The Saugatuck Scoop - 11/22/24

This week we shine our Saugie Spotlight on…how THANKFUL we are to have this SES community. From the students, to the staff, to the families - we have something special at SES and that has everything to do with you. In one particular effort to share our appreciation, we are passing out pies to our bus drivers and their families next Wednesday before the break. Be sure to thank your bus drivers when you see them. 

This week there’s even more to be grateful for, as we celebrate Educational Support Day. We want to highlight our Educational Support Staff for your endless efforts to ​​support our students and teachers in the classroom! We’d also like to give thanks to our wonderful Substitute Teaching staff for your ability to jump in at a moment’s notice and ensure our students continue learning and growing! May you feel extra celebrated on Substitute Day today, November 22.

We hope you have a wonderful and restorative few days off soaking up time with family and friends next week. Due to the short week, we won’t be publishing the Scoop next Friday, but keep an eye out for the next edition on 12/6!

Saugie’s Checklist

• 'Tis the season! Click here to donate items to Westport’s Annual Holiday Giving Program.
• Sign up for a January-March kindergarten recess duty spot here!
• Rise and Read returns on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:40am! Details below
• Follow the SES PTA on Instagram @thesaugiescene for reminders, updates and links.
• November’s lunch menu is here  

Next Week

Wednesday, November 27	Thanksgiving Break - 1PM Dismissal
November 28 - November 29	Thanksgiving Break - No School

 

 

 

Save the Date

Friday, December 6	“Fancy Day” Spirit Day
Wednesday, December 11, 7:40am	Rise and Read - SES Library
Tuesday, December 17, 10am	SpED PTA Sip n’ Chat - Westport Library Rm 216

 

 

 

 

Latest News and Events

‘Tis the Season - make someone's holiday warm and bright! - through December 4th

The SES community is pleased to be supporting Westport’s Annual Holiday Giving Program this year! This long-standing program is funded entirely by community donations and assists income-qualified Westport households with school-aged children to purchase gifts and essentials for their families. There are 100+ families that qualify for this program and all have specifically requested gift cards in order to address the extra financial burden of the holidays. Our Student Leadership Council helped curate an Amazon wishlist featuring favorite books, and our students are working with their buddy classes to write holiday letters to accompany the donations. Our charity committee will be putting together packages with gift cards, books, and holiday letters for each family. Click here to select items and donate. Please see the flyer here for more info. 

Questions about this program can be directed to Annette D'Augelli, Westport Dept. of Human Services at (203) 341-1183.

For questions specifically about the SES initiative, please reach out to Lindsay Cardinali, Diana Grossman, Emily Birchfield Shakibnia

Rise and Read - Wednesday, December 11, 7:40am

We are excited to host an all-grades Rise & Read on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:40am!  Parents and guardians are invited to come to the SES library before school to explore the library shelves, find a nice corner to get cozy, and start the day reading together with your child(ren)!  Feel free to bring your child(ren) in their comfiest pajamas and join us in nurturing a lifelong love of reading!  This isn't just about books; it's an opportunity to spend some extra quality time with your child(ren) before a busy day. And since mornings are better with coffee and light bites, sign up HERE to bring things to share! Enjoy some refreshments as you dive into the magical world of books with your little ones. 

Questions? Reach out to Jacqueline Cerone, Swapna Raj and Maureen Valdes. 

Board of Education Approves Redistricting

As detailed in the communication from Superintendent Scarice (read it here), last Thursday the Board of Education approved the plan to redistrict a group of families from Long Lots Elementary School to SES in the Fall of 2025. Principal Messler has been working closely with the Long Lots principal to ensure a smooth redistricting process. Both schools’ PTA’s are also actively strategizing ways to collaborate throughout the transition. We look forward to welcoming these new families in the Fall, and will continue to update our community with further developments!

When to Use School Dismissal Manager vs PowerSchool Attendance Monitor

For your convenience we have put together the below summary of how to report the various types of absences.

• Full Day Absences - PowerSchool Attendance Monitor
• Late Arrivals - PowerSchool Attendance Monitor
• Early Dismissals and changes to regular dismissal routines - School Dismissal Manager

You can read more from Principal Messler’s email here.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) News

Celebrating Native American History Month (November 2024)

During Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the profound impact Indigenous Americans have on American culture year-round. Anthropology Associate Professor Brian McKenna highlights the lasting contributions of Native Americans in areas such as community structure, medicine, environmental stewardship, and even the foundations of the U.S. Constitution. From the Iroquois’ "seventh generation principle" to the many foods and medicines rooted in Native knowledge, McKenna’s teachings remind us that the influence of Indigenous people extends well beyond history. His students learn directly from tribal communities, fostering respect and understanding for Native culture and heritage. Learn more about the lasting contributions of American Indians here.

Sip n' Chat with the Westport SpED PTA - Tuesday, December 17, 10am

December’s theme is “Holiday Chat: the most wonderful (and sometimes challenging) time of the year.” That meeting will take place on December 17 at 10 am in Room 216 of the Westport Public Library. Bring your questions, concerns, and insights—no RSVP needed! Check out our flyer for an overview of this year’s topics. Questions? Reach out to Megan Bouchard. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Kindergarten Families: Recess Duty is Back! 

