The school budget passed the referendum on May 5th by a vote of 304 to 159. I want to thank everyone who supported the budget and hope to keep everyone involved as we begin to develop next year’s budget. It is critical to be involved and to get out and vote.

Eighteen students from Hall Memorial School placed first, second, or third at the District History Day contest in Mansfield on April 4. Those students then went on to the State History Day contest on May 9th at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford.

There are eight possible categories that the students can participate in. Our students were judged in seven of the eight categories. In an unprecedented outcome, students from Hall Memorial were awarded first place prices in five of the seven categories.

Vanessa Lusa received the first place medal for the Junior Historical Paper category for her paper, Mary McLeod Bethune: Actions and Legacies. Vanessa also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in African American History sponsored by the John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center.

Colleen Tyler received the first place medal in the Junior Website category for Dr. Seuss: An Achievement in Children’s Literature. Colleen also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in New England History, sponsored by the New England History Teachers’ Association.

Tristan Bock-Hughes received the first place medal in the Junior Individual Documentary category for Fidel Castro: Rebel Dictator.

Ethan Baker, Chris Raymond and Wei Jia Ma received first place medals in the Junior Group Documentary category for Huey Long: Champion for the Common Man.

Liam McLean received the first place medal in the Junior Individual Performance category for Mark Twain: America’s First Great Author. Liam also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in Connecticut History, sponsored by The Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford.

These seven students will go on to represent Connecticut in the National History Day competition in Washington DC in June. It is the seventh consecutive year that Hall Memorial School has had students going to the national competition. Maybe this year will be the year when we win at the national level.

I would like to congratulate all of the students who participated in the competition. They all did a great job. I also want to congratulate Pat Pinney, the director of The Discovery Place, the school-wide enrichment program, who oversees the History Day competition at Hall Memorial School. She has continuously excelled at this task and has certainly demonstrated to the students that hard work and perseverance yields dividends.

Hall Memorial School’s Band, Chorus and Select Chorus traveled to West Springfield, Massachusetts on May 15th for the Great East Adjudication Festival. At this festival performance have the opportunity to perform in an educational setting and be adjudicated by two professionals. All of our groups received a “Gold Rating.” Congratulations to the music program at Hall Memorial School and to our music teachers, Lauren Quinn, Jason Phillips, and Jan Castle for all of the hard work that goes into the program.

Earth Day

The annual Teacher Variety Show was held on May 1st. There was a great turnout and it is always a treat to see the staff sharing some of their hidden talents. There was dancing, singing and more than a few laughs. If you haven’t come out to see the variety show, theses pictures will give you a hint of what you are missing. Add Pictures

Notes:
Eighth grade graduation is Thursday, June 18.

The last day of school for students is Friday, June 19