Winthrop Weekly
March 13, 2024
Assistant Principally Speaking
Dear Winthrop Families,
On Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of attending my first ever Winthrop Science Fair. What fun!!! I brought my seven-year-old daughter Sarah along with me (one of her favorite things is science experiments), and I think she will be talking about this science fair for a long time to come! Our students' creativity, curiosity, and dedication truly shone through in their impressive projects, making this event a hit with students and parents alike!
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all the participating students and parents-- and most especially to William Whitmore who has kept this tradition alive for many years! Everyone's hard work and innovative spirit have not only made our school community proud but have also showcased the immense talent within our student body.
I would like to highlight some of the amazing scientific things we got to experience thanks to our Winthrop scientists:
Learning about the habitats of different animals such as squirrels, wolves, and prairie dogs and even touching a real fox tail.
Watching rain made in a glass using shaving cream and food coloring.
Learning how steam power can move things like trains that weigh millions of pounds.
Watching demonstrations of how lightning bolts form due to differing electric charges and heat.
Testing how arctic animals’ blubber helps keep them warm by putting our hands into a freezing tub of ice water.
Holding deer antlers and learning how they grow and how they are shed.
Making our very own specialty soda by creating a chemical reaction.
And much much much more!!!
We signed a petition to save the turtles, we tested our five senses and our left vs. right dominance, and we watched a volcano explode before our eyes! These projects are just a glimpse of the remarkable ingenuity and passion displayed by our students throughout the science fair. Each exhibit offered valuable insights into a wide range of scientific disciplines, from physics and chemistry to biology and environmental science.
As we celebrate the success of this year's science fair, let us continue to nurture and cultivate the curiosity and passion for discovery that our Winthrop innovators and problem solvers displayed. Once again, congratulations to all our participants, and thank you to everyone who contributed to making our science fair a resounding success!
Scientifically Yours,
Nicki Amisson
Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, March 13th: FRIES Meeting, 6:30 PM @ Winthrop Cafeteria
- Thursday, March 14th: Early Release PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, March 14th: Free Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Thursday, March 14th: Grade 5 Ballroom Dance Gala, 7:00 PM @ Ipswich High School Roundy/Wooden Gym
- Friday, March 15th: No School for Preschool Students @ Winthrop
- Friday, March 15th: Incoming Preschool Screenings for School Year 2024-2025
- Friday, March 15th: Grade 2 Walking Field Trips to Ipswich Public Library
- Tuesday, March 19th: Early Act, 8:00 AM @ Winthrop Library
- Wednesday, March 20th: No School for Kindergarten Students~ Kindergarten Parent Conferences
- Wednesday, March 20th StringFest Field Trip to Ipswich MS/HS during the school day
- Wednesday, March 20th: StringFest, 7:00 PM @ Ipswich MS/HS Dolan Performing Arts Center
- Thursday, March 21st: 2nd Semester Report Cards sent home
- Thursday, March 21st: Early Release PK @ 1:30, K-5 @ 1:50
- Thursday, March 21st: Free Open Door Mobile Mart @ Dismissal
- Thursday, March 21st: No Place For Hate Meeting, 2:00- 2:45 PM, Room 25
- Thursday, March 21st: SLC Newspaper Club, 2:00 - 3:00 PM, Room 17
- Friday, March 22nd: No Idling Campaign @ Dismissal
Ipswich Public Schools Calendar
Grade 5 Ball Room Dance Gala - Tomorrow Night - 3/15/24
Dear Grade 5 Families,
You should see them; they are terrific! Not only does your child know the steps to several ballroom dances by now, but partners are actually held with confidence! Our ballroom dance instruction is the perfect way for our students to exhibit our core values of Respect and Responsibility, and the students are certainly rising to the challenge! Our students take their lessons seriously, knowing that they will be performing for family, friends, and the larger community at a Ballroom Gala.
On Thursday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. there will be a Ballroom Dance Showcase for the students to highlight the dances they have learned. This is a very special night that the students and many people in our community look forward to attending. In years past, we’ve hosted up to 300 parents, friends, faculty, students, and community members at this celebration.
As this is a performance, we do ask students to dress nicely. Suggestions are collared shirts, ties, dresses, skirts, dress pants, and shoes that one can dance in. Please let your child’s teachers know if you have specific questions, or if assistance is needed in accessing clothing for the Gala.
The evening starts off with a pizza party from 6:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. at the Middle/High School cafeteria. Students come dressed in proper attire and are dropped off at the doors. (No peeking!) On the way in, parent volunteers will be giving each student a corsage or boutonniere to wear for the evening.
Then, with family and friends proudly looking on, your children will make a grand entrance at the Middle/High School at 7:00 p.m.
We are so fortunate to be able to offer such a fabulous program year after year. This year, funding has been provided by a generous grant from the Institution for Savings.
