February 12, 2012
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Schools – New Canaan Answer Book
What does the Board of Education do?
The Board of Education oversees and maintains New Canaan’s public schools. In doing so, it prepares and proposes the annual district-wide budget; designates the schools to be attended by students; provides transportation for children; makes a continuing study of the need for school facilities and of a long-term building program; operates and maintains all buildings, lands, apparatus and other property used for school purposes; prescribes the rules for the management, studies, classification and discipline of the schools; prescribes the textbooks to be used; develops, adopts and implements written policies concerning homework, attendance, promotion and retention; approves all expenditures for purposes of public education; furnishes to the State Department of Education data required in the periodic reports specified by state statute; adopts and files with the State Board of Education all required policy statements; and negotiates collective bargaining agreements with employees’ exclusive bargaining representatives.
When does the Board of Education meet?
The board usually meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in South School, unless otherwise indicated. The public is welcome and time is set aside at the beginning and end of each meeting for public comment. Speakers are allotted two minutes each. A meting schedule is available at the town clerk’s office, the superintendent’s office, and the district Web site, www2.newcanaan.k12.ct.us. Meetings are also published in the New Canaan Advertiser.
Where is the school district office?
The district office is at 39 Locust Avenue, New Canaan, CT, 06840. The phone number is 594-4000, fax 594-4035. Business hours are weekdays, 8 to 5. The district Web site is www2.newcanaan.k12.ct.us.
What public schools are in town?
There are three elementary schools for kindergarten through fourth grade:
East Elementary School, 54 Littlebrook Road, 594-4200, fax 594-4215; Mrs. Alexandra Potts, principal.
West Elementary School, 769 Ponus Ridge, 594-4400, fax 594-4412; Jill Correnty, Ed.D. , principal.
South Elementary School, 8 Farm Road, 594-4300, fax 594-4314; Ms. Joanna Rocco, principal.
Saxe Middle School, with fifth through eighth grade, is at 468 South Avenue, 594-4500, fax 594-4565. Mr. Greg Macedo is principal.
New Canaan High School, with ninth through 12 grade, is at 11 Farm Road, 594-4600, fax 594-4700. The principal is Tony Pavia.
What are the hours of operation at the schools?
Instructional hours are:
New Canaan High School: 7:30 a.m. - 2:05 p.m.
Saxe Middle School (Grades 7 and 8): 7:30 a.m.- 2:05 p.m.
Saxe Middle School (Grades 5 and 6): 8:20 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
South Elementary School: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
East and West Elementary: 9:05 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Office hours are 7:30 to 4 p.m. at South Elementary; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East and West Elementary and Saxe Middle School (5-6); 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Saxe (7-8); and 7:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the high school.
What if there’s a delayed opening or early dismissal?
Delayed opening times are:
New Canaan High School: 9: a.m.
Saxe Middle School (Grades 7 and 8): 9 a.m.
Saxe Middle School (Grades 5 and 6): 9:50 a.m.
South Elementary: 9:45 a.m.
East and West Elementary: 10:35 a.m.
Early dismissals are at 11:45 a.m. for the high school and seventh and eighth grade at Saxe, 12:30 p.m. for grades five and six at Saxe and South, and 1:15 p.m. at East and West.
How many children attend each school?
There are 4,037 students enrolled in New Canaan public schools for 2008-2009. In the elementary schools, enrollments break down as follows: East — 547, South — 534, West — 468. There are 1,266 students at Saxe Middle School and 1,222 students at New Canaan High School. (There are also 36 students in pre-K programs and 18 out placements.)
How big are the classes in New Canaan’s schools?
Guidelines for elementary class sizes are 16 to 20 pupils in kindergarten through third grade, and 20 to 24 pupils for fourth through eighth grades. In high school, class sizes range from 14 to 25 students.
Is there a PTA?
All the schools have Parent Teacher Council/Parent Faculty Association groups that actively participate in school events. These groups provide fund raising, support school events, and often volunteer in the classroom. Call your child’s school for the name of the representative.
What are the school holidays and vacations?
