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As we gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the incredible power of gratitude and connection. At The Winston School, we are deeply thankful for each member of our community—students, parents, educators, staff, service providers, donors, and volunteers—who contribute to making our school a place where growth, understanding, and hope flourish.

Your unwavering support and dedication inspire us daily as we foster a nurturing environment that champions every student's unique strengths and potential. This season, we reflect on the collective spirit that defines Winston and strengthens our shared journey.



May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, warmth, and moments of reflection on the many blessings we share. We wish you and your loved ones a holiday rich in laughter, love, and cherished memories.

In this issue: Flag Football Game: A thrilling event showcasing students' teamwork and sportsmanship. Go Winston Bulldogs!

Pajama Day: Cozy vibes and smiles as students and staff embraced their comfy styles before the holiday break.

Coffee House Recap: A successful event featuring student performances, art, and culinary creations. Special thanks to Mr. Ocaña and the Parent Association.

New Classroom Sneak Peek: Parents and students toured the soon-to-open building; updated drop-off/pick-up procedures announced.

Middle School Holiday Banner: A festive mural, sponsored by the Del Mar Foundation, will be displayed in Del Mar Village.

New PE Teacher: Welcome Raymond “Rusty” Dudley, our new Physical Education teacher!

Sideline Store Launch: Shop personalized Winston spirit wear now, with 20% off using code SPIRIT20.

Spring Break High School Trip Reminder: Sign up by December 19 for an unforgettable trip to Boston and New York City.

Environmental Club: Students harvested fresh lettuce, showcasing sustainability and teamwork.

FAFSA Open: Seniors, file your FAFSA early for financial aid and college opportunities.

Annual Fund Campaign: Support Winston’s transformative programs by contributing to the Annual Fund today.

The 2024-2025 Winston Academic Calendar is on our website. Click here.

Saturday, November 23

~ Saturday School

Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29

~ Thanksgiving Break, No School

Saturday, November 30

~ No Saturday School

Monday, December 2

~ Classes resume. Please note the new drop-off and pick-up procedures below.

Thursday, December 5

~ College Living Experience Parent Presentation, Google Meet, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Friday, December 6

~ Middle School Winter Dance, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

~ High School Winter Dance, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

~ Dungeons & Dragons with Messrs. Jacobsen and Weber, Mx. Roberts, 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM

Saturday, December 7

~ Saturday School

Tuesday, December 10

~ Parent Association Meeting, Room 25 or via Zoom, 2:30 PM

Thursday, December 12

~ Hold the date for the Student Council-sponsored lunch fundraiser

~ Middle School Field Trip to the Del Mar branch of the San Diego County Library

Saturday, December 14

~ Saturday School

Friday, December 20

~ Dungeons & Dragons with Messrs. Jacobsen and Weber, Mx. Roberts, 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM

Saturday, December 21

~ Saturday School

Monday, December 23 - Monday, January 6

~ Winter Break, No School

Tuesday, January 7

~ Classes Resume

Ms. Shelly and Ms. Deidra are ready for Thanksgiving break!

Thank you to all our parents and special guests for joining us at The Winston School Coffee House! Thursday afternoon was filled with incredible talent, creativity, and community spirit. The event featured live student performances, captivating arts and media displays, and delicious hors d'oeuvres and dessert bites prepared by our talented Culinary Arts students. Thank you to Mr. Ocaña for organizing the event and guiding the students.

Live Performances

A particular highlight of the Coffee House was the array of live performances by our students:

• Naia S. (12th) - “Stay” by Rihanna
• Rene V. (10th) - Original song on guitar
• Emma A. (8th) - “Magical Cure Love” by Hatsune Miku
• Lucas K. (11th) - “Sugar” by System of a Down
• Harrison S. (6th) - Original Story, “The Creepy Night”
• Daniel M. S. (12th) - “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Arts & Media Showcases

• Digital Media: A showcase of student projects from Digital Media 1 & 2 classes.
• Art Department: Stunning student artwork from grades 6-12 was displayed.
• Culinary Arts:
• Hors d’oeuvres: Pigs in a Blanket, Deviled Eggs, and Mini Caprese Sandwiches.
• Treats: Brown Butter Rice Krispy Treats and Pumpkin Loaf.
• Warhammer Club: Creative miniature armies in progress, including:
• Quincy T. (11th) - The Sons of Agatha
• Alex M. (12th) - The Thousand Sons
• Mr. Jacobsen - The Space Wolves
• Mr. Weber - The Dark Angels

Community Appreciation

We are deeply grateful to our Parent Association for their generous support in providing snacks and juice, for volunteering their time to help set up the event, and for Starbucks for donating coffee.



