What could be said about Family Fun Night?

Could it be the fabulous dinner created by the Big Green Pizza Truck, showcasing “mashed potato and bacon” pizza?

Perhaps, the larger than ever family turnout?

Maybe, the creamy gelato that followed?

Or, the featured film presentation of “Hugo”?

It was that and more…young and old alike came out for a great social gathering! It was a chance to showcase the UPA’s latest donation to the school, the large video screen in the

gymnasium.  The kids quite obviously had a great time eating, running around and watching the movie.  Parents had the opportunity to socialize, and the 8th grade students did a tremendous job of supporting the volunteers who organized the event.

Just as the character Hugo experiences, our families agree, home is where the heart is!

On April 12th, the 4th and 5th grade children “hit the road” and went bowling in Fairfield for their after school social.  A surprising amount of bowling talent was on display as the kids took to the alleys.  The scores piled up as the kids racked up the spares and strikes and at least one student scored the elusive 7 - 10 split.  Pizza helped to keep the energy level high!  The end of the afternoon came with the students a little sad to have to put down the bowling balls but happy to give back their rental shoes.

On Friday, April 13th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade kids braved the superstitious date to join their friends for an outing of laughs and dancing at the upper school social. With the d.j. selecting the music and kids throwing in a few requests, sub sandwiches and ice cream were enjoyed in the “cool vibe” of the Unquowa gymnasium. There was no time to worry about what you looked like as several teacher chaperones were spotted among the mix of kids, kicking up their feet!

(click on the image to play the video)

The night, a starlit evening sky in March. The venue, exquisite Testo’s Restaurant. The crowd, almost 200 faculty, staff and parents. The ambience, beautiful colors and sounds of Morocco.

The reason, to celebrate all that is The Unquowa School.

The event is held annually. An experience of silent and live auctions, reconnecting with old acquaintances and making new friends. A little wine, dancing and some laughs. The catalyst, our children, our teachers, our faculty and staff, our Head of School and our Parents’ Association. Our Unquowa School.

Each family contributed, whether by donating an item, attending the event or by supporting financially. Warm welcomes were given by Mindee Blanco, Chair of the Event; Mark Greenawalt, President of the Board and Sharon Lauer, Head of the School. All were thanked.

Then, the Guests of Honor arrived…their faces: smiling, eating, laughing, studying, running, waving…a five minute video highlighting a “day in the life of our children at The Unquowa School”.

It was reason alone to be there. We consider ourselves some of the lucky few.

The Unquowa Parents Association is excited to announce the launch of the Unquowa Wine Club in partnership with two local wine stores - Black Rock Wine & Spirits in Fairfield and Stepney Wine & Liquors in Monroe. This partnership grew out of Unquowa’s Fall Wine Tasting event and will be an on-going source of support for our school.

These stores have agreed to donate 10% of wine sales made by members of the Unquowa Wine Club back to the school. If you are a wine lover, this is a wonderful opportunity for your purchases throughout the year to benefit Unquowa.

We couldn’t think of a better way to come full circle with fundraising…and, yes, by full circle we do mean the wine glass.

The students and families of The Unquowa School helped to create a happy holiday season for twenty families, supporting the efforts of Fairfield Family Services, during our annual holiday donation drive. With a beautiful “giving tree” staged in our main entry, parents and children together had the opportunity to peruse the simple wants and needs that these twenty families had this year, a year which was highlighted by financial pressure and strain.

The students personally understood the school’s efforts for the donation drive when student representatives from each grade read aloud a family story to their classmates. The Unquowa families generously provided over 195 gifts such as clothing, a smoothie maker, bedsheets, and toys to name a few. Some families were in need of household items like papergoods and cleaning supplies, so the volunteer committee agreed that each family would receive a grocery gift card. Many families received gas cards. All families received wrapping paper and wrapping supplies so that the gifts for children could be wrapped and given from the parents…not from outside sources.

Making a difference in peoples lives, throughout the year, is a gift in itself.

An evening out was enjoyed by the Unquowa community, orchestrated by our own David Dworski and Stephen Jones.  Parents were surrounded by good friends, tasted a variety of wines and enjoyed savory delights prepared by Chef Peter.  Guests had the opportunity to mingle in an environment of beautifully appointed Autumn colors while touring (and tasting!)
well-known wine regions throughout the world in their very own Fairfield backyard.  Connecticut Wine Authority with two locations, Black Rock Wine and Spirits in Fairfield and Stepney Wines in Monroe, generously supported the annual wine tasting hosted by the Unquowa Parents’ Association.  Fundraising never tasted so good!

With a late October snow storm hindering hours of operation, The Unquowa School hosted the Booktopia book fair to an overwhelming response!  The book fair exceeded expectations with over $9,000 in sales. Students, siblings and parents alike, had the opportunity to delve into a world of classics and new releases in an atmosphere with learning and adventure at the forefront. It seems the snow spurred holiday buying and thoughts of reading good books under warm blankets.  And, with over 139 additional books, valued at $1,374, donated to both the children’s classrooms and the library, it seems reading “paper page turners” has not gone out of style!

Each October, the UPA has the opportunity to organize two separate socials for the older students. This year’s 4th and 5th grade students had the chance to enjoy a good-natured competitive spirit with their volleyball-themed afternoon.  Noshing on fresh guacamole and homemade salsa, they had a chance to relax, play and get to know each other a little better!

The 6th, 7th and 8th grade students bowled the next night away, off campus at a local bowling alley, enjoying music, pizza and free time.  With faculty and parent chaperones in attendance, the students socialized with their friends while attempting to get the “ball down the lane”!

With both socials, the UPA was able to help out a long-standing friend, the Mercy Leaning Center.  When we got the call that their food supply was falling short, the students rose to the occasion by bringing a food donation.  As with all events the UPA touches, socializing and “playing with a purpose” seem to make sense; it is a “win-win” for both the Unquowa and greater Fairfield communities!

“A Night of Family Fun” was the experience on a cool, September Friday evening as Unquowa parents and children alike came together in the school gymnasium! The theme of the evening: Festival Italiano!  Appetites grew and were enticed with the scents of freshly cooked pasta, marinara sauce and sausage prepared by our own gourmands, Chef Peter and David.  As parents sat together for dinner, children quickly “grabbed a bite” and ran off with their friends to have their faces painted or to play games and show off their recently learned dance steps to the latest hits of a dj.   The evening was filled with smiles, chatter and old-fashioned camaraderie as we came together as a school and a family to enjoy an evening celebrating our Unquowa community.

Without the hard work from UPA parent volunteers, Helene Dworski, Genevieve Halloran, Amber O’Connell and Joan Panagos, the evening would not have been so successful. A special thank you to Mrs. Leidlein and the Unquowa eighth grade for running the activities so well!

Seven past and present UPA presidents had the opportunity, during the final Spring Assembly of 2011, to present The Unquowa School with a $40,000 leadership gift to The Campaign for Unquowa.  This generous gift gave the campaign the final momentum it needed to be able to complete the first phase of projects this summer - replacing the roof and renovating the playing field!