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Originally delivered on 4/1/2022 3:09 pm

SUBJECT: The WhIStle newsletter - April 1st, 2022

April 1 2022

Edition # 208

UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS

APRIL

11-15 AprSPRING RECESS
19 AprRegular BOE Meeting
20 AprGeneral PTO Meeting
29 AprOutdoor Movie Night (see below)


QUICK LINKS

IN THIS ISSUE


  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
  • OUTDOOR MOVIE
  • SPRING FAMILY EVENT
  • FIELD DAY T-SHIRTS
  • YEARBOOK REMINDERS
  • MEMORIAL DAY FAIR IS BACK!
  • WESTON 5K ROAD RUN
  • WESTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION
  • NEXT PTO MEETING
  • NEXT BOE MEETING
  • HES KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
  • AROUND TOWN

PTO & SCHOOL NEWS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hello WIS Families! 

March was Women’s History Month. There are so many amazing women who have impacted WIS not only in March, but all day every day.  I’d like to thank a few of the amazing women who have had an impact on the PTO yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Laura Schlossberg, Philanthropy chair 2020 - 2021. She led the way for the picnic tables that are outside the cafeteria. She saw a need for expanded learning and dining space due to the covid pandemic and took positive action to make a hard situation more enjoyable. She was diligent in her research for products and pricing to stretch our PTO dollars as far as they would go.

Mindy Fierro, Grade Coordinator 2019 - 2021 and Vice President 2021-2022: Mindy found creative and thoughtful ways to celebrate our 5th grade class in the height of the covid pandemic. She created the 5th grade car parade, delivered t-shirts with a special packaging to make it not just another school t-shirt. Throughout 2020-2021 she went above and beyond to keep the school traditions alive for the classes.

Daniella Swetland, Vice President 2019 -10/ 2020, President 10/ 2020-2021and Past-President 2021 -2022: Daniella stepped in after the start of the school year. She led the PTO as we welcomed students back to in person learning and distance learning from home.   Daniella led our team of volunteers focusing on programs that we could do within covid protocols and create new programs to fill the gap.

Monica Stromwall, President 2019-10/ 2020: Monica navigated the PTO through a partial regular school year focusing on programming and fundraising. When Covid shut down our schools and worlds, she managed to navigate uncharted waters keeping the PTO running smoothly. She had to make hard decisions, find new ways to celebrate our students and teachers, and build on past programs.

All of these amazing women and more than I have space to mention, have made my job so much easier.  They showed patience, grace, and enthusiasm for volunteering for the PTO.

So go out and thank a PTO volunteer. They have a huge impact on our students school experience. Everything from picture day, family fun night, yearbook, teacher appreciation day and so much more.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

 Debbie Carrothers

WIS PTO President 2021-2022

SPRING FAMILY EVENT - PAINT & PLANT

Join us on Thursday, April 28th for our Spring Family Fun event - "Paint & Plant."

You are invited to paint a planter and choose a flowering plant. The cost is $15 per planter, which includes the supplies and your choice of plant (based on local availability). These will make great Mother's Day gifts for mom, grandma, a good friend, or teacher!  

The event will take place outside of WIS at the outdoor picnic tables. The event will be led by local artist and Weston mom, Agata Lipnicka-Tria! 

Please be sure to note the number of pots wanted. You are welcome to purchase more than one pot per painter! Pots are $15 each and come with flowers to plant. 

If you have any questions, please contact HES Family Fun Night Chair Jennifer Bernheim at jbernheim@onpurposepr.com or WIS Family Fun Night Chair Kate Vivalo at kate.vivalo@gmail.com.  


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

FIELD DAY T-SHIRTS

WIS Parents! 

It's time to order your Field Day t-shirts!!!!!

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, APRIL 8th 


3rd & 4th GRADE PARENTS: 

Your child's t-shirt will be a solid color, specific to your child’s 3rd or 4th grade class. 

The t-shirt cost is $12.  

3rd Grade Parents: please click HERE to order. 

4th Grade Parents: please click HERE to order. 


5th GRADE PARENTS: 

 Your child’s shirt is compliments of the PTO so there is NO COST TO YOU. 

HOWEVER, the 5th grade shirts include the name of EVERY 5th grade student on the back. 

