CO-PRESIDENTS' LETTER
Dear Saxe Parents,
Autumn is finally here, and we are so excited to welcome our 5th graders back into school full time! It is only a matter of time before the 6th, 7th and 8th graders will join them and we can finally say “good-bye” to the X and Y cohorts and the constant complaints about the wifi. We are so thankful to the entire Saxe administration, staff and faculty for all of their efforts along with an impressive amount of patience to get our children to this point. It is truly a time to celebrate our wonderful school community. There is no better way to do that than through our annual Celebrate Saxe campaign! Launching tomorrow, Celebrate Saxe is the PTC’s annual fundraiser and the only time we’ll ask for a monetary donation. Here are several ways your family’s contribution will make a difference:
- Your gift supports PTC programs and faculty grants NOT covered by the district budget.
-
All grants go through an extensive vetting process, starting with approvals from curriculum/department heads and the administration. Grants are then voted on by the PTC Executive Board and applied this school year. Last year, the PTC purchased furniture and books for classroom libraries across all grade levels and subjects, clay slab rollers and other equipment for the Art department, instruments for the Saxe Band, enhancements for the Saxe Cafe and recess equipment, as well as sensory equipment for the Special Education department.
- In a typical year, PTC donations also fund numerous events, including the Welcome Back celebrations, 8th grade graduation festivities, visual and performing programs as well as parent education series.
- This year, PTC donations will fund additional special projects and items that will help our administrators and teachers adhere to health and safety protocols while continuing to create a positive learning environment for our kids. Examples include extra tents, water bottle filling stations, new bike racks, etc.
This year’s Celebrate Saxe campaign will run for just one week from October 2nd through October 9th. Every gift counts and is truly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your donations.
Celebrate Saxe and donate now!
With gratitude,
Jenny Volanakis and Patty Zocolillo, Saxe PTC Co-Presidents
|
|
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear Saxe Parents,
As we continue on our voyage that is the 2020-21 school year, we happily welcome back our 5th-grade students full-time this week and look forward to the same with our 6th-grade students next week. Also launching this week, is one of the most important PTC events of the year. CELEBRATE SAXE is a tremendous collaborative effort that has traditionally supported resources and experiences that allow our teachers to dream a little and provide opportunities for your children that may not be otherwise possible. Just like everything else this year, CELEBRATE SAXE will look a little different, but we look forward to sharing some past success stories and having some fun along the way with this tremendously meaningful fundraiser. We genuinely appreciate any and all contributions and are grateful to all who are committed to making Saxe Middle School continue to be the best we can be.
Dave Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
|
|
|
|
|
Picture Day
Oct 8 (Grades 5/6)
Oct 20 (Grades 7/8)
|
|
Student Photo Days
Oct 8 (Grades 5/6) and Oct 20 (Grades 7/8)
Saxe Photo Days this year will be held over two separate days in order to ensure a safe environment for our students. Photos may be ordered online or through the paper order form that will be sent home shortly. Send completed forms in with students on their assigned Photo Day. The Saxe Administration will share a schedule for the Photo Days soon.
|
|
Celebrate Saxe: Version 2020 starts tomorrow!
Oct 2-Oct 9
This year’s streamlined fundraising campaign runs from October 2-9 and highlights Saxe’s core values...caring, communication, commitment and community. Students will hear from sports figures, musicians, local heroes and our very own students and teachers via fun virtual cameos. Click HERE to check them out as the week goes on. Thank you to all who have already donated! Please click HERE to contribute today.
|
|
Thank You Saxe PTC Volunteers!
-To Laurie Barnes, the PTC Webmaster and Membership Co-Chair, for her work updating our Saxe PTC website AND her tireless efforts to get our new online directory up and running!
-To Christen Garcia and Diane Ruggieri for serving as 5th Grade Room Parent Coordinators. We appreciate their flexibility and creativity during this challenging year!
|
|
JOIN THE PTC
Our New Online Directory is LIVE!
