Our "Dress for Your Dream Profession Day" was a huge success! The hallways transformed into a vibrant showcase of future aspirations as students proudly wore the attire of their dream professions. Young doctors donned white coats with toy stethoscopes, aspiring teachers wore professional attire, future police officers sported plastic badges, budding chefs arrived in crisp aprons, and tomorrow's pop stars sparkled in performance outfits. The excitement peaked during our whole-school assembly where we highlighted our core value of "be here" – both physically and mentally engaged in building toward these dreams. The atmosphere was electric as our "Top Eagle" honorees strutted down a special red carpet, receiving applause from their peers for exemplifying excellence in academics and character.
This week Hip Hop Fundamentals was featured during our school assembly! Students became active participants in bringing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of love to life through the dynamic language of hip-hop culture. The auditorium pulsed with excitement as scholars took turns stepping onto the stage – some confidently delivering powerful lines about Civil Rights, others joining in synchronized dance moves that represented the movement's strength and unity. The interactive performance wove together breakdancing, music, and historical narrative, making complex concepts meaningful to our young audience. Through Hip Hop Fundamentals' unique blend of education and artistic expression, our scholars didn't just learn about Civil Rights history – they experienced it.
Julian Curtiss School is proudly accepting magnet applications for the upcoming school year. As Greenwich's "United Nations School," we offer a unique educational experience with foreign language instruction from kindergarten through fifth grade. We are particularly distinguished as the only elementary school in the district that offers French language instruction beginning in kindergarten. Our intimate school environment fosters a true family atmosphere, enabling us to develop deep, personal connections with each of our scholars. While we may be small in size, we are big in heart and commitment to excellence, "small school, big family". Our community celebrates the rich diversity of our student body while maintaining high academic expectations for every scholar. This combination of cultural appreciation, language immersion, and academic rigor creates an exceptional learning environment.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with families seeking a special school community where every child is valued, challenged, and supported in their academic journey. For those interested in joining our school family, we welcome you to learn more about our magnet program and experience firsthand what makes Julian Curtiss truly unique.
Application is due February 2nd.
Thank you,
Eduardo Calderon and Claribel Michilena
Students who will turn 3 years old but will NOT turn 5 years old by September 1st of the following year are eligible to apply for entrance to the GPS Preschool Program.
The GPS Preschool follows state guidelines for kindergarten entrance the year that the student reaches their fifth birthday.
Students will be accepted based on maintaining balanced classes (age and gender).
First Priority - Siblings of youngsters who are presently enrolled in the preschool program (and will continue in the program as a 4 year old for the next school year) and siblings of Magnet K-4 students presently enrolled at Julian Curtiss School will have priority status for a vacancy in a preschool class. These students are not placed in the lottery system.
Second Priority - Remaining vacancies in the Julian Curtiss Preschool classes will initially be filled with youngsters who live within the school's attendance areas.
It's time for our mid-year check-in. We will be administering the assessments below to collect data that will help teachers know how to plan targeted instruction for each of their scholars. This data is not used for grading, it is used as a resource to identify the specific needs of our scholars.
Mid-Year Assessments Windows
LAS Links window is open Jan 2 - March 7th (ESL students)
Link it Form B window opens for January administration (K-5) - Jan 21 - Feb 7
This month, we are thrilled to spotlight My Uncle Martin's Big Heart by Angela Farris Watkins, beautifully illustrated by Eric Velasquez, as our Book of the Month.
In this heartwarming story, Angela Farris Watkins, PhD, shares a unique perspective on her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through her eyes, we see not only a towering civil rights leader but also a loving family member and man of deep faith and compassion. The book offers children a rare glimpse into his life beyond his public role, highlighting the profound love he shared with his family, and all of humanity.
My Uncle Martin's Big Heart reminds us of the power of kindness, character, and service to others. It’s a story that inspires us to reflect on how love and courage can truly shape the world.
We encourage you to explore additional books written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. His works beautifully celebrate diverse stories and often highlight important cultural and historical moments. This is also a wonderful opportunity to talk with your children about influential historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the values they stood for. These meaningful conversations can inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Do you have a love for teaching and learning? Want to be part of an amazing school community? JC is the place for you! We are seeking enthusiastic, flexible individuals to join our dynamic team - help shape young minds and make a meaningful impact, one day at a time!
If interested, please contact Mr. Calderon at (203) 869-1896 and click on this link https://www.applitrack.com/greenwich/onlineapp to apply.
Feel free to pass this message along.