Your support means so much as your child takes this healthy risk and learns new and different skills. They have so much to be proud of in this endeavor! Our expectation is that all students will attend, and we will be there to support them in showing all that they’ve learned, so please mark your calendar! It will be an enjoyable night and a wonderful way to end this ten week experience.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team
Book Fair
Winthrop Art Show - March 28th
Annual Art Show
Thursday, March 28th, 6:30-8pm
Come and see the incredible talents of all of our students that will be on display during our Annual Art Show. Please join us for student artwork, refreshments, and a scavenger hunt!If you can donate snacks or manage the snack table for the art show, please contact Molly Dugdale at
New Preschool Website
PK Screening- No School Dates for Current Preschool Students
- Thursday, March 7th @ Doyon and
- Friday, March 15th @ Winthrop
For planning purposes, we are alerting all current PK families that there will be NO SCHOOL for all current preschool students on Friday, March 15th at Winthrop.
Preschool Registration
Spring MCAS Dates
We are sharing the dates of this year's spring MCAS testing for grades 3, 4, and 5. We strive for 100% attendance on the days of testing to avoid the need for many make-up sessions which pull teachers away from their regular schedules. Please mark your calendars.
Grade 3 ELA - April 3rd and 5th
Grade 4 ELA - April 9th and 11th
Grade 5 ELA - April 8th and 10th
Grade 3 Math - April 30th and May 2nd
Grade 4 Math - May 10th and14th
Grade 5 Math - May 1st and 3rd
Grade 5 STE - May 15 and 17th
Music Notes
Save the Date for Upcoming Performance
- Wednesday, March 20- STRINGFEST (grades 4-12) PAC
- Wednesday, March 27- ALL TOWN BAND (grades 5-12) HS Gymnasium
Kindergarten Round Up
Calling all families of incoming kindergarten students! Kindergarten Roundup is the first step in the kindergarten registration process. Each year at this time we try to determine the names of children who will enter kindergarten in the Ipswich Public Schools in September. It is essential that we have these names now so that we can begin the school registration process and plan for classes.
Families of students who are eligible to attend kindergarten in September 2024 should take a moment to complete a Kindergarten Roundup Form.
Please click on the link below for more information and access to the Kindergarten Roundup Form:
https://www.ipsk12.net/Page/1113
FRIES NEWS
March FRIES Meeting TONIGHT: Join us at 6:30pm in the Winthrop Cafeteria! We would love to see new faces - we will be discussing events, fundraising ideas, playground enhancements and more.
Open FRIES Positions: There will be three positions opening up on the FRIES board next year! The great thing about FRIES is that you can get involved in whatever capacity works for you and your family - whether it's posting on social media, updating our website, tracking our budget, coordinating events - the opportunities are endless! For more information on how to get involved and help keep our initiatives alive, please join our March meeting or email winthropschoolfries@gmail.com and one of us will be in touch!
Our first March Staff Appreciation kicked off on Friday. Thank you Robyn Quesada and Danica (3rd grade) for the popcorn and snacks set up!
Green Team
Harvest of the Month - Last week, Green Team parents and students helped to prepare and serve sweet, green coleslaw (with cabbage from Appleton Farms!) at the Winthrop cafeteria. Kids tried it, and they liked it! Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it at home.
No Idling Campaign - Officer Joe and Green Team students will be at pick-up on Friday, March 22 with some friendly reminders about the MA No Idling Law. Thank you for doing your part by turning off your engines at every stop. Only cars actively driving through the connector should have their engines on.
Earth Day Community Clean-up - Save the date for Sunday, April 28th at Bialek Park. We'll be teaming up with the Doyon Green Team to pick-up trash at one of our favorite community playgrounds. Join us if you can!
Spring ACE Programs - Thank you to the parent volunteers who are leading spring garden grower programs for Winthrop students! We appreciate your time and expertise. Speaking of growing, next time you are at the Winthrop Playground, take a peek inside the milk jugs that are lined up by the mindfulness garden. Are there any sprouts in there from the seeds we planted in January?!
Get involved - If you'd like to learn more about ways to get involved with the Green Team initiatives at the school or district level, email Molly Dugdale mduffy345@gmail.com - all are welcome, and we love new ideas.
Ipswich River Watershed
Interested in helping Ipswich River Watershed Association monitor the migratory fish population in the Ipswich River?
● Volunteers sign up for 10 minute counts at the Ipswich Mills Dam from April to early June.
This is fun for all ages. Attend our upcoming training on March 19th at Ipswich Town Hall or email Ryan O’Donnell, Program Manager, for more information.
Ipswich Public Library Summer Book Camp Registration
Registration for the Children's Room Annual Summer Book Camp begins Monday, March 11 at 9 a.m.
Summer Book Camp is for rising 3rd-5th graders and meets Monday, July 8-Thursday, July 11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Campers must be able to attend all four days.
Our theme this year is the Olympics to highlight the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. Each day will include stories, crafts, a snack, and outdoor games, all of which will have an Olympics connection. There is no charge for the camp.
To register, go to the library's website at www.ipswichlibrary.org and then to the events calendar. Navigate to the July calendar and to the registration links for camp on July 8. There is a different link for each grade level. Please click on the appropriate link for the grade your child will be entering in September.
Due to the volume of interest, it is likely that some kids will end up on a waiting list, but please know that sometimes spaces do open up!
Cradles to Crayons Clothing Collection
Tiger Cubs- Ipswich Travel Softball
Egg My Yard- Ipswich High School Softball Fundraiser
Winthrop School
Email: winthrop@ipsk12.net
Website: https://www.ipsk12.net/Domain/185
Location: 65 Central Street, Ipswich, MA, USA
Phone: 9783562976