Spring 2015 - Wallingford Public Schools

Superintendent's Message
Dear Wallingford Community Members:
Dear Community Members,
I also want to thank our teachers and administrators for their hard work in striving to maintain continuity
in their instruction throughout the disruption of snow days. I appreciate their efforts on behalf of our
students. Hopefully, next year we will be more fortunate with the weather.
We look forward to making the Credit for Life Fair an annual event!
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Seating is limited, please RSVP by April 1st:
[email protected]
$60 per person/Tables of 10 available
Checks payable to WEF, 43 Hall Avenue, Wallingford, CT 06492
Wallingford, Connecticut
1074 South Colony Road
6:30 p.m.
Zandri’s Stillwood Inn
Friday, April 24, 2015
Marie Gannon Russell
Phil Ottochian
Joseph Pannone
Beth Maselli Brooks
Rosalind Fishbein Gallagher
A special thank you should also be conveyed to the district bus drivers. Our bus drivers were faced with
many delays of less than optimal travel conditions. I am sure everyone joins me an extending appreciation
for keeping our students safe each day on their way to and from school. Your commitment to our system
was exceptional.
The Wallingford Education Foundation (WEF) is a non-profit, community-based partnership
supporting educational innovation and excellence in our town.
I am very pleased that the winter is finally over. This year, like the past several,
was one for the record books. From the extremely cold temperatures to the
weekly Monday snowstorms, the winter could not end soon enough for all of
us. I would like to thank the entire Wallingford Public Schools maintenance
staff. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Wallingford Public
Works Department. I appreciated each crew’s collaboration and support in
making difficult decisions this winter. They were extremely supportive and
worked tirelessly to provide the safest conditions for student and staff.
Catherine McCormack Bonneau
“Choose your expenses very wisely and carefully”
“Go cheap”
“Choose a job with a bigger annual salary”
“Not to blow your money on simple, useless luxuries”
“Budget wisely and live slightly below your means”
“Save money because unexpected expenses arise”
“I need to do well in school to get a good job”
11th Annual
Alumni Awards Dinner
honoring
took place between students and businesses. Some students found themselves with money to spare and
others didn’t have a dime; but both left with some good lessons learned. When asked one lesson they
learned from the game, this is what a few of the students said…
Spring 2015
This event was possible due to the collaboration of Wallingford schools, businesses and community
members as part of the HUBCAP Wallingford. Approximately 40 local businesses participated in this
event and we had approximately that many additional volunteers. They all went above and beyond for
our students! We are very lucky to collaborate with this active and generous community. All participants
are eager to play again next year!
Most importantly, the students truly engaged in the game. Great financial questions and conversations
Spring 2015
43 Hall Avenue
Wallingford, CT 06492
On Tuesday, February 24th the sophomore classes at both
Lyman Hall High School and Mark T. Sheehan High
School traveled to the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford to
participate in our first annual Credit for Life Fair!
The Credit for Life fair is an experiential, life sized game in
which our students were propelled into their future lives at
the age of 25. They were given a profile with a career that
they choose ahead of time and an annual salary to match that
career. The student’s objective at the fair was to participate
in “life” and make financial decisions based on their needs,
wishes and income. They did this by visiting various booths
that represented the major monthly spending categories.
Students met with real estate agents to discuss housing options, service stations to deal with car repairs
and grocery stores to shop for food. They were faced with decisions about that daily cup of coffee or
whether to go to the movies or have their nails done; just to name a few. The primary goal for this day
was for students to start thinking about how career choices, salaries and budgets fit together and how both
big career decisions and daily financial decisions affect the quality of their life.
Non-Profit
U.S.Postage
PAID
Permit No.63
06492
Credit for Life
As a result of the winter weather, students did miss nine days of school. In developing the calendar for
this year, we decided to extend the year until Friday, June 19, 2015. This provided for eight snow days.
Unfortunately, we ended up having nine snow days. Consequently, the Friday of April vacation needed to
be replaced with a day of school. Next year, the first seven days lost to school closings will be made up at the
end of the school year. Any days beyond seven will be made up at the end of the spring vacation, starting
with Friday, April 15, 2016 and working backwards. In the event of more than twelve days, the BOE may
decide to reduce the student year from 184 school days.
As we now move into spring, my mind shifts to the many end-of-year activities and baseball season. My
team, the Yankees, may not be predicted to have the best season; however, there is something about being
at a game with my dad that just makes life so sweet.
Make it a great spring!
