Quaker Hill Elementary Newsletter

Quaker

Hill Elementary School

Christopher Discordia, Principal cdiscordia@waterfordschools.org

Enjoy your summer, Quaker Hill families and staff!!!

Information for Families Regarding Student Devices During the Summer 2025 (Students

Entering Grades 5 - 12)

As we approach summer, the WPS IT Team and Technology Specialists would like to provide you with information regarding your child’s school issued device. Please note: All students entering grades 5-12 will be keeping their device at home for the summer.

For all our students entering grades 5-12 that received a school-issued Chromebook, the Chromebook will stay with your child for the next few years until the device is ready to be replaced. Students will be keeping their Chromebook throughout the summer.

All graduating seniors at WHS must return their Chromebook prior to graduation.

Information about collection will be communicated in the next few weeks.

Rising Grade 4 students will be issued a Chromebook in September.

If you purchased device protection through the MySchoolBucks portal during the 2024-25 school year, the Chromebook is still covered for accidental damages until the beginning of the next school year, provided you still have remaining claims available.

Families will be given the option to purchase WPS Student Device Protection for the 2025-26 school year beginning in August. Be on the lookout for district communications. All families are strongly encouraged to purchase WPS Student Device Protection.

It is important to remember that these devices are the property of Waterford Public Schools and should only be used by the student it was issued to, for educational purposes only.

The district will be allowing parents to control school-issued Chromebooks during daytime hours for the summer through Securly Home. See district One-to-One Program website for further information.

It is important to note that even during the summer months, your child’s school-issued device is still monitored by the district’s filtering and monitoring system.

School issued Chromebooks are tools used in the classroom and at home. We recognize many students participate and engage in various learning activities through the summer and want them to have a device to use as needed. Our Tech Team has created a “Summer Sites” folder that will be available on all student ClassLink launchpads. This folder will contain sites that are appropriate for summer use.

Students and Parents,

Elementary Digital Resources for the Summer (Grades PreK-3)

We have made accessing all digital resources over the summer super easy for your child on personal computers, Chromebooks and mobile devices! All sites/programs should be accessed through our single sign-on launchpad called ClassLink (directions on how to access ClassLink available on the WPS district Technology site) Students have been using this in school all year to access everything they need in one place. You will see that a new folder called “Summer Sites” has been created on the launchpad. It contains educational sites that we know are safe for students to use and will enhance their learning. While we want students engaging in outdoor summer activities with family and friends, we are providing a resource for them to use on those rainy days when screens may come out! Please encourage your child to use the resources we have made available for them Below is a list of these resources and a short description of each.

Read for Enjoyment & Information

Kids A-Z (Grades 2-3)- This program is used in our district to provide meaningful online reading practice on computers and mobile devices with hundreds of leveled books and corresponding quizzes (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers - Take a virtual ﬁeld trip to the San Diego Zoo, where young people can learn fun facts and watch fun videos about animals.

Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids - The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids website is an amazing free educational resource where students of all ages can learn about animals, the weather, gardening, phases of the moon, and more

Learn with Smithsonian - Entertaining activities, games, and fun stuff to do online from the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, and zoo.

Storyline Online - Does your child enjoy having stories read to them? If so, you might check out the free reading website Storyline Online. Story Online has books for children from Pre-K to 4th grade that are read out loud by famous actors and actresses

Highlights for Kids - digital version of the well-known children's magazine. Kids can explore a range of topics by reading, listening to stories, drawing, watching and recording videos, and completing puzzles.

Play to Learn

ABCYa - ABCya is a fun educational website for children in pre-K all the way through the 6th grade

The site is categorized by age group and there are math, reading, word, skill, seasonal, and strategy games available for each grade level (Not accessible for free on mobile devices only)

Sesame Street - Preschool games, videos and coloring pages.

PBS Kids - PBS Kids provides kids and their parents with a wealth of free early learning games, activities and videos from some of their favorite PBS TV shows

Starfall - Starfall is an early learning website featuring interactives, games, songs, and supporting resources for reading and math.

