001May May 12th, 2026. And I want to remind you that this meeting is being recorded, so please turn off your cell phones. Ellen, can you please do our roll call? Yes, good evening, everyone. Ms. Callan Carson? Here. Mr. Carey? Present. Mr. Babaco? Present. Mrs. De Roberts? Here. Mrs. Drew? Here. Mrs. Gold? Here. Mr. Riley? Here. Vice Chair, Mr. Lecca Voli? Here. Chairperson, Mrs. Granado? Present. Wethersfield High School student representative, Ms. Anushka Gandhi? Here. And the Wethersfield Public Schools Board Kid Chairperson for Highcrest School, Brooke, oh, I thought it was Highcrest. >> Was it Highcrest School? Oh, it's Highcrest. Oh, my bad. Highcrest School. Here. Brooke. Good girl. So, I would like our I would like our Kid Chair, Brooke Cooper, from Highcrest School to come and lead us. She's right here in the Pledge of
002Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, >> [clears throat] >> one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, thank you. So, we always look forward to our um student and staff recognition, and tonight we have some incredible musicians from our Hanmer School instrumental performers. You're on. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much for having us. I'm Mr. from uh Hanmer School, and I have two of my band students from Hanmer who will be representing here today. We have Cooper Kimmel Airy, who's our one of our fifth grade baritone players, And we have Gavin Giometti, uh uh our sixth grade trumpet player. Both of these gentlemen actually represented our school and our district in the SVEA honors festival
003as well. >> Wow. OKAY, WONDERFUL. >> [applause] >> AND THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO LET ME JOIN THEM TODAY. Uh we're going to be performing for you a piano sonata theme by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. >> [music] [music] >> Wow. >> [applause] >> Huh? I'm done. Okay, thank you very much. I That was wonderful. And how long have you been taking How long for lessons? I don't know. Guys, just a question. >> [laughter] >> How long have you been taking trumpet? 3 years. Yeah, so Gavin's been playing since fourth grade. So, yeah. And Cooper's been playing since Just yes? 2 years. So, just 2 years now. Well, congratulations. You know, music is wonderful and the things that it teaches them as far as composure and confidence and to perform up here. Thank you very much for
004coming up and doing that. That was great. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, and also tonight for our student recognition, we have our High Crest School Board of Ed Kid Chair, Brooke Cooper. And she wrote about the development of a foreign language program beginning in elementary schools. Do we love this? Brooke, the floor is yours. My name is Brooke Cooper and I'm in fifth grade at High Crest School. I am interested in the position of Kid Board of Education Chair because I feel like some improvements could be made within the Wethersfield Public Schools to keep us competitive with surrounding districts in our state. One of the areas I would like to focus on in this essay would be the development of a foreign language program starting at the elementary school level. This would be my
005commitment for equity and diversity in our district. Dr. Seuss once said, "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go." I like this quote because when you learn a foreign language, there are no limits to where you can go. My plan would be to have a language learning block focusing on Spanish 20 to 30 minutes once or twice a week. My thought would be to have one to two Spanish teachers who travel to each elementary school and visit each classroom within the school. There are so many fun ideas that could integrate learning Spanish while having kids be immersed in the culture as well. One idea would be for sixth graders to visit the Mexican restaurant, Puerto Vallarta, for lunch one day as a
006field trip. Another idea would be to visit a museum that features Spanish artists. I think a great way to improve equity and diversity within our school and our district would be to implement a foreign language program. Other students around the world learn one, if not more than one, foreign language. That automatically puts students in the US at a disadvantage. To bring it even closer to home, surrounding towns in Connecticut, such as Glastonbury, are learning a second language starting in first grade. This puts students in Wethersfield at a disadvantage to kids in our own state. "In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn." This quote by Phil Collins brings up another idea I have for our foreign language program. It would be for fifth and sixth graders to prepare a lesson to teach
007to younger students in first and second grade. By teaching a short Spanish lesson, it'll not only test their skill, but it'll help give them confidence. There is more to explore and know in this world than what is right here in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Our International Night is a wonderful exposure to other cultures, but it is one night. If we introduce a foreign language program into our schools, we will be immersed in another culture, not just for one night, but it will be a part of our daily lives. In conclusion, I truly think that we should include a foreign language program throughout our Wethersfield public schools to keep us competitive with other schools in in Connecticut and improve equity and diversity within our community. Thank you for your consideration and time. OH, BROOKE. >> [applause] [applause] >>
