Update for the week of - Tolland Public Schools · SUPERINTENDENT' NOTES FOR THE WEEK ... and...
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Page 1 of 12 Page 1 of 12 UPDATE FOR September 7, 2015 JUMP TO SCHOOL UPDATES: Birch Grove TIS TMS THS SUPERINTENDENT' NOTES FOR THE WEEK The first couple weeks of school, and the last, are sometimes prone to warmer temperatures. Throw in some humidity, and things can get downright uncomfortable. I am sure growing up we all remember these “dog days.” The Department of Public Health does not provide advice about closing schools, nor is there any statue with a temperature number. In general, the DPH specifies that a temperature greater than 90 degrees F + greater than 60% Relative Humidity can have “adverse effects on health” but even those guidelines are not very helpful as with days like tomorrow (Tuesday 9/8) although it is forecast to reach 90 degrees, the Relative Humidity at that time of day is around 43%. So although it is definitely warm and uncomfortable, the temperature and relative humidity are not forecast to be what the Department of Public Health considers “adverse.”
Transcript of Update for the week of - Tolland Public Schools · SUPERINTENDENT' NOTES FOR THE WEEK ... and...
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UPDATE FOR September 7, 2015
JUMP TO SCHOOL UPDATES:
Birch Grove
TIS
TMS
THS
SUPERINTENDENT' NOTES FOR THE WEEK
The first couple weeks of school, and the last, are sometimes prone to warmer temperatures. Throw in some
humidity, and things can get downright uncomfortable. I am sure growing up we all remember these “dog days.”
The Department of Public Health does not provide advice about closing schools, nor is there any statue with a
temperature number. In general, the DPH specifies that a temperature greater than 90 degrees F + greater than
60% Relative Humidity can have “adverse effects on health” but even those guidelines are not very helpful as
with days like tomorrow (Tuesday 9/8) although it is forecast to reach 90 degrees, the Relative Humidity at that
time of day is around 43%. So although it is definitely warm and uncomfortable, the temperature and relative
humidity are not forecast to be what the Department of Public Health considers “adverse.”
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Still, people may understandably wonder, with the geothermal A/C systems installed in two schools, and A/C
capabilities in the other schools, why doesn’t the school district engage the A/C system district wide? Although I
cannot explain the situation in its entirety in this newsletter, I will attempt to summarize it below. I will give
more detail in the Board of Education meeting on 9/9/2015, and I will be attending each school’s PTO/PTA
meeting this month to answer questions about this, or anything else. I would be happy to go into more detail in
person or over the phone as well, please call with any questions.
1) The Tolland Public Schools have an “energy plan” as part of an agreement with Honeywell regarding the
debt for the new systems. The school system handles about 96% of the debt service for the new
geothermal systems. In order to have enough funds to pay the debt with the savings generated by the new
systems and parameters, as was the guarantee by Honeywell, we must follow Honeywell’s energy
specifications and baselines. Thus areas that did not have A/C before the project, are not allowed to have
it after – until the debt is paid. To engage A/C where it did not exist before would incur a cost beyond
what Honeywell has specified, and that additional amount will come out of our operating budget –
meaning it will come from textbooks, supplies, or staff. Having said that, I am pursuing permission to
budget for six days of A/C, and to engage the A/C when certain atmospheric conditions are present.
2) The energy system is not designed for “mass changes.” Therefore, in order to “engage A/C” for all rooms
in the district, our facilities person has to go through screens for each room, and change the set points.
That person then has to go in, and reverse it. As you might imagine, there are many rooms in our
buildings, and this would take some time.
To weather these days we will work hard to keep kids as cool as possible, encouraging frequent hydration and
taking appropriate breaks. Please call with any questions or concerns.
Please also note, the coming Board of Education Agenda – September 9, 2015. I hope to see you there!
OTHER NEWS:
The Tolland Fire Department is pleased to report that all of the AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator’s) in
the Tolland School District have been inspected. Each AED is equipped with a battery that is within
specification and adult electrodes pre-connected to the AED. Currently, only a handful of AED’s have
child/infant electrodes (aka known as “P”ediatric electrodes) in the rear spare electrode pouch of the AED case.
The AED’s that have pediatric electrodes have a red letter “P” in the upper left corner of the AED next to the
grab handle. I believe the AED’s located closest to the gymnasiums have the pediatric pads. We will add
pediatric pads each year until all AED’s are equipped. I would like to thank the Tolland High School Graphic
Arts Department for assisting us make the vinyl letters.
Tolland Fire Explorer Post #40 Seeks New Members
The Tolland Fire Explorer Post 40 seeks to increase membership and will host an Open House on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 6:30 pm.