So you MUST complete the order form so we know:

A) what size shirt you’d like, and

B) how your child’s name should to appear on the t-shirt. 

5th Grade Parents: please click HERE to order. 


Questions? Please reach out to Shannon English, shannonenglish20@gmail.com

WIS 2021-22 Yearbook REMINDERS

5th GRADE PARENTS:

ALL GRADES:

  • Order your yearbook, visit https://store.shopyearbook.com/wis-2021-22 (password is wis2022).

  • ALL WIS STUDENTS are invited to enter their original artwork into the 2021-22 Yearbook Cover Contest. Design a cover that shows off your school pride. Deadline is April 22.
WESTON 5K ROAD RACE IT'S BACK!


It's back! The Weston 5K on Saturday May 28th. 


This is the biggest fundraiser for the Weston High School PTO which in turn supports additional needs for WHS students.

But to make it happen we need your help. Any role - big or small - will contribute to making this event a success. Please see the flyer and sign up!

Find the flyer and sign up here!

Questions to weston5k@gmail.com

WESTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION SEEKS NOMINATIONS

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of our founding in 1994, the Weston Education Foundation (WEF) established a new teacher award – the Elizabeth W. Stokes Founder’s Award – in 2020.

 The Founder’s Award seeks to recognize and reward a teacher who has provided a unique or unusual experience outside the classroom to Weston students as part of the curricular experience. The Founder’s Award is named for Elizabeth W. Stokes, a long-time Weston resident who founded WEF in 1994.

 Any Weston student or parent of a Weston student may nominate a teacher for the Founder’s Award, which is a cash gift of $1,000. The deadline for nominations is May 1 of each year The recipient will be announced on the anniversary of WEF’s incorporation – September 1. 

 Full information including nomination criteria and the nomination form may be found here: 

https://www.westoneducationfoundation.org/elizabeth-w-stokes-founders-award/

NEXT PTO MEETING

The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 20th, at 9:30 am via Zoom (see details below).  

We look forward to seeing everyone who can make it then! 


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87660269527


Meeting ID: 876 6026 9527

One tap mobile

+19294362866,,87660269527# US (New York)

NEXT BOE MEETING

A reminder that the next Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday, April 19th, at 7 pm via YouTube.  It will be in person at the WMS library. It can be viewed via LiveStream or as a recording.  Public comment is welcomed.

You can access the LiveStream and Recording HERE!



HURLBUTT ELEMENTARY- KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Children who will turn five years of age on or before January 1, 2023 are eligible

to begin kindergarten next fall. Please complete the online registration from the Hurlbutt website. The link to the “New Student Registration 22-23 School Year” is: https://westonps.org/schools/hurlbutt-elementary-school/new-student-registration/  Copy/paste the link into your internet browser to begin the registration process.


To complete your registration, we will need the following:

  • Online registration
  • Proof of Residency:
  • Warranty Deed or Signed/dated lease AND
  • Utility Bill (telephone, gas or electric)
  • Copy of your child's birth certificate
  • Updated CT Health Assessment form, through the 5-year old checkup

This year we have added an option where you can upload the required documents at the end of the online registration before you submit the form.  Without all of these, your child cannot be registered.


Should you have any questions, please call (203) 221-6300.

AROUND TOWN

WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

We have a lot going on in April for Children, Families and Teens to take part in, including the first of our book discussions for Weston Reads, a year-long initiative to promote the love of reading and provide community engagement for residents of all ages. Find out all about these discussions and many other fun, engaging and educational programs in our LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE. You can also check for library updates and program information on our website at www.westonpubliclibrary.org.


Art Exhibit at the Senior Center

Jane Wright Wolf

Art Exhibit and Sale Fundraiser

Saturday, April 2nd 10am-4pm

and

April 2nd through April 30th (Monday-Friday 9am-3pm)

 

Weston Senior Center

9 School Road, Weston

 

We are very excited to announce that Weston’s nationally recognized artist Jane Wright Wolf will be exhibiting her work at the Weston Senior Activities Center.  

Jane is donating 100% of the proceeds from this sale to the Friends of the Weston Senior Activities Center.  

A special preview will take place from March 23rd to March 31st.  The public sale will run from April 2nd until April 30th.  There are a variety of sizes, both framed and unframed.  

