CO-PRESIDENTS' LETTER
Dear Saxe Families,
Spring is finally here and we look forward to warmer temps, the season’s first flowers and the extra minutes of natural light that each day brings. We are excited to announce the arrival of a NEW Saxe greenhouse for use by all of the students and faculty at Saxe as well as some of the clubs. The greenhouse will undoubtedly serve to support and enrich the incredible learning that is already going on within our classrooms as well as provide new opportunities to expand the curriculum offered to our students.
In addition to the greenhouse, several new outdoor dining tables and umbrellas have been purchased by the PTC for one of our Saxe courtyards. This is an expansion of the extremely successful Saxe Cafe. With the warmer weather on the way, this will give more options for students during lunch and other times throughout the day to get outside and enjoy much needed fresh air.
These enhancements are only made possible through your generous Celebrate Saxe donations. Your generosity has immeasurably enriched the experience of each Saxe student, both inside and outside the classroom, and we are forever grateful to be part of such a wonderful community.
Gratefully yours,
Jenny Volanakis and Patty Zoccolillo
Saxe PTC Co-Presidents
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Dear Saxe Parents,
Happy April! As we continue to transition into spring, the upcoming April break will allow many to shift gears, relax, and/or enjoy some special time with family and friends. Upon our return, we will begin our journey down the home stretch of the 2020-21 school year. While this has been a year like no other, we will continue to provide some important events that will remind us of some normalcy.
On Wednesday, April 21st, we will hold our collaborative General PTC meeting (via Zoom) to focus on the developmental needs of our middle school students as they approach their upcoming transition(s). Those in attendance will join members of our administrative team, student support team, and school resource officer (Officer Deak) as we discuss and respond to questions around school safety, wellness, dependence vs. interdependence, and social, emotional, physical, and academic needs. Updates on our important emotional intelligence work will also be shared.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout this unprecedented year. We are proud and grateful for what we have been able to consistently provide for our students. Wishing you the best for a wonderful April break!
Be well,
Dave Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
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No School
April 2-9 Good Friday & Spring Break
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5-8 Grade Open Virtual Open Houses
April 19-27 (more info to come from Saxe)
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Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 3-7
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Saxe General PTC Meeting
April 21 at 9:30 AM (via Zoom)
Come listen to this power panel of speakers and vote on our nominated slate for the 2021-2022 (as posted on the Saxe PTC website)! Principal David Gusitsch and Assistant Principals Ferreira, Bedard, and Clapp will discuss grade transitions; Officer Deak will update us on school safety, and NCPS Student Supports Coordinator Susan Bliss will share the latest and greatest about social emotional intelligence in our schools.
This meeting will be conducted virtually via a Zoom webinar. Please submit any questions that you have for the Saxe Administration, Officer Deak or Susan Bliss via this Google Form. Questions will be accepted via this form until Tuesday, April 20.
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Staff Appreciation Thank You Video
Deadline: April 23
Monday, May 3rd is the kickoff to National Teacher Appreciation Week and we hope you will join us in thanking our teachers and staff for their efforts this year! Please show your gratitude and help celebrate the Saxe faculty and staff by sending in a “virtual thank you.” Click HERE to submit a photo or video thanking an individual teacher or an entire color team. We will share these with the staff at the conclusion of Teacher Appreciation Week. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Photos and videos can be uploaded using the Google form link below (Google email login is required). Photos can be submitted in either vertical or horizontal format. Videos must be recorded in the horizontal (landscape) format only and can be no longer than 10 seconds. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 23.
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Saxe Grade 5 Berry/Hamman Community Service Project
As part of the community service agenda in the New Caanan School system- the 5th Grade Green team class has chosen to focus their efforts on the growing needs of Animal Shelters in our area- the same shelters where many of the kids adopted their family pet. Covid-19 has only made the situation worse as families with hardships are no longer able to take care of their pet: The class will be making toys for the pets, and encouraging donations of needed products for the shelter through the Amazon Smiles wishlist program and cash donation through a Go Fund Me page.
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Learn More About Ram Council for 8th Graders
Attention 8th Grade Parents! Ram Council is more than just an extracurricular activity, It’s a thriving community of like-minded teens committed to healthy decision-making and substance-free living. The council includes students in grades 8-12, with a separate group for 8th graders. Monthly meetings are currently held via Zoom
with topics including leadership, public speaking, self care, self esteem, resistingo substance abuse peer pressure (drinking, etc.), goal setting, positive parent-teen connections, teen finances and more. Annual suggested dues: $25. Click HERE for more information or contact Joyce Sixsmith to register your 8th grader.
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Connecticut State Requirement for 6th Grade Students
Connecticut State Law requires ALL students to have a physical exam during sixth 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 1st 2020. Upon completion of the exam, please email the completed CT health assessment record to the lower division health office. You may contact your school nurse, Joelle Graham, with any questions. She can be reached at joelle.graham@ncps-k12.org or at (203) 594-4526
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Follow the Saxe PTC on Instagram
Don't miss out on important announcements like Spiritwear ordering, Celebrate Saxe info or just fun images from around campus. Click HERE to follow the Saxe PTC on Instagram
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Join Filling in the Blanks for the Unite to Fight Virtual 5k
Anytime between April 25 and April 30, anywhere!
Filling in the Blanks fights childhood hunger by providing children in need with meals on the weekends. Since the pandemic started last March, food insecurity rates have skyrocketed. This run/walk event will raise valuable funds to help Filling in the Blanks restock their inventory, allowing them to continue to be a resource families can count on-feeding local children in need. Click HERE to learn more about this event.
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New Canaan CARES presents Narcan Virtual Training
April 20 at 7:00 PM
Learn how you can save a life. Attendees will receive a free Narcan kit with Narcan nasal spray. Free training will cover: the opioid epidemic; how to prevent an overdose; how to recognize warning signs and symptoms; how to administer Narcan (Naloxone); and current protective legislation in CT Local resources & services. In partnership with The Hub. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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New Canaan CARES presents A Modern Approach to Feeding Your Family
April 20 at 9:30 AM, South School
Join pediatric dietitian Jill Castle in this engaging presentation. Parents will learn tips on what to feed, how to feed, and ways to bring joy back to feeding your family! Topics will include meal planning, healthy snacks, food balance, good role modeling and messaging around food. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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New Canaan CARES presents a documentary screening of "If They Had Known"
April 14 at 7:00 PM
A screen of “If They Had Known” will be followed by a discussion with Frank Bartolomeo, Ph.D., LCSW, Director of Adolescent Services at Silver Hill Hospital. Recommended for ages 13+ and their parents/caregivers. “If They Had Known” is a 35 minute documentary about an accidental death that shouldn't have happened. Partying in high school and college is nothing new, but how kids party these days has changed. In partnership with Silver Hill Hospital. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Summer Camp at The New Canaan Nature Center
The New Canaan Nature Center is excited to introduce its Sustainable STEAM program this summer. Come and explore what you can do to help the environment thrive while building Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) skills. All children will be meeting daily with NCNC Handwork Specialist to complete projects such as sewing, carving, knitting, felting, natural dying and much much more. They will offer engineering and land stewardship projects for the full day classes! Day Camp: June 1- Aug 13; ages 3-5 years (half day), ages 4-10 years (full day). Adventure Camp: June 21 - Aug 6; ages 11-13. Click HERE for more information.
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Need More Information? Have Questions? Click HERE for our newly improved Saxe PTC website.
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