Dr. Semmel's October Newsletter
October 2026
On Tuesday, November 10, the Board of Education will vote on a proposal to move from a two-tier to a three-tier bus schedule. Nothing changes this school year. If approved, the new schedule would begin in Fall 2027.
Proposed school times:
- Trumbull High School: 7:27 AM to 2:12 PM
- Hillcrest, Madison and Middlebrook: 8:08 AM to 2:53 PM
- Booth Hill, Daniels Farm, Frenchtown, Jane Ryan and Tashua: 8:53 AM to 3:38 PM
This proposal is a fiscally responsible and will improve transportation services to our students. The plan would shorten bus rides, ease crowding, give older students later mornings, and reduce anticipated transportation spending by approximately $600,000 per year. The one-page summary includes estimated bus times, why Middlebrook would change, and how our times compare with nearby towns.
View the One-Page Summary: https://tinyurl.com/5hekbaz7
Questions or feedback? Email me at msemmel@trumbullps.org.
Valentina Iacono Cenatiempo- Trumbull Public Schools Teacher of the Year 2027
Valentina Iacono-Cenatiempo has served education for 21 years, all of which have been dedicated to Trumbull Public Schools. Currently an English Language Arts Instructional Team Leader at Madison Middle School, Iacono-Cenatiempo is a teacher who believes in ensuring that her classroom is a place “where every student feels seen, supported, and energized…by blending the spirit of multiple intelligences with modern practices [to] ensure that… students are not only utilizing their strengths, but are also being challenged.”
As a Madison Middle School colleague shared, ”Val exemplifies excellence in teaching on a daily basis, both within her classroom and as a departmental leader. Her classroom is a model of high-level engagement; at any given moment, students are focused and productive...A tireless advocate for literacy, Val ensures every student at Madison receives the support they need. Hardworking, humble, and deeply impactful,” she represents the very best of Trumbull Public Schools.
When asked about her growth in her own teaching career, Iacono-Cenatiempo shared, “Today, my teaching approach balances structured, explicit guidance with collaborative learning, and student choice. I no longer just offer different assignment types; I actively promote an environment where students move, collaborate, and think critically together.”
Representing the many exemplary educators in service of students and families across our school communities, Trumbull Public Schools is pleased to honor and celebrate Valentina Iacono- Cenatiempo for her teaching excellence and selection as Trumbull's teacher ambassador for the 2027 Teacher of the Year Award.
Mohana Ray Trumbull Public Schools Paraeducator of the Year 2027
Trumbull Public Schools has also named Mohana Ray as the district's 2027 Paraeducator of the Year. Mrs. Ray has dedicated eight years to the district and currently works at Middlebrook Elementary School, supporting special education students in a fifth-grade classroom.
A colleague who previously taught alongside Ray nominated her for the honor. "Mohana Ray continues to exemplify what it means to be a true paraprofessional," the colleague stated. "She is kind, highly structured and organized, hands-on, and willing to take on extra roles throughout our school community. Any teacher and student is privileged to have Mohana working beside them."
Inspired by her father to teach with patience and compassion, Mrs. Ray is celebrated for her creative instructional tools. She develops clever mnemonic devices to help students master challenging spelling words and creates visual illustrations to clarify tricky sight words. Outside the classroom, she serves on school committees and volunteers her artistic talents to design and maintain Middlebrook's main community bulletin boards.
Mrs. Ray's work was recognized at the state level where she was one of three finalists for the 2027 State Paraeducator of the Year. While she ultimately placed second at the state level, we all recognize that she is number one in Trumbull and a true representative of the phenomenal work our paraeducators do with our students.
"Nothing brings greater joy and happiness than watching your little friend write their own beautiful success story and realizing that you were fortunate enough to be one of the meaningful chapters in their book," Mrs. Ray shared.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of supporting the whole child. It helps students develop the skills to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, navigate challenges, and make responsible decisions. Research shows that strong social-emotional skills can positively impact students’ well-being, behavior, relationships, and academic success.
As part of our continued commitment to strengthening social-emotional learning, and aligned with the priorities outlined in our District Improvement Plan, Trumbull Public Schools is piloting a new elementary SEL Teacher Rating Tool designed to help us better understand and support students’ social-emotional skill development.
Developed through the district's SEL Steering Committee, the tool is aligned with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework and Trumbull’s Vision of the Graduate. It focuses on five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies help students develop essential skills to manage emotions, build positive relationships, navigate challenges, and make responsible decisions, creating a strong foundation for academic success, personal growth, and lifelong learning.
The pilot includes teachers from kindergarten through fifth grade across all six elementary schools. Using developmentally appropriate, grade-level indicators, participating teachers will help evaluate the tool and provide feedback to inform future districtwide implementation.
This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the whole child through consistent and meaningful SEL practices that promote student well-being, growth, and success.
Trumbull Parks and Recreation - Youth Basketball Grades K-5
See the flyer for more information regarding the Trumbull Parks and Recreation Grades K-5 Youth Basketball Leagues.