Jane, a widely exhibited artist and a member of the prestigious Salamagundi Art Club in NYC, is graciously donating many pieces of her stunning art to sell, with all of the proceeds going to the Friends of the Weston Senior Activities Center. (All of the work will be priced without the usual 50% gallery commission and can be taken with you.)  We hope you can come by!  

 

If you have any questions, please call the Senior Center (203) 222-2608.

WESTON YOUTH SERVICES

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Spring and Summer! 

 

Our WOW! catalogs for the spring session are now online for preview for students in Grades K-5We’re excited to introduce several new programs at HES including Kool Mandarin, Spring Into STEM with LEGO Materials, My First Lemonade Stand, and Mad Science’s NASA’s Milky Way Mission. New programs at WIS include My First Food Truck, Mad Science’s NASA’s Milky Way Mission, Bonjour mes Amis, Kool Mandarin, and Sew Together. And of course it wouldn’t be WOW! if we didn’t include our favorites! Registration begins on Wednesday, March 23rd at 10:01 a.m. To preview our catalogs and to register online, please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org. 

 

And if you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further! Weston Youth Services is pleased to be offering students, entering Grades 1-8 a variety of mini summer camps including Baking, Science, Legos, Business camps, Sewing and Chess. Online registration begins on Thursday, March 24th at 10:01 a.m.  Please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org to preview our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details, and to register online. 

LACHAT TOWN FARM PROGRAMS

Outdoor Explorers this Sunday, April 3rd, 10am - 2pm

Drop Off

Ages: 5 -9

In this session, we will focus on the birds who make their homes around LaChat. We will think about how to identify our bird neighbors, go on a bird scavenger hunt to look at birds in action, use natural materials to create bird nests, and our imaginations to make magical eggs. We will have lots of fun playing bird communication and food chain games. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to have fun in the outdoors and learn to appreciate the wonderful diversity of birdlife we have in our beautiful backyard.

More information and to sign up: 

https://lachattownfarm.org/register.php?eventid=1116

Earth Day Festival

Saturday April 23rd

12pm - 4pm

More information: https://lachattownfarm.org/market.php

PARKS & REC PROGRAMS

Parks & Recreation Programs can be found here.

For Further Information Please Visit Our Website

Prior to registration online make sure you have updated your household account for 2021-2022 school year.  Review your family’s household account with your child’s current age, grade, address, phone number, etc.  You will not be able to complete the online registration for any program if you do not do this. 

***SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION***

Registration for our Weston summer camps have begun on www.westonct.gov/parksandrec.   Junior Eagle Day Camp (ages 3 – entering Kind. 2022), Soaring Eagle Day Camp (Ent. grades 1 – 2), Stars Camp (Ent. grs. 3 – 5) and All Stars (Ent. grs. 6 – 8).  Please view flyers on the website for more detailed information.   

 

***SPRING PROGRAMS REGISTRATION***

Registration for the Weston Parks & Recreation spring session has begun on. www.westonct.gov/parksandrec.   We are pleased to offer our programs with various activities.  All programs have limited space.  See our separate brochure on the Town website.  You will also find on our website video tutorials to help with your registration.   Program questions should be directed to Program Director, Joe Parciasepe at 203-222-2675.     

***SPORTS & FITNESS – SPRING***

Have fun while getting exercise in the spring session for grs. 3 – 5 with instructors Dan Ungar and Tom Ehret.  Days/dates:   Mon., April 18th – June 6th, Tues. April 5th – May 31st, Wed., April 20th – June 8th and/or Thurs. May 5th – June 9th.  Fee:   Monday class; 140.00, Tuesday and/or Wednesday classes; $160.00 or Thursday class; $120.00.         

***RUN CLUB***

Enjoy this popular running program with instructor Pascal Butcher.  Students will enjoy speed, agility and distance training.   Day/dates:  Wed., April 20th – June 8th.  Fee:  $160.00


***FIELD HOCKEY – SPRING***

Coach Amanda is back again this spring session for this field hockey program for girls.  Have fun while learning the fundamentals of the sport while having game play.  Day/dates:   Tues., April 19th – June 7th.    Fee:   $170.00.  

***AMERICAN RED CROSS SWIM LESSONS – SPRING***

A spring swim program will be offered.  More information will follow with dates and times.  


WESTON RESOURCES

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/

SUBMISSIONS

  • 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.
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