August 2018
Dear Ambrose Families,
Welcome! I hope that you had a fantastic summer filled with fun and exciting memories. I am so
proud to be working as a part of the Ambrose community. On behalf of the Ambrose Team, I
welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year. I am looking forward to the start of school and
meeting all of you. Along with our amazing staff, we currently have 21 Kindergarten through
fifth grade homeroom classes with a total of 405 students.
proud to be working as a part of the Ambrose community. On behalf of the Ambrose Team, I
welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year. I am looking forward to the start of school and
meeting all of you. Along with our amazing staff, we currently have 21 Kindergarten through
fifth grade homeroom classes with a total of 405 students.
For many families, this is a very busy time of year as we leave summer behind and venture back
into school routines. I hope this document helps you to navigate the start of the school
year with ease. I know this will be our best school year yet!
into school routines. I hope this document helps you to navigate the start of the school
year with ease. I know this will be our best school year yet!
First Week of School Schedule
Please mark your calendars with the following important dates!
Wednesday, September 5th
School Begins
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*Half-Day for all students
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8:10-11:20am
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Thursday, September 6th
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*Half-Day for all students
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8:10 –11:20am
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Friday, September 7th
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First Full Day for all students
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8:10 – 2:10 pm
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*Kindergarten students please refer to the letter you received from your child’s teacher.
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Below are updates and some helpful information as we prepare
for school on Wednesday, September, 5th
for school on Wednesday, September, 5th
Opening Day Ceremony: Wednesday, September 5th
Keeping with the Ambrose Tradition, we will begin the school year with our Opening
Day Ceremony on the black top. All are welcome!!
In the event of inclement weather, we will follow our typical morning entry.
Day Ceremony on the black top. All are welcome!!
In the event of inclement weather, we will follow our typical morning entry.
Students in K and 1 will meet in the cafeteria.
Students in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 will meet in the gym
Prior to the ceremony:
Teachers will be holding color coded signs so students can locate their
grade and new teacher with. Please see grade and color below.
grade and new teacher with. Please see grade and color below.
Kindergarten Light blue
Grade One Orange
Grade Two Purple
Grade Three Navy
Grade Four Yellow
Grade Five Red
The ceremony will begin at 8:10 AM. There will be a brief welcome and a song or two.
At the end of the ceremony, students will enter the building with their teachers.
For the safety of all students and to help students gain independence with
morning routines, all parents are kindly asked to leave at this time.
Thank you for your continued support.
At the end of the ceremony, students will enter the building with their teachers.
For the safety of all students and to help students gain independence with
morning routines, all parents are kindly asked to leave at this time.
Thank you for your continued support.
Routines for Thursday, September, 6th and the remainder of the year
School Hours/Grades K-5
Regular School Hours- 8:10 am to 2:20 pm
Doors Open and first bell 8:00am - Students in K and 1 meet in cafeteria.
Students in grades 2, 3,4 and 5 meet in the gym.
Second bell 8:10 am- All students will proceed to their classroom.
For safety reasons, students arriving after 8:15am MUST report to the office .
Dismissal 2:20pm
Early Release Days Hours- 8:10 am-11:20am
Before School Supervision
Please note there is no supervision outside of the school building prior to 8:00 am.
Unfortunately, Ambrose does not have the staff available to monitor and supervise students.
Please help us by not dropping your child early to school. I thank you in advance.
Unfortunately, Ambrose does not have the staff available to monitor and supervise students.
Please help us by not dropping your child early to school. I thank you in advance.
If you are in need of before school care for your student,
Winchester Recreation offers a morning program and supervision.
Please visit the Winchester Recreation Department website at winrec.com.
Winchester Recreation offers a morning program and supervision.
Please visit the Winchester Recreation Department website at winrec.com.
Students arriving BEFORE 8:00am should sign up for the Winchester Recreation .
The sessions will run from 7:15-8:00 Monday-Friday.
Parents can opt to use one or more days of the week for early morning care.
Please call 781-721-7125 or visit winrec.com.for more information.
The sessions will run from 7:15-8:00 Monday-Friday.
Parents can opt to use one or more days of the week for early morning care.
Please call 781-721-7125 or visit winrec.com.for more information.
After school care will also be offered through the Winchester Recreation Department.
Please consider having your child walk to school.
Walking to school helps your child learn. Several studies have documented how kids
benefit academically from active commuting:
They show higher academic achievement, better cognitive performance,
better reading fluency, and improved executive functioning. One study that focused on kids
with attention disorders found that just 26 minutes of daily physical activity
"significantly allayed ADHD symptoms in grade-school kids."
benefit academically from active commuting:
They show higher academic achievement, better cognitive performance,
better reading fluency, and improved executive functioning. One study that focused on kids
with attention disorders found that just 26 minutes of daily physical activity
"significantly allayed ADHD symptoms in grade-school kids."
