Clark Lane Connects
Clark Lane Middle School July 2025
Hello CLMS Parents and Guardians!
We hope that you are enjoying your summer break by spending quality time relaxing and rejuvenating. We also hope that our scholars are reading great books and staying sharp through math trivia, meditation or a fun game night.
Whatever you decide to do with your free time, find joy in it! We look forward to seeing you all in the upcoming school year.
Please enjoy this newsletter and the summer!!!
Mr. Sachs & Mrs. Howard
NOTE: While it is true that the last day of school was Thursday, June 12th, the school is not really closed all summer. There may be secretarial staff available at Clark Lane Middle School should you need assistance over the summer months. Call ahead, just in case!
Clark Lane Middle School 860-443-2837
Main Office, Press 1
Report Absence, Press 2
Or email: CLMS-Attend@waterfordschools.org
Nurse (Health Office), Press 3
School Counseling Office, Press 4
Assistant Principal, Press 5
To reach teachers by email: first initial, followed by last name @waterfordschools.org
For example: jsachs@waterfordschools.org
To view Clark Lane’s staff directory:
NOTE: Most teachers may not be checking their school email over the summer break. If you have to reach someone, call the Main Office!
UPCOMING EVENTS! Mark your calendars!
Wed., July 16 4:30-6pm 3rd Annual Car Show @ Clark Lane Middle School
All are welcome! (flyer enclosed)
Tomeka K. Howard Assistant Principal
James M. Sachs Principal
Congratulations to our 8th Grade Award Recipients
On June 7, 2024, a number of our now promoted 8th grade students received recognition at a special Awards Ceremony. We want to congratulate these students for a job well done!
CLARK LANE LANCER AWARD
This award is given to students who consistently show pride in their behavior, learning, and community. We can count on them to behave appropriately, actively participate in their learning, and treat their classmates and the school building and materials with kindness and respect.
Rhianna Modi
James Zimmermann
Adam Abraham
Tyler Stark
Jack Licare
Avery Gallerani
Lorelai Maynard
Ava Vargas
Elias Ramos
Lilia Juliani
STUDENT GROWTH AWARD
Michael Valentino
Maddie Jadamec
Thomas Dignazio
Tucker Pinkham
This award recognizes students who have displayed tremendous academic and/or personal growth. These students have consistently worked hard to stretch past their comfort zone and to challenge themselves while demonstrating a growth mindset.
Kennley Stoddard
Michelle Arevalo
Molly Anglim
Yeleny Zoribel Sarmiento
Wyatt Goulart
Esme Dell
Ella Ververis
Thomas Roberge
Mason Dupont
Cyrus Gunther
Raleigh Maskell
Shane York
THE SPIRIT OF STEPHANIE AWARD
This award is given in honor of former Clark Lane student Stephanie Turowski who passed away in December 2016. Stephanie was a quiet, thoughtful, hard-working, and patient student. But above all, she was kind. She took every opportunity she could to be helpful and to make others’ days a little brighter.
Rachel Ferland
Ronan LaLonde
Polina Abrashin
Amelia Secchiaroli
Piper Barczak
Nicholas Pagano
Grace McDonald
Avi Carey
Graciela Mejia
Benjamin Pawlak
Christopher Deros
Congratulations to our 8th Grade Awards Recipients
THE UNITY AWARD
This award celebrates students who embody the true spirit of inclusion, empathy, and togetherness. This honor is awarded to peers who work together building meaningful connections through kindness, patience, and mutual respect. One of our most powerful examples is seen in our Explorer’s Café, where students work side by side to prepare and serve our staff and community members. Through their shared effort in the café and beyond, recipients of the Unity Award help create a school environment where every individual is seen, heard and valued.
Fiona Wertz
Ella Woznicki
Gerlean Mercado Ramos
Callan Benevides
Alice Parker
Reese Firmin
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
Josh Landeck
Brielle Nellons
Trey Flanagan
This award is given to students who are leaders in and out of the classroom. They are role models to their peers, and have demonstrated confidence, maturity, responsibility and trustworthiness.
Griffin Fiano
Mzati Vincent
Niko Harris
Noah Blatnik
Audrey Westkott
Nate Greene
Tayna Veras
Tyler Gamble
Students and Staff Raise Thousands in Walk-A-Thon
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, students at Clark Lane Middle School participated in a school-wide walk-a-thon, raising money for three local charities including: USA Paralympics, the Cactus Jack Foundation and Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF). This year, students and staff raised a total of $40, 000, according to Mr. Gionet, teacher coordinator of the walk-a-thon. Great job to all who participated in this rewarding experience! We look forward to raising more money in next year’s event!
