Skip to main content

Newington Public Schools

Every student will be a contributing member of their community and highly prepared for life after graduation.

Principal's Update 2/1/2026

Posted Date: 02/01/26 (09:00 AM)


Principal's Updates

Ruth L. Chaffee

Chaffee Cardinal Mascot

Around the School:

Start the Day Strong with School Breakfast- Sent in ParentSquare 1/28

Dear Families,

Did you know that a healthy breakfast can help students focus, learn, and feel their best all day long?
We’re excited to remind you that school breakfast is available every school day, Monday–Friday, when
school is in session!

Breakfast is served in the cafeteria before the school day begins and offers students a convenient, nutritious
way to start their morning with friends.

Breakfast Times:
  • High School: 7:10 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
  • Middle School: 7:40 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
  • Elementary School: 8:35 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
  • Elementary students eat breakfast in their classrooms.

Delayed Openings
  • Breakfast is served at the High School and John Wallace on delayed opening days.
  • Martin Kellogg and Elementary schools do not serve breakfast on delayed opening days.
Cost
  • $2.00 for paid students
  • Free for students approved for free or reduced-price meals

Want to see what’s on the menu? Check it out here: https://www.npsct.org/school-menus
School breakfast is quick, easy, and a great way to make mornings less stressful for families. We encourage all
students to take advantage of this opportunity to start their day nourished and ready to learn!
If you have any questions, please contact the Foods and Nutrition Services Department
at foodservices@npsct.org or (860) 665-8635..

Warm regards,
Dana L. Markovics
Director of Foods & Nutrition Services
Poster announcing "Mr. Marciano Day" on Thursday, February 5th, with a call for dollar donations for a free little pantry.

Calling All Artists

Greetings, Ruth Chaffee Staff, Families, and Friends~

Are you an Artist, Artisan, or Craftsperson?  Would you like an opportunity to share your Art form with your child and his/her classmates in Ruth Chaffee’s Art classroom?   We, Mrs. Frazao and her Elementary Artists, would love to hear from and meet you!

         In getting to know my wonderful Elementary Artists, it has occurred to me that there are so many of you, parent(s) and/or extended family members, who are practicing Visual Artists and/or Art Educators.  We (myself and students) often think, “How amazing is that?  What if they could visit and share their art process with us”?

        I would like to invite you, Artists, Artisans, and/or Craftspeople, to Ruth Chaffee’s Art classroom to share your Artwork and process with your child and their classmates. With a visit from you in Art class, we hope students will extend their learning of concepts taught to the community and apply them to real-world life experiences.

     It is also VERY sweet to see how proud students are when they can share a loved one with friends!

        Please consider an Art class visit at any time this 2025-26 school year. Email me cfrazao@npsct.org and we can work together to plan a date/time/experience for your child and their classmates.

If you would like to visualize what your Artist visit could look like, click the link below to preview some of our visiting Artists from 2024: Visiting Artist Series 2024


Courtney Frazao
Art Teacher
Ruth Chaffee Elementary School

Groups for Winter Term- From Mrs. West-Balling

Groups for Winter Term
Inflorescence Healing
66 Cedar Street Suite 208
Newington, CT

Chor-All, an 8 week choral group for children of ALL abilities Ages 8-14
- Thursday evenings, February 5th through March 26th 5:30-7:00
- Concert: TBA
- Tuition of $200 must be paid prior to the start of rehearsals.

“Boy’s Figure it Out Group” Boys in grade 1-4 will come together and
problem solve, practice social skills and learn emotional regulation skills
through the utilization of creative activities.
- Registration limited!
- Tuition of $150 due at registration.
- Tuesdays 6:00 pm February 2nd-March 24th

“Are you my friend?” Girls in grades 4-8 will learn to navigate the tricky
relationships called friends, how to problem solve, increase social skills and
have fun participating in creative arts activities.
- Tuition of $150 due at registration for new clients.
- Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. February 3-March 25th
- Insurance can be used for this group

“What is self care?” Parents will come together to discuss situational
struggles with their children, learn good communication skills and emotional
regulation strategies for themselves and their children, while exchanging
ideas for self care strategies.
- Tuition of $150 due at registration.
- Tuesdays 6:00 pm February 2nd-March 24th

To register or for questions contact: inflorescence.healing@gmail.com or
860-978-7645
PTA Wolfpack Fundraiser Information

Important Links

Breakfast/Lunch Menus

Reminders:

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration Information:

We are gearing up for the upcoming school year. We are in the process of gathering packets for students eligible for Kindergarten who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026. Anyone who is interested in their student starting Kindergarten who will turn 5 after September 1, 2026 please see the next section labeled Kindergarten Waiver 2026-2027.  

