Julian Curtiss Newsletter #8

At JC, we believe in adult learning. This week, our staff engaged in a data dive to analyze important information and use it to guide our school-wide goals for the 24-25 School Improvement Plan. The groups included teachers from a variety of roles within the building, ensuring that different perspectives were part of the conversation. Together, they engaged in meaningful discussions about how we've performed historically in areas like reading, math, science, student sense of belonging, family engagement, and our working environment. This inclusive process not only promotes ownership of our goals but also inspires everyone to stay committed to the work ahead. Our goal is continuous improvement to better serve our students and their future. Soar like Eagles!

This week started with our Kindergarten and 1st grade students having a special visit from the Greenwich Fire Department! The firefighters gave an exciting and informative lesson on fire safety, teaching our important tips for staying safe during a fire emergency. They shared practical advice on preventing fires and what to do if one happens, making sure our young learners understand how to protect themselves and their families.

The fun didn't stop there - our students got an up-close look at a real fire truck! They even got to go inside the truck and hold a real fire hose, which was a highlight for many. To make the day even more special, some of the firefighters who visited were proud alumni of JC.

See special moments captured below.

Our 5th grade students recently held a writing celebration, where they proudly shared their personal narratives with classmates and families; this was the culminating task of a unit entitled "Narrative Craft." Each student worked hard to develop a real-life experience or event, using effective writing techniques and clear sequencing to bring their stories to life. They even used a writing technique known as flashback where they interrupt the chronological order of a story to reference the past. During the celebration, students not only read their narratives but also reflected on their writing process, explaining how they improved their work through drafting and revising. It was a joyful event, made even more special with the support of parents who came to celebrate their children's hard work and growth as writers! (See pictures below.)

We will be having our annual Halloween Parade on October 31st at 2:15pm. As you prepare, we ask that students choose fun, school-appropriate consumes. Please avoid costumes with blood, gore, monsters, weapons or any themes that may considered scary, evil or inappropriate. Refrain from masks that obscure the entire face as it inhibits the teacher's ability to supervise their students. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys a festive and safe celebration.

Thank you for you partnership and attention to this request.

VIVA FRIDA by Yuyi Morales

In honor of the National Hispanic Heritage Month, Julian Curtiss students are celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America through literature, art and media creations.

Our school’s Book of the Month for October is Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales, an award-winning picture book illuminating different stages of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s life and how her experiences influenced her to become a world-renowned artist. Our students are not only immersing themselves into the bilingual (English-Spanish) words describing Frida’s inspirations, but also, peeking into the behind-the-scenes process of how Morales, a Mexican-American author & illustrator, brings magic into the illustrations.

Next week, we will look closer to the way animals- two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat and a fawn- played a role in influencing Frida through reading aloud Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by acclaimed author Monica Brown and illustrator John Parra, best known for award-winning children’s picture books depicting his own Latino heritage.

In the next few weeks, our students will read Miró’s Magic Animals by Antony Penrose, a story highlighting Spanish surrealist painter and sculptor Joan Miró’s everyday farm objects and animals. They will have the opportunity to deep-dive into his paintings in Media classes and play “Roll a Miró Game” in Art classes, both experiences emphasizing the fundamental concepts of shape and color within the context of depicting animals. In Art, they will also revisit the role of animals in Frida Kahlo’s life.

As a wonderful culmination of our celebration, all Julian Curtiss students will create their own animal representations reflecting their heritage and ancestry in honor of United Nations Day on October 24. This meaningful project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land, encouraging our students to think about their connection to the world around them.

A huge thank you to Ms. Murray and Ms. Dietrick for their collaboration.

Greenwich will give all Grade 2 students the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in October before ALP Enrichment placement. Because these abilities are closely related to an individual’s success in school in virtually all subjects, data gathered from the CogAT is included as one aspect of the multiple measures that help the staff make decisions regarding students’ instructional needs.

The assessment will be given between October 14 and November 1. Scores will be made available to parents on or before November 8. More information regarding the CoGAT Assessment is available at https://riversideinsights.com/cognitive_abilities_test.