DOOLITTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LEARNING TOGETHER WITH PRIDE

Student/Parent Handbook 2011-2012

Phone: 203-272-3549 Fax: 203-272-0546

www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/doolittle

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Doolittle School is a learning community where staff, students, and parents work cooperatively and productively. With the goal of developing each child to his or her full potential, a wide range of opportunities for learning are provided in an atmosphere which fosters self-confidence and expects responsibility. Doolittle School is committed to preparing our students to become independent learners and productive members of the school community, as well as the world around them. We encourage you to communicate regularly with the teaching staff about your child’s program and progress. Open communication is an important ingredient in our success. We appreciate our supportive Parent Teacher Association, which serves as a vehicle for parents to become involved in activities to assist the school. We hope that each of you will become involved as an active partner in your child’s education. Education at Doolittle School is a community effort. Sincerely, Sharon Weirsman, Principal Kelly Grillo, Assistant Principal

IMPORTANT!

Please SIGN AND RETURN this page to the Doolittle School office to signify that you and your child have read and understand the contents of this handbook. Thank you. Parent name: _____________________________________________ (Please print) Parent signature: _____________________________________________ Student name: _____________________________________________ (Please print) Student signature: ____________________________________________

PLEASE:

� TEAR OUT THIS SHEET

� SIGN REVERSE SIDE

� RETURN SIGNED SHEET TO DOOLITTLE

THANK YOU!

SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Arrival, Dismissal, Attendance, Absence

School hours are 8:05 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. Students should not arrive earlier than five minutes prior to the start of school, when supervision begins.

Connecticut State law requires parents to cause their children to attend school regularly. Principals supervise the maintenance of attendance records to monitor absence and tardiness. Parents will be notified in writing if the number of absences or tardies accrued by a student is believed to detract from the student’s progress in school.

Please inform the office before 8:30 if your child is going to be absent from school. A message may be left on our answering machine outside of school hours. All absences should be reported to 203-272-3549.

Upon return from an absence, a note should be sent to the school explaining his or her absence.

Written permission is required for leaving school early or going home by means other than the usual one. Because notes are filed in the office, please write first and last name on all notes.

Parents arriving at school to pick up a child are required to sign the child out in the office. Please do not go to your child’s classroom; office personnel will call your child to the office for dismissal. The following is part of the Cheshire School Board’s policy regarding visitors at school: “All visitors to the Cheshire Schools are required to check in at the main office of the school which they are visiting and must receive authorization before visiting the school proper. Only those persons having legitimate business in the school shall receive such authorization.”

Children being driven to school are to be dropped off only at the Oak Avenue entrance drop-off area. Children picked up at the end of the day will be dismissed to the Oak Avenue pick-up area.

No School, Late Opening, Early Dismissal Information

On days with inclement weather, the best source of information regarding possible early dismissal or cancellations is one of the local stations listed below:

WTIC - Hartford 1080 AM, 96.5 FM WELI - New Haven 960 AM WATR - Waterbury 1320 AM WDRC - Bloomfield 1360 AM, 102.9 FM KC101 - North Haven 101.3 FM WRCH - Farmington 100.5 FM

Unscheduled early dismissals are noted on the district website, www.cheshire.k12.ct.us. You may also call for a recorded announcement at 203-250-2410 after 6:30 a.m. Be sure to take advantage of the notification via text or email from WTNH.com and NBCConnecticut.com.

DO NOT CALL THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE SCHOOL, OR THE REGULAR POLICE STATION NUMBER.

The PTA Emergency Phone Tree is used only in the event of a NON-WEATHER RELATED UNSCHEDULED early dismissal

Lost and Found The Lost and Found bin is located across the hall in the cafeteria. Please ask your child to check the bin for any items that he or she may be missing. Labeling you child’s belongings with his or her name will assist in their return. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity in June and December.

Party Invitations All party invitations must be handled at home. Invitations may not be distributed at school. The office cannot disclose the names or addresses of classmates at any time.

Change of Address or Phone If there is a change in your residence, phone or other information necessary to reach you in case of emergency, please change it in PowerSchool and inform the school office immediately.

