From the Principal's Pen
October 20, 2019
UNITED NATIONS WEEK 2019
We had our first parade practice Friday afternoon and it went fairly well. Thank you to all of our volunteers! We could not do it without you. It is not easy to get an entire school to participate and be patient during a parade but our Eagles really did a great job! We will practice one more time next week.
Our next official practice is on Tuesday at 9:00 am. If it rains the practice will take place on Wednesday at 9:00 am. As of now the weather forecast for Thursday is 60 and sunny but there is rain predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday. I will check the weather again on Sunday evening and if there is a great chance of rain for Tuesday and Wednesday then we will practice Monday afternoon around 1:00 pm. If the practice changes to Monday afternoon I will put out a Parent Link so volunteers will know.
It is chilly in the shade so students should have sweaters and jackets. On the day of the parade if parents would like to come in and help with costumes they may come to school at 12:00 pm. If you are a parent of a third grader please come at 12:15 as they have the last lunch for that day. Students are invited to wear clothing or costumes from their country or the colors of the flag they are marching with. UN Day is truly a photographer's dream! If you see a student with a red dot on their name tag please do not take pictures or share with anyone else.
If you have time at home please practice the following song with your child. We will be singing this song as an entire community at the end of the parade and the students are always much more enthusiastic if they know the words. Here is the link to Wavin' Flag by K'naan. We hope that you will sing with us in celebration at the end of our UN Day program The lyrics are included within the video, and printed copies of the lyrics will also be available at the school for the parade.
In addition, we will be reciting the UN Pledge Against Racism shown below. Students have been discussing its meaning during class. Please consider having a conversation with your child(ren) about the meaning of this pledge.
We look forward to seeing you at our UN Day Parade and our International dinner on Friday night.
Thanks to the generosity of the PTA your child(ren) will be treated to a special UN Day Assembly performed by Sirius Coyote on Monday morning . Sirius Coyote was formed in 1986 when Giovanni, Kathy, and Dennis met at a local arts fair in Middletown, CT. They were each selling their handcrafted musical instruments and struck up a jam in the lobby of the salesroom. That started regular sessions of rehearsing, exploring, recording and performing in NYC and CT. In 1995 they joined Young Audiences of CT’s roster of arts in education programs receiving the honor of artists of the year in 2000. They have performed in the US and Mexico and released three CDs and numerous other recordings under their own label. They continue to perform, write, and record their original and cover tunes and have been joined by outstanding musicians on stage and the studio. They create traditional, contemporary world music with an upbeat, fun rhythm, a dance impulse, and an activist message. Our songs address environmental issues, social justice, and cultural inclusion.
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!
Volunteer To Help with Inside Out!
We still need additional volunteer help to complete the installation of our Inside Out project!
Proposed volunteer schedule:
WEDNESDAY 10/23 - AFTERNOON (TIME TBD)
INSTALLATION
INSTALL PORTRAIT PANELS ON FENCE OUTSIDE JC
FRIDAY 10/25 - 3:00 PM (APPROX. 1 HOUR)
TAKE-DOWN
REMOVE PORTRAITS FROM FENCE AND MOVE INSIDE
If you are available to help, please sign up using the link below:
AUTHOR VISIT
Dear JC Families,
Exciting News! Thanks to our generous PTA and their support in building a culture of reading in our school, students will have the opportunity to meet with author Shanda McCloskey next Wednesday, October 23, 2019. Ms. McCloskey’s debut novel, Doll-E 1.0, reviewed in the NYTimes as “A vigorous, witty and valuable addition to the still too-small shelf of books about girls and engineering.", received awards from a LITA Science Fiction Notables List Selection 2019, a National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Children's Book Council (CBC) Best STEM Trade Book 2019, CCBC Choices 2019, and the Charter Oak Children's Book Award Winner 2019.
Ms. McCloskey will be visiting JC to speak with students about her award-winning book and the most recent one, T-Bone the Drone, as well as about the writing process. If you would like to purchase your own copy of Doll-E 1.0 or T-Bone the Drone, you may do so through Amazon (and please remember to save JC PTA as your AmazonSmile charitable organization!). Then your child may have this book signed by the author on the day of the visit so be sure to pack the book in their backpacks on Wednesday, October 23rd.
