Early Steps Updates ~ February 13

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Dear Early Steps Community:

Please enjoy our Winter Break with your children next week. Schools reopen on Monday, February 24th.

I want to provide you with some bittersweet news that I shared with my staff yesterday.

I've decided to retire from the Watertown Public Schools this summer as of July 31, 2025 -----a mere 40 years after I began my career in education as a high school science teacher in 1985. At that time, I will have been the Assistant Superintendent in WPS for ~7.5 years and the Principal at Early Steps for just over a year. I am honored to have been a part of such an amazing learning community, and very proud of the collaborative and impactful work we’ve accomplished under Dr. Galdston's stellar leadership, at the helm since 2017. At WPS, we own a laser-like focus on our 'Why?' and that is...thoughtfully teaching and growing our youth in Watertown, using research-based curricula and warm, caring hearts.

Early Steps is a special school with supremely dedicated and talented educators, and a staff that works closely together to provide surround-support to our amazing young learners-----and that includes our food service folks who nourish us, our custodial staff who keep this beautiful building clean/safe, and super kind instructional and admin assistants!

Our Director of Student Services, Dr. Kathleen Desmarais, will lead a search for the new Early Steps Principal immediately to ensure we capture a strong pool of candidates for this important position. The transition will be smooth. More information will be forthcoming from her office.

With utmost respect for your partnership as parents and caregivers,

Dr. Theresa McGuinness

Principal

theresa.mcguinness@watertown.k12.ma.us

Every Child...Every Classroom...Every Day

Quick Resources: Early Steps Website (Under Construction)

WPS 2024 - 2025 School Year Calendar

1 Concord Road

Watertown, MA 02472

The 2025 - 2026SY Tuition Rates for Preschool are:

3-days/week - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm $425/month

5-days/week - 8:00 am - 1:00 pm $885/month

5-days/week - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm $709/month

As I've messaged, the Application Period for the 2025 - 2026 school year is open through February 28, 2025. The next date to look out for is----on or before March 14th when a 'Confirmation of Placement & Next Steps is Sent to Parents/Families' via email. The Early Steps Registration Information/Process for the 2025 - 2026 School Year including the Application Link is available on the Early Steps registration page. Here is the link to our webpage. The first day of school for all Preschool and PreK students is September 9, 2025.

• Click here for the Application for your child to attend Pre Kindergarten (PreK) in the Fall, 2025.

• Click here for the Application for your child to attend Preschool in the Fall, 2025.

For questions, please contact: Tricia D’Amelio, Administrative Assistant to the Principal

tricia.damelio@watertown.k12.ma.us

To all parents/caregivers, especially folks dropping off or picking up at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, or 1:00 PM.

Please re-familiarize yourselves with the arrival/dismissal procedures to ensure you are abiding by them. The WPD notified us that they will be ticketing folks who do not comply with the posted signage on streets leading up to the school (Winthrop & Hancock). Thank you

The week that we return from February Break, teachers will send parents/caretakers information to sign up for one of these dates to meet with them for conferences:

• 3/6 Early Steps and Elementary Evening Parent Conferences
• 3/7 Early Release Early Steps and Elementary Parent Conferences
• 3/10 Early Steps and Elementary Evening Parent Conferences
• 3/11 Early Release Early Steps and Elementary Parent Conferences

• Kindergarten Information Night will take place on Wednesday, March 5th, from 6:30-7:30 pm. It will be an in-person event. Caregivers should attend the information session at their respective neighborhood school. Any questions should be directed the the main office of your neighborhood elementary school or email the contact below. All are welcome to attend. Children who are registered for Kindergarten must turn 5 years old by August 31, 2025. Elementary School Locations:

  
  

  • Cunniff School - In the Learning Commons; Contact: Kim Golden @kimberly.davidson@watertown.k12.ma.us
  • Lowell School - In the Learning Commons; Contact: Melina Jacovides @melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
  • Hosmer School - In the Amphitheater; Contact: Colin Gardiner @colin.gardiner@watertown.k12.ma.us

• February 17 - 21, 2025 - NO SCHOOL February Break

• February 26 - Early Release at 11:45 AM for Professional Development

• March 5 - Kindergarten Information Night 6:30 - 7:30 PM @elementary schools

• Principal Updates 1 - August 12, 2024
  
• Principal Updates 2 - August 29, 2024
• Principal Updates 3 - September 15, 2024

• Principal Updates 4 - September 27, 2024

• Principal Updates 5 - October 9, 2024

• Principal Updates 6 - October 21, 2024

• Principal Updates 7 - November 1, 2024

• Principal Updates 8 - November 15, 2024

• Principal Updates 9 - December 12, 2024

• Principal Updates 10 - December 20, 2024

• Principal Updates 11 - January 7, 2025

• Principal Updates 12 - January 26, 2025

• Principal Updates 13 - February 10, 2025