Windham Public Schools

Good Afternoon Windham Community, I would like to share a final update for the 2022-2023 school year with you. For all schools, except for the Barrows STEM Academy, today was the last day of the year. I want to congratulate our students on completing this school year as well as their families who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the year a successful one for their children. I also need to celebrate the dedicated staff of Windham Public Schools as your hard work is very much appreciated. For our 5th and 8th graders who have been promoted to new schools, congratulations! We are looking forward to watching you take the next steps along your educational journey. This evening we will graduate Windham High School’s Class of 2023 at Eastern Connecticut State University. We are incredibly proud of these graduates and the various paths they have chosen beyond high school. We know they will continue make the district proud as Windham High School alumni. Please visit the district website for more information on the Class of 2023: https://5il.co/1wps6 . Go, Whippets! As a reminder, Barrows STEM Academy will have a half day of school on Tuesday, June 20th. As you will recall, this was required by the State as a make up for the school day that was cancelled on June 2nd due to the vehicle fire on their campus. Finally, I want to wish the entire Windham Public Schools community a healthy and happy summer vacation. Students, please find a balance with keeping your minds and bodies active in July and August. Summer learning materials, which we strongly recommend our students complete, can be found on the district’s website at windhamps.org. For those attending our expanded summer school programs, they are all scheduled to begin Monday, July 10th. Further communication from the district will occur prior to the start of summer school. Happy Summer Break, everyone! Tracy Youngberg Superintendent

Buenas tardes comunidad de Windham, Esta es la Dra. Tracy Youngberg llamando con algunas actualizaciones. Primero, el Departamento de Educación del Estado ha confirmado para el distrito que la Academia STEM C. H. Barrows deberá estar en sesión el martes 20 de junio por un total de cuatro horas para alcanzar el requisito del año escolar de 180 días. Por lo tanto, Barrows seguirá su horario habitual de salida temprana el martes 20 de junio. Familias de Barrows, apreciamos su paciencia y su voluntad de llevar a sus estudiantes a la escuela en su último día. Luego, las alertas de calidad del aire relacionadas con los incendios en Canadá han creado una serie de preocupaciones para los distritos escolares de todo el estado. Hoy, según la Calificación de Calidad del Aire No Saludable de Windham, recomendé a nuestros directores que las actividades como el recreo y las clases de educación física se realicen adentro de las escuelas. También estamos verificando cómo nuestros viajes de campo planificados manejarán el problema de la calidad del aire. Finalmente, estamos cancelando las actividades de día de campo en aquellas escuelas programadas para mañana. Tengan paciencia mientras nuestros directores intentan determinar si las actividades del día de campo pueden trasladarse adentro o reprogramarse para la próxima semana cuando nuestro meteorólogo nos diga que el humo se disipará. Gracias por su comprensión y que tengan una buena noche. Tracy Youngberg Superintendente

Good Afternoon Windham Community, I would like to share some updates with you. First, the State Department of Education has confirmed for the district that C. H. Barrows STEM Academy will need to be in session on Tuesday, June 20th for a total of four hours in order to reach the 180 day school year requirement. Therefore, Barrows will follow its usual early dismissal schedule on Tuesday, June 20th. Barrows families, we appreciate your patience and your willingness to get your students to school for their last day. Next, the air quality alerts related to the fires in Canada have created a number of concerns for school districts across the state. Today based on Windham’s Unhealthy Air Quality rating, I recommended to our principals that activities like recess and Physical Education classes occur indoors. We are also checking to see how our planned field trips will be handling the air quality issue. Finally, we are cancelling outdoor field day activities for those schools scheduled for tomorrow. Please be patient as our principals try to determine if field day activities can be moved indoors or rescheduled for next week when we are told by our meteorologist that the smoke will dissipate. Thank you for your understanding and have a good night. Tracy Youngberg, Superintendent

Looking to get your COVID-19 vaccination before the Summer? Join us on Friday, June 9th at Natchaug Elementary School Gym at 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome, no need to make an appointment.

