Plainville Community School District

The Plainville school district celebrated volunteer mentors on "Thank Your Mentor Day" with a breakfast at Plainville High School on Thursday, January 26th. January is National Mentoring Month and the time to say thank you for giving the gift of friendship and for making a difference in the life of a child. The Plainville Community Schools Mentor Program is currently in need of six male mentors, could that possibly be YOU? Contact Sue Bradley, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 860-793-3210 x6110 if interested.

Louis Toffolon Office staff members Chiara Ramos and Caitlin Butkus created the "Toffolon Mitten Tree" initiative during the last school year and the tradition continues this year. The Mitten Tree is on display at Toffolon over the winter holidays, but collections of winter mittens and cold weather item donations continue all year. Toffolon families and staff members continue to support those in need throughout our community through their Mitten Tree initiative donations. The items are gathered throughout the school year, and donated to the Plainville Community Food Pantry.

The Plainville Unified Sports program is on the move once again, picking up a win at the annual, “Unified Team Versus Faculty Team” basketball game held at Plainville High School on January 19th.

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School’s wolf mascot has “come to life” thanks to a unique piece of art created by former Wheeler faculty member, Matthew Guarino. Guarino, a longtime Plainville Community Schools employee, also served as the Middle School of Plainville Principal prior to his retirement in 2021, and currently works as a tutor at Wheeler School. Guarino logged many weekend hours planning for and bringing the new Wheeler wolf sculpture to fruition on site at the elementary school.

Mr. Quinones aka "The Mad Scientist" hosts the Louis Toffolon Elementary School's "Mad Science" after school enrichment program this winter, where he works with students on various experiments and STEM projects.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School Student Council, led by Advisor and faculty member Susan Fabrizio, recently sponsored a "Toffolon Campfire Day" complete with hot chocolate and a faux fireplace. Families and staff made a donation to participate and proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.

The Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School community, led by their Student Council members and Faculty member / Advisor Sarah Miller, have teamed up with HW Green Company Inc. for a school-wide recycling project for the 2022-23 school year. As a kick off to the program, the school’s Student Council members read a book about recycling to each Wheeler class.

Plainville High School students Nolan Wargo and Lily Feyerabend have been named recipients of the first semester “Student Rocks Award” recognizing their outstanding contributions to Plainville High School.

This year the CT Convention Center hosted a "Holiday Glow" indoor light festival. This event featured hundreds of thousands of lights in ornate displays that guests could walk through and interact with. The Plainville High School Chamber Choir was the featured performing group, performing two shows in the early evening on Friday, December 16th.

The Middle School of Plainville has partnered with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to implement the “No Place for Hate” program this year. “Students, staff, community partners, School Resource Officer Shane Dufresne, and family partners will work together through the “No Place for Hate” program framework to build a learning community of inclusivity, respect, and equity,” explained Middle School Assistant Principal, Melissa Orfitelli.

Plainville High School faculty members Mark Chase and Dave Gaignard coordinated a visit from the Connecticut National Guard on December 13th. The group brought in a jet engine and spoke to students in the high school's transportation, engineering, construction, and business classes about the design, mechanics and latest technology that is currently used.

Students in Miss Bartley's first grade class at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School earned their "Word Detective" badges, working hard to solve tricky words in their reading. Principal Andrew Batchelder (Mr. B!) presented the students with their badge

Students in the Louis Toffolon Elementary School’s Choir recently hit the road to spread holiday cheer. The student group, composed of 46 Toffolon fourth and fifth graders, shared a repertoire of holiday carols at Apple Rehab Farmington Valley, the Jerome Home and Arbor Rose in New Britain, and the Plainville Senior Center.

Using items that would otherwise end up in the trash, students in the Middle School of Plainville's "Trashion Fashion" After School Club created one-of-a-kind wearable pieces of art. They learned about the environmental impact of the paper, plastic and fashion industry, created vision boards, learned pattern making, then created their own "trashion fashion."

The Plainville High School Chapter of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America collected 46 new, unwrapped toys which were donated to the local Marine Toys for Tots collection location at 1 Lindsey Drive in Plainville.

Attendees at the December 12th Plainville Board of Education meeting enjoyed a repertoire of holiday songs performed by the Plainville High School Chamber Choir led by faculty member Todd Helming. The group also performed at the Plainville Senior Center on December 13th.

Eleven Plainville students received the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents’ (CAPSS) Superintendent / Student Recognition Award and Certificate of Excellence at the annual Superintendent’s Award Presentation held on December 15th, during a luncheon at J. Timothy’s Restaurant.

Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth graders continued their community service efforts by creating colorful placemats for the Plainville Senior Center's Thanksgiving meal.

The Plainville High School Chapter of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) raised $128.86 for the Plainville Community Food Pantry for the holiday season. Pictured are the high school's FBLA officers.

The Plainville school district is launching several branding updates with the implementation of a district-wide style guide and building enhancements, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage.

The Plainville Board of Education received the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Leadership Award on November 18th at the annual CABE/ CAPSS (Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents) Convention. The CABE Board Leadership award is designed to recognize boards which work effectively together as teams and meet a number of criteria relative to community relations, board operations, policy, and board member professional development.

Students at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School recently created a beautiful Thanksgiving work of art. Each student wrote what they are thankful for on a feather to create the "Thankful Turkey" on the school's wall.

Linden Street School’s fifth grade Community Outreach Group sponsored a food drive from November 1st- 14th. Students collected items to benefit the United Way of West Central Connecticut. With the generosity of Linden’s students and families, a large donation of nonperishable food items, paper goods, and cleaning products was made possible. Students helped spread kindness during the month of November and gave back to their community.

The PHS Varsity Baseball Team and Coaches were honored at the November 14th Plainville Board of Education meeting for receiving the team “Sportsmanship Team of the Year Award” from the Hartford Board of Umpires.

The Plainville Board of Education is seeking nominations for the Memorial Wall of Honor, a permanent tribute to honor individuals who have contributed significant volunteer service to the educational community.

After a two year hiatus, the Plainville High School Counseling Department hosted an in-person college fair on October 17th! Over 95 colleges, universities, military reps and trade schools were present in the school’s gymnasium. Sophomores, juniors and seniors (and their parents) were able to visit and speak with representatives in all categories. The college fair event was highly successful with positive feedback received from students, families, and representatives.

The Middle School of Plainville's eighth grade "Pep Band" led the Halloween Parade through the center of Plainville during the town's annual Pumpkin Fest held on October 22nd

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School preschoolers recently enjoyed a visit from members of the Plainville Police Department and Fire Department. The students enjoyed visiting with the special community helpers!

The Plainville school district has been recognized with several awards from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage.

The October Plainville Community Schools “All Star” award winner, Plainville High School sophomore Tamia Chapman, was recognized at the October 11th Plainville Board of Education meeting. The “All Star” award recognizes students, faculty and staff members who go above and beyond in modeling the school district’s Portrait of the Graduate characteristics and demonstrating excellence in alignment with the school district's team goals.

On October 7th, Plainville High School students participated in a "Learning Adventure Day." Learning Adventure Days are designed to provide unique learning experiences that allow students to exercise the school district's Portrait of the Graduate skills which are: Communicative, Collaborative, Innovative, Mindful and Resilient.

Members of the PRISMS arts club at the Middle School of Plainville, led by faculty member Laura Meehan, recently attended a field trip to the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Seventh grade students in Mrs. Meehan's Art classes at the Middle School of Plainville are learning the importance of resilience through art.

Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth graders, together with faculty members Susan Fabrizio and Shayla Quirion, recently attended Camp Sloper in Southington, Connecticut to participate in a series of team building activities.

Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth grade students lead by faculty members Susan Fabrizio and Shayla Quirion are excited and gearing up for their Connecticut Kid Government event, by participating in the Connecticut Kid Governor Exhibit of the present Kid Governor, Makhi Modeste and his Cabinet.

The Plainville Family Resource Network, led by Coordinator Donna Cavallaro, had a very busy summer with their Ready, Set, Grow Pre-K Class and summer Play & Learn Group!

Plainville Police Department Support Services Sergeant Richard Marques has been named Director of Safety and Security for Plainville Community Schools, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. He was selected through an extensive search and screening process conducted by a comprehensive committee that included Superintendent LePage, Plainville Chief of Police, Chris Vanghele, and several school district administrators.

Michael Smith, former Vice President of Operations for CCARC, Inc., in New Britain, Connecticut, has been named Facilities Director for Plainville Community Schools, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. Smith will replace former Facilities Director, Steve Busel, who retired in July after serving in that capacity for 18 years. He was selected through an extensive search process conducted by the school district.

First grade students in the Plainville Community Schools Summer RAMP program recently completed the 2022 Commissioners Summer Math Challenge. In the "ice cream shop challenge" the students used picture graphs to solve real world problems about events that could happen in an ice cream shop.

