March 31, 2023
“Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Monday evening, the BOF held a Public Hearing on the BOE budget. It was reassuring to hear the many parent comments in support of the 2023-2024 budget. Please make sure your voice is heard by completing the BOF survey by this evening (see below) and by participating in the Annual Town Meeting and Vote on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The Annual Town Meeting Adjourned Vote is on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Remember, there are four days of school next week for the Passover/Easter weekend. There is no school on Friday, April 7.
There is so much exciting and celebratory news to share this week:
Middlebrook Arts Festival
Our dedicated STRIDE teachers organized an arts festival this week with our talented student-artists and student-musicians and student-chefs. Hopefully, you had a chance to join us Wednesday evening for a fabulous display of our students’ work. The joint effort of our STRIDE teachers and students resulted in a very successful and rewarding experience for all who attended. There are some pictures below for your enjoyment.
Career Awareness Day
Back by (very) popular demand, we hosted the 2023 Career Awareness Day on Thursday afternoon. Career Awareness Day focuses on developing our students’ awareness of the relationship among the world of work, career preparation, and school success. Over 50 community members presented their craft for our students in Cyber security, food preparation, fashion design, technology, engineering, medicine, and so much more. Please ask your children about their experience, and perhaps discover some of their “hidden” interests. This event was coordinated thanks to our award winning school counselors Bill Gerundo, Anne McManus, and Bonnie O’Brien. Thank you to WEF for providing refreshments for our guests. WEF representatives, Kiki Cross and Jen Carvajal warmly welcomed our guests and made sure that there were plenty of tasty treats.
Congratulations Michael Gordon
On Tuesday Michael Gordon was awarded the 2023 Fund for Teachers Award. A national organization, Fund for Teachers, provides fellowships for teachers to self-design and embark on summer professional growth experiences. We are thrilled for Mr. Gordon and look forward to hearing about the exciting adventure that awaits him this summer. See picture below.
Science Olympiad
Saturday, March 25, the Middlebrook Science Olympiad team competed at the State Science Olympiad tournament, which was held at Nathan Hale Middle School in Coventry. The day was spent competing in about 20 different science and engineering events. Team members earned medals in 6 events: Anatomy, Disease Detectives,Experimental Design, Flight, Solar System, and Sounds of Music. The team is especially proud to come back to Middlebrook having earned Second Place overall! That trophy is proudly displayed in our front office. Congratulations, Middlebrook Science Olympians! Special thanks to science teachers Kendra Norman and Debbie Mallozzi for leading these student-scientists.
World Language Week
Thanks to our world language department’s planning and facilitating, students and staff were treated to a week of special activities that included daily announcements honoring other languages and cultures, a poetry contest, international decorations throughout the building, and a special presentation from Dance China. The assembly included student participation that you can see in the pictures below. We hope our students enjoyed the festivities while learning about other languages and cultures. Here are the results of the World Language Week Poetry Contest. Thank you to our anonymous judges for their expertise in poetry evaluation.
1st Place The Impact of Culture by Noah V (8 Red)
2nd Place My Biracial Identity Crisis by Luke C (8 Green)
3rd Place Defining Culture by Katie C (7 Yellow)
This Week’s Topics:
Yearbooks
Do you still want to order a yearbook, but missed the fall deadline? Here's your final chance (really, this is the last chance) to purchase a 2022-2023 Middlebrook Yearbook for your child! Yearbooks are a great way to preserve memories from a year when activities returned to our lives! Each hardcover yearbook displays memories for 6th, 7th and 8th graders and is only $30!
All orders need to be placed online by April 15, 2023 at:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
Enter CODE: 14048623 and follow the prompts to enter student information
Not sure if you ordered a yearbook in the fall? Have any additional questions? Feel free to reach out to Jessica Garcia by email at garciaj@wiltonps.org.
Wilton Library and Wilton Pride present a Community Forum: How to be an Ally
April 25, 2023 7-9 PM Registration is required: Here
From breaking down gender and sexual diversity to rethinking historical and traditional assumptions around identity, this conversation is a must for all who wish to be allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Led by Triangle Community Center, Cadence Pentheny, this event will engage participants in a thorough overview of what it means to be LGBTQ+ and an ally!
In Partnership with Triangle Community Center, Wilton Youth Council, Middlebrook PTA, High School PTSA, Middlebrook GSA , High School GSA, The Rowan Center, you will walk away with:
-
The importance of allyship in real life situations: Understanding how LGBTQ+ individuals are impacted by bias, and an overview of best practices that protect safety and inclusion
-
An understanding of what is meant by sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, and sex assigned at birth - the differences between them and how they impact one another.
