Thank you to all of the parents that have been following GPS guidelines and completing the COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist (below) each morning. Many parents have kept their children home out of an abundance of caution which is very helpful in keeping our entire community safe and healthy.
Please remember - if someone in your family has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case it is best to keep your child home and have them tested at the appropriate time. We have included the GPS Decision Tree below. If you have any questions about whether or not to keep your child home, please reach out to our school nurse, Theresa McIntosh.
The Feasibility Committee is working hard with the architecture firm of Perkins Eastman to finalize an Educational Specification which outlines what spaces need to be renovated and what additions should be made to the current building. The information below was presented at the October 6th board meeting. The Board of Education will revisit the draft plan in November and plans on voting on which components of the plan to approve. Please review the summaries below. You can also review the presentation to familiarize yourself with the proposed project. These meetings are important to the future of our learning community!
Executive Summary
The existing Julian Curtiss Elementary School was constructed in 1946, this public school building has educated Greenwich Public School elementary children for almost 75 years. With the exception of a few building improvements over the years, much of the building consists of original construction. Consequently, many building elements, systems, and components are in need of refurbishment or replacement due to their age and anticipated serviceable life span. Moreover, advances in building environmental technologies, requirements of ADA accessibility, new codes, and school operation have created a need for improvements to this school. Furthermore, educational programs and curriculum have also changed, developed, and evolved since this school was originally constructed. To this end, the Greenwich Board of Education has requested a team of architects and engineering consultants to study this facility and develop cost-effective solutions to help address these concerns.
Scope of the Feasibility Study This report will evaluate the existing Julian Curtiss Elementary School facility, prepare educational specifications, and conceptual level solutions that address the existing facility conditions and meet educational program goals. This report will also identify the project schedule.
Draft for review and comment discussed at the October 6th Board meeting:
Presentation of the draft by Perkins Eastman:
Please forward any questions you may have to the committee members below:
Julian Curtiss Parents: Bob Chaney and Janine Scharff
Julian Curtiss Staff: Trish McGuire, Sandra Grandinetti, LeAnn Hinkle, and Jenna Mazzilli
GPS Central Office Staff: Dr. Toni Jones, Dr. Ann Carabillo, Sean O’Keefe, Dan Watson
Board of Education Member: Joe Kelly
Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET): Leslie Moriarity
Representative Town Meeting (RTM): Barbara O’Neill
Dear Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Julian Curtiss Artists!
You are invited to join the Julian Curtiss VIRTUAL Art Club. JC Art Club is an after-school enrichment/community service club where students can choose to do projects and art-making activities that they might not be able to do in the art classroom. Art Club members decide and plan the community service activities they participate in.
If you would like your child to participate in the JC Art Club, please complete the form linked here: JC Art Club Sign-Up
Art Club will meet in the Art Club Google Meet on Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30, all year long. There is no cost to join the JC Art Club and you may join at any point during the school year.
The first JC Art Club meeting will be Tuesday, October 20.
JC Art Club Google Classroom Join Code: 3xcbo53
The Google Meet Link is visible in the JC Art Club Classroom.
See you in Art Club!
-Miss Hinkle
We know that Halloween is a time-honored tradition in our community. This year in particular, with the COVID 19 restrictions, we are urged to avoid traditional Halloween parades and gatherings and alternatively look for unique ways to celebrate such as pumpkin decorating contests or other "seasonal" arts and craft type activities. Teachers and class parents will work together to plan a small activity. We will not be wearing costumes, and traditional Halloween costume masks are not permitted.
The State of Connecticut has also issued guidance about community Halloween celebrations. That information can be found by clicking here.
Don't Forget to Show Your JC Spirit!
If you are looking for some new Spirit Wear, families, staff, and teachers may order whatever they like. There are masks, stadium seats, blankets, and other fun accessories as well as clothing. You can customize the logos, colors, etc. (within select choices). There are no minimums. The company will produce and ship directly and Julian Curtiss will receive a 12% commission. Hopefully easy for all! Click below to see all of our fun, new JC Spirit Wear!
Mrs. Trish McGuire - Principal