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MARCH

2020-21 SCHOOL CALENDAR

WIS PTO WEBPAGE

WIS MAIN WEBPAGE

WIS PTO FACEBOOK PAGE - Please follow us to get updates on WIS PTO news!

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
• WIS PTO GENERAL MEETING - MARCH 24TH AT 2:00PM
• BOE REPORT
• DAY CAMP INFORMATION EVENT - RECORDING AVAILABLE
• YEARBOOK UPDATE
• YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
• WIS SPIRIT STORE
• WESTON GOT TALENT
• AROUND TOWN

Hello WIS Families,

I feel as if time is flying by as we are again preparing the newsletter. With the snow washed away, I certainly hope that spring is around the corner! I know we are all ready for some sun to brighten our days.  

Both WIS and HES PTO Presidents and the Memorial Day Committee have been busy planning and crafting events for an engaged, fun and memorable Memorial Day Weekend.  Unfortunately with the strict state guidelines we found it prohibitive to host the fair this year.  We understand you all anticipate the fair for a fun and active weekend, hence we are still prepared to celebrate with safe activities and family entertainment.

The Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff starts with your submission for “Weston’s Got Talent Showcase”.  We are very excited to host this virtual show of Weston talent.  Get energized, get creative and start planning.  The Talent Showcase will be shown many times Memorial Day Weekend.  If kids want to see themselves on the big screen we do too!  Please follow the guidelines enclosed below.  We can’t wait to see the show and celebrate all our talented students. So please  stay tuned  to future updates as they become available.  

A huge THANK YOU, to everyone who donated to our Staff/Teacher’s Luncheon which is happening this coming Monday the 22nd. Without all of you, and the generous contributions this wouldn’t have been possible. I’m very excited that it will be wonderfully received and greatly appreciated.  We are happy to show the teachers and staff our continued appreciation and support for all they do.  

Also please take note, at our next General Meeting, Wednesday, March 24th (2:00 PM) we will be presenting and voting on the slate for the 2021-2022 PTO Board.  We ask that you support your school and our PTO by joining us for the meeting. 

Exciting announcement today: We are just today announcing a very creative yearbook cover contest; there will be two options: “Stronger Together” or “Stranger Things”.  That definitely should get some creative juices flowing.  

Please read the descriptions of the two options in the Yearbook section to understand what’s being asked and the requirements. Students will have the option to pick which one most interests them, or they can submit one of each.  Just make sure they have fun while doing so!

Finally, make sure you check out our PTO Swag store and see if you are lucky enough to secure a Weston Picnic Blanket.  Act fast as they are going like hotcakes!! Our Fabulous Fundraising Chair, Debbie Carrothers, gets all the credit for this one!

In parting, good luck and lots of patience to the new age bracket, in scheduling your covid vaccine. I felt as if I was vying for a coveted WOW class!  It definitely was a feat in securing mine today, but done!  Hopefully the same to all of you!

As always, I hope you are staying safe and healthy.

If there are any questions, suggestions or issues please reach out to me. I’m always happy to listen.

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Daniella Swetland

PTO President

Please join us for our WIS PTO General Meeting, next Wednesday, 24th March, at 2.00am via Zoom.

The meeting will include the presentation of the proposed slate for the 2021/22 WIS PTO General and Executive Boards.

Topic: WIS General PTO Meeting
Time: Mar 24, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 872 5528 1306
Passcode: 366464
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwCRR8wiB

BOE Report – March 15th, 2021 

The Board of Education met on March 15th,  via Zoom.

Ms. Edwards and Ms. Skelton presented the Social-Emotional Learning update for the district. They highlighted that the mental health staff has done an extraordinary job during this very difficult time. They highlighted that Weston uses an individualized, personalized approach in mental health. This is not unique to this year but the level of work and personalized support has been magnified. They emphasized the personal connections between students, family and staff has gone a long way. They spoke to Voluntary Distance Learners and the heightened level of collaboration with families. They discussed the increase in referrals, both Academic and Social-Emotional Concerns. In addition to an increase in number,  there is an increase in the level of need which is more significant and more frequent than in a typical year. 

