Superintendent's Report – January 2026

Continuously improve instruction, cultivate creativity, and enhance student engagement and performance.

Enhance the efficient and effective use of resources.

Foster a supportive climate for students and adults.  
 

Instruction

ARHS Midterm Exams: Midterm Exams took place during the week of January 20-23, 2026 with each day featuring two 2-hour midterm exams and a make-up exam period for students who required it. Second Semester begins on Monday, January 26, 2026.   

Preparing for Midterms: To help students prepare for midterm exams, student groups offered two opportunities for students to get study assistance from their peers, and both events were well attended by students getting ready for midterms. These events were:

• National Honor Society hosted a Snack & Study afternoon for students in all grades on January 13, 2026, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
• Link Crew hosted their Cocoa and Cram event for 9th grade students on January 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.  

9th & 10th Grade Parent Night:  On January 14, 2026, ARHS Counseling Dept. held an informational night for 9th and 10th grade parents.  The program began with a brief overview of the counseling department and developmental counseling program scope and sequence. Parents then were able to attend three workshops of their choosing. Topics included building resiliency, alternatives to a 4-year college, demystifying the college process, dual/concurrent enrollment, building a culture of attendance, graduation requirements, making healthy choices, school resources and supports, and an overview of standardized testing. Over 100 parents attended. Recordings of all presentations will be sent out early next week for parents who were not able to attend.   

Rigorous Coursework Acknowledgement: Parents of 9th and 10th grade students who met the state goal on their 8th grade SBAC or NGSS state assessments recently received a “rigorous coursework” letter from the State Department of Education. Approximately 500 of our students met this goal and received letters, which encourage them to challenge themselves in the upcoming course selection process. 

Course Selection for 2026-2027 Begins: The course selection process for next year has begun for students in grades 9-11, with teachers talking with students now about their course recommendations and the elective course offerings available to students in each subject area. Students will be meeting with school counselors to begin the process of requesting courses for next year in the next few weeks.

Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards: Congratulations to the Amity artists who have been selected for this year’s Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards. All work that received an award will be on display in the Silpe Gallery at the University of Hartford Art School until January 30, 2026.  Our selected students are:

• Gold Awards: 
  • Augustus Khan, Photography
  • Monica Chen, Illustration  
  • Quin Cohen, Experimental Photography  
  • Benjamin Xi, Photography  
     
• Silver Award: Angelina Ring, Photography
• Honorable Mentions: Mattia Vessicchio, Experimental Photography  

Blues and Beyond Performance:AMSO seventh grade Social Studies students recently participated in an interactive workshop on West African music and storytelling led by Jocelyn Pleasant from Blues and Beyond. During the program, students explored traditional instruments such as the djembe and other West African drums, as well as the balafon, a xylophone made with gourds. Students also learned about the Mande people of Mali and Guinea and the important role of the Jeli (griot) as storytellers, musicians, historians, and community leaders. Classroom learning will continue as students make connections between West African history and themes from The Lion King.  

Professional Learning Early Release: On January 8, 2026, we welcomed Tim Klein back to the Amity community to work with all staff. Tim continues to support our district-wide efforts to create learning environments where every individual experiences a strong sense of belonging and togetherness. During this session, he explored how purpose and belonging help students find their way and emphasized the power of formative experiences. Tim also shared insights into the attributes employers seek in today’s graduates, strategies for helping students reflect on and articulate these qualities, and ways educators can intentionally create spaces for shared meaning-making across our schools.

Milford Rape Crisis Presentations: The Milford Rape Crisis Center presented to 8th grade students earlier this month. The 8th Grade students focused on the concept of consent as it relates to sexually based offensives. School counselors followed up with students as needed following the presentation. A presentation that focuses on sexual harassment and knowing the different forms of sexual harassment is planned for 7th grade students later in the year. 