Become a member of Saxe PTC today and you will receive access to our new online school directory. Dues are $30. Click HERE to join now! Already a member? Access the directory HERE.
|
|
Filling in the Blanks Holiday Backpack Program
Sept 1-October 12
Filling in the Blanks is a local non-profit organization that fights childhood hunger by providing children who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program with meals on the weekends. Through the Holiday Backpack Program, children in the FITB program will receive a new backpack filled with pancake mix, syrup, books, a toy and dental kits. The sturdy backpacks will not only provide a gift to the child but are a valuable means of transportation for their critical food packages. For many children this might be the only items they will receive for the holiday. Order Deadline is October 12. Please consider donating an item by clicking on this Amazon wishlist. Donations will be delivered directly to the FITB warehouse. If you would like to make a cash donation to the Holiday Backpack program. Please Click HERE For information about FITB.
|
|
YWL Boofest!
October 1-30
The Young Women's League of New Canaan is on a mission to spread the spook all over town with our latest fundraiser, Boofest! and make this a Halloween to remember! Spread the spook to friends and neighbors by purchasing one of our "Boo" packages that includes creepy mailbox decorations and an optional Halloween-themed goodie basket provided by Groove. Anyone can purchase and delivery is available in New Canaan and surrounding towns. Our Boo Squad does all the work and will be delivering and decorating "boo" recipients' homes throughout October. Click HERE to buy your kit now! Proceeds to benefit our featured beneficiaries, Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County and Waveny LifeCare Network.
|
|
New Canaan Sculpture Trail
Now through the end of October
Fall is the perfect time to get outside and visit the New Canaan Sculpture Trail (NCST). NCST was created by the New Canaan Land Trust, in partnership with the Carriage Barn Arts Center, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. By joining art and nature, this inaugural outdoor art exhibition uniquely connects residents and visitors to our natural surroundings. The exhibition features eight juried sculptural installations at six New Canaan Land Trust preserves, the front lawn of the New Canaan Town Hall, and the courtyard of the Carriage Barn Arts Center.
|
|
New Canaan CARES: Helping Our Teens Thrive In This Uncertain COVID Environment
Oct 14 at 7:00 PM
Join Cristina Young for a talk designed to help parents help themselves first. Participants will learn practical tips on implementing excellent self-care routines during long periods of ongoing stress. Parents will leave armed with the strategies and scripts needed to cultivate resilience, empathy, hope and optimism in themselves and in their teens during stressful times. In partnership with the NCHS. For parents and caregivers of children ages 14-18. Click HERE for more information and to register.
|
|
Rotary Club Lobsterfest
October 16 and 17, 4:00-8:00 PM
The New Canaan Rotary Club has developed a creative, innovative plan for the 35th Annual Lobsterfest with a “contactless” drive through pick up at Waveny Pool Pavilion. Proceeds from Lobsterfest are the New Canaan Rotary Club's main source of funds to provide grants to support many local non-profits. Click HERE to place your order online. No tickets will be sold at the door. Order by September 30th to save 10% off the $45 ticket price. Food prepared and packed by professionals from New Canaan's Fjord Fish Market (lobster or the new salmon option) and Walter Stewart's Market (chicken). Home deliveries available for orders of 8+. Gift Cards are also now available. Give a dinner to friends, co-workers, clients or say thanks to a local first responder. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, you can do so on the Rotary Club's website.
|
|
New Canaan CARES: Mental Health, Surviving the Adolescent Years
Oct 21 at 6:30 PM
Suicide-attempt survivor, Emily Torchiana, shatters the stigma surrounding mental health, by sharing her personal story: being victim to cyberbullying, struggling with mental health and surviving a suicide attempt during her adolescent years. For parents and high school teens. Click HERE for more information and to register.
|
|
Register for New Canaan Squash
Programs are available for boys and girls K-12. No experience is necessary! New players are welcome to try a free clinic. Squash has famously been called “the world’s healthiest sport” thanks to the high intensity workouts that improve strength, balance and agility, all while being fun and social! Is your field hockey or lacrosse player looking for speed and agility conditioning? Is your football player looking for winter conditioning? Does your soccer player want to improve their footwork? Does your tennis player want winter court time? Squash is the perfect complement to almost any other sport and so many of our players are multi-sport athletes. Click HERE for more information. If you have any questions or to register for a new player clinic, please contact Liz Schmidt for 5th/6th grade and Allison Zinczenko for 7th/8th grade.
|
|
Need More Information? Have Questions? Click HERE for our newly improved Saxe PTC website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