Louis Toffolon Elementary School’s Community Garden is in full bloom this summer, thanks to the efforts of the school’s Garden Club. The garden project was created under the direction of Toffolon School’s Teacher of the Year, Rob Silliman. This past year, over 40 students participated with him in the school’s Garden Club. The children volunteered their time one morning each week, selecting the types of plants, planting seeds, caring for them indoors and transplanting them outside.

Students at the Middle School of Plainville have been busy creating wooden toy ducks equipped with rotating wheels, artwork, and a valuable lesson in STEAM as part of the summer RAMP program.

Learning, fun and exploration continued for a group of Plainville fourth and fifth grade students this summer through the Camp Invention program held at Louis Toffolon Elementary School, June 20th-24th.

Students in the summer RAMP program at the Middle School of Plainville recently enjoyed a visit from the Goodwin University's Advanced Manufacturing Mobile Lab.

The Plainville Community Schools Dining Services Department is once again offering a summer meals program for families this summer, according to Director of Food Services, Ashley Carl.

Plainville Community Schools has named Middle School of Plainville Health Teacher Melanie Olmstead as the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Olmstead was nominated by Middle School colleague Amy Tennant. The Plainville school district began a new tradition this year in honoring a school based teacher of the year in each of the five Plainville schools, in addition to ultimately selecting a district teacher of the year. The school based honorees were considered for the district recognition, and nominations had to reflect how candidates have demonstrated the school district’s core Portrait of the Graduate tenets, including being communicative, collaborative, innovative, mindful and resilient. The candidates were evaluated by the district’s Teacher of the Year Committee, and ultimately selected Olmstead as the 2022-23 Plainville Community Schools Teacher of the Year.

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School kindergarteners enjoyed an end of year celebration prior to the close of the 2021-22 school year. The group enjoyed a family picnic to celebrate their hard work this year!

Middle School of Plainville student Faith Posner, and her mother, Rachel Posner, recently visited Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School to serve as guest readers for story time in Lisa Mullins and Meg Donovan's preschool classes. Faith's grandmother, Mrs. Jane Kyle-O'donnell, is an instructional assistant in Mrs. Mullins class.

Plainville Community Schools volunteer Reading Partners and their student matches recently gathered at each of the three Plainville elementary schools for an end-of-the-year celebration.

At their June 14th meeting, the Plainville Board of Education recognized the following individuals who will retire this year for their many years of service to Plainville Community Schools.

The Plainville High School Physical Education Department recently hosted the second semester "Breakfast of Champions" for students who passed all four sections of the CT Fitness Exam.

The Middle School of Plainville VEX Robotics Program enjoyed an exciting year of local, state and world competitions and recognitions.

Plainville High School seniors Michael Haddad and Joseph Rossi have been named recipients of the second semester “Student Rocks Award” recognizing their outstanding contributions to Plainville High School.

A group of students from the Middle School of Plainville's Kids in the Middle program recently visited Winding Trails in Farmington, Connecticut, for "Leadership Development". Students from the Bristol Kids in the Middle program also participated in the program with the Plainville student group.

Students, staff and families at the Middle School of Plainville recently gathered for a night of fun and creativity. Led by Middle School Art Teacher Laura Meehan, participants at "Paint Night" created beautiful underwater seascapes using canvas and acrylic paints. The event was sponsored by the Middle School’s Parent Teacher Club.

The school district’s Fine Arts Department is currently sponsoring an art show to honor the creative achievements of Plainville students in Kindergarten through grade 12. After a pause during the COVID pandemic, the Plainville Public Library has once again generously provided exhibition space throughout the building for the students’ artwork displays.

On April 30th, KIM program members participated in PRWA's River Clean-up along with high school students. The volunteers collected trash at the retention pond in Plainville off of Route 177. The Kids in the Middle Program is sponsored by Plainville’s Youth Services Department.

The Linden Street School community participated in Project ACES, (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) on May 5th. Students, faculty and staff spread out on the school's field and grounds, to do the "Cha-Cha Slide" together! This year's event marked the 35th anniversary of global Project Aces, which is celebrated each May during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

On Thursday evening April 21st, Plainville Community Schools hosted the annual Superintendent's Showcase featuring the Plainville High School Champion cheerleaders who kicked off the evening prior to Superintendent LePage's opening remarks.

On Friday, April 22nd, Connecticut's Governor Ned Lamont visited Plainville High School where he met with a group of students and discussed Connecticut's plans for energy, employment, and making Connecticut a positive place for youth to remain after graduation.

