Middle Gate Elementary School
schoolhouse-pic
7 Cold Spring Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Middle Gate Minute
A Bi-Weekly eNewsletter
Edition: May 31 2017

Parent Teacher Association 
PTA Comments or Suggestions?  
Important Notes: Notes
MEDICATION PICKUP
-  Parents, medications need to be picked up from the health office by the last day of school.  Please remember that the students are not allowed to pick up or transport medications. If you are not able to pick up during school hours please call me at 203-426-7664
so that we can make arrangements.

Have a safe and healthy summer!
Trish McDonald, RN
(some dates are tentative and subject to change)
 
June 1 
School of Excellence Survey Part 2 Due

May 29 - June 1 
Scholastic Book Fair 
Buy 1 Get 1 FREE! 

June 2
 
Fourth Grade Celebration

June 5 
Field Day
(June 6 Rain Day)
Yearbooks Handed out 

June 6

Bus Buddy Gathering


June 7 
Final PTA Meeting

June 13, 14, 15
 

Early Dismissal Days


June 15

Medication Pick Up

June 15
Last Day of School
 
Downloads:
(updated every newsletter) 
 
Quick Links  QuickLinks 

Contact us
:
PTA Phone: (860) 532-0464
 
2016/17 PTA Board of Directors
President:  
Vice President
Secretary:
Corresponding Secretary:
Treasurer:
Jennifer Castagna
Assistant Treasurer:
Yearbook Photos:
HOT TOPICS
MEDICATION PICK UP - BY JUNE 15MedPU 
REMINDER: IF YOUR CHILD HAS MEDICATION IN THE HEALTH OFFICE

MEDICATION PICKUP -  Parents, medications need to be picked up from the health office by the last day of school.  Please remember that the students are not allowed to pick up or transport medications. If you are not able to pick up during school hours please call me at 203-426-7664
so that we can make arrangements.

Have a safe and healthy summer!
Trish McDonald, RN
SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE SURVEY - PART 2 - DUE JUNE 1Survey 
Updated Survey Information - Please re-do the survey (Yes, they are the same questions)

Hello Middle Gate Parents!
As part of our School of Excellence application for the CT PTA, we asked you to complete an on-line survey a few months back. Our results were excellent. I believe almost every question received a response of "excellent". Thank you!

As the second part of this process, we needed to address anything that wasn't outstanding and needed improvement. Fortunately, we didn't have any of those. However, we had two questions that had a response of Unknown. I didn't know the answer either so I found out and want to share this with you.
  1. Our school provides interpreters for all meetings and events, when needed.
    • ANSWER: our school WILL provide an interpreter if requested. Also, with the advances in technology, teachers are able to have their emails, etc. transcribed into the language needed to help the family.
  2. Our school and PTA translate communications into the school's major languages.
    • ANSWER: that these CAN BE transcribed via computer if this was needed/requested.
While I believe these questions may be directed towards schools with a large population of English as a second language students, I was very happy to find out that families that really need this extra assistance would get it at Middle Gate.

Also, this brought us to a great idea and Mr. Geissler is working on it! We are looking at possibly getting a painting near the front lobby that has the word "Welcome" or something like that, in a bunch of different languages. We thought that would be really great for all the kids/parents to see and also learn some new words!

We will continue to keep you posted on our School of Excellence status. I have promised Mr. Geissler that I will continue this application to completion which should be by August 2017. Thank you.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey a second time with the information from above:

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR - THROUGH THUR JUN 1BOGO 
Buy one get on FREE!
 
Our BUY 1 GET 1 FREE book fair is coming up soon. I have our Scholastic representative coming to Middle Gate to help set it up and give some training on using the register ! If you can help set up or think you may be interested in coordinating this event in the fall, its a good time to get info!

We will be in room 31, 9:30am to 4:30pm Through Thurs Jun 1!