Summer Learning Opportunity
The Connecticut State Department of Education's Summer Learning Hub is now live with free, high-quality resources designed to support continued learning throughout the summer. Created for families, educators and districts, this comprehensive hub offers engaging activities and printable resources across multiple subjects including reading, math, science, social studies, and financial literacy. All materials are adaptable for various grade levels and available in multiple languages, making it easy for families to support learning at home while keeping students engaged with fun, educational challenges. Visit the Summer Learning Hub today to explore these free resources and support student success all summer long! Enjoy!
Saturday, October 4th at Clark Lane Middle School and we’re looking for vendors! Interested vendors please reach out to adeojay@waterfordschools.org for more
School Counseling Office
Summer Information for Incoming 6th Graders
In the next month or so, new sixth grade students will receive their team assignments and a Welcome Letter from Clark Lane Middle School, typically in early August. There will be an orientation specifically for incoming sixth graders. That orientation is scheduled for Thursday, August 21. Mark your calendars! It will take place at Clark Lane Middle School. The orientation is for STUDENTS only! On the day of the orientation, Egret Team students can be dropped off 8:45 am and picked up at 10:30am. Heron Team students can be dropped off 12:15pm and picked up at 2:00pm.
There will be an agenda, tours of the building and students will have time to practice using their lockers. We will also give students an overview of a typical school day, as well as the expectations for behavior at Clark Lane. More information will be sent home soon! We look forward to seeing you!
Meet the Counselor!
Mrs. Dolce is the incoming 6th grade counselor. Fortunately for these sixth graders, Mrs. Dolce will be the counselor for these students throughout their three years at Clark Lane Middle School!
A little about your school counselor: This will be Mrs. Dolce’s 14th year as a middle school counselor. She and her husband live in East Lyme with their two boys and their cat, Lucy. She loves all sports, but especially softball/baseball. She loves watching football and her favorite teams are the NY Giants and Green Bay Packers. Mrs. Dolce shares, “I love traveling, the beach, collecting sea glass, inspirational quotes, coffee, drawing, hiking and warm weather!” Mrs. Dolce is really looking forward to meeting her new sixth grade students!
How to Spend National Anti-Boredom Month
National Anti-Boredom Month is a monthly observance which encourages everyone to identify what makes us bored and find ways to combat it!
When fighting boredom, it's important to know what the symptoms are of actually being bored and the reasons why we get bored. Most people think they are bored because they have nothing to do; however, that's not always the case. Many times, we have plenty to do or are even doing it, but our minds are not stimulated enough. Finding creative and healthy ways to beat boredom will improve our everyday lives. Explore new activities: Try something new that you've always wanted to do but haven't had the time for, like a new hobby, sport, or class.
Get active: Engage in physical activities like hiking, biking, or swimming, or try a new form of exercise. Break out of your routine: Change your daily schedule to add some variety. Connect with others: Spend time with friends and family, or volunteer in your community.
Explore your local area: Visit museums, parks, or other attractions you haven't been to before.
Be present: Pay attention to your surroundings and appreciate the small things in life!
To contact the School Health Office over the summer months, you can email:
emccaffrey@waterfordschools.org & rcorumgiles@waterfordschools.org
Be sure to email BOTH nurses when emailing information about your student!
Someone from the Health Office will get in touch as soon as possible.
Parents of incoming 7th graders
Letters will be going out for health compliance. Students entering 7th grade will need a physical dated after 6/30/24 before the start of 7th grade. Questions? Email the Health Office!
Clark Lane’s Library
BookQuest: Summer Edition
Thanks to Ms. Goldberg, here is an activity to keep you reading this summer! Check out the links to the reading lists (suggested books, by grade):
6th:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t6YYV-mJZF4Og6mj_Berq5cGugp7AtY0/view? usp=drive_link
7th:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pMFJD22VujKGBSTcM5aeWzu_QebiLW0Q/vie w?usp=drive_link
8th:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_esNi0dFn9SmfQj0eBQiksddq8E7fx3y/view?u sp=drive_link
Record books read directly in the corresponding bingo square (see Bingo sheet on the following page) & don’t forget to put your name on the bingo card!
Link to card:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SJkwtbHPoGA0wqF6nzH3mRfWtsRpWrJj/view?us p=sharing
Prizes will be awarded at the start of the new school year! (Grade 8 students can turn their cards in to their Grade 9 English teachers.)
