Welcome back to a brand new school year at Haddam Elementary School! I hope this email finds you and your family safe and sound after this weekend's storm. Hopefully, you have received the Honeywell Alert with the information that our first day of school has been postponed to Tuesday, September 6th.  All school activities prior to that date have also been cancelled which means our scheduled Open House and Ice Cream Social (and Kindergarten Popsicle Party) is cancelled.  I am working with our PTO Co-Presidents, Erin Chester and Erinn Marchetti, and staff to determine another time to have popsicles and ice cream for students.  We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as our community and state deal with power and clean-up issues related to Irene.

Quick Links

Haddam Elementary School
272 Saybrook Road
P.O.Box 439
Higganum, CT 06441
Telephone: 860-345-4551
Fax: 860-345-8709

• School Bulletins
• December Newsletter
• Hulman Walkway Flyer
• PTO Back to School Newsletter
• Kindergarten Orientation

2010-2011 Bus Routes
Daily Start time: 8:40 am
End time: 3:25 pm

District Calendar

Though we cannot have the welcome event as planned for this year, I wanted to communicate some of the preparations that we have been making throughout the summer to make this a wonderful year for our students. 

One of the most important tasks we were faced with this summer is replacing staff who left at the end of last year due to retirement, out-of-state moves, or position shifting within the district. Over the summer, we also bid farewell to Mrs. Kohary, our 1 day per week art teacher, who found a position that increased her teaching time.  We wish her well in her new position! With eight positions to hire, and a competitive field of candidates, we spent a lot of time reading through applications and interviewing.  We have found very talented individuals and are excited to welcome them to our school!  In the September newsletter, you will get a short biography of each new staff member, but below you will find a list of our new hires (or newly hired to a particular position). 

Another focus this summer was to revise the school schedule to maximize the support resources available at our school.  Each grade has 6-8 identified periods per week in which all students receive additional small group enrichment or intervention based on need.  This is called Students Working in Mini-groups (SWIM). The SWIM team includes: classroom, reading, math, and enrichment teachers, along with pupil services staff. 
This not only provides support or enrichment for students,
but also allows each child to have a personal connection with a caring adult in the school.  Previously, SWIM was done once a week, but we have now successfully integrated it in the schedule at least 4 days/week to provide more consistent support for students. Another benefit to the revised school schedule is an additional 5 minutes for recess each day at every grade level.  The schedule also allows a 5 minute transition time before lunch and after recess to allow for hand washing, water and bathroom breaks.