Skip To Main Content

News and Announcements

The Saugatuck Scoop - 3/22/24

Saugie Spotlight

This week, we shine our Saugie Spotlight on…our bus drivers! All of the schools have divided up the months so that we can celebrate our bus drivers throughout the school year. SES gave out pies in November for the holidays and now for March, we ask that families show their love through cards and bus stop signs! Our drivers work hard to keep our kids safe while getting our kids to and from school on time (and now there’s an app to help track the bus). On Wednesday, March 27th, let’s do what we can to make our bus drivers feel extra appreciated with cards, signs, dance mobs, or celebrations of your choosing at your stop.

Saugie’s Checklist

  • Consider donating your copy of Because of the Rabbit. See below for details.
  • Download the “FirstView” app to track the status of your child’s bus. Details here.

  • K-4 Yearbooks are on sale now. Order by 4/7 for early bird pricing!

  • Field Day is coming! Action items for parents to prepare - see below!

  • Next week’s lunch menu here.

Next Week at a Glance

Monday, Mar 25, 7:30pm DEI Meeting - Westport Library
Tuesday, Mar 26, 6:30-7:30pm Math Night Grades K-2 - SES
Friday, Mar 29 No School - Good Friday

 

Save the Date

Thursday, Apr 4, 10am SpEd Coffee Gathering - Call to RSVP (info below)
Friday, Apr 5-Saturday, Apr 6 STC Presents The Wizard of Oz - SES Auditorium
Thursday, Apr 11, 10am SpEd Gathering - Westport Library Rm 210
Monday, Apr 15-Friday, Apr 19 No School - April Break
Saturday, April 27, 1-3pm SpEd Community Fun Day - SES (indoors)

 

PTA Events and Activities

Earth Month at SES - NEW Calendar for Earth Month Events here!

Spring is fast approaching and April is EARTH MONTH at SES. Check the Earth Day Calendar to find exciting events like Carpooling Mondays, Waste Free Fridays, and the hit from last year- Bike-Themed Thursdays!

SES Math Night (Gr. K-2) - Tues., March 26th, 6:30-7:30pm

K-2 families please join us in the SES cafeteria for fun math games and prizes for the whole family! Click here for the flyer with all the details, and please sign up to volunteer here.

SES Field Day - Friday, May 31st

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly that time already! There are a few action items parents need to tackle as soon as possible: 

  • Order your child’s t-shirt immediately. The deadline is Friday, April 12th, so do NOT wait! (Fifth graders will wear their fifth-grade shirts.)

  • Order your child’s lunch immediately (or choose the “My child will bring lunch” option). The deadline is Friday, April 12th, so do NOT wait!

  • Sign up for a volunteer shift!

Check off all these times from your to-do list here and get ready for the best day of the year!

One Book, Two Schools Conclusion - How to donate your copy of Because of the Rabbit

Families are welcome to donate their copy of the book to the Waltersville School in Bridgeport. A collection box is currently available by Mr. Howard’s desk near the main office. The following is an introduction to our partner donor school that Mary Parmelee, Director of Children's Services, spoke about at the Westport Library event:

Waltersville School is a K – 8 school in our neighboring city of Bridgeport. They share many of the same philosophies as Saugatuck Elementary families. For example, just as Saugatuck students care about being kind, Waltersville students also have kindness as one of their overarching school goals. If you have time, go to their website, scroll down and watch the video they have posted on kindness. It is truly inspiring. Just like Saugatuck families care about our environment and sustainability, so do Waltersville families. In fact, their school offsets 35% of their electricity usage by using solar power. So giving the Waltersville School your copies of Because of the Rabbit fits perfectly within their and Saugatuck’s sustainability philosophy, by allowing all of those books to be read more than once.

2023-24 SES K-4 Yearbook sales begin on March 4th!

You can order your K-4 Yearbooks now here (password: sesyearbook24)! Online ordering will continue through Friday, April 12th. The cost for the yearbook will remain the same as last year, $17/yearbook if ordered by April 5th. Orders received between April 6th and April 12th will increase in price to $22/yearbook. Please note that no family will be denied participation due to the inability to pay. Contact Principal Messler for confidential financial support.

Questions? Email Susan Fenn.

Attention 5th Grade Parents - Send in your photos!

We need your pictures now! At this time we are requesting baby pics, "This is Me" and Kindergarten portraits. Please visit the document linked below for your child’s class. Special instructions for children who were not enrolled in a Westport Public School during kindergarten are also included in these class documents.

Questions? Please email the committee here.

DEI Committee - Next meeting is Monday, March 25, 7:30pm (Westport Library)

Come join us! This parent group continues to be a wonderful place for parents to come together and learn how to talk about race, diversity, and inclusion with their kids, especially in light of recent reports of racism in our district.

Women’s History Month When you think of a construction worker, what kind of person do you picture? In this TEDtalk, Emily Pilloton-Lam challenges us to ask “What if Women Built the World they want to see?” 

