In this issue…Happy Holidays! See you in 2023! Pajama Day; New Faculty and Staff Spotlight; Spring High School Washington, DC, deadlines; Lunch Bunch; Be A Difference Maker Year-End Donations; COVID-19 testing following break; and new Sexual Assault Prevention Program, but first:

This holiday season is a chance to come together, reflect on the past year, and find the time for joy and celebration.

The resilience of our Winston family shines through every day.  Our parents and guardians have humbled us with their unwavering support and devotion as they advocate for their students.

Over and over, our teachers and staff have stepped up to support our students with steadfast dedication, commitment, and compassion.

Please enjoy your well-deserved break.  We hope you get the chance to relax, spend time with your family and friends, and return to school excited about 2023, when we will continue to honor our strengths, embrace our differences, and uplift our community.
 

Mary Sterling-Torretti, M.Ed, M.A.
Interim Head of School

Name:  Christina Smith, MA CCC/SLP

Title: Speech-Language Pathologist

What should the students call you? Christina or Mrs. Smith either works for me.

What brought you to Winston? I enjoy working with students on very functional speech and language skills, especially pragmatic social skills. I like the smaller setting so that I can really support the students I work with.

Hometown:  Valley Stream, New York, on Long Island.

Favorite book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, is a top book choice for me!

In my free time:  I run, attend spin classes, read, cook/bake, and create pottery!

Fun Fact: I played Division I soccer at St. John's University and we were Big East Champions my senior year! It was a great finish to my collegiate soccer career.

Attention Winston High School students, the tour fee increases after December 21, 2022, and reservations must be secured by January 6, 2023! 

It’s not too late to join your friends and teachers and participate in our spring high school trip to Washington, D.C., from Friday, May 26 to May 30, 2023. You can find the trip details here or speak to Mrs. Sterling-Torretti, Mr. Hart, or Mr. Jacobsen. To sign up, visit www.explorica.com/Winston-2023.

The lunch bunch, led by Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, and Counseling, escorted students today to Del Mar Pizza.  It was an excellent opportunity to socialize with one another away from school and enjoy some local pizza.

Be a Difference Maker in the lives of our Students. With the tax year coming to an end, now is the time!
 

When you participate in The Winston School Annual Fund, you help every student at Winston have a great day at school. Your efforts mean families requiring financial assistance can send their children to Winston. Because of you, our students can use the best learning supports, which allows them to overcome academic challenges. Our educators can enhance their skills through professional development opportunities that enable them to use the most innovative and effective educational methods in their classrooms. You provide access to high-quality creative programs that allow our students to fully explore their talents in new directions. Together, we create a nurturing community where our students' social, emotional, and academic needs are met.

You make our community the fantastic, vibrant place it is for our students, and we are so grateful. There are so many ways you can get involved at Winston. Financially, the Annual Fund is the primary way for you to make an immediate and tangible difference in our students' daily lives. Whether you are giving of your time, talent, or dollars, philanthropy at Winston is a critical investment in our children, programs, and community. Thank you for your generosity.

• What is the Annual Fund? Each year, The Winston School hosts an Annual Fund Campaign beginning in November, supporting the school's operations. It is entirely separate from the capital campaign, scholarship, and legal defense fund.

• What is the minimum gift amount? All gifts are greatly appreciated and truly make a difference for our small school. No amount is too small and we hope that all Winston families will participate.

• Would employers be able to make gifts? Could you check with your employer about matching donations? 

• Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes! Winston is a 501(c)(3) California public charity, and all gifts are tax-deductible.

• How can I donate? Click here to make an online donation or stop by to drop off a check. You can also email the Director of Business and Operations, Kim Kanetis, at kim.kanetis@thewinstonschool.org to make a pledge or inquire about stock gifts and wire transfers. 

COVID-19 test kits were distributed again to staff and students this week. Please test your student before returning to school from the winter break on Tuesday, January 3.  Please share positive test results with our COVID-19 school liaison, Maureen Kendrick, at maureen.kendrick@thewinstonschool.org.

Please note that free test kits are available again from the U.S. government, click here to order yours.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Student Council hot chocolate and bake sales this month which help fund school activities.  

Do you know a student who would benefit from a Winston transformative learning experience?  We are the only non-public, in-person diploma-bound program for students with learning differences in San Diego County.  We welcome students all year long with our rolling admissions policy.  Please visit our website to learn more and schedule a personalized tour to see how our innovative teaching methods set us apart while honoring students' strengths, embracing their differences, and becoming valued members of our community.

Please take a moment to learn more about an 8-week sexual assault prevention program course for beginners hosted by Winston alum parent Barbara Sedgwick-Billimoria M.Ed. You can find additional details here.