April showers…please bring us those May flowers! I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our PTA and parents for orchestrating a wonderful Sweetheart Dance...looking forward to a spectacular evening. This is truly a special night! As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I want to extend a warm thank you to our students, families, and staff for your commitment to supporting our learning journey.

June 11th is the last school day for the 2025 year. Ensuring your child arrives to school on time sets the tone for a smooth and successful day ahead. By arriving on time (by 8:55am), your child can ease into the day calmly, settle into routines, and make the most of valuable learning opportunities. Let's start each day on the right foot, setting the stage for a positive and productive experience for all. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to promoting a supportive learning environment and modeling the importance of punctuality.

As we enter the final stretch, please maintain your support for at-home reading, completion of homework, adherence to daily routines, and consistent attendance. We still have units of instruction to cover to ensure we meet grade-level expectations. Your continued support to these aspects is greatly appreciated.

To ensure your child is well-prepared for their school day, please see helpful tips below:

1. Get a restful night’s sleep

2. Provide a nutritious breakfast

3. Assist in getting your child to school on time daily.

4. Complete homework nightly.

National Teacher Appreciation Day, observed on Tuesday, May 6th. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the incredible teachers and staff at Mill Hill. Their exceptional work and dedication to our students and school shine through in the smiles and achievements of our students every day. Please join me in extending our heartfelt thanks to our amazing staff!

Please let us know if you are NOT planning for your child to return to Mill Hill/ Fairfield Public Schools this fall. This is most helpful as we finalize our class lists for the 2025-26 school year. You may contact the main office for a withdrawal form - 203-255-8320.

Let's make the most of these remaining weeks, cherishing every moment of discovery and connection.

In partnership,

Mrs. Yost & Mrs. Feola

National Mental Health Awareness Month

Military Appreciation Month

May 1st

• Grade 5 Family Life Lesson

May 2nd

• Grade 5 Grit N Wit
• Hawk Day Wear Blue/Spirit wear
• Spring Fling Dance – 5:00-6:15 K-2; 6:45-8:00 3-5

May 5-9th Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7th

• National School Nurse Day
• Grade 4 Field Trip to Blue Button Farm
• K Orientation 10:00-11:00am A-L
• K Orientation 2:00-3:00pm M-Z

May 11th

• Happy Mother's Day!

May 12th

• 2nd Grade High Touch High Tech

May 14th

• PTA Meeting 2pm in APR

May 15th

• 3rd Grade Field Trip CT Science Center

May 16th

• 5th Grade Field Trip Putnam Park

May 21st

• Art Show at 5:30pm
• Spring Concert at 7pm

May 23rd

• Get Out & Play for Children's Mental Health Day
• Wear Red, White, and Blue - Show your pride for your country by wearing red, white, and blue
• 5th Grade Field Trip to Fairfield Museum

May 26th

• Memorial Day No School

• Town Wide Art Show at Pequot Library 5pm-8pm

May 30th

• Field Day! (Rain Date June 2nd)

Caring for our mental health helps us feel good, learn better, and grow stronger—inside and out! To celebrate, our school is joining CT Get Out and Play Day on Friday, May 23rd with fun outdoor activities that encourage movement, laughter, and connection.

Families can join in the fun at home too! Try going for a walk together, having a screen-free game night, drawing with sidewalk chalk, or just spending a few extra minutes talking and laughing. Every little moment counts when it comes to mental wellness!

There have been a couple cases of head lice at Mill Hill reported in the last month. We are aware that there is some unease about lice, and we certainly understand and empathize with families.

To help prevent the spread of lice, the Town of Fairfield Health Department promotes evidence-based prevention measures including educating families on the identification of lice and nits. Please see the letter linked here with additional guidance from the Health Department: Town of Fairfield Health Dept. - Lice .

Lice cannot jump or fly—they crawl. Transmission usually happens through direct head-to-head contact, not from a distance. Head lice can only survive 1–2 days off a human host. They don’t nest in furniture, carpets, or beds.

Helpful Tips For Home Checks:

• Remind students to NOT share clothing (hats, scarves, jackets).

• For students who have long hair, pull it back and braid it every day.

• Check your family members’ hair every night with a nit comb.

• If you suspect someone in your family has lice, follow the guidance in the Health Department’s letter above or contact your student’s health care provider for information.

We are pleased to announce a new webpage which has been designed to help you navigate the challenges of managing your child's internet usage at home. This resource provides comprehensive information on tools and strategies to create a safer online environment for your children.

New Resource: Internet Usage at Home

Link: https://www.fairfieldschools.org/parents/internet-usage-at-home

This resource covers several approaches to internet safety, including:

· Device-Based Web Filtering

· Internet Service Provider (ISP)-Based Web Filtering

· Router-Based Web Filtering

· Third-Party Platforms for Filtering & Monitoring

· Monitoring Usage & Setting Time Limits

· Security Best Practices

Our team is pleased to provide information about these various tools and approaches, and we encourage you to research and select solutions that best meet your family's unique needs. Note: Fairfield Public Schools does not endorse any specific product.

