The
Connection WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS As a school district , one of our most important responsibilities we have is to create schools and classrooms where students feel safe enough, valued enough, and known enough to share who they are. That does not mean every student needs to tell us everything. It means students experience school as a place where who they are matters.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: C e l e b rat i n g S t u d e nt Pe r fo r m a n c e
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Ac ad e m i c H i g h l i g ht s
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Ret i re e’s & Ye a rs of S e r v i c e
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W H S B ac k- to S c h o o l K i c k- of f
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S e n i o r S u n s et
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La n c e rs : A Ye a r i n Rev i ew
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M e et O u r N ew Ad m i n i s t rato rs
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D i g i t a l S afet y 8-9 I n s i g ht s fo r Pa re nt s I n t h e N ew s
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Wate r fo rd Wo n d e r
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I n n ovat i o n i n E d u c at i o n
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G re at N e c k G a rd e n
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Re ad i n g i n Fu l l C o l o r !
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Wate r fo rd : Th rou g h O u r Eye s
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W PS A rou n d t h e Wo r l d
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F A L L
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Every Student Has a Story. Every Story Matters. By: Thomas W.Giard III, Proud Superintendent of the Waterford Public Schools
In the Waterford Public Schools, we believe that belonging is the foundation of great schools. When students feel known, valued, and connected, they are more likely to engage deeply, take risks in their learning, build confidence, and see new possibilities for themselves. Last year, we focused on the idea that belonging is not a moment; it is a mindset. This year, we are building on that work through a simple but powerful theme: Every student has a story. Every story matters. This theme was introduced to all staff at our opening Convocation in August and will help guide our continued work to create schools where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired. Every student who walks through our doors brings a story with them. Some parts of that story are easy to see. Many parts are not. Students bring their families, cultures, languages, traditions, strengths, interests, worries, hopes, challenges, talents, and dreams. They bring experiences that shape how they see themselves, how they see school, and what they believe is possible. When we know the story, we see the student differently. When students know we care about their story, they begin to see themselves differently too. This connection is at the heart of belonging. It strengthens relationships, builds classroom community, supports engagement, and helps students develop the confidence to keep growing. This theme also connects directly to our district slogan: Excellence in Every School. Inspiring Every Child. Excellence is not only about strong academics, although academic growth and achievement remain central to our mission. Excellence is also about the daily experiences we create for students in every classroom, every school, and every program. Inspiring every child begins with knowing each child well enough to understand their strengths, interests, needs, and hopes for the future. Throughout this school year, our staff will continue to look for meaningful ways to know students well, listen to their voices, and create opportunities for them to see themselves in the life and learning of our schools. This may happen through classroom discussions, their writing, advisory activities, student leadership, the arts, athletics, clubs, family engagement, and the everyday conversations that help students feel seen and supported. Every student’s story is still being written. Our work is to help them believe in what comes next. Together with our families and the larger Waterford community, we will continue working to ensure that every child in the Waterford Public Schools feels known, valued, challenged, inspired, and prepared for life, learning, and work beyond school.
Every student has a story. Every story matters.
Why These Results Are Possible These results do not happen by chance. They are the product of focused work across every school, every grade level, and every department in Waterford Public Schools. Strong student outcomes are built over time through high expectations, effective instruction, meaningful relationships, careful use of data, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. Across the district, our Strategic Plan and our Vision of the Graduate continue to serve as the foundational pieces for our work. School growth plans are aligned to district priorities, and each school uses data dashboards to monitor progress in key areas such as academics, attendance, behavior, school climate, and student support. This allows our teachers, administrators, and support staff to look carefully at what students need, identify areas for growth, and adjust instruction and interventions in meaningful ways. At the center of this work is high-quality teaching and learning. Waterford’s academic program is built around the belief that students need strong content knowledge, but also the transferable skills necessary to succeed beyond school. Through our Vision of the Graduate, we are focused on helping students become effective communicators, information analysts, critical thinkers, self-directed learners, and responsible citizens. These skills are developed over time through thoughtful lesson design, meaningful student work, clear expectations, evidence-based feedback, and opportunities for students to apply their learning in authentic ways. Our teachers and school leaders work intentionally to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment so that students are not only learning important content, but also practicing the skills that prepare them for life, learning, and work beyond school. This includes the use of common rubrics, student work protocols, benchmark assessments, and ongoing analysis of student progress. These practices help educators better understand what students know, where they are growing, and what support or challenge they may need next. Professional learning also plays an important role in our continued progress. Waterford staff engage in ongoing learning connected to curriculum, instruction, assessment, student engagement, restorative practices, multilingual learners, technology, and school climate. This work helps ensure that strong practices are shared across the district and that our educators continue to grow together in service of students. Just as importantly, these results reflect the strength of the people in our schools. Teachers plan thoughtful lessons, analyze student progress, provide feedback, and support students when they struggle. Interventionists, counselors, social workers, psychologists, paraeducators, nurses, school leaders, and many others help create the conditions students need to learn and thrive. Families and community partners also play an important role by supporting students and staying connected to the work of our schools. Waterford’s academic results are a point of pride, but they are also a reflection of something deeper: a districtwide culture that values excellence, belonging, growth, and responsibility. We are proud of what our students continue to accomplish, and we remain committed to the daily work that makes those accomplishments possible.
