Principal's Update
DePaolo Middle School Weekly Update
DePaolo families,
Although another shortened week, it was a good one at DePaolo. Here are some items for you this week.
Daily Announcements:
Just a reminder that we post our daily announcements on our website each morning. They are also posted in Canvas daily for the students. Most club information can be found here.
CMEA Regional Music Festival:
Good Luck to the following students attending the CMEA regional music festival next weekend:
- Band: Brandon Huang, Evan Monsonis, Alaina Ossias, and Addisyn Perras
- Chorus: Mara Berardi, Quinn Carson, Elise Demarest, Willow Fisher, Evangeline Maler, Neriah Wagner and Fiona Pasciolla
- Orchestra: Maureen Maisano, Nanor Kevorkian, Derek Chen and Victoria Wu
Trimester 2:
It is hard to believe, but we are almost to the end of our second trimester. Trimester 2 officially ends on March 17 now (due to 6 snow days). Trimester 3 will now begin Wednesday, March 18.
Flex:
All students have flex time built into our daily schedule directly after lunch. This time is used to strengthen student learning, especially related to our Language Arts and Math curriculum. Please be aware that homework should be completed at home and NOT during flex.
Our expectation for math is that students pass at least one lesson per week on iReady. Students also MUST complete a minimum of 40 minutes each week. Lessons are personalized for each student so they should be challenged at an appropriate level. I am monitoring lessons that all our students complete and offering an incentive (aside from the academic benefits) to those students that pass TWO or more lessons. I hope this assists in motivating our students to utilize this tremendous resource. Please assist us in encouraging your child to strive to complete two or more lessons each week.
See below for updates from last week.
Our suggestion for all ELA classes is that students read independently 30 minutes per day. This reading can also be completed during Flex if it is a designated reading day. See below for the benefits:
Class Attendance:
If you receive notification that your child is absent from one of their classes, please note they may have been pulled from this class for various academic and/or Leadership opportunities. Class absences are periodically checked throughout the day and notes are added into the school’s PowerSchool system where the student was during class. Please note, students and guardians are unable to access these class notes on their PowerSchool account.
Scoliosis Screening:
March 9th and 10th postural screening will be conducted in school for girls in grade 7 and boys in grade 8. Any student who has documentation that they have been screened by their physician this year will be excused from postural screening unless parental request is made to the school nurse to perform another screening. The purpose of this program is to recognize the signs of spinal curvature at its earliest stages.
If you would like to opt out of the screening for your child, please return the attached letter on or before March 4th.
Nurses Office Update:
Thank you for your continued cooperation in using caution and not sending your children to school when they are not feeling well. A person should remain home for at least 24 hours after an elevated temperature returns to normal without anti-inflammatory medication.
Also, for planning purposes, a reminder - Student may NOT start school without proof of the following prior to the first day of school: Physical exam completed within one year of the start date of entry into Pre school, Kindergarten, Grade 7 and Grade 10, or when entering from out of state or out of country.
Finally, please remind your children that sharing water bottles, even though a nice gesture, can be a health risk and spread illnesses.
See attached for more information!
Patriot Pride in the Cafeteria:
All students are expected to demonstrate Patriot Pride throughout the entire school day, including in the cafeteria during lunch time. Please talk with your children about the importance of proper behavior while eating lunch. Examples of this include:
- raising your hand if you need to leave your seat
- keeping hands, feet, objects, and food to yourself
- using an inside voice
Students who are not able to follow these expectations may be subject to a discipline referral and assigned a consequence.
Drama Club Fundraisers:
We would appreciate any help you can provide by assisting us in selling advertisements for our playbill for our upcoming Drama Club production. See attached for more information.
Drama Club:
The Kennedy and DePaolo Middle School Drama Club will present this year’s production of “Frozen” at Kennedy Middle School on March 26, 27, 28, April 1, & 2 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are now available in the main office and they are only $5 for students and $9 for adults.
In the kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.
Taste of Culture:
On Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 5:30-7:00 PM, ABC/STEPS will be sponsoring A TASTEOF CULTURE to celebrate the different cultures in our DePaolo community. To make it a great night we need your help! We need families willing to share their cultures with DePaolo. Consider hosting a booth where you can share information, items and food from your culture. Or maybe you have a talent you would like to share. All are welcome to help and attend.
If you are interested in sponsoring a booth or sharing your talent, please complete the attached form and have your child return it to Ms. Steinnagel in the school counseling office. If you have any questions you can contact Ms. Steinnagel in the school counseling office at 860-628-3260 or Ksteinnagel@southingtonschools.org.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
The town of Southington Veterans Committee and the American Legion Auxiliary are sponsoring an ongoing care packet event for our Southington Armory troops that have been deployed to the Middle East for 6-12 months. Please help us support them with food, personal care and entertainment items. Please see below for a detailed list. Donations can be brought to the Main Office. Thank you for all your support!
Lost and Found:
Please encourage your child to check our lost and found area located in the cafeteria. Water bottles, lunch bags, and clothing will be donated at the end of the month.
Yearbooks:
The 2025-26 yearbooks are now on sale! Our book is 72 pages in full color. 6th/7th graders will receive a softcover and 8th graders will receive a hardcover.
The price for the yearbook is $25.00 and the purchase deadline is May 18, 2026.
Please use the following links to complete your purchase:
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lumani or Mr. Carvalho.
Drop Off / Pick Up Reminders:
Please see below for a couple quick reminders if you are dropping off or picking up your child.
- Do not drop your child off on the street. Please use the designated drop off area.
- Remind your child they should only be crossing Pleasant Street at the crosswalk and they should wait for the crossing guard to safely stop traffic first.
- Please do not pass a bus with flashing lights. This is a fineable offense.
PTO News :
Our 8th grade committee is selling raffle calendars, if interested click on the link below.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/8th-grade-raffle-calendar
All Butter Braid fundraiser orders must be returned or submitted by March 16. Delivery is scheduled for March 25. See attached flyer for more information.
The PTO will be sponsoring our Spring Book Fair March 16 to 20.
Enjoy your weekend!