Week of October 27

Posted Date: 10/29/2024

October 27, 2024

Dear Families,

It was great to see so many of you at Run for Life this past week. The weather was fantastic, and the energy was contagious as families came together to walk, run, and jog before the start of the school day. Your enthusiasm and participation truly made the event special, helping to promote healthy habits and a strong sense of community.

We are excited to announce that this week we will be opening the new main playscape on our North House playground. Phase 1 of our renovation project is now complete.  We still have some site work to be completed and I will be updating everyone once we have those dates.  

We have another busy week ahead.  Please refer to the highlights and upcoming dates noted below.

Preschool Lottery Information

We are pleased to announce that the application for our ELC program will open on Monday, October 28, 2024! If you have a child who will be age 3 or 4 by September 1, 2025 you are invited to apply for our lottery for a spot in our Early Learning Center program. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. five days a week and follows the Weston Public Schools calendar.  The anticipated cost of the program will be at least $8,039, and the final amount will be shared with families in Spring 2025.  Students currently enrolled in the program do not need to reapply.     

Application Details:

• Open Enrollment Period: October 28, 2025 through November 13, 2025

• How to Apply: Please utilize this link to apply: ELC Application

We believe in providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for your little ones to grow and learn. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Alison Brett, Assistant Director PPS at 203-221-6300 EXT 1062. 

PowerSchool Parent Portal Update

This week you should have received an email from Dr. Henckel about a new addition to the PowerSchool portal. In the ongoing effort to save resources and streamline communication, we’re excited to announce that you are now able to access your child’s individual assessment reports online. You will be able to view these through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at your convenience.

The first set of reports available is the Fall NWEA results for students in grades 1 through 9. In the coming weeks, additional reports will be posted, including Smarter Balanced, NGSS, and Progress Reports/Report Cards.  

To access your child’s reports, please follow this link to the Portfolio Plus Parent Instructions.  

Please note, that this feature is available through a web browser only and cannot be accessed via the PowerSchool app.  While it's possible to view the reports using a smartphone browser, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with PowerSchool access, feel free to reach out to our helpdesk at helpdesk@westonps.org.

Halloween Events Reminders

The Hurlbutt community will be holding our annual Halloween parade and classroom celebrations this Thursday, October 31. It is tradition at Hurlbutt for our ELC and kindergarten parents/guardians to be invited to our parade. Detailed information about the parade procedures will be sent to ELC and kindergarten families by Tuesday.  Our Halloween parade is held on the morning of October 31. 

• When planning costumes, please be mindful that students are parading and they need costumes in which they can easily move around the building. Weapons (toy guns, knives, etc) are not permitted. Students should come to school dressed in their costume ensuring that these outfits allow for full participation in school activities including recess and physical education.

• Masks and headwear should not obstruct vision. These items can make it difficult for students to see and maneuver the curbs and steps.  Many students choose to wear their masks on their heads, which is a great solution.

• Due to space limitations and safety reasons, only parents/guardians with a preschool or kindergarten student are invited to attend the parade. 

• Halloween is one of our four classroom parties that includes food.  Room parents will be coordinating snacks with our classroom teachers.  We are an allergy alert school and food allergies will be considered when planning food in the classroom. Our district wellness guidelines ensure healthy snack choices during these events. Each class will have a limited number of volunteers to support classroom crafts and activities during their classroom celebrations.  These volunteers will be coordinated between the classroom teacher and room parents. 

• For health and safety reasons, please do not send candy to school following Halloween.  These treats are more appropriate to be enjoyed at home under your guidance. Students are not permitted to share food in school.  

Halloween Haunt Concert

Weston High School Music department will present a “Halloween Haunt Concert” on Tuesday evening, October 29 from 7:00-7:45pm in the high school gymnasium. All proceeds will benefit the high school music department - $10 for the whole family or $5 per person. Fun activities will include a Halloween costume parade, temporary tattoos, and candy trick-or-treat.

Sincerely,

Laura Kaddis

Principal

Important Dates:

October 30: Parent math workshop

October 31: Halloween

November 5: Election Day: No School for students. Teacher professional development day

November 6: Delayed Opening (10:30 a.m.) for parent conferences

November 7: Early dismissal at 12:35 p.m. for parent conferences*

November 8: Early dismissal at 12:35 p.m. for parent conferences*

November 14: Parent Math Workshop