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What Makes South School The Greatest School in Town?
The answer is clear - our community! We have a community of terrific teachers, lively learners, awesome administrators and passionate parents who work together to create an excellent elementary school experience. With that in mind, we wanted to officially announce our annual
Giving Tree campaign is kicking off this week! Please be on the lookout for a
RED envelope in the mail with more details, and we hope that you will take a moment to consider a donation that is right for your family. These funds go directly towards enrichment programs for our children. Our teachers and staff have come up with some fun participation prizes again this year, so please give early!
Speaking of programs, our KidsCare program has had another year of enthusiastic response. Thank you to those who signed up for this program! In addition to KidsCare, we are excited about the many events coming up this month: Walk to School Day (10/4), Harvest Day (10/20), Performing Arts Assembly "Blue Jupiter A Capella" (10/16), our fall Author Visit by award-winning writer Aaron Reynolds (10/21) and our always popular Bingo Night (10/25). October will be an exciting month at South!
We always welcome feedback on our events and suggestions for future programs! Write us with your thoughts at:
[email protected].
P.S. Please don't forget to join the PTC! Your $30 membership includes the invaluable South School directory. Join today - click
HERE.
Best,
Carrie & Amy
Tracy Goldman and
Anne Schimmeck for leading another successful school picture day, and all the parent volunteers for making the day run so smoothly!
Angela Materna and
Diana Quill of the South School Green Team for coordinating the Recycling assembly for our students!
Molly Fewster, Carrie Laska, Amanda Reid, and The Gaspar Family and their local restaurant, Club Sandwich, for providing dinner for our staff during the Open Houses.
Emily Candee for organizing both post-Open House gatherings at Gates Restaurant; we hope you were able to join the fun!
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From John Grasso and Matt Kascak
Walk to School Day is Friday, October 4
Join other South School Families and staff as we participate in this Safe Routes event. Wear your blue and white to show your school pride, rise and shine a bit earlier and join us all as we show our school spirit throughout the streets of New Canaan. It is one of the best days of the school year.
Important Safety Issue - Dropping Off/Picking Up Students on Surrounding Streets
It has come to our attention that students are being dropped off on Crystal Street and Grace Street. These streets are very narrow dead end roads without a cul-de-sac turnaround or sidewalks, and the students who live on these streets must walk to school since they do not qualify for bus service. Added traffic on these streets creates a safety issue for these walking students. This has been a long standing good neighbor policy, and we respectfully ask that South families DO NOT use these streets for dropping off or picking up students. Additionally, students should not be dropped off or picked up on Gower Rd. or in the Gower Rd. parking lot. See the School Handbook (link is under the Parent drop down menu on the website) for our protocols for safely dropping off and picking up students.
Teacher Appreciation Thank You!
On behalf of the whole staff, we extend our gratitude to the PTC Teacher Appreciation Committee and the Gaspar family, owners of Club Sandwich, for the wonderful dinners they provided for the staff on both of our Open House evenings!
Open House Thoughts
Several parents have commented on the piece I read at the Welcome Back Coffee. Here are the words of wisdom, compliments of Emma Bombeck.
Here is to a year of working together, comforting, teaching and letting out string.
Children Are Like Kites
You spend years trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are both breathless. They crash ... they hit the roof ... you patch, comfort and assure them that someday they will fly.
Finally, they are airborne.
They need more string, and you keep letting it out.
They tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as meant to soar ... free and alone.
Only then do you know that you have done your job.
Halloween Parade
All parents are invited to attend our annual Halloween Parade for grades 1-4 which will be held on
Wednesday, October 31, beginning at
1:45 p.m. The Kindergarten parade will be held on the same day at
10:00 a.m. Children are not allowed to bring toy guns, swords or other weaponry to school.
Please DO NOT send in food/candy for your child to share with others. Due to allergy and medical issues, we cannot share foods in school, and any foods served during classroom parties are carefully planned by teachers in collaboration with parents of students who have allergies or medical conditions. Thank you for your cooperation.
Follow South Happenings on Twitter!
Follow South School's great work and happenings at @South_School.
