2019.12.20 – Saxe Weekly – The Saxe weekly

December 20, 2019

Dear Saxe Family,

It always amazes me how “quickly” the end of a calendar year comes upon us. As we look back at 2019, we have covered a lot of ground and there is so much to be proud of and be grateful for. We have continued our focus on nurturing the most positive, well-rounded environment possible for our students (and, staff) to learn and grow. I look forward to continuing this trend of ongoing improvement.

This week in the Saxe Weekly, we take a look at LOTS of spirit, Community of Caring in action, World Language, Music, Geography Bee, the latest one-second everyday, the latest Saxe News, and more. Enjoy!

As we go into the holiday break, I wish you and your family the best. See you in 2020!

Dave Gusitsch

Principal, Saxe Middle School

Upcoming Noteworthy Dates:

1.2: Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Want to check out the “Saxe Weekly” from last week? You’re one click away, here.

*Quotes that resonated with us this week:

“If you’re looking for a person who can change your life, take a look in the mirror.”

“Don’t give up………..start over.”

“It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life.”

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”

Back again for this week – the final 1SE for 2019, the latest, updated Saxe Middle School 1-Second Everyday! “Life is made of seconds.” Check out a few seconds from each day of 2019 (so far), showcasing so much of what makes Saxe Middle School great. This is a recurring, bi-weekly feature. At the end of the year, we will have a full version that includes every single day of the 2019-20 school year. Enjoy!

Saxe News

The latest Saxe News gives an update on the ongoing process of revealing the official mascot for Saxe Middle School. Enjoy!

Community of Caring

In line with living our “five Cs” at Saxe Middle School, students on the Berry/Helmich team made holiday cards for the residents of Waveny Care Center. A small group of volunteers went after school on Monday to deliver them room by room. The students were excited to give back to our community and the residents felt so much joy to be visited by the children. This “act of caring” is scheduled to be replicated around Valentine’s Day. Thanks to all involved!

Students in Mrs. Devine’s and Ms. Line’s fifth-grade homerooms decorated gift bags and filled them with gift-wrapped scarves to donate to people at risk of being homeless.

Here are a bunch of pictures of G6-Blue elves hard at work. Each student on the team nominated an adult in the building to do an act of kindness for. They come up with the gift all on their own!

The Holiday Spirit is Alive and Well

Many students, and staff, had a blast participating in the Saxe Pajama Day today! There was a great vibe throughout the building all day…

Perfect for all Star Wars fans looking forward to the release of “The Rise of Skywalker” today!

Pajama Day did not stop the action at G6 recess today!

“Why We Do, What We Do”

Below is a note that was shared by a teacher this morning. A former student of his who is now an accomplished 20-something took the time to send him one of his recent pieces of work. Along with his book, was a note that shows the power of relationships, especially during these important, developmental middle-level years! Amazing…

World Language

8th-graders created a storyboard to retell a story in French and present to their peers

7th-graders playing an online game to help learn their vocabulary words.

6th-graders are developing their listening skills by listening for information

Caroling in Latin!

Working on describing winter in Latin!

8th-grade Latin students performing a skit about Saturnalia, a Roman festival celebrated in December in honor of the god Saturn. Students learned that the Saturnalia was very much like many holidays we celebrate today (from decorating their homes to exchanging gifts).

Spanish students caroling, or “cantando villancicos” as it’s called in Spanish.

Latin and Spanish students singing to each other.

Music

The Saxe Music Department is proud to announce the following Saxe students auditioned for, and were accepted into their respective Western Regional music performing groups:

Henry Tate, Avery Cotton, William Hanover, Jake Kozar, Daryl Lavin, Catherine Meli.

The festival is held each spring, and is comprised of the finest young middle school musicians in the Western Region of the Connecticut Music Educators Association, which is essentially all of Fairfield County. Congratulations to these talented students!

Saxe 7/8 Choral Winter Concert

The Grade 7/8 Choral Winter Concert did not disappoint last night! In addition to the impressive performances by our students, we were also treated to interlude and combo performances by the NCHS Madrigals. What a fantastic combination!

Here are a couple of pictures from the recent holiday Concert at the New Canaan Library

Saxe band students Xaidyn Mitchell and Juan Martinez counting and packing books from the Saxe Band Book Drive. We collected 252 books, which were donated to “Filling in the Blanks”, a local organization that helps fight childhood hunger in our area!

Saxe Geography Bee

Please join in congratulating our ten finalists for the Saxe National Geographic Bee!

Drew Bench (8), Miles Chisholm (8), Jake Donohue (7), Emma Greenhut (5), Niyathi Iyengar (6), Rhea Jha (7), Will Langford (8), Adrian McMahon (8), Rowan Richey Elliott (6), Jeremy Schubert (6)

The Saxe Geography Bee Finals will be held on January 9, 2020 in the Saxe Auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. Good luck to each participant!

Welcome to Saxe

Dr. Hamman joins the Saxe Special Education program with a wealth of experience both as a teacher and administrator. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she holds a Masters degree in Gifted Education from the College of New Rochelle, a professional diploma in Administration and Supervision from Fordham University, and a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Dr. Hamman has worked with adolescents as a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, & Principal and truly has a passion for working with middle school students.