Greg Tang Math - All of the math games on this site have been carefully designed and tested to maximize learning and fun. Games focus on number bonds - also called fact families - and use multiple representations to model numbers, ten frames, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, identifying and forming equations, money, fractions, measurement and conversions, composing and decomposing numbers, and more Each activity targets an important strategy, skill or standard, and provides hours of independent practice for students at school or at home.

Mrs McCue’s Teacher Page- Access any favorites from my teacher page :-) Don’t forget the Coding Library activities there! (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

Watch Something Great

BrainPOP - Short, fun learning videos on all kinds of topics. (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink) *Available only until the end of July

National Geographic Kids - Does your student love learning fun facts about animals, the human body, and the world around them? Then the National Geographic Kids website is for them!

NASA Kids Club - NASA provides a safe place for children to play as they learn about NASA and its missions On this site, you will ﬁnd games of various skill levels for children pre-K through grade 4 These games support national education standards in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Brush Up on Your Skills

Typing.com - Typing practice and tutorials to help improve keyboarding skills. (Located on main ClassLink launchpad)

Spellie - Spellie is a daily word puzzle game for young spellers. There are 3 daily puzzles of increasing difﬁculty The easy puzzle uses short words within the Grade 2 vocabulary The hard mode is challenging, but uses words within the Grade 5 vocabulary.

Wordle for Kids - This edition of Wordle contains a dictionary of words for children up to 8th grade and has a word length from 3 to 11 letters! This game will be very useful for developing memory and logical thinking skills in children.

StudyJams by Scholastic - Study Jams is a multimedia free educational website with more than 200 interactive lessons in math and science

Create Something Amazing

Bookcreator - Create a digital book about any summer adventures you take! Join Mrs McCue’s “Summer of 2025 Creations” library. I look forward to seeing what exciting things you shared about your summer. (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

Remember to click on the three lines and choose “Join a Library” and then use this library code to join! Mrs. McCue created a book you will see in that library that will give you some ideas of what you could share! :-)

Note: Some sites may not work properly on a mobile device.

How Can I Use My School-issued Chromebook This Summer?

(For Rising 5th and 6th Graders)

Students and Parents,

We have made accessing all digital resources over the summer super easy for your child! All sites/programs should be accessed through our single sign-on launchpad called ClassLink. Students have been using this in school all year to access everything they need in one place You will see that a new folder called “Summer Sites” has been created on the launchpad. It contains educational sites that we know are safe for students to use and will enhance their learning. While we want students engaging in outdoor summer activities with family and friends, we are providing a resource for them to use on those rainy days when screens may come out! Please encourage your child to use the resources we have made available for them Below is a list of these resources and a short description of each.

Read for Enjoyment & Information

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers - Take a virtual ﬁeld trip to the San Diego Zoo, where young people can learn fun facts and watch fun videos about animals.

Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids - The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids website is an amazing free educational resource where students of all ages can learn about animals, the weather, gardening, phases of the moon, and more

Learn with Smithsonian - Entertaining activities, games, and fun stuff to do online from the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, and zoo.

Storyline Online - Does your child enjoy having stories read to them? If so, you might check out the free reading website Storyline Online. Story Online has books for children from Pre-K to 4th grade that are read out loud by famous actors and actresses

Wonderopolis - Wonderopolis is an informational site that helps kids ask and answer interesting questions about the world Every day, a new "Wonder of the Day" question is posted -- each designed to get kids to think, talk, and ﬁnd learning moments together in everyday life.

Highlights for Kids - digital version of the well-known children's magazine. Kids can explore a range of topics by reading, listening to stories, drawing, watching and recording videos, and completing puzzles.

Play to Learn

ABCYa - ABCya is a fun educational website for children in pre-K all the way through the 6th grade. The site is categorized by age group and there are math, reading, word, skill, seasonal, and strategy games available for each grade level

Sesame Street - Preschool games, videos and coloring pages.