Many thanks,
Mrs. Esra Murray
Library Media Specialist
HALLOWEEN REMINDERS
Halloween Day Parade on Thursday, October 31st at 2:15
It is our attempt to keep the day as routine as possible but still allow a little celebration with a “snack” not a full-on catering event! Not an easy feat at all! Children may bring their costumes to school but cannot wear them all day long. We ask that costumes be appropriate for elementary school since K-2 students can scare easily. Please follow these guidelines:
- No full face masks
- No blood
- No weapons
- No color hairspray or make-up because we are asking that students do not come to school with their costume on and we do not want them applying these items during the school day.
Please help us stay on track for instruction for most of the school day. Parents of students in grades K - 2 can come in at 1:45 to help with costumes if they wish.
Halloween is a fun time of the year, but for children with food allergies and their parents, it can be a very scary time for a very serious reason.
During this Halloween season, it is a good time to remind everyone that we are an allergy aware school and are committed to keeping all children safe. As candy and treats abound before and after Halloween, please be mindful of the foods you bring into the school for snack and lunch. Parents should read labels carefully for the most common food allergens frequently found in candy (peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, eggs, soy, and sesame) and be aware of foods made in a facility that processes them. Students, please do not share food and remember to wash your hands before and after eating. Let’s remember to have fun and keep all students safe and feeling included this Halloween!
Important Note: Halloween is on Thursday this year. Sugar and lack of sleep are not a combination that makes for good students the next day. Please keep the sugar to a minimum and make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep!
VETERANS DAY
Dear Julian Curtiss Community Members:
On Monday, November 11th, JC students and staff will be honoring veterans with a special recognition ceremony and reception starting at 9:00 am. Please consider whether you know any veterans who might like to attend.
If so, would you please contact them and, if they'd like to participate, ask them for the following information so that we can personalize the experience for all participants:
1) Name
2) Which branch of service
3) Number of years served
4) Primary responsibilities
5) Something you're most proud of related to your military experience
6) A contact email
Please email this information to our School Secretary by November 2, 2018.
JC Service Club helps Students Around the World!
Dear JC Community,
As you know, the Bahamas was hit with a catastrophic hurricane. The picture below shows how truly devastating it was. Here at JC, we live by the motto “Care for Self and Others” and what better way to show this spirit than by helping those in need. The Service Club would like to help by collecting school supplies for the Bahamas. If you’re interested in contributing, below is a list of items assigned to your grade level:
Kindergarten and First Grade: Crayons
Second and Third Grade: Markers
Fourth and Fifth Grade: Pencils
There will be a donation box outside the gym doors to drop off supplies. We will be
collecting items through October 25th .
Thank you in advance for all your donations!
-The JC Service Club
Run off that big dinner...Join us at the Turkey Trot! Julian Curtiss aims to be the elementary school with the highest number of participants. The elementary school that reaches this goal receives $500 toward PE equipment. Please consider registering your family even if you are not attending. The Greenwich Alliance supports our students in so many ways. This is a good cause!
5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Arch Street Teen Center
100 Arch Street
Start Times: 1 Mile – 9:30 AM (sharp)
5K – 10:00 AM
Adults: $30 through 10/31, $35 after 10/31 (Race Day – $40)
Children (14 and under): $15 (Race Day – $15)
($1 service fee not included)
Click on the link below to register!
Saturday, Nov 30, 2019, 09:00 AM
Arch Street Teen Center, Arch Street, Greenwich, CT, USA
PARA TRADUCIR ESTE MENSAJE, HAGA CLIC EN ESTE MENSAJE PARA ABRIR EN SU NAVEGADOR, LUEGO HAGA CLIC EN EL BOTÓN DE ABAJO QUE DICE "TRANSLATE."
Julian Curtiss Magnet School of World Languages
Mrs. Brenda Brush, Assistant 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