Torringford Tigers
June 2024
A Message from Mrs. Galullo & Mrs. Austin
Dear Torringford Families,
With the excitement of summer break just around the corner, we are excited to share our June newsletter with you. This school year has been filled with incredible growth and achievements.
We want to thank our amazing parents for their active participation in parent/teacher conferences, principal coffee hours, PTO events, school activities, and celebrations. Your involvement and support have been essential in shaping the educational experiences of our students. Your engagement has truly enriched their learning experience. Thank you for collaborating with us.
The last day of school is on Thursday, June 13th, with a 1:30 dismissal. Although it will be a half-day of school, it will most certainly be a day full of excitement. We will end the school year with a school-wide assembly. Students will bring home their well-earned progress reports in their backpacks. Please take a moment to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their progress, and recognize their hard work. For our K-2 students, next year's supply lists will also be included in the envelope. You will receive information about your child's teacher for next year in August.
Congratulations to our amazing third graders transitioning to Forbes School. As you head to your new school, know how proud we are of you. You've grown so much and achieved amazing things. Keep being respectful, responsible, and safe. Remember, Torringford will always cheer you on.
As we say goodbye to another remarkable school year, let's cherish the memories that made 2023-2024 special. May this summer be a time of rest, joy, and meaningful connections with loved ones.
On behalf of the entire Torringford School community, we wish you a beautiful and rejuvenating summer break. Have a PAWsome summer, Torringford Tigers!
Proud to be your principals,
Kelly Galullo & Georgia Austin
Will Your Child Be a Permanent Pick Up Next Year?
Permanent pick-ups do not carry over from year to year; you must complete a new form annually.
A blue form was sent home on Friday with current permanent pick-ups from this year. If you would like to retain your same pick up number, please fill out and return the blue form, and keep your car tag to use next year.
An Important Message from the School Nurses
Please call Nurse Denise or Nurse Asia if you have any questions.
Change of Address?
Have you moved recently or are you planning to move this summer? It's essential to inform the main office of your new address as soon as possible.
Please contact Julie Void at 860-489-2300 to make any updates or revisions.
Shout Out to Torringford Staff - June Wagon Awards
A simple thank you can mean SO much. If someone at Torringford has made a difference for your child, please take a moment to let them know.
Simply complete THIS form and your comments will be shared with that staff member.
*If you would like to recognize a special person and you need assistance, please call Georgia Austin at 860-489-2300, ext. 1402.
PAW-SOME AWARDS
- Jabarie King Boone (grade 3, Mrs. Markelon)
- Logan Healy (grade 2, Mrs. Poklemba)
- Isaac Garcia Pascual (grade 1, Mrs. Prichard)
- Jeremiah Dunkling (grade 1, Mrs. Campbell)
- Nia Torres (grade 2, Mr. Mastrogiovanni)
Torringford Tigers are RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and SAFE!
Mark Your Calendars
June 13: Last Day of School - 1:30 Dismissal
June 14: THS Graduation
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August 24: Back to School PAL Free Backpack Event (9:00 am -1:00 pm) @ Coe Park
August 29: First Day of School
September 26: Welcome Back Night
Click HERE for the 2024-2025 School Calendar
Kindergarten Registration is OPEN
A Big Thank You
A Big Thank You to the following for funding and supporting
our new Torringford Inclusive Playground!
The Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund
The American Rescue Plan ESSER II SPED Recovery Activity Fund
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Grant
Jespersen's Landscaping LLC. &
Northwest CT Community Foundation
Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny R. Fyler Fund,
and through the generosity of the Marion and Vic Muschell Family Fund
and the Milewski & Masisak Families Fund,
donor-advised funds established at NCCF
Look What's Happening in Pre-Kindergarten
Look What's Happening in Kindergarten
Kindergarten marked the end of the school year with an exciting ABC Celebration. Each day, our kindergartners enjoyed special activities that corresponded with a different letter of the alphabet, from A to Z!
Fun with First Grade
Fun with First Grade
Fun with First Grade
Look What's Happening in Grade 1
End of the Year Activities
Ms. Mattiello's Class
End of Year Activities
Mrs. Hagymasi's Class
Opinion Writing - How to Make a Pizza
Opinion Writing - How to Make a Pizza
Opinion Writing - How to Make a Pizza
End of Year Activities
Mrs. Campbell's Class
Field Day Fun!
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Look What's Happening in Grade 2
Look What's Happening in Grade 3
This past month Third Graders topped off their final year at Torringford with an exciting trip to White Memorial. This field trip aligned directly with the Grade 3 Science Standards and Literacy Unit taught earlier in the year: Animal Adaptations. All third grade classes had the opportunity to participate in four different and engaging lessons and/or activities during their trip!
Students trekked on a self-led hike on the “Interpretive Trail” where they saw beaver dams, native plants and attempted to identify different bird calls. This hike also featured narrow, low bridges and witnessed the beautiful scenery all around us.
Students loved fishing for pond critters and identifying different species of water insects and amphibians. Each student was provided a net to use to sift organisms out of the bank of the pond, place into a clean pool of water and then later identify with the guidance of White Memorial Staff.
Students engaged in a lesson led by White Memorial Staff where they learned about the ways that animals adapt to their environment in order to survive. Live animals participated in the lesson alongside our students! Students interacted with a live Eastern Box Turtle and Ophelia the Barnyard Owl.
