East Hartford Pride Newsletter - June 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue X June 5, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  I am sure you're all excited for the warmer weather and to wrap up our last few days of the 2024-2025 school year. As a reminder, June 11, a half day, is the  last day for all East Hartford Public Schools. As superintendent, I am proud of every one of our 6,500 students. From the inquisitiveness and energy I saw in Pre-K to the maturity and focus of the high school seniors, they have all accomplished so much this year. We celebrate students who worked hard to learn new skills and knowledge and are progressing to the next grade level. We are especially excited for those students transitioning from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school.   Graduation represents the culmination of collective effort and commitment. We will honor the Class of 2025  next week starting with Woodland School and Synergy High School on June 9. CT IB Academy and East Hartford High School’s commencements are the following day on June 10. In recent weeks, our schools have held awards nights and signing events, recognizing the Class of 2025’s high school achievements and their future plans.   Photos from Synergy High School's Awards Ceremony East Hartford’s collective graduating class has earned nearly $10 million in college scholarships, and students have been accepted to more than 80 higher education institutions in state and around the country. In addition to those heading to 2-or 4-year colleges, students have made plans to attend trade schools, enter the workforce and proudly serve in the military.  Photos from Senior Signing Day at East Hartford High School The  Seal of Biliteracy is a tremendous accomplishment and 101 graduating seniors have earned this distinction. We anticipate that additional students will earn the seal based on AP and IB exam results released during the summer. The seal will appear on their diplomas and high school transcripts after demonstrating their ability to speak two or more languages. Special congratulations to EHHS Senior Shifa Shaikh who earned the Seal of Triliteracy in Hindi and Gujarati. This year, EHPS also has our first student who has earned the seal in Twi.  Please join me in congratulating all of our soon-to-be graduates on all of their accomplishments. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Rally on August 6 and on August 27, the first day of the 2025-2026 school year! Sincerely,  Thomas Anderson Superintendent East Hartford Public Schools   EHHS Teams Win State Championships! EHHS Boys Outdoor Track & Field The East Hartford High School Boys Outdoor Track and Field Team won the Class LL State Championship on June 2. The last time EHHS won this title was back in 1990!  EHHS Esports - Super Smash Brothers Gold Hornets Team East Hartford High School's Esports program won another state championship this spring! The Super Smash Brothers Gold Hornets Team won its 3rd state title on May 6. This is the 5th overall state championship for the program!    O'Connell School Knocks Down Hunger Students at O’Connell Elementary School created a giant cereal box domino chain on June 5 to help knock down hunger! Over the span of two weeks, K-5 students at O'Connell, plus O'Connell staff members, collected a total of 1,997 unopened cereal boxes. These boxes created a domino chain that took 3.5 minutes to fall, and stretched through several hallways and across the courtyard connecting the two O'Connell buildings! The school donated the cereal to South Congregational Church to benefit local families in need this summer.                                                                                                                                                              Sunset Ridge 8th Graders Showcase Community Projects 8th grade students at Sunset Ridge Middle School showcased the results of their hard work on their IB Middle Years Programme Community Projects. For these year-long projects, students research then take action on a community need of their choice. This year's topics included school safety, vaping awareness, hydration, breast cancer awareness, animal welfare, mental health and setting boundaries. During the showcase event on May 23, 8th graders had the opportunity to share their projects with fellow students and members of the community, while reflecting on the impact their projects made.    EHPS Hosts First Adaptive Field Day East Hartford Public Schools held our first Adaptive Field Day on May 5. This event is for elementary school students in the district’s self-contained classrooms with physical or cognitive deficits who are unable to fully participate in their schools’ regular field day activities. Around 130 students in grades K-5 were bussed from their schools to East Hartford High School to enjoy modified and sensory activities catered to their needs and abilities.                                            Though the event had to move inside due to rain, students had a great time rotating through around 20 different adaptive activities from obstacle courses and bowling to bubbles and spin art. East Hartford Special Education and Physical Education teachers collaborated with Doctor of Physical Therapy students at the University of Hartford to create these activity stations ensuring all students could participate and enjoy.   CIBA Teacher Chosen as Presidential Teaching Award Finalist Rachel Buck, a mathematics teacher at Connecticut IB Academy, has been selected as a Connecticut finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Ms. Buck, an East Hartford Public Schools teacher for the past 22 years, is now one of three CT middle school or high school mathematics teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers. Ms. Buck said, "I truly love having the opportunity to inspire students to learn and think critically, both in the classroom and within the larger school community. As a teacher, I strive to create a classroom where students feel safe asking questions, making mistakes and taking risks." Learn more about Ms. Buck and the PAEMST Awards by clicking here.    STAFF SPOTLIGHT Congratulations to the 2025-2026 East Hartford District Teacher of the Year, Drew Dunnack!  Señor Dunnack   has taught Spanish at  O'Connell Elementary School since 2020. As the only elementary language teacher in the district, he created a curriculum that makes learning Spanish fun and accessible to young students. He works to share his passion for learning languages with all of the 500+ students he sees each week, whether they are new to Spanish or speak the language at home.                                                                                         SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS   O'Brien 5th Graders at the Hartford Marathon Foundation's FitKid Run, EHMS 6th Graders at the Annual Fishing Derby, and Mayberry Elementary School Students Performing at Multicultural Night   EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Register For Kindergarten! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten families! Parents are encouraged to register their student this month in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.  For the 2025-2026 school year,  y our child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 to start kindergarten . All children turning 5 after September 30, 2025 will enter kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit  easthartford.org/kindergarten .   Save the Date: East Hartford Public Schools Back to School Rally!  This year's Back to School Rally will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 3:30-6:30 PM at East Hartford's Alumni Park (1021 Main Street). The rain date is August 7. Come get ready for the new school year with a free backpack, school supplies and community resources!   East Hartford Parks and Recreation is celebrating  CT Trails Day again this year. The department will host a 2-mile guided hike this Sunday, June 8th at 10:00 AM at the Nature Park. Park at 340 Long Hill Street to join the hike!   East Hartford Juneteenth Community Celebration The Town of East Hartford invites you to attend the fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration! Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. The event will take place on Saturday, June 14th from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street. This family-friendly, community event will have fun activities for children and adults alike, including vendors, food, entertainment, bounce house, face painting, powerful storytelling and so much more. Admission is FREE.   Click here to learn more .   Free Summer Music in East Hartford This Summer!  East Hartford residents and families have several opportunities to enjoy free music this summer.  The  Tuesday Night Tunes series will continue with its "Summer Addition" on the second Tuesday of the month: June 10 (Wickham Library), July 8 (Community Cultural Center) and August 12 (Senior Center Garden).  Sounds of Summer also returns this year for 8 Thursdays in a row starting June 12. These concerts are held from 6-8 PM at Great River Park Amphitheater.   Follow East Hartford Parks and Recreation on Facebook for more details!    School District Calendar Reminders: June 10: Early Dismissal PreK-12  June 11: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Dismissal PreK-12 Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Jun 05 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - May 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue IX May 1, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  We’re entering the last full month of the school year and it’s a great time to reflect on how our students have grown since August 28. They have learned new concepts, developed new skills, engaged in challenging assignments and completed large projects. They have grown their circles to include new friends and have diversified their thinking. As educators, few things are more rewarding than seeing our students maximize their potential and achieve their goals. This month, many of them will demonstrate their learning through state assessments, as well as AP and IB exams. We appreciate their dedication and the seriousness with which they approach these opportunities to showcase what they’ve learned.  Our students continue to thrive beyond the classroom, excelling in extracurricular activities and athletics as they grow into well-rounded individuals. Congratulations to the students from East Hartford High School’s engineering classes and engineering club who took first place in the novice division at the CT Electrathon race on April 25! After earning 4th and 6th place finishes last year, they were proud to see their hard work and dedication pay off on the track.  We are currently hosting our EHPS Fine and Performing Arts Showcase at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center. The opening reception featured music performances by several student groups, and you can view artwork from grades K-12 on display through May 3rd. We also recently hosted the district’s annual All-Town Strings Concert, which is a great opportunity for our string musicians to get together to showcase their talents.                                                                                                                           