Dear Newtown Families, Faculty and Staff,
Yesterday was the first time the sun set after 5 pm in Newtown since November 3rd! Even though we still have a good two months to go until the official start of spring, it is always nice to leave work with some light in the sky. It has been a very dry winter so far, although there is the possibility of some weather passing through early Wednesday that could impact the start of the school day. It’s too soon to tell but we are monitoring it closely especially because Wednesday is also an early dismissal day for staff development. I will update you as needed tomorrow or Wednesday morning.
Right now, it is budget, budget, budget. I have already spoken about both the challenges and realities we are facing for next year. This week, the Board of Education begins its public discussion of the budget which will lead to their budget adoption next week. More details regarding the budget process can be found below in the “Budget Happenings” section.
Last week, NPS Board Member Chris Gilson co-hosted a Legislative Breakfast along with Ridgefield Board of Education Chair Tina Malhotra. Chris and I were also joined by our Board Chair Alison Plante and Secretary Deb Zukowksi, along with others from Ridgefield Public Schools and CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education). The discussion centered on concerns regarding increased costs imposed on school districts as well as the impact of frequent legislative changes, often with no input from the schools and no time to plan for them. It was a productive discussion and certainly confirmed that our area school districts are grappling with many of the same issues as we are in Newtown.
Have a wonderful week and I hope to see you at the upcoming Board meetings!
Warm regards,
Anne
The 25-26 Proposed School Budget represents a 5.96% increase over the current year’s budget. Major drivers of the budget include the impact of last year’s $2 million dollars in cuts, an unprecedented increase to insurance, rising electricity and special education costs. The budget includes what the administrative team believes is needed to deliver a high quality education to all students. To offset the impact of costs to taxpayers, the budget includes 28 staffing reductions among other cost-saving measures.
January 28th - 7 PM Council Chambers
At tomorrow nights’ meeting, the Board of Education will deliberate on the Superintendent’s proposed budget. Attending or listening to this meeting will help community members understand how Board of Education members are approaching the budget. The Board of Ed has also invited First Selectman Capeci and Town Finance Director Salas in order to answer questions regarding the large insurance increase.
MEETING AGENDA/LINK/PHONE IN NUMBER
January 30th - 7 PM Council Chambers
If additional time is needed for discussion and deliberation, the Board will reconvene on Thursday, January 30th, in order to be fully prepared to vote on the budget on February 4th.
February 4th - 7 PM Council Chambers
At the public hearing, community members will have an opportunity to provide feedback, ask questions, and express concerns or support for the proposed budget. Board members may discuss or raise questions about the budget based on this feedback and their own insights from prior meetings. Following this discussion, the Board will vote on the budget that will be moved forward for consideration by the Board of Finance.
This January, Connecticut celebrates its first Muslim Heritage Month, following Governor Ned Lamont’s declaration to recognize the contributions of the Muslim community to our state and nation. From science and technology to civic leadership, Muslim Americans have played a vital role in shaping our country..
Muslims have made significant advancements in medicine, with pioneers like Dr. Ayub Ommaya, who invented the Ommaya Reservoir, a device that revolutionized the delivery of chemotherapy to brain cancer patients. In technology, individuals like Anousheh Ansari, the first Muslim woman in space, inspire innovation and progress..
As we celebrate Muslim Heritage Month, let’s honor the contributions of Muslim Americans and recognize and embrace the rich cultural fabric of our state, as well as our own school community.
Thank you for your interest in the Newtown Public Schools Preschool Program. The program offers quality educational services to children who have disabilities and to typically developing peers, referred to as Play Partners. Play Partners are role models to their disabled peers and benefit from instruction aligned to Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards.
If you are interested in having your child participate as a Play Partner, please complete the Play Partner Questionnaire 2025 - 2026 (LINK) by February 15, 2025. Play Partners are required to be three years of age on or by September 1, 2025 and be toilet trained before they are admitted to the program. You are still encouraged to complete the questionnaire if your child turns three shortly thereafter. We accept play partners throughout the year, accordingly. Children five years of age by September 1, 2025 are kindergarten eligible and will not be considered for participation as Play Partners. Kindergarten eligible children may not remain enrolled as a student in the Newtown Preschool Program.
Following submission of your questionnaire, the preschool team will contact you to invite your child to participate in a Play and Meet the Teacher activity scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, March 14, 2025 at Newtown Preschool Program located at Sandy Hook School. A preschool staff member will email you prior to the play session to confirm the details of the activity. Only one adult may accompany the child for the play activity.
You will receive notification through email by April 4, 2025 regarding your child’s Play Partner status. Parent confirmation of Play Partner participation will be due on April 25, 2025.
Newtown Public Schools Preschool Program Details are as follows:
Program Days: Mondays through Thursdays
Program Hours: Morning sessions run from 9:00 to 11:45
Afternoon sessions run from 12:45 to 3:30
Location: Newtown Preschool located at Reed Intermediate School
Rate: $2,400.00 for a full year four half day program
If you, a caregiver or an educator have any questions or concerns about your child’s development in any of the aforementioned developmental domains, rather than moving your child’s application forward as a Play Partner, it may be more appropriate to discuss your concerns and provide you with specific information regarding early childhood development or consider an evaluation. Please feel free to call Ms. Laura Pellerito, School Psychologist, at (203) 426-7683, if you have any questions about your child’s development.
Sincerely,
Laura Esposito
Supervisor of Special Education
Tel (203) 426-7626 • Fax: (203) 270-6185
Congratulations to Newtown High School students Ian Akbas (Trumpet–Concert Band), Sadie Baimel (Soprano-Treble Choir), Gabrielle DeNicola (Alto-Treble Choir), Olivia Grasso (Alto-Treble Choir), Cameron Linnetz (Tuba-Orchestra), and Simon Pategas (Trombone/Bass Trombone-Jazz Band) for being selected and performing in the CMEA Western Region High School Music Festival on January 17th and 18th at Wilton High School.
The Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) offers students an opportunity to participate in the Western Region and All-State adjudication festivals. These festivals bring students of like mind and ability together to work with nationally recognized guest conductors. The various ensembles rehearse together for two days and then perform a magnificent concert for families and friends.
Each year, hundreds of high school musicians throughout the state practice and prepare for their auditions in hopes of being accepted for these extraordinary experiences. These activities are an extension of the Newtown music curricula and have many educational benefits. Over the years hundreds of our students have been selected to participate. Each student is asked to demonstrate their musical skill, musical literacy, and interpretation through the performance of prepared scales, solo repertoire, and sight-reading. Students receive an individual critique of their musical strengths and weaknesses as well as recommendations for specific areas of growth. Western Region represents all schools in Fairfield County. Those that receive a score about the cut-off make it the regional festival, and then become eligible to audition for All-State.
