2nd Annual Bring Back a Book Program

Students from Wesleyan University participated in the 2nd Annual Bring Back a Book campaign. The program, organized by students in Dr. Barbara Juhasz' service learning course, asks Wesleyan students to "bring back a children's book" upon returning from spring break.

This year, more than 1000 books were donated to Macdonough School children!

Macdonough School Running Club

Members of the Macdonough School Running Club attended Julia's Run for Children in New Haven on Sunday, March 29th. Most of our young runners competed in the children's race on the campus of Yale University.

Third grader Garrett Dandridge represented Macdonough School with pride coming in second place in the boys Under 12 Division.

In addition to race t-shirts each child was awarded a race medal as he or she crossed the finish line. Macdonough School's participation in the race was sponsored by the 21st Century Schools Program.

JCJ Architecture Visits Macdonough School

Members of the Macdonough School learning community came together to meet with representatives of JCJ Architecture to participate in a series of activities designed to gather information on our views for Middletown Public Schools.

Parents, teachers, politicians, and neighbors had wonderful discussions about their hopes and dreams for our school system.

JCJ will be back in Middletown on April 27th for another workshop. Details will be posted soon!

Keigwin Middle School Band

Students and staff were treated to a mini-performance by the Keigwin Middle School Band. The band, directed by Mr. David D'Addario, performed three selections during the concert.

Special recognition was given to former Macdonough School students who now play with the Keigwin Middle School Band. We also paid tribute to our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kelly Lenihan, who was once a proud member of the Keigwin Band.

Raising Readers

Each Monday night in March and April, a group of a dozen parents is meeting at Macdonough School for a program entitled Raising Readers.

Facilitated by Mary Beth Brick and Kym Ciccia, teachers at Macdonough, the focus of the course is to provide parents with additional skills to encourage a love of reading for their children.

African Dance and Drumming

Macdonough School students and staff were delighted with a presentation of African Dance and Drumming.

The event was sponsored by Wesleyan University and Middletown's Cultural Arts Council.

Rep. Serra and State Senator Doyle Visit Macdonough

On Friday, March 20th, State Senator Paul Doyle and Representative Joe Serra visited to present a proclamation from the CT General Assembly to the students and teachers of the school for our remarkable achievement gains on the CMTs.

Macdonough School Running Club

Members of the Macdonough School Running Club attended the The O’Hartford 5K & Wee Mile in Hartford on Sunday, March 15th. Most of our young runners competed in the Wee Mile children's race around Bushnell Park.

The O’Hartford 5K and Wee Mile o’fficially capped off Hartford's weekend St. Patrick's festivities. Along the way, Irish bagpipers and Celtic fiddlers entertained the runners. The fun continued after the finish with a post race party complete with corned beef, bagels, and much more.

In addition to green race t-shirts each child was awarded a race medal as he or she crossed the finish line. Macdonough School's participation in the race was sponsored by the Hartford Marathon Foundation and 21st Century Schools Program.

CMT - Day Five

Students at Macdonough School took the fifth portion of the Connecticut Mastery Test today. Third, fourth, and fifth graders read passages and filled in missing words on the Degrees of Reading Power test.

For those who worked especially hard, the staff arranged for some fun incentives. A few children in each of the classes were selected to play laser tag at A New World Laser Tag in Middletown. The students will be meeting after school for this fun trip at the conclusion of the Connecticut Mastery Test.

Cooking for Literacy!

Chaelyn Lombardo, from Kids Korner, will be running another "Literature for Lunch"Book Club in collaboration with the Family Resource Center. This club will be for Second Graders. It is called, "Cooking for Literacy!". It is an academic, social, and physical curriculum.

IThere will be two clubs of 7 children each. One club will be held on Tuesdays and the other will be on Thursdays (12:20-1:10). Each club will meet in the FRC for both their lunch and recess period once a week. There will be some instruction and discussion over lunch. After the children are finished and have cleared their trays, they will begin the activity for the day.

The groups will complete several activities and games based upon a popular storybook and they get to keep a free copy of the book at the end of the club. The final club meeting will be the special cooking activity day which is based upon the storybook.

Dental Health Visit for First Grade

First grade students were treated to a dental health lesson presented by our friends from the Community Health Center. The students learned about the proper way to care for our teeth and maintain wonderful smiles!

Special thanks to Nat Holmes from the Community Health Center for organizing this visit.

Fourth Grade Field Trip - New England Air Museum

Fourth grade teachers Sarah Claffey and Amanda Johnson have arranged for their students to visit the New England Air Museum for an exciting field trip.

The Museum is situated in three large display buildings consisting of more than 75,000 square feet of exhibit space. The children will have the opportunity to view not only aircraft and engine displays, but many fascinating exhibits on such diverse topics as the Lafayette Escadrille, WWII Combat Gliders, the History of Sikorsky Aircraft, Early French Aviation, a History of Air Mail, the Tuskegee Airmen, Airships, and many others.

In addition, the students will participate in a hands on science activity that is aligned with the fourth grade science curriculum.

The field trip, scheduled for May 6th, is being offered to Macdonough School students free of charge!

CMT - Day Three

Students at Macdonough School took the third portion of the Connecticut Mastery Test today. Third, fourth, and fifth graders read passages and answered reading comprehension questions.
For those who worked especially hard, the staff arranged for some fun incentives.

Mrs. Waterman's class won a field trip to The Book Bower, a used bookstore located in the Main Street Market. Each student in the class, along with Mrs. Waterman, will have the opportunity to select a free book from this wonderful book store!

CMT - Day Two

Students at Macdonough School took the second portion of the Connecticut Mastery Test today. Third, fourth, and fifth graders read passages and answered reading comprehension questions.

For those who worked especially hard, the staff arranged for some fun incentives. Smiley face t-shirts were provided to students whose hard work brought smiles to our faces!

The shirts were supplied by our friends at Gorilla Graphics of Middletown!

PROBE Cultural Fair

Students at Macdonough joined their peers around the city for the annual PROBE Cultural Fair on March 4th.



Student projects for Grade 4 focused on Ancient Greece and Grade 5 students participated in an activity entitled "Creating Our World."

PROBE, Middletown's Gifted Education Program, is taught by Roberta Avery & Marie Serra at Farm Hill School. Students from Macdonough School travel to Farm Hill one morning each week to participate in activities.

CMT - Day One

Students at Macdonough School took the first portion of the Connecticut Mastery Test today. Third, fourth, and fifth graders wrote narrative or expository essays in response to writing prompts.

For those who worked especially hard, the staff arranged for some fun incentives. A face painter came in to decorate Macdonough School faces. An artist from Funtastic Face Painting was on hand to work some magic on about a dozen students!

Macdonough in the News...

The March 1, 2009 edition of the Middletown Press featured a story entitled "Macdonough Named one of Best Achieving Schools in State." The story focused on the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now recognition of Macdonough School (ConnCAN) as one of the most improved schools in Connecticut.