| District Spotlight |
Girard Named 2010-11 Teacher of the Year |
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Plainville Community Schools has named Plainville High School Science Teacher John Girard the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. Girard was nominated by fellow high school science instructors Cheryl Hathaway and Ken Fusco.Girard has been an educator for ten years, serving as a science teacher at Plainville High School for the past five years, where he has taught Advanced Placement Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Vertebrate Zoology, Anthropology, and Biology. Contributions by Girard to the teaching profession over the past several years include the creation of the Advanced Placement Biology course, leading professional development workshops, serving as a mentor for new teachers, and creating / facilitating a Science CAPT review for all sophomore students. In addition to teaching, Girard has served as the freshman basketball coach, and is the advisor to the high school's Bio-Medical Club.
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High School Retirees Honored |
On June 8, Plainville High School students, faculty and staff honored Principal Greg Ziogas, Family and Consumer Sciences
teacher Kathy Hein, Language Arts teacher Christine Nuzzolillo, and Art teacher Anne Pingpank who will retire this year. The program included tributes by colleagues, a slideshow, and a combined performance of the high school band and chorus.
From left: Plainville High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Kathy Hein, Language Arts teacher Christine Nuzzolillo, Art Teacher Anne Pingpank, and Principal Greg Ziogas.
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District Volunteers Recognized
On May 25, Plainville Community Schools district volunteers were honored at the annual volunteer recognition program, held at Plainville High School. This year's volunteer award recipients include Volunteer of the Year Cathy Cassineri and Mentor of the Year Brenda Tella. Cassineri is currently treasurer of the Middle School's Parent Teacher Club and has volunteered in many capacities in the school district. Tella is a mentor to a Middle School of Plainville student.
Left Picture: Plainville Community Schools Mentor of the Year Brenda Tella and her student mentee
Right Picture: Plainville Community Schools Volunteer of the Year Cathy Cassineri pictured with Middle School of Plainville faculty member Sue Butler, who nominated Cassineri for the award |
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Dr. Binkowski Featured in UConn Magazine Alumni Leadership Roundtable |
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kathleen Binkowski was featured in the Spring 2010 edition of UConn Magazine as part of a roundtable discussion on educational leadership.
CLICK HERE for the UConn Magazine education roundtable interview article.
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Plainville Community Schools Mentor/Mentee Night Out
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Plainville Community Schools mentors and their student mentees recently spent an evening of bowling at Laurel Lanes. The volunteer mentors and students alike enjoyed the time spent together and contributed non-perishable food items for donation to the Plainville Food Pantry. |
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Middle School Group Participates in Technology Expo |
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Middle School of Plainville Technology Education Instructor Camille Westfall and a group of MSP students were invited to participate in the Connecticut Educators Computer Association's 15th annual Legislative Technology Exposition held on April 28. The Middle School of Plainville group made a presentation on Lego Robotics.
Pictured with the students and Westfall are State Representative Elizabeth Boukus and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kathleen Binkowski.
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Plainville High School Student Life Depicted Via Mural
Plainville High School student volunteer artists, under the direction of Art Instructor Mario Pires, created a mural which hangs in the 400 Hallway entrance and staircase in Plainville High School. The mural depicts the various aspects of student life at the high school.
Photo 1: Plainville High School Art Instructor Mario Pires with student artists who volunteered their time to create the student life mural.
Photo 2:Student life mural at Plainville High School
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District Celebrates Read Across America
Plainville Community Schools recently participated in the National Education Association's Read Across America celebration, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that honors the March 2nd birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss, (Theodore Geisel). As part of the celebration, a number of special guests read in classrooms across the school district.
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
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Board of Education Honors MSP's Team Gearheads |
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The Middle School of Plainville's Team Gearheads was honored at the March 8, 2010 Board of Education meeting for their first place win at the Lego League state championships held at Central Connecticut State University in December. This is the first year that three teams from the middle school traveled to the state championships. Team Gearheads won first place for Innovative Robot Design and a $200 prize from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Middle School of Plainville Technology Education Teacher Camille Westfall is the team's coach.
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Middle School MATHCOUNTS Team Excels |
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The Middle School of Plainville’s MATHCOUNTS Team recently participated in the Hartford Region MATHCOUNTS Competition where many MSP students earned personal best scores. The MATHCOUNTS Team Advisor is Middle School of Plainville Music Teacher, Todd Helming.
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Thank You Mentors!
Plainville Community Schools recently celebrated the 9th annual National Mentoring Month honoring the 35 volunteers who serve as mentors throughout the district. As part of the festivities, middle school student mentees celebrated "Thank Your Mentor Day" with their volunteer mentors during a breakfast celebration. In addition to morning socials held at the schools to commend the efforts of each mentor, student mentees also created posters and banners that are on display in each building.
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Toffolon Celebrates First Birthday! |
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Louis Toffolon Elementary School Principal Lynn Logoyke together with Toffolon students, faculty, and staff recently celebrated their "first birthday" in the newly renovated school building. Students made birthday hats, enjoyed special treats, and sang an official "Happy Birthday" song.
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High School Students Lead French Club at Linden |
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Linden Street School fifth graders enjoy the after school "French Club" led by Plainville High school volunteers. The Linden French Club met for six weeks during the months of November and December, and will resume in the spring. The weekly club format featured interactive French language instruction and culture exploration led by the high school students.
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Reading Partners Program Participants Enjoy Guest Readers
Linden Street School students and volunteers who participate in the Reading Partners Program recently enjoyed The Polar Express as narrated by "guest" readers Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Binkowski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools David Telesca, and Director of Finance and Operations Rich Carmelich.
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Plainville Board of Education Recognized for Exemplary Leadership |
The Plainville Board of Education is one of only seven school boards in the state to receive the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education's highest leadership recognition - the CABE Board of Distinction Award - Level 2. This award is presented to school districts in Connecticut that meet a comprehensive set of criteria in the following categories: board leadership / student achievement, board member professional development, policy, community relations, and related organizational leadership. The award was presented to the Plainville school district at the annual CABE / CAPSS convention in November.
In Photo: Superintendent of Plainville Community Schools Dr. Kathleen Binkowski, Connecticut State Department of Education Deputy Commissioner George Coleman, and Plainville Board of Education Chairperson Becky Tyrrell proudly display the CABE Board of Distinction Award - Level 2.
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Senior Victory!
The Plainville High School's Student Athlete Leadership Team organized the 2nd Annual Powder Puff Football Game held on November 15 under the lights on Alumni Field. The junior girls faced the senior girls with a final score of 32-0 in favor of the seniors. The senior boy cheerleaders were one of the highlights of the evening, providing a spectacular half-time performance.
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