What’s New Wednesday

Our FRC Extended Day Program is underway. Do Yoga for Life, a weekly class taught by Mark Covello,
will begin on Wednesday, September 20. Intempo will offer a drumming class on Fridays; the start date
is yet to be determined. Download registration forms from our school website or request them in the
main office.
The Upper School Back to School night is tonight from 6-8 P.M. This event is for parents and/or
guardians and students only. Childcare is not available for this meeting. Pizza will be served at 6 P.M.
This year the Carver Program for the upper school, (Monday through Thursday) will start on Monday
September 11, 2023 and end on Thursday, June 4, 2024. The after school program takes place at Side
by Side and runs from the end of the school day (3:40) until 5:40 PM. Please see a registration flyer
attached to this email.
The Lower School Back to School night will be on Wednesday, September 13 from 6-8 P.M. Childcare is
not available for this meeting.
There will be no school on Monday, September 25 in observance of Yom Kippur.
The first All School Meeting of the school year will be on Friday, September 29 at 2:30 P.M. Class shares
are a time honored feature of these brief assemblies and parents are welcome and encouraged to
attend.
Monday, October 9, school will close in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The
following day, Tuesday, October 10 is a professional day. School will close for students that day as well.
Please find attached a memo with important end of marking period and parent conference (early
dismissal) dates for both lower and upper school students. The September breakfast and lunch menu
are also attached to this email for your convenience.
Updated student health forms are due September 29. Likewise, newly completed emergency forms,
transportation forms and upper school code of conduct agreements must be returned to them main
office at the beginning of each school year. Blank forms are available in the main office or upon request.
It is imperative that current forms are on file for each enrolled student.
School picture day is on Thursday, October 12.
The SBS Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, September 26 at 5:15 P.M. The meetings are open to
the public, except for executive sessions, and the first fifteen minutes of each meeting are reserved for
public comment. During this time, any member of the public, parent or student community is free to
attend and provide public comment. SBS posts minutes of each monthly board meeting on the SBS
website under the “Board of Directors” tab.

Dress down days occur on the first Friday of every month. Students may wear an outfit of their choice,
however, it should be an attire appropriate for school activities (gym, art, and playground) on these
days. The first Dress Down this year will be Friday, September 1.

School will be closed on Monday, September 4th in observance of Labor Day.

Our Family Resource Center Extended Day Program begins Tuesday, September 5. Soccer clinics will
resume on Tuesdays, beginning September 12. Yoga classes will take place on Wednesday afternoons,
beginning September 13. Nikki Gwinn will return to offer Beyond Fashion on Thursdays, beginning on
September 14. Extended day registration forms are available on our school website or in the main
office.

The Upper School Back to School night will be on Wednesday, September 6 from 6-8 P.M. This event is
for parents and/or guardians and students only, (please, no siblings.) Childcare is not available for this
meeting. Pizza will be served at 6 P.M.

This year the Carver Program for the upper school, (Monday through Thursday) will start on Monday
September 11, 2023 and end on Thursday, June 4, 2024. The after school program takes place at Side
by Side and runs from the end of the school day (3:40) until 5:40 PM. The program is designed to help
support your child(ren) academically as well as introduce them to new and exciting enrichment
opportunities. Please see a registration flyer attached to this email.

The Lower School Back to School night will be on Wednesday, September 13 from 6-8 P.M. Child care
will not be offered.

There will be no school on Monday, September 25 in observance of Yom Kippur.

All school meetings will resume this year in the gymnasium at 2:30 P.M. on the last day of every month.
The first meeting of the school year will be on Friday, September 29 at 2:30 P.M. Class shares are a time
honored feature of these brief assemblies and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Monday, October 9, school will close in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The
following day, Tuesday, October 10 is a professional day. School will close for students that day as well.

Please find attached a memo with important end of marking period and parent conference (early
dismissal) dates for both lower and upper school students.

The September breakfast and lunch menu
are also attached to this email for your convenience.

Updated student health forms must be submitted to the school nurse no later than September 29.
Likewise, newly completed emergency forms, transportation forms and upper school code of conduct
agreements must be returned to them main office at the beginning of each school year.

The SBS Board of Directors will be hosting a parent forum tonight, Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30pm in the gymnasium.  This is an event for parents only (childcare will not be provided.)

Friday, May 5 is a dress down day for students and staff. 

There will be two parent vacancies on the SBS Board of Directors for the next school year.  Please review the memo sent in a separate email Monday that outlines the terms, responsibilities and the nomination process.  The deadline for receiving nominations/statements is midnight on May 8, 2023.  Thank you in advance for giving this matter thoughtful consideration.     

Monday, May 15 is an early release day for professional development.  Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

The SBS Board of Directors Fun Run will take place on Thursday, May 18 in the school lot.  Please register at mybooster.com and remember to share the site on social media to reach family, friends, and co-workers.