Please check 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.   Finally, I’d like to share an early congratulations to the Class of 2025 as they finalize their plans for after graduation. It’s another excellent year for college acceptances as our students have been accepted to more than 80 higher education institutions around the country and state. Whether our seniors are entering the workforce, the military or continuing their education at 2- or 4-year colleges, we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. Thank you for making East Hartford proud!   Sincerely,  Thomas Anderson Superintendent East Hartford Public Schools   Vote for our Future Chefs Challenge National Finalist! An East Hartford student is a top 5 national finalist in the 2025 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge and you can help her become the champion! Josie Tedesco, a 5th grade student at O'Connell Elementary, won East Hartford's Future Chefs cook off in March. She then advanced to the regional judging round and her "Yummy Yogurt Bowl" recipe was chosen as a regional winner.  Now, she's one of 5 national finalists who are in the running to be the country's top student chef. Public voting is open through May 9. Click here to watch Josie's recipe preparation video and to cast your vote.   EHHS Engineering Students Selected for Pratt & Whitney Internship Seven students from East Hartford High School’s Academy of Engineering pathway have been accepted into the Future Ready Lab paid summer internship program at Pratt & Whitney – RTX.  The engineering pathway at EHHS continues to grow and this year the program earned its certification from the National Academy Foundation. Through this certification, EHHS students were eligible to apply for the Pratt & Whitney internship for the first time. Engineering students worked closely with ReadyCT staff to prepare their applications and prep for in-person interviews at Pratt & Whitney’s facility. Seven students interviewed and all seven were selected for the program.  "It will definitely open doors," said Junior Jay Baysignavong, one of the accepted interns. "I wanted to see what this could lead me to and the opportunities I could get thereafter." These students will work alongside Pratt & Whitney engineers this summer to gain hands-on experience while exploring future careers.  Junior Aryanna Balancier, who was also selected for the internship, said, “I’m most excited to do a lot of hands-on projects and actually do what I could be doing in the future. Because there’s no better learning than hands-on learning.” In addition to the in-person internships, EHHS students were also eligible to apply for virtual paid internships with RTX.  This program is nationwide with more than 600 applicants for 200 positions. Five EHHS students were selected to participate from this national pool.   “It’s very gratifying,” said Sophomore Joseph Rodriguez, who earned the virtual internship. “My parents always pushed me to do my best and pushed me to work harder and harder, and it’s allowed me to get all these opportunities.”   Silver Lane Students Ride to School on the Bike Bus A group of 3rd-5th graders from Silver Lane Elementary School students biked to school on April 25 via the first Silver Lane Bike Bus. On a bike bus, adults and children ride to school together with arranged meet up points similar to a bus route. This initiative builds community, promotes school attendance, and provides a fun and active way to get to school. Silver Lane Physical Education Teacher Leigha Knapp worked with the East Hartford Police Department and the CT Department of Transportation to plan the bike bus route. She also gathered bicycle and equipment donations from several organizations, including Bike Bus World and Bike for Kids CT, prior to the initiative's launch. The next Silver Lane Bike Bus will be on National Walk and Bike to School Day on May 7. Read more about this event in the news stories linked below. Journal Inquirer Story:  East Hartford students bike to school with community members in town's first-ever 'Bike Bus' WTNH News 8 Story:  ‘Bike bus’ gets East Hartford elementary school students to class in a fun way   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Jen Kelly is a first grade teacher at Norris Elementary School who has been teaching for 20 years, including 18 years in East Hartford. She believes and models that learning can be fun, while maintaining structure and high expectations for her students.                                                      Steven Lewie is the Lead Maintainer for East Hartford Public Schools who works with his team to keep our buildings and campuses clean, operational and safe. Whether he's assigning crews to take care of problems or fixing one himself, he stays calm and prioritizes tasks to ensure it all gets done.                                                  SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Credit For Life financial literacy fair at Synergy Alternative High School, Arbor Day Celebration at Goodwin Elementary and Family Math Night at O'Brien Elementary EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Join InterCommunity Health Care for the  4th annual East Hartford Healthy Community Connections event on Wednesday, May 7 from 4-6 PM at the Early Childhood Learning Center. Bring the whole family along for some healthy food and fun! There will be FREE bags of food, a fresh produce scavenger hunt, raffle prizes, face painting, refreshments, and vendor booths with free activities and giveaways. Rain Date: Thursday, May 8   EHPS is hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary  Counted Out on May 14 at East Hartford Middle School. This is open to students, parents, families and members of the community. Counted Out is about the changing impact of mathematics on social, economic, medical and political power. It explores the growing importance of math in the 21st century and how it can empower or marginalize.   Click here to view the trailer. The film is appropriate for all ages, and Spanish subtitles will be available. Because elementary students may find it less engaging, an alternative activity will be offered for younger children who attend.  Family Dinner at 5:00 PM from Rosa's Restaurant Film Screening & Elementary Activity at 5:30 PM Debrief & Discussion at 7:00 PM Registration is encouraged but not required. Click here to register.    QPR Gatekeepers Suicide Prevention Training May is Mental Health Awareness Month. East Hartford's Youth and Social Services is hosting a suicide prevention training for East Hartford residents on May 15 at the East Hartford Senior Center from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. The training will cover topics including common causes for suicidal behaviors, warning signs and how to get help for someone in a crisis. QPR Gatekeepers is sponsored by the QPR Institute and Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Click here to register. .    Are you looking to navigate the world of special education with more confidence and support? The EHPS  Empowering Families in Special Education Fair  is designed just for you. This event is a unique opportunity to connect with experts, gain invaluable insights, and access a wealth of resources tailored for every stage of your child’s educational journey, from Pre-K to 12th Grade. Join us for informative breakout sessions, a resource fair, sensory and social/emotional learning activities, face painting, refreshments and much more on Thursday, May 22 from 4:00-6:00 PM in the East Hartford Middle School cafeteria. Together, let's create a brighter future for our children!   It's time for Kindergarten Registration! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.  For the 2025-2026 school year,  y our child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 to start kindergarten . All children turning 5 after September 30, 2025 will enter kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit  easthartford.org/kindergarten .   School District Calendar Reminders: May 23 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development  May 26 : Schools closed for Memorial Day Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, May 01 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - April 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, VIII April 3, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  Spring is here, bringing warmer temperatures and a renewed sense of energy and excitement! As we approach spring recess from April 14-18, we encourage our students and staff to take this time to relax, recharge, and return refreshed. When we reunite on April 21, we’ll embark on the final stretch of the 2024-2025 school year with focus and determination. Our teams are committed to finishing the year strong while also preparing for enriching summer programs and the bright future ahead. Let’s make this season one of growth, achievement, and celebration!  We have finalized our EHPS budget for the upcoming school year (Fiscal Year 2026) in alignment with the town’s budget vote on March 10. Throughout this process, our teams have worked closely with the Mayor and his team to ensure a balance between fiscal responsibility and the critical needs of our students and community. Through strategic planning and collaboration, we adjusted our FY26 budget request from a 2.8% increase over the current year to a final 1.66% increase. Although this allocation is not what we need to expedite progress, we were able to minimize the impact of this reduced investment to maintain current staffing and prioritize essential student services. The East Hartford Board of Education will vote to adopt our budget for next school year during its next regular meeting on Monday, April 7 at CT IB Academy at 7:00 pm. Our commitment remains steadfast in providing the best possible educational experience for all EHPS students.   On the topic of critical funding for our students, we were proud to host Governor Ned Lamont, state lawmakers and education advocates at East Hartford Middle School last month as Governor Lamont signed the HB7163 bill ( photo from bill signing above ). This legislation directed an additional $40 million to several towns and cities across the state to support special education services during this school year. This funding helps districts like East Hartford as we strive to ensure all of our students have the resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.  We know our students are the future of our community and we hope to see you out there this spring cheering them on at sporting events, concerts, awards ceremonies and graduations!   Have a safe and refreshing break!  Sincerely,  Thomas Anderson Superintendent East Hartford Public Schools   Dozens of Volunteers Join EHPS for Read Across America Day East Hartford Public Schools celebrated literacy in March with our annual participation in Read Across America. Each year we partner with the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to bring volunteers into our schools as guest readers.  