Principal's Pen
December 21, 2023
Warm Holiday Greetings
Dear Julian Curtiss Families,
As we leave to enjoy the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt wishes to each and every one of you. The spirit of the holidays brings a special magic to our lives, and it is my hope that you find warmth, joy, and love in abundance during this special time.
This holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community we have here at Julian Curtiss. Your support, engagement, and enthusiasm make our school a truly special place for our students to learn and grow. Together, we create a nurturing environment where each child can grow and thrive.
As we take a well-deserved break to spend time with families and friends, reflect on the year behind us, and anticipate the adventures that lie ahead, I encourage you to take a moment to really be in the moment. Whether you're celebrating a cherished tradition, creating new memories, or simply enjoying the company of family and friends, may this holiday season bring you immense happiness and peace.
Please take note of our upcoming school events and activities in the new year. We look forward to reconnecting with you and continuing our shared journey of learning and community building.
On behalf of the entire Julian Curtiss staff, I wish you a joyful holiday season filled with laughter, love, and moments of pure magic. Thank you for being an essential part of our Julian Curtiss family.
Warmest wishes,
Trish McGuire, Matt Hartigan and the JC Staff
EARLY DISMISSAL on Friday, December 22nd
12:45 PM DISMISSAL
Boys and Girls Club and the YWCA are all open for Early Dismissal
Family First is closed on this Day!
AND THE WINNERS ARE
How Many Ways Can We Represent Kindness?
Everyone Received a BEST AWARD but the winners are:
1. Ms. Semme's Classroom for Snowflakes of Kindness
2. Ms. Fabian's Classroom for Kindness Cafe
3. ART for Sweeten the Season with Kindness
Thank you to our parents, teachers and students for brightening up our school and lightening up our school spirit! Kind Holidays to All!
There are So Many ways to be Kind - 1S
Light up the Season with Kindness - KC
Sweeten the Season with Kindness -Art
Snowflakes of Kindness - KS
Don't Be A Grinch Be Kind - Math Support
I eat Kindness -Media
1H Friends are the sweetest around
Lend a Helping Hand - Special Supports
Open Some Kindness - OT
Spread Your Wings Spread Kindness -ESL
Be Kind In Every Language - World Language
Take a Selfie -3H
Delicious Kindness -3G
It's Cool To Be Kind - 2M
Warm Up With A Good Book - 2S
Ms. Caren's preschool Tree
Your presence is the biggest present of all - 4C
4S Kindness Tree
Ms. Odinak's Inclusive Door
Don't Be a Grinch Be Kind -Math Support
Kindness Cafe - 5F
You Light Up the World with Kindness - Literacy Room
Kindness is Cool - 5S
No Act of Kindness is Wasted - Speech
Spark Kindness - ALP
Delicious Kindness - 3G
Santa's Workshop - Special Education Support
Note from the Art Room:
Please enjoy these photographs of the students in front
of our JC Eagle Wings!
Wishing you all a healthy and restful holiday season!
Magnet School Lottery Applications available online
Magnet School Program
GPS is proud to offer choice to the families of Greenwich that may wish to apply to any of the District’s four elementary schools magnet programs. School choice provides opportunities to attend Hamilton Avenue, International School at Dundee, Julian Curtiss, or New Lebanon that offers programs that may be of particular interest to a family and/or an individual student. Magnet school lottery applications for the 2024-25 school year and open house dates are now available online, with an online submission deadline of Thursday, February 1.
Julian Curtiss Magnet Open House Dates:
January 22nd @ 6 pm
January 24 @ 9:15 am
If you are a family that moved to another Greenwich district during the school year please remember to apply for the magnet.
Any child who will be age 5 by January 1, 2025 is eligible to enter the magnet school lottery. If you feel your child will be ready for kindergarten in August 2024 and are interested in a magnet school, you are welcome to apply to any of the four schools. Kindergarten enrollment will be subject to district procedures in effect in March 2024 when registration begins.
STILL NEED AFTER SCHOOL CARE?
The YMCA of Greenwich is now accepting applications for their new after school childcare program, which is set to begin January 2, 2024. The program is designed to support working families by offering a structured and engaging after-school experience for school age children in grades K-5.
“Our new After School Enrichment Program extends the YMCA’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child in our community,” said Julia Borges, Camp and Childcare Director at the YMCA of Greenwich, adding, “In addition to providing homework help, we are excited to partner with the Greenwich United Way to offer Reading Champions at the Y.”Different from other volunteer reading programs, Reading Champions is focused on building student fluency skills.
The new after school enrichment program will focus on academic support as well as building self-confidence and character. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of structured activities, get assistance with their homework, and have a chance to socialize with their peers and form new relationships. Activities Include STEM, arts & crafts, character development, swimming, coding, sports & games, and fitness.
Program Information
Dates: January 2nd – June 21, 2024
Days and Times: Monday – Friday, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Cost: $595 per month
Grades: Kindergarten – 5th Grade
There are scholarships available for families that qualify. Busing is currently available from New Lebanon, Hamilton Avenue, and Julian Curtiss Elementary Schools.
Julia emphasized, “We are eager to develop youth programs that serve community needs while engaging and challenging children of all ages to think critically through educational enrichment, act compassionately through classroom culture, and explore their creativity in weekly special activities.”
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the program.
Please visit our website for more information: https://www.greenwichymca.org/after-school/
Registration is now open, please see the information below to enroll. Space is limited and we do expect to reach our program capacity, so please submit your registration forms as soon as possible to secure your child’s spot. Registration will not be confirmed until all documentation are submitted.
To Register:
1. Complete the YMCA 2023-2024 After School Enrollment Form.
2. Complete the Health Assessment Record. Immunization Records MUST be attached.
3. Complete the Authorization for the Administration of Medication form, if applicable.
4. Complete the Financial Aid Application, if applicable.
Forms are available in the Julian Curtiss office.
Julia Borges
Camp & Childcare Director
YMCA of Greenwich
50 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 869-1630 ext. 109 | jborges@gwymca.org
SERVICE CLUB FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 AND GRADES 5
Dear Parents,
Social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development.
As part of this school year we would like to offer a voluntary club that will help instill the value of community service projects in our students by encouraging them to give to and help others.
The Service Club is a program offered to 4th and 5th grade students. We meet every other Friday morning at 7:40am in the gym.
Dates include:
January: 5,19
February: 2, 23
March: 8, 22
April: 5, 26
May 3, 17, 24(Field day set up)
During this time students volunteer their time towards some of the programs below:
Activities:
Playground clean up
Read to students at breakfast
Cards for Police officers at school
Lost and Found clean up (maybe a morning when the items are outside for pick up)
Neighbor to neighbor items donation
Glove drive - January
Sock Drive - March
Safety Patrol
Field Day set up
Join us on January 5th at 7:40 and sign up for the Service Club!
Thank you,
Mr. O’Brien
Ms. Stewart
Mark Your Calendar
January
January 2 - return to school
January 15- Martin Luther King Day /School Closed
January 16 - District Battle of the Books (Greenwich High School 6 pm)
January 22 - Magnet Open House 6 pm @ JulianCurtiss Media Center
January 24 - Magnet Open House 9:15 am @ Julian Curtiss Media Center
February
February 12-16 Winter Recess /School Closed
February 19 - Presidents Day /School Closed
February 20 - Return to School