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PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE
Stacey Harmon and Karen Willett
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Did you know that the
West School PTC
spends over $250 per student per year on programs and improvements to enrich West School's curriculum, building and classrooms? Each year, the PTC works with the administration to select programs that will complement the curriculum and make it a great day at West. We'd like to share some of the ways your generous donations to the PTC have enhanced learning at West.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips already planned for this year are: New Canaan Historical Society for Grade 1, Connecticut River Museum Dwellers Workshop for Grade 2, Sound Waters in Stamford for Grade 3, Immigration Play at Ridgefield Playhouse for Grade 4.
Additional field trips are also being planned.
ASSEMBLIES
Each year, the PTC sponsors at least two
Pe
rforming Arts shows, a
STEM Assembly
, and two
Visiting Authors
. Next week, our Visiting Author Rosemary Wells will inspire the writer in every student and Boogie Chillun', a six-piece musical group will perform.
It is only through PTC fundraising that we are able to bring these unique experiences to West.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Mighty Math, Proud to Read Aloud, Family Math Night, Science Fair, Art Show, Kids Care
and
Field Day
are all also made possible through PTC funding and volunteer support, working in close collaboration with special area teachers. These diverse programs build our West Community and extend learning outside of the classroom.
BUILDING AND CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENTS
This year's biggest PTC funding goal is to transform one of West's courtyard spaces into an
Outdoor Learning Center. We are working with the administration and faculty to define the use of the space and, over the course of the school year and summer, we hope to design and begin to build an outdoor environment that will benefit every student. We envision a versatile space where students can spend some regular class time in the fresh air, have quiet independent reading time, do a project with a buddy class, perform a play, and more.
In 2018-2019, we will also continue to fund our teacher grants, which enable teachers to tailor class materials to the curriculum.
All of this would not be possible without the support of our wonderful West School families. On
Monday,
November 5th, 2018
, bidding will open for our
Online Auction
. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to supporting West School. More information will be coming to you over the next few weeks.
Thank you for your partnership in making every day a Great Day at West!
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VISITING AUTHOR ROSEMARY WELLS, Monday, October 15th
We are excited to welcome Visiting Author,
Rosemary Wells
, to West School. If you purchased signed books, Elm Street Books will deliver them to the school for your child to bring home after the visit.
PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE OF Boogie Chillun', Wednesday, October 17th
Boogie Chillun' is a six-piece diverse multi-cultural and multi-talented musical group that is well versed in all styles of music. Originating out of New Haven, Connecticut, the band was formed in 1991 by band leaders Vaughn Collins and Derek Graham. We are so excited to welcome them to West School!
DISTRICT-WIDE PARENT MEETING, Thursday, October 18th, 2018, 7:00 PM
Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
, Director of the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence presents "From Theory to Practice: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting". It is widely recognized that Emotional Intelligence has a powerful influence on performance, decision making, relationships, and health. Dr. Brackett is returning to New Canaan by popular demand to share strategies to help increase our emotional intelligence as parents. He will review the five key skills of Emotional Intelligence, including tools that will be taught to students in the district this year and next. He will also discuss how parents can support this work at home. He will be speaking at the Saxe Middle School Auditorium.
SPIRIT DAY, Friday, October 26th and Friday, November 2nd
Wear your
Green, White and Westy!
 HALLOWEEN PARADE, Wednesday, October 31st, 2018, 2:00 PM
Halloween is coming... Please be reminded that as your child begins to plan his/her costume for the parade, toy guns, swords, or other weaponry will not be allowed as part of a costume. Costumes must be of a non-violent nature. Also, be careful of masks and/or headgear that could block vision and/or scare others. The children will be walking a good distance and we want them to be safe in their costumes. We appreciate your cooperation and support.
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PLEASE CONTRIBUTE AN ITEM TO THE WEST SCHOOL ONLINE AUCTION!
Our most important fundraiser of the year, the Auction relies on donations from our generous parent community. If you are able to donate tickets to sporting events, Broadway shows, or a winter home/ski getaway package, please contact
auction@westschoolptc.org
NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARD TO WEST SCHOOL
 Last week we learned that West School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2018! This is a prestigious national award, recognizing outstanding achievement. It is yet another reminder to be grateful for the administration, faculty, staff and parents who make up our wonderful school district. Click
here for more information about this recognition.
