Monthly Principal's Newsletter - October 2026

Dear Sliney Families,

Happy October! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Back to School Night, our first PTA meeting, and the Sliney Social in September! It was wonderful to see so many families connecting and making great memories together.

Being in school every day makes a meaningful difference in your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, teachers, and classmates.

Please make every effort to plan family vacations and trips around the school calendar. Vacations taken during school days result in missed instructional time and valuable learning experiences that can be difficult to make up.

Thank you for partnering with us to make daily attendance a priority. We look forward to seeing every student here, bright and early, each morning!

Parent-teacher conferences will take place on November 11 and November 17.

Please check ParentSquare and your email in the coming weeks for sign-up links from your child’s classroom teachers. Additionally, our ELA and Math Interventionists, Special Education Teachers, MEL Teachers, and Support Staff will reach out directly to schedule time with families of students receiving services.

Our goal is 100% participation to ensure every family has the opportunity to connect with their child’s educators. We look forward to meeting with you!

Thank you for your incredible support and partnership. If you ever have questions, please reach out to me at mclark@branfordschools.org or (203) 481-5386.

Yours truly,

Maria Clark, Ed.D.

Principal

Our goal is 100 PTA members—and we’re already at 68! Help us reach 100!

Our PTA plays an important role in supporting our school community. Through the PTA, we are able to sponsor several family events at Sliney, support field trips, and provide resources and special opportunities for our students, teachers, and staff.  Becoming a PTA member is also a simple way to strengthen the partnership between families and our school.  Please stop by the main office for PTA Sign Up Forms. 

And remember—you do not need to attend every meeting or volunteer at every event to make a difference. Simply becoming a member shows your support for our PTA and our school community!

"Begin with the End in Mind" means knowing what you want to achieve before you start, so every step you take moves you toward that goal. In short: define your destination first, then create the plan to get there.

This month, our school is focusing on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. This habit teaches kids to set goals, think ahead, and make a plan before taking action!

What it looks like at school:

How to help at home: Ask your child, "What's your plan for this project?" or "What is your main goal for this week?" Encourage them to think through steps before jumping in!

Pre-Order for the Best Price

Order by midnight on October 14 to receive our lowest pricing. All orders placed before October 14 will be shipped back to the school. 

If you don't pre-order, you'll receive a proof slip with a unique ordering code approximately three weeks after Photo Day. You can view and order photos at that time, but prices will be higher and shipping charges will apply.

Backgrounds

You may choose from a variety of backgrounds for your photo order. Some schools require a gray background for the yearbook, school records, and student ID cards.

Questions? Contact Steady Photography at 203-488-5170 or studio@steadyphotography.com. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Follow our community’s investment in the places where students learn, grow, and belong. This website provides detailed information on current building projects, as well as the latest news and updates. Click on the link below for more information! 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

John B. Sliney Elementary

23 Eades Street, Branford, CT 06405

 203-481-5386

 slineyoffice@branfordschools.org

 mclark@branfordschools.org (Dr. Maria Clark's Email)