From the Superintendent
The transition from summer to fall has been a busy and very rewarding time for the Eastford Community of Learners. Although the official enrollment date is Oct. 1, 2024, we started the school year with 171 Eastford Elementary students and 55 high school, magnet and outplaced students.
Hopefully, you have noticed the esthetic and safety improvements of our school grounds that resulted from the completion of the paving of our driveway, playground and middle school walkway. This paving project has been a personal goal and a part of our long-term facilities plan. A special thanks to P. Willis Construction for their flexibility and willingness to work around our school schedule needs. Thanks also to Deb Richards for her efforts in obtaining a grant that covered the cost of paving the driveway and the playground and to our Public Works team for oversight of the work in progress. This project is truly a great example of the strong school, town, and community partnership spirit in Eastford.
Please join me in welcoming to the Eastford Elementary staff the following new staff members: Seth Budd, Mary Dennison, Chelsea Friedmann (paraeducators) and Tammy Goodwin (nighttime custodian). The Eastford School District is currently seeking people who are interested and qualified to serve as substitutes for teachers and/or paraeducators. If interested, please review the application process on the school website.
Our grant-funded after-school programs, under the direction of Candice Mead, is off to an exciting beginning. New and exciting programs have been added to the after-school schedule at no cost for students in grades K-8. We will also continue to offer free after-hours family partnership programs throughout the 24-25 school year. Please check our website www.eastfordct.org or contact the school office, 860-974-1130, for information regarding these offerings. Remember to also check the website for the very timely and informative newsletters written and distributed by Principal Carole McCombe.
In August, the Board of Education recognized the recipients of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut awards:
- Dennis S. Barlow Award: Marco Maluf, Anna Kellermann
- Harold D. Carpenter Award: Isaac Torcellini
- Esther & Lucie Harmon and Leta Sabin Trepal Award: Clayton Singleton, Kerry Blais, Isaac Torcellini, Eric Mathewson, Elizabeth Bishop-Klee
- Eleanor K. Lewis Award: Anna Kellermann
- Mary King Sharpe Award: Eric Mathewson
- Edith Wheaton Smith Award: Hunter Larson, Braden Ayer, Elizabeth Bishop-Klee
- Town of Eastford General Award: Hunter Larson
- Emil Vaida Award: Eric Mathewson
- And the recipients of the Ethel Cushing Gardner Music Award: Isaac Torcellini, Micah Torcellini, and Clayton Singleton.
At the August and September meetings the Eastford Board of Education:
- Accepted as complete State Project 039-0015 RR/PV at Eastford Elementary School
- Approved the submission of the 2023-2024 Drill Log to DEMHS
- Approved the 2024-2025 Bus Routes
- Approved the updating of several policies, including Policy 4126/4226 and Policy 5152, to be in compliance with current Title IX legislation. The BOE also approved a new policy regarding Parental Access to Instructional Material (Policy 6173). The BOE policy book is available on the school website.
- Approved the revisions to the 2024-25 School Calendar, changing Oct. 11, 2024 and Feb. 14, 2025 to early release days for students
- Approved application for Title IV funding in the amount of $10,000.
As we move through October, I continue to embrace the excitement for new learning in the 2024-25 school year. Please note that the invitation to contact me at [email protected] for questions, concerns or exciting new ideas is open to all members of the Eastford Community, regardless of whether you currently have students enrolled in the school system. Of course, it is only with the generous and ongoing support of the caring members of Eastford community that we can continue to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for our students.