The Norwalk Public Schools First Book 23, a town wide celebration of reading, will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 11-3 P.M.   

Field day will take place on Friday, June 2nd at Veteran’s Park, with a rain date set for Friday, June 9. 

The last day for the FRC Extended Day Program is on Thursday, June 15. 

The 8th Grade graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 15 at 6:00 P.M. in the gymnasium.

Friday, June 16 is an early release day.  Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

The second annual SBS Summer Social is scheduled for Friday, June 16 from 4-7 P.M.  A flyer with more details will be sent to families soon.

The last day of the 2022-2023 school year will be on Monday, June 19.  Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

Please see the board approved 2023-2024 school calendar, attached to this email.

Please see the attached flyer to learn more about NEVBC Summer Volleyball camps for beginners, advanced and high school pre-season position training for local youth.  Financial aid is available.

The Norwalk Out of School Time Program Locator is a resource for families to find programs that meet the needs (after school, summer, etc.) of their children.  We aim to connect all Norwalk young people to year-round, meaningful out-of-school experiences. 

At the All School Meeting on Friday, April 28 at 2:30 P.M. the third graders will share all that they are
learning about wolves.

The SBS Board of Directors will be hosting a parent forum on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30pm in the
gymnasium. This will be a chance for parents to provide feedback directly to our school administration
and board members about the state of Side by Side Charter School. This is an event for parents only
(childcare will not be provided.)

Friday, May 5 is a dress down day for students and staff.

There will be two parent vacancies on the SBS Board of Directors for the next school year. Please review
the memo sent in a separate email Monday that outlines the terms, responsibilities and the nomination
process. The deadline for receiving nominations/statements is midnight on May 8, 2023. Thank you in
advance for giving this matter thoughtful consideration.

Monday, May 15 is an early release day for professional development. Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

The Norwalk Public Schools First Book 23, a town wide celebration of reading, will take place on
Saturday, May 20 from 11-3 P.M.

Field day will take place on Friday, June 2nd at Veteran’s Park, with a rain date set for Friday, June 9.
Additional details will be forthcoming.

The last day for the FRC Extended Day Program is on Wednesday, June 15.

The 8th Grade graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 15 at 6:00 P.M. in the gymnasium.
Friday, June 16 is an early release day. Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

The second annual SBS Summer Social is scheduled for Friday, June 16 from 4-7 P.M. A flyer with more
details will be sent to families soon.

The last day of the 2022-2023 school year will be on Monday, June 19. Students will dismiss at 1:40 P.M.

Please see the attached flyer to learn more about NEVBC Summer Volleyball camps for beginners,
advanced and high school pre-season position training for local youth. Financial aid is available.

The Norwalk Out of School Time Program Locator is a resource for families to find programs that meet
the needs (after school, summer, etc.) of their children. We aim to connect all Norwalk young people to
year-round, meaningful out-of-school experiences.

There will be a two-hour early dismissal for professional development on Monday, April 24. Students
will dismiss at 1:40. There are no extended day activities on early release days.

The Side by Side Board of Directors and administration will be hosting a parent forum on Wednesday,
May 3 at 6:30pm in the gymnasium. This will be an opportunity for parents to provide feedback directly
to our school administration and board members about the state of Side by Side. This is an event for
parents only (childcare will not be provided.)

There will be two parent vacancies on the SBS Board of Directors for the next school year. Information
about the terms and responsibilities is forthcoming.

The Norwalk Public Schools First Book 23, a town wide celebration of reading, will take place on
Saturday, May 20 from 11-3 P.M. Volunteers are needed, please scan the QR code on the attached flyer
for additional details about how to help.

The Norwalk Public School district Family Center at 1 Park Street is open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. to
assist families with the kindergarten registration process.

Fares have resumed for all Norwalk Transit services, as of Saturday, April 1st.

Norwalk Parks and Recreation summer camp registration will take place on a platform called campsite.
Use the link tinyurl.com/norwalkcamps.

The SONO library is giving away free Covid test kits. Please see the flyer for details.

Please see the attached flyer to learn more about NEVBC Summer Volleyball camps for beginners,
advanced and high school pre-season position training for local youth. Financial aid is available

COMING SOON! Side by Side Spring Parent Forum on
Wednesday, May 3 from 6:30PM- 7:30
The Side by Side Board of Directors and administration will be
hosting a parent forum on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30pm in the
gymnasium. This will be an opportunity for parents to provide
feedback directly to our school administration and board
members about the state of Side by Side.
During the past few years, COVID interrupted, restricted and
changed many of the ways we taught, collaborated and built
our school community. Now is the time to talk about how we
can re-engage, re-connect and re-ignite all of the things that
have made Side by Side such a special place! We look forward
to engaging in productive conversations with parents as we
come together and begin to imagine the Side by Side of the
future. We hope to see you there!
This is an event for parents only (childcare will not be
provided)

The Fourth grade class will take a trip to Ellis Island tomorrow Thursday, April 6. Students must arrive
promptly at 8:15 A.M. for the 8:30 bus charter departure. The students will return to school at
approximately 5:30 P.M.

