Julian Curtiss Newsletter #22
February 10, 2025
Go Eagles! 🦅
60 Countries, 30 Languages, 1 Great SCHOOL!
Happy Lunar New Year 🐍
Our school was filled with wonder and cultural celebration today during our special Lunar New Year assembly! Students were dazzled by The Chinese Tradition acrobatic performers, including a Guinness World Record holder, Lina Liu, who amazed us with extraordinary feats. The auditorium erupted in gasps and applause as she balanced spinning plates, gracefully juggled umbrellas, and demonstrated masterful control of the Chinese yo-yo. The highlight was the dynamic Lion Dance, which had students at the edge of their seats as the colorful lion brought traditional folk culture to life. Through interactive moments, our students didn't just watch the performances – they became part of this rich cultural experience, gaining deeper appreciation for Lunar New Year traditions. The assembly was a beautiful blend of entertainment and cultural education that left our school community inspired and enlightened.
Special thanks to our amazing PTA for making this event happen for JC!
DIBELS Mid-Year Reports
For families with children in grades K-3 and grade 4 intervention (MTSS) and grades 4-6 with reading goals on their IEP, DIBELS Mid Year Home-Connect report will be sent home in student folders Friday, 2/7/25. DIBELS is GPS’s universal reading screening assessment tool that measures early literacy skills aligned to the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The Home-Connect report reviews the skills your child was assessed on in January and makes suggestions on things you can do at home to support their continued progress as a reader. If you have questions about your child’s scores, please reach out to your child’s teacher or building administrators. For more information about DIBELS, please read the parent guide in English or Spanish. You can watch a past PTAC informational video on “What You Need to Know About DIBELS Scores” from the fall here.
Attention 5th Grade Parents:
ALP Information
Save the date! The ALP Leadership Team is hosting a virtual Q&A to answer questions about the placement process for Advanced Studies for Elementary ALP for the 25-26 School Year on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
To accommodate parent schedules, morning and afternoon sessions are being held.
Parents are invited to attend either session.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
9:30 AM Zoom link
7:00 PM Zoom link
Gymnastics Open House 🤸🏻♀️
Thank you to all of the parents that came to our Gymnastics Open House!
They got to watch their children demonstrate their skills on various equipment including the balance beam, climbing ropes, and climbing wall. Even the parents joined in the fun and showed off their gymnastics skills. Thank you to Mr. O'Brien for making this possible for our families. It truly was a great experience for our scholars and parents alike.
Preschool Lottery Application is OPEN!
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.
FLEX Classes - Winter Enrichment starting 2/24
Book of the Month 📖
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.
Here are some resources available to our families. Reference the link above for more information.
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.