What’s New Wednesday

Friday, February 11 is a dress down day for students and staff.

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. 

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.

There will be another series of vaccine clinics at St. Joseph’s Church in February, the first on Sunday, February 13 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. followed by another on the 20^th and the final one on Sunday, February 27, also from 9:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.  For ages 5+, no appointment necessary.

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

Friday is a dress down day for students and staff.

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.

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

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.
The postponed vaccine clinic at St Ladislaus Church will take place this Sunday, February 6 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. for ages 12 and up, no
appointment needed.
There will be another series of vaccine clinics at St. Joseph’s Church in February, the first on Sunday, February 13 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
followed by another on the 20th and the final one on Sunday, February 27, also from 9:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
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

Will your children be returning to Side by Side Charter School next year? Please complete and return the Sibling Survey and Lottery Application forms, which is attached to this email. Completed forms are due no later than Monday, January 31. If you need a hard copy of this form, please call
the main office.

Next Friday, February 4, is a dress down day for students and staff.

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

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

Access Health CT announced the launch of the Broker Academy, the first of its kind program to create a pathway to license new health insurance brokers. The training program is free and begins June 1. Click on this link for program details. https://www.accesshealthct.com/brokeracademy/?utm_source=Access+Health+CT+Email&utm_campaign=6eab55b9f1-
update_brokers_092519_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_2093b14aae-6eab55b9f1-129226677&mc_cid

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.

Attached to this email, please find the Norwalk Public Health department schedule of vaccine clinics this week.

The second of two free vaccination clinics will be held on Sunday, January 30 at St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church, 25 Cliff Street in Norwalk from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for ages twelve and up, no appointment needed. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

The Odyssey Family Executive Center of South Norwalk, Inc. will begin another Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) in January. This is a family civics initiative for parents and other adults who wish to improve the lives of children, families and the Norwalk community. Please see the brochure attached to this email or if you or someone you know is interested, stop by the school office for a copy.

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 application deadline for the Norwalk High Schools/Choice Programs, which includes the Center for Global Studies (CGS) and P-Tech, has been extended to Friday, January 21.

Monday, January 24 is a two hour (1:30 P.M.) early dismissal day for students. A professional development workshop is planned for all staff.

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.

Each year we ask every SBS family to complete the Sibling Survey and Lottery Application forms, which are due no later than Monday, January 31. If you need a hard copy of this form, please call the main office. We determine how many seats are available for incoming students based on your response to this survey. Kindly remember to return a copy of the birth certificate for any siblings eligible for enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year.

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.

The second of two free vaccination clinics will be held on Sunday, January 23 at St. Joseph’s Church, 85 South Main Street from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for ages twelve and up, no appointment needed. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

The second of two free vaccination clinics will be held on Sunday, January 30 at St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church, 25 Cliff Street in Norwalk from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for ages twelve and up, no appointment needed. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

The Odyssey Family Executive Center of South Norwalk, Inc. will begin another Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) in January. This is a family civics initiative for parents and other adults who wish to improve the lives of children, families and the Norwalk community. Please see the brochure attached to this email or if you or someone you know is interested, stop by the school office for a copy.

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

Sibling Survey and Lottery Application forms are attached to this email.  If you need a hard copy of this form, please call the main office.  Please return completed forms no later than Monday, January 31.  Kindly remember to return a copy of the birth certificate for any siblings eligible for enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year.

Open enrollment for the 2022 plan year is November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  To start the year with health coverage, customers must enroll by December 15, 2021.  Please click on the link below to access the online toolkit for all your health insurance questions and important deadlines.

Horizons at NCCS has extended its application deadline to January 14, 2022. Entry grades are K, 2, and 4 and there is a waitlist for other grades. Eligible families need to qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRPM) and priority is given to students who test below grade level. The application can be found on their website: www.horizonskids.org

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.