008THAT WAS WONDERFUL. AND UM I LOVE what you said. You said it so clearly, so distinctly. And you know, music and languages both give our kids such a great head start in this world. And Brooke just mentioned it here. Any other comments on that? That was what we would love languages in the schools. We would love that. Now I would just like to say Brooke, you were so well-spoken. Those ideas that you had and those thoughts are so forward-thinking and well-developed. I had many of those same ideas before I got on the Board of Ed. One of my ideas was that I thought we should be learning Spanish and or other languages at an earlier age. So, you're already thinking like a board member. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Great. All right. Janice? Yes, and
009I also love the way your essay included um the culture. And I can't remember how you said it exactly, but um just having students understand that there's more outside of Wethersfield, that it's a big world. So, thank you. It was perfect. Beautiful. >> Thank you. Okay, we'll move on, but that was wonderful, Brooke. Thank you, and I hope you stay. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, anyone in the public want to follow Brooks? So, come on up if you're wishing to make a public comment, please come to the podium and state your name and address. May I remind you that public comments are limited to 5 minutes and another reminder that the board members do not respond immediately following public comments. Thank you. Hello. Good evening. My name is Samantha Khan. I'm at 61 Harding
010Street. I'm proud to say that I've been a resident of Wethersfield for over 40 years. I personally went through the Wethersfield school system. Sorry. Allergies. And um now as a [clears throat] parent of a student in the marching band program, I'm here tonight to speak in support of funding. For many people, the marching band is seen only during halftime performances or parades. But what many don't realize is that every time these students put on that you >> [cough] >> Sorry. >> [snorts] >> Put on that uniform, they're representing our town, our schools, and our community. They are ambassadors for Wethersfield. When our band travels to competitions, marches in parades, performs at football games, or participates in >> [cough] >> communi- community events, they're often one of the most visible representations of our school school district.
011Their appearance reflects directly on the pride that we have in our students and our programs. Unfortunately, the current uniforms, they've just simply reached their capacity. Throughout the season, we've seen seams ripping, fabrics tearing, molds on the collars, >> [snorts] >> and constant repairs just to make the uniforms functional enough to get through another season. They're not isolated issues. They've become a regular challenge for students, for parents, for volunteers, and directors. Our students work incredibly hard. They dedicate hours and hours rehearsing, performing, fundraising, >> [laughter] >> and representing [clears throat] Wethersfield with pride and professionalism. They deserve uniforms that match the level of commitment and excellence they bring to our program every single day. As someone who deeply cares about this town, not only as a resident, but someone who was educated here and now raising
012a family here, I truly believe that investing in these uniforms is investing in our students, our arts program, and the image of our community. Thank you. Thank you. I hope you get an opportunity to stay here this evening. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else for public comment? Okay, we'll move on. At tonight's board meeting, we have four action items. Matt, would you please read action item 4A? Yes, Bobby. Moves [snorts] that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the deposit of unexpended education funds from the 2024-2025 operating budget into the Board of Ed non-lapsing account. Okay. Can we have some discussion on this motion? Second. >> A second second, please. Sorry. Um any discussion on this motion? >> Janice second it. Second. Okay. Can we get a little bit more information about the Yeah, so I can
013give a little bit of info. We've discussed this um a couple of times thus far in the finance committee um this school year. We were fortunate enough to end the last school year with a surplus. Um as you know, our swings go up and down on a month-to-month basis based on our placements, transportation, money coming in from the state, and whatnot. We always hope to end the year at zero. Sometimes we end with a slight deficit. Sometimes we end with a slight surplus. Um this is merely a piggy bank um >> [clears throat] >> situation where if we are fortunate enough to end the year with a surplus, we would be putting it into this new non-lapsing fund that the Connecticut State Legislature approved Board of Eds to set up as of last year. It
014can never exceed more than 2% of our budget. Do we have um an ish number? I I understand that it's unaudited. It's, you know, whatever. But is there is there an ish number that we're looking at? Yes, it's currently unaudited. And the number that has been given to us by our business director is 130,000 ish. Ish. Okay. >> [laughter] >> That's what I I'm okay with ish. I just wanted to know like where what numbers we were we were looking at. >> know if Jeff has anything to add to this. No, you handled it perfectly. We we feel the ish number is probably between 50 and $100 of what the you know, when the audit comes through, the audited amount would be pretty close to the mark. So All right, Matt. I got everything? 132.