Thank you for making this event a memorable celebration of our students' creativity and talent!

Parents and special guests enjoyed an exclusive sneak peek of Winston’s newest classroom building, scheduled to open on Monday, December 2. We were incredibly thankful for the support from some of our founding board members and donors. (Our team includes the smallest of workers, including Principal Kelsey Garrison’s 5-year-old daughter, Della.)

Students had the opportunity to tour the new facility today and eagerly anticipate learning in their new classrooms.

After the break, updated drop-off and pick-up procedures will be implemented:

• A indicates where bus drop-off and pick-up will be and
• B indicates where parent drop-off and pick-up will occur.

Bus Drop-Off/Pick-Up: All buses and rideshare vehicles will drop off/pick up in the front parking lot utilizing the Stratford Court ramp entrance (A on the map). Drivers will exit on 9th Street.

Parent Driver Drop-Off/Pick-Up: Parents of students should drop off/pick up in the back parking lot (B on the map). Parents should utilize the Stratford Court ramp to drop off/pick up their students and remain in their vehicles. A staff member will welcome students on campus and guide them to their ride at dismissal.

Parents should exit the back parking lot at the south exit.

Our middle school students proudly present their holiday mural, sponsored by the Del Mar Foundation. Watch for it at one of your favorite Del Mar Village merchants this holiday season!

Name: Raymond (Rusty) Dudley

Title:  Physical Education Teacher

What are you teaching this year or what is your new role? Physical Education Teacher

What should the students call you? Mr. Dudley 

What brought you to Winston? It was a great opportunity to teach PE to the students here at Winston.

Hometown: Carlsbad

Favorite Sport, Book, or Music: Football

In your free time: I enjoy spending time with my family and coaching my kids' sports teams.

Fun Fact: I have lived in 5 states in my life.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of The Winston School Sideline Store! This is your go-to spot for personalized spirit wear and accessories from all your favorite brands.

Grand Opening Special: Enjoy 20% OFF for a limited time with the code SPIRIT20!

Happy Shopping, Winston Fans!



» Shop your WINSTON SCHOOL Sideline Store

Upcoming Events:

Winter Dance on Friday, December 6th

• Middle School: 1:00-2:30 PM, High School: 2:30-4:00 PM.
• Activities will include a photo booth and festival-style booths with games like Corn Hole, Connect 4, Giant Jenga, and Minute to Win It challenges.
• Students can win raffle tickets for participating, with prizes.
• Parent set-up before the event is needed.
• Committee Members Leading Efforts: Edye Harding, Stacey Wallach, Nicole Schere, Christine Bachelor, and Desiree Sakow.

Community Holiday Drive in support of PATH–People Assisting the Homeless

• Led by Nicole Schere, the drive will include donations of new adult-sized fleece blankets and homemade cookie donations
• The Student Council and Mentor Club will coordinate to maximize impact.

Parents interested in participating or helping can sign up for contributions and support through our website's Give Now tab or the Sign-Up Genius Link. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support as we plan meaningful and memorable experiences for our students!

We’re thrilled by the positive response to our rescheduled spring trip announcement! This unique opportunity to explore Boston and New York City with our students promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with discovery, learning, and connection.



As a reminder, the trip will take place during spring break, from Monday, March 31, to Friday, April 4, 2025. Our partnership with another school enriches the experience by fostering new friendships and helps make the trip more affordable for all participants.

Next Steps

If you haven’t already, be sure to:

1. Sign up by the deadline: Thursday, December 19, 2024.

• Use our Tour Center ID: Winston-2024 to register and access detailed trip information here.

2. Mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting journey!

For any questions or additional information, please contact Mary Sterling-Torretti at maryst@thewinstonschool.org.

We can’t wait to share this adventure with our students and appreciate your support in making it a reality. Thank you for helping us create meaningful, life-enriching experiences for the Winston community.

