Superintendent Willett's Bulletin

TOLLAND FAMILIES - PLEASE SEE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE!

ALICE ENRICHMENT PARTNERSHIP

United Way - Tolland Public Schools - Tolland Greater Together

Help your child find some FUN this school year! The Tolland ALICE Enrichment Partnership can help your child participate in music lessons, dance classes, sports, field trip, clubs, and so much more!

Qualifying ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families can receive $100 per child – up to $300 per family – (in pre-paid Visa Cards) to subsidize fees for enrichment activities during the 2023-24 academic year.

Families who live in Tolland and whose gross annual income falls at or below the following ALICE thresholds (related to family size) can apply:

* 1 Adult, 1 Child: $49,488

* 1 Adult, 1 Child in Childcare: $53,748

* 2 Adults, 2 Children: $75,876

* 2 Adults, 2 Children in Childcare: $86,880

* Other household combinations that fall AT OR BELOW the ALICE threshold as calculated on https://www.unitedforalice.org/household-budgets/connecticut

Please complete this form to apply! CLICK HERE

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Please check out our COMMUNITY NOTICES link below

Check out the many important activities!

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Wear your Pajamas to School – December 8, 2023

Please consider making a donation in honor of the young patients at Connecticut Children’s who must wear their pajamas for days, weeks, or longer while fighting cancer or other serious illnesses. Help us help kids who need it most! Together, we can make a difference for these courageous kids.  Bring $1.00 to school to wear your pajamas to school or you can make a donation using the link or QR code below.  

https://give.connecticutchildrens.org/tolland23

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FREE COVID TEST KITS

COVID at home test kits are widely available at commercial retailers. There are two resources to receive FREE test kits. https://faq.usps.com/s/article/At-Home-COVID-19-Test-Kits (4 test kits sent to one address through USPS beginning September 25, 2023)  and Eastern Highlands Health District http://ehhd.org/covid19testing  2 kits/person while supplies last at the Mansfield office. 

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What to do when your student is ill with COVID?  

1. Test when symptoms are present. 

2. For students who test positive for COVID, you should call your school nurse’s office and indicate they have tested positive for COVID, and indicate their symptoms.  

3. Students must not attend school EACH DAY they have a fever 100 degrees F or greater. 

4. Students must not attend school if they are not well enough to participate in a full day. 

5. Students must not attend school if they have a severe cough that is disruptive to their educational day and to other students. 

6. Students should return to school wearing a mask. A mask should be worn at all times for 10 days following the onset of symptoms, or the positive COVID test. 

7. Tolland Public Schools will allow students to return to school as long as they have been fever- free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and they are well enough to participate in a full school day. They should wear a mask. 

You should contact the school nurse daily if your student will not be present in school, they will record the days absent due to COVID as medically excused. 

            Birch Grove Primary (860) 870-6750  

Tolland Intermediate School (860) 870-6885      

Tolland Middle School (860) 870-6868

Tolland High School (860) 870-6818 

In an effort to reduce missed educational opportunities, Tolland Public Schools is incorporating COVID into our general illness plan. Please monitor symptoms and keep your student home when they present with fever, severe cough, or multiple symptoms that prevent them from engaging in a full academic day. 

Remember, COVID symptoms can mimic influenza, colds and other respiratory illnesses, as well as allergies. It is best to test. 

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School Meals 2023-2024:

All students are eligible for a free breakfast each day. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals will also be eligible to receive one free lunch daily. ALL OTHER LUNCHES WILL BE CHARGED AT THE CURRENT LUNCH PRICE PER SCHOOL.  Payment for these lunches is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Please find the Food Service Free & Reduced Meal Application by clicking here. If  you have any questions contact the food service office at 860-870-6854 or kmecteau@tolland.k12.ct.us

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FirstView Product & Implementation Info:

Check out this information about the First View Parent/Guardian App - track your student's bus! Available in October!

DistrictView Video & DistrictView FAQ & DistrictView Flyer

ParentView Video & ParentView FAQ & ParentView Flyer

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Updated draft Staff Guide to Support TNB students

Please see this updated guide for staff. This document helps facilitate our school district's compliance with the State of Connecticut and Office of Civil Rights documentation with respect to Transgender and Non-Binary Students. It was first provided as a draft in the previous school year, and has been updated based on parent/guardian, staff, and community feedback, as well as additional legal advisement.  Please ask questions, and offer your thoughts through meeting with me individually, and/or at the Superintendent Community Forum meetings (scroll down in this newsletter). Reach out to contact me in the way you find as best for you! (click here)

Please see the TPS Staff Guide to Support TNB Students:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYxyPGTOpR1RPfK1wbRaZ6p4JKuCK12K/view?usp=sharing

Please also see the district LGBTQIA+ information site here:

https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/superintendent/superintendent_willett_s_page/l_g_b_t_q_i_a

Please also do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or thoughts, or to set up individual or group meetings to discuss them:

https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/superintendent/superintendent_willett_s_page/c_o_n_t_a_c_t_m_e

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2023-2024 Snow Procedures

Click Here

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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS on  Suicide Prevention and College Preparation

Suicide Prevention Training for the Tolland Community:

October 5, 2023

Click here for details

THS Auditorium - 6:00 PM

Suicide Prevention Training for the Tolland Community

Q-Question

P-Persuade

R-Refer

Learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide

Learn how to offer hope

Learn how to get help and save a life

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College Transition Workshop 

December 6, 2023  & March 6, 2024

Click here for details

The transition to college is an exciting chapter for many. Being prepared for common challenges can make this time even more successful and enjoyable.
Please join us for this free virtual workshop for parents and their junior/senior
students, addressing the social and emotional transition to college.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND/OR COLLEGE TRANSTIION WORKSHOPS!