El 2 de junio, 2023 Buenos dias comunidad de Windham, Aproximadamente a las 6:30 am de esta mañana, los empleados de la cafetería de C.H. Barrows STEM Academy se dieron cuenta de que un vehículo de empleados desocupado que fue estacionado afuera de la escuela se había incendiado. El departamento de bomberos fue notificado y llegó a la escuela aproximadamente a las 6:45 am. Los bomberos apagaron el fuego rápidamente , que causado bastante dano al vehículo y una cantidad sustancial de daño a la pared exterior de la cocina/cafetería de Barrows. El fuego también creó un olor significativo dentro del edificio escolar por el humo y la quema de los materiales del revestimiento exterior. Aproximadamente a las 7:15 a. m., el jefe de bomberos informó al superintendente y al director de Barrows que no fue seguro para tener clases en C.H. Academia Barrows STEM hoy. Aproximadamente a las 7:28 am, el distrito se envió una llamada, un mensaje de texto y un correo electrónico a todos cancelando escuela para los estudiantes y el personal de Barrows e informando a los padres que volveríamos a los estudiantes que ya estaban en camino a la escuela a sus paradas de autobús. Se hicieron arreglos con las compañías de autobuses M&J y EASTCONN para garantizar que los estudiantes no se quedaran solos en sus paradas de autobús. Los pocos estudiantes que no tenían adultos listos para recogerlos fueron transportados a una de nuestras escuelas primarias donde se hicieron arreglos para que los padres los recogieran. A las 8:14 am, todos los estudiantes de Barrows en los autobuses escolares regresaron seguramente a sus familias. Primero y ante todo, las Escuelas Públicas de Windham están agradecidas por nuestros dedicados bomberos que trabajaron rápidamente para extinguir el incendio y el hecho de que nadie resultó herido en este incendio. Agradecemos a uno de los custodios de Barrows, Chris Simmons, que trató de extinguir el fuego antes de que llegaran los bomberos. También estamos agradecidos por la coordinación de última hora entre nuestras compañías de autobuses, el departamento de transporte y nuestras familias de Barrows. Finalmente, estamos agradecidos por el equipo de liderazgo de Barrows y los miembros del personal que estaban ansiosos por ayudar de cualquier forma que pudieran. Antes del cierre de hoy, el último día de clases del distrito estaba programado para el viernes 16 de junio. Dado que el lunes, el 19 de junio es un feriado estatal y federal, se llama Juneteenth, el cierre de Barrows de hoy deberá recuperarse el martes, el 20 de junio. Nos comunicamos con el Departamento de Educación del Estado de Connecticut para determinar los requisitos de este día de recuperación y notificaremos al distrito tan pronto como tengamos noticias de ellos. Entendemos que esto inevitablemente causará algún impacto en las familias y el personal, y nos disculpamos por las molestias, pero no tenemos otra opción. Gracias de nuevo por su continuo apoyo y colaboración. ¡Que tengan un buen día a todos!, Tracy Youngberg Superintendente

June 2, 2023 Good morning Windham Community, At approximately 6:30am today, cafeteria employees at C.H. Barrows STEM Academy realized an unoccupied employee vehicle parked right outside of the school had caught on fire. The fire department was notified and arrived on the scene at approximately 6:45am. The firefighters quickly put out the fire, which was extensive enough to total the vehicle and cause a substantial amount of damage to the exterior wall of the Barrows kitchen/cafeteria. The fire also created a significant odor inside the school building from the smoke and burning of the exterior siding materials. At approximately 7:15am, the Fire Marshall informed the Superintendent and Barrows’ Principal that it was not safe to hold school at C.H. Barrows STEM Academy today. At approximately 7:28am, an all-district call, text and email went out cancelling school for Barrows students and staff and letting parents know we would be returning students already in route to school to their respective bus stops. Arrangements were made with both M&J and EASTCONN bus companies to ensure students were not left alone at their bus stops. The few students who did not have adults ready to pick them up were transported to one of our elementary schools where arrangements were made for parents to pick them up. By 8:14am, all Barrows students on school buses were safely returned to their families. First and foremost, Windham Public Schools is grateful for our dedicated firefighters who worked quickly to extinguish the fire, and the fact that no one was hurt in this fire. We are grateful to Barrows Custodian Chris Simmons who tried to extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived, for the last-minute coordination between our bus companies, transportation department and our Barrows families. Finally, we are thankful for the Barrows leadership team and staff members who were all eager to help in any way they could. Prior to today’s closure, the district’s last day of school was scheduled for Friday, June 16th. Since Monday, June 19th, or Juneteenth, is now a state and federal holiday, today’s Barrows closure will need to be made up on Tuesday, June 20th. We have reached out to the Connecticut State Department of Education to determine the requirements of this make up day and will notify the district as soon as we have heard back from them. We understand that this will inevitably cause some impact to families and staff, and we apologize for the inconvenience, but we have no other choice. Thank you again for your ongoing support and partnership. Have a good day everyone, Tracy Youngberg Superintendent