Have Fun & Keep Reading, Clark Lane!
Attention Families!
If you have any gently used books looking for a new home, Clark Lane Middle School’s Library would happily accept any middle school book donations. Thanks!
For more information, please contact: dgoldberg@waterfordschools.org
News from IT
July 2025 especially for Clark Lane Middle School
Summer 1:1 Device FAQ
Some of What You Need to Know!
How should we care for the device over the summer?
A: Please ensure the device remains in a safe place at all times. You should also reboot the device periodically over the summer if it is infrequently used. This will keep the Chromebook working properly.
Who is responsible for the device over the summer?
A: While at home, just as during the school year, families are responsible for safe storage of the device.
Can my student use the device over the summer?
A: Yes, students can continue to use the device for Summer Academy, school assigned summer work and for additional learning. Parents/guardians are encouraged to set their own guidelines for when, where, and how their child uses the Chromebook during the summer.
Will the device be monitored over the summer?
A: Yes, our district will still monitor using our district web filtering software. Parents should also monitor their child/ren’s online activity. If you find that your child/ren are accessing inappropriate sites, please contact our tech department at techsupport@waterfordschools.org.
If I purchased WPS Device Protection for the 2024-25 school year, is the Chromebook still covered over the summer?
A.Yes. If you purchased device protection through the MySchoolBucks portal during the 2024-25 school year, the Chromebook is still covered until the beginning of the next school year, provided you still have remaining claims available.
Who do I contact if the device has an issue over the summer?
A: Contact our IT Department through our tech support email: techsupport@waterfordschools.org.
July
2025
News from IT
especially for Clark Lane Middle School
Don’t Forget! Keep Your Device Safe in the Warm Weather!
Here are the seven easy-to-follow tips to help you keep your devices in top condition throughout the warmer months.
1. Keep it cool: Avoid leaving your laptop or Chromebook in direct sunlight for extended periods. Overheating can damage internal components and decrease battery life. Find a shaded spot or use a laptop cooling pad if necessary.
2. Clean regularly: Dust and debris can accumulate on your device, impacting airflow and causing overheating. Use a soft, dry cloth or compressed air to gently clean the keyboard, screen, and vents. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
3. Stay hydrated: Accidental spills can happen, especially during outdoor work or leisure time. Keep drinks away from your device to prevent liquid damage. If a spill does occur, power off your laptop immediately and wipe away any excess liquid. Let it dry completely before attempting to use it again.
4. Mind the power source: Be mindful of where you plug in your charger. Avoid using outlets near water sources, such as pools or sprinklers, to reduce the risk of electrical damage. Always unplug the charger from both the outlet and the device when not in use.
5. Transport with care: If you're taking your laptop or Chromebook on the go, invest in a protective carrying case or sleeve. This will shield it from bumps, scratches, and other potential hazards while traveling. Never pack your device in a bag with heavy or sharp objects.
6. Update regularly: Keep your operating system and software up to date to ensure optimal performance and security. All staff laptops are set up with automatic updates so when prompted, please reboot whenever possible on a regular basis. This will help protect your device from vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility with new features.
7. Backup your data: Don't forget to backup important files and documents regularly, especially before heading out for summer adventures. Take advantage of your Google Drive or use a thumb drive to create backups, keeping your valuable data safe in case of accidental loss or device failure.
By following these simple tips, you can prolong the lifespan of your laptop or Chromebook and enjoy smooth performance throughout the spring and summer season.If you encounter any challenges or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our IT support team if you need our help: techsupport@waterfordschools.org
Stay cool and productive!
Connecting with
Egret & Heron’s Social Studies Teachers
Bridging Cultures: Israeli Emissaries Engage with Students
at Clark Lane Middle School
In early June, sixth grade students had the opportunity to meet and enjoy a presentation by Israeli emissaries Yahav & Ben. As representatives of Israel through the Community Outreach Program overseen by Ms. Marcia Reinhard of the Jewish Federation of Southeastern Connecticut, Yahav and Ben taught students about the culture of their country. Sixth grade students who recently participated in cultural show & tell presentations in social studies enjoyed learning more about the culture of Israel. Ben & Yahav shared fascinating information about Israeli inventions, popular music, agriculture, etc.
Clark Lane Middle School has proudly hosted emissaries in our school for close to fifteen years. We look forward to continuing this partnership!
