Principal's Updates 1/18/2026

Posted Date: 01/18/26 (09:00 AM)

Principal's Updates

Ruth L. Chaffee

Around the School:

Two adults and four children in red shirts stand in front of a blue backdrop with 'CAS CONNECTICUT' logos.

Student Council goes to CAS Leadership Council

The Student Council Officers took a trip to the CAS Student Leadership Conference at Asnuntuck Community College on Monday, January 12th. They had a lot of learning to share with the rest of the student council as well as some great ideas to bring to our larger Chaffee community. They learned important lessons about standing up for others, standing up to bullies, leadership and public speaking skills, and team building activities! We are so proud of them!

Hair Day at Chaffee

We love Hair Day at Chaffeee. Check out Mrs. Steck's class and some of our staff in celebratory style.

Four individuals pose for a photo, three wearing colorful wigs and sunglasses, in what appears to be a school hallway.

Upcoming Lockdown Drill

There will be an unannounced lockdown drill this upcoming month. During this drill we will practice our schools lockdown drill procedures. We just want to give you a heads up that it is coming and there is nothing to be alarmed about.

A stylized tree with a dark trunk and branches adorned with numerous red and pink heart-shaped leaves.

Valentine' Day Information

Students may bring in cards to pass out to their classmates for Valentine’s Day. No candy/food is allowed due to food allergies. Those items will be discarded.

If cards / items are brought into school, one should be brought in for EVERY student.
Teachers will distribute class lists to families. (They may have already done this) If a child wants to participate, yet purchasing cards is not in the budget, please ask the teacher for materials to make cards. We absolutely do not want to exclude anyone and nothing beats handmade cards.
If a student is unable to participate, our teachers will explore alternatives (i.e., “affirmation cards” or “well wishes cards for children at CCMC” etc.) for those students. We will ensure that all students are included by providing alternate activities.
All cards/ items should be sent in to school on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 and taken home the same day.
Please feel free to send your child in with a bag (recyclable if you have it) that they can use to place their items in to take home.

Healthy Boundaries - Shared through ParentSquare on 1/12/26

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Newington Public Schools Health and Wellness Program supports students in developing lifelong wellness through a comprehensive health and physical education curriculum. The curriculum is written to align with the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum Framework as well as the Guidelines of Comprehensive Health Education.

The state framework includes a developmentally appropriate focus on safe and healthy boundaries. At the elementary level, students learn about appropriate displays of affection, including safe and unsafe touches. They are empowered to set boundaries, feel safe, and talk to a trusted adult when needed. They also learn to respect the boundaries of others.

The primary goal of the health program is to teach students how to communicate and advocate for their individual needs, stay healthy, and make healthy decisions. Newington Schools believes that these topics are critical for the well-being of our students. They also lay the foundation for prevention of sexual abuse and assault. Per Connecticut General Statute 17a-101q, if you do not want your child to participate in the component of the health curriculum outlined in this letter for this school year, please provide a written request to your child’s teacher by Friday, January 23, 2026.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me to discuss further.

Sincerely,

James Marciano

A hand holds a megaphone against a red background with the words 'ATTENTION IMPORTANT INFORMATION' in white text.

Kindergarten Waiver- Shared through ParentSquare on 1/16/26

Dear Newington Public Schools Current and Prospective Families,

In accordance with Public Act 23-159, as amended by Section 1 of Public Act 23-208, amends Connecticut General Statutes § 10-15c (Spanish version), to require that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year (2026-2027) in order to enroll in kindergarten.

National longitudinal studies and our review of local longitudinal assessment data indicate that students who begin Kindergarten at 5 years old in September have statistically stronger performance than students who enter Kindergarten early.

If a parent or guardian wishes to request that their child be considered for early admittance to Kindergarten, the following steps would be taken:

The parent or guardian must complete the Request for Early Kindergarten Entrance Waiver form before February 6th.
The child must attend a Kindergarten Age 4 Screening Process offered at each elementary school. The principal or appropriately certified staff member(s) will conduct an academic and social-emotional assessment. The child will need to meet or exceed fall Kindergarten benchmarks in numeracy, literacy, social, and language skills to be granted early admittance to Kindergarten by the school’s assessment team.
This upcoming Kindergarten Screening will be offered by appointment only on April 21, 2026.

The principal will provide written notice to the parent or guardian of the decision. Students will not be screened more than once. A decision regarding early entry will be made following the assessment session, and the parent/guardian will be informed of the decision.

Parents/Guardians should NOT initiate kindergarten registration until they have received a final waiver decision from the District.

Completion of this form will act as Step 1 of the process: a written request to have your child assessed for kindergarten.

PLEASE SUBMIT ONE FORM PER CHILD.

You can direct any questions to the building principal of the elementary school your child is requesting to attend.

Anna Reynolds Elementary School: Principal Jason Smith, jsmith@npsct.org, (860)521-7830
Elizabeth Green Elementary School: Principal Kevin Doran, kdoran@npsct.org, (860)666-3394
John Paterson Elementary School: Principal Arleen Torres-Ruiz, atorresruiz@npsct.org, (860)666-4657
Ruth Chaffee Elementary School: Principal James Marciano, jmarciano@npsct.org, (860)666-4687

Important Links

PTA Calendar of Events

PTA Spiritwear Flyer

2025-2026 School Calendar

Free & Reduced Lunch Online Application

School Store Information

Breakfast/Lunch Menus

Reminders:

Three stick-figure children are depicted with the text 'Play, Learn and Grow... Together!'

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration Information:

We are gearing up for the upcoming school year. We are in the process of gathering packets for students eligible for Kindergarten who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026. Anyone who is interested in their student starting Kindergarten who will turn 5 after September 1, 2026 please see the next section labeled Kindergarten Waiver 2026-2027.

Packets are anticipated to be mailed to families we have listed mid February. All registration is to be completed online.

A friendly reminder that if any incoming Kindergarten student attends a Newington Public Schools preschool program currently, they will not receive a Kindergarten packet as they will not need to register. They will begin to receive information for the upcoming school year over the summer.

Please make sure your friends or neighbors, who have students eligible for school next year, are aware that the information will be mailed in the next couple weeks. We encourage them to call our office at 860-666-4687 to confirm that their student is in our system, so they will receive the upcoming mailing.

A colorful banner of pencils hangs above the words 'Welcome to PRESCHOOL'.

Now Accepting Applications for Preschool

Newington Public Schools offers preschool opportunities, at all of our elementary schools, for three and four year old children. Our preschool program is designed to integrate children with special needs and children who are typically developing. Please click here for more information, or to apply for the 2026-27 school year.

Poster for a 'Family Night Magic Show' presented by Ruth Chaffee PTA, featuring a balloon artist, raffles, and door prizes.

Poster announcing the Harlem Wizards vs. Wallace Alley-Hoopers basketball game on March 17, 2026, at Newington High School Gym.

Newington Area Food Resources

Early Childhood Screening

Click here for more information regarding opportunities for your child to attend an early childhood screening at our school! Participation will allow the staff to observe your child’s speech and language, motor, social, and cognitive skills.

Ruth Chaffee Pet Wall

The Pet Wall is growing! Students and staff alike are enjoying all of the pet and stuffed animal photos! If you would like to submit your pet(s) use this link Ruth Chaffee Pet Wall Submission Form.