PBS Kids - PBS Kids provides kids and their parents with a wealth of free early learning games, activities and videos from some of their favorite PBS TV shows

Starfall - Starfall is an early learning website featuring interactives, games, songs, and supporting resources for reading and math.

Greg Tang Math - All of the math games on this site have been carefully designed and tested to maximize learning and fun. Games focus on number bonds - also called fact families - and use multiple representations to model numbers, ten frames, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, identifying and forming equations, money, fractions, measurement and conversions, composing and decomposing numbers, and more. Each activity targets an important strategy, skill or standard, and provides hours of independent practice for students at school or at home. (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

Mrs McCue’s Teacher Page- Access any favorites from my teacher page :-) Don’t forget the Coding Library activities there! (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

Watch Something Great

BrainPOP - Short, fun learning videos on all kinds of topics. Continued access through ClassLink. (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink) *Access available until the end of July

National Geographic Kids - Does your student love learning fun facts about animals, the human body, and the world around them? Then the National Geographic Kids website is for them!

NASA Kids Club - NASA provides a safe place for children to play as they learn about NASA and its missions On this site, you will ﬁnd games of various skill levels for children pre-K through grade 4 These games support national education standards in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Brush Up on Your Skills

Typing.com - Typing practice and tutorials to help improve keyboarding skills. (Located on main ClassLink launchpad).

Spellie - Spellie is a daily word puzzle game for young spellers. There are 3 daily puzzles of increasing difﬁculty The easy puzzle uses short words within the Grade 2 vocabulary The hard mode is challenging, but uses words within the Grade 5 vocabulary.

Wordle for Kids - This edition of Wordle contains a dictionary of words for children up to 8th grade and has a word length from 3 to 11 letters! This game will be very useful for developing memory and logical thinking skills in children.

StudyJams by Scholastic - Study Jams is a multimedia free educational website with more than 200 interactive lessons in math and science.

Create Something Amazing

Bookcreator - Create a digital book about any summer adventures you take! Join Mrs McCue’s “Summer of 2025 Creations” library. I look forward to seeing what exciting things you shared about your summer. (Located outside of “Summer Sites” folder in ClassLink)

Remember to click on the three lines and choose “Join a Library” and then use this library code to join! Mrs. McCue created a book you will see in that library that will give you some ideas of what you could share! :-)

Discover your summer at a GSOFCT Summer Camp!

Imagine your summer full of new friends, new skills, and new stories to share! You’ll arrive at camp to find a new adventure every day: building campfires, swimming and boating, going on hikes, getting creative, and challenging your mind with a science experiment now and then. Get excited to discover your summer!

You have four day camps and one sleep away camp to choose from - the opportunity to make this a summer you’ll never forget. Speak to an adult to help find the right camp for you.

Get to know our Day Camps!

Camp An-Se-Ox (Oxford)

Camp Aspetuck (Weston)

Camp Clatter Valley (New Milford)

Camp Merrie-Wood

CAMP GIRL SCOUTS

Camp Laurel (Lebanon)

Girls in grades 2-12 are welcome! Are you looking for a sleepaway camp that challenges you not only physically, but mentally? Laurel Sleep Away Camp is perfect for you. Not only do we provide great traditional camp activities, but learning adventures where everyone can connect with the beauty of nature around you.

CAMP DASH IS BACK!

June23rdtoAugust8th|Monday-Friday OswegatchieandQuakerHillElementarySchools

WEEK1|WACKYWATER

JUNE23-27

WEEK2|HOLIDAYWEEK

JUNE30-JULY2

WEEK3|CAMPCARNIVAL

JULY7-11

WEEK4|SPLASHN’DASH

JULY14-18

WEEK5|ALLSTARSPORTS

JULY21-25

WEEK6|SUPERSOAKERS

JULY28-AUGUST1

WEEK7|CAMPSPIRIT

AUGUST4-8

CampDASHisanunforgettablesummerexperience where lifelong memories are made! Campers participate in daily specials consisting of fun crafts, outside activities, arts, sports, music and extra special fun like, ice cream trucks, DJ dance parties, science,guestvisitors,beachtrips,pizza,andmore!

