Wayne Splettstoeszer - Music Educator of the Year

Wayne Splettstoeszer, director of the THS band and orchestra and teacher of music technology has been awarded the Secondary Music Educator Award for 2005-2006 by the Connecticut Music Educators Association. The annual CMEA Music Educator Awards acknowledge outstanding music teachers whose sustained teaching has served as a model and inspiration for students and colleagues.

The Torrington Board of Education, at its meeting held on

Wednesday, June 28, 2006, confirmed Mr. Matthew Harnett

as the Principal of Torrington Middle School. Mr. Harnett is

expected to assume his new position effective July 10, 2006.

Red Raiders Win State Championship... First State Title Since 1944

Congratulations to the THS Red Raider Boys' Basketball Team and Coach Tony Turina for securing the 2006 State Championship on Saturday, March 18, 2006. THS defeated Holy Cross Crusaders 55-40 to win the CIAC Division II State Tournament at Central Connectituct State University.

Teachers Retire - June 2006

The Torrington Board of Education gives recognition to retirees at the Board's regular board meeting on June 7, 2006. Read more>>

The Torrington Board of Education, at its meeting held on April 5, 2006, confirmed Cheryl Franzi Kloczko as the principal of East School, replacing Ms. Grace Michnevitz who is retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Kloczko will assume her new position effective July 1, 2006. Read more>> 

Memory Project: Books for Uganda

TAG students from all five elementary schools (pictured above) participated in "The Memory Project." They made books for the "Night Commuters," the children who are suffering under the civil war taking place in Uganda. These "Night Commuters" walk eight to ten miles a night to sleep in a safe place and then eight to ten miles the next day to return to their villages. If these children are captured, they may be forced to fight as soldiers, at as young as seven years of age. Read more>>

Torrington Middle School students in Mr. Markow's seventh grade science class display their cell models in the Middle School Library. The models depict the structures found in plant and animal cells. Read more>>

Students at Torrington Middle School have been collecting money for "Operation Christmas" to provide people in Torrington with extra help for heating, food and other expenses this holiday season. On December 20, 2005, the students donated over $1,265 to the Torrington chapter of FISH, the distribution point for emergency services in Torrington. Read more>>

Dr. John G. Metallo, Appointed THS Principal

The Torrington Board of Education, at its meeting held on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, confirmed Dr. John G. Metallo as the Principal of Torrington High School. Dr. Metallo begins his new position effective January 3, 2006. Read more>>

Dr. O'Brien Presents TPS Donation to Torrington Fire Department for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Fire Marshal Timothy J. Tharau was on hand Friday, October 7, 2005, to greet and accept from Dr. Susan W. O'Brien, Superintendent of Schools, a cash donation totaling $4,542.44 from the Torrington Public Schools. Read more>>

Dr. Elaine Bessette, Interim Principal of Torrington High School announced that David Arsego, Rachel Hanlon, Lucia Marconi have been named Commended Students in the 2006 Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program was presented to these scholastically talented seniors at the November 2 Board of Education Meeting. Read more>>

Karen Schick, Elementary TAG teacher at Vogel-Wetmore Elementary School, was honored on Friday, May 20, 2005 at Talcott Mountain Science Center. Dr. Donald LaSalle, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Talcott Mountain Science Center for Sudent Involvement, presented Karen with an inscribed Jefferson Cup for "Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted." He noted at the time that "Mrs. Schick went above and beyond to provide meaningful experiences for her students as well as students throughout the Torrington system. She has written grants, coordinated meetings and workshops with classroom teachers and has provided students with essential background and personal follow up to make their experiences with Talcott Mountain truly meaningful." Thank you Mrs. Schick for your dedication and persistence on behalf of our students! Mrs. Schick has made these experiences and her students' work available to all through her website at http://www.torrington.org/our_schools/vogel_wetmore/tag/

 
Torringford School Opens With a New Look on September 12, 2005 >>See Pictures

THS Holds Plaque Dedication Ceremony

Members of the Torrington High School Building Committee, members of the Board of Education, Mayor Quinn, former Mayor Gryniuk and other civic officials attended a THS plaque dedication ceremony on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, to celebrate the completion of the Torrington High School building/construction project. Read more>>