See link below for full article.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/reasons-to-walk-to-school-1257212
Daily Drop-Off and Pick-Up Traffic Procedures
Please be patient as our start times have changed.
Please note that these procedures will take effect beginning on
Wednesday, September 5th. School Safety Officer Frank Bachelor a
former Ambrose student and I have reviewed these procedures and are hopeful that,
with the cooperation of all families, students can safely enter and exit the school.
Wednesday, September 5th. School Safety Officer Frank Bachelor a
former Ambrose student and I have reviewed these procedures and are hopeful that,
with the cooperation of all families, students can safely enter and exit the school.
Where can I park?
HIGH STREET Parking
8:00 – 8:20 am and 2:00 – 2:20 pm during regular school days
8:00 – 8:20 am and 11:00 and 11:20 early release days
TAFT DRIVE is a one-way street during active pick up and drop off times.
This policy is necessary for smooth traffic flow and ensures the safety of children
in the crosswalk at the head of the street.
This policy is necessary for smooth traffic flow and ensures the safety of children
in the crosswalk at the head of the street.
Active parking is allowed on High Street in the pull-in area to Westland Ave.
In the morning, you may not exit your vehicle, for any length of time, if you park here.
Also, please pull all the way up on High Street when dropping off.
This will always allow for additional cars to pull in behind you.
In the afternoon, you may exit your car if you need to pickup your child prior to the
end of the day.
In the morning, you may not exit your vehicle, for any length of time, if you park here.
Also, please pull all the way up on High Street when dropping off.
This will always allow for additional cars to pull in behind you.
In the afternoon, you may exit your car if you need to pickup your child prior to the
end of the day.
Park on the WEST side of Taft Drive.
Park on High Street past Westland Avenue.
Park on Westland Avenue.
Park on Sachem Road and Oneida Road – both off of Westland Avenue.
Wedgemere Avenue and the Christian Science Church on Church Street have plenty
of parking.
of parking.
Picking your child up here will allow your child to walk part way home with his/her friends.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Stopping or parking in the bus and fire lane in front of the school is never permitted.
Beginning each morning from 7:45 – 8:20 am, the bus and fire lane area will be coned off.
Beginning each afternoon from 1: 50– 2:20 pm the bus and fire lane area will be coned
off as access is not permitted during these heavily traveled times.
Beginning each morning from 7:45 – 8:20 am, the bus and fire lane area will be coned off.
Beginning each afternoon from 1: 50– 2:20 pm the bus and fire lane area will be coned
off as access is not permitted during these heavily traveled times.
No double parking on High Street at drop off and pick up.
No parking on the East side of Taft Drive. Parking here can cause gridlock on Taft Drive.
Please Note:
The visitor parking lot adjacent to the Sanborn House is closed during active periods to
keep students entering and exiting the building safe from auto traffic.
keep students entering and exiting the building safe from auto traffic.
The staff parking lot behind the school is restricted to Ambrose staff only.
Crosswalks, bus stops, and fire hydrants are always off limits
Please, do not make a U-Turn on High Street.
School Calendar:
Please find the district calendar here:
Staffing Updates:
Please join me in welcoming Kevin Murphy who will begin his role as one of
our Physical Education teachers. Kevin is a graduate of Merrimack College and most recently
taught Physical Education at High Plain Elementary School.
our Physical Education teachers. Kevin is a graduate of Merrimack College and most recently
taught Physical Education at High Plain Elementary School.
Kerridan Crowe will join us as a Teacher Assistant. Kerridan formerly
worked at the McCall Middle School and Massachusetts General Hospital
for Children's Aspire. Welcome Kerridan!!
worked at the McCall Middle School and Massachusetts General Hospital
for Children's Aspire. Welcome Kerridan!!
Jessica Buonaventure is a graduate student at Lesley College and is joining in the role of
Instructional Support Specialist.
Instructional Support Specialist.
We are in the process of interviewing candidates for our Elementary Music Teacher position.
I will be in touch with updates as soon as they are available.
I will be in touch with updates as soon as they are available.
The following is a list of our homeroom teachers for 2018-19 school year:
Kindergarten - Mrs. O’Halloran, Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Morrison
Grade 1 - Mrs. Capozza, Ms. Pace, Mrs. Polesky
Grade 2 - Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Gleason, Mrs. Stefanini
Grade 3 - Mrs. Habib, Mrs. Malone, Mrs. Miskelly, Mrs. Rankin
Grade 4- Ms. Burton, Mrs. Leahy, Ms. Visocchi (formerly Mamakos), Ms. Souza
Grade 5 - Mrs. Pace, Mrs. Remmes, Mrs. Siahmakoun, Mrs. Traugot
Bus Information: The school district offers a tuition-based bus that can pick-up or drop off
your child in your neighborhood. If you would like information or wish to register for the bus,
please complete the following application
http://www.winchesterps.org/busapplicationdraft%20with%20lines%20(1)2018%20(1).pdf
your child in your neighborhood. If you would like information or wish to register for the bus,
please complete the following application
http://www.winchesterps.org/busapplicationdraft%20with%20lines%20(1)2018%20(1).pdf
or contact Nancy Clark at the Winchester Central Office at 781-721-7001.
