WFS Newsletter: Together We Succeed! |
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From the Desk of the WFS Program Coordinator |
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Dear Friends,
A new school year always seems to accompany feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and anticipation. Whether you are a child or an adult learner, there is an eagerness to begin a new educational adventure. These same feelings are also shared by teachers and educators ready to welcome learners into the classrooms. I share these emotions at Waltham Family School and cannot wait to have families engaged and learning.
The summer was filled with many educational and engaging learning opportunities for families. It was offered with several community partners such as Healthy Waltham, Family ACCESS of Newton, Early Intervention, and Waltham Public Library. As you will see throughout this newsletter, the success of Waltham Family School is mainly due to the collaborative efforts of community partnerships to support Waltham's multilingual immigrant families. We will continue these partnerships throughout the year and invite anyone who reads this newsletter to join us in our efforts to create a vibrant and united community.
I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and learning more about the many facets of the Waltham Family School. I invite you to come to Coffee and Conversation hosted at Waltham Family School, where you can meet our learners and see firsthand the wonderful happenings of the school. I look forward to meeting you throughout the year.
Warmly,
Jackie Herrera
Program Coordinator
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Happenings at Waltham Family School |
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One of our favorite moments is Graduation at the Waltham Family School.
In June we presented certificates to the graduating parents and to the eight preschoolers who are going to kindergarten. Mayor Jeannette McCarthy and Superintendent of the Waltham Public Schools, Dr. Brian Reagan joined us in celebrating the successes of the WFS families.
The WFS Preschool children gave a special performance for the guests.
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The summer program offered activities with different community partners. Families were invited to join all or some of the sessions, and one family had perfect attendance at all the summer events!
Special thanks to Healthy Waltham, Family ACCESS of Newton, Early Intervention, and Waltham Public Library, who collaborated to offer lots of summer fun for WFS families.
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The Waltham Family School benefited from the creative and enthusiastic interns from the Waltham Partnership for Youth. Darlin and Gabriela, rising Waltham High School sophomores, did terrific work with WFS families while preparing for the coming school year.
We wish them happy learning this school year.
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This spring WFS parents utilized their Chromebooks to register their children for Kindergarten, one of the main WFS goals.
The Chromebooks not only provide access to excellent learning tools and resources but also offer WFS parents new employment opportunity skills and access to online resources needed for family and community life.
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Friends have purchased 20 Chromebooks for new WFS parents enrolled this year. We are excited to see what projects they will work on this year.
You can help close the digital divide when you donate to the Friends of the Waltham Family School.
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In the week before classes began, the WFS staff invited WFS families to get to know one another and talk about the school year, and their expectations. We had lots of great conversations and learned about families' traditions, favorite treats, and recipes.
The Preschool teachers performed a puppet show about getting ready for school and the separation between the preschoolers and their parents. This new initiative is a part of the social-emotional curriculum, which the early childhood mental health clinician, Laura, has added to the program.
The WFS staff works hard to establish a safe and supportive environment for WFS families to learn.
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The Waltham Family School had its first day of school during the last week of September. We follow the calendar for Waltham Creative Start, starting later than the Waltham Public Schools. All of the 34 enrolled families, except for one family with a sick child, came to school.
Parents and staff were nervous and excited to begin our new educational journey together and the day went well. We did icebreakers and got to know each other better.
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Waltham Family School attended Brandeis' VolunteerFest in September, hosted by the Department of Community Service. It was a great opportunity to connect with Brandeis students and share volunteer opportunities in Waltham. We even met a WFS alumna, who now works at Brandeis.
Special thanks to Community Service for donating supplies for health kits, which were assembled by the guests at VolunteerFest. Each WFS family will receive a kit complete with a thermometer, masks for adults and children, hand sanitizer, and tissues.
COVID-19 is still impacting families' lives and we encourage families and staff to take precautions, check their temperatures, and stay home when not feeling well.