Writing a song can seem daunting for anyone, especially elementary school students. Mrs. Bajek’s 3rd-grade students at Linden Street School recently learned that writing a song is easier than you think. Linden parent, Bonnie McGee, led students in the creative process of songwriting. After brainstorming ideas, the students came up with several verses about how they can like themselves, even when they are having a hard day.

In celebration of "Music in Our Schools Month", Linden Street School students enjoyed a piano performance from high school student, Katherine Tang. The sounds of Bach, Mozart, and The Beatles resounded in the Linden gymnasium during the first live in-person performance for the students since the beginning of the pandemic.

On April 6th, members of the Middle School of Plainville Art Club created a fun spring surprise for the Pre-K students at Louis Toffolon Elementary school. MSP Art Club students hand painted beach rocks to look like spring chicks hatching.

As one of their many volunteer projects, the Art Club at the Middle School of Plainville recently made beautifully decorated spring chickens. These creations were a gift for the residents of Apple Rehab in Plainville. The chickens will be hidden around the center for residents to find on Easter.

Plainville Community Schools is excited to offer a second year of the district’s preschool program AT NO COST TO FAMILIES as a result of COVID-19 grant relief funding for school districts, according to Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Tawana Graham-Douglas.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School Student Council sponsored their monthly food drive with a theme of "Wear Green on St Patrick's Day" as well as finding the lucky golden shamrock. Their focus this year is to pay it forward in their school and local community through fun activities. They filled their lucky pot of gold with green food items such as jello, green beans, apple juice boxes and other foods to be donated to the Plainville Community Food Pantry.

Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth graders are once again sharing positive messages to those who pass by their school, thanks to their kind and creative artwork on the school’s fence. Their first message, “Be Kind”, shares the sentiment that Toffolon students are inspired to be kind each and every day. Spreading kindness is a meaningful way in which students can demonstrate that a simple act can change anyone's day.

The Art Club at the Middle School of Plainville recently attended a field trip to the New Britain Museum of American Art. The Art Club members participated in a historical museum tour and discussions about the extensive art collection at the museum. While at the museum, the students created a mixed media art project inspired by the museum collections.

Plainville Adult and Continuing Education will launch Boot Camp for New Dads®, a community-based workshop, that supports the transition to fatherhood. This dynamic workshop will be conducted by a trained Instructor, fostering mentorship among expectant fathers and new fathers, resulting in inspirational comradery among a diverse group, aiming to help develop confident, engaged dads.

Kids in the Middle (K.I.M.) student participants have been busy with a number of projects focused on kindness. The group made notes of appreciation for each staff and faculty member at MSP and delivered them to their mailboxes. In addition, the K.I.M. members have also used their artistic talents to make small crafts to donate to local senior centers and nursing homes. The Kids in the Middle Program is sponsored by Plainville’s Youth Services.

A number of Plainville High School students recently formalized their post-graduation plans as part of the school’s annual “Tunxis Acceptance Day” event hosted by the Plainville High School Counseling Department on February 17th.

The Plainville school district has begun its next round of strategic planning, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. On February 15th, LePage kicked off the start of strategic planning with a virtual meeting open to the public, where he provided an overview of school district highlights, solicited initial feedback from attendees regarding their thoughts on Plainville Community Schools’ “points of pride” and how we as a community can further develop, and in some ways, transform Plainville Community Schools into THE model school district in Connecticut.

Fifth grade students in Sarah Miller's classroom at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School are learning about chemical and physical changes. The students recently experimented at different stations by creating reactions in order to determine if they were creating a chemical or a physical change.

Students at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School recently celebrated the 100th day of school with a variety of activities. First graders in Emma Bartley's class celebrated 100 days of learning while making necklaces containing 100 beads.

Middle School of Plainville eighth grade students in Laura Meehan's Art classes recently completed illustrations inspired by Maya Angelou's famous poem "Human Family." Mrs. Meehan's students each selected a line or verse from the poem and used watercolor techniques to create beautiful, unique illustrations.

The Middle School of Plainville Robotics Team continued their winning streak on February 26th during matches held in Meriden, Connecticut. Teams 19031A and 10931D won the Teamwork Champion Awards by working together to score the highest in the finals matches.

United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, visited Linden Street School on February 28th. Dr. Cardona chose Linden as the site for an interview with NBC News 8 as he reflected on his first year as the Secretary of Education.

