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Eliot Weekly Blast 9/4/26

Posted Date: 09/04/26 (05:00 PM)


September 4, 2026

A huge shout-out to all of our students for an incredible first two weeks! It was wonderful to see so many of you who were able to attend our Open House.

Important Reminders for Next Week

  • Paperwork: Please make sure to fill out the essential back-to-school paperwork that was sent home during the first week and send it back with your child by next week so we can keep emergency contacts and records up to date.

  • Drop-Off & Pick-Up: To help arrival and dismissal run smoothly and safely, please take a moment to review our routines on the school website under the Resources tab.

  • School Supplies: Grade-level supply lists remain posted on our website if you need to double-check any additional items still needed for your child.

Staying Connected:Strong communication between home and school is at the heart of a successful year. You can look forward to receiving this newsletter every Friday with important updates, upcoming events, and highlights of the amazing work our students are doing in the classroom.

Enjoy a wonderful, restful long weekend!

Principal LaLima


Save the Date!

9/7 - Labor Day (school closed)

9/8-9/9 - MAP Testing: Reading

9/8 - Field Hockey vs Old Saybrook 4:00

9/10 - Boys Soccer @ John Winthrop 3:45

9/10 - Girls Soccer vs John Winthrop 4:00

9/10 - Field Hockey vs North Branford 4:00

9/11 - Boys Soccer @ Nathan Hale Ray 4:00

9/11-9/13 - Rosh Hashanah

9/15-9/16 - MAP Testing: Math

9/17 - Early Dismissal (professional development)

9/20-9/21 - Yom Kippur

9/29 - Picture Day


Visit the Eliot Website for more Calendar Events!

Important Links

Eliot Middle School Website
District Website
School Calendar
Eliot Athletics Calendar
In the Classroom

5th Grade: 

ELA - (Corrado, Duphily, McIntyre) Students have started their first EL Module called Stories of Human Rights. They will be reading a text called Esperanza Rising during this module while also strengthening the main idea, open ended response, and character analysis skills.

Math - (Carroll, Nenninger, Olson) Students are kicking off the year by building classroom routines around math thinking, problem solving, and cooperative learning. Mathematicians are practicing math facts and playing the Product Game to build strong math foundations. 

6th Grade:

Nature's Classroom Parent Presentation 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Eliot Cafeteria

6:30 pm

Science - (Eident, Martorelli) We started a unit about reproduction and growth that focuses on how systems interact between plants and animals/insects, how plants have specialized structures, and how animals/insects have specific behaviors to help aid reproduction. Right now we are using the honey bee to start our exploration.

ELA - (Milton) We are off to a great start in ELA and Social Studies! In ELA, we have begun reading The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and finished Chapter 1. Students are learning how to “turn and talk” with a partner to share their thinking, make connections, and discuss what they are noticing in the text. We are also working on building strong reading habits and supporting our ideas with evidence.

Social Studies - (Milton) Students are exploring our world by learning about the seven continents, different types of maps, Pangaea, and human migration. We are building our geography skills while learning how Earth has changed and how people have moved and settled around the globe.

ELA - (Russo) Students have made a remarkably smooth transition to 6th grade! In ELA, we have begun reading the popular novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Students are enjoying learning about ancient Greek culture and getting to know the main character, Percy Jackson. We will continue to read the novel as well as explore related Greek myths. 

7th Grade:

Science - (Duda) Students are exploring the atom and its characteristics.

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Social Studies - (Bloom) Students are learning about early peoples.

English - (DelGrosso) Last week, we spent time getting to know one another and settling into our classroom routines. This week, we’re diving into genres, literary terms, and parts of speech as we build some important ELA skills and vocabulary for the year ahead. After Labor Day, we’ll officially begin our first unit, where we’ll put these skills to work through reading, writing, and discussion!

Math - (Dellasala) After spending the first few days setting norms for working in groups, we’re diving into scale factor.

Spanish - (Recine) Students engaged in Spanish conversations right away!  Some classes have started the lesson on school rules while others have been comparing breakfast and lunch foods in the US with Spanish-speaking countries.

8th Grade: (Diamantis, Gilbert, Horan, Weinberger, Woods)

Welcome eighth graders! We are off to a great start! Please check with your child to be sure they have all the materials they need. We appreciate your help in supporting homework and studying habits at home. A reminder that Chromebooks should be charged nightly. It’s a big transition year getting ready for high school. We look forward to seeing your child’s growth this year!

Related Arts:

Library - (Kelsey, Thiel) The Eliot Library is up and running. Students are encouraged to come and visit. They can borrow books at any time with a pass from their teacher, or they can stop by and sign up for a WIN pass to use our Makerspace, read or do work. 

Library classes have just reviewed our District’s Acceptable Use Policy and know their responsibilities when it comes to chromebook care.

ASPIRE - (Kelsey, Thiel) students have begun to discuss world issues so they can pick a topic for the semester’s research project.

Student Government: (Kelsey, Tropiano)

Eliot Student Government is just beginning the process of welcoming new student representatives! If you’re interested in getting involved and having a voice in student government, keep an eye on your email for more information coming soon. We’d love to have you participate!



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Sports This Week


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Fall Sports Kicks Off!

Eliot Boys and Girls Soccer, Field Hockey, and Cross Country started this week!  Stay tuned for pictures and updates here!

Visit the Eliot Athletics Page for More Information


Eliot Reminders
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When Visiting Eliot Middle School

All visitors are required to present valid driver's license or ID when visiting Eliot for any reason.  

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Reporting Your Child Absent

If a student is going to be absent, a parent should call the school office, (860) 664-6503, ext. 1357, before 8:45 AM on each day the student is absent.

A student must be in school for four hours to attend after-school activities on that day.

Kristin LaLima, Principal
Colin Delaney, Assistant Principal

69 Fairy Dell Road
Clinton, CT 06413
eliotms@clintonpublic.net
(860) 664-6503




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