
Fitzy's Flyer
September 27, 2024
Please see above for a FitzGerald Community art project, designed by Ms. Walsh, FitzGerald Visual Arts Specialist. This beautiful display has student and family representation and goes along with the text, The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, in celebration of International Dot Day on September 16th.
Principal Update
Greetings FitzGerald Families!
We had a great "Fitzy Friday" today! Here are some weekly updates:
1. Back to School Adventure Night- Thank you to everyone that was able to come to the FitzGerald Back to School Adventure Night! All of the student tour guides did a fantastic job of leading their families around the building to the many spaces they travel to over the course of the week. Student leadership skills were on full display and seeing all of the smiles was truly heartwarming to observe. Thank you to Mayor McCarthy and Dr. Mendonsa (Superintendent) for joining us that night as well! Thank you also to the Waltham High School National Honor Society for coming to volunteer as hallway/location helpers, as well as to the PTO for sharing important information about the many amazing things they do to support teaching and learning at FitzGerald. The FitzGerald School is a very special place!
2. Walking Wednesdays in October- WALKING WEDNESDAY IS BACK! Students are encouraged to start the day with a walk to school on the following Wednesdays in October: October 2nd, October 9th, October 16th, October 23rd (no Walking Wednesday on October 30th)
Please make sure to complete a Walking Wednesday ticket for your child so that each student can participate! Tickets came home in your child's backpack today.
YMCA Students- Students that go to the YMCA before school program can participate by walking in the gym each Wednesday morning with a YMCA staff member.
Bus Students- Bus students can participate by departing the bus on Candace Road and walking to the school driveway with staff supervision. Bus students must have a signed Walking Wednesday ticket to show that a parent/guardian has given permission for their child to depart the bus on Candace Road, with staff supervision.
The classroom(s) with the highest walking participation rate each Walking Wednesday will earn the Golden Shoe on display in their classroom for one week!
Please contact Mrs. Santillo or the PTO with any questions that you may have.
For Next Week:
1. Tuesday October 1st- Picture Day
2. Wednesday October 2nd- Walking Wednesday
3. Thursday October 3rd- No School, Rosh Hashanah observance
Thank you for your continued partnership! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Santillo, Principal- jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Mrs. Lamoly, Assistant Principal- julielamoly@walthampublicschools.org
Specialist Spotlight: Physical Education with Mr. Brackett!
Hello Fitzy Families!
It was great seeing many of you at Back to School Night this week! Your students are doing a great job so far this year. For the first few weeks of school we have been working on team building exercises- how to communicate within a team, how to solve problems as a team, and how to show good sportsmanship. Students needed to collaborate and work together in order to reach the goal. We saw many success stories during this time. Communication and sportsmanship has drastically improved!
As we move into October we will start our kicking unit. We will focus on soccer skills such as ball control, kicking with the inside part of the foot, trapping the ball, and moving with the ball with spatial awareness.
The Waltham HS Varsity Soccer Coach is also hosting a FREE!!!! Soccer Clinic on Thursday, October 3rd from 9-11am. You can register your future Hawk here WHS Soccer Clinic.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
An Update from FitzGerald School Librarian, Ms. McKeever!
Would you like to be a guest reader in the library?
If you are interested in being a guest reader during your child’s library time, please email Ms. McKeever, elizabethmckeever@walthampublicschools.org.
Fall Reading Challenge:
To encourage students to read widely and often, the whole school will participate in the Fitzy Football Reading Challenge. All students will receive copies of the challenge on Monday, September 23rd.
See directions and challenges below:
K-2 Challenge and directions in English, Spanish, & Portuguese
Grades 3-5 Directions in English and Spanish
(Additional copies are always available in the library)
PTO News
Get your walking shoes ready!
Walking Wednesday is back this October. The PTO will be sponsoring four walking Wednesdays beginning on October 2nd and continuing through to Wednesday October 23rd.
Flyers will be coming home in the next few days. If your child rides the school bus, we require a parent signature on their ticket for the child to participate.
We are looking for volunteers at both Beal Rd and Charlotte Rd entrances of the school to help us to collect tickets and hand out prizes. We ask that you arrive between 8:00-:810am and stay until the first bell. If you are able to stay until 9:00am to help count the tickets, that would be appreciated!
