[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6077189,"mediaKeyId","2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6","parentId",2965349,"title","Board approves 2025–26 calendar tweaks, adopts 2026–27 calendar and advances policy updates","audioSeconds",775,"startMs",9881000,"endMs",10656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6&start=9881&end=10656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6/thumbnail_9881000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077189/Connecticut/Board-approves-202526-calendar-tweaks-adopts-202627-calendar-and-advances-policy-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077189-29d6be877bef5054c186262890f954cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171469&Signature=LmQ2j61k3rKpXyI~IdaB1f9oNy-XbDqOS4tCvMTnsB-pls7fQOXSZtA0O48Xp9aanLK4-lZvPNAf25UZbAmNsPhXUAphdDkJnZ~ZD~1LDW6aPRNK3NEpvyWxL7yRJQieJrywTPhNvhDEGMiZkYmWkZmahSu3CMmHq8x18HV3UHFFkMRSM7SwLPUzWgf-5wzd4HtytaHIP2PtpkxHlvK3pE4MnjSbLru2Y62tmvwjTAxArbZLy62FZSaBYDriEm6lQ0Q0Xu~mgMPNmPxpj83j9r4oJ1UXarSEOg2LGW0I-nj8Q7-6WVQtx6aNtZ8jyLMXSwEbMNUjLB881378-Kpl5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T22:45:13.463Z","article","The Newington Board of Education approved several calendar changes and policy updates in unanimous votes at its April 9 meeting.

Calendar adjustments for 2025–26: The board voted to move the first day back from winter break from Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, to Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, and to move the tentative last day of school from June 16, 2026, to June 17, 2026. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0. Administrators said teachers had expressed concern that a Friday return after break tends to create attendance problems; a staff survey showed a strong majority favoring the later return.

Other 2025–26 changes: The board also approved revised dates for elementary, middle- and high-school conferences and moved several professional learning days; the adjustments change timing but not the total number of required days. That motion likewise passed unanimously, 7–0.

2026–27 calendar: The board adopted the proposed 2026–27 school calendar, setting students’ first day on Aug. 27, 2026, and a tentative last day on June 11, 2027. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0. Board members noted the calendar still may change to reflect state or federal holidays and to accommodate any required instructional minutes.

Policy updates: The board voted unanimously to replace and renumber a portion of the community-relations policies (policies 1325–1700) with recommended revisions; the motion passed 7–0. The board and its policy committee said the changes clarified language, updated references and repositioned policies for clearer public access.

Votes at a glance:
- Adjust 2025–26 calendar (move Jan. 2 return to Jan. 5; last day to June 17): approved, tally 7–0.
- Revise 2025–26 conference and professional learning dates: approved, tally 7–0.
- Adopt 2026–27 school calendar as presented: approved, tally 7–0.
- Replace policies 1325–1700 with recommended revisions and revised numbering: approved, tally 7–0.

Each motion was recorded as unanimous by roll call; no board member registered a dissent or abstention. Administrators noted a pending requirement to provide education or observe Juneteenth in future calendars and said curriculum staff were preparing guidance should the district choose educational programming rather than an additional holiday.

Ending: The board moved through the votes quickly after discussion about teacher survey results and scheduling impacts on families. Administrators will publish the updated 2025–26 calendar and the adopted 2026–27 calendar and will post the revised policies for public review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NPS BOE Meeting - (4/9/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Newington Board of Education voted unanimously to adjust the 2025–26 school calendar, moved conference and professional learning dates, adopted the 2026–27 calendar and approved a set of revised community-relations policies; all votes passed 7–0.","taxTitle","Newington School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",51980,"location","Connecticut","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077194,"District outlines \"Bridge to Algebra\" change to middle-school acceleration after committee review",737,6911000,7648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6&start=6911&end=7648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6/thumbnail_6911000.jpg","/articles/6077194/Connecticut/District-outlines-Bridge-to-Algebra-change-to-middle-school-acceleration-after-committee-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077194-61404c09d76c5a13156610e7c9248faa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171469&Signature=ZA-Fedeynhfq-VxdIEc7EXVwerCfGtyv30BJKOFoQXTV7gPE05-GFEX0dBK3pek6Wi-72OSnOJLb2Zd4p68f82xiewiR4Zpic9Pr5edMqkir~hYsWmnsEW~f8puKLqf4s~TiAZV5Ah6Qy1SfZQpE0kOOOx3t9DWZAWqQ3BUs1qnAKOAcipMK97AkbhcFbkw2MWWe9BZctNghI1Yk9tUC~xhkcvnh~fqf7CLIVo-YOuPMeoMrRqtU4uCPoQ~c-6dSdDG6EU0FhmTnNBPEH-EmBKolriGPHGb1NcSQJZE0WKXEzD05rBJshzaj7a~yXu2nx55ObmTMxzNd~hN4flPZ3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Curriculum staff presented the Newington Board of Education with proposed revisions to the district’s middle-school acceleration path in mathematics aimed at increasing equitable access and improving later high-school outcomes.