On March 6, these visitors read to every kindergarten and first grade classroom at East Hartford's elementary schools sharing the story “I AM MORE THAN" by LeBron James. The American Eagle Federal Credit Union donated the books, which ensured each class received a copy to keep in their room's library.    CIBA Students Recognized for STEM Aptitude and Aspirations (From L-R) Sam Ramasubramaniam, Bryanna Boroze, Brooke Lincoln, Mariam Welbeck, and Jannah Sallam  Five Connecticut IB Academy (CIBA) students have been recognized by the National Council of Women in Technology (NCWIT). The “Aspirations in Computing” High School Award honors students in grades 9-12 for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions.  CIBA Junior Mariam Welbeck was named an NCWIT award winner for the state of Connecticut. She says she’s always wanted to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and has been working toward that goal at CIBA. After initially thinking this award wasn't for her, she was encouraged to apply after considering how technology and computing intersect with her interests in the medical field.  “It feels kind of validating. It’s really nice that someone sees my efforts and what I’ve been doing through high school and appreciates it,” Mariam said in response to receiving the award.  Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, persistence, and future plans. The multi-tiered award structure includes Winner, Honorable Mention, and Rising Star designations. Seniors Bryanna Boroze and Brooke Lincoln and Junior Jannah Sallam earned Connecticut Honorable Mentions. Junior Sam Ramasubramaniam was named a Connecticut Rising Star. All five students are active members of CIBA’s Biomedical Olympiad Club. Their club advisor Dr. Shilpa Choudhary encouraged them to apply for the awards, with support from Principal Michelle Marion.  “We are very proud of them and how they are role models for other students, not just within the school, but for all students across the country passionate for STEM,” said Dr. Choudhary.  All Connecticut winners will be honored at the Aspirations in Computing Award Celebration later this month.    EHPS Elementary Students Compete in Future Chef Cook Off Elementary school students showed off their kitchen and culinary skills in the 15th annual Sodexo Future Chef Competition on March 20. Three finalists competed in the cook off after submitting their favorite fruit or vegetable side dish recipe for consideration. Josie Tedesco, a 5th grade student at O’Connell Elementary, won the grand prize for her "Yummy Yogurt Bowl" recipe. Goodwin 3rd Grader James Kearns was a finalist with his James’ Kindness Fruit Kebabs, along with Goodwin 5th Grader Elizabeth Saucier who made Celery Butterflies.  During the cook off, East Hartford High School culinary students assisted the elementary chefs with preparation and plating. A panel of four judges scored each dish in several categories including originality, ease of preparation, healthy attributes, and taste. As the grand prize winner, Josie won an iPad and will now move on to the regional competition with winners from Sodexo’s other K-12 school programs in the area. All of the finalists took home Fitbits, cookbooks, and cooking supplies for their hard work.    STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Lauren Tierinni is a Special Education Teacher at O’Brien Elementary School and has taught in East Hartford for 21 years. She uses positivity and flexibility to help her students reach their individual goals as she advocates for inclusion in her school, community and beyond.                                                                   Joe DiLeone is the Assistant Network Administrator for East Hartford Public Schools who ensures network systems are functioning behind the scenes at all of the district’s schools and buildings. He puts 100% into his work and is dedicated to problem solving because he truly cares.           SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Pi Day Recitation Winners at O'Brien Elementary, 5th Grade Writing Celebration at Norris Elementary and  Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day at O'Connell Elementary   EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD BUNNY BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY The EHHS Student Council is hosting its annual Bunny Breakfast for the community on Saturday, April 5 from 9am-12pm in the East Hartford High School cafeteria.  The egg hunt portion of the event will begin at 11am.  There is a $5 entry fee.    It's time for Kindergarten Registration! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.  For the 2025-2026 school year, y our child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 to start kindergarten . All children turning 5 after September 30, 2025 will enter kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit  easthartford.org/kindergarten .   School District Calendar Reminders: April 14-18 : Schools Closed for Spring Recess  April 24 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development. Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Apr 03 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - March 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, VII March 6, 2025 Superintendent's Message  Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,   I appreciate your support as we work with the Mayor and Town Council to finalize our budget request for next school year (Fiscal Year 2026). We strive to be fiscally responsible as we ensure our schools, staff and students have the resources they need. We have been very strategic in our planning and have reduced our requested budget increase from 2.8% to 2.05% over the current fiscal year. This revision reflects our ongoing efforts to prioritize essential student services while also being responsive to the broader financial realities of our community. Each year we will work to minimize any requested increase as we meet contractual obligations, including salaries and other required costs. We remain committed to making the most meaningful and effective investments in our students, staff, and community. We know an investment in East Hartford schools is an investment in our town’s future.   Our work to secure grants and outside funding allows us to provide students with additional opportunities and supports. We recently hosted U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and several town, district and industry leaders at Synergy High School’s new manufacturing lab. Last year, Senator Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy helped us secure $730,000 in federal grant funding to create this lab and fill it with state-of-the-art equipment. The lab opened this fall offering students high-tech training without leaving their school building.  This lab is just one example of the excellent programming we offer our students to prepare them for college and career.  We are proud of so many of our seniors who are receiving acceptances to colleges and universities all over the country. As we enter spring, we look forward to hearing more about their decisions and their exciting plans for the future.   Sincerely,    Thomas Anderson Superintendent East Hartford Public Schools   Two EHPS Seniors Receive Full UConn Scholarships Two East Hartford Public Schools seniors have received full merit scholarships to the University of Connecticut. East Hartford High School Senior Joy Frimpong received UConn’s Day of Pride Scholarship and Connecticut IB Academy Senior Brooke Lincoln received UConn’s Nutmeg Scholarship. Each scholarship is only awarded to 20 recipients statewide. The scholarships cover both direct and indirect costs of attendance for four years, including tuition, fees, housing, meals and textbooks. Joy Frimpong - EHHS "Pursuing higher education has always been my family's dream for me, as well as my own. Now, without the financial burden, I can fully commit to this dream. My family and I are overwhelmed with gratitude for winning this competitive award, which will support me for the next four years." "The resources and support within this district are limitless. Without Ms. Brown's summer college bootcamp, I wouldn't have even known about this scholarship. I'm deeply grateful for the adults who truly connect with students and engage in campus life. Every club, class, and event has shaped my thinking and brought me to this point. I’m forever grateful for my 17 years in this town and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way." Brooke Lincoln - CIBA "It’s an honor to be one of the ones selected and to be recognized for the work I’ve put in throughout high school. I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family, teachers, and peers; I am very grateful for how they helped me reach this point. This scholarship has eased the monetary burden of college for me and my family, and gives me the chance to attend an excellent university without the financial pressure we faced before." "CIBA helped me become an academically balanced student by providing me with a well rounded education. More significantly, CIBA gave me the opportunity to develop critical skills such as leadership and cooperation. I had the chance to participate in so many experiences —from clubs to community service— that were central to my application." Read more about the scholarship recipients here.    O'Connell 5th Graders Present Research on Global Issues The 5th grade exhibition is the culminating activity of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. For this activity, O'Connell Elementary School 5th grade students chose and researched a community relevant and globally significant issue. They worked for months on this research and presented their findings during the exhibition event on February 12 in front of their classmates, families and other special guests. This year, some of the issues students chose included ocean pollution, food safety, anxiety, animal abuse, hurricanes, carbon footprint, and internet safety.    Schools and Students Celebrate Chinese New Year As East Hartford students study the Chinese language, they also learn about Chinese culture. Chinese language students celebrated the Lunar New Year in various ways this year, while including other classmates in the festivities and learning.  At East Hartford High School, students took part in several cultural activities such as fan painting and a chopstick competition, then enjoyed snacks and a traditional red envelope symbolizing good wishes for the new year ahead! CT IB Academy celebrated the Chinese New Year with a program featuring dancing, singing, a fashion show and more! Chinese language students from all four grades performed for their classmates to welcome the Year of the Snake. At Sunset Ridge School, Chinese language students from grades 6-8 put on grade level performances, followed by classroom activities for all students to learn more about the Chinese New Year.    STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Staci Porch is the First Assistant Principal at East Hartford High School and has been a part of the EHHS team for more than two decades. While managing many of the school's systems behind the scenes, she also works to be visible to students and build trusting relationships with them.                     Javier Smith is the Administrative Assistant at Mayberry Elementary School who brings kindness and a love for service to his job every day. He works tirelessly to solve problems and find answers for Mayberry’s teachers, staff, students and families.                                                   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS The Children's Museum STARLAB visits ECLC, Book Bingo at Silver Lane Elementary and 100th Day of School at Norris Elementary EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD It's time for Kindergarten Registration! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten families! Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.  Please take note of the below age requirements for kindergarten students . For the 2025-2026 school year: Your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 to start kindergarten . Children who turn 5 between September 2 and September 30, 2025 must apply for a waiver by March 30, 2025.  Children will be given an assessment to determine kindergarten readiness. All children turning 5 after September 30, 2025 will enter kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten .   Bunny Breakfast - Hosted by EHHS Student Council The EHHS Student Council is hosting its annual Bunny Breakfast for the community on Saturday, April 5 from 9am-12pm in the East Hartford High School cafeteria.  The egg hunt portion of the event will begin at 11am.  There is a $5 entry fee.    School District Calendar Reminders: March 10 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development  March 11-14 : Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 5 for PreK and Elementary Parent Conferences  March 13 : Early Dismissal for Grades 6-8 for Middle School Parent Conferences Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Mar 06 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - February 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue VI February 6, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  A thriving society—one where every individual, regardless of background, has access to the resources and opportunities necessary to unlock their full potential – has equity as its cornerstone. By fostering environments that nurture critical and analytical thinking, we empower all people to contribute meaningfully to their local communities and the world. Our unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers, ensuring that education, healthcare, and economic opportunities are within reach for everyone, is how we make true progress. As we celebrate  Black History Month , we recognize that Black history is American history—woven into the fabric of our nation's story. The month originated in 1926 as Negro History Week, founded by Carter G. Woodson to ensure the significant contributions of Black Americans were acknowledged and incorporated into mainstream teachings. Today, it serves as a reminder that history must be accurate, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse voices that have shaped our country. By embracing the full spectrum of our collective history, we foster a society where all Americans feel valued, empowered, and inspired to build a future rooted in justice, knowledge, and unity. This year, our schools are recognizing the contributions of Black Americans in many ways from weaving them into classroom lessons and activities to sharing facts about these historical figures throughout the day. I appreciate each of you for your commitment to all our students and for using your sphere of influence to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. O'Brien Students Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day We are excited to share East Hartford Public Schools is 1 of only 7 districts statewide chosen by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to participate in an  innovative artificial intelligence (AI) in education pilot program . The state program will take place through the end of this school year focusing on students in grades 7-12. In East Hartford, select classrooms at East Hartford Middle School, East Hartford High School and Connecticut IB Academy will participate and gain hands-on experience in AI tools such as Cloud Navigator and MagicSchool.  We will work to see how these tools can be integrated into the classroom and enhance the teaching and learning process for both teachers and students. Throughout the pilot program, CSDE will monitor progress and outcomes at districts like ours, sharing best practices to guide future technology integration efforts across the state. We look forward to learning more about how these tools can support students’ academics and workforce readiness.  Sincerely,    Thomas Anderson Superintendent East Hartford Public Schools   Norris Students and Families Learn CPR February is Heart Health Month! Norris Elementary School worked with the American Heart Association to teach both students and parents hands-only CPR, a basic skill needed to assist in a medical emergency.  4th and 5th grade students learned how to check to see if someone is unresponsive and how to call 911. Then they practiced hands-only CPR using manikins and learned the basics of using an automated external defibrillator (AED). First responders from the East Hartford Fire Department and Police Department joined in on the lesson to assist students as they practiced.  The American Heart Association also provided this training during one of Norris School’s Parent Café events. Parents were able to receive the information in both English and Spanish.  Throughout the month, Norris is sharing additional resources from the American Heart Association to support students and families in developing healthy habits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.   EHHS Earns AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award East Hartford High School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) during the 2023-2024 school year. Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities. EHHS was one of only 847 schools or institutions nationwide to receive this award for last school year. Award contenders must either have reached 50% or higher female representation in its AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. AP Computer Science Teacher Ray Campbell said he had 15 female students in his class last year out of the 23 total students enrolled.  "I'm lucky to teach several electives that are popular with a broad range of students including Photography and Graphic Design. When someone has the academic talent to take AP, I encourage them to sign up,” said Campbell. He added, “In our world, everyone should not only use computers, but know how they work and a bit about how to program them."   4th Graders Enjoy Air Museum Field Trip East Hartford 4th graders recently had the opportunity to visit the New England Air Museum during a school field trip. Students got an up close look at the museum's aircraft while learning about the science behind aviation.  Snapshots from Langford, Silver Lane and Goodwin Elementary Schools below   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Jevon Williams is a 7th grade math teacher at East Hartford Middle School and an East Hartford graduate himself. He naturally relates to his students and keeps them engaged as he inspires them to think critically and solve problems.                             Damani Brandon is a Guidance Specialist at Synergy Alternative High School who sets high expectations for her students while being understanding of their struggles. She works with them to ensure they reach their goals, succeed in school and are ready for life after graduation.    SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Cozy Literacy Night at Mayberry, 6th Grade Team Day Dance at EHMS and Family Vision Board Night at Pitkin EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD It's time for Kindergarten Registration! East Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome our new Kindergarten families! Registration opened on February 1st. Parents are encouraged to register their student by June in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.  Please take note of the below age requirements for kindergarten students . For the 2025-2026 school year: Your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 to start kindergarten . Children who turn 5 between September 2 and September 30, 2025 must apply for a waiver by March 30, 2025.  Children will be given an assessment to determine kindergarten readiness. All children turning 5 after September 30, 2025 will enter kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. The registration process begins online. For more information on kindergarten at EHPS and how to register visit easthartford.org/kindergarten .   School District Calendar Reminders: February 14   : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development February 17 : Schools and District Offices Closed for Presidents' Day  February 18 : Schools closed for Staff Professional Development  March 10 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development  March 11-14 : Early Dismissal for PreK-Grade 5 for PreK and Elementary Parent Conferences  March 13 : Early Dismissal for Grades 6-8 for Middle School Parent Conferences Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Feb 06 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - January 2025

