Superintendent Willett's Bulletin
Week of 4/22/2024
Updated 4/22/2024
DIGITAL BACKPACKS
Birch Grove Primary School Tolland Intermediate School Tolland Middle School Tolland High School
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A QUICK LOOK @ WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK!
BGP Video of the Week:
So Much to Sing About
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Early Release Days
April 24, 2024 (this Wednesday)
May 15, 2024
Last Day of School-(will be determined in the 4/24 BOE Meeting)
Tolland High School
Early Dismissal/Exam Days 7:15 am - 10:45 am
Tolland Middle School
Early Dismissal 8:00 am - 11:45 am
Tolland Intermediate School
Early Dismissal 8:45 am - 12:40 pm
Birch Grove Primary School
Early Dismissal 9:00 am - 12: 55 pm
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A message from the Tolland Local Prevention Council and Youth Advisory Board:
Parents, educators, and Tolland residents, please be aware of the dangers of edible cannabis products that are on the market! The FTC and FDA have put out warnings regarding marijuana edible goods containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC) in packaging that is very similar to snacks and candy kids eat, including Doritos, Cheetos, and Nerds candy. Delta-8 THC is a part of cannabis that causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects- and can have significant health effects on both adults and children. Calls to poison control centers about accidental cannabis ingestion have increased, especially in states where cannabis is legal. These snacks are being found in schools across the country. Younger children are especially at risk, and the FDA recommends keeping Delta-8 THC products out of reach of children and pets.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli announced the launch of a public service announcement regarding illegal, unsafe cannabis edibles made to look like common kid-friendly snacks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-MBSHf9Bog
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TMS Jazz Band Concert
April 23, 2024
7:00 pm
Auditorium
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Board of Education Meeting
April 24, 2024
7:00 pm
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Grade 4 & 5 Chorus Concert
April 25, 2024
Grade 4: 6:15- 7:00 PM
Grade 5: 7:30 - 8:15 PM
Cafeteria
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Grade 7- 8 Dance-TMS
April 26, 2024
7:00 pm
Cafeteria
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Tolland County Families for Families –
Call for New Members!!
Do you have a family member in special education or living with a disability? Come and learn about Northeastern CT Families for Families!!
When the Arc Families for Families groups were first started in 2012, in addition to giving families a voice within DDS and at the Capitol, the idea was to develop local, community-based groups for families to share information, work on local issues, connect with others on statewide issues, meet with politicians and assist each other with advocacy, benefits, resources, support and lasting friendships.
The Northeastern CT Families for Families, based in Tolland, has been active since 2018, and is currently looking for new members and participation!!
Most of you are connected to other families like yourselves in your area. All of you have struggled to get what your families and loved ones need and know how frustrating it can be to navigate the complicated web of services and supports. What you may not know, is that resources are more limited than ever, and that it is vitally important for families to have a voice in shaping the future of education, services and supports for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in Connecticut.
We would like to meet with as many of you as possible to talk to you and hear your ideas on creative, new ways that the Arc can offer families in your area support and resources to build a cohesive family network that, through your collective voices in Tolland County, has power and influence both locally and in Hartford.
Please join us for an informational meet & greet and to learn more about how you can become involved!
Where: Tolland Public Library, 21 Tolland Green
When : 6:00 pm, Thursday, April 25
Please RSVP with # attending: cscully@thearcct.org
Learn more about the Arc Families for Families Groups here.
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"Seniors! The Joanne Sugros (math & engineering), Valerie Dieter (World Language), & Tolland Food & Nutrition (Nutrition/Culinary) Scholarship applications are now being accepted. Please check the scholarship section of Naviance to see these & many other available scholarship opportunities. See the counseling office with any questions you may have."
Valerie M. Dieter Memorial Scholarship-Click Here
Joanne Sugros Memorial Scholarship-Click Here
Food & Nutrition Scholarship-Click Here
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In the news
Police departments warn high schoolers' 'Senior Assassins' game could turn deadly: 'serious consequences'
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Kindergarten Readiness Class
Transportation is now available!
