The Weekly Office Newsletter
Horace Porter School - February 2, 2024
Kara Levenduski - Principal
Karen Caputo - Assistant Principal
Natasha Hart - Administrative Assistant
Tammy Nye - Administrative Assistant
Email: nhart@hwporter.org
Website: hwporter.org
Location: 3 Schoolhouse Road Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: (860)228-9493
Mark Your Calendars for these Important Dates
February 1st - PTO Meeting - Porter Cafetorium - 7:00pm
February 7th - 100th Day of School - Date changed due to our last snow day
February 16th - Professional Development Day for Staff - No School for Students
February 19th - Presidents' Day - No School
February 20th - No School - for Students and Staff
February 21st - Square One Art is Due - see below for details
February 27th - 4th Grade Invention Convention - 1:30pm - 2:30pm - In Cafetorium
February 28th - Winter Sports Awards - Porter Cafetorium - 6:00pm
February Lunch Menu
Raptor Visitor Management System
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are excited to inform you that H. W. Porter School will be implementing the Raptor Visitor Management System as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance campus safety for our students and faculty. This system will play a crucial role in helping us monitor and control access to our school buildings, creating a safer environment for everyone.
Beginning soon, all visitors, contractors, and volunteers will be required to present a valid ID, such as a Driver’s License, upon entering the school building. The ID can be either scanned or manually entered into the Raptor system. In instances where a parent or guardian does not possess a US government-issued ID, any form of identification may be used, and the information will be manually entered into the system by a school staff member.
The primary purpose of the Raptor system is to screen individuals against a national database of registered sex offenders, ensuring that our school campuses remain secure. It checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with this official database, and no other data from the ID is collected or recorded. Importantly, the information is not shared with any external agencies.
Upon approval, Raptor will issue a badge that includes the visitor's name, the date, and the purpose of their visit. It is important to note that a visitor’s badge will not be required for those individuals who are only dropping off items at our schools. However, if there is a need to enter the double doors for item drop-offs, identification will be necessary.
For additional details and frequently asked questions about the Raptor system, please visit our FAQ page.
We appreciate your understanding and support in our efforts to strengthen school safety protocols. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to contact our school office.
Thank you for partnering with us in creating a secure and nurturing learning environment for our students.
Sincerely,
Kara Levenduski
Principal
H. W. Porter School
Teacher of The Year Nomination Form
Each year, H.W. Porter students, families, and staff recognize a faculty member for the outstanding job they do by selecting them as Columbia’s Teacher of the Year. Please nominate a teacher for this honor by writing a letter explaining what makes this person so special. Some letters have included specific conversations or favorite quotes, while others explain the dedication and innovation the teacher has displayed throughout the year. This is your chance to recognize your teacher, mentor, or peer for all that they do each day. Attached, you will find a guide to help you complete the nomination. Please return your nomination to Amy Lapsis at alapsis@hwporter.org. We look forward to receiving your nomination! Thank you for taking the time to recognize the teaching excellence we see within Porter’s walls!
Porter Pals Preschool Lottery Registration
Porter Pals Preschool Lottery Registration
Registration for the Preschool lottery will open on January 15, 2024.
Porter Pals Preschool Lottery Registration If you have a child who will be turning 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024 and would like them to be considered for the lottery, please go to www.hwporter.org and click on Preschool Pals Registration in the middle of the page. Then please click on Preschool Lottery Form and complete the form. Registration for the lottery will close at 3:30pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. We will be holding the lottery on Thursday, March 28, 2024. If your child will be turning 5 prior to September 1, 2024, then your
child is eligible for Kindergarten and not Preschool. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Deborah Dupuis at (860) 228-0585.
Kindergarten Registration
Mr. Trombino's Technology Class This Week
PBIS Incentive in Mrs. Ekstrom's Class
Mrs. Ekstrom’s class snuggled up with books, flashlights, stuffed animals, and blankets as their chosen PBIS reward. It is great that they chose reading as their class incentive!
Square 1 Art
Happy New Year from Mrs. MacDonald, grades 5-8 visual arts teacher!
Students in the second trimester of art have been busy creating artwork for the PTO fundraiser, Square One Art. You can order items decorated with your student's beautiful artwork! It is a great way to order gifts for family members, Mother's Day, etc. and is a key fundraiser for the Porter PTO.
IMPORTANT: If your child in grades 6-8 does NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ME for art, there may not be artwork prepared. If you want your child participating in the fundraiser, have them see me for materials to bring home. I will also put artwork templates and ideas in the lobby of the school for pickup.
ALL STUDENTS MUST BE FINISHED WITH THEIR ARTWORK AND SUBMIT IT TO MRS. SHIVE OR MRS. MACDONALD BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST.