• A Message from Dr. Clapp!

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Dear HKMS Families,

I want to kickoff this newsletter by recognizing several different accomplishments that occurred over the last week at Keller.  Last Friday ALL  four of our music groups participated in the Trills & Thrills Music Adjudication were rated SUPERIOR!   Over the past 10 years, Mr. Dolecki and Mrs. Gidley have had individual groups receive this highest rating, but this is the first time that all the groups have received this distinction.  Check out the videos of their performances in the classroom peeks section below.

Congratulations to every 8th-grade grader who presented their personal interest projects (or PIPs) this week.  They developed a unique project based on their interests, conducted independent research, brought their learning to life through prototypes, experiments, or written reports,  and made videos documenting their process of learning.  They presented their PIPs to panels of experts and educators who evaluated and gave feedback to the students.  Ten PIPs were recognized as “distinguished” and were invited to participate in Barlow-Palooza last night.  Students raised ducks, crafted wooden baseball bats, and studied the drive trains of electric, hybrid, and gas engines.  Students learned how to bind books, the fundamentals of investing, and how to tie fishing flies.  Our teachers challenged, supported, and set high expectations for our students, who all learned much about themselves as learners, and learned a great deal about their topic. Congratulations to all involved in the PIPs. 

This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer! On Monday, we remember and honor all those who gave their lives in service to our country.  This Memorial Day I will be reflecting on the life of my grandfather, Captain Robert LaCroix.   Capt. LaCroix was a fighter pilot who served in the Pacific during WWII. In April 1944, about 100 miles off the coast of Hawaii, he was leading a training group of lightly-armed fledgling pilots when his squadron was surprised by a group of “Zeros” (Japanese naval fighter planes).  The American squadron was outnumbered, outgunned, and under-experienced.  His squadron was shot down before being able to make it back to safer skies. He left behind his wife Marie and four children, including my mother who was the oldest at just six years old.   

In 1994, much of my grandfather’s file was declassified, and our family was given access to redacted reports of the attack, his personal effects, and other artifacts.  It was my social studies teacher, Mrs. Keoh, who, when hearing of the declassification, challenged me to write a report on his life, service, and death.  She helped me understand the redacted reports, put the events of his life in context, pushed me to interview family, to contact the Navy for clarifications,  and supported me through my whole inquiry process. Without her challenge and support, I would likely not know much about my grandfather’s service, for which I will be forever grateful.  Not surprisingly, Mrs. Keoh inspired me to be a social studies teacher.  So, on Memorial Day, I also reflect on my cherished teacher who helped me better understand the life and service of my grandfather. 

I hope you can join me as we remember and honor our heroes this weekend. Wishing you and your family, especially those who have served, a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp, Ed.D.

Grade 7

FPAs

Four of our music groups went to the to Trills & Thrills Music Adjudication and ALL four were rated SUPERIOR! 

This week we celebrated so many recognitions, below are the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Western Connecticut Superintendent Association student scholar-leader awards and our Personal Interest Projects most distinguished projects. 

Welcome to Easton - Sign Contest - HKMS Winners

Once aging the town sponsored a "Welcome to Easton" sign for a few more spots in town, below are the winning submission. These will be used to make the new signs! Congratulations to Leah, Amelia, and Autumn!

FINAL week! The 2023-24 Easton Public Schools Spiritwear shop closes on 5/30/24!

 https://stapleskellerspiritwear.com/page/new-