Any help is always appreciated !
4TH GRADE CELEBRATION - FRI JUNE 2FourthCelebration
Fourth Grade Celebration is June 2nd right after school
 
Thank you to Gregg and Jill Baimel who are working on the video montage for the celebration. If you have not returned your permission slip, please remember to do so so that your 4th grader can stay after school and celebrate and get their yearbook signed.
YEARBOOKS -  MON JUNE 5Yearbook
Yearbooks for All Other Students
 
We are hoping to get the yearbooks to the other grades on Monday and the teachers can distribute as part of their schedule for end of the year events.
FIELD DAY -  MON JUNE 5FieldDay
Field Day - Mon Jun 5 (Rain Date Tue June 6)

Volunteers are needed for Middle Gate Field Day on Monday, June 5 (rain date is  Tuesday, June 6). 

Grades 2, 3 and 4 will need help from  9:45 - noon
Grades K and 1
can use help from  12:30 - 2:30.

If you are able to help with grades 2, 3 and 4 please contact Laura Cooper at  cooperl@newtown.k12.ct.us.  You may contact Tony Sortino at  sortinot@newtown.k12.ct.us  if you are able to help with grades K and 1.
BUS BUDDY GATHERING - WED JUN 6BusBuddy
Bus Buddy gathering with incoming kindergartners at Middle Gate K-2 playground. 5pm - 6pm
 
If your child is interested in being a bus buddy and can attend this event that would be great. At this time we don't know what the bus routes will be so cannot officially assign bus buddies. However, it would be nice to have a great turnout of current MG students to greet the incoming K students on the playground and let them see for themselves why MG is so special. We are looking at having this event from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
PTA BOARD MEETING - WED JUN 7PTAMeeting 
June 7 at 7:00pm - MG Cafeteria
 
Last PTA General Meeting of the year. This will include a quick vote on a few additional board members and the PTA budget for next year. Then we will be having cake and snacks to thank all of the volunteers for all of their hard work this year. Please come celebrate with us and welcome the new PTA Executive Board and show your support for them.
LAST MOVIE NIGHT OF THE  YEAR - THU JUN 8Sing
SURPRISE! Last Movie Night of the Year  
"SING" at Edmond Town Hall 
7:00pm 

We are looking into a food vendor for this event and have assurances from the theater contacts that you will be able to bring your food in with you to sit in the theater this year. The cost is $3 per person which will be collected in advance. This will be a nice way to gather together one last time as a community before the end of the school year.

Drinks, popcorn, etc. will be available at the concession stand as well.
EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS - JUNE 13, 14 AND 15EarlyDismiss
REMINDER: June 13, 14, 15 are early dismissal days. Last day of school is June 15th.

Don't forget to check the lost and found over the next few weeks. It is in the MG Cafeteria in a tall cabinet to the right as you walk in the door to the Cafeteria.
2017 -2018 SCHOOL YEAR STUDENT PLACEMENTStudentPlacemnt  
REMINDER:
 
Remember that this year the teacher placements will be announced via the Parent Portal and not a letter home. Please contact Laura Altieri in the main office if you have not logged on to the parent portal before or do not know what your password is.
LETTER FROM DEBBIE FromDebbie
Dear Middle Gate Families,

Well, here we are. Another wonderful school year is coming to a close. This year is especially tough for me as we have to say good bye to our Middle Gate Family and move on to Reed. While I know there will be lots of new adventures there, I can not help but be emotional that our Middle Gate journey is almost complete. As I was looking through photos to submit for the 4th grade presentation, there were many class pictures of our children together. Cub Scouts, baseball, basketball, so many great pictures and great memories. It is hard to believe we fit so much into these last 5 years!

Jill Baimel and I have been working with Amy Habboush to be sure she and the new board have everything they need to start their term on July 1st. We recently had an executive board meeting with Amy Habboush and Jessica Sachs present. Everyone on the current board has offered their support to the new board and will continue to help them and offer guidance if requested/needed. I will continue to work with Amy and Jessica over the summer as needed and am available for questions next year if they need it. I am sure the many others who have chaired events, volunteered, etc. will offer assistance and guidance as well. Most of the committees have chair people for next year which means you are off to a great start!
 
