February 2019 Newsletter
CO-PRESIDENTS' LETTER

Dear Saxe Families,

February may be the shortest month of the year, but there’s no shortage of amazing things happening at Saxe! The second academic quarter has just wrapped up, the Open Houses for grades 6-8 are nearly complete and the recent orchestra, band and choir concerts were the perfect antidote to the winter blues. 

The Saxe PTC remains busy working on a variety of grant requests and we have two exciting new grants to share:

  • Saxe Café – Four sofas and eight ottomans will be placed in two alcoves outside the cafeteria doors, allowing students to read, do homework or play board games during lunch hours. The seating areas will also be used during non-lunch hours for group projects or after school clubs.
  • Heart Monitors – 21 Adidas Zone Wrist Heart Monitors and straps. Watches can be used to track heart rates and monitor fitness progress over time. Data will be collected numerically and anonymously and then be shared across curriculums in science and math classes.

There are a number of additional grants still working their way through the approval process and we shall share the results of those in the weeks to come. Winter Break begins on Friday, February 15 and, after last week's Polar Vortex, we hope you’re headed somewhere warm! No matter where you’ll be, enjoy the time off with family and friends.

Best,
Susan Gelvin and Geri Mohr
Saxe PTC Co-Presidents
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER

Dear Saxe Parents,

I am proud of quite a bit (ok, just about everything) that goes on in this fine community at Saxe Middle School. In addition to the academic growth of our students, our focus remains on educating the “whole child.” In addition to the cognitive domain, there is a nice balanced approach to growing the psychomotor and affective domains as well.

A fine example of this is the “14 Days of Kindness” that began this week. Each day, there is an emphasis on spreading kindness to someone. It may be as simple as saying “thanks” to at least three people or as in-depth as writing to someone who has made a difference in their life. General reminders of smiling at people, giving an unsolicited compliment, sitting with someone new, and learning the “art of the apology” all contribute to our growth as a learning community. Our children are our future and these are the skills that remind me how fortunate we are to have them leading the way!

Have a great month,
Dave Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
IMPORTANT DATES
Daytime Open House
Grades 6-8
Feb 4 - 5
No School
Feb 15: Prof. Learning Day
Feb 18 - 22: Winter Break
NCHS Orientation for
8th Graders
Feb 28
UPCOMING EVENTS
Open Houses for Grades 6 - 8
February 4 - 5
Daytime Open Houses continue for grades 6 through 8 on Monday, Feb 4 and Tuesday, Feb 5.  Click HERE  for the schedule, which includes the date and time for each respective grade and team.
Applications Due for Innovation Night
Deadline: February 11
Students interested in participating in Innovation Night can submit an application by clicking HERE . Students can either choose to pursue their own project or address a real-world issue and design an innovative solution. This year the challenge focuses on preserving one of our most precious resources: water. Innovation Night will take place on April 10 at 6:30 PM at NCHS. Click HERE for more information.
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Volunteers Needed: Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon
February 15
Please consider helping with the Saxe Faculty & Staff Appreciation Lunch on February 15. You can donate your time, your talents (cooking/baking) or, if you're just too busy, we've provided a monetary donation option. All are greatly appreciated!  Click HERE   to sign up.
Orientation for 8th to 9th Grade Transition
February 28, 7:00 PM at NCHS
8th grade students and their parents are invited to attend an orientation at NCHS on Feb 28. Participation is not required but is highly recommended. If you were unable to attend the January 9 Parent Coffee, please click HERE to view the slideshow and click HERE to see the video that were presented at the event.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank You to Our Volunteers!
A special thank you to the the extraordinary parent volunteers who helped with five Performing Arts Concerts in December and January: Anne Cascione for choir, Jayne Benton and Jen Russey for band, and Caryn Frick for orchestra. We'd also like to thank Courtenay Brown for supplying coffee, water and baked goods for all of the 8th grade parents who attended our 8th to 9th Transition Parent Coffee. Our children, teachers and parents appreciate your willingness to help during these busy months! 
Note From the School Nurse
Connecticut State Law requires all students to have a physical exam during 6th grade The CT Health Assessment form needs to be on file in the nurse’s office by the last day of 6th grade. We accept physicals dated from June 1, 2018.

Upon completion of the exam, please send your child's CT health assessment record to the lower division health office. Please contact your school nurse, Joelle Graham, with any questions. She can be reached at joelle.graham@ncps-k12.org or at (203) 594-4526.
COMMUNITY CLICKS
Managing Teen Anxiety
February 6, 12:00 PM in the New Canaan Library's Plaut Room
LiveGirl and the New Canaan Library will be hosting a parent roundtable, “What to Know When Anxiety Strikes." Join the discussion on anxiety with expert Tracey Masella, LCSW. Learn more about the sources of anxiety in teens and how to help them manage. Free of charge. Registration required. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Middle School Night at the YMCA
February 9, 7:00 - 9:30 PM at the YMCA
One Saturday a month middle schoolers get the Y all to themselves! They get access to the Flex Space, Wellness Center, Group Ex, Basketball Gym, Forese Pool, and Wagner Room. There are plenty of fun games and activities and a concession stand with snacks, drinks and pizza! Save money and avoid waiting in the line the night of the event by clicking HERE to register in advance.
Joint Elementary PTC Meeting: What is (Wrong) Right with my Child? 
February 12, 9:30 AM at East School
Join New Canaan CARES speaker Bunny Potts and learn how to understand and celebrate your child as the unique individual he/she is! Discover ways to appreciate and nurture your child even if they are very different from yourself or siblings. Click HERE for more information.
New Canaan CARES: Building Relationships With Your Kids
February 27, 7:00 PM in the Saxe Auditorium
Raising healthy children with an ability to sustain meaningful relationships is a challenge even in the most ideal situations. Add on hormones, attitude, personality, and technology—welcome to tween and teen years. Join Amy Alamar for this interactive workshop. Click HERE to register.
New Canaan Softball Winter Clinics & Spring Registration
There is still time to join New Canaan "Softball Sunday" Winter Clinics (grades 1-8) where players can sharpen their skills for the spring season.  Click HERE  for information. Registration is also now open for the 2019 Spring Little League season for girls in grades K-8.  Click HERE  to learn more about this exciting program.
Marijuana: Facts vs. Myths About Adolescent Use
March 5, 7:00 in the Saxe Auditorium
The New Canaan Parent Support Group is hosting "Reefer Sanity: Debunking the Myths About Marijuana" with Dr. Kevin Sabet. The former presidential drug policy adviser and author of the book Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana will discuss the risks and science behind marijuana. Parents and young adults are encouraged to attend. Click HERE to register.
New Canaan Substance Free Teens (8th Grade Program)
January 2019 - June 2019 (monthly meetings)
This series of workshops will help 8th graders learn how to live a substance-free life. Click HERE for more information or contact Ram Council President Joyce Sixsmith, 917-678-0543.
New Canaan Racquet Club Tennis Lessons
Give the gift of tennis to your child! Classes are held on weekdays after school and on the weekends. Click HERE for more information and ensure your child learns the "sport of a lifetime!"
Collecting Gently Used Computers
Computers for Kids is collecting gently used computers to fix up and give to families in need. If you have an unused computer to donate, please bring it to the Saxe Lower Division Security Desk labeled with your name and address. If you know a child or family in need of a computer, please email  Patty Potts .
All-Girls Flag Football League
Calling all 5th and 6th grade girls interested in playing flag football! If you would like to participate in an ALL-GIRLS flag football league this spring, please contact Craig Hunt or Mariella Montoni Scofield . There will be one practice per week and a game on Saturdays.