Hot Lunch and Milk Parents may deposit money in a lunch account to be used during the course of the year. Deposits may be made at the cafeteria any day from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students may use cash to purchase lunch at any time. Hot lunch is $2.40 per day. Milk may be purchased for $.70. Children may also bring their own lunch. Please see the Cheshire Public Schools website for a link to Food and Nutrition for further information. www.cheshire.k12.ct.us

Snacks and Classroom Parties Parents are encouraged to send healthy foods for snacks and classroom parties. Fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks are preferred at all times, as reflected in the CPS BOE policies. Please adhere to any notifications you received regarding allergies in your child’s classroom. Photographing Students From time to time, photographs or videos are taken of classrooms ‘in action’ to demonstrate a particular aspect of a curriculum or the implementation of a specific program. These photographs or videos are sometimes used in a presentation to the Board of Education, teachers, parent groups and community groups. On occasion, photographs of students are placed in newspapers concerning events at school. If you object to a photograph or video of your child used in the manner described, please contact your building principal in writing to make him or her aware of your preference.

Appropriate Dress Required Students are asked to dress appropriately for the school environment. Footwear should be safe and adequate for recess and physical education, which are often outdoors. Flip-flops and sandals are not considered safe footwear. Parents are encouraged to note the weather and provide appropriate jackets, hats, etc. based on predictions.

School Office Hours The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The school building is closed for all business at 3:30 p.m. We ask that parents and students do not return to the building after 3:30 as classrooms are locked and inaccessible. Suggest that your child choose a buddy from his/her classroom to call for forgotten homework and information.

DOOLITTLE SCHOOL

PARENT PICK-UP PROCEDURE - AFTER SCHOOL DISMISSAL

SAFETY FIRST!

• Every child at Doolittle School is assigned either as a walker or a bus rider, (with the exception of out-of-district students). Students may be picked up before our regular dismissal time, providing parents come in to the main office and request to call for the child. Children who are picked up early must also be signed out by the parent in the front office. An ID of the person picking up the student may be required.

• Students are dismissed from school beginning at 2:35 pm., with our walker bell sounding. Parents may wait for children who are walkers outside of the building or, in inclement weather, in the front lobby.

• Students for parent pick-up and for individual buses are called next. Bus numbers are called as each bus arrives. Safety Patrol members carrying signs with bus numbers escort students out of the building in an orderly manner. Students who have a note for parent pick-up are dismissed from the waiting area at the Oak Avenue circle ONLY. Persons accessing the Cornwall Avenue driveway for this purpose will be asked to drive around to Oak Avenue.

• Parents requesting a student’s dismissal as parent pick-up will be REQUIRED to provide a NOTE stating who will pick up the child after school. The student may give the note to the classroom teacher, who will keep track of all parent pick-up students for that day and send the notes to the office. Parents may also request dismissal as parent pick-up via email. Any emails sent to the office will receive an immediate response to confirm their receipt. If you do not receive a response, please call the office at 203-272-3549. Safety Patrol leads parent pick-up students to the Oak Ave. driveway, where a teacher is on duty.

• The office staff will inform any parents who call in requesting a parent pick-up dismissal that they must send a note via email or fax, or come in to the main office to sign their student out. Any emails sent to the office will receive an immediate response to confirm their receipt. Upon being signed out, those students will be called from their rooms by office staff.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CHESHIRE, CT

BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS The primary objective of the bus transportation system is to provide safe bus transportation for the students of the Cheshire Schools. Courtesy and manners are essential in achieving this objective. To meet this objective, full cooperation in adhering to the following rules and regulations is necessary.

1. The driver of the bus is in full charge of the bus and all students riding thereon. 2. Students must take a seat when they enter the bus and remain seated until their designated

stop. They should get on and off the bus only when it is fully stopped. 3. Reasonable conversation is permitted. No indecent or profane language shall be permitted

on the bus, nor any rowdiness or loud talking. 4. Conversation with the driver is prohibited while the vehicle is moving. 5. The use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs on the bus is prohibited. 6. Students must not throw paper, hats, snowballs, or other objects in or about the bus. 7. Bus windows shall not be opened without permission from the driver. 8. Students shall assist in keeping the bus clean and orderly and shall refrain from damaging

or abusing the bus, its cushions, padding or other equipment. 9. The emergency door is to be kept free and available at all times. 10. Upon entering or leaving the bus, students shall avoid crowding or in any way disturbing

others. 11. After alighting from the bus, students living on the opposite side of the highway shall

cross to the other side in front of the bus. 12. Students who damage, injure, or deface any bus or any equipment on any bus shall be held

liable for such damage. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION: Any student who violates any of these regulations may be prohibited by the school principal either temporarily or permanently, from riding the bus, may be suspended from school, or subjected to such other disciplinary action as may be deemed proper by the administration. IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: WHEN BUSES ARE PARKED AND LOADING OR UNLOADING STUDENTS, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN AUTOMOBILE TO PASS THEM. SIGNS NOTING THIS FACT ARE POSTED AT THE LOADING AREAS AT EACH SCHOOL. PLEASE OBEY THEM.

