October is right around the corner! As the leaves begin to change, so does the excitement in our school. This month, we look forward to new learning adventures, fall-themed activities, and opportunities to celebrate our students' growth. With cooler weather approaching, please remind your child to dress warmly for outdoor recess. We're excited to make this a fun and successful month together!

Halloween is fast approaching and will be celebrated at Middlebrook School on Wednesday, October 30th. This is a fun time for our students. On Halloween, Kindergarten and First grade students are invited to come to school dressed in costume; while Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth graders can bring a costume that can be put on in their classroom over their clothes.

Please know that costumes are OPTIONAL. Costumes cannot be violent in nature. Face paint or scary masks such as the “Evil Jester”, “It”, “Grim Reaper”, “Chucky”, “Scream” or any other costumes that contain blood/scars will not be allowed to be worn. No accessories of any kind are allowed.

Thank you for helping us to keep our students safe.

REMINDER:

Conferences: If you have not done so already, please be sure to sign up for a conference time to meet with your child's teacher. The link closes on Thursday, October 10th. Click below to assist you in scheduling your time. Conferences are on October 22 or 24, as well as November 7.

Have a wonderful weekend.

~Ms. Ponte, Principal

October

National Dyslexia Awareness Month

Italian Heritage Month

Fire Prevention month

Sunday, September 15th - Tuesday, October 15th

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Wednesday, October 2nd
National Custodian Day
Rosh Hashanah Begins at sundown - No homework or long-term assignments to be given

Thursday, October 3rd
No School - Rosh Hashanah

Tuesday, October 8th
BOE Meeting 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 9th

Fundraising orders are due

Book Fair - day/evening, see flyer
Father's Club Meeting - 7:00pm in the cafe

Thursday, October 10th
Book Fair - day only

Last Day for families to sign up for Fall Conferences

The evening of Friday, October 11th - Saturday, October 12th
Yom Kippur

Monday, October 14th

No School - Columbus Day

Wednesday, October 16th - Friday, October 18th
Sukkot

Wednesday, October 16th
Grade 5 Field Trip - Hillcrest Planetarium

Thursday, October 17th

5th grade activities committee meeting 7:00pm virtual
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89071693835?pwd=Djm4SKiMYJJaYQiIZDJuatjYuy2aDN.1

Friday, October 18th
PINK PLEDGE - wear pink to school and bring $1.00 to donate to Norma Pfriem Breast Cancer Center see flyer
5th grade activity - Plasko's Creamery, 5-7pm see flyer

Monday, October 21st
PTA Meeting 7:00pm in the library. There will be an option to join virtually if you can't attend in person. You can access the link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87058712814?pwd=J5UA5dN2gjQ8oRaeQjbbFxNStXLVxd.1

Tuesday, October 22nd
Early Dismissal 1:00pm - Conferences (by appointment)

BOE Meeting 7:00pm

Thursday, October 24th
Early Dismissal 1:00pm - Conferences (by appointment)

United Nations Day

Friday, October 25th
School Store - grades 1-5 only

Zombiebrook - details, coming soon

Tuesday, October 29th
School-wide Read Aloud

Wednesday, October 30th
Halloween parade for K and 1

Thursday, October 31st
No School - Diwali

Halloween

In the library, students from grades two through five participated in a book tasting. During the event, 4th and 5th graders had the chance to preview some of the 2025 Nutmeg Nominees, which they will vote on in April. New picture books and chapter books were available for 2nd and 3rd graders to explore. Students were excited about the event and the new additions.

Fourth graders in Ms. Schaefer’s class used place value disks to solve math equations with the addition and subtraction algorithms.

Introducing the fabulous grade 5 team! Mr. Silhavy, Mrs. Marini, Mrs. Bossio and Miss Rodrigues provide our oldest students with challenge, independence, integrity and nurture a strong work ethic.

Did you ever wonder why educators chose to become teachers? Read about the outstanding people who inspired our fabulous Middlebrook team.

When Mrs. Marini was in 11th grade, Sister Justine, taught her that teaching is more than just academics; she was a caring individual.

Mrs. Bossio found her inspiration in 10th grade from Mrs. Matthews who grew her love of literature and learning.

Mr. Silhavy credits Mr. Kilbourn in grade 12 with changing how he looked at the world.

Finally, Miss Rodrigues notes that Mrs. Quake, her grade 3 teacher, cared for her when she needed someone to trust.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Throughout the month, we will be highlighting important information about dyslexia and sharing helpful resources each week. Our goal is to raise awareness, support our students, and provide valuable tools for families. Stay tuned for tips, resources, and ways we can work together to help every child succeed!

The First Step:

• Understand the challenges students with dyslexia face. The struggles include difficulty with memory, reading, writing, oral communication, and processing information
  
  

Try these Supports:

1. Nurture Thinking Skills
2. Breakdown Instruction into Chunks
3. Encourage Independence
4. Build a Positive Self-Image with Growth Mindset
5. Create a custom Calendar and/or To Do List
6. Engage in Reading and Writing Tasks at Home

Checkout these resources to make a Dyslexia friendly home:

Helping your child with Dyslexia

How to Help a Child with Dyslexia at Home

The CHET Dream Big! Competition launched on August15th! This competition is brought to you by the Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office as Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET). Dream Big! is open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12.

This is an opportunity to win contributions toward your child's CHET 529 college savings plans!

This year, they will be awarding almost $350,000 in CHET 529 College Savings Plan – Direct Plan (“CHET 529 Direct Plan”) account contributions to students in grades K-12 and technology prizes to schools. For the winning students, they will be awarding:

• Three prizes of $20,000
• 24 prizes of $6,000
• 239 prizes of $500

To enter, students are asked to answer a question in the form of a drawing, painting, essay or video. Younger students will be asked to answer a question focusing on lessons they’ve learned and their dreams for the future. Older students will be asked about an experience or person that has impacted them and how that will influence their future goals

Submissions must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. on November 4, 2024. There is no cost to enter. For program details and entry process visit:

www.chetdreambig.com

Thank you for your support!

The CHET Dream Big! Competition Team

The next Fathers Club meeting will be held on Wednesday October 9th from 7-8 PM in the cafeteria . We’ll continue the planning of Zombiebrook Halloween Party which will be on Friday, October 25th!

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

Ryan Mones & Max Palmer

Co-Presidents, Middlebrook Fathers Club

Our Middlebrook Elementary PTA Fundraiser started Monday Sept 23rd with Believe Kids and Otis Spunkmeyer!

Our goal is to raise $5,000.00 to support student programs and activities throughout the year.

Catalogs and information went home in your child's backpack this past Monday.

All orders are due by October 9th.