Good morning Windham Community, A vehicle fire broke out near the CH Barrows STEM Academy this morning. The fire is out, but at 7:15am, the fire marshal directed us to close the Barrows STEM Academy for today, Friday, June 2nd. This does not impact any schools other than Barrows. All other district schools are open today. Buses that have already picked up students for Barrows will be bringing them back to their bus stops. Barrows parents should go to their child’s bus stop to pick up their child. Please note bus drivers will not leave children unattended. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but student and staff safety remains our top priority. Sincerely, Tracy Youngberg Superintendent

Good afternoon Windham Community, Please see the Superintendent's update here: English: https://5il.co/1v7fb Spanish: https://5il.co/1v7fa

Read about our CAPSS Winners. https://5il.co/1utd5

For the latest updates from the Superintendent go to https://5il.co/1tudw

Looking to get vaccinated against COVID-19? Come visit our FREE Covid-19 clinic on May 5 at Natchaug Elementary School from 4:00-7:00 pm.

¿Buscas vacunarte contra el COVID-19? Venga a visitar nuestra clínica GRATUITA de Covid-19 el 5 de mayo en la Escuela Primaria Natchaug de 4:00 p. m. a 7:00 p. m.

Good afternoon Windham Community, We are aware of information circulating on social media and other media sources regarding an incident at North Windham Elementary School. As a school district, we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior toward any of our students. When we are notified of inappropriate or unsafe behavior, our schools investigate the allegations thoroughly while keeping all students’ rights in mind. From the investigations, schools work to notify parents, teach students what is acceptable and safe behavior, and take appropriate, and in some cases, mandated steps to prevent any recurrence. Given state and federal laws requiring that we maintain confidentiality of student matters, we will not and cannot comment on any individual student or respond to specific inquiries. We can, however, remind our community that the safety of all our students is our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring your children feel safe at school. Finally, I ask the community’s help when it comes to hearing information on social media or any other platform. If you see something that you find concerning, before sharing it, please reach out to your child’s principal or call my office. Thank you for your continued support in educating Windham’s students. Sincerely, Tracy Youngberg Superintendent

Calling all middle school students and families.....Join us TONIGHT for the WHS Family Night. The event begins at 6pm at Windham High School. Meet with the academic and athletic departments and explore the pathways, courses and available career partnerships. Come on out and see what WHS has to offer! Please also check out the NEWS section of our website to view our latest video and hear WHS students talk about what it means to be a Whippet: https://5il.co/1tc0d

CALLING ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.... Please join us on April 27th for Family Night at Windham High School! Our event will kick off at 6:00pm. Meet our Academic and Athletic Departments and explore our pathways, the courses we offer, and available career partnerships. Information about our many clubs will also be available. We look forward to seeing you all!

clínica GRATUITA de Covid-19 ¿Quieres vacunarte contra COVID-19? Visita nuestra clínica GRATUITA de Covid-19 hoy en la Escuela Primaria Natchaug de 4:00 a 7:00 p. m

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Looking to get vaccinated against COVID-19? Come visit our FREE Covid-19 clinic today at Natchaug Elementary School from 4:00-7:00pm.

We hope you can join us for the annual TAKE TIME TO PLAY event, co-sponsored with the Windham Task Force for Child Abuse and Neglect. April 8th from 1-3pm at Memorial Park, Willimantic Food, drinks, games, music, family support service, awareness and more!

Just a friendly reminder that there are only 3 days left to register your student for the Summer School program. The deadline is April 6th. www.windhamps.org

Solo un recordatorio amistoso de que solo quedan 3 días para inscribir a su estudiante en el programa de la Escuela de Verano. La fecha límite es el 6 de abril. www.windhamps.org