RESPECT THEME – DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY

The discipline policy at Doolittle is based on a school-wide theme of RESPECT. This includes RESPECT FOR SELF, RESPECT FOR OTHERS, and RESPECT FOR PROPERTY. It applies to all behaviors and interactions, including bus and playground situations. Students are presented with this information and review behavior EXPECTATIONS at the Town Meeting at the beginning of the year. The school mission is also reviewed with students. Classroom teachers then involve their students in creating EXPECTATIONS for classroom behavior, based on the theme of RESPECT and the building EXPECTATIONS. Classroom teachers maintain and reinforce behavior standards, and can implement classroom management systems for rewards and consequences. Behaviors requiring the attention of an administrator are referred to the office and dealt with on a case-by-case basis. This level usually involves parent contact as well. An emphasis has been placed on the unacceptable nature of making threats of any kind, and on bullying behaviors. Teachers have received information on these topics and have reviewed the information with students. Each classroom displays a “Bully Free Classroom” poster. Materials have been shared with the Doolittle parent community through newsletters and parent pamphlets. If they occur, such behaviors are documented by the administration with appropriate consequences given. Parents of all students are involved. Cheshire Public Schools have developed and defined seven performance standards considered life-long skills. These are reinforced throughout all curricula from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Collaborative/Cooperative Worker Community Contributor Complex Thinker Effective Communicator/Producer Knowledgeable Person Self-Directed Learner Skilled Information Processor

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS DISCIPLINE POLICY

Students at Doolittle School are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully, and in accordance with Cheshire Board of Education Policy. Students are not permitted to have electronic devices of any kind. Use of cell phones, beepers, electronic games, and laser pointers are also not allowed. Board policy forbids roller blades, skateboards and scooters on school grounds at all times. Shoes with wheels are not allowed.

The Cheshire Public Schools maintain a strict policy with regard to bullying, verbal or physical threats of any nature. Such behavior may result in suspension or expulsion from school. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the education goals of the school district and are prohibited at all times. Beginning July 1, 1995 Public Act 95-304 requires that students found to have possession of a firearm or deadly weapon on school grounds must be expelled for one calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2011 P.A. 11-232 was passed which revises the CT Bullying Law. The Cheshire Public Schools Board of Education will soon create a new policy to reflect this revision. The first reading of the new policy can be viewed on the CPS website. The new definition of bullying is as follows:

“Bullying” means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral or electronic

communication, such as cyberbullying, directed at or referring to another student attending

school in the same school district or a physical act or gesture by one or more students

repeatedly

directed at another student attending school in the same school district that:

A. causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s

property,

B. places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage

to his or her property,

C. creates a hostile environment at school for such student,

D. infringes on the rights of such student at school, or

E. substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Brief of Public Act No.08-160: AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. Sec. 4; Section 10-222d (Effective July 1, 2008): This bill expands the definition of bullying and requires boards to implement the bullying policies that they were required to adopt and requires teachers to be trained in bullying prevention. Bullying is now defined as “any overt acts by a student or group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass, humiliate, or intimidate the other students while on school grounds, at a school sponsored activity, or on a school bus, which acts are committed more than once against any student during the school year.” The act no longer has to be committed repeatedly against the same student over time.

This bill repeals and replaces the current version of Connecticut’s anti-bullying stature; it requires implementation of school’s bullying policy and makes some modifications to the requirements for those policies. It now requires teachers and other staff members who witness acts of bullying or receive student reports of bullying to make written notification to school administrators; provides that no disciplinary actions shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report of bullying; requires not only an intervention strategy, but now a prevention strategy as defined in the act; requires notifications by each school to parents of a student who commits verified acts of bullying or against whom such bullying occurred and requires each school to invite parents to attend at least one meeting; requires school to not only maintain a list of number of verified acts of bullying in school and make such a list available for public inspection, but now also requires that school reports such number to the Department of Education annually according to the Commissioner of Education.

