Husky Herald September 5th

Posted Date: 9/05/25 (10:00 AM)

Husky Herald

September 5, 2025

Huskies Have Arrived

Hello Everyone,

We had such an amazing start to the school year. It was wonderful to have all of our Huskies back in the building. The energy and excitement your children bring to school has filled our classrooms and hallways with happiness. Transitions back to school from summer fun can feel big—for both students and families—and your positivity set the tone for success.

Thank you to the parents association for providing us with a delicious lunch and for the

encouragement, and support you’ve shown as we begin this new school year.

As we look ahead, I encourage you to stay connected with your child’s teacher and with our school community.

We are so proud of our Huskies and grateful for our school-home connection . As a staff we are looking forward to celebrating learning throughout the year.

Best.

Mrs. Phelan and Mrs. Keating

Elementary Handbook

Please see the Winchester Public Schools Elementary Handbook. Please keep this link so you can access the information during the school year. Please note the updated cell phone/smartwatch policy on page ten.

School Hours

Our School Hours are from 8:05 am to 2:25 pm. School Doors Open at 8:00 am

Students must be supervised by their parents/guardian before and after school hours as there is no staff supervision.

Early Dismissal/Early Release Days

Early dismissal Hours are 8:05 am to 11:25am

Building Safety Protocol

*For the safety of our community, our school doors will remain locked at all times. All visitors must use the main entrance of the school and sign-in to get a visitors badge in the main office.

Community Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Morning supervision begins at 8:00 AM. For safety reasons, please do not drop off your child(ren) before this time as staff supervision is not available. Below are the designated arrival and dismissal procedures by grade level. Your child’s classroom teacher will also provide specific information regarding arrival and dismissal routines.

Once the morning bell rings, we kindly ask all parents and caregivers to leave school grounds promptly. This helps ensure a smooth and safe start to the day and supports students in building independence with their morning routines.

Arrival and Dismissal Locations by Grade:

Kindergarten: Enter and exit through the cafeteria door.
Grades 1 & 2: Line up at the front of the school and use the main entrance for both arrival and dismissal.
Grades 3 & 4: Line up on the playground hardtop and use the playground door for both arrival and dismissal.
Grade 5: Line up on the playground hardtop and enter through the playground door. For dismissal, students will exit through the Sanborn side door.

Please note: All playground areas are closed before school, and during arrival and dismissal times. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.

For more information, please review the Arrival and Dismissal Policy

Breakfast Information

We will have breakfast available for students beginning on Monday. Please note that breakfast begins at 7:45 (no earlier) and students who are not there to eat breakfast will be directed to wait in the school yard until the school day begins and doors open at 8:00am. As a reminder there is no supervision outside before school. If you are in need of before school care, please consider Kidsborough. You can find out more information regarding Kidsborough here.

Bus Transportation Information

Bus Transportation

WPS families can use our Aspen Family Portal to register their students for bus transportation. winchesterps.org/transportation.

Bus Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

All students who ride the bus will be dropped off at the front of the building. Upon arrival, they will be supervised and supported by staff until the school day begins at 8:00 a.m.

Please ensure your child brings their bus pass to school each day. For convenience, we recommend attaching the pass securely to their backpack or school bag.

At dismissal, staff will assist students in safely finding and boarding their assigned buses.

School News and Updates 2025-2026:

As we begin the new school year, below is some important information for your reference. Please keep this email handy. You can also find additional details on our school website and in the weekly PTO Newsletter—both are great resources to keep you informed throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you all soon as we kick off another exciting year at Ambrose!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram: @ambroseelementary

Reporting Student Absences

Absences, Tardies and Dismissals

Absences, Tardies and Dismissals

If your child is going to be absent, tardy or dismissed please call the school office as soon as you can at 781-721-7012 and dial “1” as prompted to leave a message. Or you can email your child’s teacher and our new Ambrose absent email: ambroseabsentline@winchesterps.org.

Students who arrive AFTER 8:10 am, must enter through the front main door and get a tardy slip.

After arrivals and dismissals, all doors are locked.

Important

If your child’s regular pick-up arrangements change at the last minute, please make every effort to call the school office before 12:00 noon so that we can get the message to your child’s teacher in a timely manner and with minimal classroom disruptions. Our administrative assistant is Barbara Kirkpatrick You can reach her at BKirkpatrick@winchesterps.org.

Being on time for school and having consistent attendance is essential for building strong academic foundations and healthy school habits. When children attend school regularly, they are more engaged in learning, build stronger relationships with teachers and peers, and develop the routines that support long-term success. Every day counts—missing even a few days can impact a child’s confidence and progress. Let’s work together to set your child up for a strong and successful school year!

Upcoming Events

September School Pictures

Our School Picture Days will be held on September 15th and 16th.

Please stay tuned for more information from your child’s teacher regarding the specific day their class will have pictures taken as well as ordering information.

Save the Date for our Ambrose Open House

Our Ambrose Open House will be held on Thursday, October 16th. Our Open House is a student led event so there is no need to get a babysitter. Please look for details from your classroom teacher.

Important Reminders

Pets on School Grounds

For the safety and comfort of all students, dogs are not permitted on school property. We understand that many children are fearful of dogs, so we kindly ask that you refrain from bringing pets during arrival and dismissal. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Lost and Found

To help us return lost belongings to their rightful owners, please be sure to label all of your child’s items with their full name. Last year, we donated many gently used items—beautiful coats, sweatshirts, and sweaters—to ENKA simply because they were unclaimed. We’d much rather return them to you!

Thank you for your help! 😊