Aiken Update
February 26, 2021
Message from the Principal
I am very excited that this year we will be celebrating Read Across America week in a new and unique way. Last year, Mrs. Tamaccio our Library Media Specialist received a grant from the Foundation of West Hartford Public Schools to bring the One Book, One School program to Aiken. This is an opportunity for all of our students and families to participate in a school wide book club. On Monday, your youngest child will come home with a book titled A Boy Called Bat. There will also be a letter explaining some of the activities and classroom connections that will be taking place around the book as well as a reading schedule that will last through March 19th. We hope that over the next three weeks you will enjoy reading this book together as a family and that it will help to foster a love of literature, create meaningful discussion and also bring us together as a school community. Please click on the link below for some additional materials from Mrs. Tamaccio including the book trailer, parent letter and reading schedule.
Aiken One Book, One School - A Boy Called Bat
Have a great weekend!
Shannon
Black History Month
We are excited to share our completed virtual bulletin boards for Black History Month. Each classroom contributed to the slideshow and the students are proud to share what they learned.
Aiken Black History Month Virtual Bulletin Boards
Here is a Black History Month virtual classroom that was created by our ELC teacher Miss Jill.
Black History Month Resources ELC
Also in celebration Black History Month, our parent EDI committee has created an interactive and engaging digital learning experience for parents that recognizes Black history and celebrates it year-round.
To access the experience, visit https://bit.ly/3qRBcvo
Office of Equity Advancement
Spring Conferences
News from The Fifth Grade Committee...
Quest Information Night
The Gifted and Talented program of WHPS, QUEST Programs (QUEST, Math QUEST, and Art QUEST) are committed to advancing the learning standards for all students. QUEST is a place for bright minds, curiosity, creativity, and task commitment. The foundation is based on
promoting the individual student's personalized strengths, enhancing and optimizing of the student's potential, and talent development. QUEST is committed to a broad base inclusive representation of students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds that ensure all students can be recognized for their unique gifts and talents. QUEST's priority is to provide the educational services needed for the students' academic, social, emotional learning, and necessary resources ensuring students the opportunity to maximize their potential.
There will be an informational meeting for parents on Monday, March 1st. Further information and the Aiken link for the meeting can be found by clicking on the link listed below.
Read-a-thon to Support the Tyler Family
The PTO Read-a-thon was a great success! 188 students participated, and with two days left, a total of $4,975 has been raised. 50% of the proceeds are going directly to the Tyler Family. During the month of February, Aiken students have read for an amazing 112,480 minutes! We are so proud of their hard work!
School Picture Day
- This year we will not be taking class photos. It will be individual pictures only.
- Pictures will be taken on the stage in the auditorium.
- Classes will sign up one at a time so there is no mixing of cohorts.
- There will be two picture stations set up on opposite sides of the stage. Students will wait in the hallway with their class until it is their turn.
- Students will take off their mask once they are seated for their picture. The photographers will be wearing their masks at all times.
- When their picture is done, students will exit the auditorium and rejoin their class in the hallway. There will be a hand sanitizer station by the auditorium door for each student to use on their way out.
Aiken Family Cookbook
Ready for Kindergarten?
King Philip Middle School Orientation
Bristow Middle School
Bristow Lottery Update for 5th Grade Families
Happy New Year! This is a reminder about the timeline for the Bristow Middle School lottery process. All current fifth grade families enrolled in West Hartford Public Schools are automatically enrolled and do not need to take any action at this time.
Bristow will be holding two virtual information sessions on the evenings of Thursday March 4 and Monday March 8. Both sessions are scheduled to start at 6:00PM.
The deadline for parents to inform Bristow of your intentions of whether or not to accept an opening is March 19. The lottery notification letters will have directions and a web address for families to record their intentions.
For additional information, a detailed explanation of the lottery process can be found at this link: https://bristow.whps.org/school-information/lottery-process
Grade 5 to 6 Mathematics Placement Process
Applications for '21-'22 Pre-K Programs
The lottery application for West Hartford Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten programs 2021-22 school year located at Charter Oak International Academy, Florence E. Smith STEM School and Webster Hill School will be available online beginning January 7, 2021. Applicants must reside in West Hartford and be four years old on or before January 1, 2022 for programs at Charter Oak, Smith and Webster Hill. Charter Oak is also accepting three year olds who must be three on or before January 1, 2022. Enrollment will be granted based on a lottery system. Online applications will be available at www.whps.org. For more information and dates for the Pre-Kindergarten Open Houses, go to www.whps.org or call Irene Garneau, Dept. Supervisor for Early Childhood Education, at (860) 929-5552.
Updated Travel Guidelines
Domestic Travel:
Anyone traveling to a state identified by the State of Connecticut’s travel advisory must quarantine for ten days. This list changes frequently and can be accessed at https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel. CT Executive Orders provide the ability to shorten the quarantine period by demonstrating a negative COVID-19 test. If a parent or student wishes to submit a negative test in lieu of quarantine per CT domestic travel guidelines, they should contact their child's school nurse. The nurse and West Hartford's Nursing Supervisor will consult with the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District to evaluate the test results and determine any change to a student's status.
International Travel:
The CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. If you must travel, CDC guidance (https://www.cdc.gov) requires that if you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).
In order to return and engage in in-person classes at our schools after international travel, WHPS follows the CDC recommendation that students and staff members:
Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
If your test is positive, follow the Health District's guidance and isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, you must stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
FREE Breakfast and Lunch Extended Until June
FREE breakfast and lunch has been approved for ALL students of the West Hartford Public Schools through June 2021. You may be thinking about what WHPS children will do for meals during the school year as a student participating in the hybrid model or in the Remote Learning Experience. The good news is that due to a change in the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation ALL students are now eligible for FREE breakfast and lunch. There are no income requirements, and any student of the West Hartford Public Schools (WHPS) may enjoy a bagged breakfast and/or lunch. The following outlines information about In-Person/In-School meal service and “Grab and Go” pick-up meal service and other community food programs. please click here for more information.
Recess Reminder
If the weather is above 20 degrees students will be going outside for recess. Also, whenever possible students will be having snack and lunch outside. Please remember to send your child with appropriate winter gear including a heavy coat, hat and gloves.