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Fall 2021 Back to School Guidelines and Video
RSD 13 Fall Back to School Guidelines are now available on our website . We also created the attached video to discuss some highlights of the plan. We look forward to a great opening of school on September 1, 2021!
Friday, Aug 27 2021
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Strong Middle School Principal Appointment
August 25, 2021 Regional School District 13 has appointed Ms. Cheryl Gonzalez to serve as Principal of Strong Middle School effective September 27, 2021. Cheryl has spent the past 20 years serving learners in Middletown, initially at Middletown High School, where she served as a Social Studies Teacher, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal, as well as her most recent role serving as Principal of Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Ms. Gonzalez holds an Associate’s Degree from Tunxis Technical Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University, and a Sixth Year Professional Education Certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut. She and her husband, Frank, have two grown children, Danielle and Steven. RSD 13 Superintendent Doug Schuch shared that Ms. Gonzalez had been a finalist in the recent search process for the Coginchaug Regional High School Principal, which included a written performance task and several interviews. The interview panel consisted of learners, parents, teachers, and administrators. Cheryl impressed our interview panel and brings incredible experience and innovative practices to Strong Middle School and RSD 13. I am thrilled that she will be joining our RSD 13 leadership team in the near future, and I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming her to our community. Following her official appointment which took place immediately after an executive session of the RSD 13 Board of Education, Cheryl shared the following statement: I am honored and humbled to be the Principal of Strong Middle School. I am excited to join this community of learners and will work to ensure that every student has an educational experience grounded in supportive relationships and a future-focused, learner-centered education. I look forward to continuing and building upon the success of my predecessors and to establish strong supportive and rewarding relationships with faculty, staff, parents, students and community partners.
Thursday, Aug 26 2021
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CRHS Assistant Principal Appointment
Regional School District 13 has appointed Ms. Katherine (“Katie”) Trainer as Assistant Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School effective August 27, 2021. Katie has served as Director of Bands at North Branford High School since 2012, where she also serves as Dean of Students and the district’s K-12 Music Department Leader. In addition to her teaching, leadership, and extensive co-curricular responsibilities within the music program, Katie has made significant contributions to North Branford High School by serving on the Vision of the Graduate Committee, the NEASC Professional Practices Committee, the COVID-19 Reopening Team, and in several other capacities that directly support learners and employees. Outside of her school and district responsibilities, Katie has served as the Advocacy Chair for the Connecticut Music Educators Association, Chair of the Shoreline Music Festival, and Fundraising Event Chair for the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance. Ms. Trainer holds both a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education from The Hartt School, and a Certificate in Educational Administration from Sacred Heart University. She and her husband, Matt, reside in Guilford along with their cat, JJ. RSD 13 Superintendent Doug Schuch shared that Ms. Trainer was selected from among 119 applicants through a very rigorous process that included a written performance task and several interviews. The interview panel consisted of learners, administrative assistants, teachers, counselors and administrators from Coginchaug Regional High School and RSD 13. We were pleasantly surprised by both the number and quality of applicants for this vacancy. It was a very difficult decision, but ultimately Katie was deemed to be the best individual to serve our learners, families, and employees as Assistant Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School. I am so thrilled that she will be joining our RSD 13 leadership team, and I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming her to our community. Coginchaug Principal Matt Warner shared, T hroughout the interview process, Ms. Trainer consistently demonstrated she was the best fit for our community through her past experiences and vision for student learning. Her experiences in education have built her capacity to manage various tasks while still adapting to the needs of her students. This was most evident in her design of a Co-Op with a neighboring school district to expand access to students in both communities. Katie will be a tremendous asset in developing the best opportunities and conditions for learning for all students at CRHS. Following her appointment Katie shared the following statement: I am incredibly honored to join the team at RSD 13, and to collaborate with the students and staff at Coginchaug High School. As a lifelong resident and educator in neighboring towns, I am excited to work within your district known for its longstanding history of educational excellence, continuous support of the arts, and strong ties to the community. I look forward to immersing myself within the culture at Coginchaug, and partnering with families, students, and staff as we continue to build upon the traditions of success together. I sincerely thank Superintendent Schuch, Principal Warner, the Board of Education, and the hiring committee for providing me the opportunity to lead and grow alongside the dedicated members of RSD 13.
Tuesday, Aug 24 2021
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Addition Input related to the potential closing of J...
On August 11, 2021 the Regional School District 13 Board of Education conducted a public hearing related to the potential closure of John Lyman Elementary School. Based on input at the public hearing, the board is considering delaying any potential action on closing John Lyman ES until at least June, 2023. Whether or not you attended the hearing, we are interested in gathering your input through this link https://tejoin.com/scroll/577592406 . Please make sure to review the frequently asked questions & answers, which were updated on 8/12/21, as well as an informational video, prior to participating in this exchange. (These items are posted on the RSD13 website.)