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The Tolland Fire Explorer Post 40 is comprised of young adults from the ages 14 to 19. These young adults are given the opportunity to learn what it takes to be part of the fire, rescue and emergency medical services. They meet and train weekly and receive training and certification in a number of areas, including CPR, First Aid, Brush Fire Training, HAZMAT training and much more. As an Explorer, members can take part in the fire station ride-along program. This provides the opportunity to accompany the Tolland Fire Department to emergency and non-emergency situations. Explorers also volunteer their time at many local community events. Please come to the Open House being held at the Fire Training Center, located at 191 Merrow Road, Tolland, Connecticut to learn more about this interesting opportunity for teenagers. This is a great opportunity for young people to learn important skills, give back to the community and have fun at the same time! If you would like to attend please call 860-871-3677 ext. 2150 or email [email protected]. Donations to this Program can be mailed to Tolland Fire Department Explorer Post 40, P.O. Box 827, Tolland, CT 06084.
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Tolland High School Weekly Bulletin
9-8-15
First Day Highlights
Tolland High School students began the 2015-2016 school in fine fashion. All of our students made a great first impression by dressing to impress their teachers on the first day of school. Below are a few pictures of our students.
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Day 1 Advisory - Important Documents
Students began their first day of school in their advisory. Each student was given an agenda planner as well as a school calendar. Several important documents were provided which must be returned to Block 1 teachers by Thursday, September 10. These include the Student Handbook Awareness Statement located on Page 5 of the Student Handbook and the Student Emergency Procedures Information Form. Please take the time to read through the handbook carefully to familiarize yourself with our school policies and procedures. To ensure we have accurate information on file in PowerSchool and with the school nurse, please update the demographic information and complete the health information on the Student Emergency Procedures Information Form. Other documents, such as the Free and Reduced Lunch and the Parking Permit Application (11th and 12th graders only), should be submitted to 1st Block teachers as needed. Insurance forms are available on the district’s main webpage or they may be picked up in the Tolland High School main office. IMPORTANT DATES
September 7 – Labor Day – No School September 8 – 11 – Senior Portraits 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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September 14 – Student & Staff I.D.s 7:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. September 17 – Open House – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. September 18 – Welcome Back Dance 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. September 19 – Project Graduation Bottle Drive – Birch Grove
September 21 – Booster Club Meeting 7:00 p.m. September 22 – 9th Grade Parent Program 7:30 a.m. THS
STUDENT AND STAFF I.D.s
Underclassmen yearbook photos, along with student IDs, will be taken on Monday, September 14th. Order forms were mailed home. If you need another form, they will be available on that day.
Seniors who were NOT photographed over the summer have only a few more opportunities to have their senior portrait taken for the yearbook. The photographer will be in the auditorium from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 8th through 11th and then again on October 21st through 23rd. No purchase is necessary, however, there is a sitting fee. Seniors should have received a notice with the date and time of the portrait session. If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to Sue Fontaine at [email protected].
OPEN HOUSE
Our first Parent Open House for the 2015-2016 school year is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On that evening, we run an abbreviated schedule of your child’s classes from 7:00 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. At Parent Open House, you will have an opportunity to meet each of your child’s teachers, gain an understanding of the curricula, and hear the teacher's expectations.
Since the event is usually well attended, we encourage parents/guardians to arrive early. Student volunteers from both our Student Council and National Honor Society will be available at 6:15 p.m. in the cafeteria to distribute students’ schedules. In the auditorium at 6:30 p.m., there will be a brief presentation regarding important information about Tolland High School. Representatives from the Tolland High School Booster Club and Project Graduation will be present for both sign-ups and questions.
BOOSTER CLUB
The first meeting of the year will be held on Monday, September 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the THS main office conference room. Please join us and learn more about the exciting events planned for the year. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please contact Co-Presidents Diane Clokey at [email protected] or Heidi Gallicchio at [email protected].
TOLLAND PROJECT GRADUATION
Volunteers are needed for our next Tolland Project Graduation bottle drive on September 19th at Birch Grove. Pizza and drinks will be provided.
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Volunteers are needed between the hours of 8-3. Please email Lisa Bowden at [email protected] if you are interested in helping out.
TOPS SOCCER
Buddies are needed for the TOPS soccer program that meets every Tuesday night and Saturday morning. Soccer experience is not required; just a big heart, and strong desire to help other children achieve their dreams. We would be honored to have you join us as a volunteer buddy this fall. Please contact Lisa Bowden with any questions or to volunteer. 860-729-8466 or [email protected].