Sincerely,
Salvatore F. Menzo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Student Awards
The Ct Association of Schools through the Elementary Celebration of Arts Festival honors two
outstanding students in the highest grade level of the elementary schools in our State who have
excelled in the areas of visual or performing arts and who have exhibited high levels of citizenship
and cooperative skills. The award winners are:
Parker Farms Apollo Dubuc and Jaidin Kapoor
Pond Hill
Ally Bonet and Lexi Chaney-Robinson
Rock Hill
Trinity Sharron and Alexa Guercia
Yalesville
Nikita Zuev and Elaine Tolentino
CABE Student Leadership Award given to students who exhibit exemplary leadership skills as
they relate to school and community activities;
Lyman Hall High School Celeste Rolon and Maximillian Marino
Sheehan High School Caroline Bradley and Robert Hacku
South Central Area Superintendents’ Association (SCASA) Student award: presented to
students who embody the mission of their school and are deeply committed to community and
humanitarian service.
Lyman Hall
Felisha Marron and Louis Scopetto
Sheehan
Kaitlin Reed and Kevin Carnale
Dag Grace Valentine
Moran
Isabella Welch
Wallingford students host Colegio del Carmen
Students from Sheehan and Lyman Hall welcomed a total of 25 students and 5 teachers from the
Colegio del Carmen School in San Rafael, Argentina this past March. Exchange students lived
with Wallingford families, attended classes at the high schools with their hosts, and participated
in all of the daily activities of their
American host families. Of course they
got to experience some special out-ofthe-ordinary things as well! Students
spent time in New York City before
arriving in Wallingford on March 11th.
Once here, families organized a potluck
dinner for the group, a family bowling
night and a fun evening of bouncing
at Sky Zone. Students attended the
Sheehan dance and musical and
participated in some exciting activities
outside of town as well. They journeyed
to Newport, RI, Sturbridge Village
and The Mark Twain House to experience some of the iconic sites that New England has to
offer. Families and students said a tearful goodbye on March 25th after what was inevitably an
experience filled with cultural awareness, language immersion and new friendships. But the fun
isn’t over yet! 20 Wallingford students will travel to San Rafael this summer to attend classes and
live with the new friends they have made as we journey to Argentina!
Rachael Whitney and Jonathan Jacobs
Sheehan
Nimanthi Kumara and Michael Moscato
Lyman Hall Productions is proud to present Mary Poppins as the school’s musical production
for 2015. Based on a series of children’ s books, the musical is based on adventures led through
Victorian London by a quirky nanny who is put in charge of four precocious children. The books
were first adapted for film in 1964 by Disney and a stage production was first performed in London
in 2004. Since then, the musical has become a staple for audiences everywhere. Under the direction
of very talented teachers and advisers Jennifer Castelli, Jane Haffner, Dean DellaVecchia, Jennifer
Courtmanche, and Kayt Keirn, 65 student actors, actresses, and crew members are working very
hard to make this an extraordinary event that is filled with more than a few surprises. Please join
us on April 30th, May 1st, or May 2nd for what promises to be a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
event.
Connecticut Association of Schools’ (CAS) Arts Award: presented to Senior students who
excel in the performing and /or visual arts programs.
Lyman Hall
Amber Albe and Ashley Lane
Sheehan
Joshua Glynn and Cassandra Myers
CAS-CIAC Scholar Athlete Award: presented to two seniors who participate in athletics at the
varsity level, demonstrate academic excellence, and serve as a model to others.
Lyman Hall
Quinn Shields and James Burnham
Sheehan
Eileen Hinman and Christopher Gerzabek
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Caption under picture: L to R Melanie Montaganon, Sal Menzo, Ken Welch, Rep. DeLauro,
Liz Landow, and Joe Mirra
LHHS Musical
Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) Scholar Leader Award: This award is bestowed
annually on graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, are considered leaders in
the school community, and more importantly, serve as a role model to others.
Lyman Hall
Representative Rosa DeLauro visits HUBCAP
Middle School Theatrics
German Home Stay and Exchange Program
On Sunday May 17, we will welcome 15 students and three faculty members from the Franziskus
Gymnasium in Mutlangen, near Stuttgart to our school district.
During their stay, the exchange students will live with Wallingford families and attend classes at
Sheehan High School and Moran Middle School. They will attend various school events and
give class presentations. There will also be time for some sight-seeing in Boston and New York
City. The exchange students will have a busy schedule until their departure on May 28.
Wallingford students and World Language teachers will complete the exchange next year in
April by traveling to Mutlangen, Germany. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our students
to use their language skills outside of the classroom and to deepen their understanding of the
German culture and people.
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Dag Hammarskjold Middle School presented a spectacular theatrical performance of
“Shrek, The Musical” in February of 2015. Despite the weather issues of this winter, the
incredible cast managed to wow audiences with their energy and poise. In all, Mr. Boudreau
and Mrs. Boucher want to congratulate our fantastic cast and crew for a job well done.
Moran Middle School presented in March the fantastic and delightful production of
Legally Blonde Jr. The cast and the crew worked very hard throughout the winter in order
to present an outstanding production. Ms. Lorenzo and Ms. Brandl would like to thank all
those involved.
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