Dear Winthrop Families,

Snow Delay Reminder

I hope everyone enjoyed the extra time this morning with the snow and the two-hour delay. Just a quick reminder: on a delay day, school begins at 10:45 AM, Breakfast Club at 10:15 AM, and Morning EDP at 9:00 AM. We appreciate your flexibility during these snowy mornings!

Welcome New FRIES Committee Members
We are excited to welcome two new Co-Chairs to the Winthrop FRIES Committee: Michelle Randazzo and Danielle Quinn. Please join me in welcoming them to the team! I also want to express our gratitude to Bronwen Penniman for her work in the role this fall, and to Jessica Holmes for her continued guidance and support.

Global Play Day & Winter Walk/Bike/Roll to School- Wednesday, February 5th
Looking ahead, next Wednesday promises to be a fun-filled day! We’ll kick things off with Winter Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day at 8:00 AM. Be sure to check out the locations below to participate! Following that, we will celebrate Global Play Day at Winthrop. This day is all about being a kid—taking a breather and having fun. Students are encouraged to bring games from home, and we’ve planned a variety of activities, including a Taylor Swift Dance Party, obstacle courses, Lego Land, Monopoly Marathon, Puzzle Palooza, a Book Nook for quiet reading and drawing, sewing doll clothes, and lots of outdoor play! For more details on Global Play Day, feel free to visit the official website here.

No Idling Campaign at Dismissal
Additionally, tomorrow marks the start of our No Idling Campaign, led by our Student SLC Green Team at dismissal. We ask for your cooperation in not idling your vehicle during pickup to help protect the environment and ensure the safety of all students. We also kindly remind everyone to avoid double parking along the driveway leading up to the connector. Your patience and support are greatly appreciated!

Thank You for Your Support
As always, thank you for your continued partnership. Let’s keep caring for each other and making Winthrop a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow.

Warmly,
Amy

Please join Winthrop School in participating in our Winter Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day next Wednesday, February 5th. A Winthrop staff member will be at each location to lead the group safely to school.

Choose from four locations around town to meet up at 8:00 a.m. and walk with a neighborhood group to school to promote healthy habits and safe travel to school:

• Town Wharf - staff member TBA
• Southern Heights with Ms. Sullivan (Principal)
• DJ's Variety, Washington Street with Ms. Cili (Math Paraeducator)
• First Church, Town Hill with Mrs. Quinn (Speech and Language Assistant)

A Winthrop staff member will be at each location to lead the group safely to school!

We hope you can join us!

Tuesday, February 4th: SLC Green Team, Grades 4 and 5 @ 8 AM in Room 9

Tuesday, February 4th: Winthrop School Council Meeting via Zoom @ 7PM

Wednesday, February 5th: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School, 8 AM- Meet up @ 4 locations in town

Wednesday, February 5th: Gr. 5 Parent Meeting - End-of-Year Activities @ 6:30-7:30 PM in Room 17

Thursday, February 6th: Grade 5 Workout @ 8 AM in the gym

Thursday, February 6th: Kindness Committee @ 8 AM

Thursday, February 6th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50, Free Mobile Mart at dismissal

Thursday, February 6th: Grade 4 SLC Meeting, 2:00-2:30 PM

Tuesday, February 11th: Grade 3 Concert @ 7 PM in the Winthrop Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 12th: FRIES-Sponsored In-School Program- High Street Studios Dance w/Kindergarten

Wednesday, February 12th: FRIES Meeting, 6:30 PM in the Winthrop Cafeteria

Thursday, February 13th: Grade 5 Workout, 8 AM in the gym

Thursday, February 13th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50, Free Mobile Mart at Dismissal

Thursday, February 13th: No Place For Hate Group meets from 2:00-2:45 PM

Friday, February 14th: Valentines Day

Friday, February 14th: Harvest of the Month at Lunches- "Candy" Roasted Squash

Monday, February 17th-Friday, February 21st: No School, February Vacation

Wednesday, February 26th: FRIES-Sponsored In-School Program- High Street Studios Dance w/Gr. 1

