August 28, 2026
Dear Saxe MS Family,
WELCOME BACK! These are the times in our lives when time seems to warp (or, at least not represent time as we typically know it). The summer break is always a great time to reflect, relax, recharge, and be prepared to return for a fresh start. Now that we have been back for a couple of days, it feels like we never skipped a beat. There is nothing like the excitement and enthusiasm that comes with our students returning to school for the start of a new year! To our students, congratulations on a successful opening, and we look forward to the best year yet on your educational journey!
For those new to the middle school, each week we will share some snapshots, highlights, and random moments that capture some of the learning, interactions, and experiences that make our school community special. There will be lots of pictures for those who like to scroll through, a podcast for those who like to listen, and a little blurb about each topic for those who like to read through. Regardless of how you like to consume your Saxe MS media, we appreciate you checking it out and following along with us!
This week in the Saxe Weekly, we take a look at the first Saxe Weekly podcast of the new year, lots of Day 1 “Welcome Back” action, “Be…”ing, team building & building relationships, professional learning, a Yondr reminder, attendance and dismissal information, a warm welcome to our new Saxe MS staff, birthdays, lunch, recess, and so much more. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!
Be Well,
Dave Gusitsch
Principal, Saxe Middle School
Upcoming Noteworthy Dates:
9/3: Grade-level meetings (for students, during Workshop)
*Quotes that resonated with us this week:
As we remember the remarkable life and legacy of Dolly Parton, we’re sharing a few of her words that captured her warmth, wisdom, humor, and heart. Her ability to inspire kindness, generosity, and hope touched generations—and her words will continue to do the same.
“We cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails.” ~ Dolly Parton
“If you want the rainbow, you have to deal with the rain.” ~ Dolly
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” ~ Dolly Parton
“Being a star just means that you just find your own special place, and that you shine where you are.” ~ Dolly Parton
Saxe Weekly: The Podcast
Interested in getting an overview of the latest Saxe Weekly in podcast form? Using Google’s Gemini Notebook, we are able to offer an option to listen to all of the great “goings on” in our school community while you are “on the go”, with the Saxe MS Podcast! We invite you to give it a listen… Enjoy!
Below is a graphic representation of the latest Saxe Weekly created through Gemini Notebook for you to enjoy!
Welcome Back!
Our first day of school at Saxe MS was about as wonderful as it could have been. We are grateful to our team of teachers & support staff who made this possible for our students & entire school community! Check out a few pics in this quick video overview of the day…
Part of our focus at Saxe MS this year is on “Be…”ing. Belong. Be present. Be resilient. Be curious. Be empathetic. Be happy. Be adaptable. Be kind. Be well. And, so many more! This will be a great theme to tie all of our important work together as we educate & develop good students & good people!
We are also featuring our NCPS Portrait of a Graduate in work throughout the year.
From the time the first buses rolled up to Saxe MS, until the time students boarded to head home after their first day of the school year, the day was filled with excitement, laughter, fun, connections, & so much more… What a way to start the new year!
Updates:
Yondr Pouches
Students unlocking their pouches on the way out of school today (nice work)!
Grade 7 & 8 Attendance & Dismissal Information
For all Grade 7 & 8 absences, tardies, early dismissals, or messages regarding your child, please email: Lin Benware at Lin.Benware@ncps-k12.org. Please note: Saxe Middle School does not use Dismissal Manager.
📌 Reporting an Absence
Please include:
- Your child’s name
- Grade
- Reason for the absence
⏰ Reporting a Tardy
Please provide the same information listed above.
When your child arrives at Saxe, they must check in with me before going to class so that I know they have arrived safely and are on campus.
🚗 Early Dismissals
Please include:
- Your child’s name and grade
- Time of pickup
- Name of the person picking up your child
- Whether your child will be returning to Saxe that day
If your child returns to Saxe after an appointment or other early dismissal, they must check back in with me upon their return. If your child will also be absent the following day, you may let me know when reporting the early dismissal.
Thank you for helping us keep our attendance records accurate and, most importantly, helping us know where our students are throughout the school day!
Lin Benware
Grade 7 & 8 Administrative Assistant
📧 Lin.Benware@ncps-k12.org
📞 203-594-4538 / 4539
For more information about arrivals and dismissals, you can revisit our welcome letter here!
“Building Foundations”
The first couple of days of school are important to get to know each other & build relationships / community. This will be the foundation that deep learning & positive experiences will take place on throughout the course of the entire year… It’s been a great start at Saxe MS!
Here are just a couple of examples of some prompts:
- What words can you make using only the letters from all group members’ first names?
- Find some things that everyone in your group has in common
- Find some things that are different about everyone. No two people can share the same response/answer
- Each member of your group chooses the part of one animal. Combine all of these parts to make a new animal
Students and staff alike had fun getting to know each other better!
Saxe MS students from last year’s 8 Purple Team left notes for this year’s students & their advice is insightful & true – take note!
