Poquonock School

We are stepping into the third week of #WHM and the holy month of Ramadan. As our Muslim students, teachers, and families observe this sacred time of reflection and renewal, we recognize the strength, discipline, and devotion it represents. We, too, are in a season of renewal—embracing growth, curiosity, and new possibilities. Our educators are working hard to spark wonder and capture the essence of exploration within our classrooms. Let’s continue to inspire, uplift, and empower one another to make this a great week! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

Fighting for Windsor’s Students at the State Level! CABE President and Windsor BOE member Leonard Lockhart is leading the charge for fair teacher pay, sustainable funding, and critical special education resources for Connecticut’s students. At CABE’s annual Day on the Hill, Lockhart was joined by Windsor High School students, Superintendent Dr. Terrell Hill, and Windsor BOE President David Furie as he addressed key legislative issues, including: ✅ Fair Teacher Pay – Supporting competitive salaries while ensuring a sustainable funding plan for districts. ✅ Special Education Funding – Advocating for increased state support as WPS faces $23M+ in special education costs. ✅ Unfunded Mandates – Pushing back against financial burdens placed on school boards without full state funding. “With 756 students on IEPs in Windsor alone, we need state-backed solutions to ensure every child gets the support they deserve,” Lockhart emphasized. In today’s national climate, advocacy matters more than ever—and we’re proud to have a leader fighting for Windsor’s students! Huge Thank you to CABE President Lockhart and our WHS students for showing up!!! We ♥️ to see it! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽 #EducationMatters #AdvocacyInAction

Happy Friday, #WINdsorNation! 🎉 Can you believe it’s been 4 years since Dr. Mallery and his Social Emotional Learning team hit the ground running at WPS? Now, SEL isn’t just something we do—it’s in everything we are. Today, you could see it in action across the district during #SELDay. When student mental health is a priority, success follows—together, we’re building a stronger, more supportive community. #weareWINdsor 👐🏽 #SELfcare #SELitswhatwedo

Sending a big shoutout to Principal Jay Mihalko and our amazing Poquonock School community! Last week, they hosted the CT Association of Schools, and Principal Mihalko had the chance to showcase Poquonock’s greatest treasure—its incredible students and staff! 🤞🏽 Best of luck, Jay, as a finalist for CT Principal of the Year! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

Wishing our students, staff, and families observing a peaceful and blessed Ramadan! 🌙✨ May this month be filled with reflection, kindness, and community. Let’s continue to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and beliefs that make our district so vibrant. Ramadan Mubarak! #RamadanMubarak #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

#IssaMonday check-in, #WindsorNation! How’s everyone feeling? The ✨ magic of February is still going strong, and our students and educators are making the most of every moment! While we’re all looking forward to warmer days ahead, this season brings a focus on research projects, hands-on learning, and incredible opportunities to engage in deeper exploration. A huge shoutout to our Windsor High School students who have been inspiring the next generation—bringing our award-winning music program to elementary schools and delivering powerful performances that honor the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future! 🎶🎭 (📸We ♥️ to see it POQ!) #weareWINdsor👐🏽

Happy Friday #WINdsorNation! ✨Black educators do more than teach—they inspire, uplift, and create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of greatness! From the classroom to leadership, they challenge narratives, break barriers, and showcase Black excellence in action. To every Black educator shaping the future—your impact is powerful, your work is seen, and your joy is a revolution! 💛🙌🏾 (📸We ♥️ to see it JFK & POQ!) #HappyFriday #BlackJoy 🖤✨ #RepresentationMatters #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

Educators and staff left #WindsorNation energized and empowered! 🔑 Armed with key data trends, we celebrated student #wins and refocused on growth. As Dr. Hady declared, “Nothing can stop us—we’re on our way up!” 🚀 Here’s to even greater success in the second half of the year! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

At WPS, we PD different. 💡 Another inspiring #WindsorNation PD under the leadership of our North Star Navigator, Dr. Noha Abdel Hady, centered on Student Voice. From the award-winning WHS Gospel Choir to insights from Dr. Hill’s Student Advisory Council, our students showed up and spoke powerfully. We also saw our #LeadLearners, AKA building principals, take center stage, leading powerful PD sessions. 🗣️ #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

Super shoutout to our incredible students and families who joined us on their day off for #WindsorNation! When everyone is invited to the table, true growth happens. Thank you for helping us continue to elevate both culture and academics at WPS. ♥️ #StudentVoice #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

📢 BOE Recap: Last night, the Finance Committee, led by Chair Leonard Lockhart, wrapped up its 2nd Special Meeting/Public Forum. 💡 Dr. Hill clarified a clerical error, lowering the proposed budget increase to 6.88% (down from 7.55%) thanks to a tech reevaluation, reducing costs from $1.8M to $1.3M. 🖥️ Dr. Hady presented on Technology & Instructional Services, highlighting her strategic focus on reducing frivolous spending by keeping only essential software that truly benefits students and teachers. For instructional services, she emphasized sticking to Dr. Hill’s focus on academics and culture—steering clear of fleeting buzzwords and trends in education. 📚 Dr. Hady emphasized that Instructional Services Budget increases stem primarily from the new state reading mandate, which required the district to purchase “Bookworms” and “DIBELS.” #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

