Julian Curtiss Newsletter #16
December 13, 2024
Go Eagles! ๐ฆ
60 Countries, 30 Languages, 1 Great SCHOOL!
Winter Concert ๐ถ โ๐บ
Our 4th and 5th grade performers truly shined during our recent winter concert, demonstrating musical talent and creating a memorable experience for our entire school community. Throughout the day, these talented scholars performed for our PreK-3 students and staff, and then for our parents and families during the evening performance. What made this concert special was the students' active participation - they didn't just perform, but also introduced each piece, sharing insights about the music and highlighting specific techniques, which added depth and personal connection to their performance.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated music department - Ms. Champion, Ms. Sanford, and Ms. Brown - whose guidance and support made this concert possible. We also want to acknowledge the incredible parents who made consistent sacrifices, ensuring their children attended early morning rehearsals regardless of weather conditions. The concert beautifully culminated with a poignant final performance of "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," a message that resonated with everyone present and embodied the spirit of our holiday season.
Thank you,
Eduardo Calderon and Claribel Michilena
Lisa Graff - Author Visit
Our 5th grade students were thrilled to welcome acclaimed children's author Lisa Graff, a National Book Award finalist, who recently visited our school to discuss her engaging novel, "The Great Treehouse War." This captivating book, which is also a selected title for our Greenwich Public Schools "Battle of the Books" competition, offers a delightful twist on family dynamics. In this imaginative story, young protagonist Winnie challenges the traditional parent-child relationship by creating a unique stand-off from her treehouse, where she must navigate complex family negotiations and personal boundaries. Graff's witty and insightful narrative invites readers to explore what happens when children creatively assert their independence, promising both humor and heart as Winnie attempts to maintain her treehouse rebellion while keeping her family's love and support intact.
Battle of the Books Winners ๐
Congratulations to Leila, Autumn, Malcolm, Max and Flora!
Holiday Recess ๐งฃ
Our holiday recess will begin on Monday, December 23rd and will end on Wednesday, January 1st. School will resume on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025!
JC Magnet Open House ๐ธ
JC invites you to join us for our Magnet Open House, 1/3/25!
JC takes pride in being the Magnet school of World Languages since 2003. Our students represent 60 countries & 30 languages in one great school, offering the choice of learning either Spanish or French. It has been described as โthe little United Nations School of Greenwich.โ
Come and learn more about everything that makes JC such a special place.
There will be two information sessions:
JC Magnet Open House
Friday, January 3rd @ 9:30am
Friday, January 3rd @ 6pm
Here are some resources available to our families. Reference the link above for more information.
Do you have a love for teaching and learning? Want to be part of an amazing school community? JC is the place for you! We are seeking enthusiastic, flexible individuals to join our dynamic team - help shape young minds and make a meaningful impact, one day at a time!
If interested, please contact Mr. Calderon at (203) 869-1896 and click on this link https://www.applitrack.com/greenwich/onlineapp to apply.
Feel free to pass this message along.
Reminder: No Dogs Allowed
Friendly Reminder:
For the safety and comfort of all our students, we kindly ask that families refrain from bringing dogs onto school grounds (including our blacktop/playground area). We love our furry friends, but keeping our grounds pet-free helps ensure a safe environment for everyone. Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation!
Book of the Month ๐ซ
โA celebration of seven different winter holidays observed in the US
and the traditions that unite them all.โ
We are thrilled to introduce our Book of the Month: We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, illustrated by Jieting Chen. This beautiful story highlights the joy and traditions of holidays like Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year.
With stunning visuals and a lyrical, read-aloud text, this book celebrates what unites these holidaysโlight, love, food, and family. Simple explanations on each page and more detailed backmatter make it a wonderful resource for sparking conversations about our shared traditions and the diverse ways we honor them.
Beloved author Jane Yolen, along with her daughter Heidi Stemple, has crafted a heartfelt story that offers both warmth and inclusivity. Whether your family celebrates one of these holidays or you're curious to learn about others, this empowering and informative book has something for everyone.
We hope this story will inspire meaningful discussions at home about the beauty of our differences and the traditions that bring us together.
Happy reading!
FLEX Academies - New Sessions Begin November 11th
Link to website: Home - Flex (eleyo.com)
Link directly to JC: Search - Flex
Here are directions to set up an account: Creating an Account โ Eleyo
Here are directions to register for a course: Enrolling in a Course โ Eleyo