Colonial Park Weekly News

Dear Colonial Park Families -

What a wonderful start to the school year we had last week! We were so happy to welcome our K-4 students back to school, and tomorrow our preschool friends begin. Our school will be full!

Mark your calendars with two upcoming dates!

1. Colonial Park Back to School Night - Thursday, September 17, 6:15 to 7:30
2. PTO Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 25, 5:00 to 7:00

We can't wait to welcome our families to the Back to School Picnic; however, Back to School Night is an adult only event.

This week we will be introducing our Colonial Park Half-A-Million MInute Challenge! Jessica Ziegler, a Colonial Park parent, has gathered a team together to manage this fun challenge for our students. We will be kicking it off on Friday, September 11, and Mrs. McCarthy and I will be visiting classrooms to get everyone excited! Students will be encouraged to read, or be read to, for at least 15 minutes per day, and they will complete a monthly reading log, earning prizes throughout the school year. I am attaching the flyer and September Reading Log for your information, and we will send students home with a log on Friday.

Half a Million Minutes Challenge Flyer

September Reading Log

Important Communication Information

1. If your child is going to be absent or tardy, or if you are dismissing your child, please either call 781-279-3890 and leave a voicemail or email Ms. Faughnan at efaughnan@stonehamschools.org and your child's classroom teacher.
2. If there is any change to your child's after school plan , please email Ms. Faughnan and your child's classroom teacher.

Thank you for making a conscious effort to drive slowly and undistracted when on or around school property. If you are walking with your child (in K-4) to the recess area for morning line-up, please feel free to park in the parking lot or in the surrounding neighborhood. There is no parking in the Fire Lane along the curbs that surround the building. That is for LIVE PARKING only.

If you are dropping off your child, please remember to pull your vehicle all the way up to the end of the sidewalk in front of the building. Staff will be outside each morning to assist with morning drop off. If there is indoor arrival, a flag will be displayed outside of Door 8 and at the main entrance. All students (grades K-4) will enter through the main entrance for indoor arrival beginning at 8:15.

Attached to this newsletter, below please find both the lunch menu for September and the 2026-2027 School Calendar. Have a wonderful week!

Best,

Rosa Flynn

facebook.com/CPStoneham

September Lunch Menu with Translations

SPS 26-27 School Calendar (Revised 6/25/26)

We cannot wait to welcome our preschool friends on Tuesday morning outside of Door 10 at 8:40! Please see the communication from Preschool Director Danielle Tucker HERE that includes some important last minute details about our first days together.

This year, with the help of our PTO, every child will select a book on their birthday from our Birthday Books display in the lobby. We are so excited to celebrate reading in so many ways with our students!

This school year, all Stoneham Public Schools will be sharing a One Stop Back to School Form.

The form contains questions and confirmations about:

• Demographics
• Photo Release
• Directory Notification
• Free and Reduced Meal Application
• Current contact information in our records system sign off (from the PDF attached to this email)
• Military Status
• Bullying Prevention and Response Acknowledgement
• Technology Acceptable Use Policy
• Chromebook Insurance Option
• Chromebook Policy
• Medical Information Link (This information goes to our Nurses only!)

Please complete the form linked below for each child at Colonial Park School by Tuesday, September 8.

Colonial Park One Stop Back to School Form

*First PTO Meeting - Tuesday, September 22nd, 7 p.m. - meet in the school library or virtually here: https://meet.google.com/chq-fcuy-mwd

*Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 25th, 5-7 p.m. - Join us for our first event of the year! We will have games, music, pizza for purchase AND an ice cream truck! The PTO will provide an ice cream treat for each Colonial Park student attending (families are welcome to purchase additional items). We will also have Goldie stuffed animals for sale, $20/each. Bring your picnic blanket and come hang out with your CP friends, new and old!

*SAVE THE DATE - Halloween Trunk or Treat event - Saturday, October 31st, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (rain date 11/1) - look for more information and volunteer opportunities in our PTO Happenings email!

Get Involved!

*Room Parents Needed - A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP! Room parents are caregivers who step up in each classroom to help support their teacher and class. The role of a room parent will vary by classroom, as each teacher will coordinate directly with their room parents throughout the year. Room Parents also serve as the liaison between PTO and their classroom, helping to spread information and increase engagement.

Being a Room Parent is a rewarding and fun way to engage directly with your student’s teacher, class, and fellow families! If more than 3 people express interest in being a room parent in any classroom, names will be randomly drawn. Sign up here: Room Parent Sign Up

Activity Coordinators Needed - Want to take on a leadership role?

The following coordinator positions are open for the 2026-27 school year. Please email the PTO at colonialparkpto@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions.

• Halloween Trunk or Treat - Event Coordinator
• Box Top Coordinator - at home opportunity - promote participation in the Box Top fundraising initiative
• Half Day Coordinator - at home opportunity - reach out to local businesses to set up events for students on ½ days (eg: Ceramica, Roller World, Chuck E. Cheese, etc.)
• Sign up Genius - at home opportunity - create the sign up links for events throughout the year