Plainville Community School District

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Students, families and staff at the Middle School of Plainville came together on December 1st for a night of fun and creativity at MSP’s “Paint Night”. Art Teacher, Laura Meehan created step-by-step painting demonstrations for the group of painters to follow along.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School Student Council recently held a “Crazy Hair and Hat Day” to benefit the Plainville Community Food Pantry. Additionally, families donated leftover candy that the food pantry will distribute to local senior citizens and veterans.

The Middle School of Plainville School Counselors held "New Student Group" during the first seven weeks of school. The group was provided to middle school students who were newly registered to the Middle School for this school year.

Preschool students in Rachel Valentine's class at Louis Toffolon Elementary School performed a special fall song at the start of the November 8th Plainville Board of Education meeting!

The November Plainville Community Schools’ “Portrait Pioneers” award winner, Louis Toffolon Elementary School Tutor Carl Hawkins, was recognized at the November 8th Plainville Board of Education meeting. Carl was nominated by Plainville Community Schools staff members Caitlin Butkus and Chiara Ramos.

The newly elected members of the Plainville Board of Education, Rachel Buchanan, Cassandra Clark, Lori Consalvo, and Becky Tyrrell, were sworn into office prior to the start of the November 8th Plainville Board of Education meeting.

Newly retired Plainville Community Schools District Courier Tom Abucewicz was recognized at the November 8 Plainville Board of Education. He served as the District Courier for more than 19 years!

Students at staff at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School recently enjoyed a "Story Book Character Day" where they dressed in their favorite book character costume!

The second annual Plainville High School Pumpkin Carving Contest was held in Jonathan Dunlap’s Culinary Arts classes. Students honed their vegetable prep and garnishing techniques, planned their designs, and completed the carvings.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School fifth graders recently enjoyed a visit by the Connecticut Kid Governor Election Day Rally Bus with the 2021 Connecticut Kid Governor, Reese Naughton.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School Student Council, under faculty member Sue Fabrizio's leadership, organized a school-wide “Crazy Hair, Hat and Sock Day” event.

The Middle School of Plainville has started an American Sign Language (ASL) Club. 22 students in grades 6-8 gather weekly after school to learn how to communicate using ASL.

Preschool students at both Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School and Louis Toffolon Elementary School enjoyed the opportunity to visit a "pumpkin patch" at each school made possible by donations from both DATTCO and Big Y of Plainville.

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School students participated in a number of activities in October to raise awareness and promote acceptance for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Fifth graders at Linden Street School recently partnered with United Way of West Central Connecticut to give back to the community by hosting "Socktober"

The district's Kids in the Middle (KIM) program held two events in October.

Linden Street School fifth graders recently spent the day visiting Camp Sloper in Southington, where they participated in a variety of team building activities.

Wheeler Elementary School students in Lindsay Crane's fifth grade class recently read Mr. Peabody's Apples written by “Madonna”, followed by participating in an activity, where they squeezed all of the toothpaste out of a tube and were then asked to put all of it back into the tube. The toothpaste represented words that can be unkind, and that cannot be taken back.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Middle School of Plainville World Language students in Mari Martinez’s class researched a notable Hispanic American, created a slideshow and presented their information to their classmates.

Thanks to an Elizabeth Norton Trust grant the Toffolon outdoor playground area now includes new materials for students.

Plainville High School is getting ready for the new school year, including some new signage along the front of the school on Robert Holcomb Way.

Ryan Cornelius, former educator in the New Britain, Connecticut public school district, has been named Assistant Principal at the Middle School of Plainville, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. Cornelius will replace former Assistant Principal Aimee Roberts, who was recently named Principal of the Middle School of Plainville.

Future Plainville High School Learning Adventure Days received a boost, thanks to a generous donation from the PHS Classes of 1980 & 1981. The donation was collected at a recent reunion of the classes. The donation was presented to the Plainville High School Administration by PHS Class of 1981 Alumnus Christina Tufts and PHS Class of 1980 Alumnus Don Dellaquila.

On November 3rd, all Linden Street School students had the opportunity to participate in the school’s “Day of Play” for the Cardboard Challenge. The Cardboard Challenge started in 2012, and is an event inspired by a video “Caine’s Arcade” about a 9 year old boy in Los Angeles who created a working arcade out of cardboard and recycled materials.