June 2019 AS WE BID A FOND FAREWELL TO 2018-19, we have much to be proud of… Our concerts were again, very special this year thanks to our music staff. Student artwork adorned our hallways with the incredible efforts of our art teachers. Not to be outdone, Windermere School’s P.E. teachers energized us all and the various events they initiated. Our kiddos loved the new running club, Olympics-type events in the gym, as well as our special field days – for all grade levels. From Doughnuts for Dads to the Windermere talent show; D.A.R.E. program to our Look for the Good project; Academic Fairs to mindfulness activities; Invention Convention to Zen Zone focus; our students rocked it with effort, perseverance, and smiles all year! PBIS helps us all rise to the top and respect the concept of respect at all times and kindness as a life skill and practice. A special thanks goes out to the Ellington Youth Services (Diane Lasher-Penti and Tressa Giordano) for their continual positive and productive contributions to Windermere School life. What a great partnership! I hope my Windermere moms had a happy and fun Mother’s Day last month. My best to my Windermere dads for a joyous Father’s Day coming up in June! Finally, Happy June everyone! I am glad we finally turned the corner – weather-wise. As you know by now, I am leaving my beloved Windermere School students, teachers, and staff. I have been so blessed to work with such wonderful folks. I know that I am supposed to feel happy and excited with my upcoming retirement, but there is an empty feeling, one of sadness as the reality of leaving Ellington has poked at me each day this school year. It will not take a new principal long to find joy in this caring community; thus leaving it is that much harder. Clearly, life is a process of beginnings and endings. Life’s transitions are many times challenging because they force us to let go of the familiar and face the future with a feeling of vulnerability. It has been so difficult to look in the faces of my Windermere kids and explain to them “why” I am leaving. I see in their mind’s eye the concept of abandonment. For a young child, articulation of the concept of retirement is not easy and certainly never clean. But, I know in my heart of heart they support me and will remember me as I will them – with love, caring, and hope. Goodbye to my Winderemere parents. We will always be a family – we fought hard and hugged hard and yet still always came together with arms opened wide. I will miss Windermere School – forever the “Pearl of Ellington!” To all my Windermere kiddos and parents, have a great summer! May it be filled with laughter, family, and love. Make it safe and memorable. Thank you, once again, for making our school so wonderful! And thank you for your support as I complete my final year in education. Words from Welch… The Windermere Whaler
Transcript
June 2019
AS WE BID A FOND FAREWELL TO 2018-19, we have much to be proud of…
Our concerts were again, very special this year thanks to our music staff. Student artwork adorned our
hallways with the incredible efforts of our art teachers. Not to be outdone, Windermere School’s P.E.
teachers energized us all and the various events they initiated. Our kiddos loved the new running club,
Olympics-type events in the gym, as well as our special field days – for all grade levels. From
Doughnuts for Dads to the Windermere talent show; D.A.R.E. program to our Look for the Good project;
Academic Fairs to mindfulness activities; Invention Convention to Zen Zone focus; our students rocked
it with effort, perseverance, and smiles all year! PBIS helps us all rise to the top and respect the concept
of respect at all times and kindness as a life skill and practice. A special thanks goes out to the Ellington
Youth Services (Diane Lasher-Penti and Tressa Giordano) for their continual positive and productive
contributions to Windermere School life. What a great partnership!
I hope my Windermere moms had a happy and fun Mother’s Day last month. My best to my
Windermere dads for a joyous Father’s Day coming up in June! Finally, Happy June everyone! I am
glad we finally turned the corner – weather-wise. As you know by now, I am leaving my beloved
Windermere School students, teachers, and staff. I have been so blessed to work with such wonderful
folks. I know that I am supposed to feel happy and excited with my upcoming retirement, but there is
an empty feeling, one of sadness as the reality of leaving Ellington has poked at me each day this school
year. It will not take a new principal long to find joy in this caring community; thus leaving it is that
much harder. Clearly, life is a process of beginnings and endings. Life’s transitions are many times
challenging because they force us to let go of the familiar and face the future with a feeling of
vulnerability. It has been so difficult to look in the faces of my Windermere kids and explain to them
“why” I am leaving. I see in their mind’s eye the concept of abandonment. For a young child,
articulation of the concept of retirement is not easy and certainly never clean. But, I know in my heart
of heart they support me and will remember me as I will them – with love, caring, and hope. Goodbye
to my Winderemere parents. We will always be a family – we fought hard and hugged hard and yet still
always came together with arms opened wide. I will miss Windermere School – forever the “Pearl of
Ellington!”
To all my Windermere kiddos and parents, have a great summer! May it be filled with laughter, family,
and love. Make it safe and memorable. Thank you, once again, for making our school so wonderful!
And thank you for your support as I complete my final year in education.
Words from Welch…
The Windermere Whaler
The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) held its state finals on May 4, 2019 at UConn in Storrs. This year’s
convention consisted of 1,200 inventors from across the state. Since its inception, an estimated 300,000 K-8 children
have experienced CIC programs. Annually, CIC serves more than 17,000 students in grades K-8 statewide from
School this year was Abinav Pradeepkumar and Chaitanya
Bommisetty, both of whom impressed the judges and the
crowds with their presentations. Judges recognized Chaitanya as a top inventor in his judging circle.
Congratulations to all our Inventors this year!
Join Us for a Day of Summer Fun & Celebration:
June 11th from 11:30 to 2:30
water slide, dunk tank, airbrush tattoos, pizza,
and much, much, more!
Please have your child wear a bathing suit to school with a
T-shirt/shorts over it. Also, please pack a towel, water
shoes/flip flops & sunscreen.
See the last page for a permission slip.
Want to help more?
Volunteers and Sponsors Needed!!!
Please visit https://tinyurl.com/WPTO6thGrade to sign up.
We are looking for parents to help sponsor food items for
the Pizza Party.
Sixth Grade Party
Please send in any remaining box tops before the end of the
school year. We want to submit them before any expire
over the summer!
Class Placement Information We want to remind parents that students will NOT be receiving their class placement information on the last day of school as was the case in years past. This was communicated to everyone in a School Messenger email as well as on page 7 in the 2018-19 Parent/Student Handbook distributed to families during the first weeks of school: Class Placements will be mailed to families the first week in August. This allows students to celebrate the end of the current school year with their teacher and friends. A letter will be mailed the first week of August with your child’s teacher listed along with a class list so that your child is familiar with the student composition of the class. All three elementary schools will follow this protocol for a variety of reasons. We no longer wish to experience a final day at school with students in tears or focused on the 2019-20 school year. It is important that students celebrate their past year/grade successes with their classmates and teacher. Also, with the ever-changing student and even teacher movement in and out of district in June and July, it is better for placements to be solidified in the summer exactly as is done at the middle and high school. We appreciate your understanding and support, in advance.
We will be hosting a field day event for 5th and 6th graders on
June 7th (rain date June 10th).
Watch for details and volunteer requests to be come out shortly.
The Ellington Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, marital status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national/ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability including, but not limited to, intellectual disability: past or present history of mental disorder, past or present history of physical disability, past or present history of learning disability in its programs, activities, and employment practices as set forth in compliance with Office of Civil Rights, Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Any person having inquiries concerning the Ellington Public Schools’ compliance with the Title VI, Title IX and Section 504, should contact Dr. Kristy LaPorte, Director of Special Services at the Ellington Public Schools, P.O. Box 179, 47 Main St, Ellington, CT 06029 or 860-896-2300.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 6/3 Advanced Band Concert at 7:00
6/4 Beginner Band Concert 7:00 p.m.
6/7 5th/6th Grade Field Day (Rain Date 6/10)
6/11 Sixth Grade Party
6/12 Early Dismissal
6/13 Last Day of School Early Dismissal
August 8/28 First Day of School
Back to School Supply Kits
Order next year's school supply kits now and have
everything taken care of before summer even starts!
Ryan Pierce, Abigail Deptula, Maria Demos, Nixon Lemon, Jacob Scalise, Analisse Paton,
Fariah Khan, James Giacchi, Kaden Gromek, Pia Kshatriya, Daksh Suryadevara, Colin Recker,
Jillian Rubino, Brayden Gavigan, Andrew Martineau, and Isabella Fakas
Congratulations to the following students who received a
Windermere Whale Wonder Award recently:
Chelsea Zalcman, Shriya Kannan, Sadhana Shankar, Kaydence St. Amand,
KingJohnson, Hailee Gilman, Anshul Kulkarni, David Bellman, Dhanvarsha
Naganan, Renita Jose Nimal, Josh Easterling, Emir Bojic, and Samshu
Ramasubramaiam
We are proud of our kids who make a conscious effort to R.I.S.E. to
great heights at Windermere School.
COACHES’
][] How to Prevent the Summer Slide ][] -By Jordanne Owen, Children’s Literacy Initiative
What is Summer Slide? You may have heard the term “summer slide” from teachers or other parents, but what does it mean? Summer Slide is what happens when the skills students learn during the school year are lost or forgotten over the summer. When kids don’t practice their reading skills during the summer months, they can fall behind by the time school starts again. Summer may be winding down, but it’s not too late to polish up those reading skills in time for September!
How can I prevent Summer Slide?
1. Choose the Right Books Think of this as the “Goldilocks Effect.” If your kid’s book is too easy, she’ll get bored. If her book is too hard, she’ll get frustrated and give up. When your child reads a “just right” book, she should be challenged but engaged. Ask your child’s teacher or a children’s librarian for help if you’re not sure what your child’s reading level is.