-
Language and definition of terms associated with the LGBTQ+ community, including lesser known terms.
-
Defining and understanding notions of hetero-normativity, the gender/sex binary, and cis-normativity.
-
Rethinking social norms and expectations surrounding sexuality and gender in our society.
WHS PTSA 2023 - 2024
Incoming 9th Grade Families: the Wilton HS PTSA has the following position open for the 23/24 school year. We are excited to welcome our incoming freshman families to the High School. We would love for you to join our fun loving, relaxed group of volunteers, for the 2023-2024 school year. Most of our meetings/events take place in the evening - great for those parents who have daytime commitments. Positions on the board allow you to be part of your child’s High School experience. We have the following positions open: Executive Board Secretary, Co-Treasurer, Reflections Chair, Co-Chair for Senior Picnic (1), Senior Graduation Committee (2), Raising Funds (twice a year), Nominations Chair, Communications Chair (2)
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Sue Robins at ptsa.sue@gmail.com
Go Strengths!
Go Strengths! is the partner program to Go Zen! It reinforces and expands upon the social emotional skills learned and practiced in Go Zen. This class can be taken without Go Zen as a prerequisite. Go Strengths! is an interactive and comprehensive resilience skills building program focused on developing 8 vital skills including goal setting, optimistic thinking, problem solving, resilience, character strengths, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-confidence! Students will discover and cultivate their strengths and work together through interactive activities that will help them put into practice and transfer the skills that are taught in this course into everyday life. The class is pragmatic, fun and science research and evidenced based on its approach. We are excited to offer this to our 6th - 8th graders to help them discover their many Strengths! The course will be taught by Kara Berghaus, MS. Ed Certified Mental Health/School Counselor, the program leader for Go Zen Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for the past several years.
Program Title: Go Strengths! Resilience & Well-Being
Dates/Times: 8 weeks: Wednesdays, 4/19- 6/7 from 3:15 - 4:15 pm (no class 4/12)
Location: Middlebrook - Rm 8G 135
Grades: 6 - 8
Min # of Students: 8
Max # of Students: 10
Program Fee: $280/student
Registration Link: https://students.wiltoncontinuinged.org/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=10973
PE Newsletter
April Special Schedule
We only have one special schedule in April:
Flex Day - 4/5/23
Best Things I Saw/Heard This Week
I had the honor of surprising Mr. Gordon with the news that he is a recipient of a Fund for Teachers Fellowship. He even received some nice swag. Congratulations Mr. Gordon!
World Language Assembly Pictures
The World Language Assembly, Dance China, included opportunities for student participation.
Art Festival Pictures
Career Awareness Day 2023
Repeated for Your Convenience:
-
6th to 7th Grade Math Placement Process
-
BOF Budget Survey - Last Day to Complete the Survey
-
Special Education Parent/Guardian Information Coffee Hours - April 5, 2023
-
Youth to Youth Summer Experience
6th to 7th Grade Math Placement Process
Parents/Guardians of current 6th grade students were sent this letter earlier today regarding the math placement process for their child/children.
From the Town of Wilton Website:
The Board of Finance Encourages Residents to Complete FY 2024 Budget Survey
In advance of their budget deliberations, the Board of Finance is asking residents to complete a survey to provide feedback on the FY2024 proposed budget. Their survey is available online here or downloadable from the town website here. Responses must be received by March 31st.
Downloaded surveys can be dropped off at the designated drop box at Town Hall (in vestibule at rear of building), at Senior Center (Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road), or near the Circulation Desk at Wilton Library. Paper copies of the survey will be available at these drop box locations.
Special Education Parent/Guardian Information Coffee Hours - April 5, 2023
Middlebrook will be hosting a presentation for parents and guardians for current students entering 7th and 8th grade next year and for those entering 6th grade in the Fall of 2023 who have an Individualized Education Plan. These opportunities will take place on Wednesday, April 5 in the Middlebrook Library Learning Commons:
Parents/Guardians of Students Parents/Guardians of Incoming
Entering 7th and 8th Grade: 8:30-9:30 6th Grade: 10:00am - 11:00am
This is a wonderful opportunity to have all of your questions answered re: special education at Middlebrook, and opportunities for special education in the proposed schedule next year.
Youth to Youth Summer Experience Opportunity
Please read Y2Y Summer Opportunity for more information.
Please Join the PTA
Link and information to join: www.middlebrookpta.org/jointhepta.
More about SEPTA - you can join there too! www.wiltonsepta.org
As always, we at The Brook continue to be thankful for the continued support of our families.
Stay safe and have a fantastic week!
All the best, always and all ways,
Jory
Jory Higgins,
Principal
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
