Clark Lane Connects September 4, 2026
Welcome to a New School Year at Clark Lane Middle School! On behalf of our entire staff, thank you to our families, students, and teachers for making the start of this school year so remarkable. Walking the hallways these past few weeks, it has been wonderful to see our students settle into their daily routines, reconnect with friends, and confidently find their place at CLMS. This year, our district theme is "Belonging: The Power of My Story." In our building, we are leaning into this idea by celebrating each student's individual academic journey and cultivating their personal story of belonging. Every student brings a unique voice to our school, and we are dedicated to ensuring they feel seen, supported, and challenged every single day. We hope this monthly newsletter serves as a valuable window into life at CLMS and our broader community. Strong communication is the foundation of a great school year, so please never hesitate to reach out to our team if we can do anything to support your child's experience at Clark Lane. Here’s to a meaningful and inspiring year together! Sincerely, Mr. Sachs, Principal Mr. Robarge, Assistant Principal
In This Issue: Picture Day Back to School Night After-School Extra Help Fall Sports Clubs & Activities Upcoming Meetings & Events PE Information World Language Information Shared Devices Information
Picture Day - Thursday, September 10 Order forms were sent home this week. Additional copies are available in the main office. All students and staff will have their picture taken to be used in the yearbook, our student database (PowerSchool), and student ID cards.
Back-to-School Night Back-to-School Night Thursday, September Thursday, September 10 10 6-7:30pm 6-7:30pm We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Back-to-School Night! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet our teachers and staff, hear about your child's classes, and connect with community organizations sharing resources for CLMS families. Students will bring home their schedule and event information prior to the evening. Please be sure to bring a copy or screenshot with you! Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to secure parking. To keep our halls clear for preparation, the main building will remain closed until 6:00 PM, but our doors will open early to welcome families into the cafeteria for our community showcase.
AFTER SCHOOL
EXTRA HELP All teachers offer one afternoon per week for extra help, giving students time to make up work, retake assessments per school policy, or get quiet homework support (see attached schedule). To ensure safety and proper supervision, students must take ownership of their schedule and plan ahead. Students are required to inform their teacher during the school day if they intend to stay—unannounced drop-ins are not permitted. Students may only stay with their direct teachers unless specific permission is granted in advance, and all students must be supervised in a classroom at all times. After-school help runs M-W from 2:40–3:40 PM, beginning September 9th. Four late buses depart by 4:00 PM. Please note that late buses run modified routes and may not drop students at their regular stops, though staff will assist students in finding the right bus. A written pass from the supervising teacher is required to board.
AFTER SCHOOL
EXTRA HELP Monday* Egret
Heron
Osprey
Ghiglia (W)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Sachatello
Corazzelli
Parulis
Morgan
Devito
Mellon
Guarraia
Quiles (T)
Coral Shook
deCastro
Morosky
Gionet
Galvin
McNeil
Walker
Rocha
Joyner
Stahl
Sea Stars
Eident
Galipeau
Higgins
Terrapins
Sheridan
Support Staff
Barnes (T)
Bohonowicz
Stewart
Fedor (T)
Botteon, J
Nevins
McIntire (T)
Sullivan
Haggerty
Petchark (T)
Dignazio
Heller
Tyskiewicz Counselors World Language
UA/PE
Dolce (W)
DiNatali
Deojay (T)
Lloyd, K Garrison
Dearborn (T) Livingston (W)
Barry
P. Lloyd (T)
Bonillo
Nelson (W)
Landeck
Orphanides (W)
Mascarelli Fomenko
*On weeks when there is a Faculty Meeting on a Monday afternoon, teachers will offer an alternate afterschool day as noted in parentheses.
CLMS r o p S l al F Fall sports are officially underway at Clark Lane! Our Cross Country, Girls Soccer, and Boys Soccer teams have kicked off their practices and tryout sessions. For updated game schedules, field locations, team announcements, and general athletics information throughout the season, please bookmark and visit our official CLMS Athletics Website. Go Lancers!
P.E. Reminders All students are required to wear sneakers for PE class. Students are also highly encouraged to bring a change of clothes, a water bottle, and deodorant to help them stay comfortable, hydrated, and hygienic!
Upcoming Meetings Upcoming Meetings & Events & Events CLMS PTO Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8th 5:30pm - CLMS Library Friends of Waterford Music Wednesday, Sept. 23rd 7:00pm - CLMS Library CLMS Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 3rd 9:00am - CLMS Field
c t i v i t i A & s b e s u Cl Staff members will be hosting after school clubs throughout the school year. Below are a sample of what will be offered. Please see the club advisor and watch for more information on morning announcements for information about how to join!
