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11-2-26 East Haven Public Schools District Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/02/26 (04:00 PM)

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East Haven Public Schools

District Newsletter

November 2, 2026
Dear EHPS Community,

Last week we wrapped up our Panorama student survey. Thank you so much for encouraging your children to be reflective and transparent about what is working well and the areas that provide an opportunity for continued improvement.

This month, we turn our attention to hearing directly from you, our families. We’ve streamlined this year’s survey to focus on the questions that matter most to families, getting right to the feedback we need to better understand your experiences. It takes just 2 minutes to complete! You are welcome to simply click the link below to complete it, now. 

Your feedback is valuable in helping us to identify and set tangible goals for continued improvement. For example, we were recently able to translate a desire for more consistent extended day enrichment opportunities into a competitive grant proposal. We look forward to sharing more about this development in the coming months!

I’d also like to remind you that we have fall conferences fast approaching. These provide an opportunity to continue forging a strong relationship between school and home. 
  • High school conferences will be held Thursday, November 12
  • K-8 conferences will be held Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in the coming weeks!

In partnership,
Adam Swinney, Superintendent of Schools
CLICK HERE for Our Family Survey
Your Voice Matters

District Highlights

Looking for meaningful conversation and helpful resources to benefit your family?

East Haven Public Schools invites families of students in grades 7-12 to join us for a special evening dedicated to strengthening family connections, building confidence, and navigating the many stages of growing up. Join us on Thursday, November 12, from 6-8 p.m. at East Haven High School!

PARENT EMPOWERMENT TALKS
The evening will feature two parent empowerment conversations with Nathan Harmon, offering real-life stories, practical insight, and meaningful takeaways for families.

6:15-6:45 p.m.
Growing Together: Staying Together Through Every Stage

7:15-7:45 p.m.
Holding On & Letting Go: Helping Our Kids Grow with Confidence

Both presentations will include a Q&A session, giving parents and caregivers the opportunity to ask questions and gain guidance relevant to their own families.

The evening will also connect to the powerful message Chris Harmon will bring to our middle and high school students on November 16. His presentation, 'The First Day', shares his personal journey and highlights the lasting impact of our choices, the power of second chances, and the importance of making positive decisions.

MORE TO ENJOY THAT EVENING
  • Opportunities to connect with local community partners
  • Helpful resources and services for parents and families
  • Exciting door prizes
  • Food and childcare provided
Come be part of an evening that celebrates the power of connection, strengthens families, and helps us support our students as they grow. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Students earn milling certificates

EHHS Celebrates Students Earning Industry Recognized Credentials

East Haven High School continues to link coursework and credentialing opportunities to meaningful career pathways. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Buck, and our Career & Technical Education team, EHHS is now a HAAS Certification Center. 

HAAS certification courses are designed to provide the basic knowledge necessary to get started as a CNC machine operator or CNC machinist. They offer an introduction to basic CNC machine operation, proper machine safety, and fundamental machining processes. 
 

October Student of the Month & Attendance Recognition

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Attendance Recognition Award Recipients

Clarence Williamson, Grade Pre K 4 - Overbrook
Samiya Lamichhane, Grade K - Deer Run
Elijah Anthony, Grade 3 - EHA
Liam Casey, Grade 3 - Ferrara
Colton Latella, Grade 4 - Tuttle
Killian Mastriano, Grade 4 - Momauguin
Jie Ye, grade 8 - JMMS
Alexis Ramos, Grade 10 - EHHS

Student of the Month Award Recipients

Zayla Neron, Grade Pre K 3 - Overbrook
Tatum Maciel, Grade K - Deer Run
Lucas Rentas, Grade 3 - Ferrara
Sydney Anglin, Grade 4 - Tuttle
Genesis Villavicencio Freire, Grade 4 - Momauguin
Madeleine Dietz, grade 7 - JMMS
Anthony Le, Grade 8 - EHA
Daniela Palma Mendieta, Grade 12 - EHHS
 

East Haven Rotary Student of the Month

Audrey Owusu Aikins is an outstanding student who demonstrates dedication, leadership, and a commitment to her school community. She is a three-sport varsity athlete, participating in volleyball, basketball, and outdoor track, reflecting her willingness to work hard, challenge herself, and be part of a team.

Beyond athletics, Audrey is actively involved in Chess Club, Student Council, HOSA, and Comet Club, where she serves as Chief Editor. These activities allow her to further develop her leadership, collaboration, and communication skills while making the most of the opportunities available to her.

