News and Announcements
The Saugatuck Scoop - 9/30/2022
Saugie Spotlight
This week’s spotlight shines on…the Fall Appeal! Earlier this week, you received an email highlighting both the critical role the PTA plays in bringing enriching programs to our school community and the challenge the PTA currently faces in staffing in person fundraising events. The Fall Appeal is an alternative to an in person October fundraiser that has historically required 50-100 volunteers, and months of planning to be successful. Even if we meet our target with the appeal we still have another $35K to raise in order to fund the 50 plus programs and initiatives sponsored by the PTA. One of the ways we will accomplish this is through PTA membership dues. Separate from the Fall Appeal, PTA Membership enables parents and caregivers to volunteer for the many opportunities that the PTA facilitates, and both pays for and grants access to the school directory.
We hope you will enthusiastically support the SES PTA by both contributing to the fall appeal here, and by becoming a member of the PTA. More info on membership coming soon!!
Saugie’s Checklist
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No School Wednesday, October 5th.
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Interested in becoming an ArtSmart volunteer? See details below and look for an email to sign up on Monday.
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Volunteer to organize the 5th grade pumpkin carving contest by emailing the PTA here.
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WheresTheBus App is now live!
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October lunch menu here.
Next Week at a Glance
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Monday, October 3rd, 7pm |
Board of Education Meeting at Staples Cafeteria |
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Wednesday, October 5th |
Yom Kippur - No School |
Save the Date
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Wednesday, October 12th, 1pm |
Professional Development Day - Early Release |
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Monday, October 17th, 7pm |
Board of Education Meeting at Staples Cafeteria |
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Tuesday, October 18th, 6:30-7:30pm |
Math Night (Grades 3-5) - More details to come! |
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Wednesday, October 19th |
ArtSmart Volunteer District Training |
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Wednesday, October 19th, 10am |
DEI Mix and Mingle at Compo Beach |
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Friday, October 28th, 5:30-9pm |
Halloween at the Remarkable Theater |
Brought to you by the PTA
Celebrate Halloween at the Remarkable Theater, October 28th, 5:30-9pm
Save the date for SES's first ever Monstrous Movie Mash & Devilish DJ Dance Party at The Remarkable Theater! We'll dress up, deck out our cars, dance to the spooky beats of DJ Marcello, win fun prizes and cozy up with friends for a Halloween flick. Tickets go on sale next week.
Sign Up to be an ArtSmart Volunteer
Do you want to help create a fun art project in your child's classroom? Join ArtSmart! We're looking for six volunteers per class (two groups of three) to design two separate art projects around this year's theme of sustainability. Each group will organize one project, spend an hour with the class as the kids create their works of art, and help to set up a display of the completed projects at Museum Night in May. For more information, head here.
Look for an email on Monday to sign up! Please note: Training will be held on October 19th at the Westport Library.
Sign Up to Become a Library Volunteer
It’s not too late to sign up! We are looking for volunteers to assist our wonderful librarian Rae Anne Locke, help the children find books to take home, and reshelve books. Library volunteers will be assigned to a weekly, 45-minute shift for 2-3 months with the first session starting in early October. Volunteers are limited up to 9 per class for the school year.
Please note: Training will be available, and will be required for all new volunteers and those who need a refresher. More info to come.
Interested? Click here to sign up.
Questions? Reach out to Rory O'Neill, Jill Curran, and Sarah Frankel.
Sign Up to Join the SES Running Club
It’s not too late to run with the SES Running Club! Please join us Friday mornings between Sept. 16th and Oct. 28th from 7:45am to 8:15am on the track behind SES. Sign up here to join!
Questions? Reach out to Matt Cotter, Maura Cotter & Amanda Pfohl (Faculty)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
DE&I: Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
The theme for National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. Hispanic Americans have made innumerable contributions to the creation of our country - both historically and in the present. Learn about the long history of Latino Americans here.
For younger students: Watch young Latines talk about their heritage here.
For older students: Watch young Latines talk about their American experience here.
Also, the Westport PTA DEI Committee is hosting a Mix and Mingle on Compo Beach Wednesday, Oct 19th at 10am. Meet up with friends and families from across the school district! Click here for the flyer.
The PTA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee is committed to making DE&I a priority in our district and supports the entire Saugatuck Elementary School community. If you are interested in joining the committee, want to help with planning for heritage month celebrations, or have questions, please email the SES DE&I Chairs - Helen Cooper and Brooke Craemer.
The SES Scene
WheresTheBus App
“WheresTheBus” is now live! It is a tool for parents to know when the bus will arrive at your stop with up-to-the-minute ETAs to reduce the uncertainty. The app can be downloaded on any Apple or Android device.
Join the Math Olympiads, Grades 4 & 5 Only
Math Olympiads is a mathematical competition with an emphasis on developing children’s higher level mathematical reasoning, enthusiasm for solving problems and providing children with the opportunity to develop advanced problem-solving skills. Learn more about this free enrichment opportunity here.
Upcycle to Benefit the SES Science Lab
The science lab is looking for donations of EMPTY KiwiCo (TinkerCrate/KiwiCrate/AtlasCrate) boxes or toddler-size shoe boxes with lids. This size is perfect for an activity that is for all grades and we would love to upcycle! They can be dropped off at the main office, attention: Kate Romano. Questions? Reach out to Kate Romano.
School Dismissal Manager (SDM App)
Review Principal Messler’s email regarding dismissal procedures and SDM app download here.
My School Bucks App
Visit the website or download the app if you haven’t already to ensure your student(s) information is entered and the account is funded if you plan to have your child purchase lunch at school. More information can be found here.
WPS News
Participate in the Upcoming Board of Education Meeting
The public is welcome to attend meetings in person in the cafeteria at Staples. Meetings may also be viewed live on Cablevision Channel 78, Frontier TV Channel 99, and by clicking here to view them live-streamed to your computer. Please note, if you wish to speak or ask a question, you will need to attend in person.
Superintendent Scarice’s Update
In case you missed it, see Superintendent Scarice’s latest update from 9/9 here.
A Scoop of Thanks…
… Team builder extraordinaire Julie Colotti for creating the helpful SES art room volunteer pamphlets, and going the extra mile to recruit people to help Mrs. Carlson!
… all of the Art Room volunteers who answered the call and have started their weekly shifts that they will hold for the school year.
… Miryha Fantegrossi for all of her time and effort dedicated to the 5th grade tshirts.
… PTA Treasurers Silvia Luna and Milan McGorty for all of their work getting the store front up and running so that we could sell 5th grade tshirts and launch our fall appeal!!
… all of the SES Families who have already contributed to the Fall Appeal. We are close to 15% participation!
Contact The Scoop:
If you’d like your announcement or event to be included in a future edition of the Scoop, complete this form by Tuesday at 5:00pm to request submission in the following week’s Scoop. (Flyers or attachments need to be approved by Principal Beth Messler (emessler@westportps.org) and PTA Presidents Amy Herrera (herrerasespta@google.com), Kathy Whee (kathywheesespta@gmail.com) and Nat Smitobol (nsmitobol@gmail.com). Contact the Scoop (saugatuck.scoop@gmail.com) with any questions or just to say hello.