Superintendent Willett's Bulletin

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2025 THS Graduation Livestream

https://bit.ly/25THSGRAD

• For those logging in on a mobile device, you will be prompted to download the Microsoft Teams App. This is a free App available on all platforms.

• Access from a computer is available through the browser, no Teams app is required. 

Go Eagles!

See this document for any potential updates to the link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XejevWM6yQ5Y8iw6BB8_nsjqTsI2bWb3TJ6nqWxRbk0/edit?tab=t.0

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Summer Reading Challenge

K-8 Students

Click Here for More Information

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Connecting Schools to Care IV Students: School Mental Health Resource and Support Guide

Click link for more Information

Mental Health Support and Services

Click link for more Information

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UCONN AI Summer Camp

Click Her for More Information

Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Days: Monday July 3 or July 8th to Friday August 1st (check link)

Audience: Rising 8th, 9th, and 10th graders

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SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATE

Please see the updated 2025-2026 School calendar.  The only thing that has changed is the THS mid-semester date.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h_9YyGr2Xtms0ySixx7B6lzqIZ5wDUQf/view?usp=drive_link

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Full-Time Regular Education Paraeducator - Math Intervention

Inspire Young Minds at Birch Grove Primary School!

Birch Grove Primary School, serving grades PreK–2, is seeking a full-time Regular Education Paraeducator to join our dedicated Math Intervention Team. In this rewarding role, you’ll work one-on-one and in small groups with students, delivering Tier 2 and Tier 3 math interventions under the guidance of our experienced intervention teachers. If you’re passionate about early childhood education, love helping young learners grow in confidence and skill, and thrive in a collaborative environment—this is the opportunity for you!

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required

Benefits and Compensation:

• $16.90 per hour (2025–2026 school year)

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• Retirement plan participation

• School-year schedule with summers off and year-round benefits coverage

Submit your application by using the link provided below:

https://www.applitrack.com/tolland/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Support+Staff

EOE

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FIRSTVIEW UPDATE - Please review 

There is a NEW VERSION of FirstView (the bus application for tracking buses). This will require that you download a NEW APP - please see the updated information sent out to all parent/guardians on April 29th - and information on the FirstView Site below:

https://sites.google.com/tolland.k12.ct.us/tps-firstview/home

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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 2 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. 

Click Here to Volunteer

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Camp Invention

Give your child a SUMMER STEM experience! 

Secure Your Spot Today!

Click Here for More Information

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REMINDERS - Last Days & Graduation

Projected last day of School (adjusted for snow days)

K-8 – June 18, 2025

THS – June 19, 2025

THS Graduation Set Date – June 16, 2025 (THS Gymnasium)

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TMS Promotion Ceremony

June 13, 2025

6:00 pm (TMS Auditorium)

TIS Promotion Ceremony

June 18, 2025

9:30 am (Gym)

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FRC Summer PROGRAM - CHECK OUT THIS OPPORTUNITY for FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER AID jobs! 

Click Here for More Information

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Tolland Family Resource Center

Calling All In-coming Kindergartners!

Kindergarten Readiness Summer Program

Click Here for More Information

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Preschool Learning Center

Located at Birch Grove Primary School, 247 Rhodes Rd., Tolland, CT

860-870-6750

·        Language based preschool for Tolland residents (4 days a week)

·        No cost

·        Certified teachers

·         Integrated preschool with students with special needs (50% of students with special needs & 50% of students are peer models)

·        We follow the Birch Grove Primary school calendar

·          Half day three & four year old program (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri)

·        Half day four & five year old program (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri)

·        Morning class 8:40 to 11:45

·        Afternoon class 12:40 to 3:15

·         Attend one “special” each day: Art, Music, PE, and Library

·        Curriculum follows the CT ELDS (Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards)

·         Parents are required to send a snack for their child and provide transportation to and from school

If you would like more information on our program, please email Brenda Murdzek at bmurdzek@tolland.k12.ct.us

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The Tolland Greater Together Community Fund (TGTC) via the Hartford Foundation for Giving offers opportunities for students to assist with awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that serve our town. 

It's an excellent chance for outgoing and motivated students to enhance the following skills:  

-  Writing 

-  Review & grading grants

-  Debate topics & ideas

-  Communication via brochures, fliers, news articles, social media posts, speaking at events... etc.