The Connection
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Fall 2026
2026 Retirees James Miner
Thomas Thurlow
Director of Building and Grounds
Building and Grounds Supervisor
25 Years of Service with Waterford Public Schools
46 Years of Service with Waterford Public Schools
Ye ars of Service
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The Connection
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Fall 2026
Waterford High School Back-to-School Kick-off Events
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Ready, Set, Rodeo! Students and staff at Waterford High School gathered to celebrate the first day of school with line dancing, a lasso competition, cowboy boot toss, horseshoes, potato sack and hobby horse races, Cactus Spike Ball, cornhole, photo and bandana stations, snacks at our “Chuck Wagon,” and more! Students were encouraged to get into the rodeo spirit and dress for the occasion. A Best Dressed Contest was held, with two students earning prizes for showing off their best western-inspired look.
Waterford High School’s Senior Class kicked off the school year with a memorable trip to Brownstone. Organized by WHS staff, the event gave seniors an opportunity to connect, build camaraderie, and strengthen their leadership skills as they begin their final year of high school. The day set a positive tone for the year ahead and created lasting memories for the Class of 2027.
The Connection
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Fall 2026
Senior Sunrise
Starting the Final Chapter by the Waves The Class of 2027 gathered at the beach as the sun came up, marking the official kickoff to their senior year! With blankets and beach chairs, seniors watched the sunrise together to celebrate the beginning of the end of their high school journey.
Waterfor d Beach
ins! g e B r Yea Senior
Park
2026
Yesterday’s moments, tomorrow’s memories.
New Assistant Principal at Clark Lane Middle School Aaron Robarge is excited to begin his new role as Assistant Principal at Clark Lane Middle School. Aaron comes to this position with deep roots in the Waterford school community, having spent the last ten years as a music teacher in the district. Most recently, he served as Music Curriculum Leader and as a Teacher Leader within the school, helping guide both instruction and school culture. Before joining Waterford, Aaron taught for seven years in Simsbury, CT. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from LSU, a Master's degree in Music Education from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and a 6th Year Certificate from Southern Connecticut State University. In this new role, Aaron is looking forward to building on the positive results in student achievement at Clark Lane and fostering a strong sense of community among students. Aaron lives in town with his family, including two children who attend Waterford schools, so he brings both a professional and personal investment to this community. He loves getting to know the faculty and staff he works with — their stories, their goals, and what drives them — as well as building relationships with students and families.
New Special Education Supervisor Sarah Kozey is the Supervisor of Special Services for Waterford Public Schools and is happy to be part of the Waterford community. She brings more than a decade of experience in special education, having served as a special education teacher, PPT facilitator, and special education administrator across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Sarah is especially passionate about building strong relationships, making special education feel approachable and collaborative, and helping educators find meaningful ways to support students. She believes some of the best work happens when families and school teams feel heard, supported, and genuinely connected. Outside of work, Sarah lives in Lisbon with her husband, Zak, their daughter, Emily, and their dog, Ellie. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and is always on the lookout for a new coffee shop to try. As both an educator and a mom, Sarah values community, connection, and creating spaces where people feel like they belong. The Connection
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Fall 2026
Waterford Public Schools Excellence in Every School Inspiring Every Child
Issue 1 • Academic Year 2026–2027 SCREEN SMART: EMPOWERING PARENTS IN A CONNECTED WORLD
PARTNERING FOR STUDENT DIGITAL WELLBEING IN WATERFORD
App Spotlight:
📱 Roblox
At Waterford Public Schools, as technology becomes an integral part of how our students learn, create, and connect, ensuring their digital safety and wellbeing is a shared priority between our schools and families. This issue focuses on practical, age-appropriate digital safety strategies from PreK through Grade 12 to help guide healthy tech habits and safe online exploration at home.
Roblox is a global gaming platform where users play user-generated games. While creative, open chat and microtransactions require active parental oversight. ESRB Rating
🔗: T for Teen
Key Risks: Open chat lobbies, user-generated experiences, Robux purchases. Recommended Steps: Enable Allowed Experiences by age rating. Set messaging permissions to "Friends Only". Require a PIN for all Robux purchases.
Family Tech Action Checklist Use this quickchecklisttohelpestablishsimple,practicalhabitsthatkeepyourchildsafeand connected.
1. Overnight Station Move all device chargers out of bedrooms into a central family location (e.g., kitchen) at night. The Connection
2. Audit Location Settings Check your child's phone/tablet and disable "Always On" location permissions for non-essential apps. Page 8
3. Family Agreement Sit down together to establish clear, agreed-upon screenfree hours (e.g., family dinners and homework). Fall 2026
Tech Tactics for Every Age & Stage HEREYOU’LLFINDPRACTICAL GUIDELINES AND SIMPLE CONVERSATION PROMPTS TO HELP NAVIGATE DIGITAL LIFE WITH YOUR CHILD, FROM PREK THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
PreK-Grade 2
Grades 3-5
FOUNDATION STAGE
Guided Independence & Gaming Safety
Building Strong Digital Foundations Primary Focus: Co-viewing, healthy routines, and supervised exploration.
Primary Focus:In-gameinteractions,screenbalance,anddigital kindness.
Co-View & Play Together: Treat screen time like storytime. Sit with your child, ask questions, and turn media consumption into a shared experience. Keep Devices in Shared Spaces: Establish a household rule that tablets and phones are only used in common family areas like the living room or kitchen. Set Up Safe Search: Ensure YouTube Kids is configured to "Approved Content Only" and search filters are active on all home devices.
💡 DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION STARTER
💡
Grade 9-12
SOCIAL GUARDRAILS
FUTURE READINESS
Digital Footprint, AI & Future Readiness
Social Dynamics & Privacy Guardrails Primary Focus:Socialmediatransitions,peerpressure,and overnight routines.
Primary Focus:Reputationmanagement,criticalthinking,and transition to adulthood.
Establish an Overnight Curfew: Collect all phones, tablets, and gaming equipment at a central charging station outside bedrooms at least 1 hour before bedtime. Audit Profile Privacy: Regularly check that your tween's profiles on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, or Discord are set to Private and location sharing is turned off. Discuss Digital Bullying: Teach your child how to block users, take screenshots of harmful interactions, and report inappropriate behavior to a trusted adult.
💡 DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION STARTER
Understand the Digital Footprint: Remind teens that posts, comments, and photos shared today can be reviewed by college admissions officers, athletic recruiters, and employers. Spot Scams & Phishing: Talk openly about online safety risks, including fake promotional links, identity theft, and suspicious direct messages from unknown accounts. AI & Misinformation Awareness: Encourage teens to critically evaluate online content, verify sources before sharing, and recognize synthetic media/deepfakes.
💡 DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION STARTER
"Haveyouseenanythingonline lately thatmadeyou feel uncomfortable or stressed? How did you handle it?" The Connection
Check In-Game Privacy Settings: Ensure open voice and text chat features are turned off or restricted to real-life friends only. Talk About Online Kindness: Help children understand that words typed into a game chat affect real people's feelings just as much as words spoken on the playground. Use Family Controls: Enable Google Family Link or Apple Family Sharing to require parent approval before any new app or game can be downloaded.
DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION STARTER "Can you show me who you play withonlineinyour favorite game and how you talk to each other?"
"What was yourfavoritegameorvideotoday,and what made it fun?"
Grades 6-8
GUIDED INDEPENDENCE
"If a friendsentyousomethingsuspicious orsharedsomething inappropriate online, how would you help them fix it?"
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Fall 2026
The Patch, September 9, 2026
The Waterford Board of Education, at the September 24, 2026 Board of Education meeting, had the honor of recognizing Oswegatchie Elementary School’s fifth grade student Hebe Chen as a Waterford Wonder. Hebe was selected for this award based on her leadership, kindness, and Oswegatchie Elementary School academic commitment. Principal Joe Macrino noted “One of my favorite moments of every school day is being greeted by Hebe Chen when she gets off the bus. After making sure her brother is safe and headed where he needs to go, she always takes a moment to share something interesting with me about her life. And what an interesting life she is leading! Hebe is an exceptional member of the Oswegatchie community. She is a talented visual artist who works in multiple mediums, a skilled musician, and a hardworking and intelligent student. When she is not at Oswegatchie, she continues to learn, grow, and contribute when she is attending Chinese school and helping her family at their restaurant. Above all, Hebe exudes a contagious kindness. She looks out for the underdog, and I am especially proud of the way she advocates for herself and her friends when she needs to. Hebe, the world is yours. I know you will help make it a better place because of your heart, your mind, and your soul. Congratulations on being Oswegatchie Elementary School's Waterford Wonder!”
