East Hartford Pride Newsletter - June 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue X June 4, 2026 Superintendent's Message: School Year 25-26 Highlights Dear East Hartford Families and Community, As we close another school year of progress and special memories, let’s reflect on our students’ accomplishments and their growth. Academically, socially, and emotionally, our students have made tremendous strides. They have challenged themselves in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities. They built new friendships, strengthened relationships with teachers and staff, and discovered more about their unique talents and strengths.   This year was full of exciting new opportunities that included the opening of our Elementary STEM Lab in partnership with the Connecticut Science Center. This experience provides hands-on, experiential learning in a real lab environment for our 5th graders. In addition, our educators now have a dedicated space for staff development at the new EHPS Professional Conference Center, and we are continuing to support the whole child with the opening of our 10th school-based health center and our 4th school garden this year.   Our students’ achievements continue to shine. Four seniors were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program. Dozens of students engaged in career pathway opportunities in partnership with universities such as the University of Saint Joseph and UConn, and industry leaders like RTX. Furthermore, 120 students participated in our annual Academy of Finance networking event, gaining invaluable real-world experience with business leaders.   The Connecticut IB Academy (CIBA) and Dr. Franklin H. Mayberry School were named “Schools of Distinction” by the Connecticut State Department of Education, and CIBA was ranked the #1 high school in Connecticut by US News and World Report for the second consecutive year and #109 out of more than 22,000 high schools across the United States. In the arts, East Hartford was once again honored as a National Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation, a distinction we have earned since 2021. In Athletics, our EHHS Boys Basketball team captured their first CCC championship since 1998, winning 29 games, and Davian Johnson, our Boy’s Track team hurdler, was ranked #5 in the US.  Next week, we will celebrate the Class of 2026. This is an exceptional group of graduates who have been accepted to more than 95 colleges and universities across the country and have earned more than $11 million in scholarships. Among them, 98 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy and four earned the Seal of Triliteracy, with more anticipated following AP and IB exam results. Our graduates have worked hard to earn their diplomas, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will make in the world.  None of this would be possible without the dedication of our educators and staff, the partnership of our families, and the potential within each of our students. Thank you for being such an important part of the EHPS community! I wish all of our families a restful, joyful and safe summer! Sincerely,  Thomas Anderson Superintendent   Celebrating the Class of 2026 The EHPS community will celebrate the Class of 2026 at commencement ceremonies next week. Synergy Alternative High School will begin the celebrations with its ceremony on June 8, Connecticut IB Academy and East Hartford High School will hold their commencement ceremonies on June 10, and Woodland School will host its graduation on June 11. Leading up to graduation day, our schools have held several events to commemorate the end of our students' high school journeys from award ceremonies and events celebrating post-grad plans to senior picnics and prom. East Hartford High School honored the top scholars in the class at the annual Top 20 Dinner. Their GPAs range from a 4.4 to a 5.2 – the highest in EHHS history! We're proud to share 15 of the Top 20 have attended East Hartford Public Schools since kindergarten. At the dinner, each of the students had the opportunity to give a brief speech about their personal path, their future plans and the people in their lives they'd like to thank. You can view those speeches in the video below from EHHS Hornet Productions. Connecticut IB Academy celebrated its seniors and their future plans during Signing Day. CIBA recognized every graduating senior during a presentation in the lecture hall, which was followed by a family breakfast reception. Check out this video on CIBA's Instagram to learn more about post-grad plans for the Class of 2026. Synergy Alternative High School recognized senior students for their hard work and accomplishments during the annual Senior Awards Ceremony. Students earned scholarships and awards in a number of categories including academic achievement and growth, career readiness, leadership, attendance, and overall success throughout the year. Click here to view more photos from the awards ceremony on Facebook.   Sunset Ridge 8th Graders Showcase Community Projects Sunset Ridge Middle School 8th graders focused on a wide range of passions, causes and issues for their Community Projects. As part of the IB curriculum, all students are required to complete a Community Project either individually or as a group. They're tasked with identifying and researching a community need, creating a plan to serve that need, then taking action. This year's 8th graders were inspired to tackle complex topics like mental health, stress, anxiety, and suicide prevention. They spread awareness about trash and recycling, financial literacy, and helping seniors avoid scams. They donated to homeless shelters, helped shovel for their elderly neighbors, started new clubs, and held sports clinics for younger students. They had the opportunity to share their work with their families and members of the community at the annual Community Project Showcase. Guests were encouraged to ask students questions and then vote on the project they found most inspiring.   Students Take on Challenge to Create a Culture of Kindness The Rachel's Challenge program is inspiring East Hartford Middle and High School students to create connection and spread kindness around their schools. This spring, both schools held assemblies with powerful presenters from Rachel's Challenge, a program based on the diaries of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine. Rachel wrote about starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion, and believed small actions can make a big difference. After the assembles, each school selected students to participate in the “Friends of Rachel” training. They reflected on Rachel's message and brainstormed ideas to create and maintain this legacy of kindness in East Hartford.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Griffin Michalek is a 7th grade Social Studies Teacher at Sunset Ridge Middle School and the EHPS Teacher of the Year! Having grown up in East Hartford himself, he builds meaningful relationships with his students and helps them make connections between what they’re studying in class and their own community.  Congratulations to the EHPS Paraprofessional of the Year, JoAnn Cassello! Ms. Cassello is an instructional paraprofessional at East Hartford High School where she works with students in the 18 to 22-year-old transition program. She has been a para for 36 years and shows up to work every day ready to engage with students and make a difference. EHPS is proud to bring back the Paraprofessional of the Year award to our district this year to recognize the essential role paraeducators play in supporting students academically, socially and emotionally.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Field Day fun at Goodwin Elementary and O'Brien Elementary Multicultural Night at Mayberry Elementary and Farm to School Cooking Class at Pitkin Elementary   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Click the button below to explore services, programs and supports available for East Hartford families. Family Resources Guide   Register Your Child for Kindergarten! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten students and families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 to start kindergarten. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten.   Share Your Thoughts About Your School! We invite you to take part in our EHPS School Experience Survey! This anonymous survey is an important opportunity for your voice to be heard as we shape the future of our schools. The survey covers many key aspects of your family’s experience with your school(s), including connection and relationships, safety and wellness, and the overall learning environment. Your perspective helps us better understand what’s working well and where we can improve. If you have children who attend more than one school in the district, please complete a separate survey for each school. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY   Available Food Resources Click the link below to learn more about local food resources and assistance available this month. June 2026 Food Resources Calendar   Free Summer Meals for Children and Teens Children 18 and under can enjoy meals together at eligible East Hartford meal sites. SUN Meals are free and help your kids get the nutrition they need all summer long.    Summer Reading in Partnership with the East Hartford Public Library Summer Reading Kick-Off Party! Thursday, June 18th, 5-7:30pm Raymond Library, 840 Main St. Celebrate the start of summer! Sign up for summer reading, meet community partners, and be entertained! For all ages. Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/16847146 Summer Reading is for Everyone! The East Hartford Public Library offers summer reading incentive programs with prizes for children, teens, and adults! Registration begins on Monday, June 8th. Children and teens receive a free book and prize just for signing up. Read and complete activities all summer long to earn prizes and chances to win grand prizes awarded at the end of the summer. Read together as a family, the adult program has prizes, too! Visit the library or our website to learn more and sign-up. https://easthartford.readsquared.com/   Parks and Recreation Summer Camps East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21.  Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming, thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library. Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool, *Goodwin School on inclement weather days.  Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O'Connell School on inclement weather days.  Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, *Norris School, on inclement weather days. Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym on inclement weather days.  Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School on inclement weather days.  Click here to register.   Gardening 101 Series The East Hartford Farm to School program is hosting a Gardening 101 series at the Goodwin Elementary Garden this spring and summer. Registration is not required and it is free to all East Hartford families. There will be one session per month through August featuring hands-on garden education and fun crafts! Families can attend any number of sessions. The next session - Garden Care & Wind Chime Making will be on June 25 from 2-4pm at Goodwin. This month is all about nurturing the garden! Families will learn basic garden-care techniques, including weeding, watering, and supporting growing plants. After the hands-on garden work, enjoy a creative wind‑chime activity. All supplies will be provided so families can design and take home their own garden-inspired chime. More information about these events can be found here.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   June 2-5: Early Dismissal for Grade 12 Only for Senior Exams June 10-12,15: Early Dismissal for Grades 9-11 for High School Exams June 15-18: Early Dismissal for ECLC only for PreK Home Visits June 18: Early Dismissal PreK-12 June 19: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Dismissal PreK-12 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Jun 04 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - May 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue IX May 7, 2026 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, As we move through May and speed toward the end of the year, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort our students have put forth since the very first day of school. Their academic, social, and emotional growth has been the result of persistence, curiosity, and the steady support of their network of committed adults. We know there is still important work ahead through June 19, our last day of school. This month, many of our students will participate in state assessments, plus IB and AP exams, demonstrating all they have learned this year. I encourage our students to approach these tests with confidence, knowing they are well-prepared and capable of success.  