-  Get to know & interact with non- profit organizations

-  Community building and more!

Besides the above students also have an opportunity to:  

-  Apply for scholarships 

-  Enhance their resumes

-  Attend special optional events 

Meetings normally occur once a month at Tolland Library. Parents & guardians are welcome to quietly sit in. Students should have reliable transportation. We hold some meetings via Zoom.

  For more information visit:

https://www.hfpg.org/who-we-are

Please apply today! After applying, the foundation will be in touch with all applicants with further instructions and/or requirements.

   How to apply & application: 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hI75gmMAyUW94buFmJf25vWqA4x8kQJDpLnN3bl52L5UQ1NGU0VXQUtXSURYWjMwNExWNVRSOTlEWCQlQCN0PWcu

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Final 2025-2026 School Calendar

Click here

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Budget INFORMATION

 - see district budget documents 

https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/board_of_education/budget

Please see the Board of Education Adopted Budget approved February 12, 2025

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hT9qex-QyKaTGQ-fe6kJaMCVPGBE6_Rg/view?usp=drive_link

Any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me at 860-335-2455

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Updated 2024-2025 School Calendar

Click Here

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School Breakfast

All students are welcome! 

Click here for more information

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Tolland's own Lincoln-the-Dog's 

Guide to Paw-some Attendance

Click Here for More Information

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Signing up to use the Tolland Public School buildings? Check out our new FMX system - as of December 2 - it is fully on-line (no more paper) 

Click Here for More Information

FMX Sign in and Use by Community Members Starting December 2nd, 2024

FMX is our new software platform for the Tolland Public School schedule requests and replaces our former Building Use request process.  Community Members wanting to request a school space for functions (not already scheduled and approved) can access the platform via the link below:

https://tolland.gofmx.com/login

You will be asked to create an account on this screen that includes a log-in and passcode that will be exclusively your own when accessing this system.  You will also be required to submit proof of liability insurance upon initial sign-up.  If you are not required to have insurance an FMX Administrator will be able to approve the account without it when they approve the initial account creation request.  

FMX is a cloud-based system so you can access from anywhere that has access to the web.

For all previously submitted schedule request (via the old method) to make any changes, cancellations or adjustments to that event requires you to contact the school directly via phone, email, etc. All new schedule requests starting December 2nd, 2024, should be submitted via the FMX method as listed above. 

Any questions regarding account activation can be made to the School Administrative offices at whichever school you are requesting to use:

Birch Grove Primary School- phone, 860-870-6750

Tolland Intermediate School-phone, 860-870-6885

Tolland Middle School-phone, 860-870-6860

Tolland High School-phone, 860-870-6818

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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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Free & Reduced Meal Application

Click Here

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NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE(S)

Welcome Back Students and Families to the 2024-2025 School Year. My how far we have come!

I wanted to take this opportunity to give some quick reminders to families to more easily navigate the school year. 

Medications- all students who take a scheduled medication at school, or have the need for an emergency medication must have a current medication order on file with the school nurse. These orders are good for one year only and must be kept up to date. Please speak with your student’s school nurse for any specific medication questions you may have. Students are not allowed to carry their own medications with them during the school day in MOST instances, with the exception of of epi pens and inhalers. Those medications DO require a medication order to be given to the school nurse. 

Required Physicals- ANY student new to Tolland Public schools, EVERY 6th grader, and EVERY 9th grader must submit a new physical from a qualified medical provider. This must include the third page which is an oral health assessment. The oral health assessment may be completed by either their medical or dental provider. If you would like a blue form, please reach out to your school nurse. Otherwise you may submit the form your provider uses OR you may use this link https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sde/school-nursing/forms/health_assessment_record.pdf

Illness and Attendance- please keep your student’s school nurse up to date if they are missing school due to an illness. Please do not send your student to school who has a fever that persists, who has vomited with the past 24 hours or is generally not well enough to be in school. General guidance for all respiratory illnesses (including COVID)  is to stay home until you are fever free 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, practice good hand hygiene, practice distancing as much as possible, use a mask for up to 5 days after symptoms begin. For any respiratory illness where a cough persists, consider using a mask to be mindful of others you will be around. 

