A big thank you to all the Duffy families who joined us for this year’s Fall Kids Dance on Friday night!

A special thank you to our amazing PTO volunteers who helped with planning, setup, check-in, and activities, keeping the evening fun, safe, and running smoothly! And a shoutout to Grace Pekkala for coordinating our volunteers!

It was a great way to kick off the fall season together as a Duffy community!

DUFFY EVENTS THIS WEEK

EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI)
Welcome Meeting: October 28th at 8PM

Duffy EDI’s mission is to strengthen our school community by planning events and sharing resources that broaden perspectives and foster belonging.

The EDI Committee has hosted the annual Souper Bowl Food Drive, Family Game Night, and educational events for parents.

We would love your help in highlighting and embracing the diversity that makes Duffy so special. Please join the EDI Committee on Konstella and be part of the conversation as we plan events, share ideas, and connect with our community.

Our first meeting will be held:

• Wednesday, October 28th
  
• 8:00 PM
  
• Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8018651680?pwd=8g3JtO1JGab2gp6IaZFcFTDhRzXRpR.1&omn=89667877778
  
  

Everyone is welcome! We hope to see you there!

Can’t make the meeting? Join the committee on Konstella to stay involved and be part of the conversation throughout the year.

Thursday Oct 29th: 1st & 2nd Grade
Friday Oct 30th: Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade

MORE DETAILS HERE :: VOLUNTEER HERE

DUFFY DRAGON DASH 🏃‍♂️‍➡️ 🏃‍♀️
Saturday, November 7th 2026 | 9:30AM-11:30AM

New this year!  Duffy Dragon Dash Hats are available for purchase.  Order by October 31st, choose "Pickup" during check out and Caitlin Ward will be picking up the bulk order in time for distribution before the Dragon Dash on November 7th!  Click Here to Order Your Duff Hat TODAY!  


Let’s rally together to raise funds to support our amazing Duffy PTO! Follow the steps to help us reach our goals...

1. Create your child's own 99 Pledges Fundraising Account by using the link below:
   2026 Duffy Dragon Dash
   
   
2. Add your Duffy student's name, your email address and select your teacher's name from the "Group" dropdown button. Click the green "Add" button and your child's page will be set up!  If you have multiple children each child needs their own page.
   
   
3. You will receive an email verification with instructions to finish setting up their page.
   
   
4. That email will also include your child's personal donation link- use this to share with family, friends, neighbors, to help raise funds for the Dragon Dash!

All your fundraising efforts will lead to our big celebration on Saturday, November 7th 9:30-11:30am at the Dragon Dash — a community event you won’t want to miss!

What to Expect:

• Every student will receive a FREE event t-shirt to wear with pride

• Kids can run as many laps as they’d like — it’s all about fun, not speed!

• Dance and groove with DJ RED SUPREME spinning the beats
  
  

  And there’s another reason we REALLY want to reach our fundraising goals…

  The more we raise, the more prizes our whole school unlocks! 🎉

  We’re working our way toward:

  - $5,000 = Pajama Day
  - $10,000 = Extra Recess
  - $15,000 = Backwards Day — all of our teachers have to wear their clothes backwards ALL DAY!
  - $20,000 = Mrs. Laverty Goes Green — our principal has to dye her hair GREEN for a day! 💚
  - $25,000 = Popsicle Party
  -$30,000 = DJ Red Supreme Glow Dance Party — a glow dance party during the school day! 🪩🎶

  Every donation gets us a little closer to unlocking the next prize—and no donation is too small!

  💚 **Thank you for supporting us!** 💚

DUFFY DAY at UCONN FOOTBALL 🏈
Saturday, November 14th 2026 | 12:00PM

Join the Duffy community for a fun afternoon of college football as the UConn Huskies take on the James Madison Dukes!

Enjoy some fall football, connect with other Duffy families, and cheer on the Huskies together!

Tickets purchased through the Duffy link will be seated together in the same section.

Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Duffyelementary7

GO HUSKIES! 🐾🏈

The best way to spread holiday cheer?
Holiday cards that support Duffy all year! 

’Tis the season (already)! If your family sends out holiday cards, this promo code is for you! The Duffy PTO has partnered with Minted this year.

