Dear Families,

Here are our weekly reminders and updates. I look forward to our year together in 2026!

• January 8- Whole School Assembly focused on the Portrait of the Graduate competency- Communication
• January 11- Girls On the Run Registration Opens 
• January 13- Grade 5 Winter Band and Choir Informance at Veteran’s Auditorium.  Students arrival time: 6:00; Performance begins at 7:00.
• January 13- PTO Meeting 
• January 19- No School, MLK Day
• January 23- Music Night at the Wolf-Pack
• January 27-29- Parents Day in P.E. *Must be pre-registered 
• January 30- Early Release, All Schools, Staff Development
• February 5- STEAM Assembly. Thank you to PTO!
• February 13- Early Release, CGS and GHR ONLY, Staff Development

This Week 

Snow Gear

It is important to remember that students will be enjoying the outdoors all season long. This includes recess and physical education class. Please be sure that during the winter months your child arrives every day with their winter jacket, snow pants, mittens or gloves, snow boots and hat and extra socks, labeled with their name or initials. Students will need boots and snow pants to play in the snow.

Parent's Day in P.E. 

There is still time to sign-up for Parent's Day in P.E.! We'd love to have you join us and take part in a P.E. lesson! For more information, and to register, Parent's Day in P.E. Parent's must be pre-registered to join. 

From Last Week

Upcoming- School Music Night at the Wolf-Pack 

All GHR students are invited to attend a school music night at the Hartford Wolf-Pack on Friday, January 23rd. Band and Select Choir students are invited to perform at this fundraising event! To order tickets, and read more information about this fun event, please see the flyer: Wolfpack.pdf or email Hannah Cole at: hcole@coventryct.org 

Cell Phone Policy

As you read in the message from Dr. Petrone last week, the Board of Education has approved an update to Policy 5131.4 Use of Private Technological Devices by Students.

The policy now includes the following new language:

“All privately owned technological devices must be powered off and stored away during instructional time, unless directed otherwise in accordance with a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan or as specifically permitted by instructional staff.”

To support the consistent implementation of this policy, a new Administrative Regulation associated with the policy has also been approved (5131.4-A). This regulation defines expectations for students regarding the possession and use of privately owned technological devices during the school day.

Key points include:

● Devices must be powered off and stored away during instructional time, unless specifically permitted for educational or accessibility purposes.

This includes SMART watches, which must be in “school mode”.

● Teachers and staff have the authority to direct students to put devices away if they are visible or in use during instructional time.

● Progressive consequences will apply for repeated violations, including parent notification and potential loss of the privilege to bring devices to school.

● The District is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices brought to school.

These updates are intended to support a more focused learning environment and reduce distractions during instructional time while still allowing appropriate use of technology when directed by staff or required for educational or medical needs.   Implementation of this updated policy and regulation has begun on January 5, 2026. A Parent Forum has been scheduled for January 22 at 5:30 p.m. and February 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to review the new procedures and provide an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Remote Snow Days

This is a reminder that the Board of Education has approved the use of 2 remote learning days this school year. On remote learning days, the schedule is abbreviated to provide time for live, academic programming. Our schedule is posted on the district website. https://www.coventrypublicschools.org/district/hourslocations

From the PTO

• Disney on Ice ticket orders are due Wednesday, January 7th (January 17th Show)
  • Contact the PTO if you need a new order form: GHRobertsonPTO@gmail.com
• GHR School Store - THIS FRIDAY, January 9th
  • All items are less than $2 - most are $1 or less.
  • Children shouldn't bring more than $5 for school store
  • Children will be limited to no more than 5 items for purchase
  • Store will be located in the Gym Lobby, and available from dropoff until 8:30am (Parent volunteers are needed from 8am-8:45am)
• Our next PTO meeting is next week, Tuesday January 13th, 6PM in the Library. Grade 5 Parents- consider joining after you drop off your student for the concert!  
  • Hybrid meeting available if you prefer to join us from home: https://meet.google.com/ypt-ossc-tnq
• Volunteers Needed for STEAM Museum Assembly February 5th
  • The PTO is happy to bring another assembly to GHR on February 5th - it is a hands-on interactive STEAM museum. We need volunteers to help with set up in the morning, assistance during the assembly, and teardown after the event. This is the perfect opportunity to spend time in school with the kids and take part in this exciting event. Please feel free to sign up for multiple consecutive time slots - or the whole day, we need a lot of help. I have included the class schedule in the signup so you can be sure to help while your child's class is attending the assembly. Thank you in advance for your support, we couldn't make events like this happen without you!
  • https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A49ABAD22A1FB6-61156076-steam#/

From the Superintendent’s Office

Board of Education Regular Meeting Dates

The Board of Education 2026 meeting dates are listed below. Meetings are open to the public and will also be live streamed through YouTube for convenient viewing. Meeting details and access links are available on our district website. Board of Education Website  

Good News 

Please visit our website at https://www.coventrypublicschools.org/district/district-communications for additional information on district news. 

Open Door Meetings 

Superintendent Dr. David J. Petrone has announced the schedule for his Open Door Meetings for the 2025-26 school year. These sessions will be held virtually, with the meeting link available on the district website. Open Door Meetings provide an opportunity for open communication, where parents and community members are invited to join, ask questions, and learn more about our school system.

• Friday, February 13, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 a.m; Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (budget focused)

Employment Opportunities

Flexible hours/days with a wide variety of experiences.  Please visit our website at https://www.coventrypublicschools.org/district/human-resources for additional information. Cafeteria Substitutes: Call Beth Pratt at 860-742-4535. Bus Drivers/Substitutes: Call DATTCO at 860-838-7351.

Happy Holidays!

Jen 😊