Dear Hawley Families,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I am happy to report that I will be the new Lead Teacher at Hawley. While I am new to the position, I am not new to Hawley. I was fortunate enough to have both of my children complete their elementary education in this wonderful environment. In fact, my oldest daughter’s artwork still hangs in the building--and she’s 21! My younger daughter is at the high school and has fond memories of Hawley’s teachers. Both of my children built their artistic and academic foundations here at Hawley.
Some of the memories that come up most at the dinner table are the community service projects Hawley supported. From food and clothing drives to hands-on experiences in the world, my daughters learned the importance of community engagement. True to their motto, “Work Hard and Be Kind”, Hawley’s support of community service projects allows kids to build important interpersonal and civic skills. Empathy, compassion, and responsibility are just a few that come to mind. These opportunities to serve others are truly life changing. Hawley is committed to the development of the whole child. Providing students opportunities to pursue interests, develop skills, and grow into global citizens is our foremost concern.
In addition to being a Hawley parent, I have been an educator in Newtown for 25 years. I have served at the kindergarten, second and intermediate levels. In each experience, I learned the importance of the foundational years. I value creativity, collaboration, and perseverance in the learning process. With parents as partners, I will work to develop those ideals in your children.
Warmly,
Carla Tischio
Lead Teacher, Hawley Elementary School