What’s New Wednesday

The Carver Program for the upper school (Monday through Thursday) began on Monday and will end on
Thursday May 25, 2023. 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. Bus
transportation home is provided however, please note that you will be contacted directly from the
Carver program transportation coordinator once your bus assignment is effective.

The Durham School Services bus tracking app is now operational for Side by Side Students. Please call
the main office to obtain your child’s ID number, download the app, https://norwalkps.org/574131_3
here or from the Norwalk Public Schools website and track your child’s bus route to and from school
each day.

There will be no school on Monday, September 26 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. On Wednesday,
October 5, school will be closed in observance of Yom Kippur. School is also closed on Monday, October
10 for Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

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 30 at 2:30 P.M.

Dress down days occur on the first Friday of every month. Students may wear an outfit of their choice
however only attire appropriate for school activities (gym, art, playground) should be worn on these
days. The next Dress Down day falls on our school picture day (see below) so students may select
special occasion wear for the school portrait and a change of clothing if necessary for the remainder of
the school day.

Picture Day is on Friday, October 7.

The Lower School back to school night will be on Wednesday, October 12 from 6-8 P.M.
Our Family Resource Center Extended Day Program is underway. Nikki Gwinn will return again to offer
Beyond Fashion on Thursdays, beginning on October 6. Soccer clinics will resume on Wednesdays,
beginning October 4. Intempo, our music partner will offer ukulele lessons for extended day
participants beginning on Wednesday, October 12. Extended day registration forms may be found on
our school website.

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 30.

The upper school open house “town hall” style meeting will take place tonight, Thursday, Sept. 7, from
6-8 P.M. and will begin with a pizza dinner for upper school students only and at least one
parent/guardian in attendance.

This year the Carver Program for the upper school (Monday through Thursday) will start on Monday
September 12, 2022 and end on Thursday May 25, 2023. 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.

There will be no school on Monday, September 26 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. On Wednesday,
October 5, school will be closed in observance of Yom Kippur. School is also closed on Monday, October
10 for Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

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 30 at 2:30 P.M. Class shares are a time
honored feature of these brief assemblies and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Dress down days occur on the first Friday of every month. Students may wear an outfit of their choice
however only attire appropriate for school activities (gym, art, playground) should be worn on these
days. The next Dress Down day falls on our school picture day (see below) so students may select
special occasion wear for the school portrait and a change of clothing if necessary for the remainder of
the school day.

Picture Day is on Friday, October 7.

The Lower School back to school night will be on Wednesday, October 12 from 6-8 P.M.

Our Family Resource Center Extended Day Program is underway. Nikki Gwinn will return again to offer
Beyond Fashion on Thursdays, beginning on October 6. Soccer clinics will resume on Wednesdays,
beginning October 4. Intempo, our music partner will offer ukulele lessons for extended day
participants beginning on Wednesday, October 12. Extended day registration forms may be found on
our school website.

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 30.

There will be an early dismissal (1:30 P.M.) on Monday, May 16 for professional development. There are no after school activities on early dismissal
days.
Kindly complete the transportation form for the final days of the school year, which can be accessed via the link below. We are making final
arrangements for school bus transportation for June 20 – June 23. School will dismiss at 1:30 P.M. on the last five days of the school year. Your
response to the survey question will help us determine how many buses are needed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
https://forms.gle/7NSegB4Y77HybEkg8
Parent nomination statements and ballots have been sent home to families in student backpacks (one per family.) Kindly take a few moments to
review the materials, cast your ballot and return it in the envelope provided to the main office at school no later than 3:30 on Friday, May 20. Our
candidates have prepared thoughtful statements expressing their interest in serving on the board, their professional experience, and the leadership
qualities that make them ideally suited for this role. Please show your support for our school by casting your vote.
Our seventh grade students are participating in a virtual S.T.E.A.M. collaboration this week with museum educators from the Aldrich Museum of
Contemporary Art and the artist Duane Slick, currently exhibiting his work at the Aldrich. Here’s a link to this exhibit.
https://thealdrich.org/exhibitions/duane-slick-the-coyote-makes-the-sunset-better
The next Board of Directors meeting is on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:15.
Field day is scheduled for Friday, June 10. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
Save the date for an end of the year school celebration on the afternoon of Friday, June 17. Flyers will be sent home soon.
Side by Side will offer a summer program, ‘EXCELerate Side by Side,’ for five weeks beginning July 5th through August, 5th 2022 for students
currently in Kindergarten through seventh grade. The registration deadline is June 24, however don’t delay because there are a limited number of
seats available. This program is free of charge but be sure to select SBS when registering; other Carver programs on this registration website
charge tuition.
Please find attached the board approved 2022-2023 school calendar and the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessments) schedule which will begin in
May. Parents please help your students achieve their best performance on these assessments by encouraging a good night’s sleep and a nutritious
breakfast.