As we wrap up the school year, please take a moment to review and settle your child’s lunch account balance. Ensuring all accounts are up to date helps us prepare for a smooth transition to the next school year. You can check your balance and make payments through online ( Food Service ) or send a check or cash into school. Check or cash should be sent in an envelope marked with the child's full name. Thank you for your attention and continued support!

It is hard to believe that our LLC is in the last few weeks of book sign outs for the school year. All books are due back on Wednesday, May 28th. This will allow us to have time to shelve the books but also do a quick shelf reading to make sure everything is organized for the beginning of next school year. We have circulated about 17, 522 books so far this school year! It has been great to see all of our Mill Hawks growing as readers. We will begin sending email overdue notices more frequently as May progresses. If you know you have lost a book, please contact Mrs. Gori-Montanelli to arrange payment or replacement. We appreciate all of your efforts to locate materials so more friends can read them!

Heart Words - What are they and how I can help!

Heart words are high-frequency words that often appear in texts and are recognized by sight, helping children become more fluent readers. These essential words, sometimes referred to as "sight words," serve as the building blocks for successful reading by allowing children to focus less on decoding every word and more on comprehension. At home, families can support their child's learning by incorporating heart words into daily routines—reading favorite books aloud, playing fun word-recognition games, or even labeling common household items. By regularly practicing these words in engaging ways, you not only boost your child’s confidence but also create a literacy-rich environment that sets the foundation for lifelong learning.

Policy Updates

The Board of Education is continuing to discuss its emerging district tech policy. If you haven’t yet filled out the Device Usage Survey, be sure to do so by May 16th! This is an important way to express your views of technology’s role in the classroom and curriculum, and share your practices and preferences.

Stay tuned for the May 13th meeting agenda, when the policy discussion is likely to be moved forward. As a reminder, Darien, Wilton and several local private schools have passed bell-to-bell bans (“Away for the Day”) for nearly all grades. As Fairfield, Westport and other towns continue to examine options, the policy discussions are an excellent way to be involved in shaping the final decision.

Event Updates

Thursday, May 8th @ The Westport Library: Alternative Device Fair! View and explore non-smartphone devices that are great for experiencing all the benefits of connected kids while minimizing the negative risks associated with early smartphone and social media access. Join representatives from several companies, including Gabb, Bark, Troomi and Light. See attached for more information.

Date TBD: Adults-only screening of Can’t Look Away, a gripping documentary about the impact of social media on young users, the rise of lawsuits against the corporations designing the technology, and the intense loss and mourning of families bringing the suits.

@millhillpta

@millhillgoesgreen

One hour shifts are available to assist Mrs. Han and Mrs. Gori-Montanelli with student book checkout and shelving. Volunteers may also help with other tasks as needed such as de-milling books that are no longer used and the LLC bulletin board.

2024-2025 LLC Volunteer Sign Up!
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on Sign-up: https://signup.com/go/WcdfYVr
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on Sign-up)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - Sign-up will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: Sign-up does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

or sign up with the QR code provided below

2024-2025 LLC VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Please sign up!

Scan this code with your smartphone camera now:

We are looking for helping hands to assist with art preparation for grades K-5. Your support will involve tasks such as:

• Cutting and prepping materials for projects

• Labeling and mounting student artwork

• Measuring and cutting borders and applying large format vinyl paper to bulletin boards

• Hanging artwork on bulletin boards
• Assisting with preparations for our End of Year Art Show (May)

Some tasks may include typing out student labels, preparing materials in bulk or hanging displays on bulletin boards. Whether you can spare 30 minutes, an hour, or a few days, your help is greatly appreciated!

If you're interested, please sign up by Art Committee Volunteers or contact Heather Nokta hnokta@fairfieldschools.org

School Hours: 8:55 AM - 3:30 PM

(Student drop-off 8:45am-8:55am)

Early Dismissals:

8:55am-1:40pm

Delayed Openings:

10:55 AM - 3:30 PM

Amy Yost, Principal - ayost@fairfieldschools.org

Rebecca Feola, Assistant Principal - rfeola@fairfieldschools.org

Ashley Prosniewski, Secretary - aprosniewski@fairfieldschools.org

Elizabeth Miller, Office Assistant AM - emiller@fairfieldschools.org

Lisa Brown, Office Assistant PM - lbrown@fairfieldschools.org

District Website: Fairfield Public Schools District Website

Mill Hill's Website: Mill Hill Elementary School Website

Mill Hill’s PTA Website Mill Hill School PTA Website

Location: 635 Mill Hill Terrace, Southport, CT 06890
Phone: 203.255.8320