School opened for the 2008-09 school year on Sept. 2. Holidays and vacations are Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 30; Columbus Day, Oct. 13; Professional Development/Election Day, Nov. 4; Thanksgiving vacation, Nov. 26-28; Holiday vacation, Dec. 24-Jan. 2; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 19; President’s Day recess, Feb. 12-16; Spring Break, April 6-9; Good Friday, April 10; Memorial Day, May 25. The last day of school is scheduled for June 17. Snow make-up days are added at the end of the year. There are 182 instructional days.
How many national academic awards were given to New Canaan High school students?
In the National Merit competition, seven members of the New Canaan High School Class of 2008 were named semifinalists and for 2009, four students are recognized.
What are the average SAT scores for seniors?
The Class of 2008 scored an average of 600 in critical reading, 590 in writing, and 614 in math for a total of 1804 out of a possible 2400.
When must children start school?
At five years of age (by Dec. 31 of the school year), a child is required to attend school. Parents who choose to hold back a child from attending school when that child is five (or even six) will need to personally appear at the school to sign an option form exercising their right not to have their child attend school. At that time a school official will provide the parent with information on the educational opportunities available within the district.
How do I register a child for school?
At any time, children may be registered at the school he or she will attend. Early kindergarten registration is available during January. Specific days are set aside in May for kindergarten orientation. Parents must present proof of New Canaan residency, current health and immunization information, and the child’s birth certificate or current passport.
What information does the school need from transferring students?
Necessary information includes a copy of the child’s transcript or report card, medical records, birth certificates or current passport.
What tests does the state give student and in what grades do they take
them?
The Connecticut State Mastery Test is a state-mandated, criteria-reference test. It is given to students in third through eighth grade.
The Connecticut Academic Performance Test is a state-mandated test given to 10th graders. Students who do not meet goal may retake the test in 11th or 12th grade.
The ERB reasoning tests are given in third, fifth, and seventh grades. The Otis Lennon School Ability Test, a reasoning test, is given to second graders.
How did students perform on the Connecticut Academic Performance Tests?
Taken by every 10th grader at New Canaan High School last spring, 90.2% met state goal in math; 85.8% in science; 82.4% in reading; and 91.2% in writing. Compared to its demographic reference group, New Canaan students ranked first in math, first in science, fourth in reading, and third in writing. The group represents districts with similar demographics including Darien, Easton-Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
What about the Connecticut Mastery Tests?
The Connecticut Mastery Test was given in March 2008 for grades 3-8. The percentage of students achieving mastery level or better are as follows:
Third grade: math, 86.9%; reading, 85.5%; writing, 87.6%.
Fourth grade: math, 88.6%; reading, 88.3%; writing, 89.6%.
Fifth grade: math, 86.8%; reading, 88.2%; writing, 88.9%.
Sixth grade: math, 91.1%; reading, 92.3%; writing, 80.2%.
Seventh grade: math, 91.9%; reading, 92.8%; writing, 87.5%.
Eighth grade: math, 89.6%; reading, 92.1%; writing, 93.0%.
What sports are offered at the high school?
Fall: Boys: football (V/JV/F), soccer (V/JV/F), cross country (V). Girls: field hockey (V/JV/F), soccer (V/JV/F), cross country (V), swimming and diving (V), volleyball (V/JV/F), cheerleading (V).
Winter: Boys: basketball(V/JV/F), wrestling (V/JV), ice hockey (V/JV), indoor track (V), swimming and diving (V). Girls: basketball (V/JV/F), gymnastics (V), ice hockey (V), indoor track (V), cheerleading (V).
Spring: Boys: baseball (V/JV/F), outdoor track (V), golf (V/JV), tennis (V/JV), lacrosse (V/JV/F). Girls: softball (V/JV), outdoor track (V), golf (V/JV), tennis (V/JV), lacrosse (V/JV/F).
There are also club sports and freshman-only sports. For more information, call the athletic department at 594-4640.
What extracurricular activities are there?