I am proud to highlight a remarkable achievement by East Hartford High School Academy of Engineering students. Out of 10 positions initially allocated for EHHS, 12 students earned paid summer internships at RTX after their in-person interviews, the highest number of any participating high school. In addition, all 3 students who applied for the RTX National Virtual Internship were accepted. These internships span a wide range of cutting-edge fields, including Propulsion Systems Analysis, Commercial Engines Materials Solutions, Applied Mechanics, Aftermarket & Sustainment Engineering, and Materials & Processes Engineering. We are also proud to congratulate five of our students who were recognized with the 2026 Aspirations in Computing Award through the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). These students were among only 91 students from Connecticut honored at a special event hosted by Eversource Energy, celebrating their achievements and potential in technology-related fields. These recognitions reflect both our students’ talent and the strength of the programs supporting them. Finally, I want to extend my congratulations to members of the Class of 2026. This month, many of our seniors finalized their plans for next year, whether pursuing college, trade or tech schools, entering the workforce, or serving in the military. We know all of the hard work they’ve put in and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments in the weeks ahead. (Check out this story from NBC Connecticut from East Hartford High School's Senior Signing Day!) Please visit our district calendar page and pay attention to your messages on ParentSquare, so you don’t miss any of the exciting events, concerts, games, matches and celebrations to come this spring. Thank you for your partnership and support. Your children continue to make East Hartford proud!  Sincerely, Thomas Anderson Superintendent   Field Day Fun for All Abilities EHPS held its 2nd annual Adaptive Field Day on Monday! This event is for students with significant physical or cognitive deficits who are unable to participate in their schools’ regular field day activities. After rainy weather moved the inaugural Adaptive Field Day indoors last year, students loved spending this time outside on the East Hartford High School field. This year’s event included two sessions with around 130 students each: one session for high school, middle school, and Woodland School students, and a second session for elementary school students. East Hartford Special Education and Physical Education teachers worked together to create 22 modified and sensory activities for students to rotate through, including obstacle courses, races, bowling, archery, water balloons, bubbles, slime, foam and more! Check out the news story below from NBC Connecticut, and additional news coverage from WTNH News 8 at this link.   April Break Learning Through Travel Over April break, EHPS high school students had the opportunity to expand their classroom learning through travel. The World Languages Department took 23 students to China to further deepen their knowledge of the Chinese language and the country’s culture. Students traveled to Quzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai with a packed itinerary. Their trip activities included visiting both ancient temples and modern national landmarks and learning about silk making, martial arts, calligraphy and much more.   CIBA Senior Malaika Brefo wrote, "Everyday as we went to the cities and villages immersing ourselves in Chinese culture gave me a deeper understanding of the world and the language I have been learning for four years. I will forever keep the memories and friends that I have from the trip and the joy of eating Clam Noodles!" "When I started taking Chinese in high school, I never thought I would actually use what I learned outside of the classroom. When we got to China, I was surprised at how I could communicate with others (even though I felt like my Chinese wasn't very good). This really made me want to continue to learn the language, and inspired me to share my love for Chinese culture with others," said CIBA Sophomore Matthias Mardales. Following a successful student trip in 2024, the World Languages Department returned to Costa Rica this break providing 11 students with an immersive cultural experience. During the first half of the trip, students stayed with host families where they took a dance class, learned to cook with their hosts, and played soccer with members of the community. The trip continued with exciting activities and sights, including white water rafting, ziplining in the jungle, and exploring the city of San Jose.   Reflecting on the trip, EHHS Junior Sara Miranda wrote, "Costa Rica exceeded my expectation! I wasn't expecting much from the school trip, but it totally surprised me. Traveling without my family for the first time let me see everything with my own eyes. Making new friendships and experiencing a different culture, even with the tough moments, made it unforgettable. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me forever!" Additionally, 86 members of the East Hartford High School Orchestra, Band and Choir visited Virginia Beach during April break to tour Norfolk State University. While there, they participated in music clinics and took masterclasses with faculty. In addition to gaining new musical insights, the students also had time for a lot of fun, including visits to Busch Gardens, Motor World and of course, the beach! These experiences exemplify EHPS's commitment to providing meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction. Students developed greater cultural awareness, independence, and confidence, while creating memories they’ll keep for a lifetime.   Arbor Day Celebration at Mayberry East Hartford Public Schools is proud to be a part of the town's annual Arbor Day Celebration. Every year, the East Hartford Beautification Commission works with EHPS to plant a tree at one of our schools as part of East Hartford’s Tree City USA designation. This year, Mayberry School hosted the event with 5th grade leaders emceeing the program full of student performances and remarks from town officials. After the program, they went outside to plant a dogwood tree near Mayberry’s front entrance. Checkout this highlight reel from the event on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Leah Schneider is a Special Education Teacher at O’Connell Elementary School who in just three years of teaching has become a master at meeting student needs. She works closely with her groups of K-2 students to provide academic supports and build skills that they can bring back to their classrooms.  Robert Spiller is a School Counselor at CT IB Academy who has been in his role since the school’s opening. Through humor, active listening and relationship-building, he puts students at ease as he guides them through their IB requirements and post-graduation plans.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS O'Brien Elementary School "Bike Bus" rides to school together Celebrating National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day at Silver Lane and Langford Elementary Schools! "Credit for Life" Financial Literacy Fair at Synergy Alternative High School and 6th Grade Spelling Bee at East Hartford Middle School   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Register Your Child For Kindergarten! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten students and families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 to start kindergarten. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten   Share Your Thoughts About Your School! We invite you to take part in our EHPS School Experience Survey! This anonymous survey is an important opportunity for your voice to be heard as we shape the future of our schools. The survey covers many key aspects of your family’s experience with your school(s), including connection and relationships, safety and wellness, and the overall learning environment. Your perspective helps us better understand what’s working well and where we can improve. If you have children who attend more than one school in the district, please complete a separate survey for each school. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY   Available Food Resources Click the link below to learn more about local food resources and assistance available this month. May 2026 Food Resources Calendar   East Hartford School Garden Hop Friday, May 15 (Early Dismissal Day) - after dismissal until 3pm! Each East Hartford School Garden will be open each featuring different fun, hands-on activities — see the list of our gardens below. Spend time in one garden or hop around to a few! Visit at least one school garden to be entered into a raffle to win a $25 Handel Family Farm! This event is free and open to all East Hartford families. Mayberry Garden: 101 Great Hill Road (1:20-3PM) Goodwin Garden: 1235 Forbes St (1:20-3PM) Hockanum Garden: 191 Main St (12:45-3PM) Sunset Ridge Garden: 450 Forbes St (12:45-3PM)   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Public Library Family Storytime: Evening Edition Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:00pm Raymond Library, Children's Program Room, 840 Main Street Join us for a cozy evening of stories, songs, and movement that support early literacy. For children ages 6 and under with a caregiver. Siblings welcome! Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/16309849 Make a Hornet Puppet Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Raymond Library, 2nd Floor Classroom, 840 Main Street Are you going to EHHS? Are you a Hornet fan? Make a Hornet puppet to show off at events! For ages 10 – adult. Registration required. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/16304786 All Upcoming Library Events   Parks and Recreation Summer Camps East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21.  Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming, thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library. Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool, *Goodwin School on inclement weather days.  Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O'Connell School on inclement weather days.  Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, *Norris School, on inclement weather days. Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym on inclement weather days.  Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School on inclement weather days.  Click here to register.   Gardening 101 Series The East Hartford Farm to School program is hosting a Gardening 101 series at the Goodwin Elementary Garden this spring and summer. Registration is not required and it is free to all East Hartford families. There will be one session per month through August featuring hands-on garden education and fun crafts! Families can attend any number of sessions. The next session - Garden Trans‑Planting Session & Bird House Craft - will be on May 28 from 3:45-5pm. Help us give our student‑grown seedlings their new home in the Goodwin Garden! Families will learn how to identify ideal planting locations, prepare soil, and transplant young plants with care. This session also includes a bird‑feeder kit activity — create, paint, and take home your very own feeder. All materials included! More information about these events can be found here.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   May 15: Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development May 25: Schools Closed for Memorial Day June 2-5: Early Dismissal for Grade 12 Only for Senior Exams June 10-12,15: Early Dismissal for Grades 9-11 for High School Exams June 15-18: Early Dismissal for ECLC only for PreK Home Visits June 18: Early Dismissal PreK-12 June 19: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Dismissal PreK-12 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, May 07 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - April 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue VIII April 2, 2026 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, We’re excited to welcome spring and I am personally pleased to have this winter’s weather behind us. With those snow days in mind, I want to share a few important calendar updates as we look ahead to the final stretch of the school year. The last day of school will be June 19 and a half day for students and staff. June 18 will be a half day for students only. But first, we look forward to a well-deserved spring recess from April 13–17 because once we return, time always seems to fly. The end of the school year will be here before we know it.   This is an exciting time for our seniors who are actively making plans for their next steps. Members of the Class of 2026 are pursuing a wide range of postsecondary opportunities, including two- and four-year colleges, trade and technical schools, and military service.  We are especially proud to celebrate several outstanding achievements among our students. Daneelia Edwards (right) earned full academic scholarships to Cornell, Georgetown, Wesleyan, and Fisk Universities, and has committed to attending Cornell next year. Vicdina Doe (center) has committed to Yale University after earning a full academic scholarship, and earlier this year we shared Cherish Opoku (left) was awarded a full scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross through the QuestBridge National College Match.   