ELI WHITNEY
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Greeting Parents/Guardians,
1/2017
We are excited about our first Family Engagement newsletter. We have been actively
working at building our school, parent, student and community partnership.
We believe that in order for students to reach their maximum potential at Eli Whitney it
is important to have strong relationships between all our stakeholders.
Please make efforts to increase your involvement at our school by participating in our upcoming Family Engagement events. We are so happy to think of working with you collaboratively to educate our students.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter!
Sincerely, Mia Becton, MSW, School Social Worker and Family Engagement Staff Liaison
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Students in Their Trade
2
General Education
3
Related Education
3
Health and Physical
Education
3
Student Talent
4
Support Staff
4
New England Association
of Schools and Colleges
MESSAGE FROM:
5
Extended Day Program
5
Parent, Faculty
Organization
5
Upcoming Events
5
Dr. Mary Moran, Principal
Reading is essential to success in every academic and trade area. All academics require the reading of
textbooks and other materials and all of the trades have code books, technical manuals, licensing exams, or
advertising requirements.
Our students have terrific goals for themselves that involve college, the military, their chosen trade, or all three. Making
these goals a reality is difficult for students who cannot read effectively. Unfortunately, most of our students are reading
below grade level and will need to improve to meet their personal goals. Fortunately, there is help.
We have a comprehensive reading program that meets each student at his or her level and provides support and reading
practice to improve. If students participate fully, they will see substantial gains in reading! By now, you should have
received information about the reading level of your child. If you have not, or if you want to know more, please call us
and we will help you. Remember, all students always have a book to read. Please help them by encouraging them to read
at home regularly.
A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF OUR TRADES
CARPENTRY
SAL LOMBARDO AND & WESLEY CRAWFORD
Students are busy starting a roof.
HAIRDRESSING
GRAPHICS
KAREN ETHERIDGE & AIMEE CORREA
ROBERT MARTINCHEK & RICHARD HODGKINS
Upper classmen have received a certification of achievement on behalf of the
Icon Shear International Corporation.
Our shop is working on peer-tutoring
opportunities to collaborate and increase the depth of knowledge between
all grades in our department. We are
focusing on building an environment
that is student-centered. One of our
important goals is growing our clientele
highlighting students’ amazing talents.
Our shop welcomes all clients from
The graphics seniors and juniors worked on designing
a new energy drink. The project required them to use
their graphic design skills to produce a label design,
flyer, store display and advertisement on the side of a
truck. On completion of the project students did a
presentation selling their new product. The freshmen
were busy in Phase II Exploratory working in small
teams on a board game design. The seniors were the
judges for this project which was fun for both groups.
our school community.
As always, production work for our school as well as
outside customers is ongoing. We recently completed
a program for a fashion show at Kaynor Tech.
ELECTRICAL
MIKE SIEFKER & SHANNON COZZA
Students show their community service spirit.
A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF OUR TRADES
JOHN WELCH & ROBERT MCCONNELL
All auto 10-12th grade students were recently certified in the use of digital multimeters. Multimeters are used in many
trades including automotive to measure voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits. This certification came
after several weeks of theory and shop use of the meters. Students took an online nationally recognized course and fifty
question test. Minimum passing score is 80%. This skill will be used almost every day in the auto shop.
CULINARY
EDWIN ARMSTRONG,
HARROLL CURRY, RICHARD MOORE
Our culinary students are continuing to learn and perfect their cooking techniques. Meeting deadlines have improved students’ time management and increased their practice of self- management
skills.
We recently catered a continental breakfast for 25 guests with a variety of delicious flavors.
Luncheon catering events involve organizing and serving a dining staff with the option of a buffet,
sit-down, or to-go-ordering menu. Many of our elaborate meals are followed by elegant desserts.
MARKETING, MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MME)
SHERIE GOLDSTEIN
MME students are working hard at televising their anti-bullying video. It will show what bullying looks like and
end with an anti-bullying message.
 Have a Heart , Don’t Take Part
 See Something, Do Something!
 Ask the Bully to STOP!
 Report it.
 Be Kind.
 Treat Others with Respect.
 Offer Friendship.
Continue to watch out for Dr. Moran’s weekly parent
emails which highlight the Top Shop healthy competition
challenge amongst the trades and the challenge results!
To date Electrical Shop is in the lead!
STUDENT TALENT
Drawing by student Brandon Streater, 10th grade
Problem
by
Corey Bethea, 12th Grade Student
Was there a time in your life you thought you were weak?
I bet that there was a time you needed to get out of your seat.
I know that everyday won't be the same.
But trust me when I tell you, “You can't quit the game.”
Let's insert the coin, that's the start.
Don’t quit; your problems can tear you apart.
Learn how to stand up, this shows that you're strong.
Listen to my words, trust me you won't go wrong.
Problems will come in a flash.
But the choice is yours to make it last.
It's not hard, but it ain’t simple either
You gotta ignite the flame, put the coal in the heater.
Now we’re cooking, we can start somewhere.
Let's burn these problems away; now we can go anywhere.
THANKS TO
NORMA VALSECCHI, ISS INSTRUCTOR, &
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT STAFF LIAISON
FOR SUBMITTING STUDENT ART AND POETRY.
HELPFUL RESOURCE
INFOLINE– CALL-2-1-1
 FIND ANSWERS TO ALL COMMUNITY QUESTIONS AND
SUPPORT
 CALL IF YOU OR ANY FAMILY MEMBER ARE IN CRISIS
 INFOLINE IS FREE, CONFIDENTIAL AND OPEN 24
HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY
 BILINGUAL/TTY SUPPORT AVAILABLE
SUPPORT STAFF
GENERAL EDUCATION NEWS
RELATED EDUCATION NEWS
JOSEPH TOMASELLI
HELEN ALBERT
.
The Eli Whitney Accelerated
Reader Program continues to
support student reading literacy
improvements. Students earn
points by independently reading
books in their individual ZPD
(Zone of Proximal Development). Then a comprehension
quiz is taken on each book read.
Every student has a point goal
that must be met all four semesters. In grades 9 and 10,
Accelerated Reader counts for 40% of each students’ Language Arts Lab grade. In grades 11 and 12, Accelerated
Reader counts for 10% of each student’s English grade.
How can you support your child in reaching his or her Accelerated Reader point goal?