Plainville High School Theater Unlimited actresses Hailey Calder, Lily Feyerabend, Zeyana Thigpen, Janessa Freitas, Marissa Freitas, and Sofia Maksymiw, together with Assistant Director Nikolas Diaz and Advisor / faculty member TJ Riccardo, joined in a virtual meeting with Tim McArthur, author of the play “A Word for Mother.” McArthur learned that the Plainville High School theater group will be performing his show in March, and reached out to congratulate the cast.

Middle School of Plainville sixth graders in Laura Meehan’s Art classes recently created oil pastel cake drawings in honor of American artist Wayne Thiebaud, who passed away on December 25th, 2021 at the age of 101.

Plainville High School students Garret Millette and Peyton Stehle have been recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) for excellence in the arts. Each year, CAS honors two Plainville seniors who excel in the performing and/or visual arts through their high school arts awards recognition program.

Plainville High School students Peyton Stehle and Nicole Kolc have been named recipients of the first semester “Student Rocks Award” recognizing their outstanding contributions to Plainville High School.

Middle School of Plainville sixth grade Social Studies Classes were recently introduced to “cuneiform”, the world's first alphabet, as part of their unit of study on ancient Mesopotamia.

Middle School of Plainville students are “spreading love” in the form of cute hand-painted bugs! Students in Middle School Art Teacher/Advisor Laura Meehan’s PRISMS Club created dozens of little painted beach rocks, as Valentine’s day gifts for the residents of the Apple Rehabilitation Center in Plainville.

On January 14th, the Louis Toffolon Elementary School community enjoyed a "Comfy, Cozy Clothes Day" thanks to the creative idea suggested by Toffolon fifth grader Roselyn Alvarado.

The Middle School of Plainville Robotics Teams, led by Advisor Camille Westfall, kicked off their season with a live remote match on January 8th. Thanks to support from the district's Technology Department, the MSP teams were able to see, hear, and talk with teams from New York, Canada, and across Connecticut while never leaving the Middle School.

The Connecticut Association Of Schools recently held its annual Student Leadership Conference for fifth and sixth graders throughout Connecticut. Several Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth graders were selected to participate in this virtual event. Featured are unique interactive lessons in communication, problem solving and decision making as well as productive thinking.

Students in the Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School Library, under the direction of faculty member Cyndi Giantonio, are exploring the importance of Digital Citizenship, staying safe online & ways to establish a positive online community.

The Elizabeth H Norton Trust Fund generously donated to Plainville Community Schools' "Adopt A Pet" Reading Partners program as they continue with the pen pal-style this year. The Adopt A Pet program pairs an adult with a third-grade student to share the love of reading. Each student receives a new book each month to keep along with a note about the book from their reading partner.

Diana Lamenzo, Instructional Coach with CREC, recently served as a guest reader, sharing the story Pink is for Boys in Erica Kriscenski's Kindergarten class at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School.

The January Plainville Community Schools’ “Portrait Pioneer” award winner, Linden Street School Nurse Alisa Brochu, was recognized at the January 10th Plainville Board of Education meeting.

Students in the Kids in the Middle Program at the Middle School participated in two service projects in December—making holiday cards to send to the Military and volunteering at For Goodness Sake in Plainville.

Students, faculty and staff across the Plainville school district participated in the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s “PJ Day for the Kids” on December 10th, raising funds for patients in the Division of Hematology/ Oncology.

Plainville Adult Education's Advisory Council provided a giving opportunity for students and staff. Staff member Nancy Cooperman kindly wrapped the abundant box, which will be sent to the Prudence Crandall Center.

Linden Street School’s 5th grade Community Outreach Group sponsored a toy drive from November 29 - Dec 10, 2021. The students collected over 3 boxes full of toys to benefit the United Way of West Central Connecticut.

For their December Community Service Project, the Plainville High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter has been collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Plainville Connecticut Toys for Tots Campaign.

The Art Club members at the Middle School of Plainville recently created a gift basket full of hand painted wooden snowman ornaments that were delivered to the Plainville Senior Center, as gifts for seniors in our community.

On December 4th, a select group of juniors and seniors from the Plainville High School choirs gathered at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut to sing carols. This was the first public performance for the group since the COVID situation started nearly two years ago.

Students in the Kids in the Middle Program at the Middle School of Plainville participated in two service projects in November—raking leaves, weeding flower beds and grooming horses at the US Horse Welfare and Rescue in Avon and the Indian Rock Nature Center in Bristol.

For their November Community Service Project, the Plainville High School FBLA Chapter has been collecting non-perishable items to donate to the Plainville Community Food Pantry.