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MB Messenger - 1/10/23


In this Issue:

 

Calendars

 

Upcoming Events



PTA Reflections

This year the PTA asks students to think creatively about genre and the senses through the following theme: ‘Show Your Voice!’ It leaves ample room for individual, personal expression! The deadline for finished work will be 10 pm, Monday, January 16th, 2022. You can submit anytime before the deadline.





Science and Engineering Fair

Save the Date for the Middlebrook Science and Engineering Fair, Tuesday, January 24th, 2023. 3:30-7pm at Middlebrook. (Snow Date: Thursday, January 26th, 2023). There are a few spots for judges as well, please contact Allison Norful, anorful@gmail.com if interested. Thank you.






Parent/Caregiver Wellness Series - DBT Skills for Healthy Minds

  • 4 Sessions: Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 27, 7-8:30 pm, Q&A 8:30-9pm at Middlebrook School

  • Please Register. This program is a series of 4 sessions. Attendees are asked to attend all sessions. Sessions are in person or live Zoom. There is a limit of 25 participants by Zoom.

  • Teaching DBT Steps A to students at the secondary level is part of our district Social Emotional Learning (SEL) approach. These skills are taught in the Wellness Seminar at the High School, DBT class at Middlebrook, and particular skills are in the process of being embedded in the health and the life curriculums.

  • The series is designed for parents and caregivers of students in grades 6-12.

  • This program is offered free by WPS and the PTAs for Wilton families through a grant opportunity.

  • Led by Tanya Leonard.

  • Offered by Middlebrook PTA, Wilton High School PTA & Wilton Public Schools, with funding from the National PTA Healthy Minds, sponsored by the New York Life Foundation & The Allstate Foundation.

  • Information: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/mentalhealthandwellness





A Moment for Yourself


  • Information:

middlebrookpta.org/mentalhealthandwellness








Wilton Pride - Ask Me Anything

Press Release: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/single-post/welcome-wilton-pride








Social Media Education and Presentations


In the December Meeting, the PTA awarded a grant to Middlebrook and WPS to fund internet and social media safety presentations by Scott Driscoll, Internet Safety Concepts , to students in January and parents and caregivers in March. Look for more information in the future on these opportunities and more, and browse the resources available on his website (internetsafetyconcepts.com).

 

PTA News


Thank you for all you do to support each other, our community, our teachers and administrators, our schools, and our children.


Annual Appeal

Our Annual Appeal is an important way we fund our programs. If each family donates at least $40 per child to the 2022 Middlebrook Annual Appeal. Your donation will allow us to cover the cost of upcoming 2022-2023 programs that will directly benefit each child at Middlebrook.

​

Gifts and Grants total grants funded during 2021-22 were over $30,000, of which annual enrichment programs are more than $12,000. We see requests for new and innovative programs every year. We need your support to keep bringing enriching educational experiences, community building events, and support to our students and staff. Here are samples of the diverse ideas funded this year: a redesign of the school counseling office, supporting composting initiatives, sponsoring a WYC social media speaker, 7th grade reading supplies, mobile production equipment, technology equipment for the LLC, wireless microphones, Visiting Author, Geography Bee, Birds of Prey presentation, Shakespearience presentation, World Language Assembly, Separate But Equal presentations, flexible seating, outdoor equipment storage, and the Middlebrook Farm School program.

​

Sponsorships and corporate matching donations can help, too. We thank you and need your help supporting our many programs across our Middlebrook community.


WINNER & MATCH

This year, every donation of $100 or more through December 31st will be entered into a raffle for a Wilton Wearable Fleece Blanket (choose Navy or Light Blue). The first 100 donations of any amount will be matched by $1 ($100 total). We are working on some more celebrations and encourage as many as possible to help where they can.


UPDATE:

There was a total of $55 in match donation through 12/31. Congratulations to Sarah Kreuzer, who is the winner of our Wearable Fleece Blanket Raffle.


Thank you to all of our generous donors. We are off to a wonderful start on our Annual Campaign. We are at about 50% of our total goal for funding this year and would be grateful to see participation across the school at any level possible. We understand that families plan giving at different times and amounts and appreciate participation in our New Year sprint. Let's get this year off to a big start for our Annual Appeal Funding.


From our Wilton community, we are thrilled to acknowledge generous organizations like Turnover Shop and corporate sponsors like Devan Chevrolet Buick of Wilton. Thank you!




PTA Membership is Open

Thank you to all who have joined the PTA as a member this year. Membership is open for all of the Wilton PTAs. We invite you to join and learn more about the many ways to support the PTA and our Middlebrook community.


Please find more information about the PTA and how to join here:




Volunteers


Thanks you to our many volunteers! We could not do what we do without you and this is a wonderful way to support MB, learn more about MB by participating in activities, and meet or work with others. If you are interested in volunteering for upcoming events and/or for the PTA next year we need you! All are welcome. Please fill out the form on this page https://www.middlebrookpta.org/board-committees or email michelle.mbpta@gmail.com.


Volunteers for events where they may assist when Wilton Public Schools staff members are NOT present at some point are asked to please register for a background check through WPS. It can take a couple of weeks and volunteers are asked to please register as soon as possible with WPS. The information for this process is here: https://wiltonps.org/351504_2 .


VOLUNTEERS - AREAS OF NEED FOR UPCOMING EVENTS




  • Executive Committee - Immediate (VP/Membership Chair)

  • We are looking for Executive Committee members for this year and into next year. If you are excited to learn more about MB, get involved in the school, and are ready to bring your ideas and efforts to help our wonderful MB community, we want to hear from you! We are looking for someone excited about membership to join our Executive Committee as VP, Membership Chair. Please fill out the form at: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/board-committees .