The Fifth grade class will tour Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts tomorrow. The bus will depart
Norwalk at 8:30 A.M. and will return at approximately 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon.

There will be a dress down day for students and staff tomorrow, Thursday, April 6.

School will close on Good Friday, April 7 as well as the following week from Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14.

Tonight is the Chipotle fundraiser for the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. Please see the attached
flyer for all the details.

Catholic Charities will host Wellness Fair 2023 on Tuesday, April 11 from 3- P.M. This is a family friendly
event, with balloons, face painting, crafts and a bake sale. Please see the attached flyer for a list of
participating agencies.

The Norwalk Public Schools First Book 23, a town wide celebration of reading, will take place on
Saturday, May 20 from 11-3 P.M. Volunteers are needed, please can scan the QR code on the attached
flyer for additional details about how to help.

The Norwalk Public School district Family Center at 1 Park Street is open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. to
assist families with the kindergarten registration process.

Fares have resumed for all Norwalk Transit services, as of Saturday, April 1st.

Free tax preparation is available at your local library between January 25 and April 15. Call 203-899-
2790 to schedule an appointment or go to www.SimplifyCT.org if you have any questions.

Norwalk Parks and Recreation summer camp registration will take place on a platform called campsite.
Use the link tinyurl.com/norwalkcamps.

There will be a two-hour early dismissal for professional development on Monday, April 24. Students
will dismiss at 1:40. There are no extended day activities on early release days.

The SONO library is giving away free Covid test kits. Please see the flyer for details.

The Board of Directors meeting will take place tonight, March 29 at 5:15. As this is a fully remote
meeting, please use the Google Meeting ID meet.google.com/eck-smev-rsm to attend.

We are halfway through Spirit Week, the eighth grade fundraiser for their trip to Washington D.C.
Thank you to every family that sent in a donation and to those students who have so enthusiastically
participated in the fun this week.

There will be an all school meeting on Friday, March 31 at 2:30 P.M., which will include a PK 104 share.
Please find attached the April breakfast and lunch menus, in English and Spanish.

The SBS enrollment application deadline is Monday, April 3. Applicants can apply directly on the school
website, www.sbscharter.org.

The Hive After School Program, a Youth Business Initiative (YBI) program will begin on April 3rd and is
located at their new location 25 Van Zant Street, Suite 19a. The program hours are from 3:30 – 6:30
P.M., Monday through Friday. Please see the attached flyer for information and the registration link.

On Tuesday, April 4, Sirius Coyote, a trio that performs traditional contemporary world music with a fun
rhythm and an activist message, will perform from 10-10:45 for students in the lower school.

The Fourth grade class will take a trip to Ellis Island on Thursday, April 6. Students must arrive promptly
at 8:15 A.M. for the 8:30 bus charter departure.

There will be a dress down day for students and staff on Thursday, April 6.

School will close on Good Friday, April 7 as well as the following week from Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14.

The Norwalk Public School district Family Center at 1 Park Street is open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. to
assist families with the kindergarten registration process.

Free tax preparation is available at your local library between January 25 and April 15. Call 203-899-
2790 to schedule an appointment or go to www.SimplifyCT.org if you have any questions.

Stepping Stones offers vacation camp for children ages 5-10 the week of April 10-14. To register go to
https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/every-day-fun/camp-stepping-stones. For more information,
call 203-899-0606, ext. 208. There are a few remaining spots, however registration ends today.

Norwalk Parks and Recreation summer camp registration will take place on a platform called campsite.
Use the link tinyurl.com/norwalkcamps.

There will be a two-hour early dismissal for professional development on Monday, April 24. Students
will dismiss at 1:40. There are no extended day activities on early release days.

Is your child missing a coat, SBS hoodie or water bottle?  Our lost and found bin is overflowing.  Please take a moment to reclaim your items.  Any leftover clothing will be donated to Open Doors on March 27.

Thursday, March 16 and Thursday, March 23 are early release days for parent teacher conferences.  Students will dismiss at 2:10 P.M.  Please sign up for a conference with your child’s teacher.  In addition, if any parent would prefer to have a translator present for the conference, please request one in advance.

On Monday, March 27, there will be an early dismissal for professional development.  Students will dismiss at 1:40.  There are no after school activities on early release days.

The eighth grade class will be holding a Spirit Week Fundraiser for their trip to Washington D.C. during the week of March 27th – 31st.  Each day will have a different theme and students can choose to dress for that theme or use that day as a dress down day. The price is $2 per day or $8 per week.  Please see the flyer for a theme day schedule.

