November 2018 Newsletter
CO-PRESIDENTS' LETTER
Dear Saxe Families,

Later this month we’ll gather with our families to gorge ourselves on turkey and pumpkin pie, watch too much football and give thanks. At Saxe, we too have much to be thankful for. This year’s CELEBRATE SAXE campaign was a phenomenal success, with 58% of families participating to raise a total of $146,400 dollars! Yes, you read that correctly. We are equally in awe.

In addition to funding the PTC’s operating budget, your donations are also awarded as grants to Saxe faculty and staff. In the past, PTC grants have purchased Chromebooks, 3-D printers and robotic devices, as well as state-of-the-art furniture for student breakout spaces and overall curriculum enhancements. Over the next few months, we’ll keep you posted on how your donations will be spent this academic year!

The generosity of our Saxe Families is equally matched by the dedication of our outstanding CELEBRATE SAXE committee and all of our PTC volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to the following members who have donated countless hours to our various events:

  • Darcy Smith and Katie Harris, the CELEBRATE SAXE co-chairs, thank you for all of the blood, sweat and (happy) tears, along with your steadfast leadership and expertise. You answered the call‚ big time!
  • Jaime Fitzpatrick and Danielle Sieckhaus, our CELEBRATE SAXE Event Team, thank you for infusing every event with unsurpassed energy, pizzazz and organization. You knocked it out of the park!
  • Emily Hanlon and Anne Schimmeck, VPs of Ways & Means, congratulations on a tremendous CELEBRATE SAXE campaign and for helping whenever and wherever you were called into action.
  • Emily Cannon, Jenn Fittipaldi, Katie Holmstead, Kristin Mallozzi, Andrea Wilderman – Our Saxe Spiritwear Team provided the latest in Saxe school swag, the best way to show off our school spirit!
  • Kristin Reed and Marjorie Furman—kudos for overseeing all of our hospitality events and their amazing 5th grade Fun Run committee (Kristin Barnard, Kristen Grzymski, Laura Prior, Julie Passios) who endured two rain-outs before flawlessly executing this time-honored tradition.
  • Jennifer Murphy, many thanks for planning and organizing the delicious spread of food and refreshments for all the Open House nights. Jayne Benton, Camilla Austin, Annie Chan, and Katie Owsley, we appreciate your assistance with the Open House hospitality.
  • Jayne Benton and Mary Blanc, who coordinated school picture day. You mastered the art of herding middle schoolers!

The lives of our students are immeasurably enriched by the generosity and dedication of all Saxe Families. We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this school community!

Gratefully yours,
Susan Gelvin and Geri Mohr
Saxe PTC Co-Presidents
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
As we approach the “holiday season,” this is a nice time to reflect and take stock in what we all have to be thankful for. As cliché as it may sound, I am thankful for my health, my family, and the moments that we get to share together. I am also thankful for the opportunity to work in a district/town that supports education and its schools so well. The recent success of CELEBRATE SAXE is a fine example of this and we sincerely thank each and every one of you who participated. As principal, I am grateful for the wonderful Saxe community that I get to spend my professional life with on a daily basis.

It is my hope that you are able to spend some special time with your loved ones in the days leading up to holidays—even if it is just a few extra minutes reading with your child at night, or a taking a quick, special trip close to home that would make your child(ren)’s day. These little moments add up, and as we all know, time has a way of flying by. In the meantime: Be happy. Be kind. Be present. Be thankful. Be well.

Sincerely, 
Dave Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
IMPORTANT DATES
Nov 6 (Election Day)
Nov 22 (Thanksgiving)
Nov 23 (Thanksgiving)
Nov 13 - Nov 15
Saxe Book Fair
Nov 30 & Dec 1
5th/6th Grade Musical
"Alice in Wonderland Jr."
UPCOMING EVENTS
Volunteers Needed for Saxe Staff Appreciation Lunch
Tuesday, Nov 6
We only need two more parent volunteers for setup and a few more salads. Please help us show our fabulous faculty and staff the love.  Click HERE  to volunteer for lunch setup or to donate a green or pasta salad.
Saxe Book Fair is Coming Soon!
Nov 13 - 15, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Saxe Auxiliary Gym
The Saxe Book Fair is just a few short weeks away. Click HERE for the classroom visit schedule (subject to change). Parents are welcome to give book fair gift certificates to their children's teachers to add to their classroom library. Purchase by clicking HERE . Online sales will end at 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 11. We need your help! To volunteer, click HERE. Please contact Debbie Raymond with any questions.
Raising Girls to Be Tomorrow's Leaders
Nov 17, 10:30 AM, NCHS Wagner Room
Co-sponsored by LiveGirl and the Saxe PTC, Dr. Cristal Glangchai of VentureGirls will outline how to keep young girls from falling into a set of limited beliefs about their potential. The talk will explore how to empower their imagination through entrepreneurial training and problem-solving skills, resulting in confident children who are equipped for the challenges of today and tomorrow. This event is free of charge and open to the community. Click HERE to register. Space is limited.
BOE Meeting—Exploring Later Start Times
Nov 19, 7:00 PM, NCHS Wagner Room
At the Monday, November 19 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi will present the findings of the Later School Start Times Transportation Study. Parents are encouraged to attend and are welcome to speak at this meeting. The public comment period will be extended beyond the usual 15 minutes, with two minutes allotted per speaker.
"Alice in Wonderland Jr." Tickets On Sale Now!
Nov 30 at 7:00 PM; December 1 at 11 AM and 2 PM, Saxe Auditorium
Experience the magic of Wonderland! Join the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and, of course, Alice in all her various sizes, as they explore the topsy-turvy, colorful world that is Wonderland. Click HERE to purchase tickets for any of the three performances: Friday, November 30 at 7 PM and Saturday, December 1 at 11 AM and 2 PM.
Buy Saxe Spiritwear Online!
Saxe Spiritwear is now available online.  Click HERE for Saxe hoodies, lacrosse shorts, flannel pants and more. Spiritwear makes great holiday gifts—socks and headbands are perfect stocking stuffers too. Please contact Emily Cannon or Jenn Fittipaldi with any questions
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
Former Saxe Student's Eagle Scout Project
Benjamin Clay, a sophomore at NCHS and a Boy Scout in New Canaan's Troop 286, is currently working on his Eagle Scout project. He is collecting new and gently used winter outerwear, clothing, and boots in all sizes for the Open Doors Shelter in Norwalk. If you have items to donate that you would like picked up, please call (203) 594-1253, or click HERE to purchase from a wishlist. You can find more detailed information by clicking HERE .
Middle School Night at the YMCA
Nov 17, 7-9 PM
One Saturday a month middle schoolers get the Y all to themselves! Middle Schoolers get access to the Flex Space, Wellness Center, Group Ex, Basketball Gym, Forese Pool, and Wagner Room. This months special event in the gym will be Ultimate Frisbee and Basketball! Not only will there be plenty of fun games and activities but also a concession stand with snacks, drinks and pizza! Register in advance to save money and avoid waiting in line the night of the event. Click HERE for registration.
Register for New Canaan Youth Wrestling
Registration for the 2018-2019 season is now open. We are pleased to offer three programs again this year: Elementary (K-4th grade); Middle School (5th-8th grade) and a Travel program. Our travel program is by coach-invitation only. If you have not participated before, but are interested in joining the travel team, contact Jason Milligan . Questions? Contact Patty Zoccolillo , (203) 428-7678 . Click HERE to register.
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.