Mrs. Kaddis and Mrs. Falber spoke to the social-emotional learning at Hurlbutt and WIS, respectively. They highlighted that social emotional work is embedded in everything throughout the day.  Both schools continue to implement the RULER curriculum from the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence. The curriculum helps students identify their own feelings, as well as the emotions of others. Hurlbutt and WIS are responsive classroom schools, where creating connections and developing friendships are key. They highlighted the importance of morning meeting and how it sets a positive tone for the day.

Dr. Craw presented the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion update for the district. He highlighted several desired outcomes including continuously improving curriculum, building the capacity of staff with ongoing professional learning, reducing racial isolation in the student body, increasing diversity of faculty and staff and reviewing and updating district policies related to non-discrimination and enhanced workplace training.

Mrs. Kaddis spoke to Hurlbutt’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The focus is primarily on text selection for read alouds and books that promote inclusivity, cultural relevance, and the development of cultural identity.  She spoke to the ongoing review and acquisition of additional texts for classroom libraries, read alouds, and book clubs that feature authors and characters of color. She also highlighted that the Language Arts curriculum focuses on building the communication skills to find their voice as a global citizen.

Mrs. Falber spoke to WIS’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She emphasized that diversity and being culturally aware is very important work. She said that the children aren’t learning about diversity in an isolated unit or specific month, it is in many places all the time. The focus of this year was the acquisition of additional texts to the classroom libraries, read alouds, and book clubs that feature authors and characters of color. She also highlighted that in 5th grade there is a windows and mirrors unit with different colors and races represented.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting will be Monday, April 26th.

All Board of Education meetings can be viewed on their YouTube channel. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiS5TdWMVozkWFY1FS3knw

Maria Rowbotham

HES BOE Rep

mariarowbtham@gmail.com

Thank you to all the speakers and those who attended the HES & WIS PTOs virtual camp fair this week, focusing on day camp and program options.  We were lucky to have representatives from many popular local camps, including the Westport/Weston YMCA’s Camp Mahackeno, the Wilton YMCA’s Camp Gordyland, Camp Playland, Earthplace, Ambler Farm, Peak Performance Sports, Weston Parks & Recreation, and Weston Youth Services.  

For those who may have been unable to attend, a recording of the meeting is available HERE.  A PDF of the presentations is also available HERE.

For anyone who missed the HES & WIS PTOs sleepaway camp information event last week, the recording is also still available on our YouTube channel HERE. We were joined by camp advisors, as well as camp directors from a number of camps, and discussed what summer 2021 looks like and how to choose the best camp for your child.

Don’t forget to order your yearbook!

https://wis.picaboo.com/weston-intermediate-school-2020-2021

Password: WIS2021

This price is currently $36.75 and the price will increase to $39.00 Sunday, March 21st. 

You can personalize your book with four (4) personalized pages as we have done in recent years (at no charge) and you will be able to stamp your Childs' name and symbols on the cover in silver foil (for an added fee). The personalized pages need to be completed by May 1st.  Please disregard the Picaboo site telling you that pages need to personalized by a different date. 

Please contribute photos to the yearbook making sure they are  added to the correct section. 

https://uploads.picabooyearbooks.com/9186108

I have added sections “Cutest Mask”, “Funniest Mask” Coolest Mask”.  Please share your mask photos!

Yearbooks will be back on track to be handed out at school during the regular school year.  

Please also contribute your fifth graders’ baby photo. Photos must be vertical. They can be in black & white, sepia or color.  Please only send one baby photo.  This deadline has passed: If you have NOT contributed your photo please do so ASAP and your child’s photo will be included to:

21wisyearbook@gmail.com

In Subject Line write student’s “given” name not nickname. 

Before the books go to print the fifth grade parents will receive a proof of the baby photo section for review.  

If your child missed picture day and we haven’t reached out to you yet please contact me.  We are making it easy for those families to contribute a portrait photo.  The link to upload the photo guides you how best to take the photo. 

Finally, we are selling Parent Ads for the fifth grade. Please check out options here: https://adstore.shopyearbook.com/9186108

I will extend the sale of these until the end of April. 

