From the Principal's Desk

Dear Winn Brook Families,

As principal, I always look forward to October 1st. By this time of year, classroom routines begin to fall into place, and the school day takes on a wonderful flow. It has been a joy to visit classrooms, collaborate with staff, and connect with so many of you.

Our Ice Cream Social was a huge success! It was great to see the community come together for this fun PTA event, and I am so grateful for your generosity and support.

In this newsletter, you will find important updates about:

Lunchroom Volunteers
Nursing Updates
Belmont Against Racism Celebration
BPS Fee Waivers
FBE Run

We are off to a strong start, and I look forward to all the progress we will make together this year.

With appreciation,
Jennifer LaMontagne

Lunchroom Volunteer Information
Thank you for your interest in volunteering in the Winn Brook lunchroom! Volunteers help support students and staff during this busy part of the day by assisting with supervision and simple tasks like opening containers or helping students find seats.

Please be sure you are CORI cleared before your volunteer date (check with Linda or Denesia in the office if you’re unsure), and review Nurse Carbeck’s important information on anaphylaxis to ensure student safety.

Volunteers assist all students and follow the direction of lunchroom staff. Please note that this is not a time to eat lunch with your child or visit classrooms/playground.

Click here to sign up to volunteer

NOTES FROM THE NURSE ✙

Head Lice

Routine inspection by parents/guardians is essential to prevent spread.

📖 Instructions for inspecting and treating head lice are available in my office and on the BPS website.

More Information:

Please read an article detailing evidence-based practice from the American Academy of Pediatrics that can be found HERE
Please become familiar with our head ice guidelines
MA Department of Public Health

Helmet Safety

In Massachusetts, all bicycle riders and operators who are 16 years old or younger are legally required to wear a helmet. There is no state law mandating helmet use for cyclists over the age of 16.

Key Points:

Age Requirement: The law specifically applies to children and teenagers aged 16 and under.
No Law for Adults: Adults (those over 16) are not legally required by the state to wear a helmet while cycling, though wearing one is recommended for safety.
Legal Basis: This requirement is based on Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 85, Section 11B (M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B).

Illness Policy

We are seeing a rise in illnesses within our community, including influenza and strep infections. Please get in touch with your child’s pediatrician for guidance if your child is sick.

Be sure to call the absence line at 617-993- 5702 to report your child’s absence (messages can be left 24 hours a day).

Returning to School Following Illness

Your child may return to school when:

Their symptoms are improving
They have been fever-free for 24 hours (less than 100.0 without the use of fever-reducing medication)
They have been at home on antibiotics for 24 hours if prescribed.
They feel well enough to make it through the school day
Come to school without having to take over-the-counter medications.
No Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

If your child still requires frequent over-the-counter medications for cough, fever, or other symptoms, they are not well enough to return to school. Please be sure to keep them home until they can make it through the school day without medication. This ensures that all students are well enough to fully participate in the school day without needing medication.

Mary B. Carbeck BSN, RN

Winn Brook School Nurse

Planning to Volunteer This Year?
If you plan to volunteer at Winn Brook, please stop by the main office to complete a CORI form. You must be cleared before volunteering. See Ms. Campbell or Ms. Cinar in the office to fill out the form, and don’t forget to bring your license.

Student Dismissal

As a reminder, we ask all families to complete the dismissal form for each Winn Brook student to record their regular dismissal plan for each day of the week. Most families have already responded—thank you!

If your child’s plan changes, please call the Winn Brook Main Office at 617-993-5700 (Option 3) before dismissal so we can notify students and teachers. For safety reasons, do not email teachers directly about changes, as they may not see messages before the end of the day. If no change is reported, we will follow the plan on file.

Students in Grade 3 who have parent permission may walk home by themselves. Parents must submit a written note giving permission to the school to release a student to walk home at dismissal. All notes will be kept on file in the main office for one school year.

Because we do not provide after-school supervision once the day ends at 2:50 pm, walking students are expected to return home, not stay at school on the playground to play without a Parent/Guardian present.

Using TalkingPoints for School Communication

Now that the school year is underway, families are beginning to receive messages through our new family communication platform, TalkingPoints. As mentioned in the Superintendent’s back-to-school message, this tool is designed to make communication between home and school easier and more effective.

If you receive a message from TalkingPoints, please know it is coming directly from a staff member at your child’s school. These messages are official school communications—not spam or a scam.

The simplest way to view and respond to these messages is by using the TalkingPoints app, which you can download using the links on this page. If you do not have the app, the teacher’s communication will come to you as SMS text messages.

To help you get started, here are some general guidelines for accessing and using TalkingPoints

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

To ensure a smooth and safe start and end to each school day, please review our Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures before the first day of school.

Breakfast Program

Each morning, we will offer a free light breakfast to students each morning from 8:20-8:35 a.m. Students who would like to participate should enter through the cafeteria door at 8:20, where Ms. Fitzsimmons will greet them and oversee the breakfast. At 8:35, students will head to their classrooms with their peers.

We kindly ask that families interested in having their child participate fill out THIS FORM so we can plan accordingly.

Please note that this breakfast option is for students who would like to eat and is not a drop-off for supervision purposes.

Upcoming Dates

October 7 - PTA Community Meeting 7:00
October 8 - Walk/Ride to School Day
October 13 - NO SCHOOL- Indigenous Peoples Day
October 21 - School Advisory Council
October 23 - 3rd Grade Halloween Party 6:30-8

Winn Brook Family Handbook

Here is our Family Handbook. Please take some time to read through it as it has a lot of important information about our school and district's rules, procedures, and structures.

Consistent with Massachusetts regulations, 603 CMR 26.05(1), the Belmont Public Schools—through its curricula and materials—encourages respect for the human and civil rights of all individuals, regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. In accordance with district guidelines, families may request information from the building principal regarding available accommodations related to curriculum content.

Winn Brook Extended Learning-WBExL

WBExL HOURS:

Before School: 7:30am- 8:40am (Kindergarteners are walked to their classes. Students who arrive after 8:30 will be asked to line up on the blacktop with their class).

Breakfast Option: Breakfast is available through the Winn Brook cafeteria from 8:20-8:35

After School: Immediately when school is dismissed - 6 pm (Families provide snack)

Early Release Days: 11:40-6pm (Families provide lunch and snack) A grab-and-go lunch option is available through the Winn Brook Cafeteria.