Several other 2026 seniors have been accepted to colleges and universities across Connecticut and throughout the country, including Middlebury College, Quinnipiac University, Penn State University, Morgan State University, Johnson & Wales University, Albertus Magnus College, Keene State College, the University of Rhode Island, and several University of Massachusetts campuses. These acceptances reflect not only the ambition and dedication of our students, but also the strength of their academic foundation with quality instruction and supportive guidance provided by our schools.  We know families of 5th grade and 8th grade students are also thinking ahead and planning for next year. We are confident that all East Hartford Public Schools provide the highest academic experience through rigorous, supportive, and engaging opportunities for every student. This is evident in the 20+ AP courses and varied career pathways offered at East Hartford High School, as well as Connecticut IB Academy's ranking as the #1 high school in CT for the second consecutive year. If you have any questions about our academic programs or the student experience at any of our schools, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  I wish all of our students, families, and staff a safe, restful, and enjoyable spring break!  Sincerely,  Thomas Anderson  Superintendent     STEM Learning Across Grade Levels STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a priority at East Hartford Public Schools. That's why the district launched its new elementary STEM lab this fall in partnership with the Connecticut Science Center. Over the last few weeks, all EHPS 5th graders attended their second session of the year at the STEM lab. The new lab, located at East Hartford High School, is designed to provide elementary students with the opportunity to do authentic investigations with real lab equipment. This session's hands-on investigation is focused on ecology. Students did experiments on water turbidity and pH levels and investigated how to keep pollutants from harming ecosystems. On the high school level, 70 East Hartford High School Health Science & Technology and Biology students recently had the opportunity to participate in the STEM-REACHS (Research, Education, and Careers for High-School Students) workshop in partnership with University of Saint Joseph. Over three sessions, students explored college life, the college admission and financial aid process, and real-world STEM careers. The third workshop took place on USJ’s campus where students participated in labs and simulations led by USJ students in health science, nursing, PA, and EMT programs.   Real Owls Visit Langford Elementary School The Langford Owls loved meeting the real-life version of their school mascot during a visit last month from Horizon Wings. The wildlife rehabilitation center brought four different types of owls to Langford. During student assemblies, Horizon Wings spent time teaching the students all about each bird’s habitat, diet, and abilities. View more photos from the visit on Facebook.   Elementary Chefs Compete in Global Recipe Cook Off East Hartford’s competitors in Sodexo's Future Chefs National Challenge took us around the world with their recipes this year! Seven elementary school chef finalists competed in the district cook off on March 18 after submitting a global recipe for the challenge. With help from East Hartford High School culinary students, they prepared and served their dish for a panel of judges who scored each recipe on taste, originality, ease of preparation, healthy attributes, presentation and kid friendliness. Congratulations to Polina Chavez, 4th grader from Goodwin, for winning the grand prize with her blini (Russian crepes) recipe! Our other outstanding competitors were: Adaure Ihenaka, 3rd grader at Norris Beryl Asare, 3rd grader at Langford Braydon Tierinni, 5th grader at O’Connell Catarina Catorze, 3rd grader at Langford Nayeli Acosta Osorio and Dallana Santos-Herrero, 3rd graders at Langford View a video from the cook off on Facebook or Instagram.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Kimberly Seward is an Instructional Tutor at Norris Elementary School who’s worked for a decade in the district and 8 years in her current role. She works with 9-10 small groups every day building trusting relationships with her students so they can feel comfortable working and learning together. Aliyah Ramos is an EL Tutor at Mayberry Elementary School and an East Hartford Public Schools graduate herself. She supports students in and out of their classrooms to help them build confidence in their English skills and ensure language is not a barrier to their learning.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Kindergarten students participate in the Hearts Across America Project at Goodwin Elementary and East Hartford Police Community Engagement Dog Beacon visits East Hartford Middle School Multicultural Night at CT IB Academy and World Autism Awareness Day at East Hartford High School   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Kindergarten Registration is Open! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten students and families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 to start kindergarten. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten   April Break Camp East Hartford Parks and Recreation is hosting a fun-filled April Break Camp for students in grades 1-6 at Goodwin Elementary School. Camp will be held Monday, April 13th through Friday, April 17th from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The fee is $25 per day. Participants may register for the whole week or for individual days. Daily camp activities include crafts, a variety of indoor/outdoor games, and time to play and socialize with friends. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Click here to register.   April Vacation at the Public Library Looking for something fun to do over April vacation? Check out the East Hartford Public Library's complete lineup of April vacation programs. There's something for everyone, from toddlers to teens! The Raymond Library is located at 840 Main Street. Click here for a summary of all of the April break offerings and registration information.   Gardening 101 Series The East Hartford Farm to School program is hosting a Gardening 101 series at the Goodwin Elementary Garden this spring and summer. Registration is not required and it is free to all East Hartford families. There will be one session per month from April to August featuring hands-on garden education and fun crafts! Families can attend any number of sessions. The first session - Family Garden Clean-Up Session & Rock Painting - will be on April 23 from 1:30-3pm (early release day from school). Help get the Goodwin Garden ready for a new growing season! Families will work alongside Farm to School staff to remove debris, weed, prune, and prepare the soil. Enjoy a fun rock‑painting activity — all supplies provided. Take your painted rock home or leave it in the garden to brighten our space!   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   April 3: Schools Closed for Good Friday April 13-17: Schools Closed for Spring Recess April 23: Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 12 for Staff Professional Development 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Apr 02 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - March 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue VII March 5, 2026 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, Each March, we look forward to celebrating the joy of reading through Read Across America. Our longtime partnership with the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT helps us bring together dozens of community volunteers who visit our elementary school classrooms as guest readers and participate in literacy-themed activities.  As part of the Read Across America celebrations, we also encourage older students to serve as reading role models and share stories with our elementary students. O’Connell Elementary welcomed students from Connecticut IB Academy who visited K-2 classrooms, read books in different languages, then translated them into English. These events bring excitement and energy to our classrooms, encourage students to expand their imaginations and knowledge, and foster a lifelong love of reading.  Literacy development is truly a shared responsibility between schools and families. Across our schools, we continue to focus on strengthening reading instruction and providing supports to ensure every student develops the skills and confidence needed to become a successful reader. We also know some of the most important learning happens beyond the school day. A few minutes spent reading together at home, discussing a story, or visiting the public library can make a tremendous difference in a child’s growth as a reader.  I encourage all families to continue the momentum of Read Across America throughout the month of March and beyond. After an unusually active winter weather season, I also want to reiterate that daily attendance is essential for student success. Please work together as a family to make sure students are in school every day and on time to ensure they don’t miss important instruction. Thank you for partnering with us to support literacy and learning for all of our students.  Sincerely,   Thomas Anderson  Superintendent   EHHS Senior Wins National Culinary Competition East Hartford High School Senior Adrian Siddo is the national winner of Sodexo’s Top Secret Taste Test culinary competition and her original pizza recipe will now be featured on school lunch menus across the country! Ten Sodexo districts from across nine states joined this first year of the competition with students submitting more than 100 original pizza recipes. In December, students across participating districts, including East Hartford, sampled and scored the top 30 unique pizzas. Those results narrowed the field to 10 district-winning recipes, which were then evaluated by a national panel of culinary, nutrition, and marketing experts for creativity, originality, student appeal, and feasibility in a K–12 setting. Adrian's recipe for "Nashville Hot Pizza" first earned top honors in a blind taste test conducted by students in Oregon. After winning at the district level, the recipe advanced to the national judging round where it received outstanding scores. As the national winner, Adrian’s pizza will be featured on Sodexo school menus across the country next school year. She also received an exciting prize pack including a pizza oven and a virtual reality headset. Adrian said, "It's a surreal experience. East Hartford is kind of a small town, so it's kind of cool that everybody in the country is going to try something I made."   Black History Month at EHPS At East Hartford Public Schools, Black History Month was celebrated through a variety of school events, classroom activities and creative displays. Classrooms and hallways featured bulletin boards highlighting influential Black figures and their accomplishments. Teachers developed lessons and activities to help students learn about important moments and leaders in Black history. Morning announcements were also used throughout the month to start each day by learning about the lasting contributions of Black Americans. Here are just a few examples of how our schools recognized Black history this month: The Woodland School community held a step and art show called “Woodland On The Yard.” The event showcased African American–inspired artwork created by Woodland middle and high school students. Woodland also welcomed members of the Divine 9 Fraternities and Sororities for a step-dancing performance and discussion on their education and service. (Photo above) East Hartford Middle School social studies students participated in an engaging and interactive "gallery walk" designed to deepen their understanding of influential African Americans. Students stopped at stations throughout the media center that highlighted different African American leaders, innovators, activists, artists, and trailblazers. Each station featured visuals, key facts, and guiding questions that encouraged students to take notes, reflect, and make connections to what they have been learning in class. (Photos below) The East Hartford High School Black Student Union organized an all-school assembly on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their impact on culture. The assembly featured performances by the EHHS Choir, EHHS Band and Drumline, the EHHS Step Team and the Black Student Union Dance Team. They also welcomed special guests from the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Watch the full assembly in this video from EHHS Hornet Productions below.    Winter Sports Champions East Hartford High School Boys Basketball won the Central Connecticut Conference championship! The boys beat Windsor 69-65 in the finals, earning their first CCC championship title since 1998. Now they will compete in the state CIAC Division II tournament. Their first game will be against Farmington on Friday, March 6 at 6:00pm at EHHS. Davian Johnson, a senior at East Hartford High School, is the New England champion in the 55 meter hurdles after he took first place at the New England InterScholastic Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston. At the CIAC Championships, he set a new state record in this event with a time of 7.22, moving him to #4 in the nation.