Looking toward the future, Audrey plans to become a dental hygienist and eventually pursue her dream of becoming a dentist. Her dedication to academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and future goals makes her a wonderful choice for this recognition.

Athletic Spotlight

A Family Affair on the East Haven Girls Soccer Team

The East Haven High School girls’ soccer team has something special happening this season: three sets of sisters sharing the field, building memories, and competing together, along with another sister serving as a coach. While playing alongside teammates is meaningful, sharing the experience with family brings an entirely different connection to the game.

For Aubrey, having her sister on the team provides confidence, support, and motivation. She enjoys having someone familiar by her side who always has her back. Although being sisters can sometimes bring comparisons, they focus on working together, supporting one another, and building each other up.

For Maya and her senior sister, Soleil, playing together has strengthened their bond. Understanding each other’s playing styles makes it easier to communicate, trust one another, and work as a team. Most importantly, they are creating lasting memories they will cherish long after the season ends.
Lucy and Kiley share the field while their sister Molly cheers them on from the sidelines as a coach. Lucy describes the experience as unforgettable, while Kiley takes pride in watching her younger sister grow as a player. Having Molly as their coach also means knowing they will always be supported and challenged to improve.

For Molly, coaching her sisters at the high school level has been a privilege. She has enjoyed watching Kiley and now Lucy develop as players and leaders. Since joining the program three years ago, she has also formed a special connection with the entire team, describing the players as 30 additional little sisters. She takes pride in the impact each player makes on the team and the community.

At the end of the day, East Haven girls’ soccer is about more than wins, losses, and goals. It is about relationships, trust, leadership, and memories that last a lifetime. With three sets of sisters competing together and another sister coaching, this season truly is a family affair for the East Haven Yellowjackets!

Family Engagement

Family Voices, School Connections & Community Opportunities: Supporting What Matters, Everywhere Learning Happens.

What We're Hearing

What We're Hearing from our Families:

We want to hear what life is really like for our students and families: what’s going well, what’s challenging, and what matters to you.
Each newsletter, we’ll share a little of what families are telling us!

Last week, we asked: What is one thing you appreciate about the partnership between your family and your child’s school?
Your responses reflected both positive experiences with increased communication and collaboration, as well as concerns about unanswered questions and areas where families would like to see improvement. 

Thank you to the families who shared their experiences with us. Your feedback helps us recognize what is working well and identify where we can improve.

"Unpack Your Day" Conversation Prompts to Use with your Kids

VOG Unpack Your Day Questions

Community Connections

Kindergarten–Grade 5 students have kicked off their Vision of the Graduate Community Projects! Classrooms have been busy:
  • Decorating bags to support the East Haven Food Pantry.
  • Creating balloons to celebrate the 100th birthdays of three historic trolleys at East Haven’s Shore Line Trolley Museum!

These projects bring our Vision of the Graduate to life as students practice being Responsible Citizens and give back to their community.

Overbrook & Elementary Schools Thanksgiving Food Drive:

Thanksgiving Food Drive - English
Thanksgiving Food Drive - Spanish

District Information & Resources

EHPS Food Service Survey

Gaining feedback is essential in ensuring the success of the district’s child nutrition program. We have created a customer satisfaction survey to help collect accurate feedback from our students and parents/guardians. This quick 5-minute survey will gather quantitative and qualitative data about the child nutrition program which we will use to enhance student experiences.

About the survey:

  • This is a nation-wide survey used to gain insight from school districts across the country
  • This is a smart survey meaning the survey will tailor the questions based on how participants answer initial queries
  • The survey is available in multiple languages
  • Survey results will be stored in a secure Sodexo system
  • The survey does not collect any personal information from participants
  • The elementary survey is geared towards parent/guardian response
  • The secondary survey is geared towards parents/guardians and/or students
  • Please reach out to the food services office with any questions at: 203-468-5501
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY
 
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Enroll Your Child Today!

Did you know that all schools in East Haven have a school based health center where students can access behavioral and/or medical services right inside the school building? Click here to enroll your child today!
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Fire & Crisis Drills

Per CT General Statute 10-231 schools will perform monthly fire and/or ALICE crisis response drills. Students will practice how to quickly exit the building or get to designated safety areas. During an actual emergency, both evacuation and safety are the first priorities.
 
ymca

The YMCA 2026-27 Before & After School Program at Hays School

Click here for information on the Hays School YMCA before and after school care program available to all East Haven students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Morning TRANSPORTATION to school from the YMCA and afternoon TRANSPORTATION from school to the YMCA is provided!

