WINTHROP WEEKLY

Dear Families and Caregivers,

As we move further into the school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible environment our students and staff are building together. Our goal is always to create a space where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. To support this, we have a few important updates regarding our physical education safety standards and an inside look at the "Responsive Classroom" approach that is transforming our school culture.

Safety First: Footwear for P.E.

To ensure our students can participate fully and safely in Physical Education, we would like to remind families about our footwear requirements. While Uggs, fashion boots, snow boots, and Crocs are comfortable for the classroom, they do not provide the necessary support, traction, or stability for gym activities. Non-athletic shoes can lead to slips, rolled ankles, or tripped transitions during fast-paced games. To prevent injuries, please ensure your child wears or brings athletic sneakers on their scheduled PE days. Students who arrive in inappropriate footwear may be asked to sit out of physical activities for their own safety.

The Heart of Our School: Responsive Classroom

Beyond physical safety, we are deeply committed to the emotional and social well-being of our students. Our staff has been doing an outstanding job implementing the Responsive Classroom approach. This philosophy recognizes that for a child to excel academically, they must first feel socially connected and emotionally secure. Our teachers are moving beyond simply "delivering a curriculum" to truly teaching the whole child. By prioritizing a sense of belonging, our staff is creating a "brave space" where students feel confident taking risks and learning from their mistakes.

A Commitment to Excellence in Teaching

We are thrilled to share that our commitment to this approach is backed by significant professional development. This year, every member of our staff has had the opportunity to receive formal training in Responsive Classroom techniques. Furthermore, a dedicated group of our educators recently went above and beyond by participating in Advanced Responsive Classroom Training. This advanced coursework allows our team to dive even deeper into sophisticated strategies for academic engagement and classroom management, ensuring your children receive the highest quality of social-emotional support available.

The Pillars of Success: C.A.R.E.

At the center of this approach is the development of four essential social-emotional competencies, known by the acronym C.A.R.E. Our teachers intentionally weave these skills into every math lesson, reading group, and recess interaction:

C – Cooperation: Learning to work toward common goals and value diverse perspectives.
A – Assertion: Encouraging students to express their ideas and needs respectfully.
R – Responsibility: Taking ownership of one’s learning and personal actions.
E – Empathy: Understanding and caring about the feelings and experiences of others.

What You’ll See in the Classroom

Our staff brings these values to life through consistent daily practices. Every day begins with a Morning Meeting, where students greet one another and build the social "glue" that holds the class together. Teachers also use Interactive Modeling to show not just tell students how to navigate a variety of lessons and hands-on experiences. When challenges arise, we use logical consequences to help students fix their mistakes and move forward with dignity.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ growth and deeply grateful for our dedicated staff who work tirelessly to make our school a kind, high-achieving, and safe environment.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s journey!

Upcoming Dates

Monday, March 23rd-Friday, March 27th - Winthrop School Book Fair

Tuesday, March 24th, 1:30 pm - Odaiko New England Taiko Drumming Assembly

Wednesday, March 25th, 7:00 pm - String Fest @ Dolan Performing Arts Center

Thursday, March 26th, 6:00 - 7:30 pm - Winthrop Art Show

Friday, March 27th 9 am - Kindergarten - Visit from Local Farmer

Tuesday, March 31 6:00-8:00 pm Winthrop Science Festival

Wednesday, April 1 7:00 pm - Grade 1 Concert

Clothing Drive

The 5th Grade No Place for Hate Team is working with Project 351 and Cradles to Crayons to collect new and lightly worn clothes and shoes for those in need. The collection box will be in the main lobby. Please see the details below.