The Saugatuck Scoop

Hey parents, the month of March is a very busy one for our SES community, so please give this Scoop a quick read to the end. Bad puns have been kept to a minimum.

Also, we realize that recently, some of you have received multiple copies of PTA communications (one for each one of your children). We do not know why this happens but we're doing everything we can to resolve it. Thanks for your patience. 

Saugie’s Checklist: 

📚 B&N Day tomorrow... Principal’s Coffee @ 9:00am

💙 Don’t forget to bring in your used books and loose change!

📍 BINGO! 6:30pm. Friday night. B there.

🎨 Let’s talk Art… PTA Mtg on March 17th

Save the Date:

🔆 Don’t stop here. Just because you checked all the dates on the calendar does NOT mean you’re done. Keep reading.

“Straight Talk with Dr. Colleen Palmer”

If you missed last night’s Education Budget meeting, no worries! Dr. Palmer will hold a second session TODAY at 11:30am at Town Hall. Decisions being made in Hartford will result in an $8 million budget gap for Westport and will have a major impact on the town and on the school district. Join the conversation!  

Barnes & Noble 💙 Shopping Day

Tomorrow is Barnes & Noble 📚 Shopping Day!
📚 9:00am-9:00pm: Get your Spring shopping done at Westport's Barnes & Noble where a portion of your purchases will help the SES library.
📚 9:00am: Principal's Coffee (with Cheesecake!), see below for details.*
📚 4:00pm: Watch Principal Messler, Ms. Locke, and other SES staff members get wacky with the LADY PANCAKE & SIR FRENCH TOAST read aloud! The first 15 people to show their B&N receipt will receive a free donut voucher from Donut Crazy!
📚 Can't make it? Show SES some love by visiting bn.com/bookfairs from March 9th-14th. (Enter Bookfair ID 12086641 at checkout.) Questions? Contact Karlin Gray (karlingray@me.com).

*Barnes & Noble Principal’s Coffee

In celebration of our One Book, One School initiative, join Principal Beth Messler and Literacy Coach, Jessica Carey, at Barnes & Noble tomorrow at 9:00am to hear about the importance of reading at home. They'll share the link between academic achievement and reading at home, as well as ways parents can encourage and motivate readers. Bonus… a portion of all Starbucks purchases go to SES as well! 

One Book, One School

“OBOS” is underway. We hope your family is enjoying Appleblossom the Possum! The reading schedule for the next two weeks is as follows:

This Week:

• Wednesday: Chapters 9-11
• Thursday: Chapters 12-14

Next Week:

• Monday: Chapters 15-17
• Tuesday: Chapters 18-20
• Wednesday: Chapters 21-23
• Thursday: Chapters  24-26

In addition to reading together at home, you can participate in an online discussion board, listen to chapters read by SES celebrities and find additional weekly activities (many can be done at home and brought back to school to share!) by visiting our OBOS website. Were you caught reading Appleblossom at home? Send pictures to: nprice@westport.k12.ct.us or elawrence@westport.k12.ct.us

🔆 Hey, you are really doing a great job so far… you’re already a third through! Refill your coffee and then come right back. There’s more important stuff coming up…

BINGO Night is Friday!

Of course you’re already planning to come to Bingo Night, so just a friendly reminder that our super fun staff Bingo callers (Mr. Lawrence! Dr. Sobelman! Mr Betts! Ms. Rodriguez! Ms. DeSanty!) will begin promptly at 6:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm). Fun prizes include an original sketch by author Matt Tavares accompanied by an inscribed copy of “The Gingerbread Pirates;” a brand new iPad mini; two hours of unlimited bowling for four at Bowlmor; a cool Groove gift basket; dinner for four at Bar Taco; and a cool sports-related gift package. Cost: $5 for your first Bingo card, $2 each additional card.

Third Grade Rise & Read

Hey, third grade families, you’re up again! Your Rise & Read is next Thursday, March 16th at 7:30am. Attention parents from Mrs. Kain’s and Mrs. McCoy’s classes… it’s your turn to sign up to contribute nut-free breakfast snack and drink items needed. Please CLICK HERE to volunteer now! All third graders who attend will receive a special bookmark from Ms. Locke!

“Love to Read [School]” Used Book Drive

Our used book drive is off to a great start! If you haven’t already, please send in your gently used children’s books (grades K-8th) anytime before March 24th. We have partnered with a local, not-for-profit team that works to bring necessary resources to our neighbors at the Read School in Bridgeport. Collection bins are located near the SES main office and the library. Don’t have books to donate? Please consider buying 1-2 new ones at Barnes & Noble tomorrow! Enlist your children’s help in clearing out those bookshelves and send these books to SES, so they can share the… Love to Read (School)!

