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January 23, 2026

January 23, 2026
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GFS/JWL Happenings GFS/JWL Happenings

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Graffit Wall

Mrs. Green and our district-instructional literacy coach, Mrs. Rodgers, teamed up to coteach a lesson (it was on the 8th but that's okay) on prefixes and students created a graffiti wall of words that they could think of that had un- and dis- in groups! The words were interesting- and not always correct- but they were being creative and using the prefixes and knowing that the prefixes meant "not" and that is all that matters!

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Third grade students in Miss Cooper's class work on their measurement skills using different items from the classroom.

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Mrs. Craig's first grade students participate in reader's theater which helps students build their reading fluency and expression.

Learning in STEM Learning in STEM

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Kindergarteners are learning about wild weather by making tornado models.

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Fourth graders code a guitar and build a prototype with cardboard.
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Then they make it come alive with SAM blocks.
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Second graders play with "lava" shaving cream and tectonic plates to model how earthquakes happen.

Weekly Schedule Weekly Schedule

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Important Dates

January 26th: PTO Meeting at 3:30

January 30th: PD Day- No School

February 13th: Hat/Crazy Hair Day

Reading Challenge Winners! Reading Challenge Winners!

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Math Curriculum Information Math Curriculum Information

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Please find the following links with helpful Math program information, Bridges, for your students' grade level. Each link will give an overview of the topics covered for the year with a more in depth strategy page based on the unit your students class is currently working towards mastering.

Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade

Music News Music News

26 of our 4th and 5th graders took part in the Celebrate MLK event at the high school. They rehearsed in the afternoon for several hours, and then they participated in a festival choir concert. Congrats to our singers!

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GFSJWL Art to Remember Fundraiser
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LEAF
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LEAF in Action!

Cajun Cook-off returns for 2026


Calling All Cajun Chefs! LEAF’s Cajun Cook-Off Returns on 2/15/26

Not a chef? We need taste testers/judges too!

Dear Ledyard Community,


Last year’s Cajun Cook-Off was such a hit that we simply had to bring it back—and we’re turning up the heat for 2026!

LEAF is excited to announce that our 2nd Annual Cajun Cook-Off will take place on

Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 3–5 PM

Location: Gales Ferry Fire Company

1772 Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT

We are now accepting entries for both competition categories:

  • Main Dish (12 spots available)
  • Dessert (6 spots available)

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or someone who just loves to cook for fun, we’d love to have you join the lineup. This event is all about flavor, creativity, and community—and of course, a little friendly competition.

Awards will be given for:

Best Overall

Most Unique Dish

Best Dessert

Tasting & Entry Details:

  • $10 entry gives attendees a taste of every dish
  • $5 add-on for a full-sized portion of your favorite
  • All proceeds support LEAF’s Spring Cycle grant recipients, helping us fund innovative projects across Ledyard Public Schools
  • Dish contributors receive a VIP bracelet, which includes event entry and one full-sized portion as our thank-you for participating

If you’d like to compete, please sign up using the link below. Spots are limited and will go quickly!


We can’t wait to see what our talented community cooks up this year. Thank you for supporting LEAF and for helping us make this event a delicious tradition.



Warmly,

Adrienne Parad

President, Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF)


Facebook Event Page/RSVP

Science in the Middle School
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PTO News and Events PTO News and Events

Bingo Night for Books and Bars
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GFSJWL PTO Paint Your Pet
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Breakfast and Lunch Menus Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Click the links to view the menus for January.

January Breakfast Menu
January Lunch Menu
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