From the Principal's Pen
May 17, 2020
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Families,
Here we are entering Week 10 of distance learning with just four more weeks of school to go. It has been an interesting journey, to say the least. Some are predicting that this time in history will change the way we live forever. I believe this to be true and I feel optimistic that it will change us for the better. At least briefly, we appreciate the smaller things in life a bit more. Personally, I have had the opportunity to spend more time with my family. One of my two adult daughters is staying with us and I realize that we would have never gotten to spend this much time of her adult life together if life remained the same as it was before. This has been a special gift for us! I say that with a sense of sadness knowing that many people are impacted in very negative ways. I am truly heartbroken for the loss of life, loss of jobs, and the chaos it has brought to many families. How this pandemic changes the big picture is yet to be seen. We will all certainly remember this time for the rest of our lives and will benchmark our time as pre-COVID and post-COVID for some time coming.
In the meantime, we will focus on the next four weeks and provide our students with the best instruction that we can. In addition to the daily instruction provided by our professional staff members, the PTA has helped organize a Talent Show, Grandparent’s Day, and a moving up ceremony for our very special fifth graders. I am thankful that we can provide our students with these small but special events.
Please note that the BOE has officially stated that the last day of school will be June 12th. You will receive report cards for your children at that time but they will include comments only. We will not be grading the students in a traditional way this marking period.
Lastly, there are two notes below. One is about picking up student items. Please follow the directions carefully. The other is letting us know if your child is returning to Julian Curtiss or not.
Enjoy your weekend,
Mrs. McGuire
PICKING UP STUDENT BELONGINGS
The classroom teachers have packed up the students’ personal items such as notebooks and the usual items you would bring home on the last day of school. The children’s items have been put in a bag labeled with their name. We have scheduled the following dates for pick up based on grade levels. If you have more than one student in the school we will put all items for your family with the youngest student. For example, if you have a kindergartener and second grader we will leave the bags with the kindergarten class and you should pick up on that day.
You will drive to the front of the school. Mrs. McGuire, Mrs. Brush, or one of our trusty custodians will be available to bring the item to your car. We ask that you pull up, provide your child’s name and classroom teacher, wait for your bag, and exit as soon as you have your items.
It is important that you come during your designated time so that we can minimize wait time in the cars. Thank you for your cooperation!
If you have medication to pick up please note the following:
Expired medications will be disposed of.
If you wish we can save medications to be used next year.
If the parent desires to pick up medication, on the day you are assigned to come to school, the nurse will have the medication available in a plastic bag. Only adults may pick up medications
The nurse or an administrator will sign a form indicating the medication was returned to the parent, to be placed in the student's file.
Tuesday, June 2nd
9:00 - 11:00 Kindergarten
11:00 - 2:00 5th Grade
Wednesday, June 3rd
9:00 - 11:00 1st Grade
11:00 - 2:00 4th Grade
Thursday, June 4th
9:00 - 11:00 2nd Grade
11:00 - 2:00 3rd Grade
PLANNING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS RETURNING TO JULIAN CURTISS. THIS IS IMPORTANT EVEN IF THEY ARE RETURNING. THANK YOU.
It is vitally important that we know whether or not children will be returning to Julian Curtiss next school year. We have heard from most parents but are still lacking responses from 30 students.
If you have already responded, please ignore this message. All others, please email lisa_maniscalco@greenwichschools.org the following information as soon as you can:
Name of child
Current grade
Will you be returning next year: Yes; No (indicate new school); Uncertain
We appreciate your cooperation.
VIDEO ETIQUETTE
Be Here
- Arrive at your video call on time appropriately dressed with all necessary materials.
- Make sure you are seated in an appropriate learning space. We encourage students to work at a desk or table in a well-lit area.
Be Safe/Be Honest
- Do not share Google Meet or Zoom links with others. They should only be sent directly from the teacher.
- Use expected language at all times.
- An adult should be nearby.
- Enter and leave Google Meet and Zoom meetings when directed by your teacher. Do not use links for personal use outside of class time.
Care for Self and Others
- When your teacher mutes your microphone, stay muted until you are asked to unmute or your teacher unmutes you.
- Raise your hand when you have something to say.
- Use the whiteboard, annotation, and sharing/presenting tools only when directed by your teacher.
Office Hours
During the typical school year, students frequently stop in the office to touch base with me and/or Mrs. Brush. They come to talk, ask for help, suggest new ideas, or show off their great work. We miss those interactions. We are holding open office hours for our students to stop in and meet with us for any reason at all. We will begin with one day a week and expand it if need be!
Office hours for students will be every Tuesday from 9:00 - 10:00 am.
Sign up using this link. Students can sign up individually or with a sibling.
When it's your time, simply click this link to be connected to us in a Google Meet!
Please follow Mrs. McGuire and Mrs. Brush on Twitter
@JCSPrincipal and @JCSEaglesAP
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Mrs. Trish McGuire - Principal
Email: trish_mcguire@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: www.greenwichschools.org/jcs
Location: 180 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 869-1896
Twitter: @jcsprincipal