August 16, 2023
Dear Saxe Students and Families,
Greetings as we prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 school year! It is my hope that you have had a restful and rejuvenating summer, filled with special moments alongside those you cared to spend time with the most. Like previous summers, our staff has been busy preparing for the new school year and we are excited to continue providing the best experience possible for our students and families. It truly is an honor and privilege to serve in this wonderful town of New Canaan, in the special learning community that is Saxe Middle School, and I am continually humbled to be surrounded by some of the best professionals that the field of education has to offer.
Many of our Saxe and NCPS staff work all summer and are committed to our building and resources being the best they can be. As our students return, they will be welcomed by a fresh, clean environment with every room, office, and space ready to be filled. Some of the ongoing larger-scale projects continue with more floorspace being replaced, sidewalk and brick repairs, and our outdoor learning center is ready to be used! We look forward to sharing these exciting upgrades with you in our ongoing communications and as we welcome you back into the building for upcoming scheduled events. A huge “Thank you!” goes out to our tremendous custodial, maintenance, technology, secretarial, and administrative team members, and, our always supportive PTC.
Whether you are new to our school or have been with us for several years, you will notice that our work is always grounded in what is most important for the members of our learning community. For the past several years, we solicit feedback and have chosen one word that has helped us remain focused on a theme throughout the year. For good reason, Caring, Community, and Connected have been our last few, respectively. For the 2023-24 school year, United will be our focal point. We recognize there is more than simply choosing a “word” to positively impact our school climate and this theme aligns with our emphasis on educating the whole child and a well-rounded experience for all. We continue to find the balance that allows our school community to remain healthy, happy, safe, and well while being resilient, and able to learn and grow in an optimal manner. We are “Excited to be United” in our work with our students, our families, our school, our community, and most importantly, united in our work with one another.
At the beginning of each year, we share a Google form to provide an opportunity to hear from our students and families. There is a section to ask questions, describe what it may look like to be “United” at Saxe, or to simply share what you are looking forward to most. For those of you who wish to participate, there are a couple of quick optional questions, here. Responses will be reviewed, used to plan, and at the appropriate times, anonymously shared so we can be reminded of, and celebrate, all that we have to be grateful for.
As is the case each year, we open our arms to warmly welcome our newest staff members. We also welcome returning staff members into new or revised roles. This year, please join in welcoming:
| Staff Member: | Assignment: | Staff Member: | Assignment: |
| Mr. Banas | Grade 8 Social Studies | Ms. Bates-Letourneau | Lower Div Special Ed. |
| Ms. Blackham | Special Ed. TA | Ms. DeLise | Grade 5 Math/Soc St |
| Ms. Evensen | Upper Div Special Ed. | Mr. Gold-Pambianchi | Special Ed. TA |
| Ms. Haschak | Campus Monitor | Ms. Kellner | Special Ed. TA |
| Ms. Kleis | Dean of Students | Ms. Miceli | Social Work Intern |
| Ms. Mottolese | Building Sub | Ms. Murphy | Reading Specialist |
| Ms. Nicholas | STEM | Ms. Novak | BCBA |
| Ms. Potenza | Grade 6 ELA | Ms. Stilwell | Library |
| Dr. Chadli | French | Ms. Utter | Grade 6 Math |
| Mr. Zeiser | Music |
| Returning in a new role: | |||
| Ms. Barnum | Grade 5 Science | Ms. DaPonte | Math Curriculum Leader |
| Ms. Donovan | WISE | Mr. Fusci | Upper Div Challenge |
| Ms. Graham | Math Specialist | Ms. Veach | Grade 6 Science |
We are rounding out some of our final hires and will be excited to announce them soon as well. Each year, it is a celebration to welcome each person to “Our Saxe Family”!
Below you will find important dates and information regarding our return to school. More details, may also be found on our website &/or the Saxe PTC website:
| Monday, 8/21 | Powerschool Portal opens to view schedules/classes(Questions on PS Access? Please call Ms. Jarosik: 594-4564). | Late afternoon (after 5:00 p.m.) |
| Wednesday, 8/23 | Grades 6, 7, 8 New Student Orientation | 12:00 (G6); 2:00 (G7,G8) |
| Thursday, 8/24 | New To New Canaan (Grade 5) | 12:00 – 12:45 |
| Monday, 8/28 | *Grade 5 Meet the Teacher | 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 8/29 | Welcome Back, Saxe students! | 8:00/9:15 a.m. |
| Wednesday, 9/20 | Saxe PTC Welcome Back Coffee @ Waveny House | 10:30 a.m |
* For more Grade 5 specific information, please keep an eye out for upcoming communications from Ms. Granite.
(More detailed information about specific events (Open House, Parent Coffees, Photo Day, etc.) will be sent out in the near future).
There are many moving parts that make a school building come alive and provide a rich learning experience for all of our students. We foster a balance between academics, the arts, and extracurricular activities. Whatever the chosen path for each individual student, it is our intent to nurture and grow good people who care about one another and their community. Every stakeholder matters and each plays a role in making up Saxe Middle School. We are Saxe Middle School and we want to provide the best, safest, most well-rounded, experience possible for our entire learning community!
In addition to the above information, we will be celebrating our Saxe students, staff, and activities through our weekly newsletter (saxems.com), our website, and our Twitter handle, @SaxeMS. I look forward to connecting, or reconnecting, with each of you over the course of the year.
Wishing you a wonderful remainder of your summer and we look forward to seeing you soon,
Mr. David M. Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
