Wellington PTO

Whaley Weekly 11/20/24

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Opening Remarks

Science Night evolving to STEM Night!

With 4th grade moving up to the CUE this year, we lost half of our Science Night participants (historically 3rd and 4th grade students).  This gives us an opportunity to revamp Science Night. We are considering many options. 

  1. Keep the format the same with kid-led small group projects and science activities put on by the committee. This could include 3rd graders or 2nd and 3rd graders.

  2. Family-led science projects, involving K-3. Each family runs a project and presents results 

  3. Change the format to a STEM Night (similar to what is done at Burbank) where families and community representatives host tables that showcase science projects and activities (almost like a STEM version of  Multicultural Night)

Please complete this 1 questions survey to submit your opinion on how you would like to see Science Night evolve.

Giving Tuesday on December 3rd

Tuesday, December 3rd  is Giving Tuesday and we hope that you will consider giving to the Wellington PTO Annual Fundraising Appeal. 

Money raised through the Annual Fund goes to supporting teachers, students, and our community in some of the following ways — 

  • Grade-specific and school-wide enrichment programs

  • Curriculum-aligned field trips

  • Teacher reimbursements for classroom needs

  • Community building initiatives and events

  • Ongoing appreciation for teachers and staff

We recognize and respect that every family has to consider their own economic situation before making a donation. As a rule of thumb, the PTO spends approximately $200/child on various initiatives, but a gift of any amount is greatly appreciated! And don’t forget — many employers match charitable gifts! 

Please consider giving today. We are grateful for every donation.

Notable Mentions

Winter Coat Drive!

December 2nd-13th. We will be collecting gently used or new, clean adult and child winter coats and children’s snow pants. All donations will benefit Children's Services of Roxbury.

Donations can be dropped in the boxes at both Wellington school entrances.

Thank you to Nomita Ganguly and her daughter Mira (a BHS senior) for leading the initiative again for her last year! 

Coat drive flyer - bring in coats and snowpants Dec 2-13

The Lost & Found is piling up!!

The weather has been unpredictable this season and students have been leaving their jackets behind! If your student has left an item behind, please stop in to take a look and grab it.

All unclaimed items will be donated prior to the winter break.

lost and found

Community Events coming soon: All dates TBA

Jan - Cradles to Crayons volunteer opportunity

Feb - Bingo Night

March - Book Fair; Pajama Storytime; STEM Night (previously Science Night)

April - Skate Day; Belmont's District Wide Bowling

May - Multicultural Night

Important Dates

BPS School Calendar 2024-25

November

Nov 20th Parent Teacher Conferences -- Early Release @ 11:40 am -- No Lunch Served 

Nov 27th Early Release @ 11:40 am -- No Lunch Served 

Nov 28-29th    Thanksgiving -- No School

December

Dec 3rd Giving Tuesday

Dec 2nd-13th Winter Coat Drive

Dec 16th PTO Open Board Meeting with guest speaker Superintendent Jill Geiser

Here is the meeting link: https://meet.google.com/tfu-dzng-fnc

Thank you to...

Kelly Gelfer our green team coordinator and the Green Team for sprucing up Wellington's garden beds and preparing them for winter!

Wellington's garden beds ready for winter

Participate in PTO

The PTO Board is already looking ahead to spring events and the 2025-26 school year! Thanks to those who have reached out! It’s time to start building our volunteer village for next year. We have many board members graduating from Wellington which opens up spaces for new volunteers to join us, either as a board member or as a program/event specific coordinator. Consider shadowing a coordinator this year to prepare for taking on the role next year. Show your interest here!

Here is a list of some of our open positions for the 2024-25 school year: 

  • Community Events Coordinator

  • Directory Coordinator

  • ASE Coordinator

  • Accounts Payable

If you are interested in one of these roles and would like to learn more, please email Aisha and Andreina at: wellingtonptopresidents@gmail.com

Important note to all volunteers: Everyone will receive a CORI form (one per household - feel free to make a copy) in your Communications Folder. If you can support the PTO and would like to volunteer, CORI forms are required for every parent volunteer. You must bring the completed form and a form of ID to the Wellington office to complete the process. CORIs are valid for three years! We highly recommend you get these completed early in the school year.

Belmont Town News

For Belmont town news you can check out the following websites:

  • Belmont Public Schools: https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/

  • Belmont Voice: https://belmontvoice.org/

  • Belmontonian: http://belmontonian.com/

Annual Appeal

We ask that you consider a donation to the Wellington Fundraising Appeal. So far this school year, these funds have been used to reimburse teachers for their classroom supplies, purchase school supplies and grocery gift cards for Wellington students and families in need and fund school wide initiatives like new sports equipment, music stands, and storage sheds for both blue and green playgrounds. 

If you have a corporate or workplace match, this is an amazing way to DOUBLE your impact. 

To donate via PayPal using a credit card please use this link:

  • Donate Here

  • OR 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

  • Check to see if your employer matches charitable gifts!

    • Wellington School PTO’s EIN is 04-3093301

    • Need a receipt? Email wellingtonptotreasurer@gmail.com 

Reminders

  • Traffic Safety - 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.

  • A Note about PTO Communication Channels:

    • Whaley Weeklys (the PTO newsletter you are currently reading!) will be emailed to you every Wednesday with updates on events, volunteer opportunities, school happenings and more! 

    • Communications Folders - Be on the lookout for a blue folder coming home with your student(s). They will include some pertinent information from the PTO, particularly our community and fundraising events. Your child’s folder comes home everyday as a way to get their school work and Wellington happenings into your hands! 

    • Room Parents - each classroom will have PTO volunteer Room Parents who act as liaisons between the classroom teacher and class parents/guardians. 

    • Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/wellingtonpto 

    • Follow us on Instagram @wellington_pto

Aisha Foxx Telfort & Andreina Parisi-Amon

Wellington PTO Co-Presidents

wellingtonptopresidents@gmail.com

Picture of Aisha and Andreina, PTO co-presidents, in front of the Wellington School sign