Waltham Independence Day Festivities
The Daily News Tribune, June 30, 2009
The Waltham Celebration Committee and Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy announce that they will be hosting two events for this year's Fourth of July Celebration. There will be a family event featuring free children's rides, pony rides, animal shows, music, food, drinks, and much more Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Prospect Hill Park, 314 Totten Pond Road. That evening at Leary Field, off Bacon Street, the Reminisants will be performing at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.  For additional information, call 781-314-3100.

• Independence Day at USA.gov

 

• Wednesday, September 2nd: First Day of New School Year
• Friday, Sept. 4th: No School
• Mon. Sept. 7th: No School - Labor Day
• Monday, September 21st: FitzGerald School Council meeting
• Thursday, September 24th: FitzGerald Open House
• Tuesday, September 29th: FitzGerald PTO meeting

Waltham Public 2009 - 2010 School Year Calendar
 

May / June 2009

• News & Notes in English
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Second Grade Multi Dimensional Project online
During the month of February, Mrs. Ebert's second graders learned about many influential Americans.  In the library they learned how to research with Ms. Finnerty.  Back in the classroom, Ms. Kersey helped them to put the results of their research into sentences.  Then Ms. Crimlisk introduced the KidPix program to the children and they brought their stories to life in this amazing audio slideshow.   Click here to view the presentation.
 

FitzGerald students join the storm tracker team
by Jeff Gilbride, The Daily News Tribune, April 15, 2009
Lisa Cassidy Photo
Students at Fitzgerald Elementary yesterday endured blizzards, hurricanes and tornadoes, but at the end of the day were no more the worse for wear.  Through the wizardry of computers, television meteorologist Harvey Leonard treated fourth- and fifth-graders to the fickleness of New England weather.  The visit fit in with the school's curriculum. Most fourth- and fifth- graders have already started or are just beginning a unit on weather.  With the help of computer imagery he uses as part of his regular forecasts, Leonard taught students about the science behind weather patterns, such as the formation of tornadoes and hurricanes.  more...

FitzGerald in the News Archives:

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Peter Azar looks back on year one at helm of Waltham schools
The Daily News Tribune, July 2, 2009
Following a challenging first year as head of Waltham public schools, Superintendent Peter Azar  reflected on the challenges and changes he's experienced over the last 11 months.  Azar also said he hopes to address several areas of concern during the 2009-10 school year, including reorganizing the structure of his administration, redistricting, and the school budget.  more...

Waltham school officials, mayor consider redistricting
The Daily News Tribune, June 28, 2009
With a growing family population in the city, parents and school officials are looking closely at how redistricting could effect classroom sizes.  Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has requested the issue of redistricting be placed on the School Committee's agenda this September and many hope to have new district lines drawn and in effect by the following school year.  more...

5 to run for 3 Waltham School Committee seats
The Daily News Tribune, June 26, 2009
Two incumbents and three challengers are vying for three open seats on the School Committee for the term beginning Jan. 3.  Incumbents Susanne McIvor and Robert Cincotta will vie against Susan Burstein, a Waltham native and chief budget officer for the city of Newton David Matayabas, a father of a Fitzgerald Elementary School student and a Cub Scout leader, and Lisa Limonciello, a mother of two and co-president of the Whittemore Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization.  Incumbent Michael O'Halloran pulled nomination papers, but yesterday said he's out of the race.  more...

School tours help calm students nerves
The Daily News Tribune, June 26, 2009
Fifth-graders from across the district poured into McDevitt and Kennedy middle schools yesterday for their first glimpse of sixth grade  "Come on in," said outgoing Assistant Principal Debra Gately, who held open the front door at McDevitt as students filed in from school buses. "Welcome to McDevitt."  more...

Stanley: How the school budget was restored
Boston Globe, June 23, 2009
Two weeks ago I used this space to try to clear up some of the confusion over how money for the school department could be restored to the budget. I had no idea that it would spark such activism that resulted in my opportunity to move on Monday night for unanimous restoration of the School Department’s budget. I think congratulations are in order for the parents, teachers and School Committee members who mobilized to bring about the successful results.  more...

Dedham Middle School gets a new principal
The Daily News Transcript, June 25, 2009
After 16 years as a teacher and educator in Waltham, Debra Gately says leaving her hometown to become the new principal of Dedham Middle School is "somewhat a leap of faith."  Gately, who has been the shared assistant principal of Waltham's two middle schools for the past two years, officially assumes her post July 1, but will actually start work in Dedham July 6. For her first two weeks she will work full-time during the day, and put in four additional hours, from 3 to 7 p.m., in Waltham.  more...

City Council approves $198. 2m budget
The Daily News Tribune, June 23, 2009
The City Council last night approved a $198.2 million budget that included a restoration of some $3.4 million for schools.  The council's vote to restore the $3.4 million for schools cannot be vetoed by Mayor Jeannette McCarthy.  Some councilors said the only reason they were voting for the overall budget was because they wanted to see the money restored to the schools.  More...
Related Story: City Council passes $198m budget, restores $3.4m to School Department
Boston Globe, June 23, 2009

School Committee asks council to restore budget
The Daily News Tribune, June 18, 2009
The School Committee last night called upon the City Council to restore funding to the district's budget for the next fiscal year to save faculty and staff whose jobs are on the chopping block.  Members voted to ask the council to restore roughly $3.4 million to the district's budget. 
Related Story: School Committee votes to restore $3.4 million to budget
Boston Globe, June 18, 2009

Waltham schools launch new web site
The Daily News Tribune, June 22, 2009
School officials say the new Waltham public schools Web site will unify the district online.  Officially launched last Monday, the new site easily allows parents to browse school calendars, provides access for 50 school officials to manage content and has a shorter address - www.walthampublicschools.org.  Plans are now in place to train administrators and directors on how to use the site in July and August with hopes of having it in full use by the coming school year.  more...

Waltham schools honor retirees
The Daily News Tribune, June 12, 2009
Each year, school officials honor those retiring in a special ceremony that brings together old and new teachers and faculty members.  Yesterday was no different, with one director, one house-master, one guidance counselor and three teachers marking the end of their careers in Waltham.  more...