Principal's Update 1/25/2026

Posted Date: 01/25/26 (09:00 AM)

Principal's Updates

Ruth L. Chaffee

Around the School:

Connecticut Museum of Culture Visits 4th Grade

We took part in a program called immigration and migration to Connecticut from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Kids learned about the "pushes and pulls" that cause people to move. They were given a suitcase to unpack to investigate why the person moved. We also learned about the people from postcards and letters that were included in the suitcase.

Students in a classroom examine historical artifacts with white gloves.

CT Humane Society Visits Pre-K Room 5

The pre-k class participated in the Paws and Pages program with the Connecticut Humane Society on Thursday. Students learned how to choose the right pet for their family, the safe way to approach and meet new dogs, and how to pet small animals carefully. They had fun practicing these skills on Henry the Husky and Fiona the Rabbit.

A Message from the Nurse Regarding Secondhand Smoke

Per the CDC, “secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks and cause other health problems in children

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis, middle ear disease, more frequent and severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.
Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath are more common in children exposed to secondhand smoke.
Children whose parents smoke around them get more ear infections. They also have fluid in their ears more often and have more operations to put in ear tubes for drainage.
Secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack in a child. Children with asthma who are around secondhand smoke have more severe and frequent asthma attacks. A severe asthma attack can put a child's life in danger.”

Furthermore, the CDC also states, "Secondhand cannabis smoke contains many of the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke and some in higher amounts.

Secondhand cannabis smoke also contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for most of cannabis's psychoactive effects (or the "high"). THC can be passed to infants and children through secondhand smoke, and people exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke can experience psychoactive effects, such as feeling high.”

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.

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:

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

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 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.