015132. Okay. Okay, any other discussion? And it's the whole thing will be going in. Okay. So, can we have a motion to approve this? Move to approve the motion. >> sorry. Second. All right, all in favor? I. I. Anybody opposed? Roll call, please. Let's let's take it We we agreed we had to do >> decide to do that, too. >> this is new. Brand new. Yes. Yes, we'll be doing a roll call on the motion. Ms. Callan-Carson? Yes. Mr. Carey? Yes. Ms. Ms. DeBacco? Yes. Mrs. DeRoberts? Yes. Mrs. Drew? Yes. Mrs. Gold? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. Mr. Lacavaoli? Yes. And Mrs. Granado? Yes. Passes 9-0, all in favor. And that motion passes. Thank you. And Matthew, could you read 4B for us? Yes. So moved that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the use of
016$75,000 $975,941.90 from the Board of Ed non-lapsing account for the purchase of Wethersfield High School band uniforms. Second. Okay. Any discussion on this? Um one um I just want to say that I am a past band geek and um so I understand um what it's like to have those uniforms. I understand what it's like to have multi-uniforms. And uh I appreciate the uh expenditure. Um I just have one question. I know that the um band had done a massive fundraiser where I also donated. And I just wanted to know is this on top of the money that they raised or is this in place of the money that they raised? And if it's in place, where is that money going to be um go to? So. So we we did not partake in the you
017know, so that money would stay with the band support club, the whatever they call it, the pep club. The booster club. Uh so they could use that for trips, for you know, what whatever the uh the booster uh group decided uh that that would be. This amount would cover the uh cost for the uniforms in their entirety. Okay. Yeah. Okay. And then I'm in favor of it. So. Yeah, I was just going to say I'm I'm completely in favor of this. Um when the emails started coming in and the phone calls starting starting coming in from band parents and band families, I was sort of baffled. I mean, soccer soccer teams, basketball teams, track teams, they get their uniforms taken care of. Kids that are doing music, they have access to all sorts of instruments.
018I thought it was crazy that the booster club was fundraising to buy their own uniforms. Um I I I thought it was crazy that they're having having to jump through hoops and put an article in the Weather Shield life, basically, which I read. And I'm glad you're here tonight, Samantha, we were going to vote on this regardless of whether or not you got up there and spoke. Um we're not doing this um because you're here. Um but I'm I'm glad you're here to see this. And I totally support this. And there's there's other things. You know, there's like jackets and stuff related to the uniform. Really? That's why I I was asking. Yeah. Yep. I was not saying I wanted my money back. >> [laughter] >> Um I I just wanted to echo everything Matt
019said. I And I think in a broader sense, we just I personally so appreciate parent advocacy and knowing what's important to parents and families helps us make good decisions. Um so love a grassroots parent movement. So thanks for advocating on behalf of students. Kim? I just wanted to speak in favor of it. You know, my son PJ was in the band for three years. He really thrived there. It's a great organization. And you know, besides just going to the football games, there's meets that, you know, are held [music] regionally that there are a lot of bands at. Um you know, there was a trip to to Disney that I was fortunate enough to to go with him. So, um, you know, it's far and wide. So, um, I'm in favor and, you know, thanks to
020the band uh for all that they've done and all they continue to do. Mhm. Um, I'm very happy that this motion's on our agenda and, um, I think it's been a long time coming and they will be used. >> [laughter] >> I think there's always like, oh, is this is extra? Is it you know, it's like, no, these these get used. They work really hard. Um, the parents work really hard, the students work really hard and they compete at a high level and, um, they deserve this. So, I'm glad to have it. Okay, well, I'm just going to say I don't think there's anyone in town whose heart doesn't flutter when they see them coming down the street. So, they're going to look really great. So, thank you. So, let's vote on this. All right,
