November 12, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Late this afternoon, November 12, 2020, we were notified that another Sayles School community member had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.  We have notified parents if their student had contact with the infected individual. 

In light of this situation I have decided to shut down student in person learning through November 24th.  During this time, all students will take part in remote learning.  By state mandate, attendance will be taken for all days of remote learning.  If your child has problems accessing remote learning, please call the school for assistance. 

We hope to resume in-person classes on Monday, November 30th.  I want to thank you for your cooperation during this difficult time. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at whull@spraguek12.org.

Have a good evening and stay well.

Sincerely,

William Hull,
Superintendent of Schools

< Click here to download a copy >
   

 
  

November 9, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the Thanksgiving holidays approach, I would like all of you to read the Travel Policies put forth by the State.  We all want to see family but also need to think of the consequences.

Frequently asked questions:

If an affected traveler who is required to self-quarantine stays at my house, am I and any family, who have not been traveling, also required to self-quarantine?  No, you and your family are not required to self-quarantine.  However, all usual COVID-19 precautions should be undertaken.

Can travelers be tested for COVID-19 instead of self-quarantine?  Yes, an affected traveler is exempt from the self-quarantine requirement if the affected traveler (1) has had a test for COVID-19 in the 72 hours prior to arrival in Connecticut or at any time following arrival in Connecticut, (2) the result of such COVID-19 test is negative, and (3) he or she has provided written proof of such negative test result to the Commissioner.  If a test result was obtained in the 72 hours prior to arrival in CT, or following arrival in CT, and such affected traveler has not yet received his or her test results, such traveler shall remain in quarantine in CT until a negative test result is submitted to the Commissioner.  If the teat result is positive and the traveler is asymptomatic, he or she shall self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the test; if symptomatic, he or she should seek medical assistance.  All affected travelers are required to complete the Travel Health Form.

What tests are acceptable for the testing option?  Nucleic acid tests such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are the only acceptable testing option. Neither rapid antigen tests nor antibody tests for COVID-19 satisfy the testing requirement for the testing exemption.

If you are tested please do not come to work until you have received a negative result.  Please continue to wear your masks, socially distance, and wash your hands.  Please stay safe and remember what you do outside the school comes back into the school.

Thank you,

Patrice Houle, RN
School Nurse

< Click here to download a copy >
   

 
  

November 4, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I want to thank everyone for their diligence in following our protocols for keeping our students and staff safe during this pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of another important protocol. If your child is ill for any reason, please keep your child home from school. As they recuperate at home, they still have access to their education through on-line instruction. If you decided to have your child or any member of your household tested for COVID-19, please remember that all members of your household should remain at home until a negative test result is received.  If a positive COVID test is received, then all members of your household must quarantine for the appropriate number of days.

I also ask that you notify our school nurse, Mrs. Houle, RN at 860.822.8264, ext. 111 or via email at phoule@spraguek12.org, whenever a COVID test is administered to a family member.  With this information, we can begin to plan appropriate measures to limit the potential spread of the virus.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Sayles School administration or Mrs. Houle.  Working together, we can continue to keep all members of the Sayles School family safe.

Sincerely,

William Hull,
Superintendent of Schools

< Click here to download a copy >
   

 
   

    

     

Sayles School has an excellent staff that strives to provide a world class education for ALL students through a focus on:

•       Creativity and Innovation

•       The Arts

•       Global Learning

•       Strong Academic Skills

•       Technology

•       Core Knowledge

Dr. Seuss and students during Read Across America
 
    

Appointments are required to register your child for school.

Preschool - Grade 8 Registration, call 860.822.8264 ext. 100 or 102.
High School Registration, call 860.822.8264 ext. 107.

 

 
School News
 
     
  Follow Us on Twitter
@SaylesSchool

    
  View the full school year
calendar < here >
 
November 2020
Tuesday 11/03/20
Professional Development
Day for Staff
NO SCHOOL for Students
        
Monday 11/09/20 
 Board of Education Meeting
Sayles School Media Center
6:00 P.M.
        
Wednesday 11/11/20 
 Veterans' Day
NO SCHOOL
        
Wednesday 11/25/20 -
Friday 11/27/20
Thanksgiving Recess 
NO SCHOOL
 
December 2020
Monday 12/14/20 
 Board of Education Meeting
Sayles School Media Center
6:00 P.M.
        
Wednesday 12/23/20 
 Early Release
Students and Staff
1:00 P.M.
        
Thursday 12/24/20 -
Thursday 12/31/20
Holiday Recess 
NO SCHOOL
 
January 2021
Friday 1/1/21
New Year's Day
NO SCHOOL
        
Monday 1/11/21 
 Board of Education Meeting
Sayles School Media Center
6:00 P.M.
        
Friday 1/15/21
Early Release 
1:00 P.M.
 
Staff Professional Development Day - Afternoon
        
Monday 1/18/21
Martin Luther King Day
NO SCHOOL
 
February 2021
Monday 2/8/21 
 Board of Education Meeting
Sayles School Media Center
6:00 P.M.
        
Thursday 2/11/21
Early Release 
1:00 P.M.
Parent Conferences
Afternoon and Evening
        
Friday 2/12/21
Early Release 
1:00 P.M.
Parent Conferences
Afternoon
        
Monday 2/15/21 and
Tuesday 2/16/21
Presidents' Day Recess 
NO SCHOOL
       
  View the full school year
calendar < here >
      

 Last Updated
 Friday, November 13, 2020

          

 Sayles School PTO Website

Parent Teachers Organization
    

 

           

 Sayles School Supplies

           

 
Connecticut Focus
on Foster Care
 

Connecticut Focus on Foster Care

We all have love to give.

The Department of Children and Families needs foster families for children of all ages.

Attend an information meeting where they will give descriptions of the foster family programs.

