Proctor Informational Update: Weekly Family Newsletter December 7, 2025

Posted Date: 12/07/25 (09:00 AM)

Dear Proctor Penguins and Families,

I hope you are all doing well and staying warm as we head into this early winter weather. The snow arrived a bit sooner than I expected this year, so I want to start by apologizing for not sending our winter gear reminder out earlier. Thank you for your flexibility as we make the quick shift into snow season together.

Winter Gear For Outdoor Play

At Proctor, we go outside as often as we safely can, even when there is snow on the ground. This helps our Penguins get fresh air, move their bodies, and reset for learning.

Waddles CHECKLIST, Are You Ready… To play in the snow, students need:

Warm hat
Winter coat
Snow pants
Mittens or gloves
Snow boots

Fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Dale created a fun “Winter Waddles” checklist (see attached) with Waddles all bundled up to help families remember what to pack each day. Please review the checklist and feel free to post it on your fridge or near your door as a quick morning reminder.

If a student does not have the needed gear, they will still go outside but may be asked to stay on the cleared blacktop rather than playing in the snow. If your family needs support with winter gear, please reach out to Nurse Gage, Mrs. Mahoney or your child's classroom teacher, and we will do our best to help.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and for all you do to support our Proctor Penguins.

This weekly newsletter will outline the following updates:

Save the Date
Waddling with Waddles
UniPay
Math Curriculum Slides from Math Night (attached)
5th Grade Tech Evening
MLK Event- Flyer Attached
Family Resources
PTO
NSPAC

Respectfully,

Stacy Mahoney and the Proctor Team

Upcoming Events

12/10- Waddling with Waddles

12/10- Penguin Patch Shop- see below

12/17- Proctor PTO Meeting 7pm

12/23- Early Release

12/24- 1/4- December Break- No School

1/5- Students return from December Break

1/19- MLK Day- No SCHOOL

2025-2026 School Year CALENDAR

(includes key dates like the first day of school, holidays, early release days, and professional development days)

Waddling with Waddles

We are excited to share that we are rescheduling our Waddling with Waddles morning walk this Wednesday during morning recess from 8:00 am to 8:25 am. Students will have a chance to start their day outside, moving and connecting with friends and staff.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with student supervision during Waddling with Waddles, please email Lisa Smith at proctorpto@gmail.com. We are grateful to our PTO partners and to all the families who support these community moments in various ways.

UniPay

This year, we are shifting field trip payments from the PTO to UniPay, which will streamline the process and make things easier for families. Instead of sending money through the PTO or waiting for paper forms, each field trip will now be listed individually for you to pay online.

How to access field trip payments

Visit our school website.
Click on Payments.
Select UniPay Online Payments.
Choose Northboro Online Payments.
Find your child’s specific field trip, listed separately.

From there, you can complete the payment quickly and securely. If you have any questions as we make this transition, please reach out — we’re happy to help make this as smooth as possible for everyone.

5th Grade Tech Night

Tuesday, December 16 from 3:00–5:45 PM – After-School Tech Event (5th Grade Only)

Our 5th graders will also have the opportunity to participate in a special after-school technology event right here at Proctor! This event is being led by Mrs. Parron, Mrs. Dale and a parent volunteer Mr. Abi Sampath

If your child plans to attend, please complete the sign-up form linked HERE!

Flyers can be found HERE!

If you have any questions, please reach out directly to your child's teacher.

School Delay and Winter Recess Guidelines

When there is a 2-hour school delay, students can be dropped off at 10:10 am, no breakfast will be served, and school will start at 10:25 am.

If we allow outdoor recess, and students want to play in the snow, they must bring snow pants, winter hat, gloves, and boots. If they do not, they will play on the blacktop only. Please don’t forget to pack a change of shoes if your child wears winter boots to school. It is helpful for them to also have an extra pair of socks in their backpacks.

All students will go outside unless the nurse receives a medical note from the child’s pediatrician stating the reason why the student needs to stay inside for recess. To help your child dress appropriately for the weather, we go outside for recess if the real-feel temperature is 20 degrees or higher (a combination of air temp and wind chill factor).

Resources to Support Families

For information about Local Supplemental Food Resources please use this LINK.
Raising Caring, Resilient, and Values-Guided Children (in an age of anxiety)
Mental Health Resources for Youth and their Families

Proctor PTO

Board Members Needed for '26/27 School Year.

Learn the ins and out of Proctor while helping the community! This is Lisa's last year. Email proctorpto@gmail.com for more info.

Planning on Photo Gifts or Sending Holiday Cards?

Use our Minted discount code FUNDRAISEFEPPTO

You'll save 20% off Minted holiday cards & gifts and 10% of every order with code will be donated back to the PTO.

https://www.minted.com/

DATE CHANGE

Waddle Wednesday Cheerleaders- 12/10 8-8:30am

We've rescheduled to this Wednesday- 12/10. Volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BAFA82AABF58-60129948-waddle#/

CHANGE OF DATE AND PLANS

Penguin Patch Festive Shop-Wednesday 12/10 6:30-7:30pm

Due to lack of signups, we're revising the experience. We're looking for both adult and 5th grade and volunteers.

Kids can shop for friends & family. Everything is under $15. We're looking for Volunteers (adults and 5th grade "helpers") to help students secretly shop (it's a very fun experience); run the register (easy- all automated through the program); "wrap" their presents; set up and take down. Volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BAFA82AABF58-60584561-penguin

December PTO Meeting- Wednesday, 12/17 7:15pm

Panera Bread Fundraiser-Thursday, 12/18- 4-8pm

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Lisa Smith, President

Proctor PTO 2025-2026