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue V January 2, 2025 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community, Happy New Year! I hope all of our students, families and staff had a wonderful and restful winter break.  We are excited to welcome Ellen Delgado, our current Supervisor of PreK/Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, to the EHPS Executive Leadership Team as the  Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning . Ellen was chosen after a wide search and interviewing several highly-qualified candidates.  We know she will continue to positively impact our district in this new role, which oversees content supervisors and other academic areas. With this new addition to the Executive Leadership Team, Dr. Elsie Torres will continue as Assistant Superintendent overseeing school administration and other key district areas.  As a school district, we are always moving forward and focused on future opportunities for continued growth and increasing success. We have highly knowledgeable teams that continue to effectively analyze data and seek ways to maximize performance on all levels. These data points are critical to inform the work we do every day to meet students where they are and motivate them to access their full potential.   With that in mind, it’s important to look at where we’ve been and reflect on our successes. That's why I’m excited to share with you our EHPS Annual Year End Review  document for the 2023-2024 school year. EHPS Annual Year End Review 2023-2024 Inside, you’ll find information about our PreK-12 student body, our program offerings, our budget and more. You’ll also see many student photos, which help tell the EHPS story beyond the numbers. Please take a few minutes to review and recognize all we’ve achieved, together.   As your Superintendent, I am very proud of what our students and staff continue to accomplish. We have so much to look forward to in 2025!  Sincerely,     Thomas Anderson  Superintendent  East Hartford Public Schools   EHMS Newspaper Club Shares News For Students, By Students East Hartford Middle School has a new newspaper featuring stories, interviews, opinion pieces and art – all by students. The EHMS Newspaper Club has put out two issues of The Falcon Flyer so far this school year.  Student writers cover school activities, clubs and events. They also interview EHMS staff members and craft opinion pieces.   “I just wanted to write about stuff and life,” said 6th grade writer Grace Louis, who interviewed one of the school’s custodians for the second issue of The Falcon Flyer.  The Newspaper Club also welcomes student artists, cartoonists and photographers.  “I take a lot of pictures any way,” said 8th grade photographer Christian Roldan. “So now I could take this hobby of my own and share. It’s something cool to do.”  English Teacher Brian Vignati started the club this year. He and his co-advisors English Teacher Kim Yrayta and Special Education Teacher Shannon Jones help students organize their ideas and plan their pieces. They also serve as newspaper editors. Once each issue is finalized, the club works together to print and distribute copies around the school.  EHMS students are encouraged to join the club and make their voices heard.  8th grade artist Aurora “Ayce” Wilkerson said, “When I figured out that you could do newspaper, I was like, ‘Ok, this is going to go out to the whole school and I could have a say and be a part of it.’” Read issues of The Falcon Flyer by clicking here.   EHHS Senior Second in her Family to Receive QuestBridge Scholarship East Hartford High School Senior Chidimma Chukwuocha has been admitted to Pomona College and awarded a full, four-year scholarship through the 2024 QuestBridge National College Match.  This program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full scholarships to 52 of the nation’s top colleges. Chidimma was one of 2,627 students matched this year out of more than 25,500 applicants nationwide. “My family and I would like to express so much gratitude to QuestBridge! To receive this scholarship means so much to us as being able to afford college has been a concern of my family,” said Chidimma.  Last year, her sister Chimuanya was also matched with Pomona College through QuestBridge. Chidimma said witnessing her sister’s experience with both the scholarship program and her first semester at Pomona was motivation to pursue a similar path.  “Learning about this opportunity through my older sister increased my interest and hope in achieving higher levels of education,” said Chidimma. “l will never forget the look of joy and relief my parents had when she told them the news of being matched and what it meant for our family.” 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 and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. Chidimma said, “Looking back, I really want to thank East Hartford High School for helping me become a better writer through its productive writing classes, a significant component in the QuestBridge National College Match application process.” At East Hartford High School, Chidimma is President of the Spanish Honors Society, a track and field athlete, and a member of the National Honors Society.  She plans to pursue a degree in Biology in order to achieve her goal of being a cardiothoracic surgeon.    EHPS Receives Grant to Grow Farm to School Programming For the second year in a row, East Hartford Public Schools has been awarded a  CT Grown for CT Kids (CTG4CTK) grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. EHPS will receive $74,780 for its Farm to School programming in Fiscal Year 2025. Last year, EHPS was awarded $50,000.  East Hartford’s project was one of 15 selected by the Dept. of Agriculture out of nearly 80 applications. The funds will be used to continue covering part of the salary of a district Farm to School Coordinator. The grant will also ensure that currently existing school gardens can be upkept with materials and supplies such as soil, compost, garden tools, and woodchips. The funds will support farm field trips, educational supplies for farm to school learning, and materials for afterschool farm to school cooking programs.  Furthermore, the funds will be used to expand farm to school programming into more schools with tower gardens, aero gardens, and materials to build new garden beds. Finally, the funds will be used to purchase a blast chiller, which is a piece of kitchen equipment used to quickly freeze foods to optimize both food safety and quality. The blast chiller will support East Hartford’s initiative to purchase and freeze more locally grown foods, so students can enjoy them year-round instead of just while they’re in season. “This program provides students with hands on learning experiences so they gain a deeper understanding of where food comes from and its impact on the environment. Our program supports local farmers such as Handel Family Farm through purchasing locally grown foods for students and taking farm field trips, which contributes to the sustainability of small farms and promotes local agriculture. Our farm to school program encourages community engagement, allowing families to connect with the agricultural process and creating a sense of pride by contributing to our school gardens,” said East Hartford Public Schools Registered Dietitian Carolyn Pancarowicz.  She said, "Continued investment in our farm to school program is crucial and is an investment in our students and our community."   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Mackenzie Mace is the IB Biology Teacher at Connecticut IB Academy who teaches 11th and 12th grade students. While teaching the high-level curriculum, she keeps her students engaged through real world connections and sharing her own passion for the subject.                                    Alexis St. Croix is the Speech & Language Pathologist at Pitkin Elementary School and an assistive technology specialist in the school district. She uses a wide variety of tools, strategies and supports to help students with differing needs gain independence and confidence through communication.             SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS 8th Grade Gingerbread Wars at Sunset Ridge School, Book Swap at Goodwin Elementary School, and Wreaths Across America participation for O'Connell Elementary School EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Register for Adult Education Classes Registration is open for the Spring 2025 semester at East Hartford Adult and Continuing Education! Classes begin in late January. They are FREE for East Hartford residents and cost $50 for non-residents.  Through these classes you can earn your high school diploma, learn English, become a U.S. citizen and help your child become a better reader! Click here to register   The East Hartford Delegation invites you to attend the Legislative Town Hall at the East Hartford Town Hall at 740 Main Street on January 29th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM . This is an excellent opportunity to engage with your elected officials and discuss the issues that matter most to you and our community. Town hall events allow you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and listen to what others in the community have to say. Your voice is important!    School District Calendar Reminders: January 6:  Schools closed for Three Kings Day January 20 : Schools closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  January 21-27 : Grades 9-12 Early Dismissal for High School Exams Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Jan 02 2025

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - December 2024

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue IV December 5, 2024 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  We bring in December with the excitement of the holiday season along with our first snow fall and 2-hour delay. Many schools will be hosting winter concerts and other exciting family events, and the winter sports season has begun. We hope you will join us through December in attending the games, matches, concerts, and other events. Each year at this time we present our budget for the following school year. Our School Year 2025-2026 (Fiscal Year 2026) budget proposal prioritizes investments consistent with this year’s focus to maintain key services and supports for students and resources for staff. These priority investments include creating more equitable opportunities for all students, building staff capacity in all areas, ensuring effective student services, enhancing quality learning spaces and providing competitive staff salaries.     At the annual joint meeting of the East Hartford Board of Education and Town Council on November 25, I presented a proposed 2.8% budget increase from the current FY25 budget. The proposed budget amount of $105,408,825 includes investments to sustain current services, leverages grants to maintain critical district operations, and adds new positions to support and meet the needs of our students. These positions include bilingual teachers at the elementary and high school level, bilingual coaches, and staff at all levels to support school climate and cafeteria services. Outside of these new positions, the budget maintains current staffing levels and meets all contractual salary obligations for EHPS employees.  At the December 16 regular meeting, the Board of Education will vote to approve my FY26 Proposed Budget. We invite you to view the budget in full at the link below.  Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget We are in a constant cycle of growth as we continuously evaluate ways to be more strategic and efficient to better address all aspects of EHPS. Teaching and learning are our priorities, and our budget aligns with our strategic plan, which guides our work and keeps us accountable to one another.  As always, your support is appreciated as we advocate for our community’s most important investment: our children.  Sincerely,     Thomas Anderson  Superintendent  East Hartford Public Schools    Pitkin Student Chosen as Statewide Kid Governor Candidate Pitkin Elementary student Warona Sekgoma was one of seven candidates from around the state to appear on the  Connecticut Kid Governor ballot. She ran on the community issue of “Self Confidence,” which she continues to embody even though she did not win the statewide election.  “Love yourself and be yourself,” the 5th grader said.  Warona is a new student who just moved to East Hartford from Botswana in September. She impressed her teachers and fellow students when she decided to run in the Pitkin Kid Governor primary, memorized her campaign speech, and earned the most votes at her school.  “She had the support from the entire 5th grade,” said Pitkin Principal Bea Corrado. “It was so authentic because it wasn’t about it being a popularity contest at all because the kids were just getting to know her. It was about her message.” Warona said she chose Self Confidence as her platform after thinking about how many students suffer from insecurities. She was also inspired by her family’s constant encouragement to be herself.  “My mom said to just keep my positivity, but sometimes it’s hard, so what I want to do is share it,” said Warona.                                                                           Warona worked with several staff members at Pitkin to put together the above campaign video, which was submitted to the state and was the basis of her selection as one of the final candidates.  “I was happy, excited and scared,” she said.  10,000 5th grade students around the state, including many from East Hartford’s elementary schools, voted in the election this November. After the votes were tallied, Keudy from Waterbury was elected with his platform of School Safety. “Before I really wanted to be Kid Governor, but then I realized it doesn’t really matter. It just matters that all these people are supporting me,” said Warona. “It’s really enough that I have a whole 5th grade community and other people that voted for me.” Warona and the other final candidates will serve on the CT Kid Governor cabinet for a full year. They will attend monthly meetings and work to make a difference for children around the state. She will take her oath of office in January.   Three East Hartford Schools Named "Schools of Distinction" Three East Hartford public schools have been named “Schools of Distinction” by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) for their high performance and growth. Last month, the CSDE released results from the 2023-2024 Next Generation Accountability System. In this system, schools and districts earn points on a broad set of 12 indicators that help tell the story of how well a school is preparing its students for success. These indicators include achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, college and career readiness, high school graduation, postsecondary entrance, physical fitness, and the arts. The “Schools of Distinction” were chosen based on their performance in these indicators last school year. Connecticut IB Academy (CIBA) was one of only 69 schools statewide to that receive this distinction for High Performance. CIBA earned 85.6% of the total possible points available across all indicators. Pitkin Elementary School was recognized for High Growth among high needs students in Math. In this indicator, students earned 81.8% of the growth target compared to a state-level average of 55.1%. Goodwin Elementary School was recognized for High Growth among high needs students in English and Language Arts (ELA). In this indicator, students earned 76.3% of the growth target compared to the state-level average of 54.2%. Read more on EastHartford.org or in this article from the Journal Inquirer .   EHHS Gives Back During Annual Community Awareness Day Students across grades 9-12 came together again this year for East Hartford High School's annual Community Awareness Day. Every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, all EHHS students participate in community service and community building activities around their school and around East Hartford.  Students washed trucks at the Fire Department, helped clean local churches and the Hillstown Grange, lead activities at our elementary, middle and PreK schools, cleaned up parks and trails, and raked leaves in neighborhood yards. They also raised money and awareness for different causes and participated in team building activities to make EHHS a better place.     The goal is to send students off on Thanksgiving break with a better understanding of the impact they can make in their community and beyond. View video highlights below and  learn more about this annual day of service in this video with EHHS School Counselor and Service Learning Coordinator Adrienne Cote-Parker.                               District 5th Graders Cheer on the Hartford Wolf Pack   5th grade students had a great time cheering on the Hartford Wolf Pack during a recent district field trip! East Hartford students attended the Wolf Pack’s School Day Game on November 19 with students from other districts. During the game, the Wolf Pack displayed educational questions on the jumbotron. Students also got to take home a workbook with math, social studies and science questions.   EHHS Athlete of the Month Katherine Shlatz  is a freshman at CT IB Academy who had a very impressive first season on the EHHS swim team!  Katherine made the Class LL State Championships in 4 events (200 Medley Relay, 200 Individual Medley, 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle) and dropped 4 seconds on her 200 Individual Medley race time at states.  She is the first freshman to qualify for individual events since 2019.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Matthew Willhoft is an EL teacher at Langford Elementary School who works with English language learners in grades 1 and 2. As he's teaching language acquisition, he's also making connections with his students and ensuring they have what they need to learn and grow.                                                                                    Melanie Bridges is a Behavior Manager at Goodwin Elementary School whose work extends far beyond assisting the students in her classroom. With a passion for family engagement and helping others, she makes a positive impact on the entire school community.    SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day at O'Brien Elementary, Thanksgiving crafts at Silver Lane Elementary, and Thanksgiving parade at the Early Childhood Learning Center EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Breakfast with Santa The East Hartford High School Student Council is hosting their annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, December 7 from 9am-12pm in the EHHS cafeteria (869 Forbes Street; Enter through the gym lobby entrance).  Tickets are $5 per person to enjoy crafts, food and a visit with Santa! Contact gancarz.m@easthartford.org for more information.    What's Your Opinion on School Meals? Sodexo, our EHPS food services partner, wants to hear your opinion on school meals! Please take a minute to fill out their survey and share your thoughts. Your feedback matters! The survey is offered in English and Spanish and will be available at this link through December 16:  https://tinyurl.com/mvrtce4x   East Hartford Parks and Recreation invites you to attend the upcoming  Recreation Programs Forum!   Together, those in attendance will discuss, share ideas and plan steps to help shape the future of youth recreation programming in East Hartford. This conversation continues the data gathering process that began with the 1,000+ community survey responses collected this fall.  Contact East Hartford Parks and Recreation at  ehparksrec@easthartfordct.gov or 860-291-7160 with questions.  Empowering Our Community: Recreation Programs Forum Tuesday, December 10, 2024 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Cultural Community Center Auditorium 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford   School District Calendar Reminders: December 13 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development   December 20 :  Early Dismissal PreK-12 December 23 - January 1 : Schools closed for Holiday Recess January 6 : Schools closed for Three Kings Day Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Dec 05 2024

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - November 2024

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue III November 7, 2024 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Community,  November brings with it the season of thanks. While we are grateful all year long for those who support and influence our East Hartford students, we appreciate this time to take a pause and reflect on those contributions. November 11, Veterans Day, provides us an additional opportunity to recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our nation.  We are thankful for every individual who makes up our East Hartford Public Schools community. Thank you to our 1,300+ EHPS team members who work tirelessly to help our students maximize their potential. Thank you to our Board of Education for supporting our needs and understanding what it takes to ensure we have the resources to succeed. Thank you to our town and state elected leaders on all levels for their support and advocacy. We truly appreciate your collaboration and commitment to the students in East Hartford Public Schools.  Thank you to our volunteers and partners who give their time and resources to our students and schools throughout the year. You are appreciated! This past month, we celebrated the annual Jumpstart  Read for the Record event in partnership with the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. This shared reading event brings volunteer readers into our classrooms to read to and engage with our students as they help promote literacy. Every 2nd and 3rd grade classroom at our eight elementary schools participated. Volunteers read the book "Piper Chen Sings” by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran to each classroom. Finally, thanks to American Eagle Financial Credit Union’s sponsorship of the event, volunteers left a copy of the book in each classroom to expand their libraries.  These events remind us that it takes a whole community to ensure our students achieve and grow. We are stronger together. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season as we take the time to learn more about one another.  Sincerely,     Thomas Anderson  Superintendent  East Hartford Public Schools   CIBA Student Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Connecticut IB Academy senior Jayden Lin has been named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. The prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Lin will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships offered in the spring worth nearly $26 million. “Being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is definitely a point of pride for me. It's an accumulation of my hard work in CIBA, and having the fruit of my efforts in front of me is pretty surreal. However, it's also a reminder for me that I need to keep working harder to keep up the pace,” said Lin.  More than 1.3 million students from more than 21,000 high schools across the country entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) during their junior year Lin scored a 1500 out of 1520 on the PSAT and is among around 16,000 semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, chosen nationwide to advance in the competition. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition, including submitting a detailed scholarship application. About 95% of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. Read more on easthartford.org .    