Packets are anticipated to be mailed to families we have listed mid February. All registration is to be completed online. 
A friendly reminder that if any incoming Kindergarten student attends a Newington Public Schools preschool program currently, they will not receive a Kindergarten packet as they will not need to register. They will begin to receive information for the upcoming school year over the summer. 

Please make sure your friends or neighbors, who have students eligible for school next year, are aware that the information will be mailed in the next couple weeks. We encourage them to call our office at 860-666-4687 to confirm that their student is in our system, so they will receive the upcoming mailing.

Kindergarten Waiver- Shared through ParentSquare on 1/16/26

Dear Newington Public Schools Current and Prospective Families, 

In accordance with Public Act 23-159, as amended by Section 1 of Public Act 23-208, amends Connecticut General Statutes § 10-15c (Spanish version), to require that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year (2026-2027) in order to enroll in kindergarten.  

National longitudinal studies and our review of local longitudinal assessment data indicate that students who begin Kindergarten at 5 years old in September have statistically stronger performance than students who enter Kindergarten early.

If a parent or guardian wishes to request that their child be considered for early admittance to Kindergarten, the following steps would be taken:       
  1. The parent or guardian must complete the Request for Early Kindergarten Entrance Waiver form before February 6th.  
  2. The child must attend a Kindergarten Age 4 Screening Process offered at each elementary school. The principal or appropriately certified staff member(s) will conduct an academic and social-emotional assessment. The child will need to meet or exceed fall Kindergarten benchmarks in numeracy, literacy, social, and language skills to be granted early admittance to Kindergarten by the school’s assessment team.  
  3. This upcoming Kindergarten Screening will be offered by appointment only on April 21, 2026
The principal will provide written notice to the parent or guardian of the decision. Students will not be screened more than once. A decision regarding early entry will be made following the assessment session, and the parent/guardian will be informed of the decision. 
Parents/Guardians should NOT initiate kindergarten registration until they have received a final waiver decision from the District. 
Completion of this form will act as Step 1 of the process: a written request to have your child assessed for kindergarten. 

PLEASE SUBMIT ONE FORM PER CHILD.  
You can direct any questions to the building principal of the elementary school your child is requesting to attend.
  • Anna Reynolds Elementary School: Principal Jason Smith, jsmith@npsct.org, (860)521-7830
  • Elizabeth Green Elementary School: Principal Kevin Doran, kdoran@npsct.org, (860)666-3394
  • John Paterson Elementary School: Principal Arleen Torres-Ruiz, atorresruiz@npsct.org, (860)666-4657
  • Ruth Chaffee Elementary School: Principal James Marciano, jmarciano@npsct.org, (860)666-4687

Now Accepting Applications for Preschool

Newington Public Schools offers preschool opportunities, at all of our elementary schools, for three and four year old children. Our preschool program is designed to integrate children with special needs and children who are typically developing. Please click here for more information, or to apply for the 2026-27 school year.
Poster announcing the Harlem Wizards vs. Wallace Alley-Hoopers basketball game on March 17, 2026, at Newington High School Gym.
Newington Area Food Resources

Early Childhood Screening

Click here for more information regarding opportunities for your child to attend an early childhood screening at our school! Participation will allow the staff to observe your child’s speech and language, motor, social, and cognitive skills.

Ruth Chaffee Pet Wall

The Pet Wall is growing! Students and staff alike are enjoying all of the pet and stuffed animal photos! If you would like to submit your pet(s) use this link Ruth Chaffee Pet Wall Submission Form.
Calendar

Important Dates

Tues. Feb. 3rd- PL Day- Students Dismissed at 1:40p.m.
Tues. Feb. 3rd - PTA Meeting - 6:30p.m. Media Center
Thurs. Feb. 5th. - Spirit Day- Mr. Marciano Day- Wear Red, Pizza, or Dress like Mr. Marciano
Thurs. Feb. 5th- Student Council Mtg. - 3:30-4:15p.m.



 
Student Handbook
School Year Calendar
Attendance Policy
Report Challening Behavior Here
 
Desk with keyboard, glasses, and note pad

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

  • 860-666-4687
  • jmarciano@npsct.org