What CGS Families Need to Know
📅 Upcoming Dates/Events
Tuesday, 8/25: Meet the Teacher & Practice Bus Ride, 8:30–9:30 AM
Wednesday, 8/26: First Day of School – Full day!
“Boohoo Breakfast” for Incoming K Families, 8:30-9AM
Tuesday, 9/1: First PTO Meeting of the Year, 6-7PM, In-person and virtual option Monday, 9/7: NO SCHOOL – Labor Day
Tuesday, 9/22: Picture Day
Wednesday, 9/30: Open House, 5:30–7:30 PM
November 4–6: Fall Conferences – Early dismissal all three days
Coventry Public Schools 26/27 District Calendar
✅ To Dos
Complete the Annual Update Forms, including the Bus Expectations Agreement in your PowerSchool Parent Portal. This step is essential to ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your child. All forms must be completed in order for your child to attend our October field trip to the fire house!
Join the Coventry Grammar School PTO Facebook page. We have an incredible Parent-Teacher Organization and they manage a Facebook page that helps families engage and stay connected to our school community!
Incoming Kindergarten Families: Complete the “Million Words or Less” Google Form helping the CGS staff get to know your child even before the first day of school!
Pick Up Patrol: If you haven’t already done so, please:
*Create an account.
*Log in and verify your child’s default dismissal plan. If you notice any errors or need to make any default changes email Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Alejandro.
🙋 Volunteer Opportunities
Parent/family volunteers are an important part of what makes Coventry Grammar School such a special place. Whether you're helping in a classroom or lunch room, supporting a special event, joining us on a field trip, or lending a hand behind the scenes, we are grateful for your partnership!
Annually, all volunteers must review our Volunteer Guidelines and Procedures and complete the electronic acknowledgment form. This only takes a few minutes and helps ensure a safe, positive, and consistent experience for everyone.
In future newsletters, this will be a place where volunteer opportunities are highlighted!
All CGS volunteers must review our volunteer guidelines and complete the corresponding Google Form
A Note from Mrs. Hammer
🌟7 Secrets of First-Week Superstars 🌟
I recently came across a TikTok video that really resonated with me, and I knew I had to share its core message with our community; especially since one of our priorities this year is to strengthen students’ sense of belonging, connection, and investment in their classroom and school community to foster prosocial behavior. If all of our families committed to these simple strategies, we would build an incredibly resilient, perseverant, and successful group of students this year! 💪
Here are seven supportive habits to help your child not just survive during the transition back to school, but THRIVE:
1. 🫂 Normalize Missing Each Other
Skip: "You'll have so much fun!"
Try: "It's okay to miss me. I'll miss you too, and we always come back to each other."
Children don't need to pretend they aren't homesick; validating their feelings builds true security!
2. 🙋♂️ Practice Asking for Help
Run through quick roleplay scenarios at home:
"What can you say if you get stuck on a direction?"
"How will you ask the teacher to use the restroom?"
Knowing the exact words to use creates instant classroom confidence.
✨
3. 🌱 Praise Effort, Not Just Results
Skip: "You're so smart!"
Try: "I love how hard you kept trying, even when that task felt tricky."
This teaches children to trust their ability to learn through any challenge.
4. 🤝 Rehearse Simple Social Skills
Practice basic interactions together: saying hi, introducing themselves, taking turns, raising their hand, and joining in.
Roleplay prompt: "What can you say when you want to join a playground game?"
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5. 🏠 Create a Safe Landing Pad
Remind your child that home is always a safe place to share confusing moments, worries, or mistakes. Knowing they have an open line of support makes taking school risks much easier.
6. 📚 Stay Curious About Academics & Interests
Ask about what they're working on, listen closely to their questions, and celebrate their personal passions right alongside their schoolwork!
7. ❤️ Start Daily Feeling Check-Ins
Skip: "How was school?" (which usually gets a one-word answer!)
Try: "What was one feeling you had today?"
Asking this at dinner or bedtime expands the emotional vocabulary they need to navigate their day with confidence.
💬
If you’d prefer to watch this, just click here!
I encourage you to share if you find one of these tips particularly supportive of your child/family!
When sending an email communication to me, please also include Mrs. Morrison (kmorrison@coventryct.org).
Student/Staff Spotlights
Coming soon!
CGS PTO News & Events
**Please join us for our first PTO Meeting of the school year!
September 1st at 6pm in the CGS Library.
**Mum fundraiser: 2026 Coventry PTO Mum Fundraiser.pdf
Please ensure all payments are made out to CGS PTO
**Boohoo/Woohoo Flyer/Info Boohoo Woohoo Breakfast.png (Hope to see our new Kinder families there!)
**Lava Island Fundraiser Lava Island - Fall 2026.pdf
Curious about all the ways the PTO supports our school? Check out this infographic!
Please note...the links for the Family Directory and Spirit Wear ordering will be updated in the very near future!
Reach out to the PTO at cgsptoct@gmail.com for any PTO related questions, concerns, or ideas to strengthen our school community!
A Peek Inside Our Week
Once school officially begins, this will be the space where we share photos of learning in action and celebrate our High Tide Heroes (our student role models)!
For now, take a peek inside the magical learning spaces our staff have been busy creating for your children. The photos are named by grade level, so we encourage you to explore them with your child to get them excited for where they’ll spend their days starting next week!
Pick Up Patrol
Families should have received a “welcome email” from Pick Up Patrol. This email allows you to create an account if you don’t already have one. ALL families must have a PUP account. This allows you to report absences and change your child’s dismissal plan.
When you visit for Meet and Greet on Tuesday, we also ask that you double check your dismissal plans with the teacher’s list.
Birthday Celebrations
To keep all students safe regarding food allergies, dietary needs, and family preferences, outside food treats are not permitted for birthdays or special events. Any outside food sent to school will be returned home.
If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday with their class, please choose from the following two options:
1. Non-Food Goodies: You are welcome to send in non-food items for the class, such as pencils, stickers, or small trinkets.
2. Cafeteria Treat Tickets: (**New**) You can now purchase birthday snack tickets directly from the CGS kitchen for the students in your child’s class.
Cost: $1.25 per student. Payment can be made in advance through your child’s lunch account.
How It Works: On celebration day, the teacher gives each student a treat ticket. Students bring their tickets to lunch, select their snack at the register, and enjoy it with their lunch.
How to Order: Email both your child's teacher and the kitchen manager at least one week in advance so the kitchen can ensure enough snacks are in stock.
If you have any questions, please contact Kitchen Manager - Laura Barnett at lbarnett@coventryct.org.
For more information about Coventry Grammar School policies, please review the Student Handbook.
Quick Links
Open House Classroom Presentations