School attendance is important. Students need to attend to reap the benefits. Students missing school for reasons other than illness has a great impact on your student, as well as their classmates. Please reach out to your school administration, school counselor, and nurse if you are experiencing any difficulty with school attendance for your student. The school nurse will be able to direct you to needed resources that may improve your student’s attendance. Your student’s school nurse works closely with the attendance team at each school to help determine when an attendance letter needs to be sent. The letter sent home often does not reflect all school time missed. Encourage good attendance this school year. 

We welcome your students back!

Tolland Public School Nurses

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Notice from Tolland Food & Nutrition Services - MEAL MAGIC!

Dear Tolland Families,

The Tolland Food & Nutrition Services Department is excited to inform you that beginning with the 2024-25 school year, there will be a new software program for school meal purchases called Meal Magic.  This new software requires a new biometrics scanning system for identification purposes at the point of sale.  Therefore, we will need to rescan all students’ fingers for use with the new system.  The rescan will occur at the beginning of the new school year.  See additional information about biometrics below.

Meal Magic has a family portal where parents can create a free account to access the student meal information.  On this portal, there are instructions and videos that walk you through your new account.  Just click here to be directed to that portal system:  https://tolland.familyportal.cloud/  The identifying piece of information that you will need to link your child to your parent account is their student identification number.  If you do not have this number, it is the 5 digit number on the end of your student’s Tolland email address or you can contact us for the number.

The Meal Magic Family Portal will replace the My School Account system that is currently in use for online payments.  You can use the Meal Magic Family Portal to view balances, see account and purchase histories, make deposits, transfer money among family members, and set parental controls.   

You may still send in cash or a check made payable to “Tolland Food Services” to your child’s school if you choose not to make online payments to the account.  Once you have created an account and accessed the system, you will see that your student’s balance has been transferred from the old system.

Tolland Public Schools have been using a finger scanning ID system for many years and have found it successful in allowing the students to optimize their time in the cafeteria.  Here are some pieces of information for you about this system:

• Nothing in the process of purchasing lunch will change for the students. However, each student will need to have their finger rescanned. This will be done in school with as little disruption to instruction as possible.

• Being part of the system is voluntary and you may OPT OUT if you don’t want your child to participate.  Also, if you have already OPTED OUT your child, you will not need to contact us again.  Those students who have already opted out of participation will continue to be opted out in the new system.

• There are no images of any fingerprints taken. The initial finger scan is converted to an encrypted string of numbers - the template. The template is only associated with the student’s name, student ID number, grade and school.  

• All templates are located behind the school district’s firewall with all the security protections currently in place for all our data. The vendor providing the software for the finger scanning does not host or have access to any of our data.

• The templates are only being used to identify students who are enrolled in our system.

How does finger scanning ID work? 

We will be using finger scanning ID similar to many smart phones. Using a finger scanner, the software scans certain unique points on the finger to create and store individual numerical templates that identify each student. When the student returns, the software again scans the finger and looks for a numerical template match in the database. When a match is found, the student is identified. This all happens in about a second. 

What about the privacy of our students?

The software scans the finger for identification. It does not store a copy of the fingerprints. Instead, the software creates a template of the unique points on the finger. The template is converted to a unique number and is stored in the school district’s database with the same high level of security of all our records. 

It is important to understand that we are NOT fingerprinting students. In addition, fingerprints cannot be recreated or delivered to any agency - governmental or otherwise.

It is important to us that your child’s experiences in school are educational and rewarding. This way of identifying our students is safe, easy, accurate, efficient and secure. If you have any questions or do not want your child to participate and opt out of the system, please contact me at the number or email below.

Sincerely,

Kim Mecteau

Food & Nutrition Services Director

860-870-6854, ext. 2

kmecteau@tolland.k12.ct.us

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Interested in Student Accident Insurance?

Click Here

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Public Service Announcement - Firearm Safety in the Home 

Information Message - Please click below

Click Here

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SEAC Parent Meetings

Check out this video

Do you have a student receiving special education services through an 504 or IEP in the Tolland Public Schools? Consider being a part of SEAC! Save the dates:

Library Program Room-Tolland Library

6:00 pm

More to Come Next Year - Look here for dates 

RELATED:

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):

https://vimeo.com/894742285?share=copy

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Please check out our COMMUNITY NOTICES link below

Check out the many important activities!

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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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Annual Notifications:

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

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