STAR & LAS Links Assessments: The AMSB and AMSO students completed the Winter STAR Screening for Reading and Math. The results from these assessments will be reviewed by teachers during school Data Talks and at the District Data Team meeting later this month. Results will be used to inform planning and instructional practices. LAS Links testing for English Language Learners will be taking place over the next few weeks. This testing is required by the State of Connecticut to monitor the progress of EL students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.  

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Curriculum articulation meetings were held across the departments of World Language, History, Science, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Teachers of Multilingual Learners. These meetings are a critical component of our ongoing work to strengthen vertical articulation and ensure coherence, alignment, and continuity of learning experiences for students in grades 7–12. A dedicated curriculum writing day took place on January 8, 2026 for courses in the VPA and CTE departments. Teams worked on curriculum development in the following areas: Know Your Car, Advanced Culinary, Theater Workshop, Film and Theater III.

 

Resources  

AP Honor Roll: ARHS has been selected as an AP Honor Roll School again this year. The College Board created this designation in 2023 to “recognize schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation,” and Amity has been selected each year since then. Schools earn this recognition based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. Amity’s repeated selection recognizes both the great work our counselors and teachers do identifying and fostering the potential of our students and our students’ dedication and hard work in challenging courses.  

Dr. Ben Lovett Presents: The Pupil Services Department hosted Dr. Ben Lovett from Teacher’s College at Columbia University for a virtual presentation in January. Dr. Lovett presented on the topics of anxiety and accommodation. His article on this topic can be found here and the video of his webinar presentation can be found here Passcode: e?%.na6K  

Trident Online!: We are excited to announce that our award-winning student newspaper has taken the leap to online publication, and the Trident website is now live. The website features updated stories, as well as previous issues, fun polls, contact information for the editors, and a link to The Trident’s Instagram page. We will, also, continue to produce our print version of the paper. Thank you to the students who worked hard to create this website, and to newspaper advisor Ms. Clark and website manager Mrs. Forcier for their guidance throughout the process of developing the site.  

Middle School Schedule: We are in the early stages of building the new middle school schedule for the 2026–2027 school year. Over the next several weeks, recommendations and student elective preferences will be gathered as part of the initial phase of the scheduling process. This work will help ensure schedules are responsive to student needs and aligned with our instructional priorities.

Amity-UNH-SLP Partnership: Amity Regional School District is proud to partner with the University of New Haven’s Speech and Language Pathology Graduate Program for the fourth year in a row through the Amity Transition Academy. This collaboration provides ATA students with meaningful opportunities to strengthen communication, social, and workplace skills through engaging activities with UNH graduate students. This partnership has created valuable learning experiences and lasting relationships for students and staff alike. Amity is grateful to Allison Morrill and Taylor Affinito for their leadership and commitment in supporting this important work.   

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Pupil Services Department in collaboration with the Woodbridge Youth Services hosted the “Hidden in Plain Sight” training for parents and caregivers on January 22, 2026. Additional information on this presentation can be obtained by contacting Woodbridge Youth Services. “Hidden in Plain Sight” is an interactive awareness program designed to help parents, caregivers, and other adults learn how to recognize subtle signs that a young person may be using drugs or engaging in risky behaviors.  

Upcoming Love 146 Webinar: The Pupil Services Department will be hosting Love146 on February 25, 2026, at 7:00pm via Zoom Webinar. This presentation is tailored for the role of the Parent/Caretaker in the identification and prevention of human trafficking. The Pupil Services Department has had two presentations from Love146 to their mental health on similar topics. Additional information, including how to register for the webinar, will be shared in the coming weeks.   

 

Climate

Class L State Champions!: Congratulations to the Amity Boys’ Cross Country team for their Class L State Championship win. Racing against the best runners from all the state’s Class L schools, the Spartans had seven runners place in the top 44, with two runners placing in the top 10. And leading the pack we had Luke Cushing, who won the individual state title with his first-place finish in a time of 15:57.51.  

Class LL Runners-Up!: Our girls’ soccer team had a standout season, capped off with a spot in the Class LL State Tournament finals, and they ended the season as the CIAC Class LL runner-up team.  

