Dear Winthrop Families,
As we begin the school year, we want to update you on our school and district emergency preparedness and safety planning.
A safe and supportive school environment includes many components, such as social-emotional learning at all grade levels, reducing student stress, and having clear procedures and protocols in place for emergencies. Each school year, staff undergo training in these emergency procedures, including online training in the ALICE model and in-person sessions with our School Resource Officer, Joe Perna. Age-appropriate student safety presentations are also conducted yearly. Over the past week, Officer Perna visited classrooms to review procedures with students.
Staff training covers three types of emergency drills:
1. Perimeter Lock-In: A concern or threat outside the school. Everyone is brought indoors, and school continues as usual.
2. Shelter in Place: Everyone remains in their classrooms, with no one entering hallways or common spaces. School continues as usual.
3. Enhanced Lockdown: A serious and immediate threat. The ALICE procedure is followed, which includes:
- Alert– Inform people of the threat with as much detail as possible.
- Lockdown – Students and staff may choose to lock down and barricade their room if evacuation is not safe.
- Inform – Share information with others and First Responders, including calling 911.
- Counter – As a last resort, if an intruder enters the space, individuals may distract or counter the threat. Staff are trained to take action to stop the intruder, rather than relying solely on traditional lockdown methods.
- Evacuate– If safe, everyone is encouraged to evacuate the building and distance themselves from the threat.
We believe regular practice is key to preparedness. We practice fire drills throughout the year as well as safety drils. During the first week of October we will conduct an emergency drill with students using age-appropriate language and procedures. Following the drill, we will send a communication home to inform families and provide talking points and resources for discussions at home.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Respectfully,
Amy B. Sullivan, Principal
Nicki Amisson, Assistant Principal
Tuesday, October 1st: School Council Meeting, 7 PM Winthrop Cafeteria
Thursday, October 3rd: Early Release: PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50; Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
Monday, October 7th: Grade 2 North Shore Nature Program- In School Event
Wednesday, October 9th: Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day, 8 AM
Wednesday, October 10th: FRIES Meeting, Winthrop Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 11th: Early Release:PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50; Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
Monday, October 14th: No School ~ Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tuesday, October 15th: No School- District Professional Development Day
Wednesday, October 16th: Grade 2 North Shore Nature Program- In School Event
Wednesday, October 16th: Instrumental Music Rental Night, 7 PM
Thursday, October 17th: Early Release:PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50; Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
Monday, October 21st: Grade 2 North Shore Nature Program- In School Event
Thursday, October 24th: Early Release:PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50; Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
5th Grade Workout with Mr. Falconieiri - Starts October 3rd
When: Every Thursday
Time: 8:00 am - 8:40 am (children must be in the gymnasium by 8:15 inorder to join for the day).
This is the 8th year that we are offering our annual 5th Grade Workout. The program is a drop-in program and there is no sign up required. Children can come every Thursday or pick and choose which weeks they want to participate. 8:00 am - 8:15 am is unstructured free time and then we will start our workout at 8:15 am sharp. Some weeks we focus heavily on fitness and other weeks we focus on team games.
Winthrop Directory: Have you provided your info for the Winthrop directory yet? Our directory is a great resource for families looking to get in touch with one another for playdates, birthday parties and more. Please note - if your contact info is the same as last year, you are all set! Here is a link to the Google form where you can add your information - we will keep it open until the end of the month!
Harvest of the Month
The first Harvest of the Month was a huge success! Students enjoyed pico de gallo with farm-fresh local tomatoes from Thousand Leaves Farm in Ipswich! Students devoured it! Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it at home!
How can my family get involved in Green Team?
Email Molly Dugdale at mduffy345@gmail.com to join our mailing list and learn more about upcoming events!
Winthrop School
Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976