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Amy Puebla is a 5th grade teacher at Pitkin School who has been teaching in East Hartford for 34 years. Her goal is to get her students to think deeply and critically. She recently took part in the Yale and Slavery Teachers Institute. After sharing the lessons she created in the fellowship and reporting back on students’ insightful responses, Yale selected Puebla’s class to film and highlight.  Megan Spiesman is a school counselor at Synergy Alternative High School and has worked at East Hartford Public Schools for more than 20 years. Through positivity and built trust, she helps students stay on track to earn their high school diploma, explore traditional and non-traditional post-secondary pathways, and make a plan for after graduation.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Chinese New Year celebrations and activities at Sunset Ridge School and East Hartford High School Students marked the 100th Day of School on February 11th with crafts, activities and even dressing up like they're 100 years old! (Photos from Langford Elementary and Norris Elementary)   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Kindergarten Registration is Open! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten students and families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 to start kindergarten. Children who turn 5 between September 2 and September 30, 2026 are eligible for a waiver. Families must apply for the waiver and fully complete the registration process by March 30, 2026 to be eligible.  Children will be given an assessment to determine kindergarten readiness. Assessment does not equal admission: The assessment is to ensure the placement is developmentally appropriate and does not guarantee a waiver for kindergarten entry.  All children turning 5 after September 30, 2026 will enter kindergarten in the 2027-2028 school year.  The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten   Bunny Breakfast at EHHS The East Hartford High School Student Council will hold its annual Bunny Breakfast on March 28 from 9:00am-12:00pm at EHHS. At the event, children can enjoy games, crafts, and refreshments, plus meet the Easter Bunny and participate in an egg hunt! Tickets are $5 at the door.   East Hartford Egg Hunt The Annual Egg Hunt hosted by East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be held at McAuliffe Park (30 Remington Road) on Saturday, March 28. The rain date is Sunday, March 29. Schedule: 11:00 AM – Ages 3 and Under 11:30 AM – Ages 4 – 6 12:00 PM – Ages 7 – 10 1:00 PM – Special Needs Division Participants should bring a bag or basket for collecting eggs and dress appropriately for the weather. Ages 3 and Under and Special Needs Divisions will be allowed 1 adult on the field with them. Limited spaces are available in each division and registration is required for each child participating. Visit ehparks.org to register.   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Library All Access Arts Saturday, March 14, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm Raymond Library, Makerspace, 840 Main Street All Access Arts is a program for anyone interested in making something with their hands. Materials will be provided for free. The only limit is the imagination. All ages and abilities. Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/16304687 Chess Program for All Ages An 8-week instructional chess program is taking place at the Raymond Public Library through April 21. The program is for players of all ages (beginners welcome). It will include age and skill appropriate group lessons on strategy, including chess basics, supervised practice play and other instructional and fun chess activities. The program will meet once per week on Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM. Registration is required and will close on March 17. Click here to register. Read with Beacon the Dog Thursday, March 26, 5:30-7:00pm Raymond Library, Children's Department, 840 Main Street Meet Beacon and Officer Caruso in a new library partnership with the East Hartford Police Department! Children can read aloud to Beacon, EHPD’s community engagement dog, in short, one-on-one sessions that build confidence and fluency. Bring a favorite book or borrow one from the library. For children ages 5 and up. Register in advance to receive a reminder. Sign up in person for a reading timeslot on the day of the event. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/16309786 All Upcoming Free Library Events   April Break Camp East Hartford Parks and Recreation is hosting a fun-filled April Break Camp for students in grades 1-6 at Goodwin Elementary School. Camp will be held Monday, April 13th through Friday, April 17th from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The fee is $25 per day. Participants may register for the whole week or for individual days. Daily camp activities include crafts, a variety of indoor/outdoor games, and time to play and socialize with friends. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Click here to register.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   March 9: Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 12 for Staff Professional Development March 10-13: Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 5 for Preschool and Elementary School Parent Conferences March 12: Early Dismissal for Grades 6-8 for Middle School Parent Conferences April 3: Schools Closed for Good Friday April 13-17: Schools Closed for Spring Recess April 23: Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 12 for Staff Professional Development 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X EHPS Website Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Mar 05 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - February 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue VI February 5, 2026 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, The recent snowstorm that blanketed our town served as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability that define East Hartford. Our high school students and staff demonstrated tremendous flexibility as midterm exams were adjusted. Our parents and guardians across the district made thoughtful accommodations, supporting one another during the snow days. While these closures required us to move the final day of school to June 16 (early release day), the safety of our students and staff will always remain our highest priority. I appreciate the patience, understanding, and partnership shown by our families as we navigated these decisions together. We have much to be proud of as a community, and I was honored to share a piece of our story during the Mayor’s State of the Town address. East Hartford Public Schools continues to provide high level, engaging academic opportunities that challenge students while supporting their needs on the road to success. From steady academic growth to achievements in athletics and the arts, our schools reflect the strength, dedication, and promise of this community. It is important that all East Hartford residents, not only current EHPS families, know that our schools are places where students are inspired, supported, and prepared for the future. Our success is strengthened by meaningful partnerships with local organizations, colleges, businesses, and community groups that extend learning beyond the classroom. This past month, the American Heart Association returned to Norris ES to teach students and families hands-only CPR and emergency response skills. American Eagle Financial Credit Union brought its Future Finance Day program to East Hartford MS, helping 8th graders build essential personal finance skills. Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome local organizations and businesses to East Hartford HS for Career Exploration Week and to once again partner with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for our annual Read Across America Day, reinforcing the joy and importance of literacy. East Hartford’s success is truly a team effort. I am deeply appreciative of the commitment and collaboration of our students, staff, families, and community partners. Together, we are building strong schools, a strong town, and a bright future for every child we serve. Sincerely, Thomas Anderson Superintendent   New Mural Celebrates Vibrant and Inclusive EHHS Community East Hartford High School has a vibrant new mural in its center hallway, sponsored by the Spanish Honor Society and brought to life by EHHS Class of 2010 alumna and artist Andrea Sanchez! The mural De Muchos Países, Un Solo Jardín represents Spanish-speaking countries through their national flowers, each rooted in its own culture, history, and identity. Though each flower is unique, together they form one shared garden, symbolizing unity, respect, and the strength found in diversity. This beautiful garden also represents the vibrant and inclusive spirit of EHHS. Sanchez worked with members of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica on the idea for the mural, then several students volunteered their creativity and time during winter break to help make the project a reality. Kimora Bennett, Nana-Yaa Yeboah, Aaron Rabanal, Nicole Boland, Vanessa Attafuah, Stella Rojas, and Zaylan Richards helped paint the mural with guidance from Sanchez. In total, the mural took 45 hours to complete. The Honor Society hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling on January 28 to celebrate the new mural and those who helped make it happen. They were joined by Movimiento Cultural who performed and shared the tradition of Bomba with attendees. View the video below for highlights from the mural celebration.   EHMS Students Provide Input on the Future of their Neighborhood East Hartford Middle School students had the chance to share their thoughts on a major revitalization project planned for the neighborhoods surrounding their school! Urban planners working for the Town of East Hartford and Colliers Engineering and Design visited with 6th and 8th grade students to talk about the Burnside Church Brownfield Revitalization Plan. They shared details about the project and how they’re gathering input from the community. EHMS students got to participate in this process in several ways. They answered survey questions on how they viewed the current state of the neighborhood. They had the opportunity to view and comment on the three possible plans for Bicentennial Park sharing what they liked, disliked and what they would add to the proposals. Finally, they discussed other possible additions to the neighborhood from public amenities to new buildings and businesses, and shared which of these additions are most important to them. This planning is being funded by a Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development grant. Learn more about the project here.   Norris Students and Families Learn Lifesaving Skills Norris Elementary School students know more about how to handle an emergency thanks to training from the American Heart Association (AHA). For the second year in a row, the AHA came to Norris to teach 4th and 5th grade students how to do hands-only CPR. Members of the East Hartford Fire Department joined the training sessions to help students practice chest compressions on CPR dummies and discuss what students should do during an emergency before first responders arrive. The AHA also joined a Norris Parent Café event to teach parents and families these skills in both English and Spanish. February is American Heart Month and the AHA is working to spread awareness about cardiovascular health and the importance of learning CPR. Learn more here.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Joshua Santiago is a 5th grade teacher at O’Brien Elementary School who works to prepare his students academically, socially and emotionally for middle school next year. He builds meaningful connections with students, even spending time with them during lunch and at after school events, to show how much he cares. Nina Ledger is the executive secretary at East Hartford Middle School where she has worked for 10 years. Her ability to remain calm, composed and positive in the fast-paced middle school main office allows her to balance many tasks and provide excellent service to the school community.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Family Literacy Night at Mayberry Elementary and Library Night & Art Show at the Raymond Library for Silver Lane Elementary O'Brien Elementary students learning about dental hygiene with dentists from Goodwin University and O'Connell Elementary kindergarten students looking for their shadows on Groundhog Day   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Kindergarten Registration is Open! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new kindergarten students and families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 to start kindergarten. Children who turn 5 between September 2 and September 30, 2026 are eligible for a waiver. Families must apply for the waiver and fully complete the registration process by March 30, 2026 to be eligible. Children will be given an assessment to determine kindergarten readiness. Assessment does not equal admission: The assessment is to ensure the placement is developmentally appropriate and does not guarantee a waiver for kindergarten entry. All children turning 5 after September 30, 2026 will enter kindergarten in the 2027-2028 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten   Share your thoughts on EHPS food services! Join us at an upcoming public meeting hosted by the East Hartford Board of Education Finance & Audit Sub-Committee. This virtual meeting will be held: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Online via Teams – Click here to join the Teams meeting Meeting ID: 268 526 910 138 27 Passcode: 3tx9xD3b This meeting is an opportunity for parents, teachers AND students to provide valuable input on food services across our schools. Your feedback is important to us!   Available Food Resources Click the link below to learn more about local food resources and assistance available this month. February 2026 Food Resources Calendar   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Library Sounds of A & R: From Jazz to Hip Hop: The Evolution of American Music Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 7:00pm - 8:00pm Wickham Library, 656 Burnside Ave. Celebrate Black History month at the Wickham Library! Embark on a musical journey with the award-winning Sounds of A&R, led by April May Webb and Randall Haywood, that traces the roots and evolution of American music, from the soulful rhythms of jazz to the powerful beats of hip-hop. This adventure charts how jazz and hip-hop have shaped American culture, from the birth of jazz in New Orleans to Duke Ellington, exploring the revolutionary work of Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, and concluding with the roots of hip hop in the Bronx, where pioneers like DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash began mixing beats. For all ages. Register for a reminder. This program is made possible in part through funding support from Arts for Learning Connecticut. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/15600625 LEGO Play Days! Friday, February 13, 2026, 2:00pm - 4:30pm Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:00am - 1:00pm Sunday, February 15, 2026, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Raymond Library, 840 Main Street Use your imagination to build and create with LEGOs! Choose a design challenge card from the bowl or make a unique creation of your own. Completed LEGO masterpieces will be displayed in the library for the rest of the week. For children of all ages. Duplo blocks will be available for our youngest builders. Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/15601092 All Upcoming Free Library Events   Workout and Free Health Screening DT Cares, in partnership with Hartford HealthCare, is hosting a free Community Saturday in honor of American Heart Month. The event is designed to support wellness, movement, and preventative health for students, families, and the broader community. Saturday, February 7, 2026 9:15am-11:00am Dilligence Training, 275 Park Ave, East Hartford, CT 06108 Session 1: 9:15–10:15 AM Full-body community workout (all fitness levels welcome, family-friendly) Session 2: 10:30–11:00 AM Health education and screenings provided by Hartford HealthCare including nutritional education, blood pressure screenings and cholesterol screenings This event is free but spaces are limited. Click here to register.   SAVE THE DATE: Bunny Breakfast The East Hartford High School Student Council will hold its annual Bunny Breakfast on March 28 from 9:00am-12:00pm at EHHS. At the event, children can enjoy games, crafts, and refreshments, plus meet the Easter Bunny and participate in an egg hunt! Tickets are $5 at the door.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   February 16: Schools Closed for Presidents' Day February 17: Schools Closed for Staff Professional Development 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X More Stories on EastHartford.org Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Feb 05 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - January 2026

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue V January 8, 2026 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, Happy New Year! I hope you and your families enjoyed the winter break, spent quality time together, and made new memories. While I know everyone enjoyed this time, I also know it's exciting to be back in our halls and classrooms recharged and ready to engage. Each new year offers opportunities to look ahead with new thinking as we all learn and grow together.  This is an excellent time to pause, reflect on our current goals, and reset our intentions for continued growth and achievement.  We encourage families to speak with their students, emphasizing the need to be on time and engaged in class every day. Asking for help when needed or setting aside time for reading and homework can also make a big difference.  School engagement and participating in activities are important parts of the EHPS experience. Please make it a 2026 goal to attend a sporting event or performance. Join your school’s PTO, attend a family engagement event, or reach out to your school to learn more about how to get involved. Your presence and partnership matter.   Finally, I’d like to share a few reminders about winter weather. We take weather-related decisions around delays, early dismissals and cancellations very seriously. We consider several factors and utilize many resources to access the best information available. My priority is the safety of both our staff, many who commute from outside towns, and students, including those who drive themselves to school. Announcements regarding any weather-related schedule changes will be communicated directly to families through ParentSquare via email and phone. You can also check our district website, local TV stations and East Hartford Public Schools on social media @EastHartfordPS.  Thank you for all you do to support our students, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.  Sincerely, Thomas Anderson Superintendent   District Holds First L.E.A.D. To Read Day EHPS held its first L.E.A.D. to Read Day (Leaders Empowering Academic Development) on December 5. Superintendent Anderson and his Executive Leadership Team visited Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms and read books with our youngest learners. This day reinforces our shared belief that literacy is the foundation of every child’s academic journey. When leaders are present in classrooms modeling the importance of reading, it brings to life the connection between students’ daily experiences and our district priorities. Photos of Asst. Superintendent Ellen Delgado with Norris students, Facilities Director James Rovezzi with Mayberry students and District Supervisor of Multilingual Programs Elizabeth Peczuh with O'Brien students.   EHHS Senior Earns Full Scholarship Through QuestBridge National College Match For the third year in a row, an East Hartford High School student has earned a full scholarship to their top choice college through the QuestBridge National College Match. Cherish Opoku, an East Hartford High School senior, has been admitted to the College of the Holy Cross and awarded a full, four-year scholarship through QuestBridge’s 2025 scholarship program. This program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with scholarships to 55 of the nation’s top colleges. Cherish was one of 2,550 students matched out of more than 25,000 applicants this year. “When I opened my match letter, I was in complete shock. I felt very grateful that all my hard work had paid off,” said Cherish. “QuestBridge has lifted a huge financial burden and has brought tremendous joy to my household. It's amazing to see my family so proud and happy.” Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners. The Match Scholarship is made up of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, meals, books, supplies and travel expenses. Cherish plans to study economics in college and would like to become a financial analyst in the future. “I was drawn to Holy Cross by its diverse community and strong academic programs. The supportive community would allow me to grow both as a person and as a leader," she said. She currently holds a 3.9 grade point average with a rigorous course load including AP Statistics, AP Calculus, and UConn English. She is also vice president of the East Hartford High School Student Council, vice president of DECA, a band section leader and a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and the varsity tennis team. "East Hartford High School has amazing, rigorous classes that helped me grow in all academic areas. Our school offers many leadership opportunities and the support that I have received from my teachers and counselors has helped me feel confident through every step of my application,” said Cherish.    EHHS Students Compete in National Culinary Competition Students in East Hartford High School’s Advanced Baking class are taking part in national high school culinary competition. Sodexo's “Top Secret Taste Test” competition tasked students with developing their own creative and original pizza recipes. EHHS students got to taste and provide scores for recipes from other competition participants. Students elsewhere in the country taste-tested the recipes EHHS students submitted. Students’ names and their school locations will remain secret until winners are chosen. The national winner will take home a Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality Console. The winning pizza could also be featured on Sodexo’s K–12 menu for schools across the country!   Community Members Bring New and Improved "Book House" to Pitkin Pitkin Elementary School has a brand new little library thanks to support from the community! Pitkin held a ribbon cutting for the school's new “book house” on December 18. It's now ready for students to visit and for them to take a book or leave a book at any time. Earlier this year, the Murphy family reached out after noticing the old Pitkin book house was in need of some love. They asked their contractor to take a look and he reported it would be difficult to repair in its current state. So, the Murphy family offered to purchase all the materials for a new one and their contractor at Wise HandyMan Services constructed and installed it outside the school free of charge!    STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Michelle Sheatsley has been an English Teacher at East Hartford High School for 25 years and currently teaches mostly English Language Learners. An energetic and positive educator, she serves as a leader and motivator for her students and colleagues. Myles Callis is the Behavioral Support Analyst at Woodland School after previously serving as a behavior manager for seven years. WIth his experience and knowledge of the job, he creates relationships built on mutual respect with both his team members and with students.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Goodwin Elementary students dressed up for PJ Day for the Kids to benefit CT Children's Medical Center and the East Hartford Middle School Choir performing at its winter concert Norris Elementary student artists creating snowy scenes and PreK students at the Early Childhood Learning Center enjoying their gifts from Toys for Tots   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Stay Connected Via ParentSquare Have you downloaded the free ParentSquare app? All East Hartford Public Schools use ParentSquare for communication between school and home. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed, and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to send and receive class information, share pictures and files, see calendar items and much more!  iOS App - Apple Store Android App - Google Play Store   School Meals All East Hartford Public Schools students can receive free breakfast and lunch! View school meal menus, plus nutritional and allergen information, with language translation options on Nutrislice.  Click here for Menus on Nutrislice  For more information on using Nutrislice, read the how-to guides below in English and Spanish. Nutrislice How to Guide - English  Nutrislice How to Guide - Spanish   Available Food Resources Click the link below to learn more about local food resources and assistance available this month. January 2026 East Hartford Food Resource Calendar   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Public Library Hokey Pokey Party – Music & Movement Program Thursday, January 22 from 5:30pm - 6:00pm Raymond Library, 840 Main Street Join us for a fun-filled music and movement session! Bring the kids to stretch, sing, dance, and explore music together. This program is best suited for children ages 1–5 and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome! Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/15600935 Teen and Tween Art Afternoon Friday, January 23 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm Raymond Library, 840 Main Street Visit the library to make your own art. We'll take on a different material or project each month. (You might want to wear something you don't mind getting messy, just in case!) For ages 10-18. Register for a reminder. https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/event/15601186 All Upcoming Free Library Events   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   January 19: Schools Closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20-26: Early Dismissal for Grades 9-12 for High School Exams January 30: Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Professional Development 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X More Stories on EastHartford.org Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Jan 08 2026