Create a quiet, well-lighted place for your child to read
comfortably.

Ensure that your child reads his or her Accelerated
Reader book for at least 20 minutes every day!
All students know what it is, and they know what
is expected!
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
NATALIE WILLIS
The fitness room equipment has been delivered
and soon all students will be completing the safety
training.
Our 12th grade students in Coach Paz’s class have
been working with Southern Connecticut State
University’s physical education students on team
sports.
We are proud to announce this is the first year we
are offering PE electives for upperclassmen. We are
currently offering Lifetime Activities and Strength
and Conditioning.
Our Junior Health classes will be starting a new
certification program. We will now be certifying the
11th graders in CPR and AED.
Helpful Math Websites
Aleks
www.aleks.com
Khan Academy
www.khanacademy.org/
Math Planet
http://www.mathplanet.com/about-mathplanet
Homework Spot
http://www.homeworkspot.com/high/math/algebra.htm
YouTube
www.youtube.com
Ted Ed
www.teded.com
SCIENCE
LORA CAVALLO
Ninth grade science students have been working on
identifying characteristics of matter and energy.
They’ve recently explored renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and are preparing to
design and build solar ovens.
Tenth grade life science students are differentiating
between plant and animal cells, bacteria and viruses.
Eleventh and twelfth grade biology students have
been busy exploring cell structure and function,
classification of organisms, biomolecules and basic
biological reactions.
Junior and Senior Chemistry students have been
learning about matter and the atom. Next they will
explore Quantum Mechanics.
Senior anatomy and physiology students have been
investigating cell differentiation, how cells form layers in the body to create tissues and have mastered
the integumentary system. Ask your child for
more information!
Media Services, Student Services, Health
and Safety, Auxiliary, Student Records,
School Staff, Administration, Finance
and Business Operations, School Facilities, School Atmosphere and Postsecondary Programs. Prior to the NEASC visit,
Eli Whitney staff worked diligently in
completing documents that answered
numerous questions in all the above
areas.
REMINDERS
LET’S WORK TOGETHER:
 PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD
TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY!

 PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH
WITH YOUR CHILD’S
TEACHERS TO PROMOTE
YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC
SUCCESS!
NEW ENGLAND
The NEASC Committee visited Eli
ASSOCIATION OF
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES Whitney on 9/26-9/29th. Committee
The New England Association members toured the school, met with
staff, viewed teaching and learning
of Schools and Colleges
(NEASC), the oldest accredit- occurring in classrooms as well as
reviewed documents related to the above
ing association, evaluates
areas.
schools every ten years and
helps schools identify
strengths, weaknesses and
develop corrective action
plans to improve the school.
Eli Whitney was recently
visited by a committee from
NEASC to conduct the
decennial evaluation for
accreditation.
The NEASC Committee
reviewed the following areas
impacting the school: School
Philosophy and Goals, School
and Community Relations,
Educational Program, Instruction, Evaluation, Educational
EXTENDED SCHOOL DAY
PROGRAM
At the conclusion of their visit, they met
with school staff and gave a brief report
of their findings. Overall, they commented that Eli Whitney has a positive
school atmosphere that is conductive to
teaching and learning. They were impressed with our students (who they felt
were respectful) and commended all
(students and staff) in helping to make
their visit at Eli an enjoyable experience.
It is expected that Eli Whitney will
be given a complete report of NEASC
findings and recommendations for
improvement by spring, 2017.
PARENT, FACULTY ORGANIZATION (PFO)

Become a member of our PFO

PFO meets 2nd Tuesday of the month at Eli Whitney

For more information, please contact Johnny
Williams, PFO President, 203-500-7393 or

Sherie Goldstein, Eli Whitney PFO staff liaison, 203–
397-4031, ext. 3733
PLEASE HAVE YOUR
CHILD DRESSED IN
UNIFORM EVERY DAY!
English and Math Tutorial

Reading - Monday & Wednesday
(2:15-4:00 pm)

Math - Tuesday & Thursday
(2:15-4:00 pm)
If your child is in need of assistance,
please get a registration form from
our guidance office.
STAYED TUNED FOR THE
UPCOMING FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT EVENTS:

Book Club Kick Off
“I Am Malala”

Information session for parents
of children receiving specialized instruction.

Upcoming newsletter