Tashua Family Weekly Update
Mrs. Neumeyer, Principal
A Heartfelt Thank You!
In celebration of Pink Out day, our staff was treated to a "Pink" breakfast from two of ourTashua families. Thank you for the special treat to start the day. We appreciate you!
National School Safety Week
This week, we also observed America's Safe School Week!
This initiative was started by the National School Safety Center to promote safety and security in schools across the nation. This week focuses on the importance of creating safe learning environments and encourages communities to work together to prevent violence and ensure the well-being of students and staff.
Since the start of the school year, we have practiced all of our safety drills, including our fire, weather-related, stay-put, lockdown and bus evacuation drills. Last week, we practiced our annual reunification drill, which is a drill to prepare students if we have to be relocated offsite. The students all did a fine job listening and following the safety protocols.They had great questions and understand the importance of practicing these drills.
Tashua Celebrates Our Veterans
In celebration of Veterans Day, invite all veterans to attend our assembly on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:00 AM. During the assembly, we will be honoring these heroes by having them introduce themselves and share their military branch of service. Please use the following link to sign up a special guest: 2026 Veterans Day Assembly Guest RSVP.
In addition, we will be creating a bulletin board with pictures and a brief description of our honored veterans. If you would like to recognize a current service member or veteran, you may send in a picture with the name, location and military branch of service, the connection to your family or any information you would like to share. To participate, please use the link: 2026 Veterans Day Bulletin Board Project. Please make your submission by Wednesday November 4th. For directions, please use the link: 2026 Veterans Day Directions. Once completed, please put your last name in the title. Then copy the link and email to smckenna@trumbullps.org or smckenna@trumbullps.net.
Further, we will also be collecting unopened Halloween candy to be donated and delivered to Veterans. Please have your child bring any candy you wish to donate in a sealed zip-lock bag, marked Veterans Donation. All donations are due by Friday, November 6th. If you have question, please contact Mrs. McKenna at 203-452-4438 or email smckenna@trumbullps.org.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Next Tuesday will kick-off our afternoon Parent-Teacher Conferences on 10/27 and 10/28. As a reminder, these days will be early release days for students. Parent-Teacher Conferences will give you an opportunity to learn more about your child’s effort and academic progress in school, as well as give you a chance to offer your insights about how your child learns best. This conference time will give you and your child’s teacher the opportunity to discuss ways to work together to ensure your child’s success at school.
Before the conference, it would be helpful to share any questions or concerns that you may have with your child's teacher so he/she can prepare for a productive conversation. It would also be beneficial to have a conversation with your child about his/her feelings and experiences at school.Some questions you could ask that would prompt a thoughtful response could include:
- What is something exciting that you have learned in school?
- Tell me something that was easy for you to learn?
- What was something that was challenging for you to do at school?
During the conference, be sure to ask questions and give your input with regards to your child’s academic progress and goals for learning. It would be helpful to prepare a list of topics that you want to discuss with the teacher. The following questions will help you to prepare for a meaningful conversation with your child’s teacher.
- What are my child's strengths?
- What are my child’s challenges?
- Does my child hand homework in on time?
- Is my child participating in class discussions and activities?
- How are my child's social skills?
- Is my child striving to reach his/her full learning potential?
- What can I do at home to help support his/her academic progress?
Throughout the conference, your child’s teacher will be sharing student data, specific work samples and behavioral observations with regards to socialization and study habits to give you an insight about your child’s strengths and challenges. Collaboratively, this information should be used to help set goals for your child to be supported both at school and home. It is important to remember that each student is different and learns differently; stay focused on your child’s strengths and areas in need of support.
While meeting with your child’s teacher, it will be important to keep the conversation focused on your child’s learning goals and listen carefully to the information your child’s teacher is sharing with you. If you don't understand an educational term that your child’s teacher is discussing with you, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. It is important for you to understand what your child's teacher is communicating to you.
It will also be important for the teacher to know if your child is experiencing a difficult situation outside of school, such as any major changes in your family, any medical concerns, anything that is worrying your child or anything else that may affect his/her mood or behavior. Knowing of such changes will help the teacher provide the child with the necessary support in the classroom.
Remember, the conference time is limited so it will be important for you to arrive on time so you and your child’s teacher don’t feel rushed when having this discussion. If you arrive late, your conference time will be shortened because other parents will be waiting to meet with the teacher following your conference.
After the conference, be sure to have ongoing communication with your child’s teacher. This will help you strengthen the parent-teacher partnership, and will be an important part of your child's success in school. When a child sees that parents and teachers are working together, the child will understand that his/her education is a top priority at school and at home. This strong partnership between the home and school will help your child to be successful!
Tashua's Tiger Den Requests
Tashua loves to celebrate and recognize the many positive efforts our students demonstrate each day! When students are consistently caught showing their T.I.G.E.R.S. traits, they earn an invitation to visit Tashua's Tiger Den. The Tiger Den is a positive recognition space where students can have fun with age-appropriate activities and celebrate their hard work, kindness, and commitment to our school values.
Thanks to your incredible generosity last year, we were able to fill the Tiger Den with games, activities, and materials that so many of our students absolutely loved. If you are interested in supporting the Tiger Den again this year, we invite you to check out our 2026 Tiger Den Wishlist. Contributions are completely optional, and we are deeply grateful for your support in any form!