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - December 2025

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue IV December 4, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, I hope you and your families are enjoying the excitement that comes with the start of the holidays and our first snowflakes of the season. December is always a joyful time in our schools with winter concerts, family engagement events, and the start of the winter athletics season. You can feel that energy in our classrooms as we reflect on how much our students have already learned and grown this year.  Meanwhile, we are working strategically on the proposed budget for next school year (Fiscal Year 2027). This budget investment reflects our commitment to maintain our strong student programming and services through sound fiscal planning and effectively leveraging state, federal, and private grant funding. Our investment priorities remain clear: creating equitable opportunities for all students, building staff capacity, enhancing student services, updating learning spaces, and offering competitive salaries to our committed staff.   At the annual joint meeting of the East Hartford Board of Education and Town Council, I will share the proposed FY27 Budget of $106,213,941. This modest 1.9% increase over the current fiscal year is driven primarily by contractual salary obligations for our employees. The proposed budget supports a range of student programming, including providing the highest services for all students. Thanks to careful planning and forecasting in all our departments, we are able to mitigate cost escalations in several other areas. These financial adjustments are aligned with our District Strategic Plan priorities and the broader economic reality we are managing. Each item in this budget represents an investment in our students’ potential and in the collective work of Team EHPS.   Proposed FY27 Budget Because our budget focuses on what impacts students most, it’s essential that we continue to hear from the families we serve. We strive to be as strategic and efficient as possible in addressing all aspects of the work we do for your children. For that reason, I encourage all families to take our Family Feedback Survey if you haven’t done so already. Your voice is critical. It helps shape our priorities and guide our decisions.   EHPS Family Feedback Survey Thank you, as always, for your continued support and engagement. Have a wonderful holiday season!  Sincerely, Thomas Anderson Superintendent   High School Students Give Back and Build Community East Hartford High School held its annual Community Awareness Day on November 26. Every year, the EHHS student body spends the Wednesday before Thanksgiving participating in community service and community building activities around their school and around town. This year, students helped out at the East Hartford Public Library, raked leaves in senior citizens’ yards, cleaned up parks and trails, washed trucks at the East Hartford Fire Department, volunteered at local churches and the Hillstown Grange, lead activities at our elementary, middle and PreK schools, and much more. They entered the Thanksgiving break knowing they have the power to make a difference in their community. At Connecticut IB Academy, the whole school takes part in Community Building Day on the day before Thanksgiving break. Students were challenged with team building activities facilitated by student leaders. These activities help improve communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. Meanwhile, students are strengthening their relationships and building a more positive school community.   O'Brien Community Hosts Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day On November 14, O’Brien Elementary School students, staff and family members walked in honor of Ruby Bridges, who at just six years old became a symbol of bravery and progress during school desegregation. The nationally celebrated Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day event marks the date 65 years ago when Ruby walked to school escorted by U.S. Marshals as the first Black student to attend an all-white school in the south. O'Brien commemorated those historic steps by wearing purple (Ruby’s favorite color), walking around their school building as a community, and sharing messages about unity, courage and kindness.   Hornet Band Students Selected for State Honor Band Festival East Hartford High School’s Omenihu Nwokoma (Senior), Olivia Aboagye (Senior), Ajanie Njie (Junior) and Ben Scheer (Junior) were selected to play in the Connecticut ASBDA (American School Band Directors Association) Honor Band Festival held at Meriden’s Maloney High School on November 12. The Hornet Band students were nominated by their band director. Then, an ASBDA committee selected them to participate. They were able to share their talents on stage with other Connecticut student musicians and did a great job representing East Hartford.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Rachel Pipke is the 8th grade science teacher and 8th grade team leader at Sunset Ridge Middle School. Under her guidance, students gain the knowledge and confidence to lead their own experiments, discover what works and what doesn't, and develop the critical thinking skills they'll need to succeed in high school and beyond. Gabrielle Elwood is the speech language pathologist at Goodwin Elementary School who works to help students improve their communication and reach their individual goals. Her impact on her school community also extends beyond her classroom as she plans events, assists other team members and gets to know every Goodwin student.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Thanksgiving Parade at the Early Childhood Learning Center (view full video here) and check presentation from the Goodwin Elementary community to the VFW during Goodwin's Veterans Day Assembly Physical Education fun at Woodland School and math learning with vertical boards at O'Connell Elementary   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Dish it Out! Take the Student Meals Survey! Our child nutrition department would like your feedback about school meals. Help make your students' dining experience better by taking this short 2-minute survey. Both parents and students are invited to participate. If you have multiple students, please take one survey per student. Click here to take the survey:  https://qrflash.me/a/GNnndx.     Holiday Fest on the Green Stop by the Town Green on Friday, December 5 as East Hartford comes together to celebrate all of the amazing celebrations that happen during December! The Town Holiday Market starts at 4:00 PM and will feature vendors, food trucks, free kids crafts (while supplies last), an ice sculpture, and free balloon animals, all while DJ Jimmy Jams keeps the holiday tunes playing! Around 5:45 PM, the Double A Dance Academy will be doing a holiday performance to kick off the Annual Tree Lighting! At 6:30 PM, Santa will arrive on his trusty firetruck and chose a child to light up the tree! There will also be caroling, selfies with Santa, and free cocoa & cookies for the kids!    Breakfast With Santa East Hartford High School's annual Breakfast with Santa event will be on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the EHHS cafeteria.  Tickets are $5 per person, which includes food, crafts and games!   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Public Library Living Out Loud: GSA with the Health Collective Tuesday, December 9 ⋅ 6:00 – 7:00pm Raymond Library, 840 Main St., East Hartford, Meeting Room 2A Join us for Living Out Loud, a GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) meeting facilitated by the Health Collective! LGBTQ+ teens and allies in grades 9–12 are invited to explore identity, wellness, and community in a supportive, inclusive space. Come connect, share, and thrive together. Free pizza will be provided! Free to attend, register for a reminder. BringtheHoopla’s Winter Break Hula Hoop Jam Monday, January 5, 2026 ⋅ 2:00 – 3:00pm Raymond Library, 840 Main St., East Hartford, Meeting Room 1 Shake off the winter chill and get moving with BringtheHoopla! Kids ages 6 and up will learn fun hula hoop tricks, play active games, and explore creativity using colorful, handmade hoops. This high-energy program promotes movement, confidence, and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment—no experience needed. Registration is limited, so sign up early to save your spot! Free to attend, please register each child separately. Click here for registration. Visit the library for winter break family fun, with activities for all ages taking place during the school recess. Library programs are open to the public and free of charge. Click the buttons below for more information. Winter Break at the Library All Upcoming Free Library Events   Teen Girls Support Group East Hartford Youth and Social Services is welcoming new young women from East Hartford to the Teen Girls Support Group this winter. This safe and supportive group will focus on topics such as self-care, building healthy relationships, and self-esteem. The group is free and open to East Hartford teen girls ages 15-18. It will run on Mondays from January 26 – March 16 at the East Hartford Community Center. Please view the flyers below for more information and click here to register.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   December 12: Early Dismissal PreK-Grade 12 for Professional Development December 23: Early Dismissal PreK-Grade 12 December 24 - January 6: Schools Closed for Holiday Recess 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X More Stories on EastHartford.org Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Dec 04 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - November 2025

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue III November 6, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, October was another fantastic month at East Hartford Public Schools. We continue to see students acquire new skills, grasp new concepts, and grow academically and socially every day. We also had a month full of vibrant and engaging celebrations, including those recognizing students in the Academy of Finance, Hispanic Heritage Month, CT Grown for CT Kids Week, and the opening of our new EHPS STEM Lab. We are thrilled to share two of our schools were recently recognized by the CT State Department of Education as “Schools of Distinction.” Only 140 schools earned this recognition for performing within the top 10% statewide in academic achievement or student growth during the last school year.  Schools are identified through the state’s Next Generation Accountability System, which evaluates performance across 12 key indicators, including academic achievement, performance growth, chronic absenteeism, college and career readiness, high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, physical fitness, and the arts.   Connecticut IB Academy was recognized again this year for high performance.  CIBA earned an accountability index score of 89.61 out of 100 across all indicators. Mayberry Elementary School earned the “School of Distinction” recognition for high growth in Math for all students and among students with high needs. In this academic growth indicator, Mayberry ES students earned 83.6% compared to a state-level average of 62.3%. High needs students at Mayberry ES earned 83.8% compared to a state-level average of 55.9%.  Outside of these exciting recognitions, East Hartford Public Schools improved its overall performance in ELA, Math, and Science from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025 for all students and among those with high needs.   I know you all share the pride I feel for the hard work and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our students and entire staff. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for your ongoing support, your partnership, and your trust as we continue to serve the children of East Hartford Public Schools.  