All interested parents and guardians of kindergarteners have an opportunity to sign up for two recess duty slots between January and March. Click here for more information and to sign up. Questions? Reach out to Christine Smith.

Volunteer Opportunities on The PTA Membership Toolkit

Membership Toolkit looks a little different now than it used to, so we just want to highlight this change. All PTA sponsored signups and volunteer opportunities are available and posted on the PTA Toolkit site, right on the landing page when you login.  

Support The PTA

Books As Gifts - Donate a New Book to Our Amazing SES Library

The Books As Gifts program offers friends and families of SES students an opportunity to support our library each year by dedicating a special new library book to their child or someone special. You can celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, holidays, passions, a teacher or staff member, or donate a book just because! To purchase a book from the SES Library's Amazon Wishlist and have a bookplate inscribed with your dedication, please fill out this form. Within the form, you'll be able to access the Amazon Wishlist to purchase the book AND provide the information to us for the bookplate inscription. Once the book arrives at SES, your child will be the first to check it out.

See the flyer for more information. Questions? Email Leah Crane, Kerri Joller or Stefanie Kelly.

Minted Holiday Card Offer

It's that time of year again… for holiday cards! SES has partnered with Minted, a premium card printer service, to provide you with a discount on products. You can visit their site here. By using our promo code FUNDRAISESES at checkout, you will receive 20% off card and gift orders.  Minted will then donate 15% back to SES. This offer is good now through December.

Updates and Reminders

Tools for Schools - Thermal Comfort & Window Opening Policy

Please read about the November 2024 "Did You Know...? Thermal Comfort & Window Opening Policy" here. 

Lost and Found Digital Snapshot

Colder weather is on its way, and there are over 30 sweatshirts at Lost & Found!  Is one of them yours?  Stop by Lost & Found to find out!  Please Note: In TWO WEEKS (December 10), all items will be packed up and donated to Person to Person!  Short on time this week?  Check out our Lost & Found Digital Snapshot.  Items are left every day, so we still encourage you to stop by if you can.  Please contact Susan Ford with any questions.

Helpful Resources

Click here for helpful resources such as previous communications from the SES administration, how to’s and district updates.

Scoop of Thanks

…to the Book Fair Committee - Tracy Bach, Laura Crocombe, Katie Carmody, Rachel Ginsburg, Melissa Kaufmann, Runa Knapp, Rachel Kramer, Natalie Rabaa, and Olga Stefanski - and our wonderful librarian, Rae Anne Locke, who spent countless hours planning the entire book fair event, coordinating volunteers, transforming the library, and manning the event. It’s no wonder Book Fair week is so celebrated at SES!

…and to the Book Fair Volunteers - Simoni DeSouza, Victoria Frommer, Courtney Fuchs, Katherine Ghirardelli, Rachel Ginsburg, Sheera Gross, Tatyana Hixon, Terry Lin, Dylan Mello, Meghan O’Brien, Melissa Rivera, John Shankman, Kerry Shelford, Hannah Spencer, Betsy Sunderji, Steve Turner, Virginia VanZanten and Farrah Yaich - for helping our readers shop the fair. The week wouldn’t happen without you.

…to our Picture Day Committee, Jacqueline Cerone and Maegan Gaffey for organizing successful Picture Day Retakes this week and to Courtney Fuchs who helped the day go off without a hitch. 

…to Emily Boym, Meghan Cleiman and Melissa Stewart, our Math Night Committee, for organizing a fun game night filled with problem solving, pattern recognition and community for our grades 3-5 students. Another big thank you to our volunteer, Karen Yip-Han, and the SES Math Team, Ashley Moran, Erin Scholz and Lisa Wolff for lending your expertise to the event. Also thanks to Mr. Jame’el Lawrence and Ms. Wolff for hosting the evening! 

Community Corner

Board of Education (BOE) Meetings

Residents are always welcome to attend the BOE meetings in person every other Thursday in the Staples High School Cafeteria (calendar here). You are also able to watch them live from home on the BOE webpage here. Every meeting is archived on that same page for viewing at any time. 

Be “In The Know” with the Digital Community Bulletin Board 

The district's Digital Community Bulletin Board is a regularly updated resource you didn’t know you needed! Make a habit of checking the bulletin board and you’ll be in the know about upcoming sports clinics, school drama club performances, and other events happening around town. If you are interested in submitting something for the bulletin board, please contact the PTA Co-Presidents Allison O'Dell and Indy Pereira (ses_pta@westportps.org).

Redistricting Resource Map Now Available

The district has shared a new redistricting maps resource, which can be found on the district’s Redistricting Resources page. This will help families better understand the proposed elementary attendance zone changes and whether or not they are impacted.  

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Contact The Scoop:

To include your announcement or event in The Scoop, please submit this form at least two weeks before the event or announcement date. Last minute announcements must be submitted by Tuesday at 5:00pm to be considered for inclusion in that week's edition, released on Friday. Flyers or attachments need to be approved by Principal Beth Messler (emessler@westportps.org) and PTA Co-Presidents Allison O'Dell and Indy Pereira (ses_pta@westportps.org). Contact the Scoop (saugatuck.scoop@gmail.com) with any questions or just to say hello.

 

 

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