Principal's Pen
May 6, 2022
THANK YOU! GRACIAS! MERCI! ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!
THE JULIAN CURTISS STAFF WAS SHOWERED WITH APPRECIATION THIS WEEK! THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARRIVED AT SCHOOL WITH COLORFUL FLOWERS, BEAUTIFUL NOTES, AND SPECIAL TREATS FOR THEIR TEACHERS. THE PARENTS OVERWHELMED US WITH BREAKFAST, AFTERNOON COFFEE, TREATS AND A MAGNIFICIENT LUNCH! YOUR SINCERE MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED BY ALL OF THE STAFF MEMBERS HERE AT SCHOOL!
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIME, GIFTS, AND COMPLIMENTS GIVEN TO THE STAFF. OUR PTA MEMBERS ORGANIZED AND WORKED WITH A SMILE EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK. THEIR AMAZING LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL ABILITY HELPED TO MAKE THE WEEK A SUCCESS BUT THE THOUGHTFULNESS AND GENEROSITY OF EVERY PARENT ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
THE JULIAN CURTISS STAFF ARE FORTUNATE TO PARTNER WITH SUCH A FRIENDLY, INTELLIGENT AND APPRECIATIVE COMMUNITY.
SINCERELY,
MRS. MCGUIRE, MR. HARTIGAN AND THE ENTIRE JC STAFF
ADULT SUPERVISION ON THE PLAYGROUND
Parents,
We ask that ALL students K-5 are fully supervised on the playground after school.
Some of our older students have permission to walk home after school but they are not permitted to stay on school grounds without an adult present. Accidents do happen and we are not staffed after 3 pm.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Trish McGuire and Matt Hartigan
SUPPORTING THE HORIZONS PROGRAM AT BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
Horizons at Brunswick provides a summer program for boys from the
Greenwich Public Schools from Kindergarten through Grade 8. JCS currently
has 20 boys enrolled in the program which is funded through private donations.
Please consider bringing in your "Coins for Kids" on May 11, 12 and 13.
MESSAGES FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. JONES
May 6, 2022
Dear Families of GPS:
Central Middle School
We know that many of you have a keen interest in the CMS school building project. On Tuesday, May 10, there will be a virtual meeting with the Board of Education and the consultants from CSG, who are working on the Educational Specifications. The Special Meeting is entirely dedicated to the discussion of the on-going work. You are invited to join the meeting using the meeting specific Zoom link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86431272104) or by dialing (646) 558-8656 and entering the meeting specific Meeting ID: (864 3127 2104). The meeting will be recorded for those of you who are unable to dial in live
Flu Season Extended
Although flu season typically only lasts until the end of March, there are still a number of active locally reported cases. We encourage you to read the CDC’s Family Guide (Spanish version) that answers many important questions you might have including: How does the flu spread?; What are the benefits of getting a flu vaccine?; What can I do if my child gets sick?; and When can my child go back to school after having the flu?
Substitute Application Simplified
As a request from some of our parents and community members who are interested in helping out as substitute teachers, the District has greatly reduced the initial step to get started. The Connecticut State Department of Education has also introduced a swift process for the District to gain approvals. Individuals need to have some experience with children, or hold a bachelor's degree. Currently, GPS has a substitute incentive of $140 per day, and if an individual subs every day during the week, the pay increases to $160 per day.
Parent Workshops
Join an interactive workshop at the Town Hall Cone Room on the second floor on Wednesday, May 18 from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM (RSVP online) where staff will demonstrate and help you practice effective strategies you can apply right away at home to foster independence, responsibility and positive behaviors in your children. After this session, you will walk away with a clear understanding of the brain-mind-body-behavior connection, a set of effective strategies to avoid power struggles and prevent challenging behaviors, and research-based skills to help your children become more resilient and independent. For more information, please email Dr. Alina Boie at alina_agiurgioaeiboie@greenwich.k12.ct.us.
Quarantining/Isolation
Guidelines on quarantining and isolating can be sometimes confusing for all of us. If your child has tested positive for COVID, or has been exposed to a positive case, and is a close contact, we recommend reaching out to your school nurse directly. You can read the CDC’s updated guidance on its website, including a “Quarantine and Isolation Calculator,” a tool to help determine how long you need to isolate or quarantine. The CDC describes the steps our healthcare team uses, including how to determine if someone is a close contact to a positive case and if you are up to date on vaccinations.
GPS Listening Community
The Listening Community’s mission is to offer a safe space where parents of children receiving special education support can come together, feel heard, and connect with others. Staff guide parents through the process of exploring mindfulness, self compassion and reflection, with relation to the many emotions associated with parenting. We invite you to learn more by reading their newsletter and learning about the Spring 2022 Listening Community Meetings that are held at Greenwich Town Hall in the Evaristo Conference Room on Wednesday mornings and evenings.
Important Dates
May 11, 12 and 13 - Collecting Coins for Kids
May 12- 5th grade Sturbridge trip (all day)
May 12 - Talent Show 6 pm
May 13 - Grandparents Day - 8:30-10:30
May 17- First grade to Brandt Foundation (9:00-12:00)
May 18- New Kindergarten student visit (present kindergarten students go home at 12 noon , new Kindergarteners visit 12:30-1:30)
May 20- Orientation for 5th graders at CMS (9:30-12:00)
May 25- Fourth grade Art Trip to Weir Farms (10:00-1:00) (June 2 rain date)
May 27 - Early Release Day for all students and Field day
June 17 - Fifth grade Ringing Out 9 AM /Fifth grade party following the ceremony
June 20- Fifth grade Rain Date