Gina M. Prisco, Principal

Dr. Randi Petersen, Asst. Principal

All Frenchtown students were able to experience a spectacular winter concert presented by our 3rd and 4th grade band students, 3rd through 5th grade strings students and 5th grade chorus students this week. The music played on that night for our families. A variety of songs were played by our strings and band such as Feliz Navidad, Winter Wonderland and Beethoven's Ninth. Our 5th grade chorus sang Under Winter Moon surrounded by beautiful snowflakes and paintings created by Frenchtown students. Josephine Papaspyrou and our very own fifth grade teacher, Mr. Riley, played the chello as our chorus sang Under Winter Moon. Thank you to Mrs. Fedorov, Mrs. LaMendola and Mr. Turechek for a musical night to remember!

Miss Kopec's mathematicians worked together as they solved addition equations. Students worked independently and then in small groups on vertical whiteboards as they solved and shared their thinking with classmates.

Student report cards will be available in the backpack in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal today. Please make sure you review your child's report card. As always if a hard copy is needed, please contact the Main Office.

Mrs. Powell's students became climate and weather experts over the past couple of months. Using their expertise, they researched many places in a variety of climate zones and created travel brochures. The students were sure to include temperature, precipitation, geography, and when to visit and what to pack.

Seniors at Trumbull High School, Grace and Anne Codd, are the co-founders of the "Mittens for Many" project which they started when they were in fourth grade. They are excited to bring their project back to Frenchtown this year as they host a drive from December 9th to December 20th. Please kindly have your child bring gently worn or new winter accessories to school. There will be a collection bin in the lobby of Frenchtown. All of your support to help those without winter accessories to keep them warm during the cold season is very much appreciated. Thank you!

Mrs. Rosa’s 3rd graders creating their own vending machines. Students read a passage about vending machines and wanted to create their own. Such fun to learn what may come from a vending machine like cars, eggs, and pizza!

Fifth Grade students in the classes of Mr. Riley and Ms. Demshak collaborated and competed against each other in an equivalent fraction sorting race outside on the playground, and in the lobby (due to weather) last week. Students demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while reinforcing relevant mathematical reasoning and number sense skills. These concepts support their current unit of instruction, and provide an applicable learning experience to remember!

Students in grades K-5 are diving into the basics of coding with Blockly, a visual programming tool that uses drag-and-drop blocks to make coding simple and fun. K-1 students are discovering how step-by-step instructions solve problems. Grades 2-3 are using Code.org to create programs that help characters tackle challenges. Meanwhile, grades 4-5 are exploring Artificial Intelligence to design programs addressing real-world issues and making a positive impact.

As we enter the festive month of December, the holidays are often filled with excitement, but December is more about gifts and shopping! This season, let's focus on what truly matters—making memories.

Here are some simple, meaningful ways to celebrate the season together……

Holiday Movie Night: Gather loved ones, pop some popcorn, and enjoy your favorite holiday films together. It’s the perfect way to relax and create a cozy atmosphere. Bring the blankets, snacks and good company, now that's a fun night!

Winter Nature Walks: Bundle up and enjoy the beauty of the season. Fresh air and nature make for some great quality time.

Do It Yourself Gifts & Cards: Give from the heart! A handwritten card or a homemade craft can often be more meaningful than something bought in a store.

Volunteer Together: Share the holiday spirit by giving your time to a local charity or helping a neighbor. It's a wonderful way to create bonds while spreading kindness.

Baking Fun: Have a holiday baking day where kids can help decorate cookies or make simple treats. It's not only fun but also gives them a sense of pride when sharing the goodies.

This December, let's remember that the best gifts don't come with price tags— they come from the heart. Cherish the moments and the people around you. Happy Holidays!

Jennifer Derby, Social Worker

December 9 - 20 - Mittens for Many Collection

December 10 -12 - Holiday Boutique - all classes have been assigned a time to shop

December 16 - 20 - Student Council Spirit Week - see the flyer above

December 18 - @7pm - PTA Meeting (Zoom Only)

December 20 - Legal Day 1pm Dismissal; lunch will be served

December 23 - January 1 Winter Recess

January 2 - School Reopens

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - School Closed

Parents we need your support.

Smart Watches:

Smart Watches can be quite distracting. Students should not be contacting parents via their Smart Watch during the school day. In addition, we ask that you refrain from sending your child text messages. We do not encourage the wearing of Smart Watches at all, especially due to their value. There is not a need for access to the technology features of a Smart Watch during the school day, including on transportation.

Cell Phones:

If you have decided to provide your child with a cell phone, please note it must be off and out of sight the entire day. This includes ON THE BUS. There have been several reports of students using their phones while riding school provided transportation. We request that you have continued conversations with your children regarding this topic.

Thank you in advance for your support!

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, Annmarie Vetter avetter@trumbullps.org and include your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS.

Winter weather is here and many families claimed some items during our concert. Please make sure all sweatshirts, jackets, pullovers etc. are labeled with a name. Encourage your child to check the lost and found for missing items. Items will be donated on December 13th.

Please click on the below link to learn more about Lunch Bunch at Frenchtown!

Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBvssA2GobTMyDpVqve16N1f3DuKkqP-hzl7aypv5-5MP4bw/viewform

The weekly message at 4:00pm every Friday is your place to find all information. This includes PTA flyers and notices. We are trying to do our part and use more digital communication. If you need a printed copy of something, please just let us know.

A la carte items can not be purchased if a student has a negative balance.

The negative balance must be paid in full before any a la carte items are purchased.

We welcome Volunteers at Frenchtown.

Volunteers: Visitor Form must be completed

All individuals seeking to volunteer in the Trumbull Public Schools must fill out and sign this “School Volunteer Security Check” form prior to any volunteering. Please put N/A in any areas that do not apply or the form will be returned to you to complete.

Please read the detailed information in the Frenchtown Handbook.

Hello Frenchtown Families!

Do you have a child who loves art, music, dance, writing, filmmaking, or photography?

If so, it’s time to encourage your young artist to join the fun and enter the 2024-2025 PTA Reflections Contest! This contest is an incredible opportunity for students in grades K-12 to showcase their creativity and talent. First-place winners advance to the State PTA Contest for judging, and those who take first place at the state level move on to compete nationally!

For the 2024-2025 school year, the PTA Reflections Contest theme is “Accepting Imperfection” — a powerful reminder that our flaws and mistakes are just as valuable as our strengths. It’s about embracing the beauty in being human, especially in a world that often pushes perfection. This theme invites students to explore their personal journey, encouraging self-expression and confidence.

Deadline for submissions: December 20, 2024

Click on the below link to access links within the document:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ah76x0kRHLVTGJEzBGSlhu7Ka5tB8AYr/view?usp=sharing

Follow Frenchtown on twitter and see what students and staff are up to! @FrenchtownElem