It has been my great pleasure to serve on the Middle Gate PTA Executive Board. I have met so many lovely people and have made lasting friendships. These last almost two years as PTA President has been a really wonderful experience and I have all of you to thank for that. The PTA Executive Board and all of the people that volunteered, chaired events, supported events and fundraisers, donated things to events, supported our Middle Gate family whenever needed. What a blessing. We have done a lot together. Purchased document cameras for the classrooms, shelving units, books for classrooms and the library, a puppet theater for the library, sound panels for the cafeteria, a shed for the athletic department, science presentations, assemblies, a new sound system for the gym/auditorium, picnic tables and benches for outdoor class time, beautification of the courtyards (we still have more scheduled for that!) update of the teacher's lounge, new programs like Friends of the Middle Gate Library (and Mural), Kindergarten Bus Buddy Program and most recently our two Ben's Bells Murals. I have been working with Gino Faiella who is the supervisor of facilities for the Newtown School District to get more cooling stations for Middle Gate. Currently, the library just received units and should be up and running as a cooling station and I was told the two computer rooms will also have the air cooling systems in place to be cooling stations as well. We are hoping to have our School of Excellence designation approved by the end of the summer. This doesn't even include all the wonderful social events that we have hosted AND new events added. The Parent's Night Out event was brought back, Trunk or Treat, The Sock Hop and The Holiday Boutique were added and fun was had by all! This doesn't even cover all of it. You all had a part in making these positive changes at Middle Gate. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
 
I know the Middle Gate family will continue to do great things. It is truly a school community like no other. I recently said to someone "but I won't be a Middle Gater anymore." They told me, "once a Middle Gater, always a Middle Gater".
Have a wonderful summer. Keep in touch!

Sincerely,

Debbie DeBlasi
PTA President
CONTINUED NEWS....
CHASING THE MUSIC EVENT - SUN JUNE 4 ChasingMusic
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Date: Sunday, June 4th, 2017, 2pm
Venue: Waterbury Palace, Webster Hall
Audience: 2,600 seat capacity
Ticket Sales: Waterbury Palace Box Office
Website/info: chasingthemusic.org

Preface
:
Carter and Ilaria Brey and Rebecca and Stephen Kowalski have forged a strong friendship in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy. This event is an expression of this friendship and the Brey's desire to support the the Kowalski family in memorializing Chase through the Foundation.
 
Performance:
The CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation presents "Chasing the Music", a classical music event featuring Saint-Saens' "Carnival of Animals" performed by members of the NY Philharmonic and friends of Carter Brey. This will be an exceptional event bringing world renown musicians to entertain the audience of adults and youth in Chase's memory and in support of the CMAK Foundation.
 
In the spirit of Chase and the mission of the Foundation, CMAK will use the event to introduce youth to classical music. The event will consist of two sessions. First, eleven musicians will perform Saint-Saens "Carnival of Animals" where each movement represents a different animal. This famous symphony was originally composed by Saint-Saens for school children. The youth invited will be able to view this performance produced for their enjoyment. They will depart the theater at intermission. After intermission, Carter Brey will select movements of his choice to entertain the adult audience remaining.
 
The performance will be followed by a reception in the Palace atrium where participants will be able to meet some of the performers.

FREE TICKETS - LIMITED AVAILABILITY
 
Students in the Newtown Public Schools have a special role in the upcoming concert "Chasing the Music". While members of the NY Philharmonic perform Saint-Saens Carnival of Animals, the audience will enjoy animal art work created by our elementary students and narration written by Newtown High School students in their English classes.

Through a generous donation, a limited number of free tickets are available for Newtown children to attend. Tickets have been set aside for students who have contributed their work for they and a parent to attend. All others should contact Emily Grimes at grimers2018@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 31 for free tickets. They will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Take advantage of this wonderful family event and hear members of the NY Philharmonic perform live. In addition, there is the opportunity to hear Carter Brey (Principal Cellist-NY Philharmonic) perform solo, followed by a reception to meet the performers. What a great opportunity for our students!
Here is the link with further information about the concert:
 http://www.cmakfoundation.org/events/52/chase-the-music/ 
 
SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATIONSummer  
Summer is quickly approaching!!

If your child has been recommended for summer support, don't forget to register him/her.

If you need additional information feel free to contact us at Newtown Summer Schools/Newtown Continuing Education, 203-426-1787  or continuinged@newtown.k12.ct.us