Sincerely,   Thomas Anderson  Superintendent     EHPS Honors Hispanic Heritage Month with Lessons and Celebrations Each year, from September 15 to October 15, people across the United States celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At EHPS, students and staff celebrated through engaging classroom lessons and community events and activities that highlighted these cultures and the rich diversity in East Hartford. At O'Connell Elementary, students and staff participated in the school’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week, open to all students regardless of background. Each day had its own theme such as Sports Day, Fly Your Flag Day and Traditional Clothing Day. At East Hartford Middle School, Spanish classes showcased their creativity through a Hispanic Heritage Month t-shirt design contest. EHMS is also looking forward to hosting its second annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration for school families later this month. At East Hartford High School, students stayed after school for the annual Café con Leche event. Students enjoyed salsa dancing, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and karaoke, followed by a delicious buffet of traditional dishes.   EHPS Launches New Elementary STEM Lab The new EHPS STEM Lab opened this month, designed to give elementary students elevated hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 5th grade classes began their visits to the new space located at East Hartford High School on October 20.    This innovative initiative is the result of a partnership between EHPS and the Connecticut Science Center, aimed at deepening young students’ understanding of science through authentic, hands-on investigations using real-world lab equipment. All 450 East Hartford 5th grade students will visit the lab twice during the 2025-2026 school year, participating in extended STEM lessons designed and led by Connecticut Science Center educators.    The first lab session, running through November 12, is called Planet Hunters. Students simulate a real-world NASA Mission and explore what planets need to sustain life by conducting investigations involving light, temperature, and gravity. A second session will be held in the spring, featuring new experiments and experiences that will continue to build STEM skills, interest, and curiosity to prepare students for success in middle school.  Click here to view news coverage of the STEM Lab from WTNH News 8!   New School Garden Open at Sunset Ridge East Hartford's 4th school garden is now officially open at Sunset Ridge Middle School! As part of CT Grown for CT Kids Week, the East Hartford Farm to School program invited community partners and supporters to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating this new learning space. After the ceremony, Sunset Ridge students planted garlic they'll harvest next summer. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the ongoing work of East Hartford's Farm to School team who are committed to supporting local agriculture and providing all students with access to nourishing, culturally inclusive school meals, hands-on learning in outdoor spaces, and an understanding of where food comes from. Other farm-to-school programming this month included: Cafeteria taste tests with foods from local farms Pitkin Elementary School's pumpkin paint night where guests painted locally grown pumpkins Goodwin Elementary School's 2nd grade field trip to Handel Family Farm in East Hartford Mayberry Elementary School's harvest dinner featuring a menu of food from local farms   EHHS Seniors Named "Commended Students" in National Merit Scholarship Program East Hartford High School Seniors Aiden Paradis and Farah Shahab have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Last month we shared two CIBA seniors, Naga Sai Aditya Narayana and Keira Sullivan, also earned this recognition. All four students received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizing their achievements and exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, this is an immense accomplishment. Those named Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers across the country on the 2024 PSAT.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Kristin Florek is a first grade teacher at Silver Lane Elementary School. She creates a warm, welcoming environment in her classroom where all students feel the safety and support they need to do their best. Azaria Hernandez has been the behavior manager at Langford Elementary School for seven years. She creates bonds with students, helps them develop strategies and skills for handling emotions, and makes sure they're ready to learn.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Langford Elementary kindergarteners learning about elections and Pitkin Elementary kindergarteners learning about fire safety with the East Hartford Fire Department East Hartford HS Academy of Finance hosts its annual networking breakfast and East Hartford MS hosts a visit from best-selling author Max Brallier   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Navigating the Government Shutdown: SNAP & Food Resources The Town of East Hartford is sharing information for those families impacted by the Federal Government shutdown and the disruption to SNAP benefits. Click here to access this help page, including details for those looking for supplemental assistance and those who may be able to help during this time of need.   Upcoming Events at the East Hartford Public Library Makerspace Program: Metal Stamping Wednesday, November 12 from 5:30 – 7:30pm Make a personalized necklace or charm for yourself or a loved one. Best suited for ages 8 and up. Register for a reminder. Raymond Library, 840 Main St., East Hartford, CT Nintendo Switch 2 Free Play: Mario Kart World Saturday, November 8 from 11:00am – 12:30pm Get ready to race in Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2! Compete in friendly matches, test your racing skills, and challenge other people in this fast-paced gaming session designed just for tweens and teens ages 10 - 17. Whether you're a pro driver or new to the game, everyone is welcome. Register for a reminder or just drop in and play! Raymond Library, 840 Main St., East Hartford, CT Visit the library website to see the full line-up of free events for all ages! https://easthartfordct.libcal.com/   Breakfast With Santa East Hartford High School's annual Breakfast with Santa event will be on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the EHHS cafeteria.  Tickets are $5 per person, which includes food, crafts and games! SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   November 11 : Schools closed for Veterans Day November 26: Early Dismissal PreK-12 November 27-28: Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X More Stories on EastHartford.org Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Nov 06 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - October 2025

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue II October 2, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community, It's great to see our students, teachers, and staff members hitting their stride this school year. Students are engaging in a variety of lessons, including fractions, character analysis, geometrical equations, government and politics, and more. They are challenging themselves to strengthen their critical thinking every day.  As we continue to move forward, it’s important to reflect on where we’ve been and how that affects our future opportunities. Each year, our students participate in several state assessments that help us better understand their academic progress and growth. The CT State Department of Education recently released results from assessments last spring. These results are just one of many tools we use to guide curriculum and instruction, support individual student needs, and ensure we are preparing every learner to maximize their potential. Although we have several areas in which to be proud, below you’ll find a few highlights from these results:  SBAC - Smarter Balanced Assessment (Grades 3-8):    EHPS academic performance “accountability index” improved in ELA, Math and Science  3rd grade ELA and Math proficiency percentages are the highest they've ever been since the SBAC test was introduced      NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards (Grades 5, 8, 11):   EHPS proficiency percentages are the highest they’ve ever been since the NGSS test was introduced  11th grade improved proficiency percentage from 28% to 44%     LAS Links Assessment for English Learners:   East Hartford Middle School, Sunset Ridge Middle School, and 5 elementary schools increased Literacy growth from 2024 to 2025      SAT:    The percentage of 11th grade students achieving measured readiness increased in both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (up 6 percentage points) and Math (up 5 percentage points)    We celebrate these highlights while also examining this data closely to inform where we can continue to grow. Our areas of growth are incorporated as focal points in our district strategic plan.  We will continue to make decisions based on data and the impact on our students and staff.  Sincerely,   Thomas Anderson  Superintendent    Mayberry Elementary Students Enjoy Farmers' Market at School Mayberry Elementary students enjoyed a pop-up farmer's market right outside their school as part of the East Hartford Farm to School Program. Students in grades K-5 got to "shop" for farm fresh foods from Handel Family Farm (East Hartford), Holcomb Farm (Granby), Cold Spring Farm (Colchester) and Shop Rite with apples from Rogers Orchard (Southington). Students chose one piece of produce from each stand to take home and enjoy! This event was made possible through the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant, which helps bring fresh food and fun learning opportunities like this to our students.   HS Students Accepted to UConn Financial Literacy Program 17 students from East Hartford High School and Connecticut IB Academy are part of the Fall 2025 Financial Literacy and Innovation Program (FLIP) cohort at UConn. This program provides students from around Connecticut with critical financial skills and real-world business exposure. “I had a longtime interest in personal finance and I believe that it’s very important for everyone in this world to learn about it as we come into an increasingly difficult economy,” said CIBA Junior Gavin Preuss about why he applied to the program. “It’s also a career that I’m interested in pursuing.” Students are bussed from East Hartford to take part in six Saturday sessions on UConn’s campus. The program began on September 20 and runs through November 1. Through interactive learning and exposure to companies and business leaders, students are learning the basics and importance of personal finance, budgeting, investing, and saving money. But in addition to gaining financial knowledge, students have financial incentive to complete the program. Participants earn a $35 stipend per session—up to $250 for attending all six sessions. Students who complete the program are also eligible for a $2,500 per year scholarship—up to $10,000 total—if they enroll at UConn. “I feel like the $35 and the scholarship are more motivating for students, but I also feel the classes are beneficial for people who don’t really have that much experience in financial literacy,” said Taleah Davis, Junior at CIBA. “The takeaways from that class can really help you in the long run and help you manage your money.” Jaylen Estrella, Senior at EHHS, said that has been his personal experience with the program thus far. Though the stipend and scholarship opportunities drew him to FLIP initially, he’s already learning practical financial tips he can apply to his life. “After me going there twice, I began to learn new things about money, business and my financials,” said Jaylen. “At first, I was not financially stable. I used to get money and spend it, but now I know how to invest, get a bank, about different credit cards and debit cards, what to do and what not to do, and what to trust and what not to trust. So, I really appreciate them for teaching me what to do.” 12 students from EHHS are participating in the program: Angela Adu, Miriam Agyemang, Christiana Bawuah, Ama Ennin, Ashley Escalona Contreras, Jaylen Estrella, Janessa Garcia Vasquez, Cherish Opoku, Michelle Owusu, Tahsin Subah, Tyler Tishwell, and Alexa Velez. Five students from CIBA are taking part: Taleah Davis, Katelyn Griffin, Jshaun Herbert, Ayanna Musumeci, and Gavin Preuss.   CIBA Seniors Named "Commended Students" in National Merit Scholarship Program CT IB Academy Seniors Naga Sai Aditya Narayana and Keira Sullivan have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students will receive a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizing their achievements and exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, this is an immense accomplishment. Those named Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers across the country on the 2024 PSAT.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Jennifer Mejia is the School Social Worker at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) meeting student and family needs. She finds creative ways to build social/emotional skills even at 3-5 years old that students can take with them as they continue to learn and grow. Carla Bidwell is the Secondary Mathematics Coach at East Hartford Public Schools supporting 38 teachers across a variety of math subjects. Through research, data meetings, lesson planning, observations and co-teaching she does what it takes to ensure those teachers have what they need to excel in their roles.