Raven's Update
Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year
Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! We are so excited to get the school year underway! I am sure we share the common hope that it will be one filled with good health, happiness, challenge, and growth for our students and staff.
The school’s master schedule is nearing completion and we are working to ensure student and teacher schedules will be ready soon. All of our classrooms will have a fresh look and be ready for our students to start on our first day of school August 27th which will be an Early Dismissal day. Needless to say, our school is an exciting place to be and we can’t wait to get started!
We spent a lot of time reviewing the data from last year (academic, behavior and climate survey data) and also reviewed current trends in education research that show very promising results. We have made many positive changes for the upcoming school year that will help our students grow and learn.
Lastly, to assist you in preparing your child for school we have included below some information that will be very helpful for you and your student. I encourage you to participate in various school functions throughout the year. I look forward to meeting you and your child.
Sincerely,
Karen Mooney
Principal
Important Dates to start the School Year
August & September 2025
August 19th - 6th Grade Welcome Event (more info in Grade 6 letter)
August 21st - 9th Grade Back to School Event (more info in Grade 9 letter)
August 27th - First Day of School - Early Dismissal (10:50am)
September 1st - Labor Day No School
September 17th - Early Dismissal (10:50am) Teacher Professional Learning Day
School Vision
Innovation General Information
School begins on August 27th for our students. This first day of school will be an early dismissal day releasing at 10:50am.
The regular school day begins at 7:30 AM and our regular day dismissal time is 2:06 PM. A Rules Assembly has been scheduled for students in each grade with Administration during the first week of school. All of our students will receive and review the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation Student Handbook electronically. The handbook will outline expectations for academics and behavior along with a variety of other important items. During this time, we will review all school rules, outline our discipline procedures and talk about maintaining high standards within our school community. The student handbook will be posted on our website for parents to review.
School Supply Lists:
Further down you will find individual grade appropriate summer letters. Please review the letter for the supply list per team and grade that’s appropriate to your child. Summer Reading will also be provided on each Grade Level letter.
Meals Program
Students will be able to enter the building at 7:20am for breakfast. Students will once again be provided free breakfast and lunch. These meals are FREE for all students. However, if your child wants a la carte items and/or extra food they will need to pay for it at time of service.
School Schedule
Students will have six classes per day. The schedule will rotate so students will have each class 3-4 times per week. Students will also have a 30-minute Innovation/Advisory block every day. During this time students will be engaged in our whole school goal activities, team building/culture and climate activities and social/emotional learning. We feel this model will help all students academically to ensure their success and be productive members of our community and world at Large.
Academic Core Teams
Students will be assigned to an academic team who will support the students and parents. Each team has an assigned Team Leader. These team leaders are responsible for their team, together with a group of dedicated teachers will help strengthen students’ academic ability and become leaders in life.
Grade 6 Team Leader: Mr. Martin
Grade 7 Team Leader: Ms. Holyst
Grade 8 Team Leader: Mr. Marchinkoski
Grade 9 Team Leader: Ms. Buchheit
Grade 10 Team Leader: Ms. Hatch
Grade 11 Team Leader: Mr. DeCoster
Grade 12 Team Leader: Mr. Miller
Attendance Policy
If your child will be absent from school, we ask that you send an email to our office staff.
The email address that you can send attendance related information to is: InnovationOffice@crec.org
Dress Code Guidelines
Please make every effort to make sure your child comes to school daily following the dress code guidelines. ASI does not have uniforms, however students are welcomed and encouraged to wear Raven wear to promote school spirit.
Acceptable Dress Code CREC Secondary Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
The Essential Rule regarding Dress Code:
All students must cover certain body parts at all times.
All students’ attire must fully cover genitals, buttocks, midsection, chest/breasts, and nipples with opaque fabric at all times.
(a) Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, and the equivalent
(for example: dresses, leggings, or shorts) and shoes; no slides, slippers, or flip flops.
(b) Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides (under the arms).
(c) Clothing must cover undergarments (visible waistbands and straps are permitted).
(d) Fabric covering midsection, breasts/chest, genitals and buttocks must be opaque (unable to be seen through). No tight revealing clothing should worn at any time, this includes Bodysuit, Short shorts, biker shorts etc.
(e) No Slides, Slippers, or Open Toe footwear is allowed. All footwear must have a hard sole. Crocs are ok.
(f) Face must be visible at all times to staff. Hats or hoods may be worn, but not simultaneously. Any other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff. Hoodies must allow the face to be visible to school staff. Ski masks and Sunglasses are not permitted.
(g) Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities, including physical
education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.
(h) Students are prohibited from wearing attire depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or hate speech.
(i) No Blankets are permitted to be worn or used at school.
(j) Costumes of any kind are not permitted, with the exception of school-sanctioned days.
(k) CREC school administrators have final say on the interpretation and enforcement of all above items.
Cell Phone School Policy
We are working on the final touches of our Cell Phone Policy.
Innovation Technology Agreement
The Technology Agreement will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal in the Forms section by Monday, August 18th.
Welcome from the Counseling Department
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Entrance
The entrance to the student drop-off/pick-up area is on Slater Road (see map below).
The parking lot in the front of the school is designated for Buses and School Vans only. Families should NOT use the main entrance prior to 7:30am.
Transportation
Contact info for transportation department:
o New Britain families: New Britain Public Schools Transportation Department - 860.827.2239
o Non New Britain families: RSCO Transportation - 860.524.4077 www.crec.org/transportation
Grade Level Summer Letters
To help parents of sixth graders with the transition to the middle school, a special program will be held in August for sixth grade families. The program will focus on student schedules, opportunities available to sixth graders such as clubs, afterschool offerings and intramurals. We will also review expectations and how to communicate with staff, special events, college preparation, and any questions you may have. We encourage you to attend, especially if this is your first child attending middle school. Information about this will be on the sixth grade parent letter in your welcome packet.
To help parents of ninth graders with the transition to high school, a special program will be held in August for 9th Grade families. The focus of this meeting is introduction to the 9th grade team, grading, expectations for college and preparation for the rigors of high school. We encourage you to attend, especially if this is your child’s first year at ASI. Information about this will be on the ninth grade parent letter in your welcome packet.
Sign up for SchoolMessenger text messages
To opt in to receiving SchoolMessenger text messages please text the word YES to 67587.
Sports
Fall Sports have begun. Start dates below:
- High School Football: August 14th (weightlifting activities have begun)
- High School Girls Volleyball, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer: August 18th
- Middle School Girls Volleyball, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer: September 3rd
Sign up help can be found in the Playbooks below:
Click here for a video tutorial on the registration process.
More information can be found on the CREC Athletics page by clicking here
School Year Calendar
*Please note that midterm and final exams are not listed on the CREC District calendar. During that time Innovation follows an early dismissal schedule. Those dates are typically in January and June. The exact dates will be communicated in advance.*
First Marking Period - August 27 - October 31
- Aug. 27 - First Day of School - Early Dismissal Day - Professional Learning Day
- Sept. 1 - No School - Labor Day
- Sept. 17 - Early Dismissal - Professional Learning
- Oct. 13 - No School - Indigenous People's Day
- Oct. 22 - Early Dismissal - Professional Learning
Contact Us
To report contact information and address changes: InnovationRegistration@crec.org
Email: InnovationOffice@crec.org
Website: asi.crecschools.org
Location: 600 Slater Road, New Britain, CT, USA
Phone: 860-223-0726 Fax: 860-223-0742
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRECInnovation/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/crecscienceandinnovation?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