Valerie Vitalo
Teacher of the Year 2006

Valerie Vitalo is named Teacher of the Year for 2005 during the district’s convocation on August 30, 2005. Ms. Vitalo is a 30-year teaching veteran and grades K, 1 and 3 Literacy Intervention Teacher at Southwest School. Excerps from Ms. Vitalo's narrative in the State Teacher of the Year application: "...I do not believe a child will remember who taught him/her the multiplication facts, how to form plurals, or do research. But a child will remember the person who held high expectations for him/her, while being treated with love and respect. A child may not remember who read a certain book, but will remember who spent time listening to his/her important stories...."if you want to improve the lives and learning of young people, make a very personal investment. Teachers, bring to your children, your special talents and interests; your personal community connections; the people and things that enrich you. Make your classrooms places of peace, beauty, wonder, and order, where you enjoy teaching and students enjoy learning. Create the desire for the journey, not just the destination. And remember your medium is not your message---YOU are the message..."Read more>>

Torrington Middle School teacher Leslie Flowers, has received the award for Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator for the State of Connecticut by the Connecticut Art Education Association. Read more>>

Latino Night at Vogel-Wetmore

Teachers Retire June 2005

Richard Lambert and Christine Strawson, THS Seniors, Receive CABE Leadership Award

The Torrington Board of Education recognized Christine and Tres Lambert at the May 5, 2004 Board Meeting. Tres is the son of Board Member Dawn Lambert, who has served the community as a Board member for six years. His father, Richard, is a teacher in another school district. Christine is the daugher of Pat Strawson, teacher at Torrington High School and former Board member Robert Strawson. Leadership is a quality tha is hard to define, and not easily fostered. The Connecticut Associaton of Boards of Education awarded Student Leadership Awards to Richard Lambert and Christine Strawson in recognition of their distinguished leadership in school activities and daily life. Congratulations to you both! Read more>>

Pictured above: MSgt. Robert Sullivan, Ms. Veronica LeDuc, principal and Cadet Lt. Colonel Amel Bibic

Unit CT-20021 at Torrington High School has been selected to receive the 2002-2003 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award. This award recognizes AF Junior ROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the AF Junior ROTC mission of producing better citizens for America. Cadet Lt. Colonel Amel Bibic and MSgt Robert P. Sullivan were on hand at the May 5 Board of Education meeting to receive the award. Read more>>

Tree Ligthing at Torringford School Construction Site

Mrs. Cathleen Todor, principal, Mr. John Calkins, Building Committee Chair, students, faculty and staff along with O&G construction workers celebrated the completion of the barrel metal roof on the new Gymnasium wing. O&G Industries donated a tree, lights and decorations to the school, which was then placed upon the highest point of the new building wing as part of a tradition of iron workers. Read More>>

September 11 - Two Years Later, What the Children Say

Brendon, a student in the TAG program at Vogel-Wetmore Elementary School, was selected by the Commission on Children to read his poem at the Legislative Office Building on February 27, 2004. A reception in honor of Brendon was held on March 11 at Vogel-Wetmore, where he received a written accolade by Senator Christopher Dodd, along with a citation from the Mayor, State Representative Roberta Willis and Senator Andrew Roraback. Read more>>

Laraine Gnall, Torrington 2005 Teacher of the Year

Laraine, at teacher at Forbes School, has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Read more>>

AF JROTC Holds Ceremony

AF JROTC CT-20021 held a ceremony on Thursday, February 5, in the Torrington High School gymnasium to deactivate or furl their Group Flag and to standup (activiate) or unfurl their new Wing Flag. This ceremony is symbolic of the increased size of the JROTC corps at Torrington High School--28 in the fall of 2002 to 81 in the fall of 2003. In addition, numerous promotions and ribbon presentations wre made to signify the beginning of the spring semester.

The Wheels on the Reading Bus Roll Around Town!

This year’s Memorial Day parade launched the district’s Ready to Read program. Once again, the Torrington Summer Reading Bus will roll into the playgrounds and designated locations in the Torrington community throughout the school vacation break. The colorful bus, with a wonderful selection of books, is just one aspect of the Torrington Public Schools’ Summer Reading Challenge incentive program. Storytellers from the Bushnell will be traveling with the bus once a week! Check the schedule below for the dates and locations of the bus and the storyteller visiting your area (dates and times of storyteller are subject to change). Read more>>

District Literacy Team Plans for Summer Reading

District language arts consultants and library media specialists under the direction of Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Elaine Coffin and Director of Management, Information and Technology Services, Barbara St. Onge, have been meeting over the past few months to plan a K-12 summer reading incentive program. Read more>>

Plans for a School/Community Arts Collaborative

Pictured above L-R: Sharon E. Dante, Richard Calarco, Parks & Recreation Superintendent, Charles Beyer and Dr. Elaine Coffin.

