Dragon Passport

DRAGON DEN EVENTS

2026-2027 District Calendar

2026- 27 CREC DISTRICT CALENDAR / CALENDARIO DEL DISTRITO DE CREC 2026-27

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DEN

🏆 Teacher of the Year Spotlight 🏆

Congratulations to Maria Capellan-Polanco, our incredible 7th Grade Science Teacher, on being named Teacher of the Year!

Ms. Capellan-Polanco brings science to life through engaging lessons, hands-on learning, and a classroom environment that inspires curiosity and critical thinking. Her passion for education and commitment to student success help every learner feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow.

Whether guiding experiments, encouraging questions, or helping students discover new interests, she consistently goes above and beyond to make a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you, Ms. Capellan-Polanco, for your dedication, leadership, and the positive influence you have on our school community. This recognition is a reflection of the difference you make every day.

🎓 Celebrating the Class of 2026! 🎓

We proudly celebrate our 83 graduating seniors as they prepare to take the next step in their journeys! This class has shown resilience, determination, and growth every step of the way.

From 4-year colleges near and far, to community colleges, trade schools, and the workforce, our graduates are stepping into bright futures with confidence and purpose.

This class also made history, earning the highest number of IB Full Diploma graduates in school history — a remarkable achievement that reflects their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence.

No matter the path they choose, they will always be part of the AIS family, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 — your story is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you!

🎓 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 🎓

A special milestone worth celebrating! Our 8th grade students marked an important transition as they officially move from middle school into high school — a journey filled with new opportunities, challenges, and growth.

For many, this means continuing their path right here as Dragons, while others will begin new chapters at schools of their choice. No matter where their journey leads, we are proud of all they have accomplished and excited for what’s ahead.

Congratulations to our 8th graders on reaching this important moment. Your future is bright, and this is only the beginning!

June RECAP!

IB LEARNER

Parent IB trait Reflection

As we wrap up another school year, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on your family's journey through the lens of the IB Learner Profile.

🌟 Communicator – Have you stayed connected with the school? Did you read school communications, attend events, ask questions, and share your thoughts with staff? How can you increase your engagement next year?

🌟 Inquirer – Did you encourage your child to ask questions, explore new ideas, and take ownership of their learning? What new opportunities can you seek out together next year?

🌟 Knowledgeable – What new things did your family learn this year about your child, their interests, or their goals? How can you continue building on that knowledge?

🌟 Thinker – How did you and your child work through challenges and make thoughtful decisions throughout the year? What strategies can you use to support even greater success next year?

🌟 Open-Minded – Were there opportunities to learn from people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences? How can your family continue to embrace new perspectives?

🌟 Caring – How did your family show kindness and support to others in our school community? Are there ways you can become more involved in supporting our school community next year?

🌟 Principled – Did you help your child demonstrate honesty, responsibility, and respect both in and out of school? How can you continue to model these values?

🌟 Risk-Taker – What new opportunities, activities, or challenges did your child embrace this year? What new experiences might you encourage them to try next year?

🌟 Balanced – How did your family support a healthy balance between academics, activities, family time, and self-care? What adjustments can you make to create an even stronger balance?

🌟 Reflective – Looking back, what are you most proud of? What is one thing you would like to do differently or become more involved in during the next school year?

As partners in your child's education, we know that growth is a continuous journey. We encourage you to celebrate your successes, reflect on areas for growth, and think about how you can become even more engaged in your child's school experience next year. Together, we can make the 2026-2027 school year our best yet!

Thank you for being an important part of our school community.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

This summer, our LEAP Team will be reaching out to families of students who had over 10% absences during the 2025–2026 school year. These calls are not about penalties—they are about partnership. Our goal is to connect, listen, and work together to create a plan that supports stronger attendance in the upcoming school year.

Consistent attendance plays a major role in student success, both academically and socially. When students are present, they are better able to build relationships with their teachers, stay engaged in their learning, and feel connected to their school community.

We believe that strong relationships between staff, students, and families are the foundation of that success. By opening communication and working together, we can better understand challenges, provide support, and ensure every student feels seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

We look forward to partnering with our families to make next year even stronger.

If you need support and resources during the summer, please contact Ms. Gibson at sgibson@crec.org

Report an Absence

Need to report an absence?

Call (860-242-7834) or Email the Main office with your student's name, your name, and the reason for the absence.

DRAGON Athletics

🏅 Join a Sport. Build More Than Skills. 🏅

Being part of a school sport is about more than wins and losses—it’s about growth, discipline, and connection. Whether you’re stepping onto the field, court, or track, athletics help students develop skills that last a lifetime.

Benefits of joining sports:
✔ Builds teamwork and leadership
✔ Improves physical and mental health
✔ Strengthens time management and discipline
✔ Creates friendships and school pride
✔ Boosts confidence and resilience

At CREC Academy of International Studies, sports are another way our Dragons learn to push limits, support one another, and represent our community with pride.

Get involved, and be part of something bigger. Your team is waiting!