*NEW* SES Culture Club We're exploring volunteer interest in launching an after-school "Culture Club" aimed at celebrating the diverse backgrounds and interests within our school community. As part of this initiative, we're inviting parents/other important grown-ups in the students' lives to lead sessions where they can share aspects of their heritage, family of origin, and key interests with our students through engaging activities such as crafts, arts, dance, and more. We believe that by creating an environment where children can learn about different cultures and traditions firsthand, we're fostering empathy, understanding, and appreciation for diversity from an early age.

As a parent, your unique background and interests can greatly enrich our Culture Club experience. Whether you're passionate about sharing traditional recipes, teaching a traditional dance, demonstrating a craft, or discussing cultural customs, your involvement can make a meaningful impact on our students' cultural awareness.

The sessions would take place at school, with a limited sign-up for students. If you're interested in participating, or would like more information about leading a session, please email the SES DEI Chairs: Helen Bomier, Brooke Craemer, and Eric Cheung. We're looking forward to collaborating with you to make our Culture Club a resounding success!

Thank you for your support and commitment to enriching our school community.

“Books As Gifts” - Ongoing

The “Books As Gifts” program offers friends and families of SES students an opportunity to support our library by dedicating a special library book to their child. You can celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, holidays, passions, a teacher or staff member, or donate a book just because. Choose a book from the SES Library’s Amazon Wishlist and fill out this form to let us know how you would like the bookplate to be inscribed. Once the book arrives at SES, your child will be the first to check it out and share it with their family. The book will become a part of the SES library for everyone to enjoy for years to come. See the flyer for more information. 

Questions? Email Leah Crane or Kerri Joller. Please note that no family will be denied participation due to the inability to pay. Please contact Beth Messler for confidential financial support.

Kindergarten Families - Sign up to volunteer at recess

There are plenty of spots open for the rest of 2024! Volunteer for kindergarten recess duty here

Special Education PTA News

Upcoming SpEd Events - IEP & 504 Students Welcome
  • Thurs., April 4, 10am Coffee Gathering (please call to RSVP at 475-330-8330)

  • Thurs., April 11, 10am, Westport Library, Room 210

SpEd Community Fun Day is back - Saturday, April 27th, 1-3pm SpEd kids in preschool - Grade 8 and their families are invited to join us for good times at the Saugatuck Elementary School (indoor) on Sat., April 27, 1-3 PM. Ice Cream Truck!  Robotics! Games!  Police Car and Firetruck!  And, most importantly, the fellowship of our SpEd families.  Brought to you by the Westport Special Education PTA.  Please RSVP here.

Please register for the Westport SpEd PTA newsletter here. Questions? Contact the SES SpED PTA here

Contribute to the PTA

Label Daddy Proceeds Benefit the SES PTA - Ongoing

Looking for a way to be reunited with future lost items faster while benefiting the PTA? Visit Label Daddy to order your very own stick-on name tags and the SES PTA will receive a portion of all sales.

SES Updates

Ramadan - March 10-April 9

Ramadan is underway. Per Principal Messler’s Spotlight, students who are fasting may go to the library during their lunchtime if they wish to avoid the cafeteria. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if your child may be fasting. Teachers will ensure there is adequate supervision and a designated space for students interested in this option during Ramadan.

Check the Art Website for Ongoing Updates

Ms. Lasto shares exciting updates from the art room of our budding artists. Be sure to check out the latest information and some art samples on her website here.

District Updates

Kindergarten Registration is Open - NEW State Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2024, Connecticut requires that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year in order to enroll in kindergarten. However, because of the timing of this change and the challenges this may cause families, Westport Public Schools has developed the following transitional plan for the 2024-25 school year:

Any child who is not five years old on or before September 1, 2024 but turns five before January 1, 2025, may be admitted to kindergarten upon written request by the child’s parent or guardian to the school principal. 

If you have further questions about this process, please contact Principal Beth Messler. Read the full press release here.

Around Town

Digital Community Bulletin Board - live now and regularly updated!

The district has launched a digital bulletin board that will share all the non-school related activities (think Staples Players performances, sports clinics, Westport Library presentations, and more) relevant for elementary school students and will be updated regularly. Be sure to check it out! If you are interested in submitting something for the bulletin board, please contact Allison O’Dell or Nat Smitobol.

Stay Informed – Long Lots School Building Project

Check here for updates on the LLS Building Project as shared by the LLS PTA Presidents.

Scoop of Thanks to...

the Lost and Found Committee, Indy Pereira and Cynthia Shinners, for doing all they can to reunite lost items with their rightful owners during Parent/Teacher Conference Week and all year long.

Helpful Resources 

Click here for helpful resources such as past Scoops, SDM, My School Bucks, and becoming a PTA member.

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 Presidents, Nat Smitobol (nsmitobol@gmail.com) and Allison O’Dell (allisonson@gmail.com). Contact the Scoop (saugatuck.scoop@gmail.com) with any questions or just to say hello.