Superintendent Willett's Bulletin

A QUICK LOOK @ WHAT TO KNOW! 

JUNETEENTH

TPS wishes you a happy Juneteenth! 

June 19th marks Juneteenth, the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States received word of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth is an occasion to reflect on that history and recommit ourselves to the values of dignity and equal opportunity. In the Tolland Public Schools, we believe that understanding history is essential to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed citizens. Accordingly in all schools we will take a moment to mark the significance of this day. 

Information on Juneteenth:

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/moments/juneteenth/digital-toolkit

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PRIDE Month

June is Pride Month: it is an opportunity for the Tolland Public Schools to reaffirm our commitment to being a safe and supportive community for all students. Happy PRIDE month!  

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AMERICA's 250th

This year, the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that invites all of us to reflect on the remarkable and still-unfolding American experiment. From its founding ideals of liberty and self-governance to the generations of men and women who have worked to extend those ideals more fully to all people, American history is rich, complex, and worth studying seriously. In Tolland Public Schools, we are proud to prepare students to engage with that history thoughtfully, to understand where we have been, appreciate what has been built, and think carefully about the responsibilities that come with citizenship in a democratic society. As we celebrate this semiversary, we wish our entire community a joyful and reflective Fourth of July. 

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THS GRADUATION DATE

June 19, 2026

Stream it here:

URL: https://bit.ly/2026thsgraduation 

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LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 2025-2026

The tentative last day of School is 

June 22, 2026

It is an Early Release Day

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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CHECK OUT THE JUNE K-5 LITERACY NEWSLETTER

https://canva.link/dmq0usha86gieyu

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Go Guardian Feedback 

This spring, we made GoGuardian Parent available to all parents and guardians. Our hope is that it provided the visibility and control many were looking for in our student device initiative. We are now requesting feedback from parents to gauge your level of satisfaction with these tools. All answers are completely anonymous.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fSh1uAyWK0 

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FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

Kindergarten Readiness Class

Transportation is now offered for

Kindergarten Readiness

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 4 on or before September 1, 2026.

The class will run Monday-Friday 8:40 am-3:30 pm. Children may start arriving at 8:40.

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 outdoor activities (when the weather permits) and lunch in the Birch Grove cafeteria.

Please follow the link to register:

https://cdnsm5-ss2.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_891568/File/FRC/Preschool%20Registration%202026-2027%20Updated.pdf 

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SCHOOL MEAL ACCOUNT NOTICE

Please check all of your student meal account balances before the end of the school year. Any negative balances may be paid on the website, or sent directly to the schools. We kindly ask that you make payments for negative balances prior to the last day of school. Any positive balances remaining in the accounts will be available for use next school year.  The Meal Magic parent portal can be found at this website:  https://tolland.familyportal.cloud/

If you need assistance please contact the Food Services office at (860)870-6821, ext. 10806

Thank you!

Kim Mecteau

Food & Nutrition Services Director

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988 Suicide & Crisis Prevention 

Mental Health Distress? Substance Abuse? Thoughts of Suicide?

Whatever the time, or reason, you can call.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TDt6y9vVfyfiTLoQwHMjSUyZnLCypATg/view?usp=drive_link

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Notice To Parents from "Naviance" 

Naviance Class Action Settlement Email.docx 

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Go Guardian Parent – Home Web Filtering & Monitoring

The district has received many requests from parents and guardians to provide tools that will

allow them greater insights into the browsing habits of their students on district-issued devices, as well as the capability to provide stronger at-home web filtering on those devices.

Click the link below for more information

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gpHXdHMBOsC6rrOqScNuNSfh0ik3wz1/view?usp=sharing

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LOCKDOWN & SECURE BUILDING DRILLS

Be advised:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kAHgXnPNJNhy9cGPavraIz7XYkIaWVIVfZNc_u-x2vQ/edit?usp=sharing

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CHECK OUT 

Tolland Public School

"10n10 Feature"

on Reading & Literacy

This Tolland Public School 10 n 10 (10 questions in 10 minutes) is about Reading and Literacy in the TPS.  Also included are tips for parents and kiddos from our own Ms. Hennessey, and the kids themselves! Take a look and be sure to see our amazing student share outs at the end.

https://youtu.be/-iiFY2fTZ5w

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Tolland Recreation Department Programs 

Click the link below for more information 

https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif11831/f/uploads/newsletter_spring_summer_2026.pdf

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Job Openings

    1.0 FTE 10 Month Associate Behavior Intervention Specialists

1.0 FTE positions are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage as well as a retirement plan.

For more information and to apply visit our website at

www.tolland.k12.ct.us

District Offices/Human Resources/Employment Opportunities

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Approved 2026 – 2027 School Calendar

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lM1Zus3azYkjB-HsS06Ayi0wWskVVbts/view

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Tolland Public School Annual Notifications

https://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=891651&pageId=48325998

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MEAL CHARGING POLICY

5402 Meal Charging Policy

5402 Regulation 

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ATTENTION PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Supplemental Student Accident

Insurance is Now Available

Click the link below for more Information

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18y4fiBXIRt10PifaFK4FhmX_5MOcTKTI/view?usp=sharing

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SMART-PASS Information

Have questions about the "SmartPass" software presented by Principals? Please see additional information here:

CLICK HERE

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School Nurse Contacts 

School Nurses

THS- 

Cindy Davidson, RN

cdavidson@tolland.k12.ct.us

860-870-6838

TMS- 

Laura Dolcelli, RN

(District Nursing Coordinator)

ldolcelli@tolland.k12.ct.us

860-870-6868

TIS-

Karen Tirgrath, RN

ktirgrath@tolland.k12.ct.us

860-870-6891

BGP-

Victoria Lawhon, RN

vlawhon@tolland.k12.ct.us

860-870-6755

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Message from the High School Principal regarding AI Image Manipulation

Please see message below regarding an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) trend in schools:

I am writing to inform you of a concerning trend that has recently come to our attention that is taking place in high schools. Some students have been utilizing A.I. tools/applications to manipulate images in ways that are inappropriate and potentially harmful to others. Specifically, students have taken or used pictures of students and generated altered images depicting individuals kissing, appearing shirtless, and/or placed in suggestive or misleading locations such as on a car or in other fabricated settings.

These actions, while often framed as jokes or digital experimentation, can have serious consequences. They may violate school policies and state laws, and they can deeply affect the emotional well-being and safety of the students involved. To ensure clarity and transparency in the potential steps taken to investigate matters of this nature, I have linked relevant Tolland Public Schools policies/regulations below for you to review with your student: 

Policy 5070 - Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harrassment 

Regulation 5070  -  Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harrassment 

Policy 5081 - Bullying Prevention and Intervention
Regulation 5081 - Safe School Climate Plan 

Tolland High School is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students. We take these matters seriously and will respond appropriately when incidents are reported. This may include disciplinary action, counseling, and involvement of law enforcement if necessary. In the near future, I will reinforce this message to our students during announcements. 

We ask for your partnership in speaking with your student about the responsible use of technology and the impact their actions may have on others. Please remind them that digital/electronic behavior is subject to the same standards of respect and accountability as in-person interactions. If your student has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment or bullying, we encourage you to report it to school staff immediately. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and valued at THS.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration in fostering a positive school climate.

In Partnership, 

Thomas Poland

Principal

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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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FREE & REDUCE LUNCH ? MEAL APPLICATION 2025-2026

The free/reduced meal application for the 2025-26 school year has been added to the Tolland Schools website.  To access the application and all related information please use this link:

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application Information

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Please see our community notices links at the bottom, and included here as well:

Recent community notices & 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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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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Tolland's own Lincoln-the-Dog's 

Guide to Paw-some Attendance

Click Here for More Information

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FMX system Building Use Reservation/Sign Up Information

Click Here for More Information

FMX Sign in and Use by Community Members 

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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Notice from Tolland Food & Nutrition Services - MEAL MAGIC!

Dear Tolland Families,

The Tolland Food & Nutrition Services Department is writing to inform you of this software. It 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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Public Service Announcement - Firearm Safety in the Home 

Information Message - Please click below

Click Here

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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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