Cheshire Public Schools Policy with Regard to PA 08-160 School Response

A number of practices are in place to emphasize the type of positive interactions among students that are expected and to prevent bullying and other anti-social behaviors. Each teacher communicates the expected behaviors in the classroom and sets a positive tone in the classroom that supports healthy interaction. In addition, there are a number of school-wide programs of a preventative nature.

School administrators will investigate all reported acts of alleged bullying submitted by parents, teachers, or students. They will also review all anonymous reports submitted by students. All verified acts of bullying will generate notice to the parents or guardians of students who commit the acts and to the parents or guardians of students against whom such acts were directed, and will be documented in the administrator’s log. The logs will be maintained for state reporting purposes and for district records.

In the event of a bullying incident as defined in PA 08-160 the following steps will be applied:

1. The administrator will investigate any alleged bullying incident that is reported by a teacher, student, parent, or by an anonymous report. Anonymous reports may be made directly to the school. The results of the investigation will determine appropriate consequence and/or interventions.

2. The administrator will notify parents of both parties and may set up a meeting at school with the teacher to discuss the behavior and the importance of the school and home working together to insure it does not reoccur. The needs of the child and parents of both will be addressed.

3. If necessary a formal behavior plan may be developed to address the bullying behavior. The plan will be developed by the administrator, parents, teacher and school guidance personnel. The plan will be monitored for its effectiveness.

4. Transportation: If the bullying behavior occurs on the school bus, transportation privileges may be suspended and parents will be required to transport their children to and from school.

General Intervention Strategies In addition to the prompt investigation of complaints of bullying and direct intervention when acts of bullying are verified, other actions may ameliorate potential problems with bullying in school or at school-sponsored activities. While no specific action is required and school needs for such interventions may vary from time to time, the following list of potential intervention strategies shall serve as a resource for administrators, teachers and other professional staff members in each school. Strategies may include:

1. Use of peers to help ameliorate the problem. 2. Modeling by teachers of positive, respectful, and supportive behavior toward students. 3. School-wide meetings to encourage positive relationships. 4. Employing classroom strategies that instruct students how to work together in a collaborative and

supportive atmosphere. 5. Creating a school atmosphere of team spirit and collaboration that promotes appropriate social

behavior by students in support of others. 6. Teachers and other professionals may find opportunities to educate students about bullying behavior

through class discussions, counseling, and reinforcement of socially acceptable behavior.

DOOLITTLE SCHOOL

Staff Listing 2011 - 2012

Grade 1 Rm. Specialists Meghan Chase 14 Peter Daly Physical Education Christine DiOrio 15 Barbara Gahwiller Librarian Kristin Lopa 17 Mary Ellen Kerelejza Art Nicole Rinaldi 19 Laura Robison General Music Grade 2 Christine Barbuto Technology Assistant Kristin Gallagher 22 Joan Ruotolo Media Technician Kellie LaRonde 16 Kristine Leniart 18 Teri Averack School Psychologist Colleen Sheridan 20 Jill Sahlin Guidance Counselor Mara Weed 23 Deborah Woodson Occupational Therapist Liza Zanca Speech Pathologist Grade 3 Janet Edwards 116 John O’Donnell Instrumental Music Kelly Notaro 114 Richard Szulczewski Instrumental Music Ellen Prior 118 Beth Sweigard 112 Pat Castle Learning Initiative Gail Duffy Reading and Math Supp Grade 4 Starr O’Connor LST Jennifer Guerin 44 Betsey Zimmering LST Michael Juliano 37 Barbara Prato ELL Donna Laconte 43 Nancy Veronneau 35 Cafeteria Staff Anne Marie Wintenburg 33 Laura McNamara Donna Walberg Grade 5 Vicki Scott Tracy Ajello 45 Yvonne Hewu Bruce Francischelli 46 Diane Casertano Beth Schult 42 Maintenance Grade 6 Will Padua Andrew DeLucia 126 Mike Bouton Jo Ann Fackler 122 Debra Thomas 120 Administration Sharon Weirsman Principal Special Education Kelly Grillo Assistant Principal Elaine Malayter 49 Leslie Brainard Principal’s Secretary Christine McNally 110 Linda Smith Special Ed Secretary Rebecca Volpe 39 Maria Kaplan Copy Room