WEST FAMILY PHOTO DAYS
Last chance to book a photo session for Family Photo Days! Sessions are available through October - book by October 15th to be sure your photos are ready for your holiday cards. Take advantage of this opportunity to get a jump on your holiday to-do list while supporting West school! Click
here
fo
r all the details and to sign up.
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KIDS CARE KICKS OFF FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR
On Wednesday this week, over 40 children gathered for the first Kids Care meeting of the year! The first meeting focused on the organization, "Operation Gratitude". The children brought in candy to send to our servicemen, and wrote letters to include in our packages we will be sending next week. Operation Gratitude seeks to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Military and First Responder communities. It also provides volunteer opportunities for Americans to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns, Craft Projects, and Care Package Assembly Events, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to say "Thank You" through active, hands-on volunteerism. To learn more you can click
here.
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At the meeting on Monday, October 8th, Bill Egan and several NCHS department chairs presented the 9th-12th grade Assessment Report. Initial data was presented on the preparation and performance of NCHS students on standardized tests (i.e. SAT, ACT), AP and other college level coursework, as well as the new NGSS assessment in Grade 11. Please click here for full minutes, meeting videos and the presentation.
The next BOE meeting is scheduled for
Monday,
October
22nd
at
7:00 PM
, NCHS, Wagner Room. On the proposed agenda is the K-8 Assessment Report for the district. All BOE meetings are broadcast live on cablevision channel 78 and rebroadcast on
Thursdays
at
7:30 PM
and
Mondays
at
4:00 PM
. Questions? Please contact the West BOE Reps
Janée Hunter
and
Mary Blanc
at
edurep@westschoolptc.org.
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HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE DECORATING FUN
Kids ages 7 and up join us on
Friday, October 19th
from
5 PM
to
6:30 PM
at the Carriage Barn Arts Center for a Halloween treats and cupcake decorating workshop. Each child will receive step-by-step, hands-on instruction to create four custom designs, then creatively package each treat to bring home! Cost: $45 per child. Space is limited.
Click
here
to register.
NEW CANAAN GIRL SCOUTS
New Canaan Girl Scouts is looking for parents of girls in grades K-3 to volunteer to start new troops at West School. Your unique strengths and skills will benefit and inspire girls. Our NEW process is QUICK and EASY to get a troop up and running. Our program is very flexible and progressive, so you are able to choose a schedule that works best for you! And if you are not able to be a Co-Leader, consider being a Troop Helper. For more information, please contact:
Michele Breed
at
mbreen@gsofct.org.
 New Canaan High School Theatre presents the wonderfully creepy and kooky musical comedy, "The Addams Family"
October 26th at
7:00 PM and
October 27th at
2:00 PM and
7:00 PM. This will be a fun way for families to celebrate Halloween as the lobby will be decorated like a haunted mansion. "Spooky" pre-show activities for children grades K-5. Halloween costumes are ENCOURAGED! Purchase tickets
here.
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY
Calling all readers ages 8 to 12! On
Sunday, October 28th from
1-3 PM, in partnership with
Elm Street Books, the Library will be hosting a
Middle Grade Author Extravaganza
! Eleven nationally published children's authors are coming out to New Canaan for the day and will be discussing their work and themselves at an informal panel discussion from 1-2 PM. From 2-3 PM there will be an opportunity for a meet, greet, and book signing with each of the authors upstairs in the children's section of the Library. Click here to register and click here for additional information about this event.
NEW CANAAN YMCA
Elementary schoolers have the run of the Y for one night this month on
Saturday, October 20th
from
6:30 PM to 9 PM
! For this event, participants will be divided into groups of 5 or so and led around the Y to several activities such as free swim in the Scooter pool (non-swimming option available), time in Bouncing Bears, events in the gym, and activities in the Flex Space! A snack will also be provided at the start of the event! Register
here
. Member and non-member rates $20/$35. Must register beforehand! Join the fun at the Y this fall! Other date for this program is
November 10th.
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