Thank you!

As always, stay tuned for updates.

Daniella Swetland 

daniellarc@aol.com

(203) 858-5956

2020-21 Yearbook Cover Contest
Winner receives a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

The Yearbook Cover Contest is here! We are holding a contest for your artwork and the selected drawing will be featured as the cover of the WIS 2020-21 Yearbook. The judges will be looking for creativity, school pride and authentic work.

In addition to the cover winner, we will include as many designs on the back as possible and once again try to include all submissions inside the book.

This year we will offer two “theme” options: “Stronger Together”:

“We love the yearbook theme Stronger Together for two reasons. First, it represents inclusivity and making all people feel valued. It speaks to creating an environment where everyone has the same great opportunities to make an impact. Another reason we love this theme is that incorporates the idea that in order for us to get through this year/pandemic we are all going to need to work together to become stronger than we were before. It’s a positive message that could help set the tone for the school year ahead”.

The other theme option is “Stranger Times”
“If you want to be a bit sillier, you could consider a theme Stranger Times. Between the pandemic and unique school and life experiences these are certainly strange times but why we really love this 2021 yearbook theme is because it incorporates pop culture. You could even create your school’s own “upside down”

Please read the detailed instructions form HERE

● You MUST choose a theme

● If you are VDL Student please submit for submission via email”: Subject to Read: “YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST ENTRY “

● Submit your entry to your teacher NO LATER THAN APRIL 19TH


Thank you and have fun!! 

“Weston Mask Lanyard” attaches to any face mask and wear around your neck like a glasses strap. Eliminate the possibility of losing your face mask or getting it dirty when you have to take it off to eat or drink. Perfect length for kids and adults with breakaway clasp just in case if gets caught on something.
$5 each
$9 for 2
$12 for 3

You can purchase the WIS Spirit items HERE

All are invited to participate! 

Submissions due May 10th, 2021

CLICK HERE FOR A FLYER WITH MORE INFORMATION

AND CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!!

The library is open by appointment for the children's room and without an appointment for adults, teens and computer usage, plus we are still offering curbside pickup! We have tons for you to take part in virtually in March and some things you will want to SAVE THE DATE for coming up in April! We continue to offer our binge boxes for those that would like us to select books for their children and teens. To do this, and to learn more about all that is going on this month at the Weston Public Library including how to register for our programs and events, check out our LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE.

Please click HERE for details of Parks & Rec's current Spring program offerings!HERE

Weston Youth Services is pleased to offer Spring WOW! after school programs for students in Grades K-8, beginning the week of April 19th. All programs are held through the Zoom app.

Please click HERE for details of the available programs for HES students.

Online registration opens Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:01 p.m at www.westonyouthservices.org.

Town Hall Link: https://www.westonct.gov/about-us  

Weston Public Library: https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/ 

Weston Historical Society: https://www.westonhistoricalsociety.org/ 

Weston Garden Club: https://www.westongardenclub.com/

Weston Education Foundation: https://www.westoneducationfoundation.org/

• The WIS PTO newsletter is distributed on Fridays, please send your submissions by the prior Wednesday, 2 pm.
• It is your responsibility to write and submit your relevant WIS activity each week.
• All submissions should be either included in the text of your email or attached in Word format and the content should be print-ready (please proofread!). Keep it simple and short.
• If you have a flyer, please submit a brief write-up along with it in PDF format and we will link it to the newsletter.
• Please send all necessary links, there will be a click "here" linking to the more detailed information.
• If you want to re-run a write-up from the previous week, check to see if it requires updating, i.e. changing the wording from  "next week" to "this week", etc.  If so, please make appropriate changes and re-send the revised write-up.
• All submissions should be sent to: wisptocommunications@westonpspto.org. All will be acknowledged.
• Submissions should be relevant to WIS and the town of Weston (i.e., town sports programs, Town of Weston sponsored community events or after-school sports programs for students taking place in the Town of Weston). If there is any question regarding the relevance of submission, final approval will be determined by the HES PTO Communications Chair and/or President.