Plainville Community School District

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School students celebrated Autism Awareness Month in the school's library in April. Students read books about autism to develop an understanding of what it means to be autistic. Additionally, they designed their own Autism Awareness puzzle hearts to share with friends and family.

Students, families, faculty, staff members and guests filled Plainville High School on April 24th for the annual Superintendent's Showcase event, which featured several musical performances, artwork, and an open house style showcase throughout the high school spotlighting academics, student works, programs, clubs, athletics, initiatives, and more across the district. Refreshments from "Around the World" were provided by the outstanding PCS Food and Nutrition Services Department!

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School community celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd with a variety of activities. The Plainville Conservation Committee donated dogwood seedlings to each Toffolon school kindergartener, and members of the Toffolon Garden Club created a presentation to teach the kindergarteners about the dogwoods and how to plant them. Additionally, members of the Toffolon School Student Council read books to the pre-K, kindergarten, first, and second grade classes about recycling and how they can help keep the Earth clean.

Plainville High School students from the Science National Honor Society hosted Elementary Family Science Night on April 7th, at Plainville High School. Over 250 students and family members representing students in Pre-K through grade 5 attended. Students experienced hands-on demonstrations, experiments, and scientific phenomena. Highlights included make your own slime, "mentos" explosion, underwater candles, and lava lamps. Family Science Night 2025 sparked curiosity and excitement for all!

The Plainville Community Schools’ Elementary Music Department welcomed families of students in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade to spend music class with their students as part of Music in our Schools Week from March 24th to March 28th. Families observed and participated in a music lesson highlighting student learning, student musicianship, and music literacy. March is designated National Music in our Schools Month by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and via their website: "The purpose of Music In Our Schools Month is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music."

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School fourth graders showcased their innovation, creativity and problem solving skills once again this year at their annual “Invention Convention” held on March 24th. As part of their studies about how things work, what problems they solve, and how they could be improved, the fourth graders were tasked with looking for a problem to solve with an “invention” as the solution. They presented their unique inventions to family members, staff and student peers during the annual Invention Convention event.

The Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School community is celebrating Women's History Month in March. Students have been reading a variety of books that recognize the accomplishments of trailblazing women. The books are compelling explorations of women’s lives across decades. Additionally, interesting facts about women in history are shared daily with students during morning announcements.

Plainville Community Schools' volunteer mentors and student mentees had a fun evening filled with magic tricks and illusions at the district's annual "Mentor Fun Night" on March 12th at Plainville High School. The New York Magician was sponsored by a generous grant from the Elizabeth H. Norton Trust Fund. Volunteer Coordinator Sue Bradley hosted the event, offering mentors and mentees a chance to enjoy a memorable experience outside the regular school day.

Students from the Plainville Community Schools Transition Program recently enjoyed a visit from WTNH News 8 Meteorologist, Joe Furey. Mr. Furey shared insight on his career path, weather, broadcasting, and what it takes to be successful in the Meteorology world.

A number of special reading related events and activities happened across the Plainville school district over the past two weeks, as Louis Toffolon Elementary School, Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School , and Linden Street School celebrated Read Across America! Highlights featured guest readers (including Plainville High School students who participated in a Learning Adventure Experience reading to students at all three elementary schools), book character dress up days, door decorating, Stop, Drop and Read, Makerspace activities, contests, and more. "Read Across America" is a yearly program initiated by the National Education Association (NEA) that encourages children and adults to celebrate reading.

The Middle School of Plainville hosted the annual CT State VEX IQ Robotics Championship at the middle school on March 1st with more than 60 teams represented from schools across the state. The Middle School of Plainville's Team 10931A earned a spot in the upcoming "Worlds" event in Dallas, Texas by winning the "Teamwork Championship Award" at the state competition. The Middle School of Plainville Robotics Advisor is faculty member, Camille Westfall.

The Middle School of Plainville Art Club recently created Valentine's Day "Love Bugs" as gifts for the community. The cute yarn creations were delivered on Valentine's Day to the Plainville Senior Center.

On February 20th, UBI Federal Credit Union CEO, Edward Bohnwagner, and Vice President of Marketing , Fred Brown, made the rounds visiting Linden Street School, Louis Toffolon Elementary School and Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School kindergarten classes to donate the book, "The Bear Ate Your Sandwich" to each student. This generosity was in recognition of "Random Acts of Kindness Day" celebrated on February 17th!

The Plainville Community Schools Transition Program members recently visited "The Next Chapter," a second-hand bookstore in West Hartford Center, run by West Hartford's Transition Program student group. Leading up to the visit, the Plainville student group worked to plan the trip and generate questions to ask the students in the West Hartford program. The Book store crew let every visiting student pick out a book to take back, and the West Hartford student group was eager to share their experiences in running their bookstore.

As the culminating activity for this year’s Chase The Chill Project, members of the Kids in the Middle (K.I.M.) Program, supported by Middle School of Plainville faculty member Melanie Ricci and Youth Services Program Coordinator Dayna Snell, distributed winter scarves, coats, mittens, gloves and hats throughout town for those in need to access.