021all in roll call vote. >> getting used to this. Okay, we'll get used to this. Okay, um, let's have a roll call. Thank you. Ms. Callan Carson. Yes. Mr. Carey. Yes. Ms. Mrs. Excuse me, Ms. DeBacco. Yes. Mrs. DeRoberts. Yes. Mrs. Drew. Yes. Mrs. Gold. Yes. Mr. Riley. Yes. Mr. LeChevallier. Yes. And Mrs. Granato. Yes. That's in favor 9-0. Thank you. That motion passes. >> I vote no. >> [laughter] >> Okay, let's move on to motion 4C. Janice, would you read that for us? Um, I move that the Wethersfield Board of Ed approve the new course proposals and modifications to the 2026 um, 2027 Wethersfield High School Course Catalog. Second. Okay. Can we discuss this, Jean? >> Yes. Um, the two course proposals that were approved by the student programming and services committee, well, what
022the first one was AP precalculus. This will replace honors precalculus since they are similar. AP will include additional topics so that it aligns with AP expectations and the AP exam. A grade of B or better prepare students to take AP calculus the following school year if they still have another year if they weren't seniors. Um, and the other course is geometry one with a lab. This will eliminate geometry level two by provide providing extra support with lab time. Um, this increase this increases the credit earned from one to 1.3 due to the extra time which is to for reinforcement of the of requisite skills. The goal is to provide all students with the skills and opportunity to access higher level mathematics in high school. Um, and this Um, last last year we approved algebra one
023with a lab and that's uh, turned out to be pretty successful so they decided to go on with this. Um, for the course modifications, um, the the um, title of the courses mentioned this evening, the AP precalc and geometry one with lab, um, would need to be modified or updated in the catalog and other course titles will also be changed in order to better represent their content making it clear to students and families as to whether, um, any specific course meets their needs and interests. For example, nutrition and food technology one will be changed to baking cuz that's what they're doing. Theater and performing arts will be changed to acting. Um other changes in the catalog reflect credit modifications such as advanced mathematical decision-making um will now be a 0.5 half-year credit rather than one
024credit um to replace um and geometry one with a lab is expected to replace the need for the former this former course to be offered for a full year. Um which is why it's a half course half year. But there are other modifications changes in um how long or how many credits you get for it. And that is um available on the uh website. Thank you. What a lot of work you and your committee. Thank you very very much. Okay, does anybody want to ask Janice a question? >> and I'm not sure maybe Miss O'Connor might be better, but by changing the name like let's take baking from nutrition and food technology one, does that affect what goes on the transcript and then how a college might look at that? That it's baking rather than
025nutrition and technology that would be It would change the transcript but we'll have Um Miss O'Connor. So as those are elective core classes, it really does not affect college transcript because they are seen as unleveled electives. So the name really does not have an impact. All of these changes first go through and not only our leadership team but then also our school guidance liaison reviews all of our proposed changes prior to going to the board level to ensure that there aren't going to be um changes that we're not aware of and how their impact on college acceptance will be um Okay, that makes sense. Thank you. I'm just Sure. just curious. Yeah, no worries. Okay, anyone else with questions for Janice or for any of us? Okay, so we're going to do a roll call.
