGradeFitzPTO@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping us make this year memorable for our 5th graders!

Ann Tierney & Diana Lehmann

Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – Instagram