Winter Hill Wildcat Weekly
September 5, 2025
Principal's Message
Hello Winter Hill families,
It was a great week at Winter Hill! Our PK and Kindergarten students started on Tuesday and very quickly are learning the Wildcat Way. The weather has been wonderful and our students have been able to be outside for all recesses. Next week, we will start having our "extra" recess at the East Somerville Community School so our students can use the play structures and fields there.
Each week at Winter Hill, we highlight a different homeroom. Next week, Ms. Moore's homeroom (grade 7) will lead us in morning pledges. At the end of the week, Ms. Moore will also share what her classes are doing in our Wildcat Blog - be sure to check out the blog at the end of each week: Wildcat Blog. If you haven't checked out the blog before, check out all the exciting learning from last school year!
I look forward to see all students on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Principal Gosselin
School-Based Health Screenings
Massachusetts requires the screenings listed below. These screenings are important because vision and hearing have a crucial impact on learning. Please note that if your child wears glasses, the vision screening will be performed with glasses on. This screening does not replace the comprehensive vision exam (performed by an eye doctor) that is recommended for all children with neurodevelopmental delays. In order to minimize stress to students, we won’t screen children who do not want to participate. If you do not want your child to participate, you may opt out of all screenings, or just specific screenings Opt-Out.
Pure Tone Hearing (ability to hear sounds at different frequencies): Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10.
Near Vision (for reading): Grades PK, K, 1, 2, 3
Far Vision (for seeing things that are far away): Grades PK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
Stereopsis (how well the eyes work together): Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Height & Weight (identifies trends in weight and height): Grades 1, 4, 7, 10
Postural (checks for curvature of the spine): Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
SBIRT (brief motivational interview about avoiding drugs and alcohol): Grades 7, 9
If your child’s results indicate the need for further evaluation by a specialist, you will be notified.
Please feel free to contact your school nurse if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
School Health Services 617-625-6600 ext 6967 health@k12.somerville.ma.us
From our Family LIaisons
Food for Free Market
The Food for Free Market at East Somerville is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9th from 2:45 to 4:45 for families of students in SPS. Please reach out to Ms. Marylou or Ms. Karla for more information.
Important Dates
- Thursday, September 25th - Back-to-School Night 5:00 - 6:30 PM
- Monday, September 29th - Picture Day! More information will be sent home with students in the next few weeks.
WHCIS PTA
A NEW School Year is on the WAY! Get involved and Join the Winterhill PTA!!
Call for Members
Please make sure to complete the 2025-2026 School year membership form: https://forms.gle/d9LjmUS4cUujxVJb6
We have changed the format, no dues required, but we are very open to donations!
WHCIS PTA’s greatest priority this year is COMMUNITY! That is why the PTA needs parents and families to become members and volunteer on a committee. Please reach out to a PTA officer with any questions winterhillpta@gmail.com
GILMAN SQUARE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL! September 13th (Rain Date September 14th) 12:00-5:00pm 227-249 Pearl Street, Somerville
PTA Bake Sale & Volunteers Needed!
The Winter Hill Community Innovation School PTA is excited to take part in this year’s Festival! Last year’s bake sale was a huge fundraising success, and we can’t do it again without the support of our amazing Wildcat community.
Here’s how you can help:
Volunteer at the Bake Sale Table – We need friendly faces to help between 12–5 PM
Donate Baked Goods & Snacks – Cookies, brownies, muffins, packaged snacks, drinks—anything delicious to share!
Festival Highlights:
Nearly 30 artists & makers showcasing their work, including tie-dye with WHCIS mom Eran Phinney (founder of Swirl My World)
Info, resources, and programs from local nonprofits & community partners
Food vendors featuring American, Indian, Bangladeshi, Peruvian, Jamaican, Colombian & Mediterranean cuisines
FREE live music, including performances by The Goonie Birds (featuring Ms. Stier and WHCIS mom/SPS music teacher Cathy Ward) AND Weird Frendz (featuring WHCIS mom Julia Dickinson)!
FREE kids activities: Spanish is Fun storytelling, face painting, pumpkin painting, and more!
Let’s come together to support our school and community. 💙🐾 Sign up to volunteer or donate today! winterhillpta@gmail.com
DADDY JONES RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER! September 24th 5:00-10:00pm 525 Medford Street, Somerville
Daddy Jones restaurant will donate a portion of sales—whether you dine in or order take-out—to the Winter Hill Community Innovation School PTA, helping to fund programs and initiatives for our students.
Wildcat Website
Learn about our school and staff!
Check out the WHCIS Website!
There is lots of information including staff bios, departments and programs, social-emotional learning, PTA information, and our blog.