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 Community Workshops:

including Hidden in Plain Site - An Interactive Drug Education Program

Click here for more information:

https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/superintendent/superintendent_willett_s_page/community_workshops

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 Community Workshops:

including INTERNET SAFETY 

(Note Date Change)

OCTOBER 19, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Click here for more information 

Zoom Only
To join this webinar please go to Zoom.us
Webinar ID# = 820 0845 3532 Password = 374796

7:00 pm

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SEAC Parent Meetings

Check out this video

Any new parents of students with special education who want to attend.

Do you have a student receiving special education services through an IEP in the Tolland Public Schools? Consider being a part of SEAC! Save the dates - more information to come.

September 28 - 6:00 pm – Tolland Public Library Program Room

October 26-9:30 am – Luann’s 238 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT 06029 

November 30-6:00 pm– Tolland Public Library Program Room

December 14-9:30 am–Luann’s 238 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT 06029 

January 25-6:00 pm–Tolland Public Library Program Room

February 22-9:30 am– Luann’s 238 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT 06029 

March 28-6:00 pm–Tolland Public Library Program Room

April 25-9:30 am– Luann’s 238 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT 06029 

May 23-6:00 pm– Tolland Public Library Program Room

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Please see this important information regarding Medication Administration on field trips:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tie3f5oIfl972l86NY1X2OaJy8Ir4ttbdxsRGyzOqc4/edit?usp=sharing

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CHECK OUT THE CREATIVE PRESCHOOL @ THS

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P8yA6EqTjXrnpHJsDTmxEcnOS8sWzMZ-/view?usp=sharing

REGISTER HERE:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YxanA3dtXb59A5UBa0v577s4cFlHFDW9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102542968417686355458&rtpof=true&sd=true 

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THS SCHOOL PLAY: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME!

Tolland High School Drama is excited to announce that next year's musical will be

 "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", March 15-16, 2024!!

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Updated 2023-2024 School Calendar

Click Here 

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Superintendent Community Forum Meeting

Join the Superintendent for coffee & conversation, and to share ideas and perspectives: 

These meetings are hybrid - (except for September 13, 2023 that is Virtual Only)

In person attendance:

51 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084 (Central Office Building):

or zoom for those attending  remotely: 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375511973?pwd=eTZGUEZzNDlaYkl6N3lxdnA3UlprZz09

Meeting ID: 873 7551 1973

Passcode: 5sC9ud

September 13, 2023 @ 5:00 PM

(Virtual Only)

September 27, 2023

October 25, 2023

November 15, 2023

January 24, 2024

February 28, 2024

March 27, 2024

April 24, 2024

May 22, 2024

4:00 pm

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TPS is looking for a Drama Assistant

Tolland High School is looking for a Choreographer for next year's school's musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". This position is a paid stipend position. The Choreographer would be responsible for choreographing and blocking, as well as assisting with the overall production. Auditions for the musical are in November, with rehearsals beginning in December. Rehearsals go straight through to the musical, which is scheduled for March 15, and 16 with a snow date of March 17. Students meet every day after school from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for rehearsals, with the expectation of at least 1 choreography rehearsal led by the choreographer each week. If they have any questions, you can email either Drama Director at nfields@tolland.k12.ct.us or jdeguire@tolland.k12.ct.us.

Application Deadline: August 19, 2023

Contact: Thomas Poland, Principal, tpoland@tolland.k12.ct.us

EOE

Click Here to Apply

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School Meals 2023-2024:

All students are eligible for a free breakfast each day. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals will also be eligible to receive one free lunch daily. ALL OTHER LUNCHES WILL BE CHARGED AT THE CURRENT LUNCH PRICE PER SCHOOL.  Payment for these lunches is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Please find the Food Service Free & Reduced Meal Application by clicking here. If  you have any questions contact the food service office at 860-870-6854 or kmecteau@tolland.k12.ct.us

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SUPPLEMENTAL STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE IS NOW AVAILABLE:

Click Here 

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Superintendent Budget Q & A

For your calendar now, Budget Public Q&A:

November 1, 2023

Tolland Library Program Room
7:00 pm

December 12, 2023

Tolland Library Program Room
7:00 pm

 January 17, 2023

Tolland High School
6:00 pm
With Admin and BOE Members
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We would love to have you volunteer in our Tolland Public Schools!

Please contact the Central Office with any questions. For those already volunteering, and those new to the game, the BOE will now do background checks every three school years. If you will be volunteering for the first time in the upcoming school year, please complete the volunteer form After you have submitted your application, please call 860-870-6850 extension 1 to provide your social security number. You can check with the school secretaries to verify your status.

Please note these procedures are required for safety and legal reasons. A person will not be permitted to join trips, work in classrooms, or do other work associated with the students in the schools without completing this process. Doing paperwork in advance and in a timely manner will prevent applicants from missing important events and avoids unnecessary disappointments and exclusions. 

Please note that those volunteers who are currently approved, your approval is due to expire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  At this time, you may find it beneficial to resubmit your information in order to conduct a background check which will be valid for three years. 

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Annual Notifications:

https://tps.sharpschool.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=891651&pageId=48325998 

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