Karen DelGiudice 391 Health Renee Zimmitti Nurse Teacher Assistants/Lunch Aides Leslie Burke Instructional Assistants Jill Chernik Barbara Bedard Kate Iovene Virginia DiSorbo Joanne Betterini Patricia Keddy Rita Grainger Lucy Bosta Pat Leber Wendy Heidgerd Laurie DelCore Dorothy Montoni Linda Izzi Mary Denos Kathleen Pavlick

Charlotte Oakes Wendy Howard Mary Snedeker Interns Samantha O’Donnell Kaitlyn Love

Parent – Teacher Communications

Report Cards Report cards are issued in December, late March and June for children in all grades. Individual conferences will be scheduled in October and April for parents of children in all grades. School Visits Parents are reminded to enter through the main office, sign in and wear a badge. Visits to the classroom during instructional time must be arranged with the teacher beforehand. Only those persons having legitimate business in the school shall receive authorization. Parent-Teacher Association The PTA actively promotes open communication between the school and home and organizes projects to enrich the school environment. Volunteers assist in various capacities. The PTA is responsible for obtaining volunteers for activities, room parents and a newsletter. Useful Telephone Numbers Department of Education 203-250-2400 Doolittle School 203-272-3549 Doolittle Fax number 203-272-0546 Transportation 203-272-2472

Weather line/cancellation 203-250-2410 Doolittle School web site address: www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/doolittle

HEALTH PROCEDURES

� If medications need to be given by the nurse during school hours, a special form is required. This form must be filled out and signed by a physician and the parent or guardian. An adult must bring the medication to school in its original container. This includes any over the counter medication, i.e. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.

� If your child appears ill and/or has a temperature near 100.5 degrees or above, keep him/her home.

� Notify the school by telephone if your child will be absent.

� Notify the school if your child will be home for a prolonged period of time.

� Any prolonged illness (i.e. strep throat, scarlet fever, or pneumonia) should be reported to the school nurse so that she may follow up on such an illness.

� If your child contracts chicken pox, keep him/her home seven (7) days from the appearance of the first lesion, or longer if the initial crusts are still present.

� Head lice have presented a problem at times. If you discover head lice or eggs (nits), call your child’s doctor for appropriate treatment and immediately notify the school nurse. Upon return, please see the nurse before returning your child to the classroom.

� “Pink Eye” or conjunctivitis is contagious. Please keep your child home and consult your doctor for treatment.

� On the emergency form in PowerSchool, include names of people you know will be available in order of sequence you would like them to be called.

� Allergies of any kind are considered serious. Notify the health office of any allergies your child may have.

Renee Zimmitti, R.N. 203-272-3549

Illness or Injury at School

The school nurse sees children in case of accident or illness. She is available during school hours.

Examinations and Immunizations The speech clinician administers hearing screenings to all children in Grades 3 and 5. The nurse administers vision screenings in Grades 1 – 6. A physical examination by the child’s physician is required upon entrance to Kindergarten, and also for all 7th and 10th graders. Immunizations against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and rubella are required upon entry to school. Grade 5 and Grade 6 students are checked for scoliosis

Insurance Voluntary insurance is offered yearly, designed to protect pupils in case of accident on school property, while participating in school activities and while traveling to and from school. It is recommended that parents consider purchasing the school insurance.

CHESHIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cheshire, Connecticut 06410

Board of Education Mr. Gerald Brittingham, Chairman (2011) Mr. Stephen Mrowka (2012) Mr. Peter Talbot (2011)

