Principal's Pen
December 9, 2023
Chag Urim Sameach -"Happy Festival of Lights" to our Jewish Families and Friends
JULIAN CURTISS BOOK FAIR!
A Huge Success!
Thank you to our PTA
and
our Media Staff
Dear Julian Curtiss Parents and Guardians,
We are thrilled to share fantastic news about the success of our recent Book Fair! The event, held this week surpassed our expectations and demonstrated the incredible support and enthusiasm of our students, parents, and staff.
Key Highlights:
Engagement and Participation: The level of engagement from both students and parents was truly remarkable. We witnessed a significant turnout each day, with families eagerly exploring the diverse selection of books available. The interactive displays and engaging activities created a vibrant atmosphere that fueled excitement for reading.
Community Involvement: Our JC community came together to make this event a success. A special thank you to the Fleming family and the Levine family for their incredible organization, communication and hard work. Many volunteers, teachers, and parents collaborated seamlessly to organize and execute various activities. Their dedication was evident in the smooth flow of the fair and the positive experiences shared by all attendees.
Book Selection and Variety: The carefully curated selection of books catered to a wide range of interests and reading levels. From picture books to young adult novels, the fair provided something for everyone. The diverse array of genres and topics ensured that every child could find a book that sparked their interest.
Fundraising Success: The Elementary Book Fair not only promoted a love for reading but also served as a successful fundraising initiative. The funds generated will directly benefit all of our students.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Book Fair—whether by volunteering time, purchasing books, or simply spreading the word. Your commitment to fostering a love of reading in our students is truly commendable.
Thank you for making this event a resounding success!
Sincerely,
Trish McGuire and Matt Hartigan
Thank you to our Parents for being Partners in Learning
Dear Parents,
As we conclude our parent-teacher conferences, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for being such valuable partners in your child's education. Your commitment to their learning journey has been truly inspiring.
Your active involvement, insightful questions, and genuine interest in your child's progress make a significant impact on their academic success. It is evident that your support at home contributes greatly to the positive and enriching educational experience we aim to provide.
Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of being a part of your child's growth and development. Together, as a collaborative team, we can continue to nurture a love for learning and create a supportive environment for their success.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to continued collaboration and shared success.
Warm regards,
Trish McGuire and the entire Julian Curtiss staff
We had an amazing visit from Author Kevin Kurtz this Thursday
Thank you to our generous PTA Enrichment and Curriculum Committee!
From: Kevin Kurtz
To: JC
My Website: www.kevkurtz.com
Please Sign up for my newsletter: http://www.kevkurtz.com/contact
If your school has an Epic! account, some of my books are available there: https://www.getepic.com
I have four free eBooks (Uncovering Earth's Secrets, Into the Crater of Doom, Where Wild Microbes Grow, and How to Read a Rock) for elementary and intermediate students about seafloor science and exploration conducted by the research ships of the International Ocean Discovery Program. The eBooks are available as PDFs that can be opened on any computer or tablet. They can be downloaded for free here: https://joidesresolution.org/for-educators/node2998/
The publisher of six of my books, Arbordale, has free teaching materials on their website for each of my books. The materials are all correlated with state standards. They are found on the right side of each book's page by clicking "Teaching Activities." Here is one example: http://www.arbordalepublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=DayDeep
My website has a variety of free resources that expand on the learning experience of reading my books: www.kevkurtz.com.
My blog is written for older elementary students and explains the science related to my books in entertaining ways: http://www.kevkurtz.com/his-blog/
I have a page on my site called More Fun Stuff where students can view a video gallery of short, kid-friendly videos that supplement my books, including a video of illustrator Erin Hunter creating a painting for A Day in the Deep, visit pages that describe my experiences working with scientists, and more! http://www.kevkurtz.com/more-fun-stuff
Grade 2 ALP Enrichment
Grade 2 ALP Enrichment
Greenwich Public Schools serves the top achieving students through the Advanced Learning Program in elementary school starting in grade 2. If parents would like to have their second grader take the adaptive above-grade level assessments for Reading and/or Math, as part of the ALP placement process, please complete the Parent Referral Form by Friday, December 15.
The video is also available on the ALP Website. If you have any questions, please email advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Las Escuelas Públicas de Greenwich atienden a los estudiantes de mayor rendimiento a través del Programa de Aprendizaje Avanzado en la escuela primaria a partir del segundo grado. Si los padres desean que su hijo de segundo grado tome las evaluaciones adaptativas de nivel superior al grado para Lectura y/o Matemáticas, como parte del ALP proceso de colocación, por favor complete el Formulario de entrada de padres antes del viernes 15 de diciembre.
Más información disponible para padres:
El vídeo también está disponible en el ALP Website. Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíe un correo electrónico advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest
Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest
Senator Murphy invites our students to participate in his Office’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. We ask students from elementary, middle, and high schools from across Connecticut to participate in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting essays that reflect on Dr. King’s dream, their own aspirations, and the importance of what Dr. King means to them.
Five essay winners will be selected from each education level. Winners will be invited to celebrate their success with Senator Chris Murphy at a breakfast ceremony in January!
Submissions are now open and must be received by Friday, January 5th at 11:59pm. Essays can be submitted online via the Senator’s website or mailed to our Hartford Office.
Essay instructions can be found on the attached flyers.
We look forward to reading and reviewing your student’s work! If you have any further questions, please contact us via email at MLK_Essay@murphy.senate.gov!
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES
All absences must be called into the main office. We realize some parents prefer to email the teacher but we miss messages that way. Please ALWAYS call the absence in at 203-869-1896. Thank you for your cooperation!!
Mark Your Calendar
DECEMBER:
December 11: JC Winter Concert 6:30 pm
December 22: Early Release Day
December 25-January 1: Holiday Recess
January 2: Return to School