In-School Halloween Celebrations Reminder
This year, we will be celebrating Halloween at Tashua School on Friday, October 30th. Students can wear orange and black to school on this day and/or a simple costume during the time of the party. The simple costumes that are sent into school need to be costumes that can be put on quickly and independently, over clothing. Students will not be going to the bathroom to change into costumes. We are asking that no accessories or scary masks be sent into school as part of the costume.
We will also be having our traditional "Halloween Parade" at 2:40 PM.Families are welcome to join us by gathering outside along the perimeter of the playground to view the parade. Following this event, parents/guardians will be allowed to sign children out from school in their child's classroom. We do need families to QUICKLY exit the building and the parking lot following this event so we can dismiss the buses at 3:20 PM.
A Note From the PTA: Trunk 'N Treat, Friday 10/30
Please join us for our third annual Trunk N' Treat on Friday, October 30th. This event will be in the Tashua Parking lot from 4:00-5:00PM. We hope to see you there!
Calendar Reminders
- Tuesday, October 27th: Early Dismissal for Afternoon Conferences PK-8
- Thursday, October 29th: Early Dismissal for Afternoon Conferences PK-5
Tashua Math Challenge #2
Thank you to all families who participated in Math Challenge #1. Math Challenge #2 opens today and ends on November 5th. Click here to access the new challenge and find solutions for Challenge #1:https://www.mathinaction.org/tashua-school.html. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Gidwani at sgidwani@trumbullps.net.
We hope to see strong participation rates in all grades. Each month, random winners will be chosen from each grade for recognition over the loud speaker. At the end of the school year, if your child participates in 12 or more challenges, they will be part of a special recognition ceremony. All students can participate in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
October Elementary Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Please use the links below to access the TPS Elementary breakfast and lunch menus.
Social-Emotional Corner
Restraint collapse is a term used to describe the emotional “meltdown” many children experience after holding themselves together and masking all day at school. Throughout the school day, kids work hard to follow rules, manage frustrations, navigate social dynamics, and cope with sensory input—all while staying composed. By the time they reach the safety of home, their emotional reserves are depleted, and the smallest trigger can lead to tears, irritability, or outbursts.
Why It Happens:
- Emotional fatigue: Children suppress impulses and stress at school; coming home releases that built-up tension.
- Safety with caregivers: Kids feel safest expressing their big feelings with the people they trust most.
- Transition stress: Shifting from structured school routines to the freedom of home can feel overwhelming.
Strategies for Parents:
1. Create a calm transition ritual: A consistent after-school routine—like a snack, quiet time, or a few minutes of cuddling—helps kids decompress before engaging in conversation or activities.
2. Offer connection before correction: If your child is melting down, start with empathy: “You worked hard today. It looks like you’re feeling worn out.” This builds emotional safety and prevents escalation.
3. Keep demands minimal at first: Avoid launching straight into homework, chores, or questions about their day. Give them 15–30 minutes to reset.
4. Provide sensory or movement breaks: Some children regulate best through physical activity (biking, jumping, playground time), while others prefer calm activities (drawing, reading, or a quiet corner).
5. Prepare for transitions: A heads-up about upcoming tasks (“In 10 minutes we’ll start homework”) can help children shift gears without feeling ambushed.
6. Teach emotional language and coping tools: Over time, help your child name their feelings and practice simple regulation strategies like deep breathing, stretching, or asking for a break.
7. Keep perspective: Restraint collapse isn’t misbehavior—it’s a sign your child feels safe enough to let down their guard. With consistent support, kids become better at managing after-school overwhelm.
8. No screen time for the first hour: Screens provide rapid, high-intensity stimulation at a time when a child’s nervous system is already overloaded. This can delay or even worsen meltdowns making it harder for your child to regulate. Screen-free time allows the body and brain to decompress naturally through rest, play, or movement.
Continental Math League
We are excited to bring back Continental Math Leagues to Tashua this year! This is a CHALLENGING enrichment opportunity for students looking to engage in math outside of the classroom.
CT Invention Convention
For more information, please use the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14f-3LvHNxh-NRFxZ_WviQHkpcrKIWTGc/view?usp=sharing
PTA REFLECTIONS CONTEST
An opportunity for your child to express themself! PTA Reflections inspires students to reflect on a specific, student-submitted theme to create original artwork. This year's theme is What My Culture Means to Me! (Fun fact - This national theme was submitted by a student in nearby Wilton, CT!)
Get your creative thinking cap on and design an original work exploring this year's theme in one of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. Use this inspiration sheet or the National PTA website to help with ideas!
Steps to enter:
1. Students create an original work exploring the theme “What My Culture Means to Me”. Click here for official rules and guidelines by category.
2. Complete the CT PTA Reflections Entry form.
3. Email your digital entry to ReflectionsCTPTA@gmail.com with the file name equal to the student's name and entry title.
4. Drop off your original artwork at the Tashua main office and/or email Tashua PTA at TashuaReflections@gmail.com to confirm your submission. Participants will receive recognition, and entries will be displayed in the Tashua lobby at the end of the school year!
Your student’s name and/or other identifying information should not be visible on or within the submitted entry so that the entry can be judged on a “blind” and unbiased basis.
Entries are due to the CT PTA by February 1, 2027. Entries will be reviewed by the CT PTA for school and state placement.
Questions? Contact Janet Howard or TashuaReflections@gmail.com.
Attendance Information and Reporting an Absence
If you child will be absent or tardy, please inform the Tashua School Office prior to the start of the school day. You can report an absence by calling 203-452-4433 or via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal (More/Absence Requests).
