School News

Upcoming Events

Month	Date	Event
February	13 and 16	No School for Presidents Day
February	17-20	Parent Conferences - Sign Up Now https://springdale.schoolappointments.com
March	4	PTO / SGC Night:  Count, Read, & Succeed
March	20	No School Eid al-Fitr
April	3-10	No School Good Friday & Spring Break

Dear Springdale Families,

As we move into the second half of the school year, we want to highlight a key factor in your child's success: regular school attendance. When students are in class, they don't just learn subjects—they build friendships, develop routines, and gain the confidence needed to thrive.  

Why Every Day Counts:

Consistent Learning: Each day builds on the previous one. Missing even a single day can lead to gaps in understanding that are hard to bridge later.  

• Social Connection: School is where students learn to collaborate and communicate. Being present allows them to stay connected with their peers and teachers.  

• Habit Building: Good attendance habits started now set the foundation for success in middle school, high school, and beyond.  

We understand that illnesses and emergencies happen. However, whenever possible, we encourage you to schedule appointments and trips during school breaks to ensure your child doesn't miss out on valuable learning time.  

Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a successful school year!

Joyfully,

Gloria Manna

PARENT - TEACHER CONFERENCES

February 18, 19, 20 - EARLY RELEASE DAYS

 

Dear Families,

It’s time to start scheduling your Parent – Teacher Conferences for the next report card.   The online scheduling window will be open today, January 24 and will close on Monday, February 16.    If you are unable to meet with your child’s teachers during the available times, please contact them by email or by calling the main office.   Additionally, if you need assistance creating an account, please contact the main office at 203-977-4575.

1. You will go to https://springdale.schoolappointments.com and create an account.  

2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" menu tab and filling in the online form.  Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.

3. Add your children to the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button.  Click the "Insert New" button to add more children.

4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments.  Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and the "View Calendars" button.  Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time. 

5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments to make your bookings.

We look forward to seeing you at conferences!

 

Joyfully,

 

Gloria Manna

Upcoming Events

Month	Date	Event
Jan	19	No School (MLK Jr. Day)
Jan	28	Early Release Day
Feb	13 and 16	No School for Presidents Day
Feb	17-20	Parent Conferences (Sign Up coming next week)

 

Dear SpringdaleFamilies,

As we approach the upcoming long weekend, our school community is taking time to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While Dr. King is often discussed in terms of history and civil rights, for our elementary students, we are focusing on the heart of his message: Service, Community, and Kindness.

To help our students understand how they can carry on Dr. King’s legacy in their daily lives, we are adopting a special theme for this week, inspired by the late poet and activist Maya Angelou:

"Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud."

Dr. King famously asked, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

Maya Angelou’s quote gives our children a beautiful, visual way to answer that question. It teaches them that even when things seem dark or difficult for a friend (a "cloud"), they have the power to bring light, color, and hope (the "rainbow") through small acts of kindness.

Our teachers will explore these things during read-alouds, daily meetings, and social studies. We encourage you to continue this conversation over the holiday weekend. Here are a few discussion starters to use at the dinner table:

1. Identify the Cloud: Ask your child, "Did you see anyone today who looked like they were having a 'cloudy' day? How could you tell?"

2. Be the Rainbow: Ask, "What is one small thing you can do tomorrow to make someone smile?"

3. Family Service: Consider doing a small act of service as a family on Monday, whether it’s picking up litter in the park, writing a letter to a relative, or donating old toys.

Important Reminder

Please remember that school will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We look forward to seeing all our "rainbows" back in class on Tuesday!

Joyfully,

Gloria Manna

Dear Springdale Families,

I hope you had a wonderful winter vacation with your family and that you are settling back into the school routine.

We kicked off the new year here at school with a series of student workshops focused on Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Gaming. I also want to extend a sincere thank you to the parents who came out last night for our presentation on these topics. We had some very meaningful conversations about the unique challenges and opportunities involved in raising children in this new era of technology and virtual relationships.

One clear takeaway from our discussions is that today’s children are growing up in a digital world. Eventually, they will all have to learn how to navigate these platforms safely and independently.

While it is natural to want to shelter our children from the risks of the internet, our goal as educators and parents is to shift the focus from prohibiting access to teaching responsibility.

As with all eras of parenting—whether dealing with the introduction of television, the telephone, or navigating the playground dynamics of the past—the core skills remain the same. To help our students be successful in their world, we must focus on:

• Teaching good decision-making skills.

• Distinguishing right from wrong in virtual spaces.

• Making safe choices even when adults aren't watching.

• Prioritizing physical and mental health over screen time.

There are many positive things that come out of technology use, and we want to acknowledge those benefits while mitigating the risks. By helping students develop a strong internal compass, we empower them to use these powerful tools as creators and learners, rather than just consumers.  Here are three quick tips for home:

1. Open Dialogue: Ask your child what games they play or AI tools they see. approach it with curiosity rather than judgment.

2. Balance: Focus on "displacement"—ensure screen time isn't displacing sleep, physical play, or family dinners.

3. Play Together: occasionally join them in their game or explore an AI tool together to model safe behavior.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we guide our students through this complex, but exciting, landscape.

Joyfully,

Gloria Manna

Upcoming Events

Month	Date	Event
December	Dec 23	Early Release for Winter Break
January	Jan 5	First Day Back at School
	Jan 7 at 5:00 PM	PTO/SGC Parent Presentation: PROTECTING YOUR CHILD IN THE DIGITAL AGE (AI, Social Media & Gaming) - Media Center - Highly Recommended for Grades 3-5
	Jan 19	No School (MLK Jr. Day)
	Jan 28	Early Release Day

Dear Springdale Families,

As we prepare to close the chapter on 2025, I find myself reflecting on what a wonderful year it has been. On behalf of the entire Springdale staff, I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and joyful New Year.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for everything you do to make our school community so special. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Joyfully,

Gloria Manna