Thank you to Ms. Corazzelli for sharing!
Photo courtesy of Ms. Corazzelli
Connecting with
Family & Consumer Science
@ Clark Lane Middle School July 2025
Did you know… National Grilling Month has been observed for more than a decade? Summer is the time for the best outdoor cooking, so it is no surprise July is National Grilling Month, which means grilling season is in full swing during the month of July. Family gatherings, camping and hot weather bring out the best of food flavors outdoors.
From a culinary perspective, National Grilling Month presents opportunity to learn about grill safety so your grilling experiences are the best they can be. You can grill just about anything. Here is a list of common grill foods:
1. Steak - Ribeye, sirloin, T-bone, filet mignon
2. Burgers - Beef, veggie
3. Seafood - Salmon, shrimp
4. Vegetables - Asparagus, peppers, onions, corn on the cob, squash
5. Fruit - Pineapple, peaches, bananas
As much as one enjoys grilling, it's important to know caution should be used anytime a grill is used. Grilling mean's fire, so make sure you monitor the grill at all times and never use a grill without adult permission and supervision! In addition to fire safety, food preparation is also important. Don't let improperly prepared food ruin your summer. Use these grilling tips to keep you grilling and enjoying the beautiful weather all season long.
❖ Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer when clean water isn't readily available where you are grilling.
❖ Keep food cold until you are ready to put them on the grill. Letting them sit allows bacteria to grow.
❖ Don't mix raw and cooked foods. Keep raw foods separate from each other. Once cooked, use a clean dish to place your final masterpiece. The bacteria from the raw food will contaminate the freshly cooked meal.
❖ Keep hot food warm to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit until ready to be placed in a cooler with ice or refrigerator to prevent bacteria growth. For salads and cold foods, keep them chilled on ice.
Enjoy your grilled foods with family and friends and have a wonderful July!
Music Department
Common Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Instrument
As a musician, one of the most important lessons that you must learn is that proper care and maintenance of your instrument will help you maintain consistent sound quality and save you and your parents money in the long run. Whereas cold weather can cause an instrument to contract, the typically hot weather of the summer months has the opposite effect. In extreme heat, an instrument’s materials may expand. This affects the instrument’s ability to withstand tension. These increased temperatures and humidity can make the instrument very difficult to play and lead to costly repair bills. When asked how hot weather and instruments go together, many players report that their sound becomes “sluggish” in the heat.
What can you do to protect your instrument over the summer?
● Always keep your instrument in the case when you are not playing or practicing. This will protect it from weather elements and accidents (like getting knocked over!)
● Store your instrument in a safe place in your home and avoid rooms with extreme temperatures. Limit exposure to direct sunlight if possible. High heat can lead to warping and cracking, which can lead to costly repairs.
● Never leave your instrument in the car, where heat and humidity exposure is increased.
● Wood instruments require extremely special care during warm weather months. For high humidity areas, storing your instrument in a room with a dehumidifier is ideal.
● Regular oiling of the wooden body with bore oil can also help combat humidity damage. Humidity can dry out wooden bodies, leading to cracks. Cracked bodies make instruments extremely difficult to play and can be costly to repair.
Keep practicing, Clark Lane Musicians!
Connecting with Clark Lane Middle School’s
Physical Education Department
Looking to Stay Active this Summer?
Here are 15 Ways to Move More in the Summer Months:
1. Gardening: If your backyard looks like a jungle, hauling bags of topsoil, pulling weeds and raking can feel invigorating as you enjoy the fresh air.
2. Cleaning: Your bedroom is cluttered, the closets are bursting and it’s the perfect time of year to have a yard sale!
3. Fur-frolicking: Sparky and Fido love the warm weather as much as you do, so get moving together.
4. Get rolling: Even if it’s been awhile since you’ve pedaled around the neighborhood, get back in the saddle.
5. Running: Keep it old school and move on your own two feet.
6. Swimming: Dive in and get splashing!
7. Rock climbing: Safety first, but if you know how to climb or have an instructor who can help, rock climbing is an invigorating way to turn the outdoors into your own gym.
8. Hiking: Get out in nature, hike around local paths, parks and trails to enjoy it. Go bird watching, seek out local species of plants and keep a keen eye open for animals.
9. Doing yoga in nature: Grab a towel or mat, find a small open space in a park and do yoga.
10. Produce picking: Go fruit picking at a local farm!
11. Going it alone: Are you an introvert? Try a solitary sport, such as archery, which focuses the mind and is a lot more work for the body than you might realize.
