WEST PTC | WEST PTC CALENDAR | WEST SCHOOL | NCPS DISTRICT

As we enter 2022, it’s time to start thinking about the PTC Executive Board for the 2022-2023 school year. We welcome nominations of mothers & fathers within our parent community, and we encourage you to nominate yourself or friends who are interested in this important commitment. As with all years, we are looking for new volunteers to bring fresh ideas and energy to our programs, events, fundraising and communications. We will also have many opportunities to get involved next year, big and small, coming later this spring. We hope you find a way to share your talents and interests - please click here to visit the Nomination page on the PTC website, or feel free to reach out to us directly at presidents@westschoolptc.org. 

Virtual Family Pizza and Trivia Night

Spirit Day

Spirit Day

Variety Show, 4pm (snow date: Thursday, February 10th)

Spirit Day

Math Night, 5:30pm (snow date: Wednesday, March 16th)

Winter Break

We are excited to share a new book as part of our Proud to Read Aloud program, designed to promote reading aloud together by sharing one book with our families. This year, we selected the book “Be You” by Peter Reynolds. We plan to share a virtual read aloud of the book for families. The program will begin on Monday, January 31st and we hope you will participate with your family and join our mission to teach students the message of the book: that we are all unique and meant to be our best selves. Also as part of the program, our art teacher, Mrs. Zeiss, will provide students with the opportunity to create identity maps that are being hung in the hallways to showcase each of our student’s unique and special qualities. Click here to hear the book being read aloud. You can also purchase the book at Elm Street Books in town or by clicking here.

The Memory Book team wants your photos! Our team is hard at work designing the 2021-2022 West School Memory Book. If you have any candid photos from school events, classroom time, or anything West School related from this year, please send them our way! Email them to: memorybooks@westschoolptc.org IMPORTANT: Please save your jpeg photo in the following format: firstname.lastname.teachername Thank you for your help in making this year's Memory Book incredibly special for our children.

Are your kids fighting all the time? Do you feel like a referee? If your children bicker, tease, tattle, and battle, then this workshop is for you. Join NC Cares on Tuesday, February 8th at 9:30am on Zoom to hear from Leonore Dweck and learn how to prevent conflict before it happens, and things you can do to help your siblings resolve their conflict themselves. Click here for more information.

The West School Variety Show is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9th at the Saxe Middle School Auditorium! West students are invited to cheer on our talented 3rd and 4th grade performers. We will assess relevant COVID safety protocols as the event date approaches. Questions? Please contact Erin Marich and Jaime Smith at variety@westschoolptc.org.

In the interest of hosting Math Night in person, the event will now be held on Wednesday, March 9th (snow date Wednesday, March 16th). We know how hard every child has worked on their project, and we want them to be celebrated by parents and students who share a love of Math. This will also give a few extra weeks for families to work on their awesome inventions! Please note that the visual of student inventions (a prototype, diagram, etc.) along with completed Reflection Form (reflection forms for grades K-1 are here and grades 2-4 are here) are now due on Thursday, February 17th. If already completed, please feel free to deliver projects to our Math Specialist, Mrs. Willman. Visuals and responses will still be photographed and/or recorded, in the event anyone needs to attend virtually, and sent to the entire West School community. We will assess relevant Covid protocols as the event approaches. Questions? Please email mathnight@westschoolptc.org.

Don't forget to log your at-home math minutes to win prizes! Mighty Math is voluntary and open to all West School students. The program is designed to encourage the practice of mathematics at home by recognizing students at school for their efforts. Click here to learn more about the program, including examples of Mighty Math activities and how to record minutes. Questions? Please email Alex Sullivan and Vanessa LaVerne at mightymath@westschoolptc.org.

Please join the West School PTC Instagram page @westptcnc ! You can learn important school information, and receive reminders and event recaps on the site. Please contact Carolina Castellano with any questions at socialmedia@westschoolptc.org.

The next BOE meeting will be Monday, January 24th, 2022. Questions? Email Meghan Gould at edurep@westschoolptc.org. The agenda and prior meeting minutes are here.

First Presbyterian Nursery School (FPNS) is now seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Director for the 2022-2023 school year. For full job description and details, see here.

The New Canaan Public Schools are looking to hire substitute teachers. Candidates must be 18 years or older with a Bachelors Degree. Must be able to produce Covid-19 vaccination card per CT Executive Order 13C. Daily rate is $125.00. Click here for more information. 

Spring is coming!...which means softball is coming! All Kindergarten to 8th graders are invited to join the fun this Spring 2022. No experience required! What better way to get ready for warmer days ahead than to register for spring softball! Last day to register before late fees start is Friday, February 18th. Register here!

Registrations are open for preschool children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years for this Spring and we are accepting applications for the Fall/Spring 2022/2023 school year. The preschool is located at New Canaan High School and high school Child Development students provide activities and learning activities as part of their course work. For further information contact nchspreschoolprogram@ncps-k12.org.

Back by popular demand Filling in the Blanks will be holding its third annual SOUPerBowl Challenge. A Weekend Meal Bag staple, let's help them restock their inventory of kid-favorite soups for local kids in need. Who will win this year? Returning champion Chicken Noodle or underdog Tomato? Visit their virtual food drive here and to support your community and your favorite soup.

Register for New Canaan Library's Winter Reading program! Track your reading, complete wintry activities, and earn prizes as you go! Every day is a snow day at New Canaan Library, and we have a blizzard of books and activities for you to enjoy. Challenge yourself to spend some time reading every day and track your progress on Beanstack. Read books, complete activities, and record how many minutes you read to earn virtual badges and prizes. Complete at least 8 badges to earn a special prize. If you have any questions, please email the Library's Children’s Department (child@newcanaanlibrary.org) or call us at 203-594-5002. Click here to register for Winter Reading!

Let’s come together and give back to our community! Join New Canaan CARES and New Canaan Library to get crafty and create projects reflecting kindness and caring in this monthly program from January to April for 1st/2nd grades and 3rd/4th grades. Children will share their creations to bring joy to others and themselves. Please check the library’s event calendar for dates, times, themes and registration.

Squash K-4 registration is open for the winter sessions! Session I begins Session II begins January 29th. All levels are welcome. Head to www.ncsquash.com to learn more or click here.

Participate in the New Canaan Land Trust’s First-Ever Winter Hiking Challenge! We invite you and your families to explore the trails at our seven open-to-the-public preserves by participating in the 2022 New Canaan Winter Hiking Challenge. Take in the beautiful scenery as you traverse through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows right here in New Canaan. The Challenge goes from now through the end of winter (March 20th). A great way to get outside in the new year! Share proof of your hike by finding trail markers along the way, snap a selfie and post it to social media using special hashtags. Submit your information to the Land Trust and be entered into a raffle to win a handcrafted walking stick. Click here for more information.