K-12 mathematics coordinator Michelle Kellogg presented committee findings and the data that prompted the change; Kristen Freeman summarized the committee discussion for the board. Freeman said the district’s review showed a persistent opportunity gap: students of color, students with disabilities, English learners and students on free-and-reduced lunch were underrepresented in acceleration. She told the committee that, while acceleration historically allowed some students to reach AP Calculus BC, many accelerated students did not stay on that trajectory through high school.

To address that, the district proposes adding a \"Bridge to Algebra\" module that students must complete before enrolling in Algebra I. Freeman said the bridge covers grade 8 standards some students miss when they skip to Algebra I, and the goal is to ensure that early acceleration carries forward into stronger performance in Algebra II and precalculus. The district intends to preserve opportunities to reach the highest-level math courses: administrators noted students could still access AP calculus and other upper-level classes by doubling up in high school where needed.

Kellogg and Freeman described multiple delivery options for the bridge: a self-paced online module students can complete at home; structured in-person sections after school; two summer sessions; and a late-summer \"last push\" option. Freeman emphasized the district will offer the bridge free of charge and with flexible scheduling to reduce barriers.

Committee members told the board the students who have been accelerated into middle-school high-track classes are very rare exceptions in each cohort—committee figures described the number as extremely small and cited a range for those exceptions (committee reported a very small percentage, roughly between 0.003% and 0.012% of students in the middle-school population). Freeman emphasized that the district still provides case-by-case acceleration, including bussing to the high school for individual students where appropriate.

Parents who sent a letter to the board raised concerns about transparency and whether sixth- and seventh-grade acceleration would continue. Freeman clarified that the district is not removing acceleration; rather it is changing the pathway so more students can accelerate successfully and those who do accelerate are less likely to lose critical grade-8 skills later.

Kellogg will host three parent forums to explain the change, present data and take questions. No policy change or vote was taken at the meeting; the committee asked administrators to continue refining the bridge curriculum and to publish the forum schedule for parents.

Ending: The board asked curriculum staff to continue outreach and to present final curricular materials and scheduling details once developed. Freeman said the bridge program is intended to broaden access and improve long-term math outcomes rather than restrict student opportunity.

","Curriculum committee and administrators described revisions to how Newington accelerates middle-school students in mathematics, proposing a Bridge to Algebra pathway to increase long-term success and reduce uneven access to advanced math.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077198,"Newington High School expands grant-funded mental health program; students report reduced substance use and high anxiety",3991,2817000,6808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6&start=2817&end=6808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965349-679c4e114e836d3c1568d7a002802df6/thumbnail_2817000.jpg","/articles/6077198/Connecticut/Newington-High-School-expands-grant-funded-mental-health-program-students-report-reduced-substance-use-and-high-anxiety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077198-54821f0313e86cd97d2dfbf3865f3da1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171469&Signature=TkgrWi7mR-AwMz12EoALkvY4QvcGUyqdFYfTvU1TSzo0Sqw5aIg74BQFfXyiJT0Dd1EkEnH8mzPMUP5NJeIMVjAiRpTX6CE01zQZKI1pKEX7uCNh2MN6GaXMS1zkNxn7zsCsKL5rQ3h92bez2328C0Gh1S0o5MdRVcJ5yX0Ta8lSnqqPU5gR3m7Cs57sXtEXhqwrzkyWOdJeekHrectVGa8lDi3BPhhxrK3SyBHV5AkIwH-8~~efDkeIBB71K9UG1y-KR4n5jy2zrSwEBTrr-3rbm8OEWlK-c22TLlAu-ilxU8wh-e4Jlr3JdhDa3pRqOFwMzjCy5QBUIH1KjUXJXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newington School District officials and students described a two-year, grant-funded mental health program at Newington High School that combines a classroom seminar, one-on-one counseling and schoolwide prevention efforts.

