WEST PTC | WEST PTC CALENDAR | WEST SCHOOL | NCPS DISTRICT

As Thanksgiving approaches, we pause to give thanks to our wonderful West School community, and especially during this unprecedented year.

Thank you to Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Furnari, all of the West School teachers, Janine Farkas and Kelly Maar, Dave Wannagot, Jozie Bell, and the rest of the dedicated staff: psychologists, social workers, therapists, lunchroom ladies, support staff and custodians who support our children with kindness every day.

Thank you to our tireless West School parents who contribute generously to West in every way, and always with enthusiasm, whether volunteering their time or donating funds that support our school.

Thank you to our PTC Executive Board members who work with dedication throughout the year on behalf of our school. And thank you to all our chairs and volunteers whose collaboration and hard work bring so many social events, programs, fundraisers, communications and enriching opportunities to our school community.

We are always GRATEFUL to be part of a community filled with the respect, kindness and dedication that make every day a GREAT DAY at West.

Early Dismissal (12:05pm.)

No School.

Early Dismissal (12:05pm.)

Wear your green, white or Westy

The New Canaan Recreation Department has planned special programs for elementary school conference week December 1st - 4th. The early school dismissal days will allow the two-hour program to be held from 1:30-3:30PM indoors at Waveny House. There will be a very limited enrollment due to Covid-19 restrictions. Parents can register their child for one day only. Parents must drop off and pick up their children for this event. Each day will start with a first hour Mad Science presentation for all participants before we break to separate "kid pods" for Hands On Pottery or Holiday Crafts in the second hour. This program is open to New Canaan residents only. Please click here to register.

Make the holidays extra magical this year by surprising your little reader with the first ever West Book Bundle! Starting at $50 you will be able to select 3 or 5 books from our reading list of more than 30 books carefully curated by West School teachers, librarian Patrick Murren, and principal Jan Murphy. Our bundles have been hand picked by grade so there is no guesswork. Not a fan of wrapping? We can deliver your books beautifully packaged in a limited edition canvas Westy Tote. With every bundle you are making a generous donation to West School! Click here to purchase.

Lose something? Ask your child to check the Lost and Found located in the entryway of the Brown Bag Theater. Or click here to see photographs of Lost and Found items and then complete this form to have the item returned to your child at school. Since parents can't come into the building to check the Lost and Found this year, it is even more important that you label all of your child's belongings! All labeled items will be returned to your child. All unlabeled and unclaimed items will be donated to Person-to-Person.

As you begin 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!

Grab the popcorn, gather the family and snuggle up on the couch, our annual variety show is going virtual for 2021 on Thursday, February 4th! Calling all 3rd and 4th Graders! Don’t miss your chance to be the stars of the show! Registration and more details to follow.

On Monday, November 16th, the Board of Education opened their first meeting since Election Day by electing new officers for the 2020-21 year. Dr. Luizzi provided a Covid update, reporting that the number of cases in New Canaan is accelerating and intensifying, and the nursing staff is working extremely hard to contact trace so that schools can stay open. As of Monday, the high school has moved to the hybrid learning mode with 50% building capacity. The district will continue to monitor case data and make changes to the learning mode as appropriate. Parents of West's younger learners may want to note that if the elementary schools move to the hybrid learning mode, the district has decided based on teacher input that Kindergarten and First Grade students will cohort using the AM/PM schedule that Kindergarten used at the beginning of the school year. The meeting concluded with Dr. Keating who provided an update on the district's statement of accounts.

The next BOE virtual meeting is Monday, December 7th at 7:00PM. The meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes are here. Questions? Please contact the West BOE representative Erica Schwedel at [email protected].

Just in time for the holidays, the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society has partnered with the Silhouette Lady for a truly personalized gift your grandparents won't forget. Using a photograph, the Silhouette Lady will hand cut silhouettes and deliver them for easy pick up to the New Canaan Museum. Orders need to be placed by November 25th. Best of all, she is donating 25% of all proceeds to the NCM&HS. Just click here to choose the package you would like, mention you are part of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society and check holiday shopping off your list. To learn more, please follow us on instagram @newcanaanmuseum.

Join us on November 29th from 11AM - 4PM at the Carriage Barn Arts Center for Artists Sunday — the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It’s like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday but for art! Shop at the Carriage Barn Arts Center and give the gift of art this holiday season! Admission is free! Please wear masks, max indoor capacity is 25. Discover new artists and meet some of the exhibitors! Be the first to shop from a selection of small, original artwork by Carriage Barn members, all $250 or less. Bid on or buy spectacular, one-of-a-kind wreaths donated to benefit the Carriage Barn Arts Center (also online). Family art activities in the courtyard (weather permitting.) Please click here for more info.

Catch the holiday spirit at the Carriage Barn Art Center’s 5th Annual holiday exhibit & fundraiser November 29th - December 12th 11AM - 4PM. More than forty spectacular, one-of-a-kind wreaths will be available to buy or bid on, along with a selection of small, original artwork priced at $250 or less. From traditionally decorated greens to unconventional materials and themed designs, the wreaths are created and donated by local artists, designers, businesses and organizations. Artwork by many celebrated local artists will include paintings, fine art photography, ceramics and mixed media works in a range of styles. Admission is free, masks are required inside and social distancing will be in effect. Wreaths and artwork will also be available to buy or bid on through an online auction that runs through Friday, December 4th. See details here.