December 18, 2020
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE PTC!
As we finally close out this crazy year we want to send our wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. This year we feel especially thankful for our wonderful teachers and staff at West School, who have done an incredible job of keeping school open so far this school year. We want to recognize Nurse Bell, who is working double time to keep everyone healthy. We can’t forget to thank our fantastic bus drivers, who work so hard to keep our children safe. We also want to thank all of you parents for your support of West School and the PTC, as none of this would be possible without your time and generosity.

Here’s to a new year! We will be back in 2021.
VIRTUAL HOLIDAY ASSEMBLY/WEBINAR, Wednesday, December 23rd from 9:45 AM - 10:10 AM
Early Dismissal (12:05 PM.)

HOLIDAY VACATION, Thursday, December 24th - Friday, January 1st
No school.

SPIRIT DAY, Friday, January 8th
Wear your green, white or Westy!

JOINT ELEMENTARY PTC MEETING, Tuesday, January 12th at 9:30 AM

TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN, Thursday, January 14th at 9:30 AM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY, Monday, January 18th
No School.
HOLIDAY GIFTS TO TEACHERS AND STAFF
The BOE encourages symbolic gifts such as personal notes but understands that families may want to do more than simply share a note! Gifts to teachers are optional and this year all gifts must be sent via email due to covid guidelines. We would like to remind you that individual gifts with a monetary value of more than $50 are not permitted. There have also been a number of questions about how to shop local this year for our teachers. If you are interested, please contact Laura Budd at [email protected] to purchase a Chamber of Commerce Gift Card . Laura can take payment and DROP OFF all of the gift card orders she receives at West School on Monday, December 21st. All orders need to be received by TODAY, Friday, December 18th. For more information please click here.
BOOKS! BOOKS!
As the holiday approaches, please check your homes and backpacks and return any West School library books you may have. Let’s start the new year off with the library full of books for students to bring home.  
HAVE YOURSELF A WESTY HOLIDAY!
STAY SAFE this holiday season by wearing a Westy face mask and waist pouch for mask storage. LIMITED remaining inventory, so buy yours here today along with other fun spirit wear items for the cold winter months!
AMAZON SMILE
As you finish your holiday shopping, please consider making your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile for the benefit of West School. Go to smile.amazon.com and select the charity West School Parent Teacher Council. You can shop normally, using your regular Amazon account and Amazon will donate .5% of your purchase to West School!
VIRTUAL JOINT ELEMENTARY PTC MEETING
On Tuesday, January 12th at 9:30 AM, Superintendent Dr. Luizzi will present the New Canaan Public Schools Budget for 2021-22, provide a covid update and discuss new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Following the presentation, Dr. Luizzi will answer questions from the parent community.
TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN
All incoming parents from East, South and West are welcome! Please join us on Thursday, January 14th at 9:30 AM for a virtual presentation about preparation for kindergarten which will include conversations on social, emotional, and developmental milestones. Bring your questions! Please pre-register your child(ren) to assure the appropriate number of kindergarten classes for 2021-22. (Snow Date: Friday, January 15th)
VIRTUAL VARIETY SHOW - REGISTER NOW!
Calling all 3rd and 4th graders, don't miss your chance to be the stars of the show! The annual variety show is going virtual for 2021 on Thursday, February 4th! Click here to review the new guidelines and register. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 7th. Questions? Please email [email protected].
3RD AND 4TH GRADE VIRTUAL CODING CLUB
Mr. McLeod, East School's ICT teacher, is starting a new virtual coding club for all 3rd and 4th graders who are interested in learning to code. This class will include a weekly emailed challenge that the students will receive from Mr. McLeod, to be completed by the following week. Students will learn the basics of coding, starting with Scratch, and will delve deeper into the world of coding via Python. To learn more about this exciting new opportunity, click here!
HOLIDAY TEACHER APPRECIATION
Thank you to all our generous parents for supporting the annual holiday teacher appreciation luncheon! Unfortunately because of this week's storm we had to reschedule the luncheon for Wednesday, January 6th. We still plan to deliver Yetis to the teachers before the holidays and can't wait to thank them with lunch after break!
BOE UPDATE
The next BOE virtual meeting is Monday, December 21st at 7:00 PM. The meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes are here. Questions? Please contact the West BOE representative Erica Schwedel at [email protected].
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY - VIRTUAL WINTER FAMILY STORYTIME
Please join us for a Virtual Winter Family Storytime on Monday, December 21st from 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM. There will be songs, stories and music fun in the library's Zoom room! Please register here.