026Yes. Ms. Callan Carson? Yes. Mr. Carey? Yes. Mr. Baco? Yes. Mrs. DeRoberts? Yes. Mrs. Drew? Yes. Mrs. Gold? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. Mr. Lacavole? Yes. And Mrs. Granado? Yes. The passes 990 in favor. Wonderful. So move on to our last action item. Amanda, would you read it for us? I move to approve the advisory building committee's recommendation of Downs Construction for the construction manager of the school building project. Second. Okay. Amanda, can you discuss we had two meetings? Yes. >> All these people. Yeah, so the Sally's here, too. So but we had we had four companies come before us for interviews and they were all highly qualified. They all believed in community engagement in regards to that stuff and I think either way, whichever one we chose, we wouldn't be disappointed. We did end up
027choosing um Downs Construction not only because they've been involved and so they're fully aware of Wethersfield, what we need, what we want, what we desire. Um they happen to also be the lowest bidder, which always helps. Um but they they came across very well. We were very impressed and we are very excited for them to to get to get working. The recommendations that we received were were glowing. Um and we are really happy to be able to finally have a team so we can start working on the on the project and get it done. Any questions for Amanda or Sally Cats is here? I'll second. All right. So we'll do a roll Yes, do you want to talk? You want to No, I was going to say that makes it easy. >> [laughter] >> Okay,
028so we'll take a vote, a roll call vote. Ms. Callan Carson? Yes. Mr. Carey? Yes. Mr. Babineau? Yes. Mrs. De Roberts? >> Mhm. Yes. Mrs. Drew? Yes. Mrs. Gold? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. Mr. Lacavault? Yes. And Mrs. Granato? Yes. Motion passes in favor 9-0. Wow, that was great tonight. Thank you everyone. That was great work. Thank you. Great presentation, Sally. So [clears throat] we have um meetings held. WEC met on 5-11-26. Janice, do you want to speak to that? Yes, I had the pleasure of substituting for Mindy and um Kimber Kim gave me the uh minutes already. So um WEC held its monthly meeting on May 11th with a great turnout of community partners, parents, and school representatives. One of the highlights of the evening was the diversity around the table. Multilingual families and community
029members representing the rich mix of cultures and backgrounds that make up Wethersfield. Program uh coordinator, Jessica Coello, um shared a draft community survey as part of the local needs assessment. An effort WEC is undertaking alongside 50 other communities statewide. The survey focuses on birth to five families and will go out next week from preschools, libraries, pediatricians, and social media with multilingual versions planned. Um Board of Ed data on preschool experience and school readiness will help round out the picture. The group also got an update on the new kindergarten waiver legislation, SB 298, now signed by the governor. The waiver is optional this year and gone next year. WEC will connect with providers this fall to help families plan ahead, which will be, um, something that they really have to think about with preschool spots, um,
030with, um, not no longer having the waiver. Um, staff also introduced Parents Connecting Parents, a new multilingual program that connects Wethersfield families with trained parent volunteers who can help navigate resources. The program is already gaining momentum and will be launching its first community cafe on June 30th at the Pitkin Center, a welcoming space for families to connect, share experiences, and build relationships. The UConn PEP 10th core cohort is wrapping up their parent leadership, um, year with a community project focused on combating food insecurity. They'll be hosting a bingo fundraiser on June 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Pitkin Community Center, um, a fun night with a great cause behind it. Finally, summer transition to kindergarten runs July 6th to the 30th at Ever- Emerson Williams from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with four sessions planned.
031Thank you very much, Janice. That WEC program is so important, foundation for our schools. Um, we have also our Building Advisory Committee, which met a few hours ago, and Amanda had just discussed it. Do you have any other details? >> I have a couple more things. So, um, on top of, uh, choosing our, um, construction manager, um, we are also going to, um, have our first community introduction of all of our, partners um, and doing a little Q&A about where we are right now, where we see things are going and that's going to be June 8th. It's going to be at the high school at 7:00. The reason why we chose the high school was so that it could be recorded so that if if people are not able to attend at least they'll be
032able to listen. I believe we're probably going to do it where you um get a note card and you can write your question and we're going to have a moderator so that we can figure out where the question needs to be directed to since we have three really great companies who who are helping us out. And then we are also discussing how to reach out individually to parents, seniors, you know, all of the different groups in order to get feedback but we felt that it should be a community-wide thing first before we start branching out into individual groups. So we'll discuss that kind of rollout. There was also discussion in regards to kind of getting a timeline for redistricting. I believe that's we've been told that that's probably going to be a really popular question