Kindly complete the transportation form for the final days of the school year, which can be accessed via the link below. We are making final arrangements for school bus transportation for June 20 – June 23. School will dismiss at 1:30 P.M. on the last five days of the school year. Your response to the survey question will help us determine how many buses are needed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
https://forms.gle/7NSegB4Y77HybEkg8

Friday, May 6 is a dress down day for students and staff.

Many thanks to all the families who dropped off donations for Teacher Appreciation Week. Your thoughtful notes and kind gestures filled the school with smiles and lots of good things to eat and drink.
Parent nominations/statements of interest for the vacant parent seat on the board of directors must be received by Adam Norris, vice chairman, no later than midnight on Monday, May 9, 2022.

Our seventh grade students are participating in a virtual S.T.E.A.M. collaboration this week with museum educators from the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art and the artist Duane Slick, currently exhibiting his work at the Aldrich. Here’s a link to this exhibit.
https://thealdrich.org/exhibitions/duane-slick-the-coyote-makes-the-sunset-better

The next Board of Directors meeting is on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:15.

Field day is scheduled for Friday, June 10. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

Save the date for an end of the year school celebration on the afternoon of Friday, June 17. Flyers will be sent home soon.

Side by Side will offer a summer program, ‘EXCELerate Side by Side,’ for five weeks beginning July 5th through August, 5th 2022 for students currently in Kindergarten through seventh grade. The registration deadline is June 24, however don’t delay because there are a limited number of seats available. This program is free of charge but be sure to select SBS when registering; other Carver programs on this registration website charge tuition.

Please find attached the board approved 2022-2023 school calendar and the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessments) schedule which will begin in May. Parents please help your students achieve their best performance on these assessments by encouraging a good night’s sleep and a nutritious
breakfast.

The spring recess begins on Friday, April 15 through Friday, April 22. Please remember that there will be an early dismissal (1:30 P.M.) on Monday, April 25, which is the first day back from spring recess.

Thursday, April 14 is the final day for book fair sales. Go to the Scholastic Store Online for an expanded selection of exclusives, new releases, value packs, and more. All orders ship home and book-only orders over $25 ship free. Every purchase benefits our school and helps develop a love of
reading. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=sidebysidecharterschool

Please remember to complete the transportation form for the final days of the school year, which can be accessed via the link below. Please note that the last day of school this year will be on Thursday, June 23. Since the SBS school year extends four days beyond the Norwalk Public Schools, the administration is making a plan to provide bus transportation for families who will need it. Your response to the survey is essential to determine bus routes and the number of buses needed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BF80PGTMUfauLK0kysHc732mM6vK-qqZ6eBQmahfLyo/edit

Enjoy 50% off a great meal at Sedona Taphouse while making a donation to Side by Side Charter School. For every HALF PRICE 8 oz. Black Angus Flat Iron Steak sold, Sedona Taphouse will donate $2 to our school. This offer is only good on Mondays in April, with the purchase of a beverage, and the promotion is limited to one entrée per person. Bon appetit!

Side by Side will offer a summer program, ‘EXCELerate Side by Side,’ for five weeks beginning July 5th through August, 5th 2022 for students currently in Kindergarten through seventh grade. A memo with registration details is forthcoming.