The New Canaan High School Web site lists more than 60 student activities including musical groups, drama productions, math teams, art projects, yearbook, school newspaper, student government, service organizations, and groups focusing on current events and causes.
Are there any before and/or after-school programs?
Before-and after-school programs are offered at all three elementary schools (East, South and West).
Saxe offers "Middle School Choices," after-school programs through a coalition of town, school and private agencies (New Canaan Parks & Rec, YMCA, The Outback Teen Center, New Canaan Youth Services and Saxe).
The New Canaan YMCA offers after-school programs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade with transportation. Call 966-4528, ext. 157.
The Day Care Center of New Canaan (966-9247) at 156 South Avenue offers an after-school program for kindergarten through sixth grade.
Is there a program for gifted students?
The Challenge Program engages students at the elementary and middle school levels. At the elementary schools, the focus is on unit-based investigations above grade level. In middle school, fifth graders are involved in language-based activities such as higher level reading selections, while the older students move on to a social studies-based curriculum.
The high school offers a variety of honors and advanced placement courses as well as paths of independent study to gifted and high-achieving students.
Students identified as artistically gifted may participate in an after-school program called Challenges in Art.
Check the district Web site, www2.newcanaan.k12.ct.us, for details. Click on NCPS Info, then Student Resources, then Gifted.
What is the ABC program?
A Better Chance is a national program that provides academically talented students with access to top-rated schools, both private and public, they otherwise would be unable attend. The ABC house in New Canaan is at 64 Locust Avenue. For more information, call 972-1152 or visit online at abchouseofnc.org.
How can I learn if school is canceled or delayed?
Tune in to the following radio stations: WICC/600AM, WVIP/1310AM, WNLK/1350AM, WSTC/1400AM, WLNA/1420AM, WEFX/95.9FM, KOOL/96.7FM, WEZN/STAR99.9FM, WHUD/100.7 FM, WEBE/108FM.
The following television stations also broadcast school closings: WFSB/Channel 3, WTNH/Channel 8, Cablevision Channel 12, WVIT/Channel 30, and New Canaan Public Access Channel 79.
Online, you may check newcanaan.info, www2.newcanaan.k12.ct.us, or ctweather.com.
What is the district's transportation policy?
It is the policy of the school system to provide transportation to all elementary school students who live more than one mile from the school and for students in sixth through 12th grade who live more than one and one-half miles from school. Distances may be waived at the discretion of the superintendent for children with health reasons or whose streets are considered hazardous. The school system attempts to pick up and deliver students as close to home as possible. The full policy, including transportation for students in vocational and private schools, is on the district Web site.
The bus hotline is 594-4004.
What is the current school budget?
The approved 2008-09 school budget is $68,153,650 including $59 million in operating expenses and $9 million in health insurance. Capital expenditures are $1.6 million; debt service is $9.42 million.
What is the salary range for teachers?
Salaries are dependent on experience and the level of higher education the teacher has completed. This year, the lowest starting salary for a new teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $44,872. The highest a teacher could earn is $101,521. For 2009-10, those numbers will increase to $46,084 and $104,262.
Who is the superintendent of schools?
Dr. David Abbey was named superintendent in 2003. He joined the New Canaan school system in 1987 and served as high school principal from 1991 to 1997. He then left to serve as assistant superintendent in Bedford, N.Y., returning to New Canaan as assistant superintendent in 2002.
What is special education?
Special education traditionally serves children and young adults who are physically handicapped or learning disabled. New Canaan schools provide comprehensive programming for students between the ages of 3 and 21 who require special education support. Extensive information is available online at www2.newcanaan.k12.ct.us. Click on About NCPS, then NCPS Info, then Special Education.
How can I tell if my child needs special education?
If your child has not yet started school and you suspect he or she may have a disability, you may request an evaluation in writing to the director of special education. If your child is already in school, you may call the principal or guidance counselor. New Canaan’s director of special education is Darlene Pianka (594-4020).
What other special education resources are available?
