Dear Newtown Staff and Families,

During this joyous season, may you gather with loved ones and enjoy traditions while creating beautiful memories. This time of year is not only a celebration of family and togetherness but also a time to reflect, remember, and rejoice.

I would like to thank you for your support of our school system. It is always rewarding to work with such a wonderful team and devoted families. As we look forward to the new year, I am excited about the continued partnership between families, students, and the entire school community. Your involvement and contributions make a difference, and I do not doubt that by working together, we can continue to support our students' needs.

I wish you a restful and joyful holiday season, filled with lights, family, and delicious food. May you set goals for the upcoming year with enthusiasm.

With great joy, I send you warm holiday greetings and best wishes for a bright new year.

Sincerely,

Chris

Currently, the Newtown High School Automotive department is retrofitting the interior of the food truck so that it will be able to fit the kitchen equipment that will be installed. The food truck project is a multidisciplinary career readiness project that will provide multiple classes the opportunity to participate in career readiness activities.

Included in the targeted courses/pathways that will be participating in the project are:

• Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing, and CAD students will have the opportunity to participate in design and fabrication to outfit the food truck. Commercial design blueprints will be drawn up for the project; students will learn to read and work with these and use newly acquired Fusion 360 and Mastercam software to design machined parts as needed and fabricate components to retrofit the truck as a mobile kitchen.

• Automotive students, with oversight and guidance from the Automotive Teacher, will use industry-standard equipment and tools to assist in retrofitting and maintaining the truck.

• The culinary department at NHS already runs a health department-licensed food business and will take its food production operation on the road. Students will develop recipes and menus, prep food, consider food cost and price items, consider health and sanitation guidelines, prepare for scheduled events, and perform all facets of mobile kitchen duty.

• Marketing communication students will develop marketing plans; Graphics students will design logos and truck wraps and will work on branding and design initiatives. The initial launch will require a concerted effort, and subsequent, event-specific menus will afford ongoing project opportunities. Students will work with computers, printers, screen printing, sign-making equipment, and more.

• Business students will work to develop Business plans and explore business laws, licensing, restrictions, insurability, and governmental requirements as they pertain to running a food business. Students can develop business plans and budgets; grapple with the challenges of launching a start-up business and engage in long-term growth planning.

• Technology students will design web pages and apps for online menu access and ordering, reservations, and more.

In all these applications, our CTE students will have the opportunity to collaborate and engage in a real-world business venture, using equipment that represents current industry standards and typical worksite environments.

On December 8th, Newtown Middle School hosted Career Day! We were able to observe students learning from community members about their profession. There were carpenters, scientists, aerospace engineers, photographers, and many others. It was a great event and experience for our children. This event provided a valuable opportunity for students to interact with professionals, ask questions, and gain insights into different careers, ultimately shaping their understanding of the opportunities available to them.

On November 13th, NMS and NHS students all attended a vaping/social media program entitled, Get Educated, Don’t Get Lectured at Newtown High School. In the evening, program was for parents and also focused on Social Media and Vaping. Robert Hackenson presented an entertaining and informative message to our community about the dangers of both. Below can find a link to the presentation. This program was sponsored by Newtown Public Schools, Newtown Prevention Council, Newtown Police Department and Parent Connections.

Don Ramsey, a member of the Board of Education (BOE), School Resource Officer Fernando Pereira, and I were honored to attend a session where NMS students showcased their self-authored stories. During our panel discussion, we had the opportunity to inquire about their presentations, and we were truly impressed by both the quality of their work and their commendable courage in public speaking.