New Haven Public Schools Newsletter

A Message from Superintendent Garth Harries

Dear New Haven Public School Family, I hope you and your child are having a fantastic year - full of learning, growth and exciting adventures inside and outside of the classroom. Here at New Haven Public Schools, we believe that all kids can learn, achieve, and rise to a bright future! We know we can't succeed for our students without help and support from parents and community partners. Today we are launching a newsletter designed to empower and inform parents and share opportunities for parents to get more involved at the school and district level. We'll be sending out the newsletter regularly in email form, with links to an online version that schools can print out and send home to families. The newsletters will include upcoming events and meetings, important announcements, resources for parents and celebrations of the students and schools that inspire us every day. We will also feature Idea Box, a tool for parents to communicate ideas and concerns directly to Central Office. You can help us spread the word by sharing this email with other parents at your school. I also wanted to share with you our newly updated vision and goals for New Haven School Change, which you can read by clicking on this link. A key priority that we will be focusing on in the coming year is parent engagement and communication. Here are some ways you can be more involved in your child's education: Get to know your child's teachers and principal by attending school meetings and parent-teacher conferences. Report card night is happening this week - on Wednesday for elementary schools and Thursday for high schools. Read everything that is sent home from school: report cards, homework assignments, letters, and vacation and bus schedules.  Join your school's parent organization and consider getting involved in the Citywide Parent Leadership Team or Title I parent group. For more information, click here. Encourage your child to read at home and make sure he or she attends school every single day.    We look forward to great conversations, great learning and a great year ahead! Best wishes, Garth Harries Superintendent of Schools Forward this email STAY CONNECTED          In This Issue Superintendent's Message Parent Resource Corner Superintendent's Night Out Citywide Parent Leadership Team Want more photos? Schools in the News Idea Box Upcoming Events 11/12 Elementary/Middle School Report Card Night 11/13 High School Report Card Night 11/19 Title I District-Wide parent Meeting - 6pm @ Clemente School 11/21 - Superintendent's Night Out 11/24 - Board of Ed meeting 11/27-28 Thanksgiving Break 12/4 - Citywide Parent Leadership Team Meeting 12/8 - Board of Ed meeting Visit the district calendar! Find out how New Haven Promise can help your child rise to success in college and career.  Click here to read more. Parent Resource Corner Do you want to know more about youth programs or how to get involved? Need information on how to download the NHPS smartphone app to get the latest updates? Visit the Parent Resource Corner on the district website for links to important information you can use. Click here to read more. Open Schools Program Starts Monday, Nov. 10 Did you know NHPS partners with New Haven Parks and Recreation to keep 15 schools open during the evenings for kids? Click here for the schedule. Click here for a short survey about the program.

Superintendent's Night Out Friday, Nov. 21 5:00-6:30 p.m. Beecher School 100 Jewell St., New Haven Superintendent's Night Out is back! Superintendent Harries wants to hear from you, so come on out and share your ideas. The event is open to all - parents, staff and community - and free food will be served. Citywide Parent Leadership Team Thursday, Dec. 4 5-7 p.m. Wilbur Cross High School 181 Mitchell Drive, New Haven - On M bus line. Citywide Parent Leadership Team is looking for parents! This is a monthly meeting of parents from all NHPS schools to network, discuss topics of interest to all parents, and collaborate to improve education citywide. Free childcare is provided, along with dinner and Spanish translation. All are welcome. Meetings are usually the first Thursday of each month at Wilbur Cross High School. Click here for more information. Parents as leaders, learners, advocates Nearly 200 parents came out for Saturday's citywide Parent University day of workshops at Gateway Community College. A critical component of New Haven's School Change Initiative, Parent University aims to give parents the tools they need to help their children succeed in school and in life by offering free workshops, resources and networking. Look for workshops coming to your school. The next citywide event is in the spring. Read more Parent University draws 200 Want more photos?  Check out our new Flickr account. Students in action. Throughout the year, we'll post photo slideshows of events, performances, sports and activities. Visit Flickr now to see the ESUMS groundbreaking, Kindergarten Canvass, Back to School Rally and Youth Voice Leadership Conference. NPR profiles International Academy at Wilbur Cross High School And more news from the first few weeks of school... From 1,000 doors knocked on during the Kindergarten Canvass in August to a September visit by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten highlighting New Haven's trailblazing teachers to energetic groundbreaking ceremonies for ESUMS and Bowen Field, we've had a busy couple of months! Click here for the NPR story on International Academy. Click here for links to other recent news stories. Idea Box We want your feedback! Send us your feedback, suggestions, and ideas for celebrating students and schools. What else would you like to see in the Parent Connection newsletter?  Click here to fill out the Idea Box feedback form.