💭 Midweek check-in: How are you moving today, Windsor Nation? 👐🏽 Physical Education has always been about more than just sports—it’s where teamwork, perseverance, and self-regulation are built. Long before “SEL” was a thing, PE classes were already teaching life lessons that shape confident, empathetic learners. This ties right into our Instructional Core Wheel: nurturing the whole child through mind, body, and heart. So here’s your hump day challenge: Move with purpose, check in with yourself, and encourage someone else to do the same! (📸 We ♥️ to see it POQ!) What’s your favorite way to get moving? Drop it below ⬇️ #PhysicalEducationMatters #SELinAction #MovementIsMedicine #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

🚨🔥 Issue 7 of The Windsor Pulse is here, featuring insights from Dr. Hady along with all the amazing work the Instructional Services Team has been leading! 🧠📚 Halfway through the school year, there’s so much to celebrate: ✨ Student Success: Impressive growth from fall to winter diagnostics — a huge shoutout to our hardworking students, dedicated teachers, and supportive families! 🎯 Staying Grounded: Dr. Hady and her team continue to use the Instructional Wheel as a guide toward high-quality instruction and critical thinking development. ✍🏽 Back to the Basics: Balancing technology with foundational skills — think paper, pencil, and strong math/writing fundamentals. 🚀 What’s Next: From Strategic Operating Plan development to Dr. Hady and her team’s exciting exploration of AI in education, the future looks bright! Let’s keep pushing forward and taking Windsor to new heights. ♥️♥️#weareWINdsor 👐🏽 👉🏽 Check out the full issue now! https://5il.co/36qlc

🧧 Wishing a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! As members of our Asian American community and many cultures around the world celebrate the Year of the Snake, we honor the wisdom, transformation, and resilience this symbol represents. Wishing joy, prosperity, and continued growth to all who celebrate! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

🚨 Human Trafficking Impacts Communities Like Ours 🚨 Join us for a special Coffee Talk with Dr. Hill tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 5-6 PM at LP Wilson (BOE Room). Hear from Lori Blackburn & Dr. Nadine Thomas of The Underground NE during Human Trafficking Awareness Month. RSVP now: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040844A9AB2DA4FC1-coffee1. Learn more: www.theundergroundne.org #community #wesreWINdsor

📢 January BOE Recap: Budget season is here! 📝 Dr. Hill presented his proposed 2025-26 budget with a 7.55% increase, driven by unusually high health insurance claims ($2.18M). He’s committed to keeping cuts away from students and classrooms. 👋🏽 We also bid farewell to BOE Student Rep Victor Montilla, who leaves big shoes to fill! 👏🏽 💬 Stay involved: 📅 Tues, 1/28 | 6 PM | LPW Board Room 📅 Wed, 2/5 | 6 PM | LPW Board Room Visit our website for detailed budget info. #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

📢 Windsor, Let’s Talk Health! 🩺🗺️ Have 10 minutes to spare? Help shape the future of health in OUR town by taking the Community Health Needs Assessment Survey 📝 and trying out a super cool Interactive Map 🗺️! 👉🏾 Why should YOU participate? • 🏥 Share what’s working and what’s not when it comes to staying healthy in Windsor. • 💬 Speak up about mental health, physical health, and what YOU think we need more of! • 📍 Use the map to tell us what makes it easier (or harder) to stay healthy where YOU live, work, and play. Example: Mark your favorite walking trail 🏃🏾‍♀️ or a spot where you wish we had a park 🌳! 🔊 Your voice = real change! Together, we can help the Windsor Health Department focus on what matters most to YOU and your family. 🕐 It only takes 10-12 minutes and all responses are 100% confidential. 🔗 https://engageberrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/town-windsor-ct-community-health-needs-assessment (Link in Bio) Let’s make Windsor the healthiest it can be! 💚 #weareWINdsor 👐🏾 #HealthyWindsor #CommunityMatters

🎉 Exciting News for Poquonock School! 🎉 Our very own Jay Mihalko has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2025 Connecticut Elementary Principal of the Year Award! His incredible leadership and dedication have helped foster a proud culture at Poquonock, where excellence shines—including having the District Teacher of the Year for three consecutive years! 🏆 Want to learn more about Principal Mihalko’s journey and this amazing honor? 📰 Read the full story here: https://www.windsorct.org/article/1966022 Join us in celebrating this milestone and wishing Principal Mihalko the best as he moves forward in the selection process! 🙌🏽 Congratulations Jay! Much deserved!! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

🔊 Poquonock students had an unforgettable enrichment experience with an in-house field trip from the Children’s Museum, exploring the wonders of sound and vibrations. 🎶✨ Experiences like these bring our Instructional Core Wheel to life—sparking curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning. Here’s to starting the week inspired by discovery! #weareWINdsor 👐🏽

There’s nothing like the energy of a new year—hallways buzzing, minds ready to grow, and hearts full of possibilities! 🧠✨ #ThinkingThursday: With the Instructional Core Wheel guiding the way, we’re here to develop the genius in every child. Let’s make this year one of critical thinking, collaboration, and inspired learning. #weareWINdsor 👐🏽 (📸 We ♥️ to see it POQ and OE!)