There are several after school programs that bus students from our school to their sites.
Currently they are:
Currently they are:
· WRAP-Winchester Recreation After school Program 781-721-7125
· Kids’ Corner 781-721-1514
· YMCA 617-571-1496
· Ku’s Olympic Tae Kwon Do 781-935-3773
· Chinese School 617-909-2497
Ambrose Lunchroom Information: Your student has their own individual account number.
If they are new to Ambrose, they will be given a four-digit number.
In order to fund your lunch account you can follow the link below.
Lunch payments can also be given to Mrs. DiRico in the main office any morning.
Please make checks payable to Winchester Public Schools. A table will be set up on the
first three days of school and Ann Marie, our lunch supervisor, will be available to collect lunch money.
If they are new to Ambrose, they will be given a four-digit number.
In order to fund your lunch account you can follow the link below.
Lunch payments can also be given to Mrs. DiRico in the main office any morning.
Please make checks payable to Winchester Public Schools. A table will be set up on the
first three days of school and Ann Marie, our lunch supervisor, will be available to collect lunch money.
Link to menu is below:
To sign up for School Bucks online lunch payment, see link below.
School Council: Every school in Massachusetts is required to have a school council that consults
with the building principal in order to look at making school improvements as necessary.
The Ambrose council is made up of the principal, assistant principal, one staff and parents.
If you wish to be a part of our committee, please contact Jennifer Warner jwarner@ambrosepto.org.
If more than one parent is interested there will be an election.
with the building principal in order to look at making school improvements as necessary.
The Ambrose council is made up of the principal, assistant principal, one staff and parents.
If you wish to be a part of our committee, please contact Jennifer Warner jwarner@ambrosepto.org.
If more than one parent is interested there will be an election.
Safety: At Ambrose, we ask that all parents and guests come directly to the main office.
After 8:10 am, all doors will be locked and you must be buzzed into school. All visitors must wear
visitors’ badges while visiting Ambrose. Thank you for your help keeping our school safe.
After 8:10 am, all doors will be locked and you must be buzzed into school. All visitors must wear
visitors’ badges while visiting Ambrose. Thank you for your help keeping our school safe.
Communication: Our communication is done via emails, phone messages and/or
Ambrose Parents Association messages. Please read our messages and our weekly newsletters as
they contain important information and dates. Thank you.
Ambrose Parents Association messages. Please read our messages and our weekly newsletters as
they contain important information and dates. Thank you.
Our school and district websites can be found at: http://www.winchesterps.org/
Twitter
During the school day I will be sharing information about upcoming events and showing
you day-in-the-life pictures. Please follow me at@AmbroseSchool
you day-in-the-life pictures. Please follow me at@AmbroseSchool
I will also send out a weekly blog post. This will also include updates about any
school-wide events, my views on instruction and teaching of children, strategies for
parents and additional updates within the education profession. All blog posts can be translated if needed.
school-wide events, my views on instruction and teaching of children, strategies for
parents and additional updates within the education profession. All blog posts can be translated if needed.
Please follow my blog at
https://ambroseponderingprincipal.blogspot.com/
More Communication information: If you do not have access to email or need translation,
please let your child’s teacher know so that we may send paper copies home.
In addition, if ANY of your contact information changes throughout the year, it
is important that the main office know. Please note, that our office phone lines are very busy,
so we appreciate any effort you can make to take care of phone calls to arrange after school plans at
night or in the morning before school time. If something does come up that requires immediate attention
you can reach us at 781-721-7012.
please let your child’s teacher know so that we may send paper copies home.
In addition, if ANY of your contact information changes throughout the year, it
is important that the main office know. Please note, that our office phone lines are very busy,
so we appreciate any effort you can make to take care of phone calls to arrange after school plans at
night or in the morning before school time. If something does come up that requires immediate attention
you can reach us at 781-721-7012.
The first day of school, we will plan to send a “Welcome Back” packet that includes lots of forms.
Please return these forms as soon as possible.
Most important are the student data sheets that should be reviewed
(corrected if necessary) and returned.
Please return these forms as soon as possible.
Most important are the student data sheets that should be reviewed
(corrected if necessary) and returned.
Preparing for the First Day
The article below provides some great tips for the first day of school.
Books to Read to Prepare:
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Tuesday, August 28th Kindergarten Popsicle Party and Building Tour 5:00 PM
Monday, September 3rd No school - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 4th Staff returns to school
Wednesday, September 5th First Day of School, Early Release, Opening Ceremony
Thursday, September 6th Early Release
Friday, September 7th PTO Welcome Back Coffee 8:10-9:00 AM
Thursday September 13th Back to School Night (Details to follow)
Monday September 17th Picture Day
Tuesday, September 18th Picture Day
