Welcome Breakthrough Magnet School-North Students, Staff and Families!

This year we will be focusing on the goals outlined in our School Improvement Plan for math, literacy, climate, and attendance. We reviewed our data from the previous school year and created strategic goals that support moving our students forward academically and emotionally. Last year our focus from the district’s instructional vision was High Expectations. We made positive progress as measured by our district walkthroughs. In moving forward, we will utilize our knowledge from this focus area and pivot to Student Centered learning. This will encourage students to be leaders of their learning, engage in rigorous activities across content areas and participate in goal setting and self-assessment.

As we continue to enroll new students, we want to ensure that our classrooms are balanced and supportive. We are focused on providing the best educational experiences for our students as we create class lists. Upon our return, we will welcome all of our students back and use the first two weeks to get to know each student. We will have flexible classrooms and students will get to know their new teachers and peers. If any changes are made, your homeroom teacher will be in communication with you. At Breakthrough Magnet School-North we are always putting our students first. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to the 2022-2023 school year!

We are excited to continue to expand our gardening initiative with Hartford Garden Advisory and to include composting and hydroponics. We are also excited to partner with Unified Sports to celebrate inclusivity and physical activity! Here are some of our current Community Partnerships we will be continuing:

• Joan Dauber Food Bank

• Junior Achievement

• Hartford Performs grades Prek -5

• Nature's Classroom grades 4 and 5

• See it Be It Program: Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame (monthly with grades 4 and 5)

• Hispanic Heritage Council (K/1)

• Parenting with the Brain in Mind with Ms. Neumann Johnson

• Rising Road Runners facilitated by our Physical Education Teacher Ms. Miller

• The Bushnell (musical explorers, etc.)

• Farmington Schools Multicultural Learning Experiences

• Horace Mann

• Hartford Garden Advisory (our BMS North Community Garden)

• Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts

• YMCA

The staff has also been engaging in a book study around Culturally Relevant Teaching and the Brain and continuing to build culturally responsive classrooms.

The district has purchased the revised Eureka Math Curriculum, Eureka Squared. We will be engaging in professional learning throughout the year and implementing this to support math instruction. We are excited to continue our literacy work with Fundations and Heggerty. As a school we will also be focusing on raising rigor during guided reading and centers! With the Equity Grant we received last year, we bought series texts and started the SERIOUS Readers program with students.

Preschool drop off will be at 8:30 at the YMCA and Breakthrough doors (more to come from teachers about specific classrooms). Students in grades K-5 will enter the front of the school at 8:30. Please drive through the side parking lot near the auditorium to drop your student. An SSO and staff will be there to greet and support students!

Dismissal will be at 12:30-12:45 for preschool 3 year old students. They will dismiss out of the YMCA door. Preschool 4 year old students will dismiss from 3:30-3:50 from the YMCA door. Grades K-1 will dismiss from the main Breakthrough doors at 3:50. Grades 2-5 will dismiss from the side auditorium doors at 3:50.

If the person picking up your child changes, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher before 1:00. Thank you!

We are very excited to share with you that this year Breakthrough North will continue its partnership with the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center to create a before and after school program at Breakthrough North (Before care: 7:00-8:30, Aftercare: PreK 3-12:30-6:00, K-5- 3:50-6:00). If you are interested in signing your child up for before or aftercare, please complete the registration packet available at the school or YMCA. Completed packets should be submitted to The Wilson-Gray YMCA at 444 Albany Ave, Hartford, CT.

Preschool:

• Tops: Cobalt blue uniform shirts with the Breakthrough Magnet North- School logo. A long sleeve shirt can be worn under the shirt or a white, blue, navy or black cardigan/sweater/sweatshirt on top. OPTIONAL: Breakthrough Magnet North- School cardigan or vest.

• Bottoms: Khaki pants/shorts/skirts/jumpers or navy, khaki or black leggings/sweatpants.

• Shoes: Sneakers or shoes appropriate for physical activity and movement. Note: Sneakers must be worn/brought on days when students have physical education class.

Grades K-5:

• Tops: Cobalt blue uniform shirts with the Breakthrough Magnet North- School logo. A long sleeve shirt can be worn under the shirt or a white, blue, navy or black cardigan/sweater/sweatshirt on top. OPTIONAL: Breakthrough Magnet School-North cardigan or vest.

• Bottoms: Khaki pants/shorts/skirts/jumpers (tights/leggings can be worn under skirts or jumpers)

• Shoes: Sneakers or shoes appropriate for physical activity and movement. Note: Sneakers must be worn/brought on days when students have physical education class.

This year we will continue to implement our ACE Plan (attendance, culture, and engagement) and following the district attendance policy. The district is also providing incentives to families (see attached flyer). Consistent attendance is an essential piece in ensuring that your child can be engaged in learning and reach his or her full potential. We are here to support you in getting your child to school every day, on time. We do realize that every family may face challenges, however children that miss 10 or more days of the school year are considered chronically absent. Please let our school staff know if your family needs support. Thank you for all you do to support your child’s school success and well-being, as well as our school’s efforts.

Sincerely,

Ms. Massaro
Principal

Mrs. Visintainer
Assistant Principal