As we approach the Thanksgiving Day break, let's take a moment to express gratitude for the gift of togetherness. This holiday offers a precious opportunity to gather with loved ones, share laughter, and create lasting memories. Here's to wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I hope everyone has plenty of time to celebrate with family and friends and that we are able to take a moment to appreciate all that we have to be thankful for in our lives.

Important Report Card Information

First trimester ends on Wednesday, November 29th. All report cards will be distributed electronically via your child's online Campus Backpack on Thursday, December 7th.

Please visit this link to learn more about how to access the Infinite Campus Portal and how to locate your child's report card in Campus Backpack.

Wishing you a joyful and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!

Warm Regards,

Debbie Ponte and Michele Molloy

A message from Dr. Semmel regarding the Kindergarten Registration Process for 2024-2025

Did you know that this past spring the Connecticut Legislature passed a new law regarding the age of Kindergarteners? They passed Public Act 23-208, which amended Section 10-15c of the Connecticut General Statutes requiring that all public schools be open to all children five years of age and over who reach age five on or before the first day of September of any school year. The previous law allowed children to start Kindergarten if they reached age 5 by January 1 of any school year.

The new law does allow parents/guardians of children who will not turn 5 until after September 1, but before January 1, the right to send a written request to the district requesting that their child be allowed to attend Kindergarten in the Fall.

For any Trumbull resident interested in registering for kindergarten this fall, please use the link below. This link will guide you through the process for entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2024.

https://www.smore.com/xvyt5-2024-2025-kindergarten-registration

November

National Native American Heritage Month

Thursday, November 23rd

No School - Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 24th

No School

Monday, November 27th

Picture Re-Take Day (see flyer below)

Wednesday, November 29th

Trimester 1 ends

Thursday, November 30th

First Selectman, Mrs. Tesoro will visit Middlebrook to recognize students for summer reading

December

Friday, December 1st

Meteorologist, Lorin Richardson visits Kindergarten

Sunday, December 3rd

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Thursday, December 7th
Report Cards available on Infinite Campus

Holiday Boutique
Hanukkah begins

Pearl Harbor

Friday, December 8th

Holiday Boutique

PJ Day, school-wide

Tuesday, December 12th

BOE Meeting 7:00pm

Wednesday, December 13th
Winter Concert - grade 5, strings and band

Friday, December 15th

Hanukkah ends

Monday, December 18th

PTA Meeting 7:00 pm in the library

Wednesday, December 20th
PTA Reflection entries are due - Please encourage your child to participate. The theme this year is, "I am hopeful because...." Please see more information listed below.

Thursday, December 21st

First Day of Winter
Winter Solstice 21st

Father's Club meeting, 7:00 pm in the cafeteria

Friday, December 22nd
Early Dismissal 1:00pm

Monday, December 25th

Christmas Day

Monday, December 25th - Monday, January 1st

Holiday Recess

Tuesday, December 26th

Kwanzaa

Monday, January 1st

New Years Day

The school gathered on Monday at 10am to rally around the theme of respect. Highlighted in our community were our bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodians and Mr. Keith, our school security guard. Students learned about their pastimes, favorite foods and many more interesting facts. The host of our assembly, Mrs. Lopez, led a vibrant discussion on how we can be prideful mountain lions when interacting with members of our school. Upon returning to their classroom, students participated in read alouds or activities with their teacher.

The tradition of our Grade 2 parade continues to spread cheer and goodwill throughout our hallways. The second grade team of teachers worked diligently with students creating floats centered around the theme of fairytales. Many aspects of the Vision of the Graduate were incorporated into this valuable experience; including collaboration amongst the float engineers. Students were also fortunate to have a Thanksgiving feast for our lunch today in the cafeteria!

Coloring books were sent home with students in K - 4th grade last week . Please consider submitting a page by Friday, December 1st. One winner per grade will be chosen and will win a $25 gift card. Please see the letter below for more information.

Please print out and complete the form below if you plan on having your child's picture retaken. The form should be turned into the classroom teacher.

Please see flyer below for information.

Holiday Boutique will be held on December 7th and 8th.

If you have wrapping paper to donate please drop it off in the entryway of the school. In addition, if you have time to create gift packages please let us know via mbholidayboutique@gmail.com.

REFLECTIONS CONTEST

The 2023-2024 Reflections Contest is HERE! Get your creative thinking cap on and design an original work (painting, drawing, poem, essay, dance, video production etc.) answering the question I am Hopeful Because... Link to Entry guidelines is below. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, December 20th.

For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships.

Learn More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuaoV5TyfBI&t=9s]

Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help Middlebrook?

Well, they can and here’s how…Our school is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; all we need is your support and your gently worn, used, or new sneakers (children's and adult's)!

Here’s how you can help:

Start in your closets at home and gather as many pairs of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you’ve out-grown them, they’re out of style, or out of season. Every pair counts!

The sneakers that we collect will help raise money to support our program AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills.

We will be setting up a box in the lobby soon, but start saving them now!

Spiritwear is Available- grab your favorite Middlebrook apparel!

https://middlebrookelementarypta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/255678

The Vulnerable Child and Family Series: Children in an Anxious World - Part 1 of 2

December 06, 2023 from 6pm-7:30pm

Target TPS Audience: Parents of young children (birth to age 12); elementary school teachers
Cost: Free
Registration required: https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=geajtbyd77nmea4kuxfw0c7j1effxu09kmd86td658hxpkp0gy79
For registration questions, please contact Emma Velasquez, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 218 or velasquez@ctserc.org.
Presenter: Dr. Ira Chasnoff, NTI Upstream

Event's Public Description: The COVID pandemic has removed structure, consistency and predictability in the lives of children and families around the world. Humans are more likely to thrive with these three elements, so when they are missing, the stress of everyday living rises. This online session will provide an overview of how stress affects the human brain and present some family-based strategies for helping children from birth to age 12 deal with stress.

Middlebrook School Hours

Doors open at 8:20 AM

Regular School Hours: 8:35 AM - 3:20 PM

Early Dismissal Hours: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM

Delayed Opening Hours

1 ½ hour Delay – 10: 05 AM – 3:20 PM
2 hour Delay – 10:35 AM – 3:20 PM
2 ½ hour Delay – 11:05 AM – 3:20 PM

Middlebrook WEBSITE LINK: https://mes.trumbullps.org