The Principal's Pen
September 16, 2022
WELCOME KINDERGARTENERS! GHS CLASS OF 2035!
Today was a big day for our young learners at Julian Curtiss. The Julian Curtiss Ringing in Ceremony dates back to 1991. It is very special for students to mark the beginning of their elementary school education with a symbolic ceremony like this. Their journey starts here at Julian Curtiss as small children just out of preschool and will continue for 6 years until they are grown-up children that are taller, smarter, and ready to take on the next chapter of school and life when they ring out in fifth grade. On behalf of our entire Julian Curtiss community we welcome this special group to our school.
The kindergarten students rang individual bells that were given to Julian Curtiss by the PTA to signify that they are beginning their education at the Julian Curtiss School of World Languages.
There are some interesting facts about this group of students that will be part of the GHS class of 2035. First, there are 33 kindergarten students, 16 boys and 17 girls. There are 8 magnet students in this class who come to us from Cos Cob, Glenville, Hamilton Avenue, and New Lebanon.
As is the tradition at our school with the tagline 60 countries, 30 languages, One Great School some of our kindergarten students have been born in other countries or have parents born in other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru and Russia. Welcome to our Julian Curtiss family. The diversity of our children is recognized as a source of strength and a reflection of our world. We look forward to our future work with these students and their families.
National Dot Day
Our students Celebrate National Dot Day with Ms. Brehm
On September 15, 2003, author and illustrator of children’s books, Peter H. Reynolds released his book “The Dot.” In the story, Vashti felt like she couldn’t draw — but her art teacher wouldn’t accept that. “Just make a mark, and see where it takes you,” the teacher said to Vashti. So, she marked her parchment paper with a small dot. The next day, Vashti was surprised to find her paper with the dot on the classroom wall. Vashti was so proud of her work that she started creating drawings with different kinds of dots.
Eventually, Vashti was able to pass the lesson about confidence that she had learned from her teacher onto someone else. A dot might be small, but it’s a powerful way to show your unique individuality and creativity. And that’s the story that inspired International Dot Day.
“The Dot” has inspired millions of children and adults. It is used by teachers as a method to encourage creativity and instill confidence in students. One teacher in Iowa, Terry Shay, introduced the book to his entire classroom on September 15, 2009. This led to the observance of International Dot Day every year on September 15. The flow of creativity and courage is celebrated by millions of teachers and students around the world. Such is the widespread influence of “The Dot” that it is currently celebrated in 192 countries by more than 19 million people!
There is also a website by the name ‘The Dot Club,’ which serves as a free resource for downloadable material and printouts like an official certificate of participation.
Music Class and a Folk Dance with Ms. Champion's Fifth Graders!
Please clink on this link for this
Veteran's Day Celebration
Dear Julian Curtiss Community Members:
On Friday, November 11th, JC students and staff will be honoring veterans with a special recognition ceremony. The school will gather to honor our guests. 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
We will introduce each of our veterans and give their bio based on the information we receive. If any of our Veterans would like to take a few minutes to speak to our students at the assembly in an age appropriate manner please let us know that information also. Please email this information to our School Secretary by November 4, 2021.
Attention Parents of Children with an IEP or 504 Plan.
The Listening Community (LC) is a space that was created to support parents of children with an IEP or 504.The group meets over a six week period in the fall, winter and spring.
The purpose of these meetings is to support and connect parents of children who receive special education support.
Wednesday mornings from 10:00AM- 11:00AM at Town Hall
Or Wednesday afternoons from 1:30PM- 2:30PM at Julian Curtis
The LC facilitators are:
Sabrina Motta- Preschool Speech Therapist
Kristen Mulhearn- District Social Worker
Alsu Khalitova, Parent Facilitator
The link to the Listening Community Newsletter is below.
This year Julian Curtiss will continue to make parents partners in their child’s education. Families As Partners In Learning is a program to build and strengthen family engagement that all eleven GPS elementary schools will be implementing this year. At the core of family engagement is the ability of teachers and families to share important information that will support the student's learning and achievement. The first strategy in this program is the Welcome Calls that general classroom, Special Education, English Language Learner and Advanced Learning program teachers are making to their students’ families this month. Teachers learning about the student through the lens of parents is important at any time during the school year, but can provide a head start on being able to serve a student well at the beginning of the year. We look forward to adding more tools for teachers and families during the year, to strengthen family engagement and build the kind of partnerships that support student success.
From the Social Worker
Hello JC Families!
Filling in the Blanks is a program that provides Weekend Food for your child delivered directly to the school. Follow the link Julian Curtiss Elementary School to register your child. If you have questions please contact Luca Palombo at operations@fillingintheblanks.org
Meredith Odinak, MSW
she/her/hers
Social Worker | Julian Curtiss
(203) 869-1896 x3371
From the office
ABSENCES
SCHOOL DISMISSAL MANAGER
Principal Trish McGuire and Assistant Principal Matthew Hartigan
Email: Trish_McGuire@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://jcs.greenwichschools.org/
Location: 180 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: 203-869-1896
Save the Date
September
19-23: Penny Wars
22: General PTA meeting 8:15am (change of date)
23: School Photo Day
30: Family Fun Night 5:00-7pm
26 No School Rosh Hashanah
October
5 No School Yom Kippur
13 6:00-7:30 PM Open House
20 United Nations Day Parade
21: International Food Tasting
26 Early Release Day for Students - 12:45 dismissal
29: Zombie Run (on campus) with Trunk or Treat