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September 2019
30: Rosh Hashanah -
No School
4: Walk to School Day
9: Yom Kippur -
No School
20: Garden Harvest Day, 3-5 p.m.
25: Bingo Night, 6:30 - 8 p.m., South Hall
31: Halloween Parade, 10 a.m.: Kindergarten, 1:45 p.m.: Grades 1-4
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Aaron Reynolds Personalized Book Sale Ending Oct 1!
New York Times Bestselling author, Aaron Reynolds, will be visiting all South School grades on Monday, October 21!
Personalized autographed books will be available to purchase by clicking here through October 1. (scroll down to see all book choices).
Very important reminder: in the Notes section at checkout, make sure to include:
1) Your Child's Name
2) Who the Book should be addressed to
3) Child's Grade
4) Teacher's Name
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Walk to School Day is Friday, October 4
Friday, October 4 is South School Walk to School Day - one of the most fun events of the year! Join your neighbors and friends and bring the entire family to walk, bike, or scoot to school that day. The PTC will welcome parents with coffee and bagels on both playgrounds! Remember to wear your South Spirit Wear! Blue hair and blue wigs encouraged!
(Rain date is Friday, October 11.
) If you would like to help with this event, contact Zed Hoffhine.
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Join the Fun on Garden Harvest Day!
South School Annual Garden Harvest Day is October 20 from 3-5 p.m. Please join us for a
fun-filled afternoon of garden activities, planting, taste testing and harvesting! Families are welcome, no experience necessary.
New this year, families will be able to buy a 'Bag of Bulbs' for a suggested donation to help fund the Garden's programs. Everyone is asked asked to RSVP in advance
here
. Please note that supplies and activities are limited to the first 75 attendees.
We are still looking for a few additional volunteers to help run our stations - sign up
here!
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BINGO is Back at South School
Frida
y, October 25, 6:30 - 8 p.m. in South Hall. Tickets on sale now - no tickets will be sold at the door. Pizz
a, beverages, and bake sale (cash only). Prizes for everyone, great family fun! Only $4 per attendee. Click here
to get tickets!
This
event always sells out so buy your tickets early.
If you would like to help at this fun event, click
here to volunteer!
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Important Announcements from the School Nurse
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Vision and hearing screenings will be completed in the next couple of weeks. If you prefer your child not be tested, please get in touch with the health office. If a child needs a follow up, a referral letter will be sent home in his or her backpack.
Being in school requires us all to interact and exist in close quarters. Lice can exist in any town and any school. We need to be vigilant in our attempts to prevent and identify their presence. In an attempt of prevention, please remind your children to not share hats, brushes, ponytail holders, etc. Also, it is recommended that a hairdryer be used after washing hair (it creates a non-desirable environment). Hair drying does not kill existing infestations.
Please check your child's head frequently for the presence of the lice itself or their eggs. The eggs (nits) are white, oval-shaped, and have smooth edges. They resemble sesame seeds. As opposed to dandruff, they attached themselves to the hair shaft and are difficult to dislodge. Please contact your pediatrician and notify the health office at school if you find lice. Thank you for your help and consideration!
Any questions on either of the above, please contact Nurse Kathy directly at 203-594-4315.
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Save the Dates: South School Concerts
 Mark your calendars for the 2019-20 South School Chorale Concerts! Concerts will take place in South Hall at 9 a.m. All are invited!
Kindergarten: June 11
1st Grade: March 18
2nd Grade: April 2
3rd Grade: May 12
4th Grade: May 20
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New Scooter Parking Available!
 You may have noticed some new, reserved parking outside the Kindergarten playground. Thank you to Campus Monitor Scott and Remzi from our Facilities Department, this cute scooter parking is now available! Bring your scooter to South and try it out!
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Attention all 4th Grade Parents!
In keeping with the South School tradition of celebrating our 4th Graders in the Memory Book, we are requesting your assistance with collecting a short list of "favorites" for your student, as well as a baby picture (within the first year of life) of your child to be featured in the Memory Book.
Please fill out this online form with your child. Have your picture ready because you can upload it right to the form! The deadline is October 15.
