Pomperaug Regional
School District 15
286 Whittemore Road,
Post Office Box 395
Middlebury, CT 06762-0395
203-758-8258

Weekly District Update

 24 August 2007

from Frank H. Sippy, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

The purpose of these weekly updates is to maintain communication about events, initiatives, and general information.  Good communication implies open, honest dialogue among constituents.

Responses, questions, and concerns are always welcome. fsippy@region15.org

   
Welcome to the 2007-08 School Year! Our students return to school on Thursday, the 30th of August, and we are ready to welcome them back.  I am sure we share the common hope that this school year will be one filled with health, happiness, challenge, and growth for our students and for all of us.  Please enjoy the remaining days of summer, and we all look forward to sharing the joys and challenges of the upcoming 2007-08 school year with each of you. 
   
Lunch Price Increases

Our goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and affordable lunches for our students.  We continually strive to hold the line on costs. Recent increases passed on to us by vendors as well as the introduction of healthier food options necessitate a $.50 increase in lunch prices for 2007-08.  Please note the increase as follows:

Elementary school lunches

$2.30

Middle School and High School lunches

$2.50
   
GES Facilities Work Update

As of the 23rd of August, the following is an assessment of the facilities work at Gainfield Elementary School:

  1. Asbestos abatement - Completed
  2. The radon remediation - Completed
  3. Roof repairs to our portable classroom units - Completed
  4. Roof repairs the grade four area- 90 percent complete and should be finished by the 30th of August.

Exterior of portable classrooms painted - New windows will be ready for installation by the end of this month.
   
Region-wide Facility Summer Work Update

PES

New vinyl flooring is being installed in one of the hallways. Over the next few years, vinyl flooring will be installed in all main corridors. Delayed to the summer of 2008, as it requires more time than planned and involves an asbestos removal project

MES

A major roof repair and wall repair projects are under way.   Two old fuel tanks are being removed.  Completed.

LMES

The computer lab is being converted to classroom space.   The IT Department is in the process of setting up three COWs (Computers on Wheels with 30 laptops per mobile lab station).  Completed.

MMS

The seventh grade storage closet is under repair as well as some modifications to the HVAC system. Completed

RMS

A roof-top air conditioner is being installed for the All Purpose Room Repairs to the roof are in progress.  The installation is scheduled for Friday, the 17th of August.

PHS

Both the Boys’ and Girls’ pool locker rooms are being restored.  HVAC work is going on as well as some light repairs in the main auditorium. This will be completed by the 28th of August.

Technology

Mr. Sage, Director of Information Technology Services, and his staff members are configuring hardware to accommodate the new student management software. Also the new student management software should be up and running by the start of schools.  Completed
Security Systems Specifications for the elementary schools’ electronic surveillance systems are complete, and installation is scheduled to begin once the Board of Education awards the bids.  
   
Summer Curriculum Work

The days immediately following the close of school marks the time when we are immersed in the work of revising and revamping curriculum.  This summer, Dr. Lanning and 32 staff members, representing kindergarten through Grade 12, began the work of revising our Language Arts curriculum.  Due to the scope of this work, it will take two to three years to fully develop and articulate all the revisions for Language Arts.  

Also in June, 37 staff members, again representing kindergarten through grade 12, participated in Social Studies curriculum work.  Staff members focused on clarifying our commitment to conceptual understanding and creating curriculum units that will give students a better understanding of Social Studies.  

Our curriculum evaluation and revision cycle ensures all disciplines will be regularly reviewed and revised in order to stay current, relevant, and rigorous.
   
Inside the District “Superintendent’s Mailbag” is a short segment on the Region’s television program, “Inside the District,” where I answer community members’ questions. If you have a question you would like me to address, please click on the following link:

http://www.region15.org/insidethedistrict.shtml
Board of Education Meeting Date Schedule Please click here for complete schedule: 
 

Schedule of Board of Education Meeting Dates