Amy Stino - Assistant Principal

Tammy Nye - Administrative Assistant

Joanne Solecki - Administrative Assistant

Email: Klevenduski@hwporter.org

Astino@hwporter.org

Website: hwporter.org

Location: 3 Schoolhouse Road, Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: (860)228-9493

12/20 - 1/1- Holiday Recess

01/08 - 1/2 Day of School for Students

01/10 - PTO Bingo Winterland (6 pm - 8 pm)

01/15 - 8th Grade High School Expo Night (5 pm - 6:30 pm)

02/01 - PTO Mattress Fundraiser (10 am-5 pm)

Dear Porter Families,

There has been a significant increase in the Porter community testing positive for Covid over the last two weeks. With the increase in positivity, there has been confusion regarding what is recommended for returning to school during the contagious period.

First and foremost, if your student tests positive for Covid, please keep them home until they are:

- fever free for AT LEAST 24 hours without the use of any fever reducing medications (ie: acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

AND

- symptoms are markedly improving and they are feeling well enough to return to school

I have attached the updated guidance for returning to school following Covid infection. Although masking is not mandated, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED they mask for the full 10 days following symptom onset or Covid positive test. Alternatively, they can stop wearing a mask if they test negative with two at-home COVID-19 tests taken at least 48 hours apart.

Please keep in mind, we have multiple students and staff in our Porter population

that are immunocompromised. What is a normal viral illness for a well individual

can be very dangerous for someone with a weakened immune system.

Please notify our school nurse if your student has tested positive for Covid or other contagious respiratory viruses.

As always, your privacy will be respected and protected.

Well wishes,

Jesse L. Tremblay, RN

"Thank you all for supporting PJ Day for CCMC! This year Horace Porter was able to raise $1467 with your generous donations, which far exceeded our goal of $1000. The joy of giving was evident throughout the building by both students and staff! We are grateful!"

Alexis Martin

Shawn Dousis

As a friendly reminder, please DO NOT allow your child to bring in glass water bottles of any type. We are trying to avoid a dangerous breakage. Thank you

ParentSquare is our new platform for communication. We are encouraging all families to join ParentSquare. This is the platform we will be switching over to instead of using School Messenger. We are hoping to fully transition by November this year. If you are having difficulty, please click the link below for more information so you do not miss out on notices, alerts, or messages from your child's teachers.

• Drop off is 7:50am. Some mornings students get dropped off early because they are in clubs; however, if your child is not in a club they can not get dropped off before 7:50am.
• Please bring an ID for entering the building and parent pick up. We understand it is not convenient, but it is for your child's safety. We appreciate your help with this!
• If you plan to pick up your child from school or need to make any changes to their transportation please complete the Transportation & Notes Form.
• All cellphones must remain in student's lockers.

• Don't forget to check out our PTO page for many fundraisers and events that are happening this month!

• We have many things happening in our community! Be sure to click the "Events Around The Community" down below to check them all out!

Substitute Paras and Teachers needed. Please contact Klevenduski@hwporter.org

Everyone can help take action to prevent suicide. Click on the link for more information. https://www.preventsuicidect.org/

• Connecticut Public Act 22-47 - legislation regarding suicide. Connecticut Public Act 22-47, Section 28, requires that the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number be included on identification (ID) badges of students in Grades 6 through 12. Due to the timing of the implementation of 988, the requirement becomes effective for the 2024-25 school year. The United Way of Connecticut has provided the 988 QR code for access to the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board website that may be posted to the back of student IDs with a brief statement such as “Call or text 988 for crisis support,” or an equivalent. The 988 Contact Center services include rapid 24/7 access to trained staff who can help students (and adults) experiencing suicidal, substance use, and other mental health crises, provide referrals to resources, and perform warm transfers to Mobile Crisis or emergency services as needed/desired.

AHM is OPEN to the public and excited to offer our services to Porter students and Columbia residents!

AHM Youth and Family Services offers mental health clinical services to youth and their families! These

services are designed to support families in transition, crisis, or normal developmental processes.

Individual and/or family therapy is available for children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 26 to

address social, emotional and/or behavioral issues. Family and parent sessions are often utilized in

conjunction with individual sessions to support a child’s progress in therapy.

In addition, many fun programs are offered throughout the year for all ages, including theater, health & wellness, and craft programs. For more information and registration links, please visit ahmyouth.org or call the office at (860) 228-9488.