Please use this link to sign up as a volunteer: https://volunteersignup.org/FTFWX
Pumpkin Drop is One Month Away
Our annual Pumpkin Drop is set for October 30th. Students are encouraged to start collecting materials to bring into their classrooms! This can include bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, packaging, and other recyclable items. A list of materials will be shared with your children. We’re happy to answer any questions @ FitzgeraldPTO@gmail.com
FUNDRAISING
⚽ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sat, October 5th for the Fall Soccer Shack - SIGN UP HERE to volunteer with us. A PTO board member will be there too, but we need extra hands to sell concessions when the fields get busy! We're also seeking food and drink donations to sell that day and raise money for the school. Thanks in advance for your time and items you can offer!
👕Fitzy Shop - COMING SOON!
💸 Ongoing Fundraisers - We can raise money for FitzGerald by leveraging these sites for the shopping we already do! Take a look…
Raise Right - Earn money for FitzGerald by purchasing Gift Cards! The best bang for your buck in terms of getting a % back for every dollar you spend - check it out
FitzGerald Elementary Enrollment Code - 1B5L864C89184
Mabel’s Labels - Lost and Found is already piling up - get some labels now before your kids gear ends up there!
Box Tops - Download the app and begin scanning your receipts today!
🍴Restaurant Nights - What are they? An opportunity to share a meal with family and friends while helping raise funds for the PTO, which directly benefits our school children. We hope to see you there!
Up Next:
Tues, Oct 15 - Bistro 781
Thurs, Nov 14 - Chateau
EVENTS
TRUNK or TREAT Friday, October 25th 5pm-7pm
Join us for trick or treating, costume parade, music and more!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!!!
If you would like to help plan the event please contact the FitzgeraldPTO@gmail.com Or Francesca at francescaR@gmail.com
If you would like to SIGN UP for volunteering the day of the event or donate Items please see the
Volunteer Sign Up sheet and reach out anytime for any questions!
TRUNK HOST sign up is HERE!!!! If you would like to participate and decorate the trunk of your car for trick or treaters, please see the sign up sheet below! Trunk host fee is $20 and there are only 20 spots available!
FIFTH GRADE
Fifth grade parents, check out this welcome letter outlining what to expect this year.
Fitzy Tumblers
Did you miss the opportunity to purchase a Fitzy tumbler at back to school night? Place your orders online, pay via Venmo or cash (send in with your child) and your tumbler will be delivered to your child to take home.
Stay in touch! PTO website – Facebook – Instagram
FitzGerald School Site Council
The FitzGerald School Council is a group that includes parent, staff, and community representatives that discuss items such as budget, School Improvement Plan, etc. Approved meeting minutes are posted in the Fitzy's Flyer office communication.
First Meeting: October 9th
Time: 6:00-6:45pm
Location: Virtual
School Lunch Information
*Breakfast and Lunch are available for free for all students this school year!
** All students should bring one snack and a water bottle to school each day.
"Fitzy Fridays" at FitzGerald!
Every Friday is "Fitzy Friday" at FitzGerald! Everyone is invited to wear Fitzy Spirit Wear or the colors blue and/or yellow to school, if they would like to!
2024-2025 District Calendars
FitzGerald School- On Site YMCA Program Update
Hi families, we are actively enrolling in our before and after school programs for the YMCA. We are happy to work with you with whatever you or your family need. If you are interested in registering please reach out to MMullaney@ymcaboston.org.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday October 1st - Initial Picture Day
Thursday October 3rd- No School, Rosh Hashanah observance
Monday October 14th- No School
Wednesday October 23rd- Early Release Day, 1:00pm
Tuesday November 19th - Retake Picture Day
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Information About the Clever App
Clever is an app we use at school that makes it easy for students to access many online learning programs and resources with their Waltham Public Schools Google account. Students can also access Clever at home on a personal device. Click HERE for directions.
Sign Up Information for the Waltham Public Schools App
James FitzGerald Elementary School
Email: jennifersantillo@walthampublicschools.org
Website: https://www.walthampublicschools.org/o/fitzgerald
Location: 138 Beal Road, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-314-5680