“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." —Elizabeth Lawrence

Dear HKMS Families,

As a youngster, I had the privilege of walking a half-mile to school every day from kindergarten to eighth grade.  In fourth grade, we were deemed old enough to ride our bikes to school. Boy, that was fun!  Those walks and rides to and from school were sometimes alone, often with friends, but always seemed to set the tone for the day.  I learned, without much oversight, how to dress for the weather, navigate alternate routes, where the unrestrained dogs prowled, and where our friends would meet up.  I also took in nature and admired the changes each season in New England brought.  I did this without a cell phone or a parent, it was left to me to figure it out and get there on time and ready for the day.  In hindsight, it was great training!

We do have a number of students who walk or ride to school each day, but many of the students have never had this opportunity.  This is why, last year, we joined in on the national walk to school day.  Typically the first Wednesday in October, due to the holiday this year we will be observing it on Tuesday, October 4 (raindate 10/12).  To accommodate all who are outside of walking distance, we are once again partnering with Jesse Lee Church and the Easton Police Department to provide a safe drop-off spot or a chance to park and join the walk, which is my recommendation.   To drop your child, simply journey up Ridgedale road to the turnaround and drop your walker off at the top of the “snake path” (no snakes, just a switchback trail that has a serpentine look).  This paved trail brings you right onto the Southern edge of the HKMS campus. If you want to join the fun, park at Jesse Lee Church, between Flat Rock Road and Ridgedale Road.  Easton Police, HKMS staff, Mrs. Mohr, and I will be out there to encourage and oversee the morning. Last year we had over 100 families take advantage, see the pictures below in the “happenings” section.  

It is hard to believe we just completed our fourth week of this school year! The newsletter is packed with all the amazing learning, performances, and skills developed this week.  Please be sure to check out all the sections as we have our big PTO fundraiser (BASH) now only 1 week away (please register today), as well as our new spirit wear store up and running, plus all the extracurriculars, and lots of ways to get involved.

Wishing everyone observing Rosh Hashanah a very Happy New Year!  

I hope everyone enjoys these first days of autumn with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Steven Clapp, Ed.D.

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

360 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 06612

(203) 268-8651

sclapp@er9.org  

Find your strength, build upon it, and share it!

Wednesday in 6th-grade Social Studies, students were tasked with solving a robbery case that forced them to understand the sequence of events. By creating timelines, students were able to discover who the guilty characters were. This introductory lesson was not only engaging but helped develop the necessary skills to assist each student with understanding the concept and importance of understanding timelines.