On Wednesday, February 11, at a meeting at Migeon Avenue, representatives from the Warner Theater, Nutmeg Ballet, Torrington Parks and Recreation and Torrington Public Schools met to discuss plans to implement an Arts collaborative in Torrington that teaches literacy through the Arts. Torrington has long been the center for Arts activity in Litchfield County, and persons at the meeting were energized by what groups could accomplish together for all of Torrington’s youth. More photos>>

Richard Combs Receives National Scholastic Arts Award

TPS has a gold place winner at the national level for scholastic art awards. Senior Richard Combs has won for a painting called "Self-portrait in Two Mirrors." It is a first for our district. Read more>>

Mayor Quinn's Inauguration--Elementary Students Experience City Government

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz were on hand at the Warner Theatre for the Mayor's inauguration on Monday, December 1. Elementary students from Torringford School and Southwest School witnessed the swearing-in ceremonies for not only Mayor Owen Quinn but also for elected members of the City Council, Constable, Selectman, Board of Public Safety and Board of Education. Mayor Quinn was sworn in for a second term by State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Read more>>

On March 22, Mr. Markow's Grade 7 science class enjoyed a live bird program presentation by Ms. Wendy Rineer of the Sharon Audubon Center. Read more>>

TMS Students Involved in Aquatic Study

Grade six students at Torrington Middle School have been involved in a local aquatic field study at Ruwet’s pond. Read more>>

Family Resource Center Works with Parents and Children

Michelle Anderson, Program Coordinator, stated FRC is here to help the school system and the community prepare young children for school, encourage parents/guardians to be involved in their child's education, support families in need and stimulate academic achievement amoung our students! Read more>>

The Torrington Middle School Student Government held a fund-raiser, to coincide with "Red, White, and Blue Day," a TMS remembrance of the events of September 11^th. Read more>>

Pictured above are Brendon Field, Vogel-Wetmore student and his mentor and TAG Teacher Mrs. Karen Schick. Brendon addressed the Board of Education on November 19th, regarding his experience in the Family Resource Center mentor program.

James Gaskins will join the Torrington Public Schools as Director of Business Services on Monday, September 15. Read more>>

New Members Appointed to Board of Education

At its regular meeting on September 3, 2003, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Elinor Carbone, Stuart Gero and Douglas O'Connell to replace Mrs. Chadwick, Mrs. Barrante and Mr. Slaiby. The new board members will run for election in November. Mr. Joseph Quartiero, City Clerk administers the Oath of Office.

Teacher of the Year-- Wayne Splettstoeszer

Dr. Elaine Coffin introduced Wayne Splettstoeszer as the 2003-2004 Teacher of the Year for the Torrington School District. Wayne is a teacher at Torrington High School and is also Band Director. Read more>>

Leadership Team Excited About Start of New Year

Torrington administrators spent a productive two days in staff development to focus activities for the 2003-2004 academic year. Read more>>

David Bascetta Appointed Director of Facilities

Read more>>

Unforgettable Bea Guralnick, Instructional Assistant retires after 30 years of service. Read more >>

Teacher Appreciation

Nearly 80 teachers in the district received recogniton for their contribution to the ongoing professional development efforts for Torrington Public Schools. Read more >>

Talented teachers who contribute so much... Read more >>

Teachers Retire

The Teacher Education Associaton and the Board of Education honored teachers who will retire in June at a dinner held on Thursday, May 29. Read more >>

L-R: Mrs. V. LeDuc, Principal, THS, Mr. Strawson, Christine Strawson, Mrs. Strawson, and Dr. Coffin, Asst. Supterintendent.

Christine Strawson selected 2003 Governor's Scholar

Congratulations Christine! The Governor’s Scholar Committee of the Connecticut Association of Schools has selected Christine Strawson, a Junior at Torrington High School, as one of the thirty Governor’s Scholars of Connecticut for 2003. Read more >>

Meet Hitoshi Sato-- "chance of a lifetime"

Mr. Sato says this is a "chance of a lifetime" for him. He has been assigned to Torrington Middle School as a teacher intern. Read more>>

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) is the first-ever comprehensive legislation that gives patients sweeping protections over the privacy of their medical records. Read more >>