Each year, it is a privilege & an honor to welcome our newest staff members to Saxe MS!
Welcome aboard, Ms. Baxter! (8 Green ELA)
Welcome aboard, Ms. Heinrich! (Special Education).
Welcome aboard, Fitzpatrick! (Special Education).
Welcome aboard, Ms. Kalamankos! (School Psychologist).
Welcome aboard, Ms. Lee! (BCBA).
Welcome aboard, Ms. Ginolfi! (8 Red Math).
Welcome aboard, Mr. Carravone! (Intern).
Welcome aboard, Ms. Correa! (Special Education).
Welcome aboard, Mr. Cerone! (Custodial Team).
Welcome aboard, Ms. Hurley! (Building Sub).
While not new to the building, Ms. Rovinelli will now be serving our school community as the K-8 Science Coordinator. Congrats & we look forward to your leadership in the Science program!
Also not new to the building, Ms. Nelson will now be serving our school community as a STEM teacher. Congrats & we look forward to your contributions to the STEM & Innovation program!
Happy Birthday
A special shout-out to our Saxe students who are celebrating their birthdays this week & next – Happy Birthday!
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Below are photos and phrases that were included on our Saxe Middle School page (@SaxeMS) this week. Enjoy!
We are grateful to have the support of Dr. Luizzi & the entire Central Office Team at Saxe MS! It’s always an honor to have them join us on the first day of school!
(Dr. Correnty, Ms. Diotte, Ms. Pianka, Mr. Tesbir, Ms. Meyer, & Dr. Luizzi).
Dr. Ferreira queued up some great tunes at 7:25 a.m. for Saxe MS staff to get pumped up for the first day before students arrived… The song selection? “Lovely Day” – great choice, & it was!
Our “New to New Canaan” Orientation is always such a fun way to kick off the school year! It’s amazing to see how many Saxe MS students volunteer during their summer break to come help our newest community members feel so welcomed! Thanks to our School Counselors & all involved!
In addition to going over some important messaging during the first lunch wave at Saxe MS, our staff members who make EACH lunch wave successful were introduced to the students, to a warm reception. Thank you to all involved! It takes a village…
Professional Learning is an important ingredient in the recipe for success at Saxe MS… We spent the 3 days before students returned building community, calibrating our focus, discussing systems & routines, & setting the scene for a successful launch to the 2026-27 school year!
We spent the 3 days before students returned building community, calibrating our focus, discussing systems & routines, & setting the scene for a successful launch to the 2026-27 school year!
Before students arrived at Saxe MS, our staff members took time to reflect & connect with one another… Taking the time to be present & be grateful for all that we have is important in maintaining the best learning environment possible!
Part of our Professional Learning experience as we prepared for the new school year was to ask staff what their “Hopes & Wishes” were for the new school year… You can see why our school community at Saxe MS is as special as it is! I am grateful to work alongside these amazing teachers!
In addition to reflecting & making connections, Dr. Ferreira wove in some timely Dolly Parton quotes to inspire our Saxe MS staff & pay tribute to an American icon!
It was nice to hold one of our PL sessions in our newly updated Upper Mez / Think Space at SaxeMS
… New carpet, lighting, fans, & furniture make this space an amazing spot to think, collaborate, interact, & learn… Thanks to all involved!
Yes, middle school students DO still enjoy (&, benefit from) going outside for recess! This is an important part of our Saxe MS students’ day & we enjoy seeing them get some fresh air, activity, socialization, & so much more! PS – &, a special birthday shout out to Andrew!
Systems are important in any operation & this year, the backpack situation during #SaxeRecess is the best I’ve seen yet!
There may have been a slight drizzle, but that doesn’t stop our Saxe MS students from getting outside for recess!
Thank you to our Tech Crew at Saxe MS for helping make the device distribution smooth & successful!
Each year, it is a privilege & an honor to welcome our newest staff members to Saxe MS! Each one will make a positive impact on our school community & we are excited to welcome them aboard! Here are a few pics from their first week, including having some fun together on their building orientation “scavenger hunt”!
Thank you to our ever-supportive Saxe MS PTC for helping our staff “feel the love” as they returned for the new school year! Their new bags also had some treats & a select/random few had an extra “pick me up” that we threw in 🙂
There is a ton of work that takes place each summer at Saxe MS to prepare for the new school year… We are grateful for EVERYONE who helped get our building ready & looking great for all to have the BEST experience possible – Thank you!
Have a great week, see you next Friday!
Thank you to all of our Saxe Weekly contributors! Each weekly edition is an example of collaboration in action. A special thanks to Melissa DiMeglio for the continuous stream of positive, optimistic quotes!
Saxe Resources (live links)
Website: https://www.ncps-k12.org/saxe
Saxe Middle School
Celebrating Our Learning Community Through Caring, Communication, & Commitment