  • Project Adventure

  • Join our wonderful team of volunteers that help with Project Adventure, the indoor and outdoor and outdoor climbing program at Middlebrook. Please email Renee Rafferty (raffertyrenee@gmail.com) if you are interested in volunteering to belay. There is training. More about Project Adventure: https://goodmorningwilton.com/climbing-to-new-heights-of-self-confidence-and-accomplishment-at-middlebrook-video/. Heather Schlitz (schlitzh@wiltonps.org), Middlebrook Physical Education Teacher, can also answer questions about this wonderful program generally.

  • Hospitality & Other Areas

  • If you are interested in any other areas such as Hospitality or Fundraising, we would like to add to these teams for upcoming events and programs. Please review opportunities here: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/board-committees


Spirit Wear


Please see our collection of current spirit wear for staying warm and cozy as cold weather arrives. Great for ski days, hockey games, and chill days at home.








 

School News


WPS Website and App


Please review the new website and mobile application and WPS/MB guides. The Parent Resources page and the new app have been helpful this year for finding all of the apps we use, menus, handbooks, questions on communication platforms like School Messenger. Please enjoy these links to explore.

Yearbook

Yearbook ordering has been extended through January 15th! Please email garciaj@wiltonps.org with any questions. Reminder- there will NOT be yearbooks available for purchase in June, so all orders must be placed now. If you have already ordered, please disregard.

Order at : ybpay.lifetouch.com

Enter code: 14048623


Middlebrook Schedule Changes

Parent/caregiver information meeting dates with school and FAQ are forthcoming. Please see Friday letters for updates.





Budget Meetings Upcoming




Internet Safety and Digital Well-Being Resources for Parents and Partnership with Bark


This webpage includes the recording of the December Webinars as well as resources provided during the presentation on research, strategies and tools to help parents.





Career Day Returns to Middlebrook

We need the help of our community to make it a success. Please volunteer to present.


MB Career Awareness Day - March 30, 2023 - 12:45 to 2:50 p.m.

Middlebrook school counselors, in conjunction with the Wilton Education Foundation, are planning the Annual Career Awareness day for all Middlebrook students. This has been an annual event for over 20 years and we are excited to bring it back.


Career Awareness Day focuses on developing middle school students’ awareness of the relationship among the world of work, career preparation and school success. Middlebrook students will have an opportunity to meet and interact with four different presenters in classrooms throughout the school. We anticipate tremendous success, in part, due to parent participation. We invite all parents and guardians to discuss your “career” with our students.

If you would like to participate, please use this link to complete a Google survey. As you generously volunteer your time, please remember:


• Plan on being at Middlebrook on March 30, 2023 from 12:45 pm – 2:50 pm

• You will receive a confirmation email in February

• Our planning staff will assist you to prepare your presentation to the students


If you have any questions, please contact school counselor, Mr. Bill Gerundo, at 203-762-8388, ext 5252, or gerundow@wiltonps.org.




Presentation on the Math Curriculum at a recent BOE Meeting:


From WHS: January 23rd

LINK: Curriculum Night for Rising 8th Graders

 

Contact Middlebrook and Quick Links


131 School Road, Wilton, CT 06897

(203) 762-8388 District Calendar​​

Report an Absence: 203-834-4963, mbattend@wiltonps.org

Chartwells: 203-834-4990 x5221

Bus Transportation: 203.762.3381 x8295

School Website


Wilton Board of Education

Meetings, Agendas, Recordings​​

Website

 

Community News


Chamber of Commerce - Wilton - Winter Carnival

Wilton Center will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland! The Winter Carnival will be held on Sunday, February 5th from 12:00-4:00pm at the Town Green with other exciting festivities simultaneously taking place around Wilton Center.





Trackside Winter Programs

Trackside offers a variety of special events and after school programs. After school programs are led by high school students & are open to middle school students and up. Programs run in 4 sessions: Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer. Each session is typically 8-10 weeks long. Sessions meet once a week, after school from 3:30-5:15p. Students can walk or take bus 7 from Middlebrook.





Turnover Shop


Founded over 75 years ago by a group of volunteers dedicated to serving the needs of the community, The Turnover has kept that tradition of service and generosity alive as we have evolved to serve each generation. Our merchandise is reflective of every life style and current fashion, and our current team of over 130 volunteers remain committed to the prospect of always being creative and innovative. Thousands of satisfied customers continue to validate their hard work. We carry a full line of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, antiques, housewares, games, books, jewelry, and small furnishings.


Feel free to stop by the shop or email Turnoverfrontdesk@gmail.com for more information.





Wilton Go Green


K-12 Climate Action in Connecticut


American public schools use nearly 480,000 diesel school buses, serve over 7 billion meals annually and are one of the largest energy consumers in the public sector. Transitioning to more sustainable operations in these areas provides environmental benefits and learning opportunities for students. How can Connecticut schools mitigate their climate impact and adapt to the effects of climate change? On Wednesday, February 1 at 7-8 pm, join Wilton Go Green and Waste Free Greenwich for a webinar on how the education sector can lead on climate solutions in Connecticut. Explore the Aspen Institute's K12 Climate Action plan and This Is Planet Ed initiative to learn how education systems can reduce their carbon footprints through energy, transportation, and food and discover how Mansfield Public Schools are reducing their climate impact and saving money through their new net zero school building. Panelists include: Laura Schifter, Senior Fellow, This Is Planet Ed at the Aspen Institute Peter Dart, Superintendent, Mansfield Public Schools Randy Walikonis, Chair, Mansfield School Building Committee REGISTER at https://bit.ly/K12climateaction

Zero Waste Schools



Wilton Youth Council

in Partnership with WPS, Middlebrook PTA, Wilton Library and more!






























 

The PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.




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