AGE GROUPS BY GRADE

PRICING OPTIONS

REG Care 8:45 am - 3:15 pm

$197 Per Week

EXT Care 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

$297 Per Week Full Day Care*

$180 Per Week Summer Academy After Care**

Care 12 pm - 3:15 pm $125 Per Week

Care 12 pm - 5:30 pm

Art Camps

Wee Faerie Camp

For Grades K—3 June 16–18; July 1–3

Art Colony Camp

For students entering Grades 1—3: July 7–11; July 14–18

For students entering Grades 4-6: July 21–25; July 28–August 1; August 4–8

Intensive Camp for Middle Schoolers

For Students entering Grades 6–8 June 23–27

All camps are held from 10am to 3pm (early drop-off available at 9am) and include art-making materials, daily snacks, and a t-shirt.

To learn more and sign up, scan below

Living Dragons with Riverside Reptiles Education Center Thursday, August 14, 2:30PM - 3:30PM Dragons?! No, not real dragons - lizards! Meet many different species of lizards: geckos that can climb glass, skinks with bright blue tongues, a legless lizard, a cousin of the Komodo Dragon, and a snake - with claws?! Meet these and many more as we venture into the realm of living dragons. Ages 4 and up, registration required.

Magic Show with Ed Pop

Tuesday, August 19, 2:30PM - 3:30PM

Join us for an end of summer Magic Show with Ed Popielarczyk, a professional magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster, and storyteller who has been entertaining children and family audiences for over 40 years! This interactive comedic show relies on audience participation and will have kids and adults alike rolling in laughter. Ages 3 and up.

Saturday, August 9

9:00AM - 12:00PM

Petting Zoo on the library's lawn before the annual WATERFORD DAY PARADE, which steps off at 11:00 am.

Join us for a back to school party where you can snack on some ice cream sandwiches and meet the School Resource Officers (SROs) for the Waterford Public Schools. Officer Fredricks, Hodges, and the rest of the SRO crew will be here so you can say hi and ask any questions about your school. For kids going into kindergarten and up.

Thank you to M&T Bank for helping us fund our summer reading program!

Visit the Calendar of Events on our website for a full list of programs. www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

@waterfordpubliclibrary @waterfordlibraryct

Summer Reading

Kickoff event is Saturday, June 14th! 11:00am - 1:00pm All ages, no registration required.

2025 Children’s Summer Reading at the Waterford Public Library!

Children and teens can sign up from June 14th to August 25th to track their reading and complete our interactive activity sheet to win a free book and prizes! Readers can easily log their progress using the free READSquared app or stick to the paper activity sheet - you choose!

Visit the library website for details and a full calendar of programs. Take a look inside for some fun summer highlights!

No registration is required for programs, unless specified.

860-444-5805

Grab & Go Crafts:

July 7th to August 1st: Sailboat

August 2nd to August 30th : Cactus

Stop by the Children's Room to pick up supplies to make crafts at home! Available while supplies last.

Nutrition with Natalie

Tuesday, July 8, 5:00PM - 6:00PM

The Zen Zone

Toddler Programs: 11:00AM - 12:00PM

Friday, July 25: Tape Town

Little ones can explore roads made of colorful tape with plenty of room for imagination and pretend play. Bring your own toy cars or vehicles and drive through our playful town built just for toddlers! Ages 2 to 5.

Friday, August 8: "Drive-in" Movie

Toddlers will use their creativity to transform a cardboard box into a car that they will then get to watch a movie in. Please bring a large cardboard box if you have one available. The rest of the materials will be provided. Ages 2 to 5, registration required.

Drop In STEM Adventures: 4:00PM - 6:30PM Ages 6 and up.