Please find attached the board approved 2022-2023 school calendar and the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessments) schedule which will begin in May. Parents please help your students achieve their best performance on these assessments by encouraging a good night’s sleep and a nutritious
breakfast.

Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for children ages 5+
Community Health Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com)

Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town:
For COVID-19 Vaccination information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.

Please remember to complete the transportation form for the final days of the school year, which can be accessed via the link below. Please note that the last five days of the school year will be early dismissal (1:30pm) days, with the last day on Thursday, June 23. Since the SBS school year extends four days beyond the Norwalk Public Schools, the administration is making a plan to provide bus transportation for families who will need it. Your response to the survey is essential to determine bus routes and the number of buses needed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
https://forms.gle/7NSegB4Y77HybEkg8

Friday, May 6 is a dress down day for students and staff.

The Side by Side teachers will enjoy a teacher appreciation luncheon next week, hosted by Mr. Nittoly. We would gladly accept donations of paper goods, beverages, or sweets, which can be dropped off at the main office. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Parent nominations/statements of interest for the vacant parent seat on the board of directors must be received by Adam Norris, vice chairman, no later than midnight on Monday, May 9, 2022.

Field day is scheduled for Friday, June 10. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

Side by Side will offer a summer program, ‘EXCELerate Side by Side,’ for five weeks beginning July 5th through August, 5th 2022 for students currently in Kindergarten through seventh grade. The registration deadline is June 24, however don’t delay because there are a limited number of seats available. This program is free of charge but be sure to select SBS when registering; other Carver programs on this registration website charge tuition.

Please find attached the board approved 2022-2023 school calendar and the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessments) schedule which will begin in May. Parents please help your students achieve their best performance on these assessments by encouraging a good night’s sleep and a nutritious
breakfast.

There are many field trips planned during the final months of school; three classes have a field trip this Friday, April 29. Please remember to return permission slips and payment to your child’s teacher and send your student to school on time, dressed appropriately for the weather and with a lunch
or snack if necessary.

Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for children ages 5+
Community Health Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com)
Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town:
For COVID-19 Vaccination information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.

Today, students are being dismissed at 1:30 P.M. due to the snow fall.

Friday, March 4 is a dress down day for students and staff.
Teachers are scheduling in person parent conferences at present so please remember to review
the schedule your child’s teacher provided and sign up for a conference time. Parents that prefer
to meet virtually have that option as well. In addition, if any parent would prefer to have a
translator present for the conference, please request one in advance.
There will be three early release dates in March. Two ninety minute early release days for parent
teacher conferences are on Thursday, March 17 and Thursday, March 24. On Monday, March
28, there will be a two hour early dismissal for professional development.
The 8th grade class has planned a Spirit Week Fundraiser during the week of March 21st– 25th
to raise funds for their trip to Washington D.C. in May. Please see the flyer for further details.
Covid testing in Norwalk is available seven days a week at Shady Beach, 99 Calf Pasture Beach
Road, Monday – Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1 pm. More details at
https://www.norwalkct.org/2312/COVID-19-Testing
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Side by Side in the gymnasium during the week of April 4-8.
Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the
following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for children ages 5+ Community Health
Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com)
Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town: For COVID-19 Vaccination
information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-VaccineInformation.

Our next dress down day will be on Friday, March 4.

Teachers are scheduling in person parent conferences at present so please remember to review the schedule your child’s teacher provided and sign up for a conference time. Parents that prefer to meet virtually have that option as well. In addition, if any parent would prefer to have a translator
present for the conference, please request one in advance.

There will be three early release dates in March. Two ninety minute early release days for parent teacher conferences are on Thursday, March 17 and Thursday, March 24. On Monday, March 28, there will be a two hour early dismissal for professional development.

Sixth and Seventh grade students will attend Nature’s Classroom in Ivoryton, CT from Wednesday, March 9 through Friday, March 11. Parents are urged to get their child’s PCR test taken no later than Saturday, March 5 in order to have the results in time for departure on the 9th.

Covid testing in Norwalk is available seven days a week at Shady Beach, 99 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Monday – Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1 pm. More details at https://www.norwalkct.org/2312/COVID-19-Testing

The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Side by Side in the gymnasium during the week of April 4-8.

