We were so fortunate to see the first snowflakes of the season on Thursday. The students looked well-rested when they arrived at school due to the extra sleep they all enjoyed.

Many important events will be occurring this December; however, most importantly, your child is receiving their first report card for 2024-2025! While many of us are used to the "old-fashioned" printed version, we have now moved into the digital platform. Please take time to read and discuss your child's report card with them. Consider asking them questions like: What have been your highs and lows this year? Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Perhaps take some time to celebrate and set new goals for Trimester 2. No matter what, let your child know you are invested in their education and that you are proud of them. We know that at Middlebrook, we feel immense pride in their accomplishments! Should you need assistance accessing your child's report card, read below for directions.

Warmly,

Debbie Ponte, Principal

Michele Molloy, Assistant Principal

Although we've had a mild fall, it seems winter weather is approaching. Please review Middlebrook's inclement weather adjusted schedules below to ensure you're ready for potential snow or other school day disruptions.

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

Thank you to all who have already submitted an entry for the annual Trumbull Police Union Coloring Contest. There is still time to enter! Please see details below and submissions are due to the office by Monday, December 9th. If you have misplaced your color book, feel free to use the page below.

As many of you begin your shopping for the holiday season, please be reminded, Smart Watches and cell phones are not allowed in our elementary schools. Our technology policy requires that staff members fully monitor these devices and this is not feasible or appropriate at this age level. Further, we kindly request you have continued conversations with your child about the appropriate use of technology and social media safety. Thank you in advance for your support!

Please be sure your child comes to school each day with a warm jacket or coat, hat, and gloves. We do try to get our students outside even in the cold weather so it is important that they are dressed properly so they can keep warm. Please remember to label all items so they can be returned if lost.

December

Friday, December 6th
Report Cards available on Infinite Campus TODAY

Saturday, December 7th
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Monday, December 9th
Winter Concert - Grade 5, Strings and Band only

Tuesday, December 10th
BOE Meeting 7:00pm

Friday, December 20th
Reflections due
Early Dismissal 1:00pm

Saturday, December 21st
First day of winter

Monday, December 23rd - Wednesday, January 1st
Winter Break

Wednesday, December 25th
Christmas Day
Hanukkah begins in the evening

Thursday, December 26th - Wednesday, January 1st
Kwanzaa

Wednesday, January 1st
New Year's Day

Thursday, January 2nd
School resumes
Hanukkah ends in the evening

Report Cards are available TODAY on Infinite Campus.

First trimester ended on Friday, November 22nd. All report cards will be distributed electronically via your child's online Campus Backpack on Friday, December 6th.

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.

As part of our commitment to reducing paper copies, we will no longer be printing copies of student progress reports. For those of you who have students receiving support through PPS, please refer to the Parent Portal for Progress Reports. We would be happy to provide you with a hard copy of your child’s Progress Reports upon written request to our PPS Clerk, Colleen Schexnaildre cschexna@trumbullps.org and include your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS.

Please use the link below to read about how the Middlebrook community is addressing the attributes outlined in our VOG.

Congratulations to the students below who exemplify outstanding behavior on the bus each and every day. Their bus drivers and fellow classmates appreciate their PAWS attitude!

Our happy little elves shopped merrily on Thursday and Friday for holiday gifts. What an amazing winter wonderland created by our PTA.

Ms. Ekstrom’s class explores sound waves while making their very own cup phones!

Keep your eyes peeled on Wednesdays for our Bus Buddies! They are ready and willing to safely and appropriately entertain students in Grades K, 1 and 2 during their journey to and from school. Congratulations! Thank you to Ms. Ferguson, Ms. V and Ms. Ekstrom for guiding this new group of leaders!

Missing from the photo (Gracyn and Nika)

Mrs. Ginand was a student at Middlebrook from kindergarten through 5th grade! She was so excited to get her first teaching job here right after college, and loved it so much that she’s never left! Mrs. Farrow’s passion for teaching extends outside of the classroom and into the gym! She was once a CrossFit instructor and even won a local CrossFit competition! Ms. Baldino is a teacher during the day and a student at night. She, too, does homework after school. She’s looking forward to a snowy winter where she can ski, cook, and walk her two golden retrievers, Francis and Willow. Ms. LeVasseur has been teaching for 32 years. She is an avid reader and enjoys listening to podcasts on her commute to and from work. She also enjoys cooking and has an obsession for gnomes.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Middlebrook Hockey Night!

Shake off those post-holiday blues and join the Middlebrook Fathers Club for an exciting Hockey Night at Sacred Heart University on Saturday, January 11th, at 7:00 PM!

We’ve reserved special center-ice seating exclusively for our Middlebrook community, ensuring the best view of the action as the SHU Pioneers take on the Cornell Big Red.

Purchase your tickets online at this link.

See the below flyer for more details!

To purchase hockey tickets, please click the link below:

https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Middlebrookpta25

Ryan Mones & Max Palmer

Co-Presidents, Middlebrook Fathers Club

**If you have any questions about the club, please email your Co-Presidents** at middlebrookfathersclub@gmail.com

Do your kids enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then have them submit their creations to the PTA Reflections Program. This year's theme is: Accepting Imperfection.

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

Click here for full details and how to submit your creation. Submissions are due on December 20th.

https://files.constantcontact.com/c02813e3301/ea671c89-03c1-4f27-870f-f95135409a9c.pdf

YEARBOOKS ON SALE

See below for flyer with the QR code to pre order.

Our next virtual meeting for the 5th Grade Activities committee will be Thursday, January 9th at 7pm. Please join us to get involved in events! Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89071693835?pwd=Djm4SKiMYJJaYQiIZDJuatjYuy2aDN.1

Please take note of the save the date flyer for our January and February events. Tickets will be for sale on the membership toolkit on January 2nd!

Durham has upgraded our bus tracking system. The new platform is called BusZone ®. It allows you to view your students current school bus location & information about the route in near real time, including the scheduled and estimated arrival times to your stop.

Parent's Guide 👇