1-2-26 East Haven Public Schools District Newsletter

Posted Date: 01/02/26 (10:00 AM)

East Haven Public Schools

District Newsletter

January 2, 2026

Dear EHPS Community,

Happy New Year! We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a restful, joyful winter break. We are thrilled to welcome our students back to the classroom this Monday, January 5th, to begin a brand-new year of learning and growth.

We want to take a moment to emphasize that every day counts. Consistent school attendance is one of the most significant factors in a child’s academic success. When students are in class, they build essential habits, engage in hands-on learning, and strengthen their connections with peers and teachers. We are committed to partnering with you to ensure your child is present and ready to learn.

Health & Safety: Staying Well This Winter

With the cold and flu season upon us, we are taking extra precautions to keep our school community healthy. Our custodial team is ready to implement additional deep cleaning practices in classrooms and common areas to prevent the spread of germs.

We know it can be difficult to decide if your child is "too sick" for school. To help you navigate this, please use the guidance shared below, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school.

Important Calendar Reminder

Please take note of the schedule for our first week back:

Monday, Jan. 5: School in Session
Tuesday, Jan. 6: No School for Students (Three Kings Day: Holiday Observation - Staff PD)
Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 7-9: School in Session

We look forward to seeing all of our students on Monday morning! Thank you for your continued support in making this a successful school year.

In partnership,

Adam Swinney, Interim Superintendent

District Highlights

New Enrichment Programming Partnership with East Haven Youth Services

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with East Haven Youth Services to provide onsite enrichment programming at each of our elementary schools for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year!

This collaboration brings exciting new opportunities directly to our students through an extended school day model. As we roll out these programs, we will be carefully reviewing their impact on student engagement and learning to help inform and shape future expansion opportunities for our district.

Choose from:

STEM Challenges
Creative Baking/Cooking
High Energy Adventure Sports Program

Each program will run for three weeks (see flyer for specific school dates). The total cost is $30 for program.

Need Assistance registering? Contact Andrea Kenney by email akenney@easthaven-ct.gov or phone (203) 468-3376.

What’s Right With Schools

Jonathan Acupina, student in our Transition Academy, represented East Haven proudly in a News 8 feature of What’s Right With Schools. Jonathan was selected to have his artwork featured in Mattatuck Museum’s Free to Be exhibition highlighting the gifts and talents of exceptional learners. EHPS paraeducator Jane Lewin was also highlighted, speaking about the importance of expanding opportunities for all students and inspiring them to pursue new interests. Click HERE to watch the segment.

The Transition Academy was recognized this past June for their award-winning workplace simulation programming, Exceptional Creations Blooms and More, and their booth has become a fixture at the East Haven Farmers’ Market.

Mid-Year Progress: K–8 Assessments

As we head into January, our students will soon begin their Mid-Year Assessments. These check-ins are vital tools that allow us to monitor each child’s progress in relation to grade-level expectations.

These assessments are not just about "scores"—they are essential for growth. They provide our teachers with the data needed to reflect on instructional practices and design specific adjustments for the months ahead to ensure every student is challenged and supported. While we believe the assessments are important, we also work to minimize the timing to ensure students are focused on continued learning in the classroom.

What Assessments Will My Child Take?

To get a comprehensive view of student learning, we utilize the following research-based tools:

DIBELS 8th Edition (Grades K–5): These short, one-on-one assessments help us understand your child's foundational reading development, such as phonemic awareness and fluency. To learn more:

iReady Reading & Math (Grades K–8): This adaptive diagnostic helps us see how students are progressing in relationship to the Connecticut State Standards, identifying both areas of strength and opportunities for extra support. To learn more:

Partnering with Families

We believe that education is a partnership. Results will be shared with families once the testing window is complete. This information offers a clear "snapshot" of where your child is currently and helps us work together to ensure they reach their end-of-year goals.

Your child's school will communicate their specific mid-year testing dates. Thank you for your continued support and for ensuring your child is well-rested and ready to show what they know during this window!

District Information & Resources

Weather Related Delays & Cancellation Updates

Here are ways the district communicate delays and cancellations due to inclement weather. Decisions are made collaboratively with Public Works and the Bus Company with safety as our top priority.

Phone, Text Messages and Email via our Parent Square system. Please make sure your child’s school has updated phone and email information.
News Channels - WTNH, FOX 61, WVIT-30, WFSB-3 & NECN
EHPS Website features an alert banner with a weather related announcement appearing on all web pages. All school websites as well as the district website will feature weather related announcements.

Please Update Your Contact Information

Please log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal App or Click Here to log in to Powerschool and update your contact information. This ensures that the schools and the district have the most up-to-date information on you and your students.

Log Into PowerSchool Here

The YMCA 2025-26 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!

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!

Attendance Matters

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Strong attendance is directly tied to academic success. Please help us by making school attendance a top priority for your child. Missing more than 2 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.

Help your child succeed in school by building the habit of good attendance early. Visit this link for helpful tips on building healthy attendance habits as early as Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Keep your child on track in middle school and high school and help your teen stay engage. Visit this link to learn what you can do.

Let’s partner together to ensure that every child attends school regularly and has the best possible opportunity to achieve.

East Haven District & Community Information & Resources

East Haven Academy Lottery Information - 2026-2027 School Year

Lottery applications can be accessed by clicking here beginning January 12, 2026 and ending March 6, 2026. Your child must be entering Grade 1 for the 2026-2027 school year. Follow the steps outlined below to submit an application online by March 6, 2026.

East Haven Adult Education Programs for Spring 2026

East Haven Adult Education is offering a high school completion, ESL Citizenship program free to East Haven residents. Enrichment classes are also availalbe. Scan the QR codes for the course catalog and to register for Spring 2026 programs.

East Haven's Mobile Food Pantry

Distributions are every other Tuesday 2-2:45 p.m. at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, 355 Foxon Rd., East Haven

Walk up distribution. No residency required. Please bring your own bag.

Dates for 2026:

January 6 & 20
February 3 & 17
March 3, 17 & 31

Foxon Recreation League Girls Softball

Multi town reacreational travel. Sign up at Hays School, 1 Maple Ave., East Haven. Early Bird Special: $100 per child if registered before February 1st. $125 if registered after February 1st. For more information contact Lou Jason: 203-214-7165

East Haven Little League Spring 2026 Season - Early-Bird Pricing

East Haven Little League registration is now open for the Spring 2026 season. Register online at www.easthavenlittleleague.com

East Haven Youth Services Teen Center

Come hang out with old friends and make some new friends! This program is for students in grades 6 through 8. The program runs every other Friday continuing January 16th through March 6th, from 7-9:30 p.m.You must be pre-registered to attend the Teen Center. Please register at: easthavenrecreation.org

East Haven Family Resource Center

Join the Family Resource Center Playgroup

Ages 2 and under meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am to 11:30am. Ages 2-5 meet on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30am. Please register for playgroups in advance with the QR code or contact (203) 468-3305.