Last week, representatives from The Winston School, including Executive Director Kim Kanetis, participated in the San Diego Nonprofit Academy, a two-day program hosted by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego in partnership with the Conrad Prebys Foundation and U.S. Bank. The event took place on Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16, 2024, at USD's School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES).

The academy brought together nonprofit professionals from across the region for a series of core courses and electives taught by leading experts in nonprofit management. Topics covered included effective board governance, strategic thinking, financial management, program design and evaluation, and personal leadership.

Winston representatives engaged in interactive workshops designed to strengthen small-to-midsize nonprofit organizations like ours. The comprehensive program offered valuable insights into strategies for growing organizational impact, enhancing operational efficiency, and positioning nonprofits for greater funding opportunities. The team also took advantage of networking opportunities during the Friday session, connecting with fellow nonprofit leaders and sharing Winston’s story.

The highlight of the event included discussions about sustainable program development and evaluation, aligning perfectly with Winston’s commitment to empowering students with diverse learning needs and supporting their academic and personal growth.

Special thanks to The Nonprofit Institute, the Conrad Prebys Foundation, and U.S. Bank for hosting this impactful event and providing a platform for learning and collaboration among nonprofits working to make a difference in San Diego.

We look forward to applying these new tools and insights to further Winston’s impact on students and their families!

Environmental Club representatives proudly showcase their freshly harvested lettuces, grown with care and dedication, in our school garden—an inspiring reminder of the rewards of teamwork and sustainable practices!

Important Information for Winston Seniors:

• If you plan to attend college in Fall 2025, your FAFSA should be filed before the priority deadline of March 2, 2025—but the sooner, the better! Click here to begin!

Helpful Tips:

FAFSA is Required for Free Tuition at Community Colleges:

• Regardless of parental income, all students must complete the FAFSA to qualify for two years of free tuition at a community college.

You May Qualify for Additional Aid:

• Filing the FAFSA takes as little as 20 minutes.
• With the increased income threshold for California's Middle-Class Scholarship, more families than ever may qualify for financial assistance.

Parent and Student Accounts Are Required:

• Both you and your student must create separate FAFSA accounts and link them using a PIN.

Need Help?

I’m happy to assist you! We can meet to walk through the application process together if you'd like. While the FAFSA is straightforward, I can help answer any questions.

For additional guidance, check out the slideshow linked here with detailed information about the application process and financial aid opportunities.

Additional resource: https://www.csac.ca.gov/middle-class-scholarship



Let’s make sure you’re ready for college!

Ashley Pallisco

Financial Algebra/College & Career Readiness

Transition Coordinator 

ashley.pallisco@thewinstonschool.org

Heroes Needed: Join Us in Transforming the Future

At The Winston School, every student is a hero in the making, and every community member plays a vital role in shaping their future. By contributing to The Winston School Annual Fund, you join a team of dedicated heroes—parents, alums, grandparents, faculty, and friends—whose generosity empowers students with diverse learning styles to discover their strengths and succeed.

Winston is more than a school; it’s where students grow into their potential. Our transformative, strength-based programs foster resilience, creativity, and confidence, preparing students to take on the challenges of tomorrow. It’s a journey of self-discovery, supported by caring teachers like Mr. Anderson, who shared:

"I’ve had a wonderful time teaching drama at Winston. It means so much to me to positively impact students’ lives and help them find new ways to express themselves using theater. The school offers a supportive, collaborative environment that helps the students find their talents and passions, and it has been a privilege to be part of that."

With your help, we can continue to provide this nurturing environment and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Like many non-public, private schools, tuition alone does not cover the total cost of a Winston education. Your gift to the Annual Fund bridges this critical gap, sustaining the exceptional programs and personalized learning experiences that define Winston.

We know many worthy causes to support, and we hope you consider prioritizing The Winston School this year. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. All contributions are fully tax-deductible and directly impact our students' futures.

Be a hero today. Help us shape the heroes of tomorrow.

Thank you for your support!

Game day success! 🌟 The Winston School Bulldogs triumphed over Sierra School of San Diego in a thrilling flag football match at Shores Park. 🏈 The beautiful day was made even better by Culinary Arts’ mouthwatering barbecue feast! 🍔🌭 #GoBulldogs #Teamwork #GameDayEats

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