Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!
Dear families,
It is my pleasure to welcome both new and returning families to the new school year. The theme in Bloomfield Public Schools this year is "Planting Seeds, Inspiring Growth & Cultivating Excellence." At Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School we quite literally plant seeds with our hands as we engage with our science and inquiry based curriculum. We grow things like beans, squash and other foods along with sunflowers and other plants. Sometimes we even eat them or cook with them in our Kid's Kitchen! Our monthly field trips to Auerfarm and bi-weekly “Try Days” allow for continued hands on experiences as we learn at a local farm and try new foods at school twice a month.
We also grow the whole child through carefully created environments and experiences that are infused with early learning standards aimed to inspire wonder and curiosity. Children are supported through their journey as they become their most excellent self academically and social-emotionally!
The early years are foundational. The brain is nearly 90% developed by five years old. The brain grows new connections as children engage in experiences, practice new skills or refining gained ones. Positive interactions at home and school matter, engagement with materials and other people matter, using language matters.
Talking and playing all day are much more than what meets the eye. Teachers (like parents and other caring adults) carefully choose words, pose questions, pick out and offer ideas, materials or experience with intention because we all agree that growing young humans is important and careful work.
Strong executive functioning skills such as working memory, flexible thinking, attention and regulation, support the processing of information taken in from the world by young children as they engage their senses. When this circuit functions well information can be stored in long term memory - deep learning occurs.
I share this with you to reinforce why we focus so heavily on positive relationships, language and vocabulary, and independent, regulated learners. Play ties this all together - giving a way to deliver meaningful experiences with high engagement that transfers into learning!
As we progress through the year you will see this unfold. You will see what “play” is all about. When a child plays ask yourself, “what are they actually doing…what connection are they making and storing in their brain?”
Thank you for entrusting us with your child (ren). Please know that our highly qualified dedicated staff are always here to support you, your child and family as we “Plant Seeds, Inspire Growth and Cultivate Excellence”!
Warmly,
Samantha Straker, Principal
Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School