Monday, July 28: DIY Marble Run Adventure

Monday, August 4: Roll with It: Make Your Own Dice

Book Clubs

Bring a book that fits the theme to share with the group then enjoy a fun activity. Ages 6 to 11.

'Level Up: The Book Quest' Book Club

Monday, July 21, 5:00PM – 6:00PM

'Classroom Tales' Book Club

Monday, August 18, 5:00PM – 6:00PM

Boardgame Bonanza

Tuesday, July 29, 1:00PM – 6:00PM

Tuesday, August 26, 1:00PM – 6:00PM

Stop by the meeting room anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 pm to hang out with family and friends and play some boardgames. Ages 4 and up.

It's time to level up your nutrition with Ms. Natalie! Join us for an interactive session where participants will learn all about making healthier choices and have the chance to make their own delicious and nutritious snack. Ages 6 and up, registration required.

Puzzle Mania with John Lehet

Friday, July 11, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Drop into the library meeting room between 2:00 and 4:00 pm to try your hand at traditional jigsaw puzzles, 3D puzzles, and other unique brain teasers. Ages 4 and up.

STEMcation with UNH

Tuesday, July 15, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Wednesday, August 6, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Join Dr. Huan Gu, a chemical and biomedical engineering researcher at the University of New Haven, for an engaging STEM program exploring how scientists and engineers are using cutting-edge biomaterials to solve realworld problems caused by biofilm corrosion. Drop into the meeting room anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 pm for hands-on activities and demos. Ages 6 and up.

Innovative Animal Adaptations

with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

Wednesday, July 16, 2:30PM - 3:30PM

Discover the world of biomimicry and learn about human inventions inspired by wildlife through hands-on activities. Meet DPNC ambassador animals and observe their innovative adaptations! Ages 4 and up.

Energy

in Action

Tuesday, July 22, 4:00PM - 6:00PM

We are getting a visit from the EnergizeCT Energy in Action Mobile Interactive Exhibit! Stop by the library parking lot anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm for an interactive mobile learning experience. All ages.

Art with Lyman Allyn

Tuesday, August 12, 2:00PM - 3:00PM Each participant will create their own masterpiece to take home. Ages 6 and up, registration required.

Monday, July 14, 4:00PM - 6:30PM

Monday, August 11, 4:00PM - 6:30PM

Unplug and unwind this summer with a mix of calming puzzles, laid-back board games, and mindful activities. Whether you want to explore new games, level up your skills, socialize, or enjoy some quiet, mindful time, this is your space. Ages 10 and up.

Read to a Dog! All ages

Read to Hodges: Tuesday, July 1 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Read to Scout:

Saturday, July 12 & August 23 10:00AM - 11:00AM

Family Movie Matinee: 2:30PM

Friday, July 18: Inside Out 2 (2024, 100 mins, PG)

Friday, August 15: A Minecraft Movie (2025, 101 mins, PG)

BenAnna Band Performance

Monday, August 4, 10:30AM

The amazing BenAnna Band is back! Get your dancing shoes on and join us for an energetic and inclusive family friendly performance from this popular duo. All ages welcome.

Family Storytime: 10:30AM - 11:00AM

Mondays July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 11, 18, 25

Join Ms. Jenna at the library for some fun stories, songs, and dancing. Ages birth to 5.

Raising Backyard Chickens

Thursday, August 14, 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Learn how to choose and care for the chickens, select and build the coop, and learn the local laws. For adults and children ages 10+. Our presenter is Indu Upadhyaya, DVM, MVSc., Ph.D., Food Safety Assistant Extension Educator, UConn Extension. Registration is recommended.

TEEN CORNER

Teen Craft Night: Shrinky Dink Spectacular!

Wednesday, July 9, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

We are having a Shrinky Dink night! Teens can use templates or draw their own designs to bake down into keychains. All materials will be provided. Ages 11 to 18. Registration required.

Teen Minute to Win It Game Night

Wednesday, August 13, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Compete among your friends in our Minute to Win It challenges! Ages 14 to 18.

