Whittemore Elementary School

Dear Whittemore Community,

Last week, we were fortunate to welcome visiting artists from the Women in World Jazz ensemble to Whittemore. The musicians performed for grades 3-5. Students listened to some amazing music and learned about famous female jazz composers. A few of our Whittemore Bees even joined the musicians on stage. Special thanks to the Waltham Cultural Council who funded this assembly. Please check out fun pictures from their visit below!

MCAS testing begins for students on Tuesday, April 1 for students in grades 3-5. Please see the calendar below for specific details. Strong attendance is always important, and it is especially critical that students attend school on testing days.

As a reminder, Wednesday, March 26 is an Early Release. Students will be dismissed at 1:00pm.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Thank you,

Mr. Sweder

March Calendar Raffle

Our March calendar raffle drawings are in full swing!

If your ticket is chosen, we'll contact you to arrange prize transfer. You can view our daily drawings on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WhittemorePTO.

You can still submit tickets during the month of March to be entered for the remaining prizes.

Movie Night

Our annual movie night is taking place April 4. Help us pick the two movies to be shown by voting via the QR code in the below flyer!

Please use this link to access our Whittemore Student Directory 2024 - 2025.

It's a great way to connect with families and to build relationships within our wonderful school community!

• March

• Wednesday, March 26 - Early Release Day for Parent Conferences. 1:00pm Dismissal

• April
• Tuesday, April 1-Wednesday, April 16: ELA MCAS testing for grades 3-5
• Friday, April 4: Whittemore Movie & Pajama Night, 5:30pm
• Wednesday, April 9: Early Release Day, 1:00pm dismissal

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join us for the 2025 Strides for Education 5K! This year, we’ll be gathering on Sunday, May 4th, on Moody Street for a fun and meaningful day of community, fitness, and support for Waltham Public Schools.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025

• Location: Moody Street

• Time:12pm

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or prefer a leisurely walk, this event is open to all fitness levels. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to connect with colleagues outside of work while supporting a great cause.

How to Participate:

1. Register to run, walk or volunteer here

2. Spread the word to your family and friends—they’re welcome to join, too!

Let’s show our team spirit and make a difference together. There is a championship trophy for the school with the highest participation!

Feel free to reach out to Kristin Perez if you have any questions.

¡Prepárate para ponerte las zapatillas y unirte a nosotros en la Carrera de 5K de Avances por la Educación 2025! Este año, nos reuniremos el domingo 4 de mayo en la calle Moody para un día divertido y significativo de comunidad, ejercicio y apoyo a las Escuelas Públicas de Waltham.

Detalles del evento:

• Fecha: Domingo, 4 de Mayo, 2025

• Ubicación: Moody Street

• Hora:12pm

Tanto si eres un corredor experimentado como si prefieres una caminata tranquila, este evento está abierto a todos los niveles de condición física. Además, es una forma fantástica de conectar con colegas fuera del trabajo y, al mismo tiempo, apoyar una buena causa.

Como Participar:

1. Regístrate para correr, caminar o ser voluntario aquí

2. Corre la voz entre tus familiares y amigos: ¡ellos también son bienvenidos a unirse!

Demostremos nuestro espíritu de equipo y marquemos la diferencia juntos. ¡Hay un trofeo de campeonato para la escuela con mayor participación!

No dudes en comunicarte con Kristin Pérez si tienes alguna pregunta.

WPS 24-25 Elementary School Handbook

WPS 24-25 Manual de la Escuela Primaria

WPS 24-25 Manual de Escuela Elementar

WPS 24-25 Manyel Lekol Elemante

All Wednesdays are now Whittemore Wednesdays!

Wear your Whittemore gear, black and yellow, or bee themed clothing to show your school spirit every Wednesday!

After the first day, students may enter the building at 8:15am ONLY if they are eating breakfast. Students who are not eating breakfast may enter at 8:25am to go to their classrooms.

If a student participates in the before/after school program with the YMCA, they may enter the building between 7:30am-8:15am. Drop off and pick up for the YMCA program will be at the back of the school, door #13.

If a student does not participate as part of the YMCA program, they should not arrive prior to 8:15am.

Students are dismissed at 3:00pm. Prior to 3:00, students will be called for dismissal and will be organized into groups to make the process as efficient as possible.

Please review the Whittemore 2024-25 Bus Routes below.

Students are assigned a school bus based on their address. Students are only allowed to ride the bus to which they are assigned. There are no exceptions.

We will review expectations for bus behavior with all students at the beginning of the year. It is imperative that students follow all rules related to the school buses so that everyone can travel safely to and from school.

It is important to note that the time riding the school bus is an extension of the school day, and dangerous or inappropriate behavior on the bus may result in disciplinary consequences.

Reminders

Hovey Road dismissal is for students being picked up by car only. Any student being dismissed and walking home or to a car, should be picked up from their classroom teacher at the assigned location.

For pickup via car, please form a line up on Hovey Road before the crosswalk near the opening of the fence and remain in your vehicles. If you are leaving your car to pick up your student, they should be dismissed with their teachers for pick-up on foot NOT at Hovey Road.

It is important that family members do not park beyond the crosswalk or in the neighborhood for Hovey Rd. pickup. This area is marked by the RED Xs on the picture below. Safety is our top priority, and lining up in cars before the crosswalk reduces the number of students and adults crossing Hovey Rd and loading in cars during a very busy time.

Once students arrive by the trees, they will be dismissed. Please do not leave your car to retrieve your student. It may require a bit more patience; however, the line moves much more efficiently if everyone stays in their cars.

Additionally, we have received notification from city officials that many cars are being parked idling on Ash Street and Parmenter Road during dismissal. Please be aware of this and reduce the amount of time that cars are idling.

Thank you for your understanding and attention to this matter.

Breakfast and lunch is served daily in our cafeteria. ALL Whittemore students receive FREE breakfast and lunch.

Visit the Waltham Public Schools Nutrition Site for lunch menus and information about our nutrition program.

WPS Waltham School Nutrition

Please visit our Whittemore Elementary School website for information and updates.

Whittemore Website