Dear Families,

A huge thank you to our amazing PTO for organizing and running such a wonderful Book Fair! The excitement was contagious as students browsed through the great selection of books. Family involvement throughout the year is so important. We loved seeing so many families join us for this special event—our students were thrilled to have their parents and family members at school. Our evening family shopping time was also a big hit! A special shout-out to our fantastic Book Fair chairs:Whitney Levin and Rosanna Rosenthal. Whitney and Rosanna were at Hurlbutt all day every day leading this event. 

Our Fall parent conferences are coming soon. Our teachers set aside individual conference times for parents/guardians. Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity for parents and teachers to collaborate and discuss a child’s progress in school. These meetings provide valuable insights into a student’s academic performance, behavior, and social development, helping parents understand their child’s strengths and areas of growth. Be on the lookout for sign up information from your child’s classroom teacher. 

Run for Life 

Our annual Run for Life program at Hurlbutt will take place from October 20th through October 24th. All K-2 students will participate in this walk-jog-run event during their physical education classes. Our goal is to demonstrate to our students the positive effects of aerobic exercise on mental alertness, emotional well-being and cardiovascular fitness. To achieve this goal we would like to invite parents, students and friends to walk-jog-run with us on the South House field before school, 7:50-8:15, on Tuesday, October 21st through Friday, October 24th. We will not walk the morning of Monday, October 20th.

It is important for students to wear or bring sneakers to school for this activity. Please do not bring your dogs, they are not allowed. This is not a drop-off event. Students must be accompanied by an adult. In the event of rain you will receive an email cancellation notice from us by 7:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you later this month when we all join together to support walking, jogging and running as lifetime activities.

Powerschool Parent Portal Portfolio Plus

Last week, you received a district email about accessing reports in the Powerschool Parent Portal.  Please note, Hurlbutt students in grades one and two take the Math NWEA three times a year in the fall, winter and spring.  Kindergarten students take the Math NWEA in the winter and spring.  The district is in the process of creating and uploading Dibels reading assessment reports.  We will send out a notification once those are available in Powerschool. 

Billboard Contest and Recycling: 

Our Sustainable Living class is partnering with the HRRA Organization (Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority) to participate in their Annual Recycling Billboard Contest, promoting proper recycling. This year's theme is “Don’t Trash Textiles!” 

The contest requires each student to create a billboard ad that teaches residents how textiles should not be thrown in the trash. Textiles can be reused, repurposed, repaired, or recycled separately at a designated collection site. 

For more information, read the rules attached in the link below and watch the video regarding how the contest works. Please spread the word to your students to encourage participation! Sign-up sheets/templates will be available in the main office, and all entries need to be submitted back to the box in the office by November 14th. Preprinted entry forms (on cardstock) are available to be picked up at the front office. Or download the form.   Front of form. Back of form.

One first place winner PER GRADE will be selected for Weston, and these submissions go on to the regional competition. In the regional competition, each grade level awards  a prize of $100, $75, $50, & $25 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention respectively.  In addition, a Grand Prize winner will be chosen for K-2, 3-5, 6-8, & 9-12 winning $250 and their art displayed on transit buses and billboards.  Weston has had many winners in recent years including several Grand Prize winners!  So please encourage your students to participate.  CONTEST RULES: Billboard Content Rules  

VIDEO: Billboard Contest Rules 

Halloween

Our students are already talking about Halloween.  They are excited about their costumes and the events of the holiday.  The Hurlbutt community will be holding our annual Halloween parade and classroom celebrations on 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 the week of October 20. 

• 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.

• 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

The Weston High School Music department will present a “Halloween Haunt Concert” on Thursday evening, October 30 from 7:00-7:45 p.m 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. 

Parks and Recreation / WOW Programs

We’re diving into Spooky Season and celebrating with our first-ever Ghouls & Pool Party!  Join us Sunday, October 26 from 1–3 PM at the Weston Middle School Courtyard & Pool for fall crafts, games, activities, tons of candy, and a Halloween-themed family swim!
 Cost: $5 per child (ages 1–15)
 Note: Supervision required — not a drop-off event.
 Register online early — space is limited!
 Parks and Rec Link   - Registration Portal

And that’s not all — registration for Winter 1 After-School Programs is right around the corner! Your child can explore their creative side in Acting & Improv & Art classes, or hit the slopes with our ever-popular Middle School Ski Club  Prefer weekend fun? Shoot your shot at Saturday basketball!

 Online registration opens: October 20 at 10:01 PM
 In-person registration: October 21 at 9:00 AM
 Register Here | Registration Portal

Math Workshop for Parents/Guardians

We are pleased to invite you to our annual parent & guardian math workshops, Understanding Elementary School Mathematics. Our goal is to help you understand the math your child is learning and allow you to better support their learning at home. These sessions will be interactive and hands-on, so come excited to learn some new ways to think about mathematics! 

Kindergarten: Thursday, October 23rd, 9:15-10:45 a.m.

Kindergarten SIGN UP HERE 

Grades 1 & 2: Wednesday, October 29th, 9:15-10:45 a.m.

1st & 2nd Grade SIGN UP HERE

Reservations are needed and space is limited, as we need to know how many sets of materials to prepare. Please note the sessions are grade level specific.  If you have students in both grade bands you can sign up using both forms or pick one of your choosing.  

Please RSVP by October 21. 

If you have any questions please reach out to Kelly Delvecchio, our Curriculum Instructional Leader for Math/Science at kellydelvecchio@westonps.org

Sincerely,

Laura Kaddis

Principal

Important Dates:

October 22: 9:00 a.m. WIS and HES PTO general meeting, WIS cafetorium

October 21-24: Run For Life 7:50 a.m.

October 23: 9:15-10:45 a.m.  Math Workshop for Kindergarten Parents

October 27: Kindergarten Field Trip

October 29: 9:15-10:45 a.m. Math Workshop for Grade 1 & 2 Parents

October 31: Halloween 

November 4: Election Day: No School for Teacher professional development day

November 5: Delayed Opening at 10:30 a.m. for parent conferences

November 6: Early dismissal at 12:35 p.m. for parent conferences

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

November 14: Grade 1 Field Trip

November 26-28: School closed for Thanksgiving break