Communications
Regular communication with parents and guardians is one of the keys to student success at Glastonbury Public Schools. Resources such as ParentSquare, our website, school newsletters, and PowerSchool enhance our ability to communicate effectively and on time. We strive to provide quality communications that are consistent, efficient, effective, and both environmentally and budget-friendly.
Below is an outline of our school system's many communication methods. We have also included a list of steps parents and guardians can take to stay informed.
District Information
School Report, a newsletter prepared by the Superintendent and Board of Education, is mailed to all Glastonbury residents quarterly.
The GPS home page of our website contains district announcements, calendar items, and other resources. School closings and delays are also posted on the home page. From this home page, you can access websites for each school and department, Board of Education information, parent resources, and an “Ask the Superintendent” blog.
ParentSquare is used to send home both emergency and routine district-wide information.
Letters are mailed to families and hard-copy communications are distributed occasionally as needed.
Board of Education meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 16. The Town of Glastonbury also streams live meetings and posts videos of past meetings.
Local and regional media (The Glastonbury Citizen, Glastonbury Life, Hartford Courant, and the local television news) cover school system stories of interest.
School Information
Parent Nights are scheduled at the beginning of each school year at each school.
School orientations for parents of students entering kindergarten and the secondary schools are scheduled in the late winter/spring each year.
School handbooks are updated annually and posted on each school’s website and the link is sent to families annually.
School newsletters for the elementary schools and Gideon Welles School are emailed during the first week of each month. Glastonbury High School and Smith Middle School email their newsletters every other month. Newsletters include information on events, meetings, volunteer opportunities, specials, health office, sports, and PTO/Parent Group news.
School websites include school contact information, calendars, announcements, school procedures, schedules, school handbooks, and access to websites for the library and PTOs/parent groups.
ParentSquare is used to send home both emergency and routine school information. PTOs and parent groups work closely with principals to communicate electronically as well.
Letters are mailed to parents/guardians and hard-copy communications are distributed occasionally if needed.
School principals and school offices call families directly when needed.
Classroom Information
Teachers use Parent Square to post and send direct messages to families. Teachers call parents directly when needed.
Teachers use the online apps SeeSaw (Grades K-5) and Google Classroom (Grades 6-12) for curriculum work. Students can log in to these online resources to access assignments, resources, etc.
Grades are posted on the PowerSchool Portal. Secondary school students and parents can also access attendance information through the PowerSchool Portal on the internet. Usernames and passwords are sent to each family.
Teachers occasionally send class information and updates via hard-copy communications.
Elementary teacher conferences are scheduled twice per year. Secondary school teacher and counselor conferences are scheduled by request.
Report cards are distributed throughout the year. Distribution dates can be found on the website.
Families—What you can do to stay informed:
Make sure you are registered with ParentSquare. Download the app and set your notification and language preferences. Email InfoUpdate@Glastonburyus.org with account questions.
Familiarize yourself with the district and school websites. Bookmark them for easy access and visit them regularly.
Set up your account on the PowerSchool Portal to view grades (all schools) and attendance information (GHS, SMS, and GWS only).
Read school and district newsletters.
Attend open houses, school orientations, and parent conferences.
Attend PTO/Parent Group meetings.
Follow Board of Education activities. Attendance at board meetings is welcome and encouraged. The Board agenda/minutes are posted on the website. Meetings are aired on local television, live-streamed, and posted as videos.
Never hesitate to reach out with concerns. See this guide to addressing concerns if you are not sure who to contact.