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WHALEY WEEKLY: February 8, 2023

posted on 2/8/2023 8:00:00 AM

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Opening Remarks

SUPER BOWL WEEKEND is upon us and we still have some squares to sell! 

When is $10 worth $500??? WHEN YOU PLAY THE PTO'S SUPERBOWL SQUARES! Each square is just $10 and there's $500 up for grabs. Buy as many squares as you like and share it with everyone you know.

You can choose your square(s) by clicking on this link and using the short code to access our pool: SUPERWELL. Squares need to be requested and payments need to be made before the game begins in order to qualify. You can click here to make your payment to the Wellington PTO.

 

Notable Mentions

Next Thursday, February 16th at 6:30pm - 8:30pm is your chance to meet with Superintendent John Phelan and District Reconfiguration Director, Karla Koza in the Wellington Cafeteria. On their agenda - the proposed FY24 budget and school reconfiguration, with an opportunity for Q&A. Immediately following the presentation, meet-up with other Wellington parents and guardians at Trinktisch in Belmont Center. 

Now Hiring! We’re looking to fill a PTO Board position, VP of Community Events ASAP - you’ll liaise with our event chairs on beloved traditions including: Skate Night, Science Night, Multicultural Night, Fall Picnic, Movie Night & BINGO! 

Wellington Carnival at Wellington is back! We need a lot of help to organize this fun day. And have four critical open positions - see below for details. 

A CELEBRATION OF READING! Join us for a Celebration of Reading on March 1st and March 2nd, including:

  • Wed, March 1: Kick-off with a Virtual Wellington Storytime with Mystery Guest Readers, 7pm to 7:30pm
  • Thursday, March 2nd: A Celebration of Reading!
    Dress up as your favorite story book character during the school day.
    Shop at Belmont Books all day and help raise money for the Wellington; 20% from all proceeds will go to the Wellington PTO
    Stop by our first “Books and Beers” FUNdraiser at Belmont Books and Trinktisch from 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Fourth Grade Send-Off (4GSO) - We cannot believe that the preparations for the Fourth Grade Send-Off have officially begun! Though it feels like only a short time ago that our children were in kindergarten, their last days at Wellington are coming soon. With that, we are committed to ensuring that this year’s 4th graders will leave Wellington with a memorable farewell.This is such a great celebration and many volunteers are needed!  The Send-Off Co-Chairs, Carol Berberian and Kristina Cardello, will be holding a kickoff zoom meeting for interested volunteers on Monday, February 13th at 7pm.  If you would like to learn more about the Send-Off, or would like to volunteer your time please contact Carol and Kristina at farewellington@gmail.com.

 

Important Dates:

February 2023

  • Feb. 13         4GSO Volunteer Kick-off Meeting @ 7pm Meeting ID: 834 639 6651
                          Passcode: 123456 
  • Feb. 13         Belmont Public Schools Integrated Preschool Program Open House 1:30 - 2:30pm 
  • Feb. 16         Wellington Spirit Day: All School Spirit Day! Wear your Wellington shirts!
  • Feb. 16         Meet with Superintendent John Phelan and District Reconfiguration Director, Karla Koza 6:30pm - 8:30pm - Wellington cafeteria. Their agenda is the proposed FY24 budget and school reconfiguration. Immediately following the presentation, meet-up with other Wellington parents and guardians at Trinktisch in Belmont Center. 
  • Feb. 20-24    February Recess

March 2023

  • Mar 1             Read Across America Celebration: Virtual Storytime
  • Mar 2             Read Across America Celebration: Dress as your favorite book character day during the school day. Books & Beers @ Belmont Books & Trinktisch 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Secure your sitters!
  • Mar. 26          Wellington Skate Day @ Warrior Ice Arena 11am - 12:30pm
  • Mar. 31          Science Night for 3rd and 4th graders 6:45pm - 7:45pm

 

Thank You To...

Erin Jones, Lara Lind, and Sharon Jones for coordinating and managing our Library Volunteers! Thank you for helping to keep our library tidy, organized, and in terrific working order! 

 

DEI Corner

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements and contributions by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black History. 

A Fascinating Rhythm: Drumming Workshop with Cornell Coley. Join arts educator and percussionist Cornell Coley for an interactive drumming performance and workshop for ages 6-12! Celebrate Black History Month with us at this workshop offered on two dates:

Join Wee the People in the Born on the Water program. Retrace the journey, survival, and triumph of the first African Americans. Inspired by the award-winning New York Times 1619 Project, this program features a reading of the children’s book Born on the Water, a craft activity, and a look at the underwater world of the Smithsonian’s Slave Wrecks Project, whose divers search to rescue stories of shipwrecks from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Friday, February 24, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm at Boston Public Library Brighton: 40 Academy Hill Rd, Brighton MA. For more information, email Allie Hahn: ahahn@bpl.org. Funding for this program was made possible by the Boston Bruins Foundation.

If you are interested in these events and are unable to make the dates listed above, please visit the Boston Public Library Events Page to view alternative dates and library locations throughout Black History Month.  

 

Open Positions:

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Wellington PTO Volunteer Interest Form 2022-23!

  • Join our Carnival Team - Cotton Candy! Bounce houses! Face Painting! The Wellington Spring Carnival is our biggest event of the year, planned for June 3rd. We are looking for four leads to run event teams: Volunteer Coordinator (oversee all volunteers leading up to and on day-of-event), Operations Coordinator (setup / breakdown, custodial support, etc), Vendor Coordinator (food trucks, bounce houses), and Marketing Coordinator (communications and raffle). Contact wellingtonptofundraising@gmail.com if you are interested.
  • We have a need for one more Co-Chair for this year’s Multicultural Night on May 5th. Help organize one of the most engaging community events at Wellington by using your skills to select a theme, find cultural entertainment, organize student sign-ups for their chosen countries, and coordinate volunteers as needed. This event showcases and celebrates the diversity of our school community - please help make it a success again this school year! We have held this event for many years so there is a playbook to help guide the new co-chairs, and as always you will have the PTO board’s support! If you are interested, please contact wellingtonptopresidents@gmail.com 
  • ASE is hiring for our Winter and Spring, 7 Week session! Interested in teaching a one hour class? We can’t offer this popular program without instructors. Parents / Guardians have taught classes in running, meditation, languages, and LEGO just to name a few! Have an idea? We’d love to hear from you! ase.wellington@gmail.com

PTO Form QR Code

 

Reminders:

  • Please remember to be considerate when parking around Wellington and do not block the crosswalks or the driveways of our neighbors. There is no active pick up. Please do not pull into the parking lot or driveway at dismissal to retrieve your child.
  • Please help make field trips, in-school enrichment programs and teacher appreciation events (and more!) possible this year by making an annual donation to the PTO. Every dollar you give supports Wellington students, teachers and our community, and it's tax deductible.
    • Pay online via credit card
    • Send a check payable to Wellington PTO (Memo: “Annual Fund” and your child’s name) and return to school in their Communications Folder OR mail to: Wellington School, ATTN: Wellington PTO, 121 Orchard Street, Belmont, MA 02478

 

Audrey Miller & Lindsay Kalmakis
Wellington PTO Co-Presidents
wellingtonptopresidents@gmail.com

Co-Presidents

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