Principal's Pen
March 1, 2024
Dear Parents,
Thank you for all the beautiful and heartwarming messages you sent wishing me well as I prepare for retirement. I wanted to respond to every one of them but there were so many I thought I would just write one big THANK YOU here. It has my privilege to serve this community.
There is a Latin phrase that suggests that everything that comes in threes is perfect. "Omne trium perfectum." As it stands, there are three of us retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Michele Sabin, ESL teacher and Mrs. Caren Iannazzo, Literacy Specialists and me. Please see the messages below.
Mrs. Caren Iannazzo, Literacy Specialist
Dear Julian Curtiss Parents,
I started my career in Greenwich at Riverside School in 1989, I worked as both a classroom teacher and a literacy specialist there for 18 years. I volunteered to transfer to JC and have had the pleasure of working in this community for 17 years, making a total of 35 years in Greenwich!
It truly doesn’t seem that long.
Working at Julian Curtiss has been a highlight of my life. The cultural diversity of this community has not only helped me grow as a professional, but as a person.
Thank you for sharing your precious children with me. I will always consider myself a member of the Julian Curtiss community.
Best to you all,
Caren Iannazzo
Mrs. Michele Sabin, ESL Teacher
Dear Julian Curtiss Families,
The time has come to say “Adios”, “Sayonara” “Tchau” “Zaijian” “Do svidaniya” “Czesc” and “Adieu”.
It is with mixed feelings that after 27 wonderful years in ESL at JC, I have made the decision to retire.
I first started my career in Greenwich in 1996 at Hamilton Avenue School as a long term substitute in ESL. I then came to Julian Curtiss in 1997 and have been teaching our ESL children for over 27 years. Over the years I have known many families and now I am teaching some of my former students’ children!
Although I will miss you and your children very much, I am looking forward to spending more time with family and pursuing new adventures.
Please know that you will always be in my heart and that
I wish you all the very best.
Besos,
Michele Sabin
ESL Teacher
Julian Curtiss School
SELECTION PROCESS FOR A NEW PRINCIPAL
February 29, 2024
Dear families and staff of Julian Curtiss School:
As you all know, Principal Trish McGuire announced her retirement yesterday, effective June 30. Please join me in congratulating her for an amazing 26-year career at Greenwich Public Schools. Although she is looking forward to the next chapter of her life, she will be greatly missed at GPS.
This week, we will officially post the principal position opening online and expect to receive tremendous interest from many great candidates, both internally and from the region. Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Jonathan Budd will be overseeing the interview process, putting together a committee that includes teachers, parents, and senior administrators. Generally, parents are selected for the committee who are currently volunteering as leaders with the PTA.
Once the committee is formed, we expect the interview process to start soon after and then submit their recommendation in 4-6 weeks. We are hopeful that we will have named the new principal for the 2024-2025 school year in place before the end of this school year to allow for a smooth transition.
We will continue to communicate via email over the coming weeks to keep the Julian Curtiss community well informed as the process progresses.
Dr. Toni Jones
Superintendent of Schools
Beautiful Lunar New Year Celebrations
On Wednesday, all students K-5 enjoyed a cultural assembly from Lina Liu Artists with a performance encompassing traditional aerobics, Sichuan opera, a lion dance and information on Chinese culture. This was a culminating activity after eight days of Lunar New Year activities and crafts. It was a major hit with our students and staff! Thank you to our wonderful PTA and all of the support we received! This enrichment is invaluable to our students.
PTA Curriculum Enrichment Team:
Elspeth Spransy, Lisa Flanagan
Katherine Wynne, Elizabeth Ngo, Stephanie Krupa
Paulette Lee, all class parents for working diligently in securing volunteers for each class.
Decor Sponsors:
Xiomy Dreves, Meredith Gold,Maria Dvorak, Diane Murrer, Etienne Thuemel, Stephanie Krupa
Parents who volunteered time in media center:
Zara Salazar, Viola Sallaku, Mario Grant, Rebecca Cooper, Brian Howton, Amel Howton, Melissa Tynan, Craig Dreves, Jessica Adderley, Katherine Ortiz, Miguel Mesarina, Jacqueline Fleming, Ning Liu, Lauren Toretta, Ina Christensen, Kate Barton, Mary Grace Hicks, Etienne Thuemmel, Katherine Wynne, Chizuru Asakura, Meredith Gold, Stephanie Krupa, Elspeth Spransy
Faculty:
Special Thanks to Ms Murray for giving us the time, space and thoughtful dialogue. Ms Arlene & Ms. Ripegno for all the assistance. Miss Deitrick for helping coordinate the school dragon art.
And of course Ms Lisa Maniscalco for helping every step of the way.
Celebrating Read Across America next week!
Read Carefully and please help students Participate!
VERY IMPORTANT!!
JULIAN CURTISS FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT!
THIS PROGRAM IS IN DANGER OF BEING CANCELED DUE TO LOW INTEREST. WE ONLY HAVE A FEW FAMILIES SIGNED UP. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO PLEASE RESPOND AT THE LINK BELOW. WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO MOVE AHEAD ON MONDAY.
Please RSVP for Literacy night at the following link:
ATTENDANCE COUNTS!
JULIAN CURTISS YEARBOOK!
The 2023-2024 JULIAN CURTISS YEARBOOK is now available for purchase!
Just 6 steps away from ordering your JC Yearbook TODAY!
1. Go to www.coffeepond.com.
2. Click on the Order Yearbooks button.
3. Enter the password (case sensitive): JCEAGLE24
4. Enter the child’s name & grade and the book quantity.
5. Enter your email under contact and select add to cart.
6. If you have another child to order for, please select order for another child. If not, you can finish checking out.
Mark Your Calendar
March
March 1 - VIP Dodgeball for grades 3-5 and their special person.(JC PTA)
March 6 - Family Literacy night 6:30 pm
March 7- JC Theater Arts Production evening performance 6:30 pm
March 11: Full day Parent Teacher Conferences- No school for students
March 13: Half day Parent Teacher Conferences - 12:45 dismissal for students
March 15- BIngo Night 5 -7 pm (JC PTA)
March 19: YMCA swim program for 4th grade (9:30-11:00)
March 21: 5th graders to CMS Play 9:00-11:00
March 27: Fifth grade to UN Day
March 28: Be safe Assembly 9:30-10:30
March 29: Good Friday no school