2. Set Goals Sit down with your child and set some summer reading goals together. Depending on your child’s age, you might want to shoot for one book a week, or an hour of reading time a day. Make sure your goals are realistic, and set up a reward system. For example, if she finishes three books, take a trip to the movie theater or get an ice cream cone.
3. Make it fun! Your kids will want to read if you sneak books into all the fun activities you do. Heading to the beach? Pack some books with you. Try going on a “reading picnic” in the park. Play games or puzzles together that will require your child to read words. Sing songs or nursery rhymes with younger ones.
4. Go the Library Public libraries often have great summer programs for kids, and these are usually inexpensive or free. While you’re there, le t your child pick out some new books – he’ll be much more excited to crack open a book if he chose it himself.
5. Read Every Day Practice makes perfect and reading is no exception! Show your kids that reading is a priority, and they will treat it that way too. In the meantime, enjoy snuggling up with your child and sharing a book – these moments will help establish a love of reading and a closer bond with your family.
All Children Exercise Simultaneously
Each May, on a designated date and time, millions of
school children all over the globe exercise simultaneously
in a gesture of fitness and unity. This non-competitive
program has proven to be educational, motivational, and
fun. The program has been praised by Presidents of the
United States; such as Bill Clinton, George Bush, and
Ronald Reagan as well as governors, senators, and
celebrities from sports and show business. Starting its 21st
year, Project ACES has reached millions of children,
parents and teachers all over the world, including
participants from over 50 countries. This is Windermere’s
second year participating in ACES – with the all-
important message for kids – exercise is crucial for body,
mind and spirit! The entire school came together on the
soccer field to enjoy beautiful weather and a series of
exercises led by Mrs. Murphy and several sixth graders.
Special thanks to the 6th grade students who helped lead
the school:Sophia Canton, Emersyn Giordano, Teagan
Dieterle, and Analisse Paton …And to Tressa Giordano
for joining in on the fun and getting us moving!
Law Day Ceremony
The 2019 Law Day Ceremony took place on May 1st at
9:00 at the Rockville Court. The ceremony was
sponsored by the Tolland County Bar Association
(TCBA). This year the topic was First Amendment: free
speech, free press, free society. Two guest speakers, a
speech from the Administrative Judge of the district, and
one of the newly appointed Judges, the Liberty Bell
Award, and the results of the poster contest were
included in the ceremony. Sixth graders from all three
elementary schools were invited to participate.
There are several opportunities to volunteer for next year! This is a great way to get involved with the PTO. Many of these opportunities are one time events, so you can do your share and it is concentrated into a set time frame. Others are ongoing projects that require a little more time. Whatever your availability, we have a job for you! Co-Chairing is always an option too, grab a friend and do it together! If you are interested in chairing one of these please contact [email protected]
Assist the 5th grade teachers with organizing volunteers to support the program to give the students a feel of camp life during the Revolutionary War.
This is an evening winter social event for the students. Students are encouraged to wear beach attire (no bathing suits) and can dance to the DJ, play volleyball in the gym, enjoy refreshments, and play bingo in the cafeteria. Volunteers are needed to check students in and out and chaperone as well as to donate refreshments
This committee is responsible for organizing a list of members who are interested in becoming WPTO Officers for the upcoming school year. Nominations will be announced in April, and the chairperson will conduct elections at the May WPTO meeting.
President’s Note
I've had on my To Do list for quite some time to sit down and write a thank you note to each of our wonderful chairpersons and board members. But as I'm sure most of
you can imagine, that has repeatedly fallen to the back burner behind more urgent needs with specific deadlines. So please let me take this opportunity to thank
each of our chairpersons and board members and acknowledge the vital roles they have played in making this another wonderful year at Windermere. Some of them are veterans of their roles and others have stepped up to learn a
new role for the first time. It has been my honor to be an eye witness to their generosity and commitment to this community's children. Lisa Baehre: MCM Fundraiser and Field Day
statewide writing contest in honor of Black History
Month.
Windermere School is proud to recognize King
Johnson as an “Honorable Mention” in this popular
and competitive contest. He was honored with a
certificate of distinction from Congressman Courtney
in April.
King was the only fourth grade winner in the State for
his reflection on MLK’s life. Congratulations to King
Johnson in Mr. Pechie’s class. This is quite an honor!
6th Grade Party!!!
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Calling all Windermere Sixth Graders!!! Join us for a day of Summer Fun & Celebration.
Pizza Party Waterslide
Dunk Tank Airbrush Tattoos
And much more……
Please have you child wear a bathing suit to school with a T-Shirt and shorts over it. Also please pack a towel, water shoes/flip flops & sunscreen*.
*Parent signature required for applying sunscreen.
Want to help more? Volunteers and Sponsors Needed!!! Please visit https://tinyurl.com/WPTO6thGrade to sign up. We are looking for parents to help sponsor food items for the Pizza Party.
Please detach and return this portion with $10.00 donation (checks made payable to WPTO) OR