Farm to School Connections Grow During CT Grown for CT Kids Week Butternut squash, apple cider and hot peppers are among the local farm food East Hartford students got to try at school during CT Grown for CT Kids Week. This annual event in October aims to celebrate and support local agriculture, public education and our community commitment to the importance of healthy nutritious meals in schools. While taste tests took place at several schools, the East Hartford Farm to School team organized a special celebration at Mayberry Elementary School with community partners. Students tasted local butternut squash, grown by Handel Family Farm, roasted with cinnamon and maple syrup during their lunch waves. Then, the team provided a tour of the newly revitalized Mayberry School garden. This work was funded through a Department of Agriculture CT Grown for CT Kids grant and made possible by around 20 community volunteers who cleaned up the space. One student said, "I love the garden because it's a space, outside of school, that's always calm."  Read more about this event and our Farm to School programming in this Journal Inquirer article .    Fall Family, Community and School Fun East Hartford schools had a lot to celebrate this month from the fall harvest and Halloween to Hispanic Heritage Month. Our staff and parent-teacher organizations planned excellent events that were well attended by our students and families! Enjoy the snapshots and videos below and be sure to click the links to view more photos from these events.    EHHS Café con Leche Event to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month     Video by EHHS Hornet Productions                                     O'Connell Elementary Trunk or Treat  - Mayberry Elementary Fall Festival -  Goodwin Elementary Fall Dance     EHHS Athlete of the Month Celia Rojas  is a freshman at East Hartford High School who had a very impressive first season on the high school cross country team. She won the Freshman CCC Championship race by 36 seconds. She also won the Wickham Invitational and the Geraghty Invitational in the junior varsity division.  In the varsity division, she placed 39/180 in the CCC Championship Race and 36/190 in the State Championship Race.   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Griffin Michalek is the 6th grade Individuals and Societies Teacher at Sunset Ridge School. As a former East Hartford student himself, he remembers being inspired and supported by his teachers. Now, he works to do the same for his students both in and out of the classroom.                             Denise Harrison is the lead human resources specialist for East Hartford Public Schools. From FMLA paperwork to benefits information, she provides an empathetic, caring approach to the guidance she provides to teachers and staff throughout the district.                             SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Board of Education presentation by Langford Elementary students, Pep Rally at East Hartford Middle School and Veterans Day Walk at Sunset Ridge EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Learn about East Hartford's community branding initiative and share your perspective on what makes East Hartford strong and unique! The Town of East Hartford has recently embarked on a research-driven, community-wide identity and branding initiative. This effort will help our town stand out in the marketplace as we move toward our preferred future.  You're invited to participate in a  town-wide community listening session on Wednesday, November 13 in the Town Council Chambers from 5:30-7:30 PM. You can also join virtually via Microsoft Teams ( Meeting ID: 270 579 472 837, Passcode: h3W3tG ).  Learn more at  ChooseEastHartford.com .    SAVE THE DATE - Breakfast with Santa The East Hartford High School Student Council is hosting their annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, December 7 from 9am-12pm in the EHHS cafeteria.  Tickets are $5 per person to enjoy crafts, food and a visit with Santa!   School District Calendar Reminders: November 11 : Schools and District Offices Closed for Veterans Day November 27 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 November 28-29 : Schools and District Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Recess Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Nov 07 2024

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - October 2024

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue II October 3, 2024 Superintendent's Message  Dear East Hartford Public Schools Families and Community,  Although I love the summer, fall is a beautiful time of year - with the brighter colors and the reminder of our cycle of growth and change.   As a school district, we are always moving forward and focused on future opportunities to strengthen our institution. We have highly effective teams that are constantly analyzing data and seeking ways to maximize performance on all levels. These data points are critical to inform the work we do every day to meet students where they are and motivate them to access their full potential.  Recently, the CT State Department of Education released the  results of several statewide annual assessments our students took last spring. Although we have several areas in which to be proud, below you’ll find a few highlights from these results. Smarter Balanced (grades 3-8):  Grade 5 districtwide increased the amount of students who met or exceeded expectations by 10% in Math and 8% in English/Language Arts  Langford Elementary School's grade 3 English/Language Arts and Math proficiency percentage reached a historic high  Mayberry, Goodwin and Norris Elementary Schools increased their English/Language Arts growth for all students by more than 10%  SAT:  EHPS grade 11 students increased their total score by 66 points between October 2023 and April 2024  AP:  EHHS had its highest percentage of students earning a 3+ on AP exams since 2020 12 courses out of the 18 offered had more than half of the students qualify for college-level credit As your Superintendent, I thank everyone, especially our students, as this is a collective effort to achieve this progress. I am very proud of what East Hartford Public Schools continues to accomplish together.   Sincerely,     Thomas Anderson   Superintendent   East Hartford Public Schools   Open House Events Give Parents & Families a Look Inside Schools                                                                   Open House at East Hartford High School (Above) High school and middle school families were invited to attend Open Houses this past month. These well attended events welcomed parents and guardians into our school buildings to learn more about the daily activities of their students. They were able to meet with teachers, ask questions and find out about resources available throughout the school year.  We invite families to stay engaged beyond these events and reach out to your child’s teachers through ParentSquare if you have any questions or concerns.  Open House at East Hartford Middle School   Open House at Connecticut IB Academy (CIBA)     Three Teachers, District Program to Be Recognized by CT Health & PE Organization Three East Hartford Public Schools teachers and a districtwide wellness program will be receiving recognitions at the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) awards reception and conference next month.  East Hartford High School’s Gianna Ehrlich was  named High School Health Teacher of the Year, East Hartford Middle School’s Ricardo Gibson was  named Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and Goodwin Elementary School’s Ryan Jalbert was named Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by this statewide organization. They are now eligible to apply for national teacher of the year awards from SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America.  EHPS K-12 Supervisor of Health & Physical Education Tracy Stefano said, “I’m so proud of the quality health and physical education programming and dedication to our students that these educators provide. They understand the importance of health and physical education when it comes to educating the whole child and they have been instrumental in our work toward that goal.”  The district’s ongoing work around WSCC (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) is also being recognized by CTAHPERD as an Outstanding Program. Members of the WSCC team will be invited to the CTAHPERD conference to receive the award and display information about the program for other members of the organization to view. In Fall of 2023, in partnership with UConn, our district restructured to align with the WSCC model, which emphasizes the connection between student health and academic achievement. At the district and school level, teams are creating action plans in order to address student well-being, including physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health. “Our WSCC work has taught us that we all play a role when it comes to educating the whole child. Our teams have worked hard to build upon our past successes, create sustainable plans for the future, and to coordinate with the Town of East Hartford in order to meet the needs of all students in our community,” said Stefano.   EHHS Athlete of the Month Taliyah O'Neal is a senior at CIBA who has played varsity volleyball all four years.  Her stats include 22 kills and 28 blocks. She helped lead her team to their first volleyball match win in 4 years.  She also has a 4.033 GPA!   STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Heather McKinney is the art teacher at Norris Elementary School and has taught in East Hartford for 16 years. She shares her passion for the subject with her K-5 students as she boosts their confidence and encourages them to take risks in their creations.                     Yesenia Fernandez is the secretary at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). She keeps very busy as she strives to provide great service to the staff in her building, the preschool families, and the community members interested in learning more about ECLC’s programs.                       SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Garden Clean Up at Mayberry Elementary, Wickham Library Night at Langford Elementary, and Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at CIBA EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Set Your Own 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   East Hartford Parks & Rec Wants to Hear From You! The Town of East Hartford is asking residents to voice their opinions and help shape future recreation programming in our community! The town has hired a consultant to look at the programs offered by Parks and Recreation and East Hartford Public Schools to assess what programming might be redundant and what additional offerings the community wants.  All East Hartford residents (18 and older) are encouraged to take this survey to share their feedback:  East Hartford Recreation Survey .  The survey is available in English and Spanish. Please complete the survey by October 31.    School District Calendar Reminders: October 11 : Schools closed for Staff Professional Development  October 14 : Schools and district offices closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day  October 15-18 : Early Dismissal PreK-8 for Parent Conferences  November 5 : Schools closed for Election Day/Staff Professional Development November 11 : Schools and district offices closed for Veterans Day Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Oct 03 2024