Attendance Matters

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ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Strong attendance is directly tied to academic success. Missing 2 or more days of school per month places a student in the category of being chronically absent—something we work hard to prevent, since attendance impacts learning at every stage of a child’s education. Please help us by continuing to make school attendance a top priority for your child. Our school teams look forward to working with you to ensure that every child attends school regularly and has the best possible opportunity to achieve.

East Haven District & Community Information & Resources

An Inclusive Community Kickoff Sponsored by East Haven Community Partnerships

Cupcakes and Crafts is an inclusive community kickoff on November 16 from 6-7 p.m. at the East Haven Recreation Department. The event is sponsored by the East Haven Reccreation Department, Beyond the Horizon and Cherie's Sweet Treats.
The cost is $5 per family and registration is required through easthavenrecreation.org. This is an inclusive, sensory-friendly and adaptive experience for children with disabilities and varying abilities to play, connect and participate in ways that work best for them. 
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Kindness for Kids Sponsors the Annual Community Toy Drive

Kindness for Kids of East Haven is having their annual Community Toy Drive on Sunday, November 29th from 10-2 p.m. at the East Haven Senior Center, 91 Taylor Ave. Please donate a new unwrapped toy and join us for cookies, hot cocoa, raffles, holiday music and pictures with Santa. The event is in partnership with the East Haven Fire Department Local 1205 and sponsored by the Raging Nights. 

Can't make the event? 
There are convenient and local drop off locations at: Foxon Fire House, Stop & Shop, Town Hall, Hagaman Library, By the Sea Day Spa, Luv Custom Creations, Circle Lanes Bowling, El Thrift Store, Death Grip Fitness, Nicky's Place and 41 Hobson Place, East Haven (residential). 
 

East Haven Chamber of Commerce Presents The Annual Tree Lighting

Celebrate the holidays with community on Saturday, November 28 from 1-5 P.M. on the East Haven Green. 
This event is fun for kids and families! Enjoy local entertainment, rides for the kids, decorate a cookie, grab some hot cocoa, enjoy kid friendly crafts, food trucks, raffles, letters to Santa and a special visit from Santa! Bring an unwrapped toy for the East Haven Community Toy Drive.
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Packing Lunch from Home? Don't Skip the Fresh Sides!

Did you know your child can pick up fruit, vegetables and milk from the cafeteria even on days they bring lunch from home without having to take a full entree? What is offer vs. serve? 

The USDA's 'offer' vs. 'serve' rule allows students to build their own reimbursable lunch. Cafeteria's must offer 5 food groups (grains, meat/ meat alternative, fruit, vegetables and milk) and students only need to choose 3 of the 5. 

Why it matters to you: Your child isn't required to take an entree. A combination of fruit, veggies and milk counts as a full meal. It is great  for pairing with a packed lunch from home. They are available at no cost to students. A 'no entree' lunch is still 100% reimbursable and free for your child!
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Upcoming Community Dining Room Events

Tuesday meals are in Branford
Where:   First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St., Branford
When:   Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and crafts at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday meals are in East Haven 
Where:   Senior Center, 91 Tyler Ave., East Haven 
When:   Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and crafts at 5:30 p.m.

Breakfast Club is in East Haven
Where:  Overbrook Early Learning Center, 54 Gerrish Ave., East Haven
When:   Breakfast is served from 9 - 10 a.m.

Dine-in Family Nights are for families only; all are welcome to take a dinner to go. 
All are welcome to Breakfast Club!

The events are free, no RSVP or registration required. For questions contact: programcoordinator@communitydiningroom.org
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Educational Opportunities at East Haven Adult Education

Please don't miss these opportunities at East East Haven Adult Education. Scan the QR code to see all eduational opportunites for Fall 2026 and register now.
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PreK Enrollment Continues for Overbrook Early Learning Center

For enrollment information, please click on the link to the district website, to begin the registration process East Haven Public Schools - Student Registration or you can call the main office at 203-468-3305 to set up an appointment. 
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East Haven Family Resource Center

All resources all in one place. New website hub! We've made it easier than ever to find the information and resources your family needs. Everything in one place, always up to date!

Scan the QR code to see all upcoming programs, community resources, family support services, flyers and announcements.
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EHPS Quick Links

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you!

East Haven Public Schools

Phone: (203) 468-3261