Club Name
Description
Meeting Dates
Advisor's Name
Meeting Location
Season
My Best Self Project
The My Best Self Project is a supportive new club focused on personal growth, self-discovery, and overall student wellbeing. Designed to help students build confidence and form positive connections, members engage in meaningful activities like journaling, goal setting, mindfulness, and creative projects.
Tuesdays beginning 9/15
Lynne Hietala
Back of the Liibrary
Fall & Spring
Math Counts (Fall and Spring)
This club is for students who love math and want to participate in competitions with other schools. We will meet once a week to practice and prepare for competitions. We typically go to two school competitions and two Saturday competitions.
Tuesdays beginning 9/8
Heather Joyner
S105
Fall and Spring
Clark Lane Players (SeptemberFebruary)
We rehearse together to present a youth edition of a musical on stage in the cafetorium. This year’s musical will be Cole Porter's Anything Goes. Our performances will be on February 3, 2027.
Auditions midSeptember; rehearsals based on the needs of the production after school. Performance February 3.
Patrick Barry
L102
September through February
Rubik's Cube Club
A place to learn how to solve the cube and a time to create the mosaics that are around the school
Mondays beginning 9/14
Heather Joyner
S105
This club will gather to celebrate France and the French-speaking world, and participate in a variety of activities related to promoting the French culture and language in the school community.
Days will vary, but mostly Wednesdays. First meeting: Sept. 15. NOTE: This club meets all year.
Amanda Deojay
L200
French Club
All year
c t i v i t i A & s b e s u Cl Continued...
Club Name
Description
Meeting Dates
Advisor's Name
Meeting Location
Season
Scrabble Club
Scrabble provides an opportunity for students to play a fun and competitive game while building spelling, vocabulary, and social skills.
Tuesdays starting in October.
Amanda Deojay
L200
Oct.-Jan.
Perler Bead Club
Perler Bead Club is a creative crafting group where participants design pixel art and mosaic patterns using small, heatactivated plastic fuse beads.
Wednesdays starting 9/9
Collette Driscoll Long
Back of the Library
Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club provides students with the opportunity to learn about the night sky, as well as celestial objects and events. Students also get the chance to learn the proper function and use of telescopes/cameras for observing astronomical objects.
Starting Tuesday 9/15; meets every Tuesday after that
Lee Rocha Jr.
S109
Sept. - April
Latin Club
Come learn about Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece in a fun way! As an ambassador, you'll help with fun and meaningful activities organized by the National Junior Latin Honor Society Clark Lane's Latin Club- that celebrate and promote Latin and Roman cultures in our school.
Days will vary, but mostly Wednesdays. First meeting: Sept. 15. NOTE: This club meets all
Kyleen Garrison
L202
All Year
Spanish Club
Explore the rich and diverse cultures of the Spanish - speaking world through food, music, art, games, movies, celebrations and other activities. Have fun, try new things, and learn about the many different cultures connected by the Spanish language!
Days will vary, but mostly Wednesdays. First meeting: Sept. 15. NOTE: This club meets all
Claudia Dearborn
L201
All year
Morning News Team
Run the morning announcemnts
Every day 7:30-8
Daniel Landeck
M120
All year
WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
ane
Clark L ol's o h c S Middle
Connecting our corner of the globe to yours September 2026 Salut
Hola
Salve
Hi
Bonjour
Quid
Agis
Au Adiós Revoir
o
Vale
Veni
Vidi
Vici
World Language Course Description We're delighted to welcome your student to our World Language classes this year. We
expect that your child will have a productive and successful year learning French, Latin or
Spanish.
All sixth grade students will experience a quarter of each language: French, Latin and Spanish in our Exploratory program. This quarter long experience will allow students to explore each of the three languages offered in Waterford Public Schools before choosing one language to continue in the final quarter of sixth grade as well as in seventh and
eighth grades.
All seventh and eighth grade students will continue to learn French, Latin or Spanish, depending on which language they chose and will continue to learn useful vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure and cultural topics based on unit topics.
In all our World Language classes, we will focus on sharpening students' skills in
speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the target language, while exploring cultural traditions and customs in each of the classes.
The key to success in language acquisition is regular practice both in and out of the classroom.
FRENCH
LATIN
SPANISH
Mme. Deojay
Garrison Mag. kgarrison@waterfordschools.org
Sra. Dearborn
adeojay@waterfordschools.org
cdearborn@waterfordschools.org
Supplies
For all our language classes you will need:
A hard cover three ring binder (1" recommended) School issued device with charger
Writing utensil (pencil, pen)
Please come prepared to class every day to participate!
