April 18, 2016


Dear Cloonan Family:

I want to update you on some important events around our community. First, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Shanna Esposito as the new Administrative Intern at Roxbury Elementary School. While we miss already Shanna’s multiple contributions to the Cloonan community, we are happy to know that her work at Roxbury will help ease the transition of those current 5th graders into 6th grade. We are actively interviewing for a qualified replacement to take those classes through the end of the year.

Second, I am pleased to inform you about Parent University. This program is a partnership with Westhill High School. It is an evening of workshops to help parents learn how to manage the transition from elementary into middle school, then to high school and eventually to college. Experts in child development will be here to share information and answer your questions about how to help your child’s growth. The program is here at Cloonan on Tuesday, May 3rd from 5:30 – 9pm and includes dinner. Activities for children are also provided. The offerings will be in English and Spanish and are open to all Stamford residents. Registration has been extended to Sunday May 1. You may register online at www.cloonanms.org. 

Third, we have begun the Smarter Balanced Assessment. This is the state-mandated test for all students which replaced the Connecticut Mastery Test in Reading and Math. For the next three weeks students will have three or more days for each portion of the test, Literacy, Math and a Math Performance Task.  Students will be tested in their ELA, Math or Science classes as scheduled. We ask that you make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and breakfast to perform at their best.

Fourth, we are conducting the School Climate Survey. A separate letter about this survey was sent home today with your child’s Report Card. This survey asks all members of the school community; parents, students, teachers, administrators and other school staff to give us feedback on all aspects of the school experience from safety to learning to relationships and resources.  Please take the time to complete this survey and give us your valuable input.

Finally, Beginning May 16th we will have repairs made to our front stairs and sidewalks. Access to the front of the building will remain available during the anticipated two weeks of work.

As always, we thank you for your ongoing interest, involvement and support. Happy Spring.


David M. Tate, Principal