East Hartford Pride Newsletter - September 2024

East Hartford Pride News from EHPS - Schools that are the Pride of our Community Volume IV, Issue I September 5, 2024 Superintendent's Message Dear East Hartford Public Schools Families and Community,  Thanks to our hard-working, committed East Hartford Public Schools’ team, our supportive families and most importantly, our talented students, we are off to an excellent start. It’s encouraging to see our students excited for the possibilities and opportunities in this new year. In total, over 6,600 students in grades PreK-12 are attending our 15 schools. They were welcomed back by our team of 1,300 teachers and staff members who are ready to support them academically, socially and emotionally throughout the year. I had a good first year serving my hometown of East Hartford, but I am even more excited as we head into year two. The East Hartford community has endless possibilities and together we will joyfully see how our community continues to grow and evolve.                                                                                                     We are in the business of people and how we treat one another matters. East Hartford Public Schools is committed to delivering a high-quality learning experience for every child, every day. Every school day provides an opportunity for students to strengthen their critical and analytical thinking skills and have better understanding of the world around them. As we support them, our students will achieve great things by persevering and believing in their own abilities. The East Hartford Class of 2024 is proof of this as graduation rates were high and students were ready to pursue many post-secondary options. They are now beginning their college educations, military service or careers and can feel confident in their next steps because of their preparation in East Hartford Public Schools.  We have so much to celebrate as a community and we hope you will share in those celebrations. Be sure to follow East Hartford Public Schools on social media. We are on Facebook , Instagram , and  Twitter/X sharing good news from our school district every day. Be sure to check ParentSquare for updates from your child’s school and classrooms. We also encourage you to attend sporting events, concerts and family nights at your schools.   Together we will make it another great year positively impacting the future!   Thomas Anderson   Superintendent   East Hartford Public Schools   Students Gain Experience Through Paid Summer Internships Dozens of students and recent graduates from East Hartford High School and Synergy Alternative High School took part in summer internships this year through programs such as ReadyCT and East Hartford Works. These paid internships allowed students to earn not only a paycheck, but also valuable work experience and in some cases industry-recognized credentials and certifications.  To highlight a few opportunities, students served as camp counselors at Ebony Horsewomen farm and Beyond the Limits Outreach, worked with seniors at Brookdale Senior Living and the East Hartford Senior Center, and explored healthcare career paths through the Get Ready! Immersive Traineeship (G.R.I.T.) with Hartford Healthcare.  10 students from the Class of 2024 started their internship work this spring with the East Hartford Department of Public Works and continued into the summer. Students worked in various settings including the town garage, sign shop, general landscape, park maintenance, small engine repair shop, and waste recycling. 18 students took part in the ReadyCT First Responders Youth Academy (F.R.Y.A.). In this program, students work alongside the East Hartford Fire and Police Departments to gain hands-on training in firefighting and police service careers. Learn more in the video below from ReadyCT.                                                                                        EHPS Welcomes New Principals Rodney Powell - Woodland School An experienced leader in alternative education, Rodney Powell joined East Hartford Public Schools from Danbury Public Schools where he was the Principal for Reach High School/Endeavor Middle School. Prior to his work in Danbury, Powell served as Principal and Director of Academic Services for the nonprofit Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. in Hartford for 8 years. Powell’s professional background also includes leading special and alternative education schools in Maryland. He started his career at Baltimore Public Schools as a special education teacher.  Powell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Thought and Political Economy from UMass Amherst and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University. He is currently pursuing his doctorate at Northeastern University.  Angela Hewins - Mayberry Elementary School Angela Hewins has 18 years of education and leadership experience including roles as a Vice Principal, Interim Principal and Special Education Teacher. She joined East Hartford Public Schools in 2018 as a Special Education Teacher at Goodwin Elementary School. Since then, she was selected to serve as Interim Principal to cover a medical leave and was promoted to a district Supervisor of Special Education position last February. Prior to joining EHPS, Hewins was a Vice Principal for schools in Honokaa and Kamuela, Hawaii for 5 years.  Hewins received bachelor’s degrees in both Elementary/Special Education and Geography from Keene State College. She earned her master’s in Educational Leadership from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a doctoral certificate in Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix. Diane Leja - O'Brien Elementary School Diane Leja has more than 20 years of experience in elementary education as an administrator, instructional coach and teacher. She joined East Hartford Public Schools from the Consolidated School District of New Britain where she served as an Assistant Principal since 2021. She spent 13 years as a literacy instructional coach in New Britain and with Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) schools.  Leja holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven and a Master of Arts in Education: Language Art and Reading from the University of Saint Joseph. She earned her sixth-year school administration and supervision certification from Southern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Social-Emotional Academic Learning from Sacred Heart University.    New Teachers Join the EHPS Team East Hartford Public Schools welcomed 51 talented and experienced teachers to our team during our three-day New Teacher Orientation program this August. This program includes professional learning sessions and focused trainings to ensure these educators are ready for the new school year and their new roles.    Families Fill East Hartford Green for Annual Back to School Rally                           On August 14, East Hartford Public Schools and our community partners welcomed thousands of students and families to our Back to School Rally on the East Hartford Town Green. During this event, families have the opportunity to learn more about available resources, supports, clubs and organizations. The highlight of the rally are the backpacks filled with school supplies that East Hartford children can pick up for free. During the event and in the weeks that followed, our team gave out more than 1,800 backpacks. The event is organized annually by the EHPS Office of Family and Community Partnerships. They work to organize volunteers, donations and community resource vendors to make the event possible. A heartfelt thank you to all of the organizations and individuals below for making this another successful event! Amplify Bakery on Main Boy Scouts Troop 61 Broadridge Financial Solutions-South Windsor Chris Tierinni and Family Comcast Diligence Training DJ Eric Feder East Hartford Parks and Recreation East Hartford Adult Education East Hartford Alumni Association East Hartford Family Resource Center East Hartford Fire Department East Hartford Public Library East Hartford Police Department East Hartford Youth and Social Services ESPN First Choice Girl Scouts of CT Greater Hartford Legal Aid Hispanic Health Council IAM Local Lodge 1746 Women's Committee Ice Cream Time InterCommunity Health Macy's Niagara Water No Pork on Dis Fork Read to Grow Saint Francis Hospital Shop Rite Sodexo South Congregational Church Steven Kennedy Style Me Crazy Hair Bar, LLC Tab Inc. Town of East Hartford Health Department Turner Home Improvement WIC East Hartford Public Schools Staff  and East Hartford community volunteers   SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS Open House events at Langford Elementary, the Early Childhood Learning Center and Silver Lane Elementary EHPS FAMILY BULLETIN BOARD Stay Connected Via ParentSquare East Hartford Public Schools is using ParentSquare again this year for ALL 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   East Hartford Family Resource Centers Enrolling for Fall Programs The East Hartford Family Resource Centers are enrolling now for their fall programs including free play and learn groups, parent workshops and home visits.  These are open to any East Hartford residents! Participants receive free diapers and books.  Click Here to Enroll or Learn More   Chess Tournament and Instructional Chess Program  Do you play chess, or have an interest in learning? Experienced chess players are invited to test their skills in the 2024 Hartford County and City Championships on  Saturday, September 7 at the Community Cultural Center (50 Chapman Place, East Hartford).  Registration is open for all ages here . Reduced fees and scholarships are available: please reach out to chess.CSCA@gmail.com for more information. Chess instruction returns to the Raymond Library on September 19 for a free 8-week class session on Thursdays at 6 PM. Come learn to play or level up your skills. All ages, 5 years through adult, are invited for club play and lessons on the game of chess. Chess boards and pieces will be provided. Registration required by September 17. Click here to register.   School District Calendar Reminders: September 26 : Early Dismissal PreK-12 for Staff Professional Development October 11 : Schools closed for Staff Professional Development October 14 : Schools and district offices closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day Like and Follow EHPS on Facebook Follow EHPS on Instagram Follow EHPS on Twitter/X View More Stories and Updates at EastHartford.org Read the Town of East Hartford Newsletter

Thursday, Sep 05 2024