Speaker Topic: Middle School Transitions

Please join us for the October PTC Meeting featuring Dr. Larry Rosenberg, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Child Guidance. Join Dr. Rosenberg for an informative session aimed at smoothing
the somewhat challenging transitions accompanying middle school, while building strong connections between parents and their children, as well as, parents and other parents.

¡Hola! Salvete! Bonjour!

The World Language Department is excited to introduce our newest teachers Christine Young (Latin), Rosana Casais (Spanish) and Kathleen Caffrey (Spanish). We look forward to their energy and ideas they will bring to our Saxe family. Starting off the year,  Latin students got to dress up in togas for their traditional name induction ceremony, "dies lustricus", French students are preparing for an exciting field trip to see "French Reflections and Inca Vibrations" at the Theater of the Performing Arts in November, and 7th grade Spanish students are exploring the market vs. the supermarket. All students are encouraged to use the internet for supplemental support and practice in their languages. The following are recommended websites for your child.
 
Gracias, Valete, Merci

A Record Release Form (available on-line at the Saxe website under Grade 8 or in the Upper Division Office) must be completed.  If a student is applying to more than one school, please attach a list of schools and complete addresses to which you are releasing records.  Forms should be turned in to Irene Picchione, Grade 8 Secretary, at your earliest convenience.

All recommendations should be placed in a pocket folder with your child's name on it.

All student information should be filled out at the top of each form.

Each form should be included in the folder listing the schools and the due dates of the recommendations.

Recommendations should be given to teachers 3-4 weeks prior to the date they are due.

Stamped, addressed envelopes should be attached for each recommendation for the Math and English teacher.  Please put the teacher's last name and the Saxe address as the return address (468 South Avenue) on the envelopes.

Counselor/Principal recommendation envelopes usually need three stamps, and we prefer that they be unattached, as sometimes we have to use our own envelope.

Wednesday, October 14 for grades 5 & 6
Thursday, October 15 for grades 7 & 8

Changes to CT State Immunization Requirements

6TH Graders
Connecticut State Law requires ALL students to have a Physical exam during sixth grade.  The Blue Health Form needs to be on file in the nurse's office by the last day of 6th grade.

7TH Graders
The State Department of Health has confirmed that the immunization requirements for entry to 7th grade :

• 2 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines
• A second dose of  Varicella  
• A dose of  Tdap

These forms were sent to all 6th graders in June of this year.  Upon completion of the exam, which usually coincides with the students birthday, send the blue form to the Nurses office.  We accept physicals from June of 09 until June of 10.  Your child will not be permitted to begin 7th grade without this on file.


Latex Allergy Alert:  Saxe is a LATEX FREE school to protect any students with a life threatening latex allergy. NO LATEX GLOVES, NO BALLOONS, NO KOOSH BALLS... Anywhere or anytime. These items are particularly dangerous because they can cause the latex particles to become airborne. We use only vinyl gloves and only mylar balloons. Thanks for your cooperation in keeping our school safe for all our students.

Food Allergy Alert: Please remember that ALL Field Trips at Saxe are Nut Free.


Flu Information
This year in addition to seasonal flu we have concerns about H1N1 flu. This flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.  It can cause mild to severe illness.

How to Avoid the Flu

• Get a  flu shot. The CDC recommends flu shots for ALL children 6 months to 18 years.  Children are a pivotal point of transmission for spread of flu.
• This year in addition to the seasonal flu shot, there is the H1N1 vaccine for children at risk.  Consult your doctor about this vaccine.
• Handwashing is an excellent means of prevention.  Keep your hands away from your face.  Germs enter through your mouth, nose and eyes.
• Cough Etiquette includes covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or sneezing into your sleeve.
•  Avoid close contact with sick people, stay home from work/school when you are ill.
• Stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine.

How Flu spreads
The flu spreads by respiratory droplets released by an infected person coughing or sneezing. This is why it is so vital that we all cover our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.  It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally touching something with virus on it and then touching their nose or mouth may infect a person.  

Symptoms & Complications of Flu are: fever, headache, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, dry cough, and joint pain.

