We were honored to host award-winning Afro-Latino artist and author Eric Velasquez at Julian Curtiss School this week. Mr. Velasquez shared his delightful book "Octopus Stew," a heartwarming fictional tale inspired by his own childhood memories. The story beautifully weaves together themes of family bonds, particularly the special relationship between grandmothers and grandsons, while celebrating Puerto Rican cuisine and LatinX culture. Some of his other books are Champion: The Story of Muhammad Ali, New Shoes, Mambo Mucho Mambo!, Grandma's Gift and many more.
The highlight of his visit was an incredible live demonstration of his artistic talents, where he created portraits of several of our scholars. Our students were captivated as they watched him bring these drawings to life, listening intently as he explained his techniques and the meaning behind each careful stroke. This engaging visit provided our students with a rich cultural experience while inspiring their own creative aspirations.
Thank you to our amazing PTA, Mrs. Elspeth Spransy and Mrs. Murray.
Soar Like Eagles,
Eduardo & Claribel
Join us for an evening celebrating the 2024-25 school year. This special parent-only event will feature dinner and dancing in a
festive Studio 54 theme.
Take this opportunity to connect with fellow JC parents while enjoying a memorable night out. Evening attire inspired by the iconic Studio 54 era is encouraged.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Purchase tickets using the link below.
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
DIBELS window is open Jan 3 - 24th (K-3)
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.
