August 17, 2026
Dear Poquonock Family,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope your summer was filled with rest, fun, and memorable moments. Our team has been hard at work preparing our building, and we cannot wait to open our doors to both new and returning students!
As a school community, we remain grounded in our Windsor Way Promise with our 4Cs: Being Courageous, Committed, Caring, and Creative.
This fall marks an extraordinary new chapter for Poquonock Elementary as we proudly launch the Windsor Early Learning Model (WELM). Designed specifically for our K–2 learners, WELM trades passive screen time for hands-on STEM exploration, daily outdoor learning, tactile discovery, and explicit foundational instruction. We are thrilled to partner with you as co-authors in your child’s education during a year that promises to be full of wonder, purpose, and joy!
Please review the key information below to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
Windsor Public Schools 2026-2027 Calendar is included at the end of this welcome letter for your reference.
Before the School Year Starts
Update your child’s contact information through the parent portal in PowerSchool via the district’s website at www.windsor ct.org.
To preview the step-by-step directions, please visit https://5il.co/1tp0b
To start the process, please click the link to our PowerSchool page to access the Parent Portal https://windsorct.sites.thrillshare.com/page/powerschool-parent-student-portal
Prior to the first day of school, families will be receiving a welcome letter by email from your child’s teacher.
Join us at Windsor Public Schools 5th Annual Back to School Block Party on Thursday, 8/27 from 4:00-7:00pm - This will be at 25 Sage Park Rd.
Check WPS Transportation website for bus information and assignments: https://windsorct.sites.thrillshare.com/page/transportation
If bus transportation is available for your child, it is highly encouraged that families take advantage of this.
Students in Grades K-5, who live less than a mile or less away from their school, are not eligible for transportation. All other students are eligible for bussing.
All students who reside in bus zones are automatically assigned to bussing. There is no "registering for transportation".
If students will be placed in before or aftercare (not TreeHouse), they will need to complete a Daycare Form: Daycare Form 26-27 and should be submitted as soon as possible (no later than August 17th) to ensure implementation for the first day of school.
Traversa Ride 360: To Find Bus Route you will need a 6 digit STUDENT ID (i.e. LUNCH PIN) (contact the main office of your child's school for this information) as well as your Child's birthdate. For additional information see: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2381/Windsor/2489915/_WPS_Traversa_Ride_360_User_Guides_Flyer.pdf
Important Notice - All students in PreK, Kindergarten, and/or those who utilize specialized transportation must have an adult present for pick up and drop off.
Important Notice for All Bus Students
All students are required to be at their bus stops at least 10 minutes prior to the estimated pick-up time.
2026-27 Transportation Timeline Information
All new registrations and daycare stop changes that are received by Monday, August 17th, by 4 pm will be assigned a bus route and will be transported on the first day of school (September 1).
All new registrations and daycare stop changes that come in between Tuesday, August 18th through Wednesday, August 26th, will be assigned a bus route to start transporting on Tuesday, September 14th.
New registrations and daycare changes that come in between Thursday, August 27th through Tuesday, September 8th, will not have bus transportation until Monday, September 14th.
Any new registrations and/or changes (including special transportation) AFTER September 14th will have a 3-5 working day waiting period before transportation will start.
Food Services Information:
Visit the Food Services website: Detailed instructions and support are available to help you set up your account on Linq Connect.
We encourage families who are in need of financial assistance and who have not done so already, to complete and submit the confidential Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application to ensure meal benefits are available for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
If your child is approved for free and reduced-price meals, eligibility will be carried over for the first 30 operating days of the 2026-2027 school year.
Families may complete an application online through LINQConnect.com or submit a paper application available at https://www.windsorct.org/page/food-services
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, breakfast will be provided at no cost to all Windsor Public School students every school day through Connecticut’s statewide breakfast program. Please remember: Free breakfast does not mean all school meals are free. Lunch meals will continue to have a cost unless a student qualifies for Free or Reduced-Price Meal Benefits.
