Dear Winthrop Families,

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to share some important updates regarding staffing changes at Winthrop, and to reassure you that these transitions are being thoughtfully managed to ensure continued support for your children.

Rebecca Higgins' New Role – Early Childhood Coordinator
We are excited to announce that Rebecca Higgins, who has served as Winthrop’s school psychologist, has accepted the position of Early Childhood Coordinator. In this new role, Rebecca will focus on supporting our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, including overseeing screenings, student evaluations, and coordinating IEP meetings. She will also work closely with local preschools, Early Intervention programs, and the Birth to 3 system to ensure smooth transitions for our youngest learners. Additionally, she will be involved in helping to align the curriculum for our early childhood programs. Over the next few weeks, Rebecca will gradually transition into this role, and we are confident that her experience and passion for early childhood education will allow her to make a significant impact.

Throughout the remainder of the spring, Julia MacDougall, Doyon school psychologist, will take over evaluation responsibilities for both Doyon and Winthrop Julia will complete all evaluations for Doyon and Winthrop in grades 1-5. She will also complete all kindergarten initial evaluations; Rebecca Higgins will complete all kindergarten re-evaluations. Throughout the spring, we will actively monitor and evaluate this shared school psychologist role to determine the need for any adjustments for next school year.

Theresa Guillaume’s Transition
Theresa Guillaume, Winthrop’s school adjustment counselor, has also accepted a new role as a therapeutic specialist at Ipswich Middle School. This new position is designed to provide comprehensive and proactive services to middle school students requiring consistent therapeutic support. Theresa’s transition will be gradual and will not be finalized until Winthrop has hired a new SAC, ensuring there is no gap in support for our students. We are grateful for Theresa’s impact on our school community, and while we will miss her at Winthrop, we are excited for her positive impact in her new position.

What This Means for Our Students
We understand that these transitions may raise questions or concerns, especially as both Mrs. Higgins and Mrs.Guillaume have built strong relationships with students and families. Please rest assured that we are committed to providing seamless support throughout this process. We are working diligently to ensure that the right resources are in place and that your child continues to receive the high-quality support they need.

We are confident that these staffing changes will ultimately strengthen our ability to support students and ensure that each child’s needs are met with the utmost care and attention. Your child’s well-being remains our top priority, and we are here to support you and your family through these changes.

Thank you for your continued trust, understanding, and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Warmly,
Amy Sullivan, Principal

Nicki Amisson, Assistant Principal

Meghan Ganley, Program Manager

Eric Oxford, Director of Student Services

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Thursday, January 23rd- Grade 4 Show, "Rats" at 7:00 p.m. in the Winthrop Cafeteria
• 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

Please join us for our upcoming Integrated Preschool Information Night on January 16th at 6 PM. This evening will provide you with valuable details about the curriculum, enrollment, and the unique benefits of our preschool.

What is an Integrated Preschool?

The Ipswich Integrated Preschool offers a multi-age learning environment where children engage in play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. Our program is designed to meet the varied needs of children with diverse abilities and learning styles. By integrating both peer models and students with disabilities, we foster an inclusive setting that promotes social, academic, and language development.

Targeted areas of growth include social-emotional skills, literacy, math, science, fine and gross motor skills. A unique feature of our program is that preschoolers are integrated within the broader school community. They participate in weekly Art, Physical Education, Music, and Library classes, as well as school-wide Assemblies. This exposure to the larger school setting helps ensure a smooth transition to Kindergarten. If you have a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2025, and are interested in learning more, we invite you to attend our Information Night to explore our program further. Please see the flyer below and visit our Preschool website for additional details.

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.

Join Us at Winthrop FRIES!

We are in search of a Chair to join our team of volunteers. Visit www.winthropfries.org to learn more and reach out to us at winthropschoolfries@gmail.com if you are interested. Let’s keep our school community thriving!

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