August 5th, 2016
Dear Breakthrough II Magnet School Students and Families!
We hope that you are enjoying these long summer days and sweet summer nights! We at Breakthrough II have been preparing for a great school year ahead and are excited to share important updates and plans with you. We can’t wait to see you and hear about your summer experiences!
Staffing Updates
Staffing changes have occurred for several reasons including the district budget, staff relocations to other schools, retirement and staff moving out of state. We know that change is difficult for everyone, especially our children, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition.
Best Wishes: We wish the following staff members the best of luck on their future
endeavors: Juan Carrion, Richard Muirhead, Alanna Johnson, Kristen Petrone,
Kate McDermott, Ali Chapman, Jayna Dorau, Christina Peterson, Jean Trask, Carmetta Harper and Ruth Petkaitus,
Warm Welcome: We extend a warm welcome to our new staff.
Julie Stevens- Resource Teacher
Julie Stevens is the doting mother of Bridget (3 ½ years old) and TJ (Tyler, 5 months old). The 2016-2017 school year will be her 11th school year with HPS. She has taught second and third grade. The past two years she has worked as the Instructional Coach at Alfred E. Burr Elementary School for grades 3-8.
Rosanne Jozwik- Music Teacher
Rosanne has been in HPS for 22 years. She has taught band, orchestra, chorus and general music. After 17 years at the Elementary level she went to High School, Inc. Rosanne has her BS and MS in Music Ed from CCSU as well as a certification in Elem Ed. She is certified Level II Orff and continues her Orff professional development by attending Saturday workshops throughout the year.
Melanie Blain- Middle School Math
Melanie will be teaching 6/7/8 math at Breakthrough II this upcoming year. She is a recent UConn grad, where she majored in elementary and math education. She spent a year as a Math Interventionist at Kennelly School in Hartford.
Valerie Michaels- Learning Center
Valerie is a 1991 graduate of Simmons College with a degree in Severe Special Needs and earned a master's degree in education from UCONN in 1995. Before taking time off to raise her three kids, she taught in Brookline, MA and West Hartford, CT. Upon returning to the workforce, she was a reading tutor for four years at Kennelly School in Hartford.
Lisa Everett- Middle School English Language Arts
Lisa has taught high school English for the last sixteen years, but is so excited to work with middle school students. She has taught in California, North Carolina, and Connecticut, and she has taught Advanced Placement, honors, second language learners, and special education students. She is currently completing her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Before becoming a teacher, she worked in journalism as an editor, writer, and desktop publisher.
Stephen Curti- Physical Education Teacher
Stephen has been teaching Physical Education for 4 years in the district of Hartford. He graduated from Manchester Community College with an Associate in General Studies and Science. He later transferred to Central Connecticut State University where he received a Bachelor in Physical Education and Science.
2016-2017 School Goals
Last year as a new Principal, I focused on building relationships with staff, students and families, and on getting to know our school. This year, I am looking forward to expanding on this and getting to know each child below the surface. This has looked like analyzing student data, working with students during Early Start, and conducting interviews with staff. I will continue this process throughout the school year.
Our Instructional Leadership Team has identified areas of focus for this upcoming school year in Reading, Math, Character and Parent Engagement. I look forward to sharing information from staff interviews as well as the goals and objectives at Open House, Wednesday, September 14th.
Building Updates
Our school is truly looking beautiful! Special thank you to Mr. Sabetelli, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pistritto for all of their hard work on beautifying our school!
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Last year we worked diligently to provide a safe school for our school community. We have worked out a new arrival procedure for this fall, which maintains a family friendly and welcoming school environment.
· School hours for PK4-8 will be 8:15-3:25, Monday through Friday.
· School hours for PreK 3 will be 8:15-12:00, Monday through Friday
· Kindergarten through 8th grade students will enter through the front door of the school on Lyme Street. The building will open for students at 8:15.
· Students in grades K-3 will go to the auditorium and students in grades 4-8 will go to the gym. Teachers will then bring the children to their get breakfast.
· Families that wish to bring their children to their classrooms will need to sign in at the desk in the main lobby and obtain a family visitor pass. On the way out, please sign out and drop off the lanyard.
· PreK 3 and 4 year-old students will enter the building on Burnham Street. The PreK team will be working during the first two weeks of school to transition students from parents dropping off in the classrooms to students becoming more independent and walking themselves to the classroom. PreK teachers have set up a routine as well as times that they will be at the PreK door for any check-ins that might be needed with families. For more information, please attend the PreK orientation, August 18th from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
· Students will be considered late at 8:30 a.m. Please ensure that you arrive on time daily.
Aftercare
If your child will be attending aftercare this school year, please sign up in the main office before the first day of school. A $100 deposit is required and will be used towards your last payment of the school year.
Uniforms
Our school uniform is as follows:
· Shirts:
o PreK3-5: Cobalt blue, Breakthrough Logo shirts only. Shirts with the new logo as well as the old logo will be ok for this upcoming school year.
o Grades 6-8: White button down shirt with the BK logo on the collar.
· Slacks: Cotton or corduroy; Color is Khaki
· Shorts: Long, Bermuda style; Color is Khaki
· Skirts: Plain front or pleated; Color is Khaki
· Jumpers: Cotton or corduroy; Color is Khaki
· Shoes: Sneakers or shoes appropriate for physical activity. Shoes should have a rubber sole.
Important Dates
We will be having a back to school picnic on Wednesday, August 24th. The picnic will take place from 4:00-5:30. Families will bring their own picnic dinners and the school will provide ice pops. PTO will be sponsoring a uniform swap too! This will be a time for us to come back together as a school community and meet/say hi to your child’s teacher for this upcoming school year! Other important dates are:
· Tuesday, August 30th: First Day of School
· Monday, September 5th: No School, Labor Day
· Wednesday, September 7th: 12 noon dismissal for Professional Development
· Monday, September 12th: STEP Class 6:00-7:30 p.m.
· Wednesday, September 14th: Open House 6:00 p.m.
Important Documents
Enclosed please find:
· School Calendar
· Picnic Invite for August 24th
· Supply List
· Uniform Swap information
Teachers will be calling you to welcome you back soon! Hope to see you all on August 24th!
Warmly,
Mrs. Leonard
Principal