SEGA Girls School “Change for Change” Drive

Please read the following from Fifth Grade Caring Council member, Flora Williams: “The SEGA Girls School in Tanzania "Change for Change" Drive is going on at Saugatuck now until March 24th! We would like to sponsor two girls and our goal is $2,000. The reason why this drive is so important, is that in Tanzania, getting an education is the way to get out of poverty and sickness. Please help us change some deserving girls’ lives. Every classroom has a change container, and there is also one in the main office. Thanks for helping! ‘Be the Change you want to see in the World’ - Mahatma Ghandi”

For more information, click here to watch an informational video about the SEGA Girls School or contact Caring Council Advisers Rae Anne Locke (rlocke@westport.k12.ct.us) or Katie Bloom (kbloom@westport.k12.ct.us).

Sound Tigers vs. Hershey Bears

The Sound Tigers game on Sunday, March 19th @ 3:00pm is going to be AWESOME! The 4th and 5th Grade Chorus is singing the National Anthem and all SES family members have the opportunity to hold the giant American flag while they sing (we still need to sell a few more tickets in order to hold the flag, so buy your tickets before it’s too late!). Click here to BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW to take advantage of our discounted price and to guarantee a seat in the special SES section… deadline is Friday @ midnight! Tickets are only $22/per person in advance (regularly $39)! Buy your tickets before March 10th and your child will be entered into our drawing for fun Sound Tiger swag - plus two lucky kids will get to ride the Zamboni before the game!!

🔆 You are SO CLOSE… don’t give up now! Just a few more items to cover.

PTA Meeting: What’s Going on in the Art Wing?

Since our last meeting in the Science Lab was such a success, this month, we’re getting our creative juices flowing! Please join us on Friday, March 17th at 9:00am for our next PTA Meeting in our fantastic Art Room. Art teacher Jodi Carlson will give an overview of our SES Art curriculum as well as discuss the fabulous SES Art Show (see below). Hope to see you there!

SES Student Art Show

The SES Student Art Show is going on NOW through March 31st and features over 500 works of art representing every student in our school. The show is displayed in the curved foyer and adjacent hallways outside the SES auditorium all the way down the corridor to the art room. Please take a moment when you are in the school for conferences to enjoy all of the incredible artwork!

Kindergarten Orientation:

Parents of incoming kindergarten students, please join us on Monday, March 13th at 9:30am to learn about the kindergarten program in Westport, meet the current “K” teachers, hear about a “Day in the Life” of a kindergartener, and sign up for the "Mini K" visit in May. Registration packets are available now in the main office.

Indoor Air Quality Update/Tools for Schools: 

Please read the attached letter which addresses the “No Idle Law for Buses” as well as the No Idle Proclamation for the Town of Westport. Additional information regarding the No Idle Law for Buses and the No Idle Proclamation for the Town of Westport can be found by clicking here. Also attached is the most recent Tools for Schools Membership List for 2016-2017 for your reference. For more information, contact Asst. Principal, Sandy Rodriguez (srodriguez@westport.k12.ct.us).

👉 Don’t forget… 

PTA Membership

CLICK HERE to sign up now!

SES Logowear

SUPER cool new stuff coming later this month! Want a hint? HYDRATE. The Logowear shop is always open… click here to shop now!

A Scoop of Thanks to... 

• Our technology wizard, Mr. Lawrence, for planning and creating the super fun “One Book, One School” kick-off video (you can WATCH IT HERE)! It was so much fun to watch!
• ALL of the staff and students who dressed up - and Saugie! - for making Read Across America Day so much fun! SES was feeling Super Seussical!
• The ArtSmart volunteers who attended last week’s meeting… Museum Night is going to be fantastic this year!
• Everyone who attended our first grade Rise & Read last week and our awesome Rise & Read committee for organizing!

Quote of the Week:

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” - Leo Tolstoy

🌟 Special Education News 🌟

Community Events: 

CLICK HERE for information on events in the community.

Sip-n-Chat: 

Tomorrow, March 9th, 9:30-10:30am @ Panera Bread (1860 Post Rd East next to Home Goods) Meet, exchange ideas and ask questions with other Special Ed parents. Open to all parents of students receiving Special Education services in Westport schools. (Future dates: 4/5, 5/11, 6/7, all @ 9:30 @ Panera)

Foundations of Reading: Pre-Literacy Skills for Beginning Readers

Wednesday, March 15th, 7:00-8:30pm @ Westport Library

Dr. Margie Gillis, President of Literacy How, will discuss such basics as talking with your child, beginning reading and writing activities, as well as red flags that suggest your child may need extra help.