Students may purchase Lunch for $3.00 or they may purchase milk only for $0.75. There are 3 ways to place money into a student's account:
Cash: accepted in any amount at any register at each school. Please send in the amount in an envelope to be placed on account. Include enclosed amount with the student's first and last name.
Checks: made out to Windsor School Food Service. Please include the student's first and last name on check.
Credit Card: payments are accepted through LinqConnect.com
Free & Reduced Meal Application Submit applications for September 1, 2026, to avoid being charged for meals before your eligibility is processed. Approval or denial letters will be mailed.
Tree House- Before and After School Program. Enrollment is open. Information at: https://windsorct.sites.thrillshare.com/page/tree-house-before-after-care-program PLEASE NOTE: Registration is on a first come, first serve basis and as space is available. Throughout the year registration is on a ROLLING ENROLLMENT.
Every Child Needs
Backpack
Snack - some classrooms will be peanut free, please refrain from sending in peanut products until you have been notified by the classroom teacher as to whether or not the room is a peanut free room.
Change of clothes in a bag labeled with the child’s first and last name to be kept in their locker.
Optional Purchases
Personal headphones labeled with your child’s name. You may want headphones that have a microphone.
Towel or small blanket for your child to use when going outside
First Day of School
Tuesday September 1st- (K-2) Doors open at 8:30am and school begins at 8:40am. Students who arrive after 8:40am are considered tardy. Student dismissal begins at 3:25 p.m
PreK Drop-off and Pick-up
AM PreK Drop off 8:40/Pick up 11:35
PM PreK Drop off 12:30/Pick up 3:25
Our Poquonock Family loves family visits and we will have many opportunities for volunteering and getting involved throughout the school year starting after the first four weeks of school. Until then we ask that you allow your child to learn their school routine and leave them with our amazing staff at the school door if you are dropping off. Our caring staff is here to help your child feel comfortable and welcome.
Parent Drop-off and Pick-up
Please note, if bus transportation is available for your child, it is highly encouraged that families take advantage of this.
Drop off & Pick up will be a valet service. You will need to assist your child with getting in and out of the car.
PreK team members will be at drop off outside of the main entrance and walk students down to their classrooms.
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders will be supported by staff in the hallway to assist them in reporting directly to their classrooms on the first day.
Additional Important Information
No School on Monday, 9/7/26, for Labor Day
Picture Day- Grades K-2: Friday, 9/4/26; PreK Tuesday, 9/8/26; Retakes for Grades on Tuesday, 10/20/26.
Early Dismissal Tuesday, 9/22/26, for Teacher Professional Development
Poquonock Open House- Wednesday, 9/30/26, 6:00-7:00 at Poquonock School
Bus tags will be attached to your child’s backpack on the first day by the classroom teacher.
Please ensure that any changes in your child’s after school plans are always made in writing or by calling the main office at 860-687-2080 ext. 0 by 2:00pm.
Please join the PTO Facebook group by searching Poquonock PTO.
Follow me on X(formerly Twitter) @theprincipalpoq.
Sincerely,
Jay Mihalko
Principal
5th Annual Back-to-School Block Party Is Happening August 27, and You Don't Want to Miss it!
Windsor Public Schools' 5th Annual Back-to-School Block Party is just around the corner!
Get ready for FREE food, ice cream, school supply giveaways for Windsor students, bounce houses, games, music, The Windsor Mobile Classroom, and more!
Date: August 27, 2026
Time: 4–7 PM
Location: 50 Sage Park Rd, Windsor, CT, 06095
We invite you to Windsor's most anticipated event of the season - organized by the Office of Family and Community Partnership and fully sponsored by our dear partners: Amazon, Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Water, MDC, and the Kiwanis Club of Windsor. Thank you for making this event possible! And a special thank you to our amazing volunteers, who have been hard at work preparing free school supplies for you! For any questions, please get in touch with Dr. Mallery: mmallery@windsorct.org.
Can't wait to see you there!
