Early Steps Updates March 13, 2026

Posted Date: 03/13/26 (04:00 PM)

Early Steps Updates

Image of a corgi puppy wearing a W on its collar.

Hello School Community

Welcome to this 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.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Early Steps community and for your continued partnership.

Spring Conference Flier with dates and times

Spring Conferences

Earlier today, your child’s classroom teacher shared a schedule for our upcoming conferences.

Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn more about your child’s progress, and discuss the many ways they are learning and developing at school.

Conference dates are as follows:

Thursday, March 19 – Conferences
Friday, March 20 – Early Release & Conferences (dismissal at 11:45 AM and 12:00 PM)
Wednesday, March 25 – Conferences
Thursday, March 26 – Early Release & Conferences (dismissal at 11:45 AM and 12:00 PM)

When signing up, please indicate whether you would prefer your conference to be held in person or virtually.

Thank you for your partnership. We look forward to meeting with you!

Early Release

To support our upcoming conferences, we will have early release days on Friday, March 20 and Thursday, March 26.

Dismissal times will be:

11:45 AM - Students at Early Steps Preschool and PreK
12:00 PM - Students at Cunniff, Hosmer, and Lowell PreK

These early release days allow our teachers time to connect with caregivers and share student progress.

WPS Flyer Rock Your Socks with text - March 20, 2026 join us by wearing your most unique, mismatched pair of socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day

Rock Your Socks - World Down Syndrome - three colorful socks on a clothesline with the Down Syndrome ribbon

World Down Syndrome Day

Why does World Down Syndrome Day take place annually on March 21st?

Chromosomes are tiny structures in our bodies that help determine how we grow and develop. They are often described as looking a bit like socks, which is why colorful, fun, or mismatched socks have become a symbol for World Down Syndrome Day.
People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome, and wearing bright or mismatched socks is one way for people around the world to raise awareness and celebrate inclusion, respect, and the strengths of individuals with Down Syndrome.
March 21st was chosen as World Down Syndrome Day because it represents the third month and the 21st day (3/21) symbolizing the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is what causes Down Syndrome.

2026/2027 Waitlist Form

Our waitlist registration form is now open! If you are interested in enrolling your child in preschool or pre-kindergarten for the 2026/2027 school year, please complete the linked form.

Enrollment Waitlist Form

School mascot - corgi in the center of a circle with Watertown Public Schools Early Steps text

Information for Next Year - Kindergarten

As a reminder, all current PK4 students do not need to complete the online kindergarten registration forms.

Instead, please provide the following items:

Proof of residency: An up-to-date utility bill (electric, gas, oil, or cable) should be submitted to Tricia D’Amelio at Early Steps main office (1 Concord Road) or via email at tricia.damelio@watertown.k12.ma.us
Updated physical exam form: Please submit this to Nurse Kaitlin Reynolds at Early Steps or via email at kaitlin.reynolds@watertown.k12.ma.us

For additional information, please refer to the email sent on Wednesday, February 25 from the Early_Steps email address, which includes more details and links to the required forms. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder, as it may have been sorted there by mistake.

If the online registration form is completed, the registrar, Terri Stafford, will need to discard it, as it is not required for current PK4 students.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We’re happy to help!

Extended Day Program Information for 2026/2027

2026-2027 Extended Day Program New Student Registration period is open from May 1, 2026 through May 21, 2026.

Students with confirmed enrollment in the WPS daytime PreK program are eligible to register for this program during the new student registration period.
We have limited capacity for the Extended Day Program and space is not guaranteed.
A lottery for enrollment will be held following the 2025-2026 Extended Day Program new student registration period to determine space assignments.
Registration will be held online via Google Form. A one-time registrations fee of $100.00 per child to activate your student’s registration.

Following the lottery for enrollment, families will be notified via email on or before Friday, May 29, 2026, if their student is being offered a confirmed space in the program or if they have been waitlisted.

Absence Reporting Form