Our Kindergarten Readiness offers a balance of structured learning activities, social time, and child-initiated exploration in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.
Open to children who turn four on or before September 1, 2024. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, children need to turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to be automatically eligible for kindergarten. This is a change from the current kindergarten cutoff date of January 1.
The class will run Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Children may start arriving at 8:40. Children not taking the bus must be picked up by 3:00 pm.
The Kindergarten Readiness program will focus on skills to prepare students for kindergarten success.
· Social Emotional Development
Learning to take turns, share with my friends, and help others. Learning to follow the rules. Learning to work and play independently.
· Academic Skills
· Early literacy skills; rhyming, story sequencing, letter recognition and writing skills.
· Mathematical Thinking Skills; learning to count, sort and graph.
· Science skills: discovering, exploring, investigating.
· Language & Communication Skills; learning to talk about thoughts, wants, needs, and feelings.
· Gross motor and fine motor skills: building large and small muscles.
Kindergarten readiness students will also enjoy daily outdoor activities, lunch in the Birch Grove cafeteria and weekly Music Together classes.
Click Here for More Information
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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Fundraiser
To Support the THS Ski and Snowboard Club
Click Here for more Information and Order Form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mD6ZDCYuhSpX6vNbFS9lMobqz8G6BvmW/view?usp=sharing
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For Families interested in Kindergarten
Dear Tolland Families, March 2024
I am writing to inform you about new legislation regarding kindergarten entrance age in Connecticut. The Connecticut legislature recently passed PA 23-208, which changes the minimum age for entering kindergarten. Effective in the fall of 2024, under the new legislation, a child must turn five years old on or before September 1st of the academic year for which they are being registered. This is a change from the previous kindergarten enrollment birthdate cutoff of January 1st. The Tolland Public Schools are in compliance with this legislation.
If a parent/caregiver/guardian requests an enrollment exception, the school district will provide a process for assessing the child’s readiness for Kindergarten. Determinations will be made by certified staff, and communicated by the Superintendent’s office to families.
What if my child will be age five on or before September 1, 2024?
If your child is age eligible (turning five years old on or before September 1, 2024), you may begin registration in March 2024. You can access the registration page at https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/register_student. For questions regarding registration please contact Candace de Loureiro at cdeloureiro@tolland.k12.ct.us/ 860-870-6818.
My child will not be age five by September 1, 2024 but will be age five by January 1, 2025. What can I do?
If you have a child who will turn five after September 1, 2024, and would like your child to be considered for early Kindergarten enrollment in Fall 2024, please contact
Candace de Loureiro at cdeloureiro@tolland.k12.ct.us/ 860-870-6818 as soon as possible.
Once an appeal is initiated by speaking to Ms. de Loureiro, she will contact the family to schedule a collaborative meeting with the school administration to review the appeal request and assess the readiness of the child for Kindergarten.
Thank you for your cooperation and support,
Walter Willett
Superintendent of Schools
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Please take a moment to let us know YOUR thoughts and ideas about co-curricular/extra-curricular activities for the Tolland Public Schools by filling out this survey:
Survey closes April 12, 2024.
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Superintendent Community Forum Meeting
Join the Superintendent to share thoughts, conversation, ideas and perspectives:
In person at 51 Tolland Green
OR
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375511973?pwd=eTZGUEZzNDlaYkl6N3lxdnA3UlprZz09
Meeting ID: 873 7551 1973
Passcode: 5sC9ud
April 25, 2024
May 23, 2024
4:00 pm
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Sen. Gordon: Thank a Firefighter Card Collection!
Good morning,
As member of the Public Safety Committee and State Senator of the 35th District, Senator Jeff Gordon would like to invite your classroom and school – teachers, faculty, staff, and families to participate in our Thank a Firefighter Card Collection! We have sent these out to the Elementary Schools in the district, but wanted to loop you in as well. We are encouraging classrooms to write, and draw thank you cards to firefighters so they may be distributed locally to fire stations to give to firefighters throughout our community. In hopes to celebrate their service, dedication and bravery firefighters portray each day, and to educate our youth the importance of giving thanks to our local heroes.