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Volunteer Orientation 2022 |
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Did you know that the Waltham Family School relies on volunteers to fully support all of the WFS learners, whether they are preschoolers or adults? Last year 18 volunteers contributed nearly 500 hours of their time during the school year. Prior to the pandemic, volunteers logged nearly 2,500 hours annually.
To get a head start this year, the Waltham Family School hosted a Volunteer Orientation to meet potential volunteers and talk about how we can work together. Fourteen people joined us to learn more, including six Bentley University students shown above.
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer application, and we will get in touch with you. |
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Waltham Family School has enrolled 34 families and 18 children in the preschool this school year. Although we have enrolled more families than we technically have space for, there are still 20 families on the waiting list. There continues to be a need for high-quality early childhood education and English literacy programs in Waltham.
Families this year come from Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
We continue to accept families on the waiting list in order to reach all Waltham families who can benefit from the Waltham Family School. If you know families with a parent who wants to learn English, AND a child 3-5 years old and/or a child who entered Kindergarten in September 2022, invite them to call us at 781-314-5696 to get started.
We have Spanish and Portuguese speakers available.
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Waltham Family School in the Community |
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This summer we were offered two great projects by youth who want to make a difference in our community.
Andrew, a Wayland High senior, built two new computers for his National Honor Society Service Project. The computers will be given to older children in need of a computer at home.
Nathan, a Lexington scout, built a cozy reading nook for the WFS library for his Eagle Scout project. This corner will allow families to spend time reading together before and after school.
Thank you to both Andrew and Nathan for being amazing role models.
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Running Brook Camps Donation |
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Did you know that Running Brook Camps offer scholarships to WFS children who want to attend summer camp? This year 36 children had a wonderful time at camp.
Gonzalo, a rising sophomore student at Brandeis, was a camp counselor. This was a happy connection for many WFS parents, who met Gonzalo as an intern in the ESOL I classroom in the spring.
Running Brook campers outdid themselves this year when they donated dozens of backpacks, school supplies, and children's winter clothing to ensure children and parents were ready for school this year. WFS staff and FWFS were thrilled to receive the many items. Thank you to ALL the campers who think of others.
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Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month |
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Did you know that September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month?
The Waltham Family School plans activities that reflect families' cultures and heritage during the next few weeks.
Are you interested in books addressing the immigrant experience? We highly recommend Solito by Javier Zamora.
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Fun fact: Frank Rubio (right) is the first Salvadoran-American to go to space on the International Space Station. |
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Get to know the Waltham Family School |
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Please welcome three new staff members to the Waltham Family School.
Jane Ansin has joined as the new ESOL II teacher. Jane has over 12 years of experience working with adult English learners and is an educational leader with solid experience in urban education.
Additionally, WFS has hired two bilingual preschool assistants who are recent WFS alumni with excellent leadership skills. Please welcome Sara Ixam and Glenda Fernandez, who are involved in their children's schools and know firsthand the needs and strengths of the immigrant community. The WFS preschool will benefit from their unrivaled ability to relate to WFS families and their creative skills.
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Waltham Family School celebrated Sons and Daughters Day over the summer. Take a look. |
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A note from the Friends of the WFS President |
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Hello Friends!
October is here, and the FWFS is ready to get to work to support WFS in its 20th year of operation! In this letter, I wanted to share highlights from the summer, plan for the year, and make sure you mark your calendars for this year’s events.
Highlights. In July, FWFS celebrated the first five WFS Scholarship Fund award winners. All five have started college this fall! They attend Bentley University, Brandeis University, Clark Atlanta University, Salem State University, and Wentworth Institute.
Simply Business is partnering with FWFS for their Global Giving Back Trek. The campaign is run by four US trekkers going on a fantastic trip to Iceland in November. The trekkers have raised far beyond their fundraising goal of $16,000!!! Read more below or visit https://bit.ly/sbglobaltrek.
Planning. The FWFS is launching a year-long strategic planning effort to support the future of the WFS. This plan will align as much as possible with the Waltham Public Schools' strategic planning. The Friends will share more information at the FWFS Annual Meeting in October.