Monday, January 17, school will be closed to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Free after-school art classes will be available at Norwalk Art Space to select underserved high school students. Beginning on January 24th and running for 10 weeks, classes will meet once a week from 3:45 – 5:45 pm. All art classes are taught by Resident Artists under the direction of Educational Directors, Duvian Montoya, and Darcy Hicks.​​ 

Monday, January 24 is a two hour (1:30 P.M.) early dismissal day for students.  A professional development workshop is planned for all staff. Please note that there are no after school activities on early release days.

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

Sibling Survey and Lottery Application forms are attached to this email.  If you need a hard copy of this form, please call the main office.  Please return completed forms no later than Monday, January 31.  Kindly remember to return a copy of the birth certificate for any siblings eligible for enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year.

Friday, January 7 is a dress down day for students and staff.

Open enrollment for the 2022 plan year is November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  To start the year with health coverage, customers must enroll by December 15, 2021.  Please click on the link below to access the online toolkit for all your health insurance questions and important deadlines.

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.

The first of two free vaccination clinics will be held on Sunday, January 9 at St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church, 25 Cliff Street in Norwalk from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for ages twelve and up, no appointment needed.  The second clinic will be on January 30.  Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

Monday, January 17, school will be closed to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Monday, January 24 is a two hour (1:30 P.M.) early dismissal day for students.  A professional development workshop is planned for all staff.

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

Tomorrow is an early dismissal (2pm) day for parent teacher conferences.  Due to the spike in Covid 19 cases in CT, all teacher conferences will be virtual.  Please remember to sign up for a conference time with your child’s teacher if you have not done so already.     

IMPORTANT—FLU VACCINE REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS
To All Preschool Parents:  All preschool students are required by The Ct State Department of Public Health to have the influenza (flu) vaccine by December 31. If your child is receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time, two doses separated by 28 days are required.  The flu vaccine has to be administered to your child between August 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.  If you have not already done so, please make an appointment for your child to receive this vaccine prior to December 31st. Proof of vaccination must be provided to the school nurse by January 1, 2021.

NOTA RECORDATORIA PARA PADRES DE PREESCOLARES
Comenzando el pasado Otoño, el departamento de Salud Pública de Ct a ordenado la vacuna de la influenza como un nuevo requerimiento para los preescolares. Esta vacuna  deberá ser administrada entre el 1 de agosto y el 31 de diciembre del 2021. Por favor haga una cita para que su niño(a) reciba la vacuna si aún no lo ha hecho.
La documentación de la administración de la vacuna deberá ser enviada a la enfermera escolar. A pesar de que Ud., tiene hasta el 31 de diciembre para que su niño(a) sea vacunado, es recomendable que lo haga lo antes posible. Todo niño(a) que no reciba la vacuna antes del 31 de diciembre del 2021, no será permitido en la escuela en enero del 2021.  

Parents please take the time to look through the lost and found bin in the lower school vestibule if you know your child has missing personal items, especially coats, hats and gloves.  The bin is overflowing at this time.  Please label all clothing so that we can more easily return items to their owners in a timely manner.

Thank you to those families and students who have made purchases at the Scholastic Book fair this week.  Please note that online sales will continue until December 16, with all proceeds credited to our school throughout this extended book fair period.  http://www.scholastic.com/bf/sidebysidecharterschool1

Open enrollment for the 2022 plan year is November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  To start the year with health coverage, customers must enroll by December 15, 2021.  Please click on the link below to access the online toolkit for all your health insurance questions and important deadlines.https://www.accesshealthct.com/toolkit/?mc_cid=a7f2ab29f2&mc_eid=5a5a13b494

There will be a board of directors meeting on Tuesday, December 21 at 5:15.

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:https://www.chc1.com/community-vaccine-events/

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 Extended Day Program will bring two new presenters to currently enrolled participants and any others interested in registering.  On Tuesday, November 23 at 4:00 P.M. Tom Weber will lead the children in a musical discovery, as featured here https://youtu.be/QukPoFXyuCg.  On each Wednesday afternoon in December, stories will come to life in a children’s theatre program called “Acting Out.”  Please see the attached flyer for a program description.  New participants should submit extended day enrollment forms and advance payment for these enrichment activities to the main office. 

