In response to parent concerns expressed at the August 14 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue presented a proposal for a special education self-study at the board’s meeting on September 4.

The Newtown Public School District has announced there will be a three hour early dismissal on Thursday, September 6, due to expected temperatures.

Wesley Learning Center is marking its 25th anniversary this year. The Sandy Hook preschool opened at Newtown United Methodist Church for the 1993-94 school year, and Director Rahnna Peck recently reflected on the history of the school.

The Newtown Public School district announced there will be a three hour early dismissal on Wednesday, August 29.

The 2018-19 school year has begun. Across the district educators and school staff welcomed students on August 27 for the start of the first day of the new school year.

The Board of Education learned at its meeting on August 14 about a new grant earned by the The Afterschool Program (TAP) at Newtown High School. TAP Co-Directors Cathy Ostar and Tim DeJulio explained that the $5,000 SEL (Social/Emotional Learning) Innovation Award For Teachers grant will support a new mindfulness program.

Newtown Continuing Education announced registration for its fall courses is open. Classes are scheduled to begin as early as September 12.

Following the release of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)’s ranking of “What Colleges Look for in High School Students” in May, Certified College Counselor and Newtown resident Dana Roth shared her perspective in August to help students applying to colleges this fall.

New school district staff hired ahead of the 2018-19 school year attended a week-long orientation at Reed Intermediate School August 13 to 17. The week included presentations, activities, and a bus tour of the town.

Parents can take photos on the first day of school in Newtown, August 27, of their children to submit to The Newtown Bee for possible publication in the August 31 print edition of the paper or online at newtownbee.com.