Early Steps Weekly October 4, 2025

Posted Date: 10/04/25 (8:30 AM)

Early Steps Updates

Weekly Newsletter

Hello School Community

Welcome to this week's edition of the Early Steps Newsletter! We're excited to share the latest happenings and updates from our school community to keep you informed and engaged.

School News and Updates

We’re so proud of how wonderfully our students are transitioning into the school routine! Every day, they’re learning new things, exploring their environment with curiosity, and enjoying stories that spark their imagination.

Our new mascot, a corgi, is currently with the graphic designer, and we’re hopeful to share an image of our mascot with our community very soon!

Thank you, families, for your continued support. We truly appreciate all that you do to help our students thrive. Together, we’re making this a fantastic start to the school year!

Open Enrollment - Preschool

Please share the news!

We’re happy to announce that enrollment is now open for our Preschool Program at Early Steps!

If you know a family looking for a nurturing and engaging environment where young children can learn, explore, and grow, please let them know about our program. We’d be thrilled to welcome them into our Early Steps Family!

Children must be three years old to register. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to reach out!

For more information on enrollment, please contact us at tricia.damelio@watertown.k12.ma.us or visit our website watertown.k12.ma.us.

Colorful image of preschool children with a title preschool openings.

Parent Teacher Organization

We are excited to explore the possibility of starting a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) at Early Steps!

A PTO is a great way to build strong connections between families and staff, support school activities, and create meaningful opportunities for parent/family involvement. The goal of the PTO would be to enhance the Early Steps experience for all students by organizing events, supporting classroom needs, and fostering a welcoming school community. If you're interested in helping us get this started or would like to learn more, please reach out to me at christine.gibelli@watertown.k12.ma.us.

Bicycle Helmets

We extend our sincere thanks to Children's Hospital for their generous donation of bicycle helmets to our school!

If you would like a helmet sent home with your child, please let their classroom teacher know. Helmets are scheduled to be sent home on Monday, October 6.

Helmet Details:

Size: Small
Colors: Blue, white, and black

Safety first! Thanks again to Children’s Hospital for helping us keep our students and community safe!

Polling Location Change

The City of Watertown will no longer be using the Elementary or Middle Schools as polling locations for the upcoming local election on November 4, 2025.

Please note:

Your polling location may have changed based on your voter registration address.
Check your updated polling location by visiting: watertown-ma.gov/votinglocations

Questions?

Contact the City Clerk’s Office:

cityclerk@watertown-ma.gov

617-715-8686

Post-it note with friendly reminder text

Absence Reporting Form

Upcoming Events

WPS 2025 - 2026 School Year Calendar

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, October 6 - Conference sign-ups will be sent home electronically
Monday, October 13 - No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day
Wednesday, October 15 - School Picture Day
Wednesday, October 22, Evening Conferences - 4-6pm
Thursday, October 23, Early Release - 11:45 dismissal Early Steps, 12:00 Hosmer, Lowell, and Cunniff
Thursday, October 23, Afternoon Conferences
Thursday, October 30 - Evening Conferences 5-7pm
Friday, October 31 - Early Release - 11:45 dismissal Early Steps, 12:00 Hosmer, Lowell, and Cunniff
Friday, October 31 - Afternoon Conferences

Preschool Tuition Reminders

Preschool tuition payments are due on or before the first of every month - September through June.

Caregivers have the following options for making a payment:

Online through ParentSquare
Drop off payment at the drop box at the Phillips building or at Early Steps at Hosmer. If paying by check, please make a check payable to "Town of Watertown" and include your child’s name on the memo line.
Mail check to Early Steps School attn: Tricia D’Amelio. If paying by check, please make a check payable to "Town of Watertown" and include your child’s name on the memo line.

Parents/Caregivers will receive an email with an invoice attached approximately 10 days prior to the tuition due date.

Tuition Costs:

3-days a week 8:00AM - 12:00PM - $425/month

5-days a week 8:00AM - 1:00PM - $885/month

5-days a week 8:00AM - 12:00PM - $707/month

For more information, contact: Administrative Assistant, Tricia D’Amelio @ Tricia.DAmelio@watertown.k12.ma.us