Wednesday, February 26th: Grade 5 Only- ChoralFest @ 7 - 8:30 PM in the Dolan Performing Arts Center

Thursday, February 27th: Grade 5 Workout @ 8 AM in the gym

Thursday, February 27th: Kindness Committee @ 8 AM

Thursday, February 27th: Early Release, PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50, Free Mobile Mart at Dismissal

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Tuesday, February 11th- Grade 3 Concert, "Stone Soup!" at 7:00 p.m. in the Winthrop Cafeteria

• Wednesday, February 26th -Grades 5-12- CHORALFEST at 7 pm CHORALFEST at Dolan Performing Arts Center

Kindergarten registration is now open! Registration for kindergarten is a two (2) step process. Please find details on each step, along with important dates, on the district website here: https://www.ipsk12.net/Page/1113

We look forward to partnering with you to make this a smooth and positive experience for your family. Please reach out to mmcfayden@ipsk12.net with any questions.

No Idling - It's the Law!

Did you know that MA state law limits idling to five minutes or less? Idling is when your vehicle's engine is on, but you are not actively driving. Let's all do our part to keep our air clean and reduce idling at Winthrop!

Here's how you can help:

• Drop-off: Turn off your engine when stopped/in park for more than 10 seconds.
• Pick-up: Don't arrive at dismissal super duper early!! Instead, arrive for pick-up at the Connector once students have been dismissed and are on the front lawn. Or, park your vehicle in a parking spot and turn off your engine if students have not been dismissed; walk to pick-up your child(ren) on the front lawn. Only cars actively driving through the connector should have their engines on.

To learn more, check out this 2 minute, multilingual video about the impact of idling. Also, see the attached pamphlet from the Ipswich Police Department.

There is something for everyone during February School Vacation Week at the Ipswich Public

Library.

It is easy to register. Go to: www.ipswichlibrary.org/events. Click on the event that you are

interested in and a form will appear. Please call the Children’s Room at 978-412-8713 if there is

inclement weather or check the website.

Tuesday, February 18

Live animal program Best for Kindergarten and up!

Curious Creatures is New England's original interactive and educational live animal program.

Their staff of experienced and professional exhibitors teach respect and appreciation for exotic

and unusual animals. The presentation is hands-on and interactive. They include interesting facts

and stories about their creatures in an educational and entertaining environment.

Recommended for children in Kindergarten and older school age children. Children under 8 must

be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

Choose between 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Space is limited. Registration is required.

Wednesday, February 19 10 a.m. to noon

Play is the Way Pop-Up Art Studio

Kerry Zagerella, Julie Doyle and Melissa Bilo will host a process art event designed for

Kindergarten to Grade 2. This will be messy. There will be glue, there will be paint and lots of

fun! Remember to wear clothes you can get messy in!

Space is limited and registration is requested.

Thursday morning February 20

Drop-In Craft

What can you do with a thumbprint? Join Mrs. Guvendiren to find out. The program will

include making fingerprint refrigerator magnets!

Stop by the library to make intricate and challenging crafts intended for school-age children

with. Each child under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver to actively assist

with the craft. This project will require some patience and assistance from an adult caregiver

may be helpful.

No registration is required.

Thursday afternoon February 20

Kid’s Trivia! 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Children in grades 3-7 are invited to join Betsy Johnson to test their knowledge of useless (but

fun!) facts. Teams of up to four individuals are encouraged. Registration is required.

Friday, February 21

See the movie The Wild Robot!

Screening of The Wild Robot in the Collins Room where there is a terrific movie and sound

system.

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To

survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned

baby goose. Popular children's chapter book comes to the screen.

One hour 45 minutes long. Rated PG

No registration is required. One bottled water and popcorn per attendee provided.

Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976