033for us. So we would like to get you know, a little bit more information about that and you know, we're just super excited that we finally have the team. So hopefully we'll be able to get a little bit more information and I'm excited to see where it goes. Thank you. Great report. Thank you. All right. All right, we also can I actually ask Go ahead. Ask question. For the Um, June 8th meeting is it going to be live streamed or just recorded for later? I think it can only be recorded for later at the high school. Okay. Um, I'll double check. And I, um, Oh. Oh, Ken? Okay. Um, and then I was just curious, um, I I think uh all the recommendations from the building committee have been um very helpful and but can
034you just talk a little bit more about what Downs had that other companies didn't have that you think will benefit from in in making that selection? Um, I'm not I don't believe it's what they they had over the others. Um, all of them are very highly skilled. This is what they do. Like they do school construction. Every single one of them had, um, the engagement piece, which was really great. Um, it's just that um during the interview process, we felt that they were a little bit more connected in regards to what Wethersfield wanted. You know, it wasn't that they were just putting on this presentation and it was kind of like cookie cutter. Like this is, you know, they they tailored it towards us because they've been involved, they've seen, and they've heard, and they've
035already been involved with like what's been going on. Um, all of the the companies were fantastic. Every single one of the companies that came have Wethersfield residents that were going to be part of the group that were going to be working here. The amount of construction people in this town is crazy. So, but and they all every single one of them gave us individuals who've been doing this job for years, decades. These are the the cream of the crop. They knew that's what we wanted um and they they gave it to us. The um and and as far as Downs, you know, um he's actually right down the road for me, but he's he's he's like one of the top guys in Downs construction. And so and he's going to be running the project for
036us. So, it's it's uh that the energy that they they gave us um it was palpable in the room and and and so, you know, that's why we chose them. So, but either way, I think any of the companies were fantastic. So, Yep, I'm going to agree. They were wonderful interviews, but I thought Downs came up because of their commitment to us. Mhm. Any other questions we want to ask on that? That was a wonderful meet. That was both meetings. Madam Chair, I can concur with everything that Amanda said. I've I've done school construction projects with three of the four finalists and they all delivered school projects on time and under budget. So, we we really had an all-star group of uh of uh folks that bid on the the contract. Okay. So, can we
037move we'll move on to policy and planning committee, Matt? Yep. So, prior to tonight's Board of Ed meeting, the Policy and Planning Subcommittee met. Um we essentially adopted a bunch of policies that were put forth by the Connecticut State Legislature through public acts. Um most of them were rather mundane. Some of them were just technical technical changes or wording changes. Some of them had to do with things like family and medical leave, high school graduation requirements, curricular exemptions, weighted grading and calculation of grade point averages amongst other things. Um to be determined and coming forward, I know Janice is going to appreciate this. We're going to look to craft a policy um based around class size. Um I'm interested to see what it look like what it looks like. Um I know that's something that
038Janice has always been passionate about as a former teacher and a board member. Um I'm interested to see what it looks like um in terms of how many people can be in a class per grade, per school, with new schools. There's so many moving parts. Um to be determined. Thank you. Any questions from Matt on that? We just had that meeting. That was great minutes. Okay, thank you. Um Okay, we have reports and discussion items tonight, but I don't think we really um Oh, wait, Matt. I'm sorry. We have meeting scheduled, student program and services again. Thank you. And special meeting of the Board of Education on 5 14 26. Reports and discussion items. Are there any reports out there that we should be working on or discussion items anybody wants to discuss? No? Okay,
039so we'll move on some more. Anyone with a board comment? Yes, Madam Chair. Sure. >> Just want to say on May 1st I went to the BIPOC Fair at the Picken Community Center. It was a great great time. Lots of people attended. There was dancing, food, and lots of vendors. So I appreciate that our town puts that out and we have that annually. And wanted to commend the 7th and 8th grade band and orchestra. They had their concert last week. They did a tremendous job. Those teachers do a great job with those students and it's always a pleasure to watch them. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Janice. Um I also attended the BIPOC Fair and it was truly a very joyful event. Um the uh people there, the families were having such a wonderful