International Firefighters' Day is annually observed on May 4th
International Firefighters’ Day is a time where the community can recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.
Deadline for our card collection will be Friday, April 26th – cards can either be mailed directly to the address listed below or arranged for pick up by our office:
Legislative Office Building
Attn: Mariah Lupo
300 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
If you are interested in participating in this initiative and/or attend the distribution to local fire stations, please reach out to Mariah Lupo at (860)-710-9762 or Mariah.lupo@cga.ct.gov
Mariah Lupo
Public Affairs Coordinator
CT Senate Republicans
860-710-9762
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Tolland Youth Services is pleased to announce the Summer 2024
Tolland Youth Services Community Theater production of The Little Mermaid!
Registration is open to students currently in K – 12th grade and will be capped at 100 participants. The registration form can be found on the Tolland Youth Services Website; completed registrations should be submitted with payment (cash or check) either in person or mailed to Tolland Human Services (Mon-Wed 8:00-4:00, Thurs 8:00-7:00, closed Fri). Participants will be registered in order of receipt with a wait list offered after capacity is reached.
Important dates:
Auditions: April 23
Rehearsals: June 24 – July 25
Performances: July 26 & 27
Auditions will be held at Tolland High School (chorus room) on April 23rd at 3:00pm and are open to students currently in grades 6 to 12. Audition materials will be forwarded to participants once registration is received, and can also be picked up in the Tolland Human Services office. We prefer that participants are registered prior to auditions, but walk-ins will be accepted.
Participants do not need to have music or scripts memorized.
Rehearsals will be held June 24 through July 25 (Senior Chorus Monday through Thursday 6:00-9:00 PM, Junior and Mini Chorus Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:30 PM).
Performances will be July 26 and July 27 at 7:00 PM.
For more information contact Tolland Human Services at: tysctmusical@gmail.com
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Tolland High School Graduation Set Date
June 14, 2024
6:00 pm
Tolland Middle School
Grade 8 Promotion
June 13, 2024
6:30 pm
Tolland Intermediate School
Grade 5 Promotion
June 14, 2024
9:30 am
Birch Grove Primary School
Second Grade Step Up Ceremony
June 14, 2024
11:45 am
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2023-2024 School Calendar
Reduced from 182 to 181 days
Tentative last day of School is June 14
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PLANET AID BIN!
Planet aid bin is doing well so far. The 1st pickup was overflowing. I've heard great feedback from people in town that we have it here. Thanks so much for the support!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQK_YbRzCow
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SEAC Parent Meetings
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.
March 28-6:00 pm–Tolland Public Library Program Room postponed until April 25th
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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Job Openings
Special Education Paraeducators needed at Tolland Intermediate, Middle and High School.
Part-time Cafeteria Paraeducators needed at Birch Grove Primary School
Associate Behavior Intervention Specialists are needed at Middle and High School
FRC – After School Aid
FRC – Preschool Group Leader for next school year
If you know anyone, send them our way by directing them to the website
District Offices/Human Resources/Employment Opportunities
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Tolland Commission on People with Disabilities Community Survey
Click Here for More Information
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Interested in joining the Tolland Youth Advisory Board?
The advisory board works with the Local Prevention Council and helps to advise and make recommendations for the Tolland Youth Services Program. This is a great opportunity for community involvement and service hours!
If you would like to join, please contact Teresa Kristoff, Assistant Director Human Services: tkristoff@tollandct.gov 860-871-3612
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Workers' Memorial Day Scholarship Opportunity
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k2k5ASHerRLQha_MUWl4joDndEbHwQsU/view?usp=drive_link
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NOTICE from the Food Service Department
We have several school accounts with negative balances, please help us by checking your child’s school lunch balance and keeping it up to date.
Click Here for the Free and Reduced Application as well as other information that may be helpful.
