Middle School of Plainville

Louis Toffolon Office staff members Chiara Ramos and Caitlin Butkus created the "Toffolon Mitten Tree" initiative during the last school year and the tradition continues this year. The Mitten Tree is on display at Toffolon over the winter holidays, but collections of winter mittens and cold weather item donations continue all year. Toffolon families and staff members continue to support those in need throughout our community through their Mitten Tree initiative donations. The items are gathered throughout the school year, and donated to the Plainville Community Food Pantry.

The Plainville Unified Sports program is on the move once again, picking up a win at the annual, “Unified Team Versus Faculty Team” basketball game held at Plainville High School on January 19th.

Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School’s wolf mascot has “come to life” thanks to a unique piece of art created by former Wheeler faculty member, Matthew Guarino. Guarino, a longtime Plainville Community Schools employee, also served as the Middle School of Plainville Principal prior to his retirement in 2021, and currently works as a tutor at Wheeler School. Guarino logged many weekend hours planning for and bringing the new Wheeler wolf sculpture to fruition on site at the elementary school.

Mr. Quinones aka "The Mad Scientist" hosts the Louis Toffolon Elementary School's "Mad Science" after school enrichment program this winter, where he works with students on various experiments and STEM projects.

The Louis Toffolon Elementary School Student Council, led by Advisor and faculty member Susan Fabrizio, recently sponsored a "Toffolon Campfire Day" complete with hot chocolate and a faux fireplace. Families and staff made a donation to participate and proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.

The Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School community, led by their Student Council members and Faculty member / Advisor Sarah Miller, have teamed up with HW Green Company Inc. for a school-wide recycling project for the 2022-23 school year. As a kick off to the program, the school’s Student Council members read a book about recycling to each Wheeler class.

Plainville High School students Nolan Wargo and Lily Feyerabend have been named recipients of the first semester “Student Rocks Award” recognizing their outstanding contributions to Plainville High School.

This year the CT Convention Center hosted a "Holiday Glow" indoor light festival. This event featured hundreds of thousands of lights in ornate displays that guests could walk through and interact with. The Plainville High School Chamber Choir was the featured performing group, performing two shows in the early evening on Friday, December 16th.

The Middle School of Plainville has partnered with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to implement the “No Place for Hate” program this year. “Students, staff, community partners, School Resource Officer Shane Dufresne, and family partners will work together through the “No Place for Hate” program framework to build a learning community of inclusivity, respect, and equity,” explained Middle School Assistant Principal, Melissa Orfitelli.

Plainville High School faculty members Mark Chase and Dave Gaignard coordinated a visit from the Connecticut National Guard on December 13th. The group brought in a jet engine and spoke to students in the high school's transportation, engineering, construction, and business classes about the design, mechanics and latest technology that is currently used.

Students in Miss Bartley's first grade class at Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School earned their "Word Detective" badges, working hard to solve tricky words in their reading. Principal Andrew Batchelder (Mr. B!) presented the students with their badge

Students in the Louis Toffolon Elementary School’s Choir recently hit the road to spread holiday cheer. The student group, composed of 46 Toffolon fourth and fifth graders, shared a repertoire of holiday carols at Apple Rehab Farmington Valley, the Jerome Home and Arbor Rose in New Britain, and the Plainville Senior Center.