The Norwalk Public Library has begun the New Year as a Fine Free library. This means no overdue fines will be collected, however if you keep an item out beyond the due-date, you will be billed and responsible for the cost of replacing the item. It you return the item, then all fees are gone.

Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for
children ages 5+
Community Health Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com)

Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town:
For COVID-19 Vaccination information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.

Please remember to click on the link below whenever you make qualifying purchases on Amazon. As a participant of Amazon Smile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Side by Side Charter School. Thank you to those Amazon shoppers who have kept Side by Side in mind
while shopping online through the years. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3208841

The third vaccine clinic being offered in the Side by Side Charter School gymnasium will be Sunday, February 27 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. For ages 5+, no appointment necessary.
Friday, February 25 is the last day of the second marking period.
Our next dress down day will be on Friday, March 4.
There will be three early release dates in March. Two ninety minute early release days for parent teacher conferences are on Thursday, March 17 and Thursday, March 24. On Monday, March 28, there will be a two hour early dismissal for professional development.
The Norwalk Public Library has begun the New Year as a Fine Free library. This means no overdue fines will be collected, however if you keep an item out beyond the due-date, you will be billed and responsible for the cost of replacing the item. It you return the item, then all fees are gone.
Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for children ages 5+
Community Health Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com)
Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town:
For COVID-19 Vaccination information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.
Covid testing in Norwalk is available seven days a week at Shady Beach, 99 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Monday – Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1 pm. More details at https://www.norwalkct.org/testing
Please remember to click on the link below whenever you make qualifying purchases on Amazon. As a participant of Amazon Smile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Side by Side Charter School. Thank you to those Amazon shoppers who have kept Side by Side in mind while shopping online through the years. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3208841

There will be another two vaccine clinics in the Side by Side Charter School gymnasium in February, the first on Sunday, February 20 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. followed by another on Sunday, February 27th, also from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  For ages 5+, no appointment necessary.

The final payment for the 6thand 7th grade trip to Nature’s Classroom is due today. 

School will be closed for the winter recess on Thursday, February 17 through Monday, February 21.

Tuesday, February 22 there will be a Board of Director’s meeting at 5:15 P.M.  For any parent interested in attending the virtual board meeting, please see the agenda and Google Meeting link below for access.  The Board asks that any non-board member joining the meeting please announce themselves upon joining: meet.google.com/fsg-qjit-kes or by telephone (‪US)‪+1 617-675-4444.  PIN: 753 596 255 2047#

Agenda:

Roll Call 

Public Session

Call to Order

Review/Approval of Minutes   

New Business

Mask Mandate Policy Review 

Director’s Update

Finance Committee:

Board to review 990 Tax Return for 2020

Friday, February 25 is the last day of the second marking period. 

Our next dress down day will be on Friday, March 4.

There will be three early release dates in March.  Two ninety minute early release days for parent teacher conferences are on Thursday, March 17 and Thursday, March 24.  On Monday, March 28, there will be a two hour early dismissal for professional development.

Please see the February edition of Norwalk Acts monthly newsletter, attached to this email, for community resources, action forums, and resources.

The Norwalk Public Library has begun the New Year as a Fine Free library.  This means no overdue fines will be collected, however if you keep an item out beyond the due-date, you will be billed and responsible for the cost of replacing the item.  It you return the item, then all fees are gone.   

Current patients of the Community Health Center of Norwalk on Day Street may use the following link to self-register for a vaccine appointment, for children ages 5+

Community Health Center of Norwalk at Day Street (chc1.com) 

Use the link below to find community vaccine events listed by town:

For COVID-19 Vaccination information, please click here: https://www.norwalkct.org/2396/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.

.

Covid testing in Norwalk is available seven days a week at Shady Beach, 99 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Monday – Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1 pm.  More details at https://www.norwalkct.org/testing

Please remember to click on the link below whenever you make qualifying purchases on Amazon.  As a participant of Amazon Smile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Side by Side Charter School.  Thank you to those Amazon shoppers who have kept Side by Side in mind while shopping online through the years.   https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3208841