12. Playing with toys: For the techies, there are plenty of ways to get outside with their toys. Venture out to an open meadow and fly an electronic drone or remote-controlled helicopter.
13. Stargazing: When the warm weather stretches into the night, it’s time to look up to the stars. Hike up to the top of a hill, lie on a blanket in an open field or on the beach and turn it into your own planetarium. Better yet, make an event out of the Perseid meteor shower that usually occurs in July and August.
14. Treasure hunting: Get ahold of a metal detector to see what might be buried in your own front yard.
15. Flying a kite: Look for an open field or park area where you can safely and easily walk around and fly a kite. Keep Moving and Stay
ClarkLane MiddleSchool’s
WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
Connecting our corner of the globe to yours July 2025
How To Practice Languages or Use a New Language Over Summer Break
Learning doesn’t have to stop just because it’s summer vacation! In fact, summer break is the perfect opportunity to learn a new language or practice the one you already know. Investing time in your daily life to learn a language is not only great for personal growth and cultural appreciation, but it also demonstrates how motivated you are to learn outside of the classroom.
Crucial to maintaining a language is passive exposure, which helps you use the language in a way you don’t have to think too hard about. There are many minor lifestyle tweaks you can make to increase your passive exposure over the summer break (and this way, maybe you won’t forget all that you learned this past year).
Change the Language on Your Phone
You’re probably so used to the user interface on your phone or computer that, most of the time when you’re navigating Instagram in Spanish or French, you won’t even be thinking about the fact that you’re doing it in another language.
Play Video Games in a Foreign Language
Games are usually offered in several languages, and often games developed by high-budget studios are fully voice acted in 5-7 languages. Even if you aren’t at the level to understand the full text of a game, you can still get some language exposure by keeping the text in English and the spoken language in your target language. You might end up learning some new words!
Watch Your Favorite Shows with Foreign Language Subtitles
Pretty much every Netflix original series is heavily regionalized, with subs and dubs in numerous languages. Give it a try!
Listen to Podcasts
Passive listening is an essential tool. Don’t put extra attention into trying to understand it, and eventually, your brain will learn to pick apart the words anyway. Hopefully, these language learning strategies can go a long way toward practicing a new language.
With patience, persistence, and consistent practice, you will continue to grow your skills!
What’s Cooking?
in Clark Lane Middle School’s cafeteria
Free Summer Meal Information
The Waterford Food Services Department would like to remind families that all children ages 18 and younger may visit CT Summer Meals sites to receive a meal. There is no application, identification or commitment to participate in Summer Meals. For more information visit https://endhungerct.org/summer-meals/. For local sites, please call 211 or text the word CTmeals to 877877.
Resources for Free Meals in CT
The list below includes some of the resources in Connecticut that can provide meals and food to households:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Determine SNAP eligibility by contacting the End Hunger Connecticut! (EHC!) SNAP hotline at 866-974-7627.
Food Pantries/Food Donation Programs & Soup Kitchens (211 of Connecticut, United Way): Enter your town/city to search for nearby food pantries & soup kitchens.
Food & Nutrition Resources (211 of Connecticut, United Way): Information on home-delivered meals for homebound individuals, food distribution through Mobile Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank, school meals, benefit programs, and town social service departments.
For information about Free/Reduced Price School Meals, click here:
July 2025
If you have questions regarding the school meal plan and/or prices, they can be directed to the Director of School Dining and Nutrition Services, Dianne Houlihan, at dhoulihan@waterfordsc hools.org or call 860-444-5862.
Did you know… all positive meal balances carry forward to next school year, grade to grade, school to school? Yes, it’s true! And, all remaining senior balances will be auto transferred to sibling accounts. Balance refunds, or balance donations can be requested for graduating seniors or any student(s) by using the following formhttps://cdnsm5-ss16.sh arpschool.com/UserFiles /Servers/Server_314195/ File/FoodServices/REFU ND%20REQUEST.pdf
Come Join Clark Lane’s PTO
Thank you to everyone who participated in our meetings over the course of this past school year! If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Clark Lane PTO, please reach out to clarklanepto@gmail.com. We’d love your help and support!
For more information about the CLMS PTO, check out our Facebook page by clicking the QR code:
Did you know that you can support CLMS using Box Tops even throughout the summer!?
Just download the app and you can support Clark Lane Middle School with purchases made in person or online. Visit https://www.boxtops4education.com/ to learn more and see a list of participating products. Thank you!