Use code FUNDRAISEDUFFYPTO to receive 20% off your total order, and 10% of your purchase will be donated back to Duffy Elementary School!

It’s an easy way to save while giving back to our Duffy community at the same time.

Please share the promo code with friends and family who send holiday cards, too. As always, thank you for supporting Duffy!

UPDATES FROM THE PTO

Here's what you missed at the last PTO Meeting

Fundraising Updates

• Parents' Night Out: A great success! We exceeded our target, bringing in approximately $6,000 in revenue before expenses. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped organize!
• Lyman Orchards Pie Sale: We surpassed our $3,000 fundraising goal! Pie pickup is November 13.
• Dragon Dash: Our biggest fundraiser is underway! THIS IS THE ONE! Student fundraising pages are LIVE through 99Pledges, and a fun new bulletin board at school will help track progress toward our $30,000 goal.
• Spirit Wear & Minted: Our online spirit wear store is expanding with new merchandise, including Dragon Dash hats! Don't forget to support Duffy through our Minted holiday card fundraiser.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

• October 28: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee Meeting | 8 PM via Zoom. Everyone is welcome!
• October 29–30: Harvest Hunt!
• October 31: Happy Halloween!
• November 3: NO SCHOOL – Election Day.
• November 5: Annual School Safety & Security Meeting | 8:45 AM at Duffy
• November 13: Lyman Orchards Pie Pickup at Duffy Green Lot
• November 14: Duffy UConn Football Outing!

Get Involved!

Looking for a great way to get involved with the Duffy PTO?

• Teacher & Staff Appreciation is an amazing opportunity to help celebrate the incredible teachers and staff who make Duffy so special! Join as a Chair(s), Co-Chair(s) or Committee Member and be part of the planning alongside the PTO team for appreciation events throughout the school year. It's a fun and meaningful way to get involved and give back!
• Fundraising Co-Chairs to help plan and support our PTO fundraising efforts.

Interested? Join any committee as a member through Konstella!

Communication

• We're working to simplify PTO communications, including more targeted reminders through Room Leads.
• We also discussed field trips and clarified that teachers and school staff coordinate educational experiences, while the PTO helps fund them.

Next PTO Meeting

Thursday, November 12 | 2:15–3:15 PM | Duffy Cafeteria & Virtual Link

GET INVOLVED!
Our events and programs happen because of our amazing parent and guardian volunteers. Join a committee, help with an event or simply come learn more. There’s a way for everyone to be part of the Duffy PTO.

EXPLORE ALL PTO COMMITTEES HERE

We are still looking for volunteers to help fill several PTO positions noted below and committee roles for the 2026–2027 school year.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Chairs/Co-Chairs
Help celebrate Duffy teachers and staff through appreciation events and recognition throughout the year.

Fundraising Co-Chairs
Help support PTO fundraising efforts that benefit students, teachers, enrichment, and community events. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

---

WEST HARTFORD-OPOLY!
Our West Hartford-Opoly game is officially available for presale! This has been a fun project, and we’re excited to share it with the West Hartford community.

Most of our West Hartford public schools are represented somewhere in the game, whether through a Chance card (renamed Rose Garden cards), mascot, or another special feature!

Pre-Sale ends November 15th!

VOLUNTEER • JOIN A COMMITTEE • HELP WITH AN EVENT
Our events and programs happen because of our amazing parent and guardian volunteers. Join a committee, help with an event or simply come learn more. There’s a way for everyone to be part of the Duffy PTO.

EXPLORE ALL PTO COMMITTEES HERE

We are still looking for volunteers to help fill several PTO positions and committee roles for the 2026–2027 school year.

Whether you are interested in helping with events, supporting behind the scenes, or joining the PTO team, we would love to have you involved.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Chairs/Co-Chairs
Help celebrate Duffy teachers and staff through appreciation events and recognition throughout the year.

Fundraising Co-Chairs
Help support PTO fundraising efforts that benefit students, teachers, enrichment, and community events. 

We can’t wait to see everyone and kick off a great year!

GET CONNECTED!

DUFFY PTO: duffypto@gmail.com

Duffy Elementary School Calendar