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Birch Grove Primary School Preschool
Click Here for More Information
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Information from the Food Services Department
For the 2023-24 school year, lunch is no longer free for all children. Please consider applying for meal assistance if needed. This is the link to the free/reduced-price school meal application as well as other related information: https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/departments_new/food_services/free_and_reduced_price_meals
If you have any questions please contact Kim Mecteau directly at (860)870-6854 or kmecteau@tolland.k12.ct.us
Kim Mecteau
Food & Nutrition Services Director
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Did you know - Tolland is a great place to learn and grow!
Great news – Did you know that in our DRG (the Demographic Reference Group the State classifies Tolland in) – Tolland has the 3rd highest SAT scores, and is ranked 5th highest for our CT Accountability Scores, a measure of educational progress in the State, that’s the highest in 5 years, and amazing gains in the SBAC scores over both pre and post pandemic levels – in other words, Tolland is a great place to learn and grow. Check out the data on the TPS Data Portal!
Linked off of the Superintendent's page, left menu.
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Use FIRSTVIEW the Bus Tracking App for Parent/Guardians
Check out how to register and use it by clicking below:
https://sites.google.com/tolland.k12.ct.us/tps-firstview/home
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Please check out our COMMUNITY NOTICES link below
Check out the many important activities!
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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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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:
Please also do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or thoughts, or to set up individual or group meetings to discuss them:
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2023-2024 Snow Procedures
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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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SUPPLEMENTAL STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE IS NOW AVAILABLE:
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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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VIDEOS OF INTEREST:
Hoops Challenge PTO Fundraiser (Approved)
Incoming Freshmen - What Awaits Thee at THS
Interview Advice from Your Peers
Incoming Freshmen - What Awaits Thee at THS
INFORMATION FROM THE UNIFIED SPORTS & ACTIVITIES NIGHT
See the information on area sports and activities for students with exceptionalities (presentations - and flyers shown at the end as well):
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HELPFUL #'s for Parent's and Guardians
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y7OeNUXheugoJzbVHKBIssekgACmqaIX/view?usp=drive_link
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Check out the Superintendent’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/tollandpublicschools
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Use FIRSTVIEW the Bus Tracking App for Parent/Guardians
https://sites.google.com/tolland.k12.ct.us/tps-firstview/home
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School Lunch Menus
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2023-2024 Snow Procedures
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Fall Fertilizer Application letter
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SUBSTITUTES ARE NEEDED DISTRICT WIDE
We need teacher, paraeducator, custodial, nurse, and food service substitutes.
You can choose what position, where and how often. Paper applications are available at the BOE office or can be printed from our website:
https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/human_resources
Do you know someone that might be interested such as a college student (there is plenty of work over the winter break and/or mid-May through end of year) or retired family member?
Please send them our way.
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Interested in the data?
Check out the Superintendent's new
TPS Data Portal
https://sites.google.com/tolland.k12.ct.us/sqr/home
The TPS Data Portal is a site that provides rolling data on academic subject areas and social and emotional programming (updated as data becomes available) for the TPS community. If you have any questions, please contact me!
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REGULAR - 2 HOUR DELAY - & Early Release Schedules
Tolland High School
Regular School Day 7:15 am - 1:43 pm
2-Hour Delay 9:15 am - 1:43 pm
Early Dismissal/Exam Days 7:15 am - 10:45 am
Tolland Middle School
Regular School Day 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
2-Hour Delay 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Early Dismissal 8:00 am - 11:45 am
Tolland Intermediate School
Regular School Day 8:45 am - 3:15 pm
2-Hour Delay 10:45 am - 3: 15 pm
Early Dismissal 8:45 am - 12:40 pm
Birch Grove Primary School
Regular School Day 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
2-Hour Delay 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Early Dismissal 9:00 am - 12: 55 pm
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Check out the Superintendent’s Page
You can find many resources there from the Capital Improvement Plan to Superintendent Community Forums – to Community Workshops
Check it out today:
http://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/DistrictOffices/superintendent/superintendent_willett_s_page
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Approved 2023-2024 School Calendar
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_lsYR8cUNIkMjwbheIvyuWbKqWRbdNb4/view
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Annual Notifications
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