Kindly click on the following link to participate in a mini survey about Extended Day program offerings. https://forms.gle/76AsBAz3NyhpQVsWA

Please see the attached flyer for information about vaccine clinics in Norwalk for children ages 5+ or use this link to find vaccine updates from the Community Health Center on Day Street in Norwalk.  COVID-19 Vaccine (chc1.com)

Open enrollment for the 2022 plan year is November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  To start the year with health coverage, customers must enroll by December 15, 2021.  Please see the flyer attached to this email for additional information and links to the AccessHealthCT.com website and in person enrollment locations.

The next Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 23 at 5:15 P.M.

School will close for the Thanksgiving recess beginning Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.

Picture re-take day is on Friday, December 3.  Please see the attached flyer for re-take information. 

There will be a Scholastic Book fair during the week of December 6 through December 10 in the gymnasium for students and their families.  Guests to the fair must present a vaccination card before entering the school building.  Students will receive an advance sales flyer and will have a chance to visit the fair with their teachers on Monday, December 6.

There will be two early dismissal (2 P.M.) days in December for parent teacher conferences, the first on Thursday, December 9 and the following Thursday, December 16.  Please remember to sign up for a conference time with your child’s teacher.     

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

Please see the attached flyers for information about vaccine clinics in Norwalk for children ages 5+ or use this link to find vaccine updates from the Community Health Center on Day Street in Norwalk.  COVID-19 Vaccine (chc1.com)

Open enrollment for the 2022 plan year is November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  To start the year with health coverage customers must enroll by December 15, 2021.  Please see the flyer attached to this email for additional information and links to the AccessHealthCT.com website and in person enrollment locations.

Please find attached a newsletter from the Sasco River Center for information about a parent workshop tomorrow at 10 A.M. (registration required) which is part of an ongoing parenting series pertaining to emotional functioning and sensory regulation in adolescents.

Please click on this link to open the SBS event calendar for the month of November. https://www.sbscharter.org/events/

School will close tomorrow, Thursday, November 11 to commemorate Veteran’s Day.

The next Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 23 at 5:15 P.M.

School will close for the Thanksgiving recess beginning Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.

Picture re-take day is on Friday, December 3.  This day coincides with dress down day for students and staff.  Please notify the office if you want your child’s portrait re-taken and return the original portrait package to school. 

There will be a Scholastic Bookfair during the week of December 6 through December 10 in the gymnasium for students and their families.  Guests to the fair must present a vaccination card before entering the school building.  Students will receive an advance sales flyer and will have a chance to visit the fair with their teachers on Monday, December 6.

There will be two early dismissal (2 P.M.) days in December for parent teacher conferences, the first on Thursday, December 9 and the following Thursday, December 16.  Please remember to sign up for a conference time with your child’s teacher.  The attached memo contains information about marking periods and conference nights for upper and lower school.  

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

Please be reminded that the Norwalk High School Choice Fair is tonight, Wednesday, November 3 at The Carver Center, 7 Academy Street from 6pm-8pm.  Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

Please click on this link to open the SBS event calendar for the month of November. https://www.sbscharter.org/events/

School will close on Thursday, November 11 to commemorate Veteran’s Day.

The next Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 23 at 5:15 P.M.

School will close for the Thanksgiving recess beginning Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.

Picture re-take day is on Friday, December 3.  This day coincides with dress down day for students and staff.  Please notify the office if you want your child’s portrait re-taken and return the original portrait package to school. 

There will be a Scholastic Bookfair during the week of December 6 through December 10 in the gymnasium for students and their families.  Guests to the fair must present a vaccination card before entering the school building.  Students will receive an advance sales flyer and will have a chance to visit the fair with their teachers on Monday, December 6.

There will be two early dismissal (2 P.M.) days in December for parent teacher conferences, the first on Thursday, December 9 and the following Thursday, December 16.  Please remember to sign up for a conference time with your child’s teacher.  The attached memo contains information about marking periods and conference nights for upper and lower school.  

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