Finally, students enjoyed a self-guided tour through the White Memorial Museum. The museum featured a working honey-bee hive, the unique exhibit “The Art of Taxidermy,” a fluorescent rock cave and more. The White Memorial Conservation Center offers many unique exhibits and experiences to check out this summer!
A Message from Mrs. Fayer in the Art Room
Please enjoy the slide shows of our Torringford Tiger's work.
- Click HERE to view a School Year in Review Art Show!
- Click HERE to view the artwork that is Displayed at Torringford School as an example of outstanding achievement in art (all grades).
- Click HERE to view artwork from third grade students receiving art awards (through the years).
Thank you so much for supporting our school and our young artists!
What did you like most about the art you saw today?
Which artwork made you feel happy/sad/excited? Why?
Did you notice any patterns or shapes in the art?
Which piece of art would you like to have in your room? Why?
Which artwork do you think took the longest to make? Why?
A Message from Our Reading Interventionists
This summer, your child can use Lexia Core5 Reading at home.
Lexia is a fun, computer-based program that has helped students improve their literacy skills. Your child is very familiar with this program as they have used it all year long. The activities in Core5 support and build on your child’s classroom curriculum and focus on developing reading skills in six areas:
- phonological awareness
- phonics
- structural analysis
- fluency
- vocabulary
- comprehension
Students can boost their literacy skills all summer long with these fun activities.
Over the summer, you can also support progress in the program by reading daily with your child and talking about what you have read.
We hope you share in our excitement about using Core5 with your child this summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Fernandez, Mrs, Hanna, Mrs. Lefevre, Mrs. Mazzacane & Mrs. Reynolds
Torringford's Teacher and Paraeducator of the Year
Congratulations to
Teacher of the Year: Natalie Giampaolo
Paraeducator of the Year: Lisa Frazier
Teacher of the Year: Natalie Giampaolo
Paraeducator of the Year: Lisa Frazier
Torringford's Pollinator Garden
The Pollinator Garden at Torringford School has lots of opportunities to spend active time outside with your family and friends. The garden was created several years ago by the Torringford community as a place to gather, walk, observe changes over time, plant, play, read, and enjoy time together.
Did you know that the start up funds came from a grant from Fit Together? Some of the Fit Together goals are to decrease the amount of screen time and increase physical activity. It is an area that is open to the community when school is not in session.
At the Pollinator Garden you can:
Go for a walk with your family. If you walk around the playground too that will increase your steps.
Bring an extra water bottle. Give yourself a drink and water some plants with the extra.
Build a fairy house with the materials you will find at the garden.
Play at the mud kitchen in the garden.
Bring a snack/lunch and a have a picnic. You will find a picnic table and a bench there or bring a blanket or folding chairs.
Do you like to draw or paint? Bring your supplies and draw some of the native plants you will find in the garden.
Visit the two Free LIttle LIbraries near the entrance to Torringford School or the Torrington Public Library, borrow a pile of favorites, and visit the garden for a quiet place to read.
Visit the school grounds to use the playground but before you go to the playground area, take a stroll through the garden.
Record your visit in the Garden Log which is a notebook you will find there in a ziplock bag. Your child can draw a sketch of their fairy house or what they observed in the garden. Record first name only. Record the date.
Volunteer to water or weed the garden.
…..and last but not least…..paint a rock and add it to Roxy, the garden rock snake! We want to reach the playground! You will see over 180 painted rocks by members of our community throughout the garden and along the fence stretching towards the playground! (We have a few rocks in a rock pile near the garden that you are welcome to use for your painting.) #torringtonrocks
Here are ways you can help to maintain the garden.
We are always in need of help with weeding, replenishing fairy house supplies, and watering plants.
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084FACAD23A4F49-50006719-torringford
Please contact Karen Mangine or Erin French:
Summer Learning Opportunities
Summer Math Challenge
The 2024 Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge stresses the importance of maintaining math skills during the summer.
Schools compete based on student population and grade level. The program identifies the schools with the highest percentage of participating enrollment and the highest number of badges earned by participating students.
Click HERE to Join the Summer Math Challenge.
Summer Reading Challenge
It’s that time of year again to encourage students to participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2024 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge!
To support summer reading, the Connecticut State Library’s statewide eGo eBook platform is now available through many local public libraries, and provides access to digital resources for all ages. For a list of local public libraries currently offering eGo, visit https://egoct.org/.
Click HERE to Join the Summer Reading Challenge.
Community Fair at Kids Play
PAL - Back to School Supply Event
Summer Meals
Grab & Go Meals for 5 days: 5 Breakfast & 5 Lunch meals will be provided.
• Children do not need to be present at pick up, these meals will be eaten off site.
• Each child or teen 18 and under is eligible for one breakfast and lunch per day.
• Children attending a program where free summer meals are provided through the Summer Meals Program, are not eligible for this pick up.
Click HERE for more information (English).
Click HERE for more information (Spanish).
Torringford Elementary School
Torringford School is a safe and welcoming community where we take care of people and foster positive relationships. Our team spirit supports and acknowledges everyone. Optimists persist to meet challenges with the flexibility and empathy to create healthy, enthusiastic, life-long learners.
Educate. Explore. Inspire.
Website: http://torringtontorringford.ss16.sharpschool.com/
Location: 800 Charles Street, Torrington, CT, USA
Phone: 860-489-2300
Facebook: facebook.com/TorringfordTigers