February 18, 2022
PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE
Lauren Erickson and Meghan Gould
We are so excited to welcome parent volunteers back to West School after winter break! We will have a range of opportunities to be at school this spring but are still working out some details. At this time we are ready to start soliciting interest in three specific roles:

  • West Parents Care: This brand new volunteer opportunity will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30-11am. In the lobby of the school, you will find bins of projects requested by the teachers - copying, laminating, cutting for class projects, etc.
  • Media Center: We are still working out the specifics, but we plan to have volunteers come in each day Monday through Friday to help shelve books and help Mr. Murren with whatever he needs!
  • Math Night: We are excited to have Math Night in person on March 9th and are looking for six volunteers to help with setting up, checking in, guiding families throughout the event as needed, and handing out prizes. Please fill out the form if interested, or email mathnight@westschool.ptc.org.

Please click here to add your name to our roster of interested volunteers, or feel free to reach out to us directly at presidents@westschoolptc.org. After filling out the form, you will hear back from someone soon! Have a wonderful break!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, March 4th
Spirit Day

Wednesday, March 9th (snow date Thursday, March 10th)
Math Night, 5:30pm

Tuesday, March 15th (snow date Wednesday, March 22nd)
PTC General Meeting

Wednesday, March 16th
Spring Forward Meet & Greet

Friday, March 25th
Spirit Day

Monday, March 28th
Kindergarten Parent Orientation
UPCOMING HOLIDAYS (NO SCHOOL)
Friday, February 18th - Friday, February 25th
Winter Break
WEEK IN REVIEW
On Wednesday, West students had a special virtual performance presented by the Wiffenpoofs! The Wiffenpoofs are one of Connecticut's very own cultural treasures, right from New Haven’s Yale University. Founded in 1909, the Whiffenpoofs are the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. This talented group of performers travels all over the world to sing. Our students got to hear a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and other hits! They enjoyed learning about what it means to be a "Whiff" and how to sing a cappella. This interactive dynamic performance was loved by all! Don't forget to ask your child where the name Whiffenpoofs came from!
WESTY ANNOUNCEMENTS
MATH NIGHT, INVENTION CONVENTION
We look forward to seeing everyone in person for Math Night on Wednesday, March 9th (snow date: Thursday, March 10th)! We will assess relevant Covid protocols as the event approaches. Questions? Please email mathnight@westschoolptc.org.
WEST SCHOOL MEMORY YEARBOOK
The memory book sale page is open and ready to receive your orders. Order your West School Memory yearbook now for lifelong memories! Deadline to order is by Friday, March 11th. (Late orders will be charged a $5 fee.) Please click on the link here to get started. Thank you for supporting our program!
MIGHTY MATH
Mighty Math is on a roll with 3rd Grade in the lead followed closely by the 2nd grade. It is not too late for the other grades to catch up. Every new Mighty Math participant counts towards your grade's total. Check out the numbers on the Mighty Math boards. Don't forget to log your minutes to earn fun prizes as you reach each milestone. Next week we will introduce MM to the kindergarten classes! More info will be sent in the next few days. Click here to learn more about the program including examples of Mighty Math activities and how to record minutes. Any questions, email mightymath@westschoolptc.org.
WEST PTC INSTAGRAM!
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.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The next BOE meeting will be Monday, March 7th. Questions? Email Meghan Gould at edurep@westschoolptc.org. The agenda and prior meeting minutes are here.
HELP WANTED
NCPS IS LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
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. 
COMMUNITY LINKS
YOUTH BASEBALL REGISTRATION
Community Announcement New Canaan Baseball is winding down our Spring registration and we have programs for all ages (4-15) and abilities. Please go here for complete details. Spring will be here before you know it. PLAY BALL!
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER
This spring, join us to explore the forests, fields, and ponds of the New Canaan Nature Center during our new after school program! Create hypotheses, conduct experiments, and get ready for some awesome hands-on collaborative learning. Delve into fun and engaging weekly themes while exploring our natural world. For students in grades K-2 during the 2021-2022 school year. Program Includes: Bus transportation to the Nature Center from the 3 NCPS Elementary Schools; snack time; outdoor free play (whenever possible); sustainable nature STEAM activities; and homework/quiet indoor time. Registration opens Monday, February 7th for our Spring Session which runs from April 18th-June 17th. Click here for more information.
WINTER WARMER AT THE CARRIAGE BARN
Winter warmer evening Friday, February 18th from 5 - 6:30pm with wine and chocolate! Come and see the 42nd Annual Photography Exhibit juried by award winning photographer Platon at the Carriage Barn (before it closes on Saturday, February 19th). Children welcome, there will be children's crafts. Enjoy a glass of wine and chocolate and brownie tastings from Knipschildt Chocolatiers, Le Pain Quotidien and Edible Arrangements. Suggested donation per family $25. Check here for details.
SPRING SOFTBALL REGISTRATION
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!
NEW CANAAN HIGH SCHOOL PRESCHOOL
The NCHS Preschool Program will open this Spring 2022 in early March. 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.
PARENTING ASPIRING INFLUENCERS
Join New Canaan CARES on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7pm in the Saxe Auditorium to hear how we as parents can protect our kids' mental health and promote internet safety. Learn the history and evolution of social media platforms and how these platforms work. Explore the culture of these apps and ways to have conversations about social media. See more information and register here.
HOW TO TALK SO LITTLE KIDS WILL LISTEN
Join New Canaan CARES on March 3rd at 10am at New Canaan Country School to hear from Beth O'Brien, the head of early childhood at NCCS. Help your little kids grow into self-reliant big kids who are positively connected to their parents, teachers, siblings and peers. This program will equip you with strategies for communicating effectively with the young children in your life. See more information and register here.
NEW CANAAN WINTER HIKING CHALLENGE
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.
NC COLOR DROP 2022
NCSF Announces the 2nd Annual NC Color Drop The NCHS Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) will hold its second NC Color Drop on Saturday, March 26th at 10am. After a successful event last year, a sleek Bell407 helicopter, courtesy of HeliNY, will once again fly over the skies of New Canaan and hover over Waveny Park, safely releasing more than 1500 colored golf balls over a designated target. Each golf ball will have an assigned number. The lucky person whose ball lands closest to the target will win a fabulous prize, such as a Momentum Transend Electric Bike, a Pet Portrait by Emma Sims, Mayfair Tickets, and an 84 Sports NC Gift Basket. The winning balls will be announced immediately. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the NCSF for need-based scholarships given to NCHS graduates. Bill Egan, NCHS Principal and Chairman of the NCSF, believes the 2022 NC Color Drop is an opportunity for the community to make a difference in the lives of students. “Transitioning to the Color Drop last year was so exciting and we are looking for the same amount of enthusiasm this year. Seeing a rainbow of golf balls raining down on the field was a thrill and knowing that each bit of color represented a donation to help a student made the NC Color Drop a special way to celebrate NCSF.” Spectators will be allowed to view the NC Color Drop from a safe distance in Waveny. Golf balls will be available for purchase online beginning March 1st at nchs-sf.org.
ROCKETS AND ICE CREAMS
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 7th, when the Cub Scouts of New Canaan will be hosting their annual model-rocket event at Waveny Park from 6 - 7:30 pm. Learn about the scouting programs in our town and enjoy a fun-filled evening of model rocket launches. Open to the public. No charge to attend. Online registration to open in early May. Email recruitment@ncpack7.com to receive updates. Rain date is Wednesday, June 8th.
RIGHT AT SCHOOL
Interested in after-school programs? Join a Zoom call on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - see flyer for details and click here to learn more.
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