The Connection
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Fall 2026
Connecting Learning to the Real World at Oswegatchie School Confucius's relevance has not waned despite the passing of time: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." At Oswegatchie Elementary School, we want students to see a reason for what they are learning. Play continues to be an important part of learning, particularly in our youngest grades, but as students get older, we are putting an increasing focus on inquiry, hands on experiences, and real world connections. This year, we are excited to partner with Electric Boat to bring science and skill based learning into our classrooms. Students will have opportunities to work with people from a local industry and explore the kinds of skills that are used in engineering, design, manufacturing, and problem solving. We want students to experience these ideas rather than simply read about them. This partnership also gives us an opportunity to connect the work happening at Oswegatchie with the manufacturing initiatives at Waterford High School. Our students will eventually have access to programs and pathways at the high school that are connected to these same skills. We can begin building that foundation now by giving elementary students opportunities to design, build, investigate, collaborate, and figure things out for themselves. For our youngest students, purposeful play provides many of these same experiences. Building, creating, pretending, and solving problems give children an early opportunity to develop the skills they will need as learners. Our goal is to create a clear progression from purposeful play in the early grades to inquiry and hands-on learning in the upper grades and eventually to the career and manufacturing opportunities available to our students at Waterford High School. We want students to leave Oswegatchie curious about how things work, confident in their ability to solve problems, and able to see a connection between what they learn in school and the world around them.
The Connection
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Fall 2026
Great Neck Students Bring the Garden to Life! Students at Great Neck Elementary School have been busy from September through October harvesting the crops they planted in the school garden last spring. This hands-on experience has given students the opportunity to see their hard work come full circle—from planting and caring for their crops to harvesting fresh vegetables and enjoying them in meals prepared by our school cafeteria. Each grade has contributed to this year’s harvest. Our first graders harvested 32 pounds of red and gold potatoes, which were roasted and enjoyed by students. Second graders picked fresh carrots that were used to make a delicious soup. Third graders harvested an impressive 42 pounds of sweet potatoes, which are currently curing before being featured in an upcoming recipe. Our fourth graders harvested leeks that will be used to make leek and potato soup, while our fifth graders picked 80 peppers and 20 tomatoes for fresh salads. Our kindergarten students also played an important role by planting garlic that will be harvested next year, giving them the opportunity to experience the full growing cycle from planting to harvest. The school garden is much more than a place to grow vegetables. Through this hands-on experience, students are learning about living things, plant structures and functions, measurement, and where their food comes from. Most importantly, they are developing an appreciation for fresh, locally grown foods and discovering the joy of gardening. A special thank-you to Marcia Benvenuti, our volunteer garden coordinator, for her continued dedication to making this wonderful learning experience possible for our students! Mrs. Benvenuti works to secure grants and donations that keep the garden growing. Thank you also to the Great Neck PTA for its annual donation to the garden project, and, of course, a big thank-you to our parent volunteers for assisting with lessons and garden maintenance. Great Neck appreciates you!
QUAKER HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE • SEPTEMBER 2026
Reading accomplishments turned into a colorful celebration at Quaker Hill Elementary School this September! More than 110 students successfully completed the school’s annual Summer Reading Challenge and earned the opportunity to participate in a special color run. As Quaker Hill staff members ran by, students enthusiastically showered them with colorful powder, creating plenty of laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories. It was a fun—and wonderfully messy—way to celebrate students’ dedication to reading throughout the summer! QH staff after the colorful celebration The Connection
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Fall 2026
WPS: Excellence in Action There are many great things happening across Waterford Public Schools, and our podcast, WPS: Excellence in Action, gives us another way to share those stories with our families and community. Each episode takes listeners behind the scenes to learn more about the people, programs, and work taking place throughout our district. Past topics have included student leadership, school safety, the budget process, online safety, Dining Services, school-based health centers, and even what goes into making a snow-day decision. WPS: Excellence in Action is available free on Spotify. Simply search WPS: Excellence in Action and join us as we continue finding new ways to tell the story of Waterford Public Schools.
Great Neck
hie Oswegatc
WHS
Waterford: Through Our Eyes Artwork by Waterford Art Students 1st and 2nd Floor of Town Hall September 15th -December17th
Quaker Hill
WHS WHS The Connection
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Fall 2026
Waterford Public Schools Deb Roselli Kelly, Board of Education Chairperson Thomas W. Giard III, Superintendent 15 Rope Ferry Road Waterford , CT 06385 Phone: 860-444-5852 Fax: 860-444-5870 Contact: Lindsay Ray-Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent E-mail: lray@waterfordschools.org
BOE meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month. For the complete schedule of meetings, go to the BOE section of the WPS Website.
Waterford Public Schools is a community of learners that fosters and supports high aspirations, ensuring every student acquires the skills and knowledge necessary to be a responsible citizen, prepared to contribute and succeed in an ever-changing world.
The Connection
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Fall 2026
EXPLORE OUR SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY Stay informed about the learning, opportunities, and events that make Waterford a great place to grow.