SPED*NET is the Special Education Network of New Canaan, a monthly forum for discussing special education and section 504 issues. It is an independent nonprofit organization. Information is available on the Web site spednet.org, or by calling Anne Eason at 966-9709 or e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Connecticut Birth to Three System helps families meet the developmental and health-related needs of their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities. For information, call the Child Development Infoline at 1-800-505-7000 or visit online at birth23.org.
How many nursery schools are in town?
There are many in New Canaan. They include:
Beginners Nature Program at the New Canaan Nature Center, 966-9577
First Presbyterian Nursery School, 966-5234/fpns.net
United Methodist Nursery School, 966-3176/gbgm-umc.org
New Canaan Community Nursery School, 966-3010/nccns.org
New Canaan Country School, 972-0771/countryschool.net
Playland Nursery School, 966-2937/campplayland.com
St. Mark’s Nursery School, 972-7888/stmarksnewcanaan.org
Toddler Time Nursery School, 972-3111/toddlertimens.org
The Tot’s Spot Early Childhood Center and Preschool, 972-3161
Y’s Little Owl Nursery School, 966-4528/newcanaanymca.org
The Day Care Center of New Canaan, 966-9247
The Opportunity Center, 594-4307.
What private or parochial schools are in town?
New Canaan Country School, 545 Ponus Ridge (972-0771/countryschool.net), serves beginners through ninth grade
St. Luke’s School, 377 North Wilton Road (966-5612/stlukesct.org), serves grades five through 12
St. Aloysius, 33 South Avenue (966-0786/starcc.com/school) serves kindergarten through eighth grade.
Other private schools in the area include:
The Long Ridge School (322-7693/longridgeschool.org) at 478 Erskine Road in Stamford, for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade
Connecticut Friends School (762-9860/CTFriendsSchool.org) in Wilton, serving kindergarten through eighth grade
Our Lady of Fatima (762-8100), a Catholic school in Wilton for pre-school through eighth grade
The King & Low-Heywood Thomas School (322-3496/klht.org) at 1450 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, a day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
The Brunswick School (625-5800/brusnwickschool.org) a private, college preparatory school for boys in pre-K through 12th grade, 100 Maher Avenue, Greenwich
Convent of the Sacred Heart (531-6500/cshgreenwich.org), 1177 King Street, Greenwich, a Catholic independent prep school for girls pre-K to 12th grade
Greenwich Academy (625-8900), 200 North Maple Avenue, an independent, college preparatory school for girls pre-K to 12th grade
Whitby School (869-8464/whitbyschool.org), 969 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, the oldest Montessori School in the U.S. for boys and girls from pre-school through eighth grade.
Where can I take college course nearby?
Norwalk Community College (857-7000) offers a degree program. Western Connecticut State University (837-8200) in Danbury has both graduate and undergraduate courses as does the University of Connecticut, Stamford (251-8400) and Fairfield University (254-4000).
Is there an art school nearby?
The Silvermine School of the Arts (966-6668) is in New Canaan.
Each fall and spring the New Canaan Society for the Arts offers art classes for children and adults at the Carriage Barn. Call 972-1895 or visit carriagebarn.org.
Is there a dance school?
New England Academy of Dance, 231 Main Street (972-3265/neadance.com) offers classical ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance to students from preschool through adult.
New Canaan Dance Academy, 45 Grove Street (972-9174/ncdacademy.org) offers tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and breakdancing for children and tap, jazz, Latin jazz, and hip hop for adults.
The Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan is at 237 Elm Street (966-6177/performingartsconservatory.com). It offers classes in voice, dance, musical performance, and acting.
The Walter Schalk School of Dance offers jazz, ballroom, ballet, and tap dancing as well as musical comedy, and classes for very young children. Call 762-7508 or visit online at walterschalk.com.
The Studio – A School for the Performing Arts, 26 Forest Street (966-7056/thestudionewcanaan.com) features classes in acting, movement, voice, musical theatre dance, hip-hop, jazz, ballet and tap for children and adults.
The New Canaan Cotillion (831-9382/cotillionclasses.com) offers ballroom dance and etiquette programs for children.
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