Friday, Aug 13 2021
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Information Related to the Potential Closing of John...
On August 11, 2021 the Regional School District Board of Education will conduct a public hearing related to the potential closure of John Lyman Elementary School. Please visit the RSD 13 website to obtain additional information related to this topic. Whether or not you plan to participate in the hearing on 8/11/21, we are interested in gathering your input through this ThoughtExchange . Please make sure to review the frequently asked questions & answers, as well as the informational video, on the RSD 13 website prior to participating in the exchange.
Friday, Jul 30 2021
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Coginchaug Regional High School Principal Appointment
Regional School District 13 has appointed Mr. Matthew Warner to serve as Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School effective August 2, 2021. Matt has spent the past 14 years at East Hampton High School, having served as a History and Social Studies Teacher, Social Studies Department Team Leader, and most recently Assistant Principal. He has also served East Hampton Public Schools as the K-12 Social Studies Coordinator, and a member of both the district’s Professional Development and Evaluation Committee and the NEASC Visitation and Steering Committee for East Hampton High School. Mr. Warner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Sixth Year in Professional Education Certificate in Educational Administration from the University of Connecticut. He and his wife Jessica reside in Marlborough along with their children Adelyn and Ryan. Mr. Warner was selected from among 36 applicants through a very rigorous process that included a written performance task and several interviews. The interview panel, which consisted of learners, parents, teachers, and administrators, vetted candidates with the assistance of a candidate profile that was generated by a large number of school and community stakeholders. Panelists were very impressed with the quality of a number of candidates, but ultimately Matt was deemed to be the best individual to serve our learners, families, and employees as Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School. I am so thrilled that he will be joining our RSD 13 leadership team next month, and I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming him to our community. Following his official appointment which took place immediately after a special meeting of the RSD 13 Board of Education, Matt shared the following statement: I am excited and humbled at the opportunity to partner with the community of Coginchaug High School and RSD 13. Serving in a nearby district with many similar attributes, I have come to know Coginchaug for its academic excellence and pride in the community. I look forward to meeting the students, staff, and families of Coginchaug, learning your traditions, and celebrating our accomplishments. Thank you Superintendent Schuch, the Board of Education, and hiring committee for the opportunity to lead Coginchaug High School, and I look forward to starting our work together.
Monday, Jul 19 2021
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Message from Superintendent Doug Schuch - May 20, 2021
Then attached video message from Superintendent Doug Schuch provides updates about mask usage and a few related items. We've also attached recently updated guidance from our state department of health on the same topic.
Thursday, May 20 2021
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Food Box Distribution
The Towns of Durham and Middlefield will be distributing boxes of food Thursday, April 15th from 10 AM – 12 PM at Allyn Brook Park (35 Pickett Lane, Durham). The 25 lb. boxes contain produce, meat, and dairy products. The boxes will be loaded into vehicles. Open to all. No identification necessary. Contact information: Durham Human Services Office (860) 349-3153 or mperry@townofdurhamct.org or Middlefield Senior and Social Services (860) 349-7121 or sdorvilliers@middlefieldct.org
Monday, Apr 12 2021
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Positive COVID Cases
Regional School District 13 has been notified about positive COVID-19 cases that require quarantine of a number of staff and students at Middlefield Memorial School and Coginchaug Regional High School (CRHS). These cases have not been traced to transmission within our schools. Due to the significant number of staff members required to quarantine at CRHS, all learning at CRHS will be remote from Wednesday, March 31 through Friday, April 9. In person learning will resume at CRHS on Monday, April 19. (Please note that April 2, 5, and 12-16 are student holidays.) Memorial School will remain open for in person learning unless there is further impact on staffing that necessitates a move to remote learning. We have notified our local Health Director, and all necessary steps are being taken. All staff members and students who are considered to be close contacts are in the process of being contacted by their school administrator. Please continue to communicate any new positive cases to Pamela Branciforte, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, COVID-19 Liaison at 860-414-2815, in order to review quarantine dates and return to school plans. These decisions are being made out of an abundance of caution. If test results indicate more positive cases, we will follow our protocol and contact all potential staff and student close contacts. We appreciate your continued support of all of our health and safety protocols during this challenging time. [Tuesday, Mar 30 at 8:41 PM] CRHS remote learning dates have been corrected from original post.
Wednesday, Mar 31 2021
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No Early Release on 3/31/21
We appreciate everyone’s flexibility with our recent calendar changes related to COVID vaccinations for our employees. In addition to closing our schools on Monday (4/5/21), as announced previously, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, will now be a regular school day instead of the scheduled early release. Thank you for your continued flexibility during these challenging circumstances.
Friday, Mar 19 2021