Dear Parents and Families,
Get a cup of hot chocolate and take some time to read the newsletter this week. There is a lot of information throughout the S'more, including other S'mores from around the school and district. It is all important information.
We have a few important updates in our letter including the end of Covid lunch funding, the fifth to sixth grade transition meeting and the availability of free Covid test kits for all families. We also have several new items below, including two essay contests, information from the nurse, important parent/teacher coffee and next week's Holiday Sing A Long.
Covid Funding for Meals-
The free meals COVID funding will now expire on Friday, December 23 and normal pricing will commence upon our return on January 2. All students will need to pay for school lunch, unless you have submitted forms and been approved for Free or Reduced Lunch. If you do not have funds set up for your child to buy lunch and they want to continue to get lunch at school you can use this link to the district Food Services page to help you get started-
https://www.greenwichschools.org/departments/food-services/menus-and-meal-prices#MSB
Forms For Free and Reduced Lunch Must be on File Before January 2!
In order to continue free or reduced lunch, if you are eligible, a family must complete the application, one of two ways:
MySchoolApps is the fast and secure way to apply for free and reduced meals online. For instructions in another language other than in English, hit the “Language” button in the upper righthand corner BEFORE starting the process.
Print and return the completed application and forms to your school's office.
For more information, or if you have questions, including details on the cost of lunch and regular menus, visit the Food Services’ webpage, or contact your school’s administration.
Forms for Free or Reduced Lunch can be downloaded here:
Virus Prevention & Self-Test Kits
Please email Mrs. McIntosh if you would like a Covid test kit, or a few, sent home with your child. You can also pick them up at the office if you happen to be at school anytime over the next week.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is reminding parents to take precautions against respiratory viruses this fall, including influenza, RSV, and COVID. There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread. Specifically, if you have cold-like symptoms, you should cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands; wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others; and clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices. And most importantly, keep your children home if they are not feeling well.
Starting next week, our schools will have extra COVID self-test kits for all staff and students. Please grab one, two, or as many needed for your family going into the Holiday Recess and the return to school. Please note that while some tests are past their printed expiration date, we have confirmed with the FDA that these kits’ shelf-life has been extended through January.
Attention Grade 5 Parents: 5th to 6th Grade Transition Meeting Info:
Reminder: Virtual meeting to discuss the Fifth to Sixth Grade Transition Process to be held Tuesday, January 17.
Middle School Counselors, Middle School Principals, and Curriculum Coordinators will go live to talk about what goes on in the spring and summer to help prepare students for the next school level. During this session, there will also be information regarding the placement process for Advanced Studies in Grades 6-8.
Join us virtually on Tuesday, January 17
9:30 am Zoom Link
10:30 am (Spanish) Zoom Link
7:00 pm Zoom Link
8:00 pm (Spanish) Zoom Link
You are invited to attend one of the sessions listed above. More information is available on our district website and S'Mores. If unable to attend, the slide deck and video recording of both meetings will be available online as early as January 18.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Trish McGuire and Matt Hartigan
