Field and Building Use Request
As we welcome Spring today, we think about the great outdoors! Please keep in mind that the Town of Winchester requires all organized programs or events using town fields, playgrounds, and courts to be permitted through the Recreation Department, including school sanctioned activities that take place outside of typical school operating hours (afternoons/weekends). Policies regarding how to apply for a permit, permit fees, and priority lists for use are explained in the Field Policy.
School sanctioned events and PTO events are Tier 1 Requestors, and are not assessed any fees, but it is important to work with the recreation department to schedule and permit field use to avoid conflicts.
It is very important if VOPA uses any vendors (bounce houses, performers, ice cream trucks etc…) then the Winchester Rec needs a copy of the vendors liability insurance on file with the town of Winchester listed as additionally insured.
School Sanctioned events must submit the attached WPS Field Request form, all other non-school related field use should use a general Field Request form.
Please try and adhere to the below request deadlines for seasonal requests to ensure the field is available for your event date.
| Season/Program | Request Deadline | Permits Finalized |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April 1 - June 30) | February 1 | March 1 |
| Summer weekday camp/clinics (July 1 – August 31) |
March 1 | March 30 |
| Summer weeknight/weekend (July 1 - August 31) |
May 15 | June 15 |
| Fall (September 1 - November 30) | July 15 | August 15 |
Please email the (attached) form to Melissa Ross mross@winchester.us or deliver to the Recreation Department, 263 Main Street Winchester MA.
Flower Sale
The committee helps coordinate the Vinson-Owen Flower Sale, working closely with the school administration. This event, which occurs during Teacher Appreciation Week, is a wonderful way to honor our dedicated teachers, specialists, and staff. Flowers are sold and delivered with handwritten notes from students, providing a thoughtful recognition of their tireless efforts.
Responsibilities of the committee include purchasing flowers, organizing volunteers, running the sale both online and on-site, and distributing flowers to teachers and staff. Parent volunteers play a crucial role by assisting in sales and distribution during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Chairpersons
Shailaja Sony
Tejal Patel
Project Linus
The Project Linus Organization distributes blankets to children at local hospitals. As one of V-O’s community service programs, students and their buddies participate in making and tying the blankets.
Chairpersons
Danielle Shagoury
Tania Connor
Veterans Appreciation
One of the easiest ways your family can begin to instill the importance and value of community service is by walking in community parades, which are a great opportunity to honor and thank all who have helped establish and maintain our country’s freedoms.
There are two Veterans Appreciation Parades in Winchester - Veterans Day, November 11th and Memorial Day, the last Monday of May. Some may ask or wonder what the difference is between the two days - Veterans Day is a celebration of all who have served or are actively serving and Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor and remember all who have died while serving.
Both parades in Winchester follow similar routes, each stopping at two memorials in Downtown Winchester. The first stop is at the memorial for WWI located at Lincoln Elementary School. At this location there is a wreath-laying ceremony which includes music, the playing of Taps and a three-volley salute. The second stop is at the Veterans Memorial located at Winchester Town Hall. Here, the ceremonies typically include a student presentation of their essay on what either Veterans or Memorial Day means to them, comments from various elected officials or other special invited guests, an invocation, patriotic music, the playing of Taps and a three-volley salute.
We encourage families to stay for the duration of the ceremony but also recognize that this may not always be possible, and that is OK. We want to encourage as many people to come out and march as possible! If your family is able to march but not able to stay for the entirety of the program we simply ask that you quietly and respectfully separate from the rest of the group in a timely manner so as not to create a distraction during the formal proceedings.
Specific details will be confirmed and published in the V-O Newsletter closer to each parade day, however, traditionally, both parades assemble at Winchester High School, with the Veterans Day Parade beginning at 10:15 AM and the Memorial Day Parade beginning at 9:15 AM.
The committee is responsible for bringing members of the V-O School Community together to march in each of two parades, which our local chapter of the V.F.W. in cooperation with the Town of Winchester organize to honor its citizens who have served in the military. The committee also ensures details are confirmed and published in the VOPA Newsletter, thereby informing the school community about these wonderful community service opportunities!
Chairpersons
Liz Kelley
Megan Shaw
Meredith Blair