164 North Brooksvale Road 40 Arrowleaf Court 1271 Lilac Court Cheshire, CT 06410 Cheshire, CT 06410 Cheshire, CT 06410 gsbmmb@cox.net 203-272-9564 petert111@cox.net 203-271-0139 203-439-3833 Mr. Anthony Perugini (2013) Mr. Tod Dixon, Vice-Chairman (2011) 656 Ashley Court 34 Barkledge Court Cheshire, CT 06410 Cheshire, CT 06410 aperugini99@cox.net 203-271-0146 203-699-9828 Ms. Sandy Pavano, Secretary (2013) Mr. Alan Sobol (2011) 105 Greens Loop 606 Tamarack Road Cheshire, CT 06410 Cheshire, CT 06410 pavano@sbcglobal.net 203-250-9771 203-250-9420 SCHEDULE OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS August 2011 - June 2012 Aug. 18, 2011 Town Hall Business Sept. 1, 2011 Town Hall Strategic Plan/Opening of School Report* Sept. 15, 2011 Town Business Oct. 6, 2011 Town Hall Open Forum Oct. 20, 2011 Town Hall Business Nov. 3, 2011 Elementary School (t.b.a.) Elementary School Showcase* Nov. 17, 2011 Town Hall Business Dec. 8, 2011 Town Hall Business Jan. 5, 2012 Town Hall Budget Jan. 19, 2012 Town Hall Business Feb. 16, 2012 Town Hall Business Mar. 1, 2012 Dodd Middle School Middle School Showcase* Mar. 15, 2012 Town Hall Business Apr. 12, 2012 Town Hall Business May 3, 2012 Cheshire High School High School Showcase* May 17, 2012 Town Hall Business June 7, 2012 Town Hall Business June 26, 2012 Humiston Board Room Fiscal* Call to Order: 7:30 p.m. All meeting locations are handicapped accessible. * If necessary, business items may be added to these meetings. ** This meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m.

Welcome to Doolittle Elementary School PTA 2011-2012

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Doolittle Elementary School. The PTA’s

goal is to work closely with the school to grow and foster community building. Our goal is achieved by

sponsoring and funding events throughout the school year, which allow the Doolittle community to

have fun and to develop and maintain relationships.

You may be asking yourself – why join the PTA? Studies have shown that children do better when

their parents are involved at home and at school. Some examples are improved self-esteem, better test

scores, higher grades, and a sense of being part of a school community. PTA organizations help

students, school staff, parents, and their communities work together to share ideas about programs and

activities that benefit our children. By becoming a member of Doolittle’s PTA, you can play a role in

making your child’s elementary school a positive learning environment.

Our PTA provides information and resources that strengthen the connections between Doolittle, its

students, their parents, and our community. Through PTA dues and fundraising, we are able to provide

cultural programs, subsidize field trips, donate valuable materials and equipment to the school, and

sponsor fun events for the Doolittle community.

The PTA will be organizing many fun events this year, such as a Fall Book Fair with an Ice Cream

Social, a CT Whale game, a Rock Cats game, a Spring Buy One Get One Free Book Fair, and a Harlem

Wizards game to name a few. Please come to the meetings and share your ideas on exciting events that

can be planned throughout the school year; we value and appreciate your input.

In an effort to be more inclusive, we are holding four morning meetings and five evening meetings all

of which will be held the second Tuesday of each month; please refer to the meeting schedule listed

below. There will be no PTA meeting in the month of November due to American Education Week. In

order to communicate best with the Doolittle community we will share information at our monthly

meetings, via our PTA e-mail communication system, and our Doolittle PTA Facebook page.

We welcome and appreciate parental involvement. There are many ways to volunteer your time

whether it be behind the scenes from the comfort of your own home and on your own time, or during

one of our PTA sponsored events. The PTA is successful as a direct result of your help and willingness

to volunteer.

We look forward to an exciting academic year, and would be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the PTA. Additional information and resources may be found at

www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/doolittle and on our Doolittle PTA Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Dawn Cronin, Jessica Otlowski, Christina Parra

Doolittle PTA Team Presidents

DoolittlePTA@ymail.com

Doolittle PTA Executive Board 2011-2012

PTA Team Presidents Dawn Cronin Jessica Otlowski Christina Parra

Vice President Kelly Cienki

Co-Secretaries Janelle Margolies Anne McBain

Treasurer Ann Marie Volpert

PTA Meeting Schedule

September 13th…………8:15 am

October 11th……………7:00 pm

November …………….NO MEETING

December 13th…………8:15 am

January 10th……………7:00 pm

February 14th…………..8:15 am

March 13th……………..7:00 pm

April 10th………………7:00 pm

May 8th………………...8:15 am

June 5th………………...7: 00 pm

DOOLITTLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The Doolittle School Community is committed to providing a caring and safe environment for learning in which each child can strive toward his or her full potential. We prepare our children to become lifelong learners and contributing members of a global society by fostering self-confidence, encouraging curiosity, developing individuality, and building a foundation of knowledge. Rev. 8/04

CHESHIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT

The Cheshire Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, will prepare all students to meet the challenges of an ever changing global society by providing high quality educational opportunities that inspire lifelong learning and service to others.