September 23, 2021
PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE
Lauren Erickson and Meghan Gould
This week, we are so excited to unveil “Westy,” a sculpture created by renowned artist and West School Dad, Paul Balmer. Many parents got the opportunity to see Westy in person at our back to school coffee on Tuesday morning. (More information about that below) Getting our mascot into the building was a challenge that involved hoisting it over the roof! A tremendous thank you to Paul for donating his talent and his time to bring our beloved whale to life. Thank you also, once again, for OLC designer Michael Canoro assisting with the installation and for designing this beautiful space for our children and teachers to enjoy. 
Westy the Whale in the completed OLC
Artist Paul Balmer and crew installing Westy
Mighty Math is Back!
Mighty Math is about to launch! Mighty Math is a program open to all West students that encourages practicing math at home. Students submit their minutes, and are awarded prizes when they reach milestones. Some examples of ways to earn math minutes are board games, card games, logic puzzles, manipulatives, (ie- magna tiles) and computer games. The students’ achievements are recorded on a bulletin board at the school. While this is a voluntary program, we encourage all students to give it a try! Please visit here for more information!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, September 28th
Virtual Open House (Grades 3-4) - 6:30pm

Friday, October 1st
Spirit Day

Tuesday, October 5th - Thursday, October 7th
Fall Book Fair

Tuesday, October 5th
Book Fair Family Night

Friday, October 8th
Student Photo Day

Friday, October 22nd
Visiting Author Gordon Korman (Grade 3 - 4)
UPCOMING HOLIDAYS (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, November 2nd - Professional Development Day
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
On Tuesday, West parents were invited back into the school for the PTC welcome back coffee. The event was held in the OLC, and began with a “ribbon cutting” ceremony attended by past West presidents who were involved in the project (which began in 2018) Stacy Harmon, Karen Willett and Erica Schwedel; current presidents and OLC committee members Lauren Erickson and Meghan Gould; OLC committee members Michael Canoro, Jill Carles and Elisa Walters; Superintendent Dr. Brian Luizzi, Principal Jan Murphy and BOE rep, Penny Rashin. Following the ceremony, West parents listened to remarks from Dr. Luizzi, Jan Murphy and the PTC presidents and Treasurer. There was also an opportunity to shop for spirit wear, to donate to Share-a-book, to pick up directories, and to tour the newly opened OLC. Thanks to VP of Parent Education, Jamie Collingham for organizing and leading the meeting, and to all who attended! 
WESTY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FALL FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT TONIGHT!
You won’t want to miss West’s first family social event of the year! Grab your family and enjoy a picnic dinner, dance to tunes from DJ Stella and watch Sing on a giant outdoor screen. Gates will open at 6:00pm to set up your chairs and blanket, eat dinner, dance and mingle. Movie will begin at dusk. Concessions will be sold at the event! Online ticket sales have closed, but you can still come and pay $35 at the door. Please click here for tips for the event tonight!
ENDING TODAY! SIGN UP FOR 3RD AND 4TH GRADE NUTMEG GROUPS
Sign ups for the Nutmeg Reading Groups will CLOSE TONIGHT at 9pm! The popular book clubs were established by the West School PTC to give kids a chance to read some top-notch, age-appropriate literature and discuss it with their friends. The groups choose their own books from the annual Nutmeg Book Award nominees. Each group is led by a parent volunteer, and will meet six times throughout the year in grade and gender specific groups. All meetings will be on days and times agreed upon by each group. Space is limited! Sign up here.
SHARE A BOOK
Help fill the West School library with NEW books through the Share-A-Book program! Our Library Media Specialist, Mr. Murren, continues to build an inspiring and forward-looking space for our school. Parents and caregivers can strengthen that vision by donating books during the annual Share-a-Book drive. Share-a-Book is the only fundraiser for the library at West. With every $20 donation, a bookplate will be personalized with your child's name and placed in new books selected by Mr. Murren.

Questions: shareabook@westschoolptc.org Click here to donate.
BOOKS BRING US TOGETHER
The Book Fair is returning to West School! Please save the date, Tuesday October 5th-Thursday October 7th. For the first time ever the Book Fair will be held in our beautiful Outdoor Learning Center. More information to follow regarding the class visit schedule, volunteer positions and opportunities to donate books to your classroom library. Don't forget reusable bags for all your books. We can't wait to see you at the Book Fair! Questions? Contact bookfair@westschoolptc.org.
FOLLOW NCPS ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER!
NCPS is pleased to share that we have launched our Official Instagram and Twitter accounts that will feature important news and updates about our schools and community. Follow us at @NewCanaanPS.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
At the Monday, September 20th BOE Meeting, Dr. Charles Dumais presented the Open Choice program to the Board. Dr. Bryan Luizzi gave a Covid update, and Dr. Jo-Ann Keating presented a statement of accounts. The next BOE meeting is Monday, October 4th at 7pm. The meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes are here. Questions? Please contact the West BOE representative Meghan Gould at edurep@westschoolptc.org.
COMMUNITY LINKS
CALLING ALL YOUNG BUILDERS
Calling all budding architects, engineers and building fanatics! Come join the New Canaan Museum's Builder's Challenge and create a structure in your favorite New Canaan architectural style out of interlocking blocks (such as Lego or MegaBloks bricks). Kids’ creations will be displayed in local store windows throughout the month of October to celebrate October4Design - the month-long celebration of New Canaan’s architecture, art, community and design. (Don’t worry you can retrieve your child’s building at the end of the exhibit.) We have 50 baseplates to get you started on a first-come, first-served basis - one per family please! The Builder’s Challenge sign up (and free baseplates) are available at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. For more information, visit here or 203-966-1776 ext 2.
GIRL SCOUTS OF CT
See for yourself what Girl Scouts has to offer. Come check out Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Join us for an evening of fun and information! Thursday, October 7th at 6pm at Merrie Bee Cabin in Kiwanis Park. Click here for more information.
LEGO WORKSHOP
Calling all Lego Enthusiasts! On the heels of his first sold out Lego workshop, West School 4th grader Jamie McGee will be leading another instructional class, this time called Cars & Trucks & Things That Go. Open to all 1st and 2nd grade students. Location to be provided upon signup. Max of 15 students (you'll receive confirmation of registration shortly after signup). Cost is $25 per student. Every student comes home with creation! And one student will win a special Lego prize for winning the Lego race at the end of class! Click here to sign up!
ROTARY CLUB LOBSTERFEST
New Canaan Rotary Club's 36th Annual LobsterFest will be on Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th from 4pm to 8pm at the Waveny Pool. For tickets, go to here. Purchase by Thursday, September 30th for a 10% discount. Choose from lobster, grilled salmon or fried chicken with your choice of curbside pickup, dine in poolside with reservations, or home delivery for orders of 8 or more. Online orders only, no tickets sold at door. Gift cards available or donate a meal to a first responder!