From the Superintendent
As summer gave way to fall, important things were happening in our school community. We moved beyond the initial flurry of the first few days of school and into that exciting time of year when routines become habits and real growth begins to take off. Our classrooms are alive with learning. The engaging sounds of teacher-to-student and student-to-student conversations spill into the hallways. Our soccer teams have played their first games, and throughout our schools there is a sense of energy, purpose, and possibility.
During these first several weeks, I have been reminded of just how much work goes into creating a successful school day. Our teachers and staff arrive each morning ready to give their very best to our students. Our students, with their personalities, questions, ideas, and humor, bring energy back into our schools. Our custodians, bus drivers, office staff, paraeducators, administrators, and countless others work together to keep our schools safe, welcoming, and ready for learning each day. I am deeply grateful for each of them.
I am equally grateful to our families. We recognize that the partnership between home and school is so important to a child’s success. Thank you for trusting us with your children, supporting their learning, asking questions, and working with us when challenges arise. Strong schools are built through strong partnerships, and we welcome our families and community members as active partners throughout the year.
Many opportunities have already taken shape. The staff of Eastford Elementary School hosted an Open House on Sept. 22, giving families an opportunity to connect with teachers and staff and learn more about the year ahead. At its Sept. 10 meeting, the Board of Education continued its discussion about selecting a designated high school. Eastford families and community members were also invited to participate in the Community Conversation on Sept. 24 (which occurred after this article was sent to the Communicator) and share their thoughts as this important discussion continues.
Additional opportunities for family and community engagement will be available throughout October. The Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m., and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 29 and 30. I encourage our families and community members to stay connected, ask questions, and share their perspectives with us throughout the school year.
Eastford Elementary School is also pleased to continue, for another year, as a recipient of grant funding for our Eastford CARES Program. Implemented after school, CARES provides varied and exciting opportunities for students and their families, with activities led by both staff and community partners. This fall’s offerings include academic support, an art club, games and crafts, creative movement, sports, and an explorer club. We are fortunate to have many community partners who help make these opportunities possible, including the Congregational Church of Eastford, the Hale YMCA, Ragged Hill Woods, Mystic Seaport, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Connecticut Science Center, and the Connecticut River Museum. On Oct. 22, Eastford families are invited to join us for a fun and engaging family game of live Family Feud at 5:30 p.m., with a light supper provided. Please contact the school at (860) 974-1130 for more information about the CARES Program or specific events.
As I reflect on these first several weeks, I feel optimistic about the year ahead. There will certainly be challenges. There always are. But there will also be countless opportunities for our students to learn something new, discover a talent, build a friendship, overcome an obstacle, and surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.
One month into the school year is the perfect time to remember that our school is so much more than curriculum or classrooms. A school is not just a building — it is a community of people. I am reminded of the often-shared words attributed to Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
That idea of human connection is at the heart of what we do. Our dedicated staff, wonderful families, incredible students, and supportive community members are the heart of our schools. Every day, it is the relationships we build — with one another and with our students — that help create a place where children feel known, valued, supported, and ready to learn.
Thank you for making my first month in this school community so welcoming. I am grateful to be on this journey with our students, families, staff, and entire community. I look forward to seeing — and learning from — all that the coming months will bring.
As always, please never hesitate to contact me at [email protected].