The Spanish Club is hosting a "Pulsera" sale The
PULSERA Project
FAIR TRADE
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$5
caeteria during lUnch and the CLMS Fall Festivai
WHERE: In the
SUPPORT CENTRAL AMERICAN ARTISANS & COMMUNITIES
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Sept. 28 th- Oct.
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NONPROFIT
WPS One-to-One Device
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Program Information
Below is pertinent information about the One-to-One Device Program at Waterford Public Schools for the
2026-2027 school year. The Waterford Information Technology Department will be continuing to implement
a Student Device Protection Program
beginning in August 2026.
All students will be required to use a school issued device. Students in grades 5-12 will continue to bring the devices home for school related assignments.
This is a change from the 25-26 SY. Grade 4 students will have access to Chromebooks in schoolfor the 26-27 SY. Only school issued devices will be allowed during instructional times. Privately-owned technological devices may only be used during instructional times, as specifically permitted by instructional staff for a specific purpose. Students may use their privately-owned device during non instructional times, such as before and after school and study hall. Waterford Public Schools Device Protection Program will be offered for all school issued Chromebooks. Participation in the Student Device Protection Program is optional. Please review the information provided below regarding the Device Protection Program. Families not enrolled willbe subject to charges for replacement parts or the full costfor replacement of the Chromebook. We encourage ALL families to register for an account for ease of paying fees associated with technology devices. *
•
Student Device Protection Program Cost for Families of Students Grades 5-12 (2026-2027 SY): Ifyourfamily is approved forfree/reduced meals, the insurance fee is waived but you must still enroll in the WPS Device Protection Program.
Chromebook Protection cost: $20.00 to be paid annually. Maximum Protection Plan cost for family living together $60.00 per year.
Enrollment for WPS Device Protection MUST be made between
August 10th - October 23th, or all repair costs will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Create an Account and Enroll at
https://www.myschoolbucks.com What's Covered
-
2 claims per year
What's Not Covered
Accidental damage including but not limited to broken screen, liquid spillage, dropped device Unavoidable Theft - police report must be submitted
A lost or stolen device if the assigned user cannot supply the
Power surge
Damage caused by tampering with hardware components or
-
within 72 hours of theft Mechanical failure or defect Fire, flood, natural disaster
IT Dept. with a police report Excessive scratches/wear to Chromebook's exterior.
Intentional marking, defacing, breaking of a screen and/or abusing the Chromebook.
Missing keys
operating system (i.e.jailbreaking) to alter District configurations.
The policy will become void for the term if: more than two (2) claims are made or if the school makes a determination that the damage to the Chromebook was intentional or caused by abuse. Families would be responsible for repair part costs after the two claims.
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I THIS W Using MySchoolBucks you can:
THI
Grades 5-12 Only
Purchase Device Protection for your child's school-issued device
to cover any accidental damage
Pay invoices (new charger, etc.) Get started in 4 easy steps: 1. Download the MySchoolBucksmobile app or visit myschoolbucks.com 2. Create your free account 3. Add your student
4. Browse the WPS online store to locate WPS Device Protection Store
The district is only offering this until Oct. 23rd, so don't miss out on this
opportunity. After that date, families will not be able to purchase this protection for the 26-27 school year and will be responsible for the full cost of repair on your child's school issued
Repair Cost With Device
Protection
Repair Cost Without Device
W
Protection
$75
$350
device. PRO
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Mrs. Venditti, Family & Consumer Science Teacher at Clark Lane Middle
School, wanted to share the course descriptions for her classes for
students participating in those classes this coming school year.
Cooking Foundations 1 (formerly Intro to Culinary Skills) The Cooking Foundations 1 course offers students the opportunity to explore the many facets of nutrition and basic food preparation.
Students will gain knowledge in a variety of areas pertaining to kitchen
safety and management, food safety and sanitation, cooking skills, and basic nutrition through a variety of learning experiences. While participating in
exciting culinary labs, students will focus on organization and time management, group cooperation, reading and interpreting directions, and the use of basic math and science knowledge used in cooking.
By the end of this
course, students will be able to demonstrate safe and sanitary kitchen
practices and the Mise en Place technique while preparing many recipes in
class...lessons that taste good and last a lifetime! This class meets on alternating days throughout the quarter.
Cooking Foundations 2 (Formerly Advanced Culinary Skills)
COOKBOOK
Cooking Foundations 2 is a course developed for 8th grade students who may have previously taken the Introduction to Culinary Skills class. In Cooking Foundations 2, students will deepen their competencies in the areas of
kitchen management, food safety and sanitation, baking basics, and meal
planning/food presentation. By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate safe and sanitary kitchen practices and the Mise en Place
technique while participating in cooperative food labs, practicing important life skills such as reading, measuring, following directions, listening and collaboration. This class meets on alternating days throughout the quarter.