MB Messenger - 2/2/23

In this Issue:

• Calendars

• Upcoming PTA Events

• PTA News

• School News

• Contact Middlebrook and Quick Links

• Community News

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Calendars

• WPS, PTA, Town of Wilton Calendars: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/calendar-of-pta-events

  • Please note upcoming events such as

    • February 2nd - BOE Meeting 7pm - WHS Professional Library LINK

    • February 2nd - Wilton Pride - Ask Me Anything, 7pm

    • February 6th CM/MB Evening Parent Meeting 6:30PM - Middlebrook Auditorium

    • February 9th BOE Meeting 7:00 PM - WHS Professional Library LINK

• Schoology: Did you know you can sync your calendar and view the six day rotation on Schoology? Schedules are also available in PowerSchool. More information here: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/info-powerschool-procedures-more

• PTA Meetings: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/meeting-info

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Upcoming Events

Middlebrook Schedule Changes

Please see this page for collected information and events regarding the Middlebrook Schedule Changes as well as any budget updates as meetings may cover both topics. We encourage all families to attend meetings when possible or view recordings or presentations to learn more.

https://www.middlebrookpta.org/single-post/middlebrook-schedule-change

Wilton Pride - Ask Me Anything

Tonight - Feb 2nd

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

Register

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). Here is some information from the program and upcoming events: https://www.middlebrookpta.org/single-post/digital-safety-and-well-being

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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.

Annual Appeal

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:

Join the PTA

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.

Spirit Wear

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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.

• Parent Resources

• WPS Website Home

• WPS Google Play App

• WPS iOS/Apple App

• WPS Back to School Guide

• MB Student Handbook

• MB Clubs

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. The PTA is collecting updates here:

Information

Budget Meetings Upcoming

Schedule for Budget Meetings

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.

Resources

Presentation on the Math Curriculum at a recent BOE Meeting:

From WHS: January 23rd

LINK: Curriculum Night for Rising 8th Graders

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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

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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.

More Information

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.

More Information - Programs

Register for Kevin's Afterglow Event

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.

Turnover Shop

Wilton Go Green

We are excited to announce the 16th Annual HRRA Recycling Billboard Contest.

The theme this year is:“Recycle Outside the Bin!” Choose a material that can be recycled but does not go in your mixed recycling bin.

Student’s artwork should encourage residents to recycle the material you choose.Students can visit https://hrra.org/annual-billboard-contest-2/ for information on materials that can be recycled outside the mixed recycling bin. Original artwork should be submitted by February 27, 2023 in the collection box located in each schools' lobby or the vestibule at Town Hall starting February 1st. For a complete list of rules and to obtain a template please visit https://hrra.org/annual-billboard-contest-2/. Deadline for Wilton due to February break is Monday 2/27. In 2022, Wilton had 6 students placed regionally in grades K-7th. We are excited to see the inspiring messages our students create this year! Questions? Email our Local Coordinator, Tammy Thornton, at tammy@wiltongogreen.org

Trash Talk with Jennifer Heaton-Jones at Wilton Library

Managing waste and knowing what to recycle can be confusing. The Wilton Library and Wilton Go Green are proud to sponsor this event to learn where our garbage and recycling really goes after leaving the Town of Wilton. What is the State of Connecticut’s universal recycling guide? What happens when you put the wrong thing in your recycling bin? What is this waste crisis in CT? How can managing your waste save you money and how does it affect your taxes? Jennifer Heaton-Jones the Executive Director of the regional, governmental, solid waste and recycling authority, Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA). She will give a one hour presentation followed by a half hour Q&A. You’re guaranteed to learn something new!

Thursday, March 9th 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Register at www.wiltonlibrary.org

Zero Waste Schools

Wilton Youth Council

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

If you could not make it to this event, please read the GMW article covering the information and we will be on the lookout for when the recording becomes available. It is helpful information for families.

Link to GMW Article - Recording to Follow

Parenting Teens in a Digital World: Middle School & High School Years on February 9th at 7 PM.

Register

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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.