Teen Drop In Craft: Summerween

Wednesday, August 20, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Intro to Tabletop Role-playing Games

Wednesday, July 23, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

(This session is for ages 10 -14)

Wednesday, August 6, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

(This session is for ages 14-18)

Join Miss Ashlee to learn how to play a micro tabletop role-playing game! Players will learn the basic format of RPG and play through one game. No experience necessary. Registration required. *If you register and are no longer able to attend, please be sure to call and cancel, as games need a specific amount of players to function.*

Can't wait for Halloween? We have you covered! Stop in to the Teen Section to make a "Summerween" craft. All materials will be provided. Ages 11 to 18.

Mondays, June 2, 16, 23, & 30, 10:30AM - 11:00AM

Family Storytime

Ages birth to 5, no registration required.

Saturday, June 9, 10:30AM - 11:15AM

Special Musical Storytime with Hilarie Samei Ages birth to 5, no registration required.

Monday, June 16, 4:00PM - 6:30PM

Drop in Craft: Growing Flower Fun Ages 6 to 11, no registration required.

Tuesday, June 17, 1:00PM – 6:00PM

Boardgame Bonanza Ages 4 and up, no registration required.

Friday, June 20, 11:00AM - 12:00PM

Toddler Craft: Tropical Fruit Fun Ages 3 to 5, no registration required.

Friday, June 20, 2:30PM

Family Movie Matinee

Moana 2 (2024, 100 minutes, rated PG)

All ages, no registration required.

Saturday, June 21, 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Read to Scout

All ages, no registration required.

Saturday, June 21, 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Make Music Day

Join us for a performance by Ukuleles by The Sea. All ages, no registration required.

Monday, June 23, 10:00AM - 11:30AM IN PERSON

Coffee With a Cop

All ages, no registration required.

Monday, June 23, 4:00PM - 6:30PM

Drop In STEM Adventure: Flapping Butterfly Ages 5 and up, no registration required.

Tuesday, June 24, 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Art with Lyman Allyn Ages 6 and up, registration required.

Tuesday, June 24, 4:00PM - 5:00PM ONLINE

Virtual Author Talk with Katherine Applegate For ages K-12; registration required.

Friday, June 27, 11:00AM - 11:45AM

Toddler Story and Sensory Play

Ages 2 to 5, no registration required.

JUNE PROGRAMS Children & Teens

Monday, June 30, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

STEMcation with UNH

Drop in for hands-on and demo-based science activities with Dr. Huan Gu from the University of New Haven. Ages 6 and up, no registration required.

Monday, June 30, 5:00PM – 6:00PM 'Summer Adventures' Book Club

Ages 6 to 11, no registration required.

GRAB & GO CRAFT:

Saturday, June 7th to Thursday, July 3rd Bear

(While supplies last)

All programs are free and open to the public. Access our online event calendar for more information and to register.

FEATURED PROGRAMS:

Saturday, June 14, 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Summer Reading Kickoff Event!

It's time to Level Up at your library! Join us for our 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff event. Stop by anytime between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm for crafts, games, activities, and to sign up for our Summer Reading Challenge. Our friends from Xen's Critters will be here with their petting zoo and Bring the Hoopla will be here with their Hooping Zone. All ages welcome, no registration required.

Thank you to M&T Bank for helping us fund our summer reading program!

Wednesday, June 25, 10:30AM - 12:00PM IN PERSON

Fire Safety Touch-a-Truck

Join us for an exciting Fire Safety Event with all kinds of emergency vehicles and an interactive inflatable house from the Waterford Fire Department. All ages are welcome, no registration required. This event will take place in the front parking lot and lawn of the library.

Thursday, June 5, 5:30PM7:00PM

TEEN CORNER

Pride Craft Drop In Drop in to the Teen Area of the library to make a bracelet or keychain and celebrate your pride! All materials provided. Ages 12 and up. No registration required!