SPOTLIGHT
on New Milford Schools
Hello, New Milford Public Schools Families, Faculty, and Staff,
It’s hard to believe that we are already into the eighth week of the 2026-27 school year! We have had a strong and smooth start to the year, and I can see students settled into their routines and engaged in their learning when I visit each school during these weeks. There are plenty of activities taking place in each building, both during the school day and in the evening. It’s wonderful to see students and families involved in our school community in so many ways.
An important sentence in our district this year is, “Together, we increase opportunities and outcomes for all.” This sentence points to two essential ideas: first, that our partnerships with families, the community as a whole, and as district colleagues are necessary for our success; and second, that our main goal is to help students reach their full potential to succeed in a competitive world. You will see our district’s many efforts to increase outcomes and opportunities in the pages of this Spotlight.
As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of our students and our schools.
Janet P. Parlato, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
October 15: Early Dismissal (Staff PD)
October 20: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:30 pm
November 3: PT Conferences/Election Day - NO SCHOOL
November 5: Early Dismissal for Parent Conferences
November 11: Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
November 17: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:30 pm
November 25: Early Dismissal Students and Staff
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Recess
New Milford High School
Mr. Raymond Manka, Principal
Mr. Kevin Best, Assistant Principal
Dr. Megan Dwyer, Assistant Principal
Mr. Anthony Blake, Assistant Principal
Schaghticoke Middle School
860-354-2204
Ms. Jennifer Powers, Principal
Mrs. Alicia Hynes, Assistant Principal
Mr. Dan Delia, Assistant Principal
Ms. Shannon Surreira, Assistant Principal SMS/NES
Take Your Shot Tuesday
SMS Students and Staff are embracing our beautiful new gym floor by “Taking Your Shot” in the classroom. Every Tuesday, students are being recognized school-wide for trying new things and persevering through mistakes. Maybe they raised their hand when they weren't 100% sure. Maybe they tried a hard problem instead of giving up on it. Maybe they answered a question out loud even though they were nervous about getting it wrong. We are in the business of active learning. By shifting our focus from perfection to progress, we are building a supportive culture where every student feels empowered to stretch beyond their comfort zone. SMS is recognizing academic bravery, tenacity and celebrating the power of mistakes. We can't wait to see our students continue to aim high, step up, and shoot for success both in and out of the classroom!
Mastering Organization: The SMS "CLIP Your Planner" Initiative
To help students build strong organizational habits, reduce stress, and prevent screen distractions, SMS recently rolled out our new physical school planners. Writing to-dos down on paper not only clears the mind to relieve anxiety, but the physical act of writing actually builds stronger memory connections than tapping on a device. To make using these planners a predictable, schoolwide habit, we taught all students the four-step "CLIP" routine to practice in every single classroom. This daily process reminds students to "Carry It" to every class, "Look" at the teacher's board, "Input It" by recording assignments or tests, and "Paper Clip It" to easily mark the current week. A key expectation of this routine is that students actively write "None" if there is no homework for a class, ensuring that no subject boxes are left blank. Because this tool is designed to be a daily roadmap for your child's success, we strongly encourage families to review the planner regularly at home. Checking these pages together is a wonderful way to support your middle schooler's growing independence while staying fully informed about their daily learning.
Getting Involved at SMS!
At Schaghticoke Middle School, we believe getting involved outside the classroom is vital for a well-rounded student experience, which is why we offer an extensive array of clubs and athletic programs. Students can explore diverse academic and special interest clubs, including Math Labs, Robotics, Art Club, Digital Media, and Dungeons & Dragons, to name just a few! Families are encouraged to consult the ParentSquare calendar to find up-to-date meeting dates and details for all club offerings.
On the athletic front, SMS provides both competitive interscholastic teams and recreational intramural sports across the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Our student-athletes compete in varied sports, such as soccer, basketball, cross country, volleyball, and baseball. We recommend that families communicate directly with coaches for specific team information and to support our athletes by attending upcoming games. Whether finding a new passion in a club or building teamwork on the field, there are endless opportunities for every student to connect at SMS!
Sarah Noble Intermediate School
860-210-4020
Mrs. Anne Bilko, Principal
Mrs. Jennifer Chmielewski, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Jennifer Meyers, Assistant Principal
Hill & Plain Elementary School
860-354-5430
Mrs. Catherine Calabrese, Principal
Dr. Katherine Brittain, Assistant Principal
Northville Elementary School
860-355-3713
Mrs. Gwen Gallagher, Principal
Ms. Shannon Surreira, Assistant Principal SMS/NES
Students and staff enjoyed reading about the adventures of Roz the robot! The One District One Book summer reading initiative was a huge hit!
The students especially liked helping Roz blend in with the “Great Camouflage Challenge” project ~ a creative activity tied to the book!
The Food & Nutrition Department is excited to offer free breakfast to every student this school year. Each meal includes your choice of a grain/protein, 1 fruit, 1 juice, and milk. Daily options feature cereals, muffins, cereal bars and banana/pumpkin bread, along with hot specials like breakfast pizza, pancakes and egg sandwiches.
The Food & Nutrition Department rolled out the new “Grab & Go Breakfast Cart” at New Milford High School on the first day of school. The cart is located in the main hall across from the Library. This will give the students another option besides the cafeteria to get breakfast before going into their first class.
We’re kicking off the 2026-2027 school year with a bang! Our department has a long-standing commitment to serving locally grown food - we were the FIRST district to purchase from the Northwest Connecticut (NWCT) Food Hub. This supports Connecticut farms and gives the students access to fresh, seasonal produce.
Locally grown fruits & veggies from Desantis Farm in Watertown, CT are on the daily menu for August/September-plus several other farms throughout the year!
CT Grown for CT Kids Week (10/5-10/9): CT Grown Fruits & Vegetables on the menu EVERY DAY for an entire week in October!
Look for CT-made products to be highlighted on our menus.
