Communications Corner

Can you believe we are in the midst of the Holiday Season and welcoming in 2024 in just a few short weeks! Take a minute to scroll through the pictures to see what a great Fall we had! In this edition, you will also find a re-cap of the election results...I am so happy to be re-elected and to continue the great work we have been doing in Ellington. I would also like to congratulate our other re-elected members, as well as our newest Board Member, Dr. Lenora Williams.

Finally, as you scroll, you will find important reminders to update your information through Infinite Campus, Inclement Weather process reminder from Dr. Nicol, and a short survey.

Thank you for reading this edition of Communications Corner!

Best Regards,

Jenn Mullin, Board Secretary and Communications Committee Chair

Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram!

Welcome to new Board of Education Member, Dr. Lenora Williams. Dr. Williams resides in Ellington with her husband and has four children, three of whom attended Ellington Public Schools. Dr. Williams is a practicing physician specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"My goal is to enhance the overall wellbeing of our community by sustaining a passionate commitment to excellence in education. A robust educational system benefits everyone and contributes to the growth and prosperity of our community."

-Dr. Lenora Williams

There were five openings on the Ellington Board of Education.

The top votes on November 7, 2023 went to:

(R) Kerry Socha

(R) Dr. Michael Young

(D) Jennifer Mullin

(D) Lenora Williams

(D) Miriam Underwood

Remaining on the Board with terms ending in 2025:

(R) Jennifer Dzen

(D) Gary Blanchette

(R) Marcia Kupferschmid

(R) Angela Moser

(R) Steve Viens

It is that time of year again – winter weather is here and snowy days are a reality. EPS’ recognizes that school cancellations, early dismissals, and late openings can be a significant inconvenience, especially for working families. With that said, student safety is always our first priority. The final decision regarding the impact of weather rests with the Superintendent.

Below is the typical process used to make this important decision:

1. Between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., a conference call with a local meteorologist is made to assess the projected forecast for the entire school day.
   
2. A call with the Ellington Department of Public Works (DPW) to check in on the real-time conditions of the roads and school parking lots. Additionally, the Facilities Director provides updates on the school walkways.
   
3. Lastly, after consultation with the bus company, First Student, and with other local area superintendents, a decision is made for Ellington Public Schools.
   

This information is then communicated to families via email, phone, and text, as well as updated on our website, social media, and through local stations. This is a great time to log into your parent portal and ensure all information is up-to-date - check out how in the next section!

• Email, Phone, and Text (Primary Method) - Infinite Campus Messenger System
• News Outlets (Secondary) - WFSB, FOX, WVIT, WTNH
• Website - www.ellingtonpublicschools.org
• Social Media:
• X @supernicol
• Facebook @ellingtonboe
• Instagram @boe.ellington

It is worth mentioning that making an inclement weather decision the evening prior is preferred, however, it is not an exact science; some calls are easier than others.

Rest assured, our first priority is the safety of Ellington’s children, our staff, and the community.