< Click here for the DCF Flyer >

    

 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.  These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

 
PAID LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS

Generally, employers covered under the Act must provide employees:

Up to two weeks (80 hours, or a part-time employee’s two-week equivalent) of paid sick leave based on the higher of their regular rate of pay, or the applicable state or Federal minimum wage, paid at:

  • 100% for qualifying reasons #1-3 below, up to $511 daily and $5,110 total;

  • 2/3 for qualifying reasons #4 and 6 below, up to $200 daily and $2,000 total; and

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave paid at 2/3 for qualifying reason #5 below for up to $200 daily and $12,000 total.

A part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the employee is normally scheduled to work over that period.

ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

In general, employees of private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees, and certain public sector employers, are eligible for up to two weeks of fully or partially paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons (see below). Employees who have been employed for at least 30 days prior to their leave request may be eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks of partially paid expanded family and medical leave for reason #5 below.

QUALIFYING REASONS FOR LEAVE RELATED TO COVID-19

An employee is entitled to take leave related to COVID-19 if the employee is unable to work, including unable to telework, because the employee:

  1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

  2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;

  3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;

  4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);

  5. is caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons; or 

  6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ENFORCEMENT

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has the authority to investigate and enforce compliance with the FFCRA. Employers may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise discriminate against any employee who lawfully takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the FFCRA, files a complaint, or institutes a proceeding under or related to this Act. Employers in violation of the provisions of the FFCRA will be subject to penalties and enforcement by WHD.

< Click here for the Families First Coronavirus
Response Act Poster >
  
    
Attention Parents of Preschool Age Children

   Preschool Openings

   

For children ages 3 and 4 years old

1/2 Day Sessions

Free Transportation Provided

Free Tuition

NAEYC Accredited Program

    

Sayles School

25 Scotland Road, Baltic

860.822.8264 ext. 145

 
   

Mother Goose and Other Rhymes

Mother Goose and Other Rhymes, a new book with
Sayles School student illustrations, is available for purchase.

 

Profits from the book will go to support the 
Sayles School Art Program.  The price is $15.

  

For more information or to order copies, visit:

http://www.nllibrarium.com/mothergoose

  

 
  

INVITATION TO BID
CODE IMPROVEMENTS AND PARTIAL ROOF REPLACEMENT FOR SAYLES SCHOOL
BALTIC, CT 06330

< Click here for a list of the bids received on 10/13/2020 >

The Town of Sprague will receive sealed bids until 3:00 PM, prevailing local time on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at, the Board of Education Office, 25 Scotland Road, Baltic, CT 06330 at which time they will be opened and read aloud. The building is open Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

1.  All bids shall be sealed and clearly labeled Code Improvements and Partial Roof Replacement Sayles Elementary School.

2.  Work required pursuant to this contract includes the following:

  • Installation of asphalt shingles, all associated underlayments, ice and water shield, gutters, metal and fabric flashings

  • Installation of twelve (12) exterior aluminum doors (3’-0” x 7’-0”) with lights

  • Installation of seven (7) interior flush wood, 1-1/2 HR, fire rated doors (2’-8” x 7’-0”).

  • Installation of a new Fire Alarm Panel (located in main office area), including integration of the new panel with the existing appliances.

  • Improvements and code updates to the existing elevator, elevator shaft and elevator machine room.

  • General and Subcontract Bids shall consist of but are not limited to: general construction, carpentry, sheet metal work, painting, electrical work, site restoration and all other work necessary for or incidental to the full completion of the entire project, including all equipment, labor, material, and incidentals in connection  therewith.

3.  The work of this contract must be substantially complete by August 20, 2021. If not substantially complete by August 20, 2021 the contractor shall face a penalty of $100 for every calendar day beyond the substantial completion date.

4.  This contract is subject to state contract compliance requirements, including non-discrimination statutes and set-aside requirements. State law requires a minimum of twenty-five (25%) percent of the state-funded portion of the contract be set aside for award to subcontractors holding current certification from the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services. The contractor must demonstrate good faith effort to meet the 25% set-aside goals.

5.  In accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 4a-100 and4b-91, a responsible bid must contain two (2) documents: The Contractor Prequalification Certificate and the Update (Bid) Statement. The classification GENERAL CONTRACTOR is required as a minimum.

6.  Questions regarding the bid or the Contract Documents may be directed to Hibbard and Rosa Architects, L.L.C., 363 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut, 06457, Attn: Mr. Thomas Hibbard. E-mail; tom@hra.bz

7.  Addenda will be issued via email to all mandatory walkthrough respondents.

8.  A Bid Bond of five percent (5%) of the bid amount is required. The selected bidder will be required to post Performance and Payment Bonds in the full amount of the Contract Sum.

9.  The successful bidder must file a one hundred percent (100%) Performance Bond, a one hundred percent (100%) Labor & Materials Bond and Certificate of Insurance to the Finance Director within ten (10) days of notice of bid award.

10. A mandatory pre-bid meeting between prospective bidders and the Architect will convene in the lobby of the School, located at 25 Scotland Road, Baltic, CT., on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 3:30 pm when project details will be discussed and questions answered.

11. All bid proposals must be submitted on the designated forms. The Town of Sprague reserves the right to waive any defect in any bid and reserves the right to reject any or all bids. All bids must be completely filled out when submitted.

12. The Town of Sprague, CT reserves the right to reject the low bid, or the unit prices when deemed in the best interest of the Owner, and to negotiate with the lowest qualified bidder.

< Click here to download a copy >

     

 
The Sayles School Preschool Program is legally exempt from child care licensing and, as such, is not required to meet licensing standards.

Connecticut General Statutes, Section 19a-77(b)(1)(A) provides that a program administered by a public school system is not required to be licensed to operate.