Upcoming Events. Here are three events, where I hope to see you!
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Coffee & Conversation: Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 10:00 AM. See Waltham Family School in action. You have a unique chance to meet WFS parents and receive a tour of the Waltham Family School. Sign up here
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FWFS Annual Meeting: Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 6:30 PM. Brian Reagan, Waltham Public Schools' Superintendent, will reflect on the state of education in Waltham. Get an update from Jackie Herrera, WFS Program Coordinator, on the exciting plans for the school year. The Friends of the Waltham Family School will share an update on its work. Sign up here
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20th Birthday Fiesta for Waltham Family School. Thursday, March 16, 2023. Please save the date and plan to join us as we celebrate this important milestone!
Best,
Tracy McMahon
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Friends of the WFS News & Events |
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Open for Applications! WFS Scholarship Fund |
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¿Es usted una ex-alumna de WFS que está tomando clases u obteniendo una certificación? ¿Sabía que puede aplicar para la Beca de WFS que puede ayudarle a cubrir los gastos de su matrícula, libros, transporte o cuidado de niños? A continuación está el enlace para aplicar y obtener más información.
Are you a WFS alumna taking classes or getting training for yourself? Did you know that you can apply to the WFS Scholarship Fund to pay for tuition, transportation, childcare, or books?
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First WFS Scholarship Fund Awards |
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Five Waltham High School graduates who began their educational journey in the Waltham Family School were awarded the first WFS Scholarship Fund awards.
All five have started college this fall! They attend Bentley University, Brandeis University, Clark Atlanta University, Salem State University, and Wentworth Institute.
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The FWFS Board, WFS staff, and the award winners and families came together in July to present each graduate with $500 and many congratulations. We are so proud of them and wish them the best in their next step on their educational journeys. |
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Coffee & Conversation
Coffee & Conversation is back in-person! Please join us to learn about changes and meet new staff at this great breakfast program. You get a special chance to see the school in action.
Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, October 20, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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FWFS Annual Meeting
Join the Friends to get an update on all the exciting news at the Waltham Family School. You will hear Brian Reagan, Superintendent of Waltham Public Schools, reflect on this moment in relation to the pandemic, WPS strategic planning, and awaiting completion of the new high school. What does it mean for early childhood education and parent engagement?
Jackie Herrera will also share her vision for the Waltham Family School and her first full-year experience in the role of Program Coordinator.
This will be a hybrid meeting. Please register for both in-person or virtual attendance.
FWFS Annual Meeting
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
6:30 – 8:00 PM
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20th Birthday Fiesta! for WFS - Save the date
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After two years of producing virtual events, the Friends are excited to host an in-person Fiesta! for Waltham Family School in 2023. It will be even grander as we celebrate the 20th Birthday of the Waltham Family School.
Save the date
20th Birthday Fiesta for Waltham Family School
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall
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Seeking Fiesta Committee Members.
Do you want to join a fun group of people committed to the success of the Waltham Family School? The Fiesta Committee will meet monthly to invite sponsors and auction donations. Do you know people and have ideas for this event? We provide guidance, templates, and suggestions to make it easy for you.
Email us to get more details about planning for this great event.
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Simply Business Global Giving Back Trek |
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Jackie Herrera and Anne Dugan had the pleasure of presenting to Simply Business earlier this month.
Six employees from the UK and four from the US have been selected to trek through Iceland and (hopefully) see the northern lights, from November 2 to November 6.
The four US trekkers have been hard at work fundraising for the Waltham Family School. Not only have the US trekkers reached their fundraising target of $16,000, but they have exceeded it by nearly $2,000!
Congratulations on setting an amazing example for not just your co-workers but us all.
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Shown above: Anne Dugan, Rebecca Cyr, Jackie Herrera and Vanessa Gobiel
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We would love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions about this newsletter. Send us an email.
Thanks for reading!
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