As another school year comes to a close I look back on all that has been accomplished during the past year. The district launched a new web page; parents have been able to access student grades via an online parent portal and Center School hosted a fun-filled and very informative Parent Expo.

There were many academic successes including science night, spelling and geography bees, Math Counts and Math Olympiad, and five first place winners in the State History Day competition to name just a few.

There were numerous accomplishments in the arts. Our band and chorus were awarded gold medals in the Great East Adjudication Festival. Many students participated in the production and performance of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. The Art Show, now in its fifth year was also a big success. In addition to the winter and spring concerts there was a new “Pops” concert held in June that looks like it might become an annual event.

It is a pleasure to be able to work in a community that values all of the aforementioned programs. It is a community made up of individuals who care. I recently attended the Flag Day ceremony at Center School and afterwards sat with the Willington Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 938, the Corporal Henry Toberman Post, and shared stories of my experiences in the Coast Guard. What struck me was how these veterans keep coming back to the school. Some of them worked at Center in the past and shared stories of when it had only six teachers. I applaud them and all the others in the community who maintain the rich traditions that have become such an integral part of what constitutes the fabric of Willington Public Schools.

I want to congratulate the teachers who retired this year. Dianne Gallant, Penny Fox, Kathy Klosowski and Ron Ormiston retire with a combined 139 years of teaching in Willington Public Schools. I thank them on behalf of the entire community and wish them well in their future endeavors.

This past year was also a time of much difficulty. The worsening economic conditions dominated much of this year’s budget process. Our budget passed with a zero percent increase. This is due in large part to the fact that all of the Boards in town worked cooperatively and I commend them for their efforts. I hope that we continue on this path as we move into what promises to be another very difficult budget season.

Just as the budget season was coming to an end the news of a pandemic flu began to take center stage. We monitored this outbreak and tried to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread within our community. Fortunately, the severity of illness associated with H1N1 is much less than originally feared. However, the threat will remain with us through the summer and into next year. Throughout the summer, be sure to visit our website at www.willingtonpublicschools.org for updates.

I want to thank the staff, the parents, the community, and the students for another great year. Your continued support and cooperation is very much appreciated and I hope that you have an enjoyable and safe summer.