From the Superintendent
I hope everyone in our school community is enjoying the summer months and taking time to relax, reconnect, and create lasting memories with family and friends. While students are enjoying a well-deserved break, summer remains one of our busiest seasons as we prepare for another successful school year.
- Summer Preparations for the New School Year: The district and school administrative teams are focused on implementing procedures and protocols that will ensure a welcoming and successful return for the Eastford Elementary School staff on Aug. 25 and students on Aug. 27.
Our custodial team has been hard at work cleaning, painting, and making repairs throughout the school. Small groups of teachers have been working collaboratively to refine curriculum and assessment practices to provide every student the opportunity to learn and succeed. Once their classrooms are cleaned, teachers will begin setting up their learning spaces and preparing an engaging, welcoming environment for students.
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Summer Facilities Improvements: Several facility improvement projects are underway to enhance our learning environment and make our school ready to welcome students this fall. This summer, our gymnasium is receiving a fresh coat of paint, and the middle school roof is being replaced. Modifications have also been made to several lower-level classroom spaces to better support a variety of student needs. Additional structural improvements have been completed on both the inside and outside of the connecting corridor leading to the playground and storage areas. These important investments reflect our continued commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment for all students.
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Transportation and After-School Programs: EASTCONN will once again provide school bus transportation for our students. Once finalized, updated bus routes will be posted on our district website. Since we will be utilizing three buses to transport students to and from school, we anticipate shorter routes, which should allow for later morning pickup times and earlier afternoon arrival times at home.
The Hale YMCA will once again offer before- and after-school programs for our students. Thanks to the continuation of our after-school grant, we will be able to offset the cost of after-school care for students in grades K–8. Additional details are available in the flyer posted on our website.
In addition to YMCA programming, we will also offer free extended-day learning opportunities for students in grades K–8.
- Back-to-School Information: All families with students attending Eastford Elementary School will receive a letter from Principal Carole McCombe containing important information about the start of the school year.
If you are new to Eastford, please contact the Eastford Elementary School office as soon as possible to register your children in grades pre-K–12. Information about the registration process, the 2026–2027 school calendar, district and school policies, and other important updates is available on our website at www.eastfordct.org. Please note that information for Eastford high school students is best accessed through their respective high school websites.
- Staffing Update: Please join me in congratulating Mr. Charlie Kernan, our director of Pupil Services and middle school Social Studies teacher, on his appointment as Assistant PPS Director in the Killingly School District.
Mr. Kernan has made a significant impact on our district, serving in multiple roles with dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to students. While we will certainly miss him, we are proud of this well-deserved opportunity and grateful for his years of outstanding service to our school community.
As is often the case in a small district, Mr. Kernan fulfilled many important responsibilities. We are actively seeking qualified candidates to continue this important work. We are also in the process of hiring an additional special education teacher to strengthen our continuum of educational services and expand programming options for students. We remain committed to recruiting talented educators who will become valued members of our school community.
- Designated High School Study: At its summer meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m., the Board of Education will receive a report from the Ad Hoc High School Committee regarding the selection of the district’s designated high school. Over the past several weeks, the committee has carefully reviewed options and gathered information to help guide this important decision.
Community input will be an essential part of the process. The Board of Education will host a Community Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6-8 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend, learn more about the committee’s work, ask questions, and share their perspectives before the board considers its next steps. The invitation to this Community Conversation is posted on the Eastford School website.
Our district’s success is built upon the support and involvement of this wonderful community, and I encourage everyone to participate in this important conversation about our future.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead, we remain committed to academic excellence, student well-being, school safety, and strong partnerships with our families and community. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another year of learning, growth, and collaboration.
In the meantime, I wish all members of the Eastford community continued enjoyment of the summer. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. You are also always welcome to stop by and say hello before one of our regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings.