| District Spotlight |
MSP Chamber Singers Tour Elementary Schools |
On April 28th, the Middle School of Plainville's Chamber singers lead by faculty member and director Todd Helming toured Plainville's three elementary schools. Fourth and fifth grade students at all three schools were able to learn about the music program at the Middle School while listening to a performance by top music student performers!
The music performed included a variety of styles spanning over 400 years, three continents, and four languages.
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Wheeler Hosts Invention Convention!
The 12th annual Wheeler Elementary School Invention Convention was held on March 20th. Each year all fourth graders at Wheeler are taught the process of invention during the month of January. Students think of an everyday problem or "something that bugs them." The process then involves brainstorming multiple ways to solve the problem. The solution becomes the invention. The students present their inventions (or improvements on items that already exist) in a science fair format. Several students are selected to represent the school at the state-wide invention convention with other students in grades K-8 from over 100 schools in Connecticut at UCONN. This year the CIC will be held on May 4th.
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Middle School Students Perform in Music Festival |
On March 9th, 26 students from the Middle School of Plainville participated in the Northern Region Middle School Festival sponsored by the Connecticut Music Education Association. This record number of Middle School of Plainville students represented their school in the mixed choir and treble choir performing advanced music under the direction of two talented directors. Their performance drew a sold out audience of 750 spectators from around the state and ended with a standing ovation!
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Toffolon Students Attend Leadership Conference |
17 members of the Toffolon School Student Council and Safety Patrol Captains recently attended the Connecticut Association of Schools Leadership Conference held at Naugatuck Community College. While at the conference, students attended three workshops that helped develop their skills for productive thinking, communication, and decision making. The conference provided students the opportunity to participate in a variety of team-building, hands-on activities designed to foster effective leadership skills.
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Middle School of Plainville Students Support Energy Program Via Poster Project |
Middle School of Plainville students recently created posters for the school district's energy conservation program around the theme of "Turn Off. Unplug. Reduce Our Use." The posters will be laminated and hung in faculty work rooms and common spaces in each of the school buildings as a reminder to conserve energy wherever possible. Middle School art teachers Laura Meehan and Lori Vigue coordinated the poster project.
In photo:Some of the students with their art work and Middle School of Plainville Art Teacher, Lori Vigue
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VFW Supports Reading Partners Program |
The local VFW Madeley-Roberts Post No. 574 generously sponsored the Plainville Community Schools Reading Partners Program at both Linden and Toffolon elementary Schools with a financial donation for books. This is the second year that the local post has sponsored the program, providing funding for holiday books for each Reading Partners program student participant at both schools.
In photo:Participants in the Toffolon Reading Partners program with district Volunteer Coordinator Sue Bradley, Toffolon Principal Lynn Logoyke and Renny Rastolfi, Adjutant for the VFW
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Plainville High School Students Give Back To The Community |
Students in Mark Chase's Transportation classes at Plainville High School have been refurbishing unclaimed bicycles provided by the Plainville Police Department and from residents in town. The goal is to inspect, repair and refurbish each bike to a safe and usable condition. Once each bike is complete, it is then donated to the Plainville Community Food Pantry and to residents in town.
In photo: Plainville High School students pose with some of the finished bicycles.
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Lights Off At Linden! |
In the spirit of the Plainville school district's energy conservation program, Linden Street School custodian Denise Ciano designed a light switch wrapper as a reminder to turn lights off in unoccupied spaces to conserve energy. Denise rallied the support of Linden fourth graders to create and decorate the wrappers for the light switches at Linden. Office staff members Barbara Smedick and Sue McGough also assisted in assembling the light switch wrappers which now hang in the school office and classrooms throughout the building - a true team effort by the Linden school community to support the energy conservation program!
In photo: Linden Street School fourth graders in Courtney Buccilli's fourth grade class together with Miss Buccilli, Principal Paula Eshoo and Custodian Denise Ciano
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Linden Family Bingo Night Helps Food Pantry |
On November 8th, the Linden Street School PTO held their annual Family BINGO Night to benefit the Plainville Community Food Pantry. Families donated a non-perishable food item for each Bingo card played. It was an evening of family fun and giving back to the community!
In photo: Linden students with donations for the Plainville Community Food Pantry
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Plainville Students Honored at 25th Annual Superintendent's Award Presentation |
Congratulations to the Plainville students who received the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents' (CAPSS) Superintendent / Student Recognition Award and Certificate of Excellence at the 25th annual Superintendent's Award Presentation held on Thursday, November 1st, during a luncheon at J. Timothy's Restaurant.
In photo: Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Kitching and student honorees
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Fire Safety Lesson for Wheeler Students |
Firefighter Bob O'Dea of the Plainville Fire Company brought the pumper truck to Wheeler School on October 25th. He explained the use of the truck and the equipment it carries. He also dressed in his gear to show students what a fireman looks like when fighting a fire.
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PHS Hosts College Fair!
On October 26th, Plainville High School hosted its second annual college fair as part of the Capital Regional High School Consortium College Fair.
College representatives from more than 100 institutions were on hand to meet with the high school students.
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Rachel's Challenge at PHS
Students at Plainville High School participated in an assembly entitled "Rachel's Challenge" on September 27. Rachel's Challenge is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott who was the first victim of the Columbine school shootings in 1999. Through her example, Rachel's Challenge is making a positive impact on the lives of millions of people every year. The assembly included actual footage from the shootings at Columbine High School, and mediated discussion about the tragic events of that day. In addition to the student assemblies, students signed a banner to accept Rachel's Challenge and many attended a training, focusing on creating a positive climate at the high school and anti- bullying. Parents and community members also had the opportunity to attend an evening session as part of the Rachel's Challenge program.
Left: PHS students sign the Rachel's Challenge banner
Right: Rachel's Challenge assembly
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"STEP UP" Assembly held at MSP! |
As part of the Middle School of Plainville's continuing efforts to maintain a positive climate and address the topic of bullying, sixth graders attended an assembly entitled Step Up, presented by the Anti-Defamation League, (ADL) on September 19.
In Photo: Derek Hall from the Anti-Defamation League leads a discussion with Middle School of Plainville sixth graders during the "Step Up" Assembly.
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PHS Tennis Courts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On September 10th a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the newly renovated tennis courts at Plainville High School, marking their "official" reopening. Renovations to the tennis courts were completed over the summer.
Left: Members of the Plainville High School Girls Tennis Team cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the renovated tennis courts
Right: PHS Girls Tennis Team members and Coach Chuck Radda
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Happy New Year!
Faculty and staff members gathered on August 28th for the 2012-13 Convocation kicking off the official start to the new school year. Superintendent Kitching and Plainville Community Schools Teacher of the Year Tawana Graham-Douglas both addressed those in attendance during the program.
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Extra Innings Summer Program Gets Messy!
Students in the Extra Innings Summer Program at the Middle School of Plainville recently enjoyed a "Get Messy Day. " Throughout the summer the students earned bracelets and were able to cash them in during the "Staff Auction" to get to do messy things to the staff member of their choice. The Extra Innings Program is held over the summer and throughout the school year at the Middle School of Plainville. The program is open to all Plainville students in grades 6 through 8, and runs for five five-week sessions per school year. The program has both academic and enrichment components and is designed to extend the school day for students during the school year. For more detailed information regarding the program contact Kelli Wallace, program coordinator at (860) 793-3250 ext. 1608. Click Here for more photos.
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District Reading and Math Summer Program Celebration! |
Students, faculty, staff and families recently enjoyed the art show culminating event for the district's Reading and Math Program (R.A.M.P.). the program is designed to provide literacy and numeracy support to elementary school aged students in Plainville. The program integrates math, reading, and art, and featured an art show celebration on August 2. Click Here for more photos
In Photo:R.A.M.P. Coordinator Tawana-Graham Douglas briefs parents and family members about the program during an interactive session held during the Art Show celebration.
Students and their families enjoy works of art during the R.A.M.P. Celebration
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2013 Teacher of the Year! |
Congratulations to 2013 Plainville Community Schools' Teacher of the Year Tawana Graham-Douglas. Superintendent Kitching announced the recognition and presented flowers to Mrs. Graham-Douglas during a visit to her Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School classroom. She was also recognized at the June 11 Plainville Board of Education meeting.
In Photo: Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Kitching with Plainville Community Schools' Teacher of the Year Tawana Graham-Douglas and her second grade class at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School.
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