Some complications caused by the flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes.  Children may develop sinus and ear infections.

Please do not send your child to school if she/he has a fever or is ill. We need your help to keep our school healthy.

Flu Vaccine Clinic postponed... link to the Town of New Canaan website for the latest information about H1N1.

Anne Goebel RN  7th/8th grade nurse
Janet Reed RN  5th/6th grade nurse

September 2009
Opening day throughout the district went very smoothly according to Dr. David Abbey in his annual start of year report at the 9/8/09 BOE meeting.  Teachers spent the summer building curriculum and readying their rooms. Facilities and technology staff also had everything in great shape. And even the new opt-in bus program did not cause the anticipated chaos.  A new language program at the elementary schools is up and running.  Basketball courts are ready to be installed at Saxe. At the High School a new trail is in place for easy access from the school to South Avenue.  Dr. Abbey also commented on President Obama's speech to students, citing its important message and good concepts. The speech was available in real time for some students at Saxe and NCHS.   He detailed plans for age appropriate future use in all the schools. "From the outside of the building in we are doing just fine," he said in closing.

Dr. Steve Swerdlick provided the Enrollment report stating we are close to projected numbers across the district and have very few classes over the district guidelines.  Saxe currently has 1216 students. Enrollment at the High School is 1295. The district total is 4039.

The Board is also in the initial stages of reviewing the policy on Student Activity Accounts at NCHS.  While the BOE believes the accounts are a good idea they need to monitor how funds are raised and spent.

Dr. Mike Lagas presented the financial report, noting spending is on track.

On 9/21/09 Facilities Director Hans Otto presented an update of energy initiatives that will be completed within the next 12 months.  CL & P has indicated rebates for the updates will be given to NCPS.  The improvements will be funded by the town and will not impact the BOE budget.

Board of Education Liaisons

Spiritwear Sale Days,  5th - 8th Grade Open House, held October 6th, 7th and 8th
If anyone is available to help sell the merchandise, please contact:
Publicity Committee needs a few volunteers that are good at taking pictures or have a literary/journalistic background, please contact:

Saxe Family Pasta Night, Friday, January 29th, 2010
Please consider volunteering to help out at this fun filled evening for our children!  We need your assistance in the following areas:  Basketball (chair & volunteers), Publicity, Bingo, Refreshments, Finance, Set-up / Clean-up, Food / Parent Servers, Table Captains
Hall Monitors / Safety, Tickets & Check In, Music / Decorations, please contact:
Metropolitan Museum of Art Class Trips - 6th Grade
In the late spring, the sixth graders will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  The Saxe PTC provides trained, volunteer tour guides to help facilitate the trips.   (Trip chaperones will be determined later in the year).  If you are interested in participating as a trained docent, please contact:

Johanna Sillo, sillo@optonline.net or
Karen Wilson, pkwilson@optonline.net

Sue Holland, Louise Rosenberg, Rene Kemp for kicking off the school year with a spectacular 5th Grade Fun Run, Sandy Cohenour for hosting the New to Saxe Coffee, Janine Smith for organizing the PTC Welcome Back Volunteer Coffee, Kerry O'Dea and Kim Appelt for helping build school spirit on Red and Black Day, Cynthia Kahn who compiled and created this year's Saxe PTC Directory, Chhaya Dagli and Lois DeGhengi for keeping track of the numerous PTC Membership Applications and Denise Ferguson, Nanette Melfi and Moya Ross for taking wonderful photographs at recent events and the publicity coverage they will provide during the year.

Thursday, October 1
6:30 - 8:30 pm

Friday, October  2
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Saturday, October 3
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Thursday, October 15
7:00 pm
Friday, October 16
9:30 am

Friday, October  16
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Headlines

Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes, Sunday October 4
Travel Basketball Team Tryouts (NCBA), October 13 - 16
Nature Center Fall Fair, Saturday, October 17
Fall Middle School Boys and Girls Paddle Program, begins October 20 
NCHS Fall Drama, October 29, 30 and 31
East School Tag Sale, Saturday October 31
New Canaan Wrestling Club, season begins November 30
New Canaan Squash, Fall season for 7th and 8th graders