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS O'Connell Elementary Kindergarteners working hard on Fundations and Goodwin Elementary 5th graders learning about the Earth's rotation Pitkin Elementary 1st graders learning about sound with the CT Science Center and East Hartford Middle School 8th graders leading the first Student Council meeting of the year   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   ParentSquare Preferences As you know, East Hartford Public Schools uses ParentSquare for ALL communication between school and home. But you can decide how you receive those messages and notifications! Are you receiving too many or too few notifications about school updates? Do you want to read your posts and messages in a language other than English?  Check out the video tutorials below in English and Spanish on how to set your own notification and language preferences. ParentSquare: Change Your Language and Notification Settings ParentSquare: Cambiar el Idioma y la Configuración Notificaciones   School Meals All East Hartford Public Schools students can receive free breakfast and lunch! View school meal menus, plus nutritional and allergen information, with language translation options on Nutrislice.  Click here for Menus on Nutrislice  For more information on using Nutrislice, read the how-to guides below in English and Spanish. Nutrislice How to Guide - English  Nutrislice How to Guide - Spanish   East Hartford Fall Fest East Hartford Parks & Recreation invites you the Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 4th, from 11:00am-3:00pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the event will be on Sunday, October 5th from 11:00am-3:00pm. Fall Fest is one of the Town’s largest events, averaging over 2,000 participants the past few years, with fun activities celebrating the autumn season for the entire family. Entry to the event is free. However, there is a $5-fee for visitors that provides unlimited access to attractions, games and a pumpkin decorating activity that participants will get to take home.   Tuesday Night Tunes ft. EHHS Students! East Hartford's Tuesday Night Tunes concert series continues this month with the East Hartford High School Jazz Combo and Jazz Band! Come out and watch our EHHS students showcase their amazing talent! The concert is on Tuesday, October 7th from 6:00-7:30 PM at the East Hartford Community Center. This is a FREE and family-friendly event!   Trick or Treat Trail East Hartford is hosting its Trick or Treat Trail on Saturday, October 25th from 1:00-3:00 PM on the East Hartford Town Green. Town departments, local businesses, and nonprofits will be there with decorated spaces, wearing costumes, and handing out treats to the kids! This event is FREE to East Hartford residents ages 13 and under.   Teen Girls Support Group East Hartford Youth and Social Services is welcoming new young women from East Hartford to the Teen Girls Support Group this fall. This safe and supportive group will focus on topics such as self-care, building healthy relationships, and self-esteem. The group is free and open to East Hartford teen girls ages 15-18. It will run from October 22 – December 17 at the East Hartford Community Center. Please view the flyers below for more information and click here to register.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   October 3: Schools Closed for Professional Development October 13: Schools Closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 14-17: Early Dismissal PreK-Grade 8 for Pre-K, Elementary & Middle School Parent Conferences November 4: Schools closed for Election Day/Professional Development 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar   STAY CONNECTED   Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X More Stories on EastHartford.org Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Oct 02 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - September 2025

EAST HARTFORD PRIDE News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume V, Issue I September 4, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Families and Community,   Welcome to another school year! Thanks to our dedicated staff, our supportive families and our incredible East Hartford students, the year is off to a fantastic start. We are excited for the possibilities and opportunities this new year brings for all of our 6,500 students and our community as a whole.   We know students learn, grow and achieve at the highest levels when we all work together with coherence. The EHPS team remains focused on cultivating the talents of the “whole” child to promote their complete well-being, while elevating their thinking and awareness. With our district strategic plan as our guide, we are preparing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to compete and thrive at the highest levels on a global stage. Our new EHPS Vision of the Graduate, outlined later in this newsletter, provides more details.  Each school year provides a revitalized commitment to working together for our children. Please be involved, reach out to your child’s teacher(s) to connect and be sure to attend upcoming parent/teacher conferences this fall. We encourage you to attend sporting events, concerts and family nights at your schools. Also, be sure to follow East Hartford Public Schools on social media! We are celebrating good news from our school district every day on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.  Finally, my 2025 State of the Schools address will be Wednesday, October 8 at 8:30am at the EHPS Conference Center (30 Remington Rd). I will outline our district’s strategic plan and goals for this year and beyond.  Have a great school year!  Sincerely,   Thomas Anderson  Superintendent     EHPS Debuts New "Vision of the Graduate" East Hartford Public Schools is proud to debut our new and reimagined Vision of the Graduate. The Vision of the Graduate is a guiding framework that defines the skills, knowledge and values every East Hartford student should embody by the time they graduate in order to succeed in an ever-changing world. The new Vision was developed through the efforts and collaboration of the Vision of the Graduate Committee, comprised of principals, district leaders, students and parents. Together this group researched ​future-ready and global competencies ​and the skills needed for success in higher education, the workforce, and citizenship. The result is a forward-thinking Vision that will shape both curriculum and culture from PreK through Grade 12. It will guide East Hartford educators as they help our students grow into capable, confident, and compassionate individuals and ensure every EHPS graduate is ready to thrive.  The EHPS Vision of the Graduate is comprised of seven elements detailed below: Self-Motivated Learner Takes initiative, shows resilience, and strives for continuous improvement. Curious Inquirer Seeks knowledge, asks thoughtful questions, and expands understanding. Critical Thinker Analyzes information, makes informed decisions, and solves complex problems. Creative Innovator Applies passion and creativity to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Effective Communicator Expresses ideas clearly and confidently, tailoring communication to the audience. Collaborative Team Member Works effectively with others, shows empathy and flexibility, and contributes positively. Engaged Citizen Takes responsibility for actions, makes positive societal impacts, and contributes to communities.   CIBA Ranked #1 High School in CT for 2nd Year in a Row For the second year in a row, Connecticut IB Academy (CIBA) has been named the #1 high school in Connecticut in the U.S. News & World Report high school rankings. The International Baccalaureate (IB) school was also recognized among the nation’s top public high schools, ranking #109 out of 17,901 high schools nationwide. U.S. News and World Report evaluates schools on their performance on state-required assessments, graduation rates, and how well they prepare students for college. CIBA has a 100% graduation rate, 97% of students took at least one IB exam, and 91% of students passed at least one IB exam. “This ranking is a testament to the hard work and passion of the entire CIBA community,” said Principal Michelle Marion. “We are deeply proud of our students’ commitment to excellence, the high expectations set by our staff, and the support from families that helps make this achievement possible. The rigorous IB framework has empowered our students to not only meet but exceed expectations.”   EHPS Opens 10th School-Based Health Center on Norris Campus East Hartford Public Schools celebrated the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of its 10th school-based health center in partnership with InterCommunity Health Care this summer. Located in the newly renovated former North End Senior Center, this health center will serve the Norris Elementary School community. The EHPS school-based health centers provide primary care and behavioral health services beyond the scope of the school nurse. With a signed parental permission form, students can receive complete health care services during school hours, including diagnoses and treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, physical examinations, immunizations, individual and family counseling and crisis intervention. EHPS School-Based Health Centers The renovated facility is the result of a strong partnership between the Town of East Hartford and the school district. The building operated as a senior center until the early 2000s and was then used as a meeting space and storage facility. The Town and EHPS made an agreement last year to repurpose the space. The other half of the building houses the district’s new Professional Conference Center, which will serve as a central hub for professional development, educator training, instructional innovation and collaboration across the district.   Hundreds of Families Attend 2025 Back to School Rally East Hartford Public Schools geared up for the new school year with its annual Back to School Rally on August 6 drawing hundreds of families to the East Hartford Town Green for an event filled with celebration, support and school readiness. Even Governor Ned Lamont joined in on the fun! Students and their families connected with community organizations, town and local services, and other vendors while listening to music, playing games and enjoying food. The highlight of the event was the distribution of 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, which were free for district students. Thanks to the generosity of local organizations, businesses and individuals, along with the hard work of our volunteers and staff, this annual event once again helped ensure East Hartford students have what they need to succeed.   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Establishing routines at the Early Childhood Learning Center and Langford Elementary School Team building activities at O'Brien Elementary School and CT IB Academy   FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Upcoming events, helpful information and community news   Stay Connected Via ParentSquare All East Hartford Public Schools use ParentSquare for communication between school and home. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed, and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to send and receive class information, share pictures and files, see calendar items and much more!  Check out the video tutorials below in English and Spanish on how to activate your ParentSquare account and update your notification and language settings. ParentSquare: Activate Your Account ParentSquare: Activa tú Cuenta   School Meal Menus View school breakfast and lunch menus, plus nutritional and allergen information, with language translation options on Nutrislice.  Click here for Menus on Nutrislice  For more information on using Nutrislice, read the how-to guides below in English and Spanish. Nutrislice How to Guide - English  Nutrislice How to Guide - Spanish   East Hartford Latin Festival The Town of East Hartford invites all to attend the 3rd annual Latin Festival! The event will take place on Saturday, September 13th from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Great River Park (301 East River Drive). Admission is FREE. In case of inclement weather, this event will be moved indoors to the East Hartford Community Center at 50 Chapman Place.  The Latin Festival is a family-friendly, community event filled with fun activities for children and adults alike. Bring your family and friends to enjoy games, dominoes, food trucks, and live music performances! There will be a variety of cultural live performances by local artists.   SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR REMINDERS   September 18: Early Dismissal PreK-Grade 12 for Professional Development October 3: Schools Closed for Professional Development October 13: Schools Closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 14-17: Early Dismissal PreK-Grade 8 for Pre-K, Elementary & Middle School Parent Conferences 2025-2026 EHPS Calendar  STAY CONNECTED  Like and Follow EHPS on FacebookFollow EHPS on InstagramFollow EHPS on Twitter/XMore Stories on EastHartford.orgTown of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Sep 04 2025