040time and there was so much variety there. Um when I first walked in, the first right there at the table at the door was um project. This is group of people of people who were able starting last year to offer a scholarship to our Wethersfield High School seniors a senior who happens to live in Hartford. Um the a lot of us already know that the Dollars for Scholars does a wonderful job for our Wethersfield students, but they do not allow applications for scholarships from our Wethersfield High School seniors who happen to live in Hartford. Um and I know in the past many of us have spoken out about that and have really encouraged Dollars for Scholars to change the policy. It has yet to change, but I certainly would urge them to continue to consider
041that. But in the meantime, these graduates from Wethersfield High School got together and decide to form primary project to fill that gap because these students cannot get the scholarships from Hartford either. So yeah, so hopefully in the future things will change, but right now we have primary project. So I'm I was very happy to see them. Janice, thank you. That is a problem. Thank you. Anyone else for comments? Audrey, I also attended the BIPOC Fair and that was amazing gathering community gathering and I just want to thank all the volunteers. There was a lot of people who made that happen and it seems bigger and bigger every year with drumming, dancing, [music] so many different parents bringing forth all their cultural displays, food, you name it. It was just amazing and so I want to
042thank them [music] for putting that on again. And I also uh go to WSPC meetings and I'm a member and that's Wethersfield schools parent council and they organized the bike to walk bike walk to school days and that happened last week and there was just a tremendous amount of kids walking and biking mostly biking this time cuz biking [music] is in the is in May. Unfortunately, it rained when they had came home, but on the way there in the morning it was it was it was fine and there was lots of lots of attendance. I know like Emerson Williams actually had a Department of Transportation people kind of do a little display there and extra special things happened at that school and I know something happened at Hand Murray where there's kind of a police
043um um like parade and not parade what do you call it? Escort. >> [laughter] >> Where they came down from I think a lot of people met at First Church and came down from there as a big group almost like a bike bus which is just so fun and so great for for kids. So, they look forward to it every year those two days and they're trying to do more. So, WSBC tried to do did did do a winter walk this past winter just to add more days so kids can walk before they get to school fresh air outside talk to other people. Um so, that was good and then they also and people I'm sure have seen whether it's at the high school or elementary schools or middle school there's amazing um volunteer efforts
044for teacher appreciation week and some of the things that these teachers got was amazing and food trucks and coffee days and flower arrangements. So, it was just a great great way to see a lot of parent volunteers and a lot of parents giving money and helping out with that because we need to appreciate our teachers and staff, right? Um and then I think one of the only things I did hear at the WCPC meeting that was um frustrating this year is that the step up for sixth grade step up and eighth grade step step up the schedule is um they would like to see improvement. Of like when these are scheduled and who's doing what and where and what in the building cuz they they are they're hard for parents get to, a lot of
045them are in the morning. Um and so that was one message that came out of the meeting, but other than that Thank you, Marjorie. Yeah, we're going to go down here. Sorry. Um I also went to the BIPOC Fair. Um and uh I echo everything everyone said. It was like I was texting Matt after and I would said it restored my faith in humanity. It was just such a great event and specifically I wanted to shout out >> All right. um the family engagement center that was set up in the um in the fireside room. We have the most amazing parent volunteers who want to create community and make sure that every parent feels welcome in our town, that they know where to go, how to get resources, who they can be connected to. And
046um Samira Clyburn really spearheaded the family engagement center pop-up, if you will. Um and I think their hope, my hope, um is that that becomes a permanent structure somewhere once we get these new schools built or maybe once the Pickens Center is redone. Um so just just an amazing effort by those parents that I uh I wanted to shout out. And then that night I also went to kindergarten orientation. >> [laughter] >> It was very emotional, um but really just such it's so thoughtfully done for parents of kindergarten students who are entering the school system for the first time. There are story times where the teachers can get to know students and kind of assess their skills and just, you know, see where they fall and where they might be a good fit in different
047classrooms. There's the story time, there's the transition week where we get to go with the student and the student, my son. Um and and um they get to be in a classroom. And then there's the kindergarten playdates um that I think WEC puts on. So, just a lot of thoughtful community engagement when it comes to helping families transition into our school system that is not unnoticed. Thanks for telling us that. Thank you. Amanda. And so, as we transition from kindergarten, we're going to transition all the way up to seniors because Safe Grad has been raising money so that we can put on a very safe night for graduation. We have a couple senior parents up here. I'm not crying, you are. And um uh we are going to be doing it for the first time
