Communications Corner Spring 2024
BOE News and Happenings
Welcome to the Spring Edition of Communications Corner!
Welcome to the Spring Edition of Communications Corner for Ellington Public Schools. What a busy winter we had...the Board of Education has spent hours meeting, planning, and collaborating during this time of year. Budget meetings and committees meeting regularly to keep the work moving forward.
In addition to our first snow days, EPS had successful winter athletic seasons, wonderful theater productions and school concerts, and many, many extracurricular clubs meeting and planning all of their great events for the remainder of the school year. Be sure to check your school's calendar to stay up to date!
Lastly, THANK YOU for all of your input since the last newsletter and for taking our poll, we hope that you find some of your requests answered in this edition!
Also, be sure to find the BOE on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop!
Important Dates:
Graduation - Friday, June 7, 2024
Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 13, 2024 (Early Dismissal)
Happy Reading,
Committee Chair Jenn Mullin
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Options with Whitson's!
Ellington Public Schools partners with Whitson's to provide our food services. Our students enjoy meals such as veggie bowls, Yardbird chicken sandwiches, Korean-style beef, ciabatta sandwiches, and Mediterranean bowls, all including gluten-free and vegetarian options. Our Saturday Budget Session included a sampling of Vegetable Lo Mein - it was delicious! Monthly menus are posted on our website!
Press Release: Ellington Board of Education Adopts Budget of $46.9M
View the full release for more information.
Windermere Update Spring 2024 🚧
Permanent Building Committee Liaison Gary Blanchette shared that amazing progress has been made on the building site! The building site is changing weekly!
For additional information, you can view our Operations Committee meeting minutes on our website or reach out to the Committee Chair, Miriam Underwood at munderwood@ellingtonschools.net. You can also find the Permanent Building Committee Minutes on the Town's website.
Dr. Nicol and Board Members attend a Community Forum at the Apostolic Church
With approximately one hundred in attendance, the event focused on the state of the school district. The intent was for this event to be a model for other Ellington organizations—faith-based or otherwise (i.e. - YMCA, Lion’s Club)—for the Superintendent to engage with. Read about it more HERE.
Staff Wellness - March Wellness Challenge!
Wellness Initiatives Continue...
Board Member and Wellness Liaison, Miriam Underwood visited EHS Cafeteria for lunch on March 21st to tour the cafeteria and lunch line as Board Liaison to the Wellness Committee. She had Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings with General Tso's dipping sauce, fresh fruit and veggies. She remarked at the Board meeting that she was very impressed with the selection and serving sizes. She is looking forward to seeing the Wellness Committee grow and evolve.
The Wellness Committee is offering lunch to all faculty and staff as part of the March Wellness Challenge to encourage more staff to take advantage of the great options available to them from Whitson's.
January Recognition: Rylan Fischer
EHS Student Rylan Fischer was recognized for his award winning self-directed, written and produced play Eyes of Evil. The play will be featured in March at the CT Drama Festival. Congratulations, Rylan! See the recognition HERE.
February Recognition: Drop the Bass
Treble Chorus at the February Meeting
A shout out to Richard Diamond and the EHS Treble Chorus for performing the National Anthem live at our February meeting (click to watch). We have an amazing music department here in Ellington!
March Board Appreciation - Steel Drums
EHS Steel Drum Band performed "La Bamba" by Richie Valens and "Crazy Love" by Lord Kitchner, directed by Matthew DeLassus, Director of Instrumental Music. Watch HERE.
March Board Appreciation - The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Members of Ellington Middle School’s Drama Club acted out a scene from their upcoming play, The Little Mermaid, Jr., directed by Ms. Emma Czaplinski, Teacher and Drama Coordinator. Watch HERE!
The showtimes are April 27 and 28 at 7PM!
March Board Appreciation - Mollie Virkler
Soloist Mollie Virkler performed the Star Spangled Banner to start the March meeting. Watch HERE.
March is Board Member Appreciation Month but we Appreciate YOU! 👏
We appreciate all your input, comments, and suggestions! You can find our contact information by visiting our website.
Board Member and Permanent Building Committee Liaison Gary Blanchette
Board Appreciation "Gratitude Hour" on March 27th!
Board Chair and Vice-Chair - Jen Dzen and Kerry Socha
Board Appreciation "Gratitude Hour" on March 27th!
Board Member and Center School Liaison Marcia Kupferschmid
Board Appreciation "Gratitude Hour" on March 27th!
A little fun with Board Member Dr. Lenora Williams
"Gratitude Hour" for Board Appreciation Month!
Secretary Jenn Mullin and Chair Jen Dzen
CENTER SCHOOL ARTWORK SELECTED! 🎨
Mrs. Howard's Kindergarten art class was selected to have their Expressionist Flowers displayed in the Board of Ed Building until the end of March! Students were awarded certificates as a thank you!
You can watch the Education in Ellington video that featured the class HERE!
Rock Your Socks Day 2024 🧦
Board Member and Windermere Liaison, Dr. Lenora Williams reported at the March meeting that Windermere School celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with crazy socks on March 21st!
Sweet Heart Shuffle at the Lake 💟
CLS Liaison Miriam Underwood shared about the the annual Sweet Heart Shuffle at the Lake at the February Board meeting!
2024 CREC/CABE/HASA Legislative Breakfast
Board Chair Jen Dzen, and Members, Angie Moser and Miriam Underwood attended the 2024 Legislative Forum. Topics were legislative priorities and educational issues for the 2024 Session of the CT General Assembly and focused on working together to pass Equitable Educational funding.
Successful Pop-Up Shop @ EHS 🥧
Board Member, Angie Moser, pictured here with her son, enjoyed using her "Bakery Bucks" during Board Appreciation Month at the Pop-Up Shop. The pop-up bakery will open again in May/June with a new theme and new food items. Students create the menu, determine the budget, and set the selling price.
EHS Culinary Students offer a "Savory Bakery" 🥐
Many Board Members and Central Office Staff attended EHS Spring Savory Bakery with "Bakery Bucks" provided by Culinary Teacher David Helmin. Students prepared the food items that would be found in a retail bakery environment.
World of Music Tour 2024 🎶
Vocal Ensembles and Band Members went on "Tour" to all the elementary schools. Some of the songs performed were March of the Belgian Paratroopers, by Pierre Leemans and Espana Cani, by Pasqual Marquina. It is an exciting annual event. Vocal Director, Richie Diamond stopped by the BOE Building to say hello as the tour pulled in!
📚 Read Across America Day - March 1st 📚
@Center School with Angie Moser
@Windermere School with Jen Dzen
@Crystal Lake School with Miriam Underwood
@Center School with Marcia Kupferschmid
@Windermere School with Jen Dzen
Registration is open for all grades!
Visit our newly updated Registration Page to complete the application process for the 2024-2025 school year. The application process is simple and 100% online!
We can't wait for you to join us!
2024-2025 District Calendar has been published!
The 2024-2025 school year calendar was approved at the February Board meeting. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Superintendent's Office at 860-896-2300.
Visit our website for the full calendar!
Volunteering @ EPS
Step 1: Coordinate with your school's teacher and principal to discuss opportunities to volunteer.
Step 2: Complete the online application for volunteers and all state-required background screenings.
Step 3: Join Us!
CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.
Next Board of Education Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024, 06:00 PM
Ellington High School, Maple Street, Ellington, CT, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Follow EBOE on Social Media!
Email: jmullin@ellingtonschools.net
Website: https://www.ellingtonpublicschools.org/
Location: 47 Main Street, Ellington, CT, USA
Phone: 860-896-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellingtonboe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boe.ellington/