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Ambrose Elementary School

Inclusion - Service - Innovation

The Husky Herald

Posted Date: 11/14/25 (11:00 AM)


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Husky Herald

November 14, 2025

Dear Families,
We are excited to share some updates to our elementary report cards, beginning this term. Our goal continues to be clear, meaningful communication about your child’s growth across both academic learning and social emotional development.
Report Card Updates
This year, we have refreshed the report card to:
  • Strengthen the alignment with the Massachusetts State Standards
  • Include progress indicators for some of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) standards
  • Clarify and fine-tune the wording in our progress descriptors 

The overall structure of the report card remains the same, but you may notice some changes. These changes were made to provide greater consistency and to help families better understand their child’s progress.

Progress Descriptors
  • Meeting the Standard (M)
  • Independently Progressing (I)
  • Progressing with Support (S)
  • Making Limited Progress (L)
The chart below defines each descriptor and shows examples of what these levels might look like in the classroom. We hope the revised language and new examples make your child’s progress easier to understand at a glance.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your child’s learning. If you have questions about the report card or about your child’s progress, please reach out to your child’s teacher or principal.
Warmly,
Mrs. Phelan
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PTO Meeting November 19th

Please join the Parents Association Meeting on the 19th at 8:30 AM in the cafeteria to hear from Melissa Newell, Literacy Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent Laurie Kirby. Below is a quick note about their upcoming visit.

Welcome to Literacy Links—it’s more than a chat; it's a supportive space for our literacy family! We know you're busy, so we've packed this time with what you need most: a chance to connect with others, quick and helpful updates on local resources and happenings, inspiring ideas on how you can partner with us, and a safe, open forum to ask questions and share your wins (and worries!). We're all in this together!

Winchester Gives Back

Dear WPS Parents and Families 11/5/25
We hope you’re all doing well and preparing for the upcoming holiday season. The Winchester
Community is pleased to organize a way to support families in our town who are in need during
this time of year.
This year we will again be collaborating with Winchester Gives Back who raises money to
donate gift cards for your children who attend any of the Winchester Public Schools .
Enclosed you will find a “basic information form” that will allow us to connect with you. This
year we only need to know how many children you have and what schools they attend.
Please complete the form as soon as possible and return to Amber Haines, and/ or Nicole
Dieuseul, Adjustment Counselors in the Guidance Department at WHS. You can email the
information to Amber or Nicole, or drop off in the main office at WHS. We will not be able to
accept forms that are returned later than December 3, 2025. This date is very important to
follow as we want to be able to get the gift cards to you in sufficient time for you to shop for the
holidays.
Please note that gift card pick up will be on:
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 between 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-6:00 pm @ WHS.
We look forward to hearing from you and please do not hesitate to contact me with questions
or concerns.
Sincerely,
Amber Haines & Nicole Dieuseul
WHS Adjustment Counselors
Email forms to: wpscounselors@gmail.com

Upcoming Spirit Week

To celebrate the upcoming holiday week we will have an Ambrose Spirit Week the week of November 24th. Please see below for details.

Monday, November 24th - Wear Ambrose Colors

Tuesday, November 25th - Wear your favorite team shirt

Wednesday, November 26th- Wear town colors red and black

Two Opportunities to Support Our Community


Dear Families,
I hope you are doing well and enjoying the fall season. I wanted to share two upcoming opportunities for our school community to come together and support others during the holiday season.

Food Drive for the Woburn Council for Social Concern

Next week, we will begin collecting non-perishable food items to support the Woburn Council for Social Concern. Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby from November 1st through November 20th. Items will be delivered to the Food Pantry on November 21st. Your generosity will help provide meals for families in need.
Please see the list below for suggested items by grade level.
Grade K Fruit Juice (apple, cranberry or grape)
Grade 1: Large boxes of Instant Mashed Potatoes
Grade 2: Stuffing and/or Rice mix
Grade 3: Cans of Cranberry Sauce and Fruit
Grade 4: Jars of Turkey Gravy and Chicken Broth
Grade 5: Bread, Cake, Bread & Brownie Mix
Staff: Cans of Peas & Corn, Coffee/Tea/Hot Cocoa

Toys for Tots Collection
Thank you to Husky Evie Galetta who asked to meet with me to propose that we collect toys this holiday season for less fortunate students in our community. I was so proud of Evie's initiative and concern for others. She truly emulates the spirit of a Husky.

Thanks to Evie we are excited to participate in Toys for Tots this year! Please send in your new, unwrapped toys be to dropped off at the main office through December 15th. There will be a large collection box located in the foyer. This is a wonderful way for our students to experience the joy of giving.
Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of others. Our school community continues to show such kindness and care, and I am so proud of the example our students set when they reach out to help others.
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Ambrose Upcoming Events


Flannel Shirt Friday
Wear a fun shirt or a flannel shirt on Fridays in November!

Community News
  • Winchester Gives Back: Annual Donation Drive | Donations Due by Friday, December 5 | Help Bring Joy to Kids in Need: Your generosity makes a difference. Financial donations will be used to purchase Target gift cards which will be paired with Market Basket gift cards supplied at the Winchester Got Lunch program. | Flyer
  • The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE): Fall Gala, Masquerade for the Minds, Saturday, November 15. Flyer; Webpage; Tickets
Online Auction Opens Friday, November 7 | Flyer
Example calendar with dates pinned
Bright Idea on a cork board

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! Please note that all items will be donated at the end of each month.
Thank you for your help! 😊

Grateful Gobbler

During the month of November all students met with their buddies and shared what they are grateful for. November is a time for giving thanks and showing how grateful we are for one another.
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Tentative MCAS Dates

Please note the dates below for spring MCAS testing. These dates are subject to change.
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Important Upcoming Dates


November
November 19th, 2025 PTO Community MEETING
November 26, 2025 Early Release 11:25 am 
Nov 27 - Nov 28 2025 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break 

December

December 12, 2025 Early Release 11:25
December 19, 2025 Begin Winter Break
Dec 22, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026 NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

January
January 5, 2026 Return to School 
January 19, 2026 NO SCHOOL 
January 30, 2026 5th Grade SleepUnder @ Ambrose

February
February 6, 2026 Early Release Professional Development
February 9, 2026 Kindergarten Registration Begins
February 11, 2026 Winter Concert 5:30 pm Grade 4 and 5
February 12, 2026 Winter Concert Snow Date for Grades 4 and 5
February 16-20, 2026 February Vacation

Helpful Links

 
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Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

  • aphelan@winchesterps.org (Principal)
  • bkirkpatrick@winchesterps.org (Administrative Assistant)
  • GKeating@winchesterps.org (Assistant Principal)
  • TCarco@winchesterps.org (Special Education Supervisor)