048off-site. It will no longer be at the high school. It's actually going to be over at Nomads in South Windsor. And which is great. So, we've been raising money for it. We're super excited. We can't wait for our kids to go and enjoy it. But this weekend, this Saturday, if you would like to help us just a little bit more, we're going to be having a car wash over at the middle school. So, it's going to be on Saturday morning. So, we hope that all of you come and get your cars washed semi-professionally by all of our great seniors. So, thank you very much. Okay, thank you. Anyone else? Matt. I also attended the BIPOC Fair. >> I did not attend the BIPOC >> [laughter] >> Fair. So, I'm sorry. What more Yeah. What more
049can be said about it that hasn't already been said? A good time was had. Felt felt great when I left. I just want to give a plug for the Wethersfield Public School Spring Art Show. The opening night was, I believe, last week. I couldn't attend, but it is at the Keeney Center through May 17th. Every time I go, I'm also amazed. The kids in our district are doing incredible stuff art-wise. I'm telling you we need to do a fundraiser where where we raffle some of it off. I'll buy it. >> Um Strawberry Fest, that's going on at Emerson Williams on Friday, this Friday, May 15th. Um I'm the liaison to the Emerson Williams PTO. It's also where I went to elementary school. Um so I have a close connection to that school and the Strawberry
050Fest. Uh so I'll be stopping by Emerson Williams Friday night, May 15th. Great. Great. Anyone else? Gabby. I would also like to make a plug. This weekend, we have our production of Annie Jr. at Webb Elementary School. If you tuned in last um last meeting, we had some fabulous performances from some of our cast. So we have a show on Friday, May 15th at 7:00, Saturday, May 16th at 4:00, and Sunday, May 17th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 for seniors and students and $12 general admission. Um we'd love to see you all come out and support um our wonderful performing arts program um sponsored by the Keene Foundation and just a great group of talented kids with a special guest appearance um of Lenny, the Webb service dog, who will be starring as Sandy
051in the show. It is such a fun show. It is adorable. Um and we hope that you will all come out to support. And I must introduce the the co-director. Assistant. >> Assistant director we have of the play. Thank you. I hear you are fabulous. Wonderful. I can't wait to see it. >> um but it's going to be so worth it in the end. This is going to be a great show. Great. Anyone else? Do we get everyone? All right. Actually, great piggyback because I went to the um Broadway series at the Emerson Williams School on Saturday for their Seussical. You know, the cast, the costumes, the sound system, scenery, and the performance was put on for a packed audience. You know, watching these kids sing and dance was so entertaining and we know that
052theater is an incredible learning tool for our kids. So, I had to go look this up for sure to get them all. Some of the key ways theater benefits young kids is academic boost in literacy, social and emotional development, confidence and self-esteem, critical thinking and creativity, and collaboration and communication. And if you watch them perform, so much more. So, always, thank you Judy Keen and Caroline Fazzina. Your dedication to our students gives them the opportunity for growth through the magic of creativity and also brings our community together to celebrate our kids. It is just fabulous. Between music and theater, our kids are going to be so in tune to being emotionally developed properly, confident in self with self-esteem, and critical thinking and creativity, and all the rest. So, thank you everyone. So, is [snorts] there
053There's one more comment. Anusha Gandhi is our Wethersfield High School student rep. Life at the high school. Oh, good evening, everyone. Here's an update on the past few weeks. Two weeks ago, the senior class had their decision day at the end of the high school spirit week, which was followed by a really fun pep pep rally. Additionally, AP testing is in full swing with testing beginning earlier last week and is scheduled to end later this week. And as you probably we all know about another ongoing event are the senior senior exit interviews, where the whole senior class meets with Mr. Webe and Mr. Connor in small groups to answer some questions regarding their time in the Wethersfield public school system. On the topic of seniors, there are officially 15 days left till graduation starting tomorrow
054and lots of fun things planned in the next few weeks. Starting today, we all received our senior shirts and met with our week next to discuss our senior picnic, which is happening May 19th at High Meadows Granby. Additionally, the high school is hosting their annual awards and scholarship night on May 20th. And on the sports side, senior scholar athletes Maddie Wetmore and Lorelei Fusini Kendrick were honored at the annual CIAC scholar athlete banquet on Sunday, May 3rd for their outstanding efforts both in and out of the pool. Furthermore, we have many senior nights coming up in the next few weeks for sports teams including softball, boys boys lacrosse, and girls tennis. And that's everything that's been happening at the high school. Thank you so much. Anybody have any questions for her? We can always ask
055questions. No, thank you again. You were great. Um, is there any unfinished business tonight? Very good. Um, I make a motion to adjourn this meeting. Do we need a roll call on this? No. All in favor? I. Opposed? Abstaining? Thank you all and good night. Thank you.