Week of March 31, 2008

 -As many of you may be aware, the district and all schools in the district have comprehensive emergency plans.  These plans are available for review on the district website and are tested and rehearsed frequently over the duration of any school year. Most recently, there was a "lock-down drill" performed at HKHS under the supervision of the Connecticut State Police.  Other efforts to ensure safe and secure facilities include, district personnel meeting with local emergency personnel on an annual basis, generally prior to the opening of any school year, to review, revise and implement appropriate emergency response plans. Other efforts include having monthly emergency drills in all schools with two occurring in each school during the first week of any school year.  We will continue to maintain our belief that safety is our first priority. 

- Project Graduation continues to need your help!  The decoration committee is busily preparing a wonderful array of decorations for the Haddam-Killingworth High School's Project Graduation party in June, BUT they need your help!  This committee meets every Wednesday night from 6:00-9:00pm at the Haddam Killingworth High School Photo Room B116.  If you can volunteer or have any questions please call Sue Rynkowski at 663-1808.  The next Project Graduation planning meetings are April 8, May 13 and June 10.  We hope you can attend and help in this worthwhile event.  Let's make this a memorable evening for our graduating seniors!  General Comments/Questions:  Please call Trish Hatin at 663-3451 (trishhatin@sbcglobal.net) or Sue Craffey at 345-3908 (jcraffey@snet.net).

-Spring sports and activities have started and we all wish our student  athletes well this season.

-Due to the efforts of Richard Cabral,First Selectman in Killingworth, Senator Edward Meyer and State Representative Brian O'Conner, the State Bonding Commission and Governor Rell approved providing the Town of Killingworth the necessary funding to install a traffic signal at the entrance to HKMS on Route 81.

-In an attempt to address an issue which has been circulating around in both communities for the better part of this school year, I wish to inform you that there is no truth to the rumor that students presently in grade 4 will remain in their local elementary schools for grade 5 next year. Grade 5 will be in the HKMS next year.  I am uncertain where and how this rumor started, but I assure you that this has never been discussed thus far since the opening of the new HKMS.  I will acknowledge that I have heard from a few parents who have asked me to clarify what I have just stated.  This coming school year, we will commission the completion of another long range enrollment study of our anticipated student population over the next ten years.  This study is not being completed in response to any particular issue but rather is being done to ensure that we may accurately forecast the district needs with regard to space and programming over that same time period.   

-District technology personnel are currently finishing the necessary technological systems and links to allow for parent's to have secure, direct access to the electronic grade book system which is a part of our student management software (MMS).  Once established, parents will be able to access information about their child's academic performance at any time via the World Wide Web.  We anticipate implementing this new feature and service within the next two weeks.