Superintendent hosts coffee meeting highlighting community support and upcoming events

The New Milford Board of Education convened on October 5, 2021, to discuss various initiatives and updates within the district. The meeting began with a recap of the recent "Coffee with the Superintendent" event, which saw participation from about a dozen community members. The Superintendent expressed gratitude for the engagement and announced that the next coffee session would take place on November 10 in the evening, with a reminder link to be sent out beforehand.

The Superintendent also acknowledged the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their assistance with cleanup efforts, highlighting the community's support despite their own challenges. The meeting included updates on the servicing of field lights, confirming that the home football game would proceed, although the exact time was still pending.

A significant upcoming event was announced: a domestic violence symposium scheduled for October 27, in partnership with the police department. This event will be held at the high school, with panel members attending in person and guests participating virtually.

In terms of educational initiatives, the elementary schools kicked off a "Week of Respect," focusing on self-respect and community values. The theme for October is "diversity," which will be integrated into various school activities. The middle school is also participating in service learning by organizing a cleanup at Warren Park and welcoming new language teachers.

At the high school level, the Halloween haunt event is set to return, providing students with opportunities for community service. Additionally, the completion of Start Strong testing for ninth graders was noted, with plans to continue testing for grades 10 through 12.

Upcoming activities include a Financial Aid Night for juniors and seniors on October 7, a distracted driving presentation for tenth graders on October 15, and workshops addressing domestic violence and drug awareness later in the month. The meeting concluded with recognition of Coach Greg Kelly, who will receive a special achievement award at the YMCA dinner, and a call to appreciate the coaches in the district on National Coaches Day.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the district's commitment to community engagement, educational initiatives, and student support, with several events and programs planned for the month of October.