The Norwalk Public School district Family Center at 1 Park Street is open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. to assist families.  All children who turn five years old on or before January 1st 2024 are eligible to start Kindergarten.   Please share the attached flyer with neighbors, friends or relatives who may be new to the district and have a child/children to enroll in school.    

The SBS enrollment application deadline is Monday, April 3.  Applications may be found on the school website, www.sbscharter.org. 

Free tax preparation is available at your local library between January 25 and April 15.  At the SONO branch, appointment times are between 12:00 – 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and on alternate Saturdays from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.  Call 203-899-2790 to schedule an appointment or go to www.SimplifyCT.org if you have any questions.

 Stepping Stones will offer vacation camp for children ages 5-10 during the week of April 10-14.  To register go to https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/every-day-fun/camp-stepping-stones. For more information, call 203-899-0606, ext. 208.

Norwalk Parks and Recreation will opened their summer camp program registration on March 1.  The online registration will take place on a platform called campsite.  The link can be found at tinyurl.com/norwalkcamps.  Norwalk also offers a Learn to Swim program for children aged four and older. 

Spring recess will be here soon.  School will close on Good Friday, April 7 as well as the following week from Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14. 

Is your child missing a coat, SBS hoodie or water bottle?  Our lost and found bin is overflowing.  Please take a moment to reclaim your items.  Any leftover clothing will be donated to Open Doors on March 27.

The first installment of $150.00 for the eighth grade student trip to Washington, D.C. is due on Friday, March 10.  Signed parent/guardian permission slips are also due on this date.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Thursday, March 16 and Thursday, March 23 are early release days for parent teacher conferences.  Students will dismiss at 2:10 P.M.  There are no after school activities on early release days.  Please sign up for a conference with your child’s teacher.  In addition, if any parent would prefer to have a translator present for the conference, please request one in advance.

On Monday, March 27, there will be an early dismissal for professional development.  Students will dismiss at 1:40.  There are no after school activities on early release days.

The eighth grade class will be holding a Spirit Week Fundraiser for their trip to Washington D.C. during the week of March 27th – 31st.  Each day will have a different theme and students can choose to dress for that theme or use that day as a dress down day. The price is $2 per day or $8 per week. The scheduled is as follows…

Monday: Pajama Day (Wear your favorite PJs and have a relaxing Monday!)
Tuesday: Look Alike Day (Dress like a friend, a famous person, or your favorite book or movie character.)
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (Wear clothes mismatched, backwards, inside out etc.; the wackier the better!)
Thursday: Sports Day (Put on your favorite team’s jersey, shirt, or colors…) 
Friday: Class Colors Day (Each class chooses a color to wear that day.)

Free tax preparation is available at your local library between January 25 and April 15.  At the SONO branch, appointments can be made on Wednesdays between 12:00 – 5:00 pm and on alternate Saturdays from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.  Call 203-899-2790 to schedule an appointment or go to www.SimplifyCT.org if you have any questions.

 Stepping Stones will offer vacation camp for children ages 5-10 during the week of April 10-14.  To register go to https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/every-day-fun/camp-stepping-stones. For more information, call 203-899-0606, ext. 208.

Norwalk Parks and Recreation will open their summer camp program registration on March 1.  The online registration will take place on a platform called campsite.  The link can be found at tinyurl.com/norwalkcamps. 

The SBS enrollment application deadline is Monday, April 3.  Applications can be found on the school website, www.sbscharter.org. 

The Mobile Dentist will be at Side by Side this Thursday, March 2.  It is not too late to register your child for a dental screening.  Please find an enrollment form attached to this email or call 475-231-6978 for assistance.   You may prefer to register online at www.SBHC1.com/enroll.  

Friday, March 3 is a dress down day for students and staff.

On Friday’s during Lent, there will be three alternative lunch choices, in addition to the main hot lunch. Students may select smoothie and a pretzel, Italian chicken wrap or fish.

Please find attached the March school lunch and breakfast menu. 

The first installment of $150.00 for the eighth grade student trip to Washington, D.C. is due on Friday, March 10.  Signed parent/guardian permission slips are also due on this date.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The SONO Library is hosting weekly meetings for girls in grades five through eight on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45.  The program, called Confidence Club, is a brave space for fun, confidence-boosting activities.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.        

Please see attached a list of immediate openings at area preschools.

SBS Lottery applications are now accessible on our website, www.sbscharter.org.    

There will be two, ninety minute early release days in March for teacher conferences.  Thursday, March 16 and Thursday, March 23 students will dismiss at 2:10 P.M.  There are no after school activities on early release days. 

On Monday, March 27, there will be an early dismissal for professional development.  Students will dismiss at 1:40.  There are no after school activities on early release days.