January 18, 2018
Dear P.A.W.S. Families,
Snowy weather seems to be on its way, but we were happy it was warm enough to be be able to play outside in the sun today! It has been great to see the warm coats, colorful hats, scarves, and mittens the children are wearing to school each day to stay warm! Thank you for ensuring your child has the right clothing to feel safe, warm, and ready for the weather!
This week’s update is filled with LOTS of information! For families with children who are eligible for kindergarten next year, please be sure to read carefully about several important upcoming events. As you and your child get ready to move on from P.A.W.S. to the elementary school level, we are here to help our families feel supported and informed, each step of the way. P.A.W.S. has strong relationships with our friends and colleagues at each elementary school and together we partner to support positive, smooth, and successful transitions from P.A.W.S. to kindergarten. Fee free to reach out with any questions. We are here to help!
No School on Monday
Reminder – There is no school on Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
PTO Sponsored – Fun Family Winter Carnival
Sunday, January 27 – bring the family to the Fiske gym for the P.A.W.S. Winter Carnival between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.! Thank you to the fabulous P.A.W.S. PTO for organizing this special event for our families to enjoy!
Exclusive Access to Kindergarten Registration – P.A.W.S. Kindergarten Round Up!
The “Kindergarten Round Up” is the event the district runs for you to drop off all of the required kindergarten registration paperwork. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions about registering for kindergarten, and the WCCC after school program director will be there to answer questions about after school care. As this is a paperwork drop-off and an opportunity for you to ask questions about kindergarten registration, your child does not need to attend this event.
3 Kindergarten Round Up Dates:
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ P.A.W.S. – Exclusive opportunity for P.A.W.S. parents to drop-off their kindergarten registration paperwork, conveniently located at P.A.W.S.!
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. @ Sprague Elementary School – Open to all families in town (Snow Date – 2/13/19)
Saturday, March 2, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Sprague Elementary School – Open to all families in town (Snow Date – 3/9/19)
California Pizza Kitchen Fundraiser
Thursday, January 31 – Plan to buy lunch and dinner from the Linden St., California Pizza Kitchen and P.A.W.S. will benefit from your purchase! Print this flyer and bring it with you when you dine in or out at CPK!
Special Education Transition to Kindergarten Parent Information Night
February 4 – Special Education Transition to Kindergarten Parent Information Night – If you have a child with an IEP, who will be transitioning to Kindergarten in the fall, we invite you to attend a special presentation offered by P.A.W.S. and Kindergarten Staff. This evening is offered to help you learn about the special transition processes we have developed, to help preschoolers with IEPs, have a smooth and successful transition from their P.A.W.S. team to their new kindergarten team. If you have questions, please call the the P.A.W.S. office or check with your child’s teacher to see if you should attend. Please R.S.V.P. to the event HERE (http://evite.me/5k25TQ9qsz).
Transition to Kindergarten Parent Information Nights at Each Elementary School
Each elementary school in town offers a parent information night for all parents of children entering kindergarten in the fall. Each school invites all incoming kindergarten parents to learn about the wonderful school community your family will join as your child enters kindergarten! Please attend the Kindergarten Parent Information Night at the school where your child will attend kindergarten. If you are not sure where your child will go to kindergarten, please see your child’s preschool teacher and she will be happy to assist you.
Bates – April 24 – 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fiske – April 24 – 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hardy – TBD
Hunnewell – April 24 – 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Schofield – April 24 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sprague – May 2 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Upham – May 8 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Valentine’s Day and Friendship Day
February 14th – The children in each classroom are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Friendship Day, by exchanging small cards or notes. If you would like to share a special goody bag of Valentine’s Day treats, be sure there is one for each child in the classroom, and be sure there are NO FOOD ITEMS included.
Due to the many food allergies and food sensitivities, we cannot distribute any candy or food items. Thank you for helping to keep all children safe and happy and keep all food items at home. Stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, or other non-food treats are fine! Each classroom teacher will send home directions for Valentine’s Day in your child’s classroom, during the next few weeks.
P.A.W.S. Literacy Project ~ 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program for P.A.W.S.
From now until April vacation, we will be collecting new and gently used children’s books for our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Project at P.A.W.S.! We will be placing collection boxes at each of the schools across town next week. If you have friends or neighbors with older children, who may be ready to pass along their children’s books, please encourage them to put their books in one of the boxes at the Wellesley High School, Middle School, or at one of the Elementary Schools! Our goal is to collect 1,500 books by April vacation!
Send us your board books, ABC books, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, song books, fiction books, nonfiction books, paperback, hard cover, counting books, shape books, any children’s books!
Important Dates:
January 21, 2019 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Day – No School
January 27, 2019 – Winter Carnival 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Fiske Gym
January 30, 2019 – Kindergarten Round Up for P.A.W.S. Parents 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
January 31, 2019 – California Pizza Kitchen Fundraiser – plan to buy lunch and dinner from CPK and P.A.W.S. will benefit from your purchase! Print this flyer and bring it with you when you dine in or out at CPK!
February 1, 2019 – Preschool Progress Reports Sent Home
February 4, 2019 – Special Education Transition to Kindergarten Night – 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
February 6, 2019 – Kindergarten Round Up @ Sprague 3:00 p.m – 6:00 p.m.
February 14, 2019 – Valentine’s Day
February 18 – 22, 2019 – February Vacation – No School
February 28, 2019 – Coffee and Tea with ‘Becca, Guest Speaker – Sue Basta
March 1, 2019 – Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and Read Across America Day!
March 2, 2019 – Kindergarten Round Up @ Sprague 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thank you for your ongoing support! Your positive participation, partnership, and care helps to make P.A.W.S. its very best!
Wishing you all a safe and warm long weekend! Go Pats!!
Best,
‘Becca Z.
Wellesley Public Schools
Learning • Caring • Innovating
CORE VALUES
Academic Excellence • Commitment to Community • Respect for Human Differences • Cooperative and Caring Relationships