Save the Date!

Annual Districtwide Spring Coffee: Topic: “Executive Functioning”

April 20th, 9:30am @ Westport Arts Center

👉 Other Community News… 

Community Bulletin Board: 

CLICK HERE to check out what’s new…

BMS Presentation for Fifth Grade Parents: Next Generation Science for Middle School

Tomorrow, March 9th, 9:00am @ the BMS Library Media Center

At the upcoming BMS PTA general meeting, guest speaker, Dr. AJ Scheetz, will present Next Generation Science for middle school students. Dr. Scheetz is currently the science coordinator for grades 6-12 for Westport Schools. Questions? Contact Regina Engler or Michele Carey-Moody (bms_pta@westport.k12.ct.us). 

Free Softball Clinic

Saturday, March 11th, 9:30-11am (Gr K-3) & 11am-12:30pm (Gr 4-5), Staples Field House

All girls K-5th grade are invited to have fun with friends and special guests from the Staples varsity softball team. This is a great opportunity for all interested to throw, catch, hit, run, and field with girls their age! Parents: meet the coaches and learn more about recreational softball in Westport. The clinic is from 9:30-11am (K, 1st, 2nd & 3rd graders), and 11am-12:30pm (4th and 5th graders). Free event. For more info or to register for the upcoming season, please visit http://www.westportsoftball.com.

Westport PYD Film Screening: “Screenagers - Growing Up in the Digital Age”

Tuesday, March 21st, 7:00-9:00pm

This event is free and open to parents and their middle/high school children. No tickets or advance registration required. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Spring Barn Dance!

Friday, March 24th, 7:30-9:30pm, Westport Woman’s Club (44 Imperial Ave)

Wakeman Town Farm invites you to join them for an evening of family fun for all ages; dance away the chills and say hello to spring! The legendary Bill Fisher will call a series of traditional dances accompanied by music from the Fiddleheads! $5/students, $15/adults

MINDS IN MOTION 2017 Is Back For Pre-K--8 Students!

Saturday, March 25th, 12-4pm, Bedford Middle School

Minds in Motion Westport is an afternoon of fun, fast-paced, hands-on workshops geared to high-ability and motivated learners. Workshop topics range from Robotics, Animal Adaptations, Computer Programming, Drumming, Game Invention & much more! For parents and educators there's a Keynote Address on creativity and taking "Beautiful Risks" in the classroom, & also a choice of 4 workshops, all free of charge. WORKSHOPS FILL UP FAST SO REGISTER TODAY. Click here to volunteer. Questions? Email MIMWestport@ctgifted.org

Be a Part of the Toquet Hall Teen Governing Board

Toquet Hall provides a forum for youth to serve as community assets, develop leadership skills, planning, and decision-making skills and interact with people of different interests and backgrounds. The governing boards meet bimonthly to discuss upcoming programs, review press kits, assist with fundraising initiatives and create promotion strategies. Students will gain valuable volunteer experience in a fun and unique setting. Applications are available at www.toquethall.org.

Staples Players presents Urinetown, The Musical. 

Performances are March 17, 18, 24 & 25 at 7:30pm and March 19 at 3:00pm. Buy your tickets online beginning March 4th at staplesplayers.com or at the door, beginning 20 minutes before performances, as available. Urinetown is rated “pee”-G.

Visit All of Your Westport PTA Council Sites! 

• ArtSmart
• Cultural Arts
• SpEd
• Author Series
• PYD Health
• Wellness
• Workshop

Contact The Scoop:

If you’d like your announcement or event to be included in a future edition of the Scoop, complete THIS FORM by Friday at 5:00pm to request submission in the following week’s Scoop. (Flyers or attachments need to be approved by Principal Beth Messler (emessler@westport.k12.ct.us) and PTA Co-Presidents, Caroline Evans (carolinesespta@gmail.com) and Jodi Harris (jodiharris.pta@gmail.com). Once approved, email it to saugatuck.scoop@gmail.com.) Contact the Scoop (saugatuck.scoop@gmail.com) with any questions… or just to let us know that you’re actually reading all the way to very end. 👏

🔆 Well done! THANK YOU for reading… big virtual hugs from the Scoop staff!