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Memory Book Cover Contest
Don't miss this chance to have your drawing featured on the front or back cover of the Memory Book! Submissions must be in a "portra
it" layout on an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of white printer paper, with the student's name written on the back in pencil. All entries should say "South School Memory Book 2019-2020" somewhere on the cover. Markers and colored pencils work well! Winners will be announced when the book is distributed at the end of the school year. For inspiration or guidance, check out last year's entries on the bulletin board in the main front hallway at South. Drop finished entries off in the Memory Book Basket in the Main Office. The final deadline for submissions is
Friday, October 18.
Order your Memory Book now! These colorful books are filled with hundreds of pictures, and every child is included. Memory Books are distributed the last week of school, and children enjoy signing them, so don't miss out. Cost is $25 for this hardcover, 80 colored-page book. click here to order!
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Please Check the Lost and Found
The school Lost and Found is already brimming with items that students have forgotten at school! Next time you are in the building, please take a look and see if any of the items belong to your family. The lost and found is located outside South Hall (the cafeteria). Thank you!
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Fall Family Photo Sessions
Take care of your Christmas card photo early this year! Your family can schedule a photo session with local talent Andrea Chalon. Andrea is donating her full sitting fee of $75 for the mini session and $100 of the $200 cost of the custom session to the South School PTC.
Click here t
o sign up and create some family memories.
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Calling All Shoppers!
Did you know that South School can earn money each time you shop for everyday products? Amazon and Stop and Shop will donate to the South PTC every time you shop!
You can help by:
- Joining the Amazon Smile Program! Go to smile.amazon.com and type in "South School Parent Teacher Council" as your preferred charity.
- If you grocery shop at Shop and Stop, read here for directions on how to register your card. Contact Jacquelyn Frawley with any questions.
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Board of Education Meeting Update
At the last Board of Education meeting, the New Canaan Public Schools' Facilities Department presented a comprehensive report updating all current maintenance and capital projects taking place district-wide. At South these include: new parking lot poles with LED lighting, a paved Gower Road garage driveway, replaced metal treads to playground, and new hand dryers in bathrooms. The roof project is scheduled to be completed on September 28.
The next Board of Education meeting is Monday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wagner Room at NCHS. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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"Mad Science" Recycling Lessons
The students enjoyed the Mad Science Recycling assembly this past Friday. They learned about the importance of recycling and reducing waste, but the dry ice and pyrotechnic demonstrations were the big hits. All in the name of science! They can put their knowledge to work in school and at home. You can help out too by reminding your children:
- Always sort their recycling from trash.
- If they pack a lunch from home, be sure they recycle their empty juice cartons and aluminum foil.
- Clean cafeteria trays and plastic containers all go in the recycling bins.
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Positive Discipline Tools Talk, October 2
Join New Canaan Cares for a talk on "Managing the Stress of Parenting Using Positive Discipline Tools" on October 2 at 10 a.m. in the New Canaan Library Lamb Room.
Ever wish you could have everyone cooperate, stop the yelling and enjoy your kids? Learn tools to help make that dream a reality (at least most of the time!)
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Carriage Barn Arts Center Family Art Day, October 9
No school? Join us for Drop In Family Art Day! Kids and caregivers are invited to the Carriage Barn for creative activities and to learn about some of the art in the current exhibit. Wednesday, October 9 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free for members / $5 per child.
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Kids Fun Run: Register Now
The 3rd Annual YWL Kids Fun Run will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at East School. The run is open to kids ages 2-10, and runners are invited to fundraise for one of our two featured beneficiaries for the run--KIDS FANS and New Canaan Mounted Troop. Kids will also enjoy a DJ, and magician. Food trucks will be on hand for an easy, early dinner picnic!
Click here to register and learn more.
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Girl Scouts South School Informational Meeting
Interested in Girl Scouts? Learn more at our after school Girl Scout recruiting event on the Lower Playground on
Thursday, October 10 at 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. All are welcome to attend and learn more! Contact
Kolleen Johnsen or
Michelle Breen with any questions.
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