During December and January we welcomed the community into the Granby Memorial High School auditorium for high school and middle school band and choral concerts. We are extremely proud of our students and staff for their outstanding performances. The music programs in our schools truly have a tremendous impact on students’ growth and development.
Students within the Granby Public Schools continue to represent Granby on the local, state, and regional stage. Music concerts in our schools are just another way to bring the Granby community together for an entertaining performance. I encourage the community to attend the many artistic events in the months ahead that offer the opportunity to see our students and staff in action.
On Jan. 19, a dedication ceremony was held at the high school to celebrate the opening of the kitchen/cafeteria, choral and band rooms, culinary arts room, and technology spaces. Speakers from the town, building committee and Board of Education welcomed the community to tour the new spaces. Student performers entertained with amazing vocal and instrumental talent. A wall plaque was installed to symbolize the dedication of, and gratitude to, the Town of Granby for supporting this building project.
As we head into the second half of the year, we remain committed to supporting and providing students with a high-quality education. Educators continue to identify gaps in learning and develop learning plans to provide students with resources they need. The staff continues to refine and enhance instructional strategies and continue our strong tradition of incremental growth one student at a time and will always strive for our students to be successful.
On Dec. 21, I presented the Plus-One Budget for 2023-24 to the Granby Board of Education, which develops and submits budget projections to the Board of Finance for use in the town budget guideline. At that time, the projected request was 5.94 percent over current operating costs. Key budget drivers are the rising cost of utilities, the transfer of costs from the ESSER Grant to the Operating Budget, as well as the increase in expenses for special education. Full details of the Plus One Budget can be accessed on the Granby Public Schools’ website. On March 1, at 7 p.m., the FY24 Administrative Budget will be presented to the Board of Education in the Town Hall Meeting Room and via Zoom.
I invite you to look on our website at granbyschools.org/ for events that you and your family may like to attend. Some events that may be of interest:
Feb. 1 – Kindergarten on-line registration opens
Feb. 1 – Board of Ed. Meeting, 7 p.m., town hall meeting room/Zoom
Feb. 2 – 8th grade parents’ night, 6 p.m., high school auditorium
Feb. 3 – Job Shadow Day
Feb. 8 – Wells Road 3rd/4th grade concert, 7 p.m., high school auditorium
Feb. 15 – Board of Ed. Meeting, 7 p.m., town hall meeting room/Zoom
Feb. 25 – Winter Coffeehouse, 7 p.m., high school auditorium
A Superintendent Community Conversation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9-10 a.m. via Zoom. This is an opportunity for the community and parents/guardians to ask questions about the district. Contact Linda Powell at powelll@granbyschools.org to receive a link for this meeting.
Thank you again for being supportive of our work in the Granby Public Schools. If you have questions, please contact me at 860-844-5260. Also, please follow me on Twitter @GranbySuper.