The program is led by former Spanish teacher and current SEL counselor Miss Redmond, who told the Newington Board of Education the role includes a mental health seminar course, substance-use education and counseling, and planning schoolwide programs. Redmond said the seminar has been full and produced a wait list; she expects additional sections next year to meet demand.

Board members heard why the district funded a counselor focused on prevention and early intervention. Redmond summarized student survey findings and class activities: \"anxiousness has been at the top both years in a row,\" and students also commonly reported feeling exhausted, distracted and self-critical. She told the board that in a 2023 advisory survey about 652 students responded; she also later referenced two follow-up surveys with 457 online responses and 507 paper responses after a school assembly. Dr. Brummet stressed the scale of need: \"56.7 percent of students report being anxious,\" and added later in the meeting that \"98 percent of people engage in [a destructive behavior] to cope with stress,\" highlighting the program’s prevention focus.

Redmond described interventions and partnerships used in the course: a gratitude and daily-reflection routine, \"quote of the day,\" mindfulness sessions with instructor Amy Anzero, yoga, art-based exercises and a weekly \"feel-good Friday\" where students exchange supportive notes. The class also invited community partners for sessions, including youth services staff Kayla Hendrickson and Brett Mannion who provided QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide-awareness training; local mindfulness providers; CCAR and other substance-use organizations; and Monte Nido (an eating-disorders treatment program) to address body-image and eating-disorder concerns this semester.

Redmond said the program also supports students who come to school after disciplinary incidents: as part of a restorative approach, she meets with students for education and counseling instead of immediate removal. She described a multi-session follow-up plan for students caught with substances: \"we've set an 8 around 8 sessions where they would sit with me, for education counseling and goal setting,\" with scheduling done around students’ school periods and availability.

Redmond provided counts showing the program’s caseload and referrals: last year six students were formally referred by school discipline processes and eight self-referred; this school year she said 10 students were referred and five self-referred. She reported one student had a second offense that led to expulsion before she could meet the student. Redmond also said some students who started in the class have continued meeting with her; one student remains in counseling twice weekly.

Students in the class and the Stop the Stigma club described course activities and benefits. Willow read an 11th-grade student’s written testimony that credited the class and counselor with recovery: \"I am now 75 days sober due to her help, and I couldn't be more grateful.\" Other students described quitting social media for three weeks, using behavioral tools introduced in class, and feeling the course created a safe, nonjudgmental community: \"It makes you feel good about yourself... I feel so much better and have more confidence,\" one wrote in a course survey.

Redmond said the program collects data to guide programming; she described plans for a student-led mental health panel during Mental Health Week, expansion of mindfulness field-trip opportunities, continued guest speakers for addiction awareness, and development of a peer support group next year for students with family members who use substances.

No board vote was taken on the program at this meeting. Board members praised the work and urged continuation and broader outreach so students not enrolled in the elective can access the messages and resources. Superintendent Dr. Brummet and board members noted the program’s potential to keep students in school and reduce isolation, a stated goal that aligns with the district’s disciplinary and counseling practices.

The board asked administrators to keep building partnerships and to share parent-facing information about the services and how families can connect with the counselor.

Ending: Board members repeatedly commended the students and staff for the presentation and asked Redmond to continue developing schoolwide offerings and parent communication. Redmond said she will refine the evaluation and outreach plan for next year and pursue options for broader student access to mental health education and supports.

","Board heard a detailed presentation on a grant-funded mental health counselor position and an elective mental health seminar at Newington High School, including survey results, referrals data, community partnerships and students’ testimony about recovery and coping skills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 2025–26 calendar tweaks, adopts 2026–27 calendar and advances policy updates

District outlines "Bridge to Algebra" change to middle-school acceleration after committee review

Newington High School expands grant-funded mental health program; students report reduced substance use and high anxiety