Dear Parents and Guardians of the Julian Curtiss School community,

As we move into Thanksgiving week we reflect on the many things for which we are thankful, and I want to take this opportunity to share just a few of them with you:

We are thankful for our students who come to school every day ready to learn – they give us all a daily reminder of what is important and why we are here. We are thankful for the support of the parents in creating an outstanding partnership between school and home. We are thankful for the teachers, professional assistants, secretaries, nurse, custodians, cafeteria staff, support staff, therapists, and the bus drivers who really care about the students, their achievement and their well being! We are also thankful for our PTA volunteers who enthusiastically contribute so much to our school.

We wish you all time to relax and reflect over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Take the time to tell someone how thankful you are to have him or her in your life. We are thankful for this wonderful little school that includes a dedicated staff, an engaged and supportive PTA and 250 fabulous little human beings! Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and long weekend!

Please remember that Wednesday, November 22nd is an Early Release Day and Wacky Hair Day for our students.

With gratitude,

Trish McGuire, Matt Hartigan and the Julian Curtiss Staff

GRADE 5 CO-PRESIDENTS

LUCIA ERNST

ROBBIE JACHINO

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

3G - PIETRA AVES DA SILVA

3H- AVA SANTOS

4C- SIENNA GRANT

4S-AUTUMN LEVINE

5F- SWAYZE JANSOV

5S- CROSBY RANDALL

All students in grades 3, 4 and 5 who are interested can participate in student council. We highly encourage our risk takers that ran for representatives to join us. Please have your child see Ms. Iannazzo and she will add your child to the list. Their voice still counts! We welcome the help and participation.

First meeting is Monday, December 4th @ 7:30 am in the literacy room. Students will receive a full schedule next week!

David Schwatz is a master in the art of presenting mathematical information in engaging and innovative ways. His sessions surpass traditional teaching methods by incorporating hands-on experiments, mind-bending puzzles, and relatable real-life examples. Not only does he teach essential math skills, but he also fosters critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a resilient mindset among students.

With David's expertise as an accomplished storyteller and innovator, his presentations are dynamic and provide an enriching experience for our students.

Here is a list of David’s books, we’re sure you’d recognize many of them!

For more information, please visit his website: https://davidschwartz.com/

As part of parent outreach Julian Curtiss ESL families participated in an American cultural experience and enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner here at school. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, gravy with pumpkin pie for dessert.

Each grade level from kindergarten through 5th prepared a short Thanksgiving presentation which was shown as a video during dinner. We had an outstanding turnout of over 75 Julian Curtiss community members. Thank you to Michele Sabin, Christine Kovac and Virginia Miltner for organizing and serving a delicious dinner!

Good afternoon,

See below for some information about a new Fresh Mobile Pantry that will be offered on a monthly basis out of Stamford through Filling in the Blanks. This information has been shared with all of the Social Workers, so they are aware and can pass the information along as well. Feel free to share in your newsletters as you see fit.

Filling in the Blanks recently received a donation from the Shonda Rhimes Foundation, which was put towards a Fresh Mobile Food Pantry! This mobile pantry is accessible to anyone who is interested, no referral, connection to FiTB or pre registration necessary. The mobile pantry will park at Cloonan Middle School in Stamford the third Saturday of the month from 9am - 11am. If you have families who are interested, encourage them to get there as close to 9 as possible so they have more options to choose from. There will be a registration table set up upon arrival where parents will be asked for their name, address, email and phone number.

The next date is:

Saturday November 18th

Cloonan Middle School

11 W North Street, Stamford, CT

9am - 11am

*December date ~ To Be Determined*

All absences must be called into the main office. We realize some parents prefer to email the teacher but we miss messages that way. Please ALWAYS call the absence in at 203-869-1896. Thank you for your cooperation!!

Full participation in the Turkey Trot is a long standing tradition at Julian Curtiss. We truly believe in supporting the Greenwich Alliance for Education that has provided many wonderful grants to JC over the years. In addition, it is a competition amongst the 11 elementary schools and Julian Curtiss ranks as one of the highest rates of particpation every year. Please join the tradition and sign your family up for the race. If you don't run your submission still counts!! You can support the Greenwich Alliance and JC either way.

Mr. Hartigan and Mrs. McGuire will be there with members of our families. Please come with members of your family. SIGN UP BEFORE NOVEMBER 1ST AND GET THE DISCOUNTED RATE! LET'S WALK TOGETHER!!

Let's go EAGLES!! The school with the highest participation rate wins $500 for gym or recess equipment!

Our 13th Annual Turkey Trot 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, November 25th is only one month away. Register now to save! Adult prices go up next Wednesday, November 1st. School Competition is ON!

The Greenwich Alliance for Education is the only nonprofit that supports and benefits the Greenwich Public Schools and its 9000+ students/families and 1000+ educators. This year the Alliance will fund over $500,000 in programming and scholarships. Key programs include Reaching Out Grants, Tuning In To Music and AVID SUCCESS.

The Turkey Trot is our largest fundraiser; please support our efforts by making a 100% tax deductible donation.

You can 1) make a general donation to the Alliance, 2) search "Fundraisers" to support Turkey Trot participants fundraising on our behalf, 3) sign up to become a fundraiser, ask friends & relatives to sponsor your run and help raise additional monies for the Alliance.

Lace up those sneakers the Turkey Trot is happening soon!

The 13th Turkey Trot 5K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Sign up today to help our school win with the most participants!

We love the Turkey Trot because it is a community-wide & family-friendly race that supports our community partner the Greenwich Alliance for Education and is SO MUCH FUN!

Registration costs $15 for children (13 and under) and $40 for adults.. $50 on race day (November 25). Register at https://greenwichalliance.org/turkey-trot-2023/

November

November 22: Early Release

November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess

DECEMBER:

December 4: Early Release Day for Report Card Conferences

December 5: Early Release Day for Report Card Conferences

December 6: Full Day of School, Evening Report Card Conferences

December 11: JC Winter Concert 6:30 pm

December 22: Early Release Day

December 25-January 1: Holiday Recess

January 2: Return to School