SCC Conference Champions!: Our girls’ volleyball team won their second SCC Conference Championship in a row, defeating Sacred Heart Academy in a highly competitive game with a final score of 3-1. Our girls’ swimming & diving team won their third SCC conference championship in a row competing against the best swimmers and divers from throughout the conference.  

Welcome Back the Class of ‘75: For the past two years, volunteer Link Crew leaders have provided tours for Amity Alumni as part of their 50th Reunion celebrations. On November 7, 2025, we welcomed back the Amity Class of ’75 and gave a tour of the school to more than 60 members of the class.  

Homecoming and Spirit Week: Spirit Week took place from November 17 – 21, 2025, with theme days and competitions throughout the week. It ended on Saturday, November 22, 2025 with the annual Homecoming Dance hosted by our Student Government.  

Movin’ and Groovin’: Amity’s annual fall music production, Movin’ and Groovin’ took place October 23, 2025. This performance featured a variety of band and vocal performances from students in our music program, and it was one of the most well-attended fall performances in recent years.  

Fiesta Latina: The National Spanish Honor Society hosted its Fiesta Latina celebration of music, food, and dance on October 23, 2025, for an appreciative crowd of students and community members.  

Veterans’ Day Programs: On November 11, 2025, the AMSB Social Studies department invited veterans from our community to speak with our middle school students and share their experiences of service to our country. Students were very attentive and appreciated their time with our veterans. AMSO students and staff proudly welcomed local Veterans to school in recognition of Veterans Day. Guests were honored with a student-led ceremony expressing our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Following the ceremony, Veterans and their families met with a group of AMSO students for a Q&A session, giving students an authentic and meaningful glimpse into military life. Students also wrote heartfelt letters to Veterans and raised more than $1,200 for Disabled Veterans of America, demonstrating their appreciation and commitment to giving back. At ARHS, members of our staff and faculty were recognized for their service to our country with personalized coffee mugs engraved by our CTE students and department.  

Amity Advocates Visit AMSO: Last week, a group of Amity High School juniors and seniors known as the Amity Advocates visited AMSO to speak with 8th grade students about preparing for high school. The Advocates helped ease common worries, shared valuable insights, and offered practical tips for a smooth transition to Amity High School. Hearing this advice directly from current high school students made the experience especially meaningful and encouraging for our 8th graders.  

AMSO No Place for Hate Kickoff: The No Place for Hate committee launched the annual Pledge Week with a series of activities celebrating the talents and voices of our school community. The committee hosted “Rock the Pledge with Poetry and Art,” featuring student performances that included multilingual songs, original poetry, and comedy. Later in the week, students wrote acrostic poems during advisory using words such as “ally,” “empathy,” “kindness,” “respect,” and “love” to promote a caring and inclusive environment. These poems and accompanying artwork will be displayed throughout the school. The week concluded with students signing the No Place for Hate pledge as a commitment to fostering a warm and welcoming community for all.  

7th Grade Field Trip: The AMSB 7th Grade attended a Field Trip to Adventure Park in Bridgeport on November 3, 2025 for a day of fun and exploration. Students gained problem solving skills, improved motor skills and built self-esteem and confidence by participating in this hands-on approach to learning.  

AMSB Student of the Month: The first AMSB Student of the Month breakfast honored over 40 students recognized for their hard work, kindness, and character by our teachers.  The teachers hosted breakfast, and students were all provided with an opportunity to eat with friends and receive a recognition certificate for their efforts.  

AMSB National History Day Competition Club: National History Day is a secondary competition in which students create strong history projects for entry into the regional competition in March. Students are encouraged to research their historical interest, gain new skills in research, writing, and public speaking, and have fun. The first meeting of the club was held on November 20, 2025.  

Thank You Bus Drivers: The week of October 20 – 24, 2025, was Bus Driver Appreciation Week and the members of the ARHS Principal’s Committee created a large banner to thank our bus drivers that was hung on the outside wall of the school near the bus drop-off location for the week. We thank all our drivers who transport our students safely to school and activities every day.