THE DUFFY PTO
The Duffy PTO is excited to share our purpose with the Duffy community. The “why” behind what we do, the “how” that guides our work, and the impact your support and donations make possible. 

Our goal is to enrich every student’s experience by funding programs, events, and resources that bring our school community together. We aim to be transparent about how the funds we raise are used, what we’ve accomplished, and where we’re headed next.

We welcome your feedback on our objectives and plans for the future and invite you to join us at our next PTO meeting as we continue building this mission together,  for this year and the years to come.

THANK YOU!

🥧 Thank you to all who purchased from our Lyman Orchard Pie Fundraiser this past week! We hope you enjoy your pies and cookies this holiday season, knowing your support helped raise over $3,000—well above our original $1,000 goal—for our Duffy community. Thank you again!

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Catch up on all the upcoming PTO events and activities happening in the Duffy community!

🍎 PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE WEEK:
NOVEMBER 17–21, 2025

Conference Week is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with teachers — and to show our appreciation for all they do!

We’re inviting families to help make the week extra special by:

• Donating snacks, treats, or beverages for the teacher lounge
  SIGN-UP HERE

• Volunteering to help with set-up, restocking, or clean-up throughout the week
  SIGN-UP HERE

Every contribution, big or small, makes a meaningful difference.

Get Involved: Click here to learn more and join our committee

📚GIVE A BOOK GET A BOOK

Share the JOY of reading! 

Get a Book, Give a Book! We’re getting ready for our yearly celebration! During the week of December 15th, all Duffy Dragons will have the opportunity to visit our Winter Wonderland Bookstore to pick out a gently used book for winter break reading as well as choose one to wrap and bring home to give as a gift for a sibling, neighbor, friend, relative, etc. Our “bookstore” is stocked with your donations. Please consider cleaning out your bookshelves at home during the next few weeks. Thank you!

Gently Used Children’s Book Drive: Monday, December 1st- Friday, December 5th.  Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby. 

📚DUFFY BOOK FAIR 

SAVE THE DATE for The Duffy Book Fair!

Please check the Duffy calendar for a complete list of all school events & activities.

DONATIONS NEEDED!

🎃 SHARE THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT! 

Join us in making sure every child gets a chance to celebrate Halloween!

From November 3rd–21st, drop off your child’s gently used Halloween costumes in the collection box located in the Duffy lobby.

All donated costumes will be cleaned and distributed to Greater Hartford–area charities.

Thank you for helping spread kindness — and Halloween joy — to others! 👻

GET INVOLVED AT DUFFY!

There are so many ways to support our Duffy community — from volunteering to joining a committee.  Your time, ideas, and energy help make Duffy a wonderful place to learn and grow!

📝 PTO MEETING

Join us for the next Duffy PTO Meeting to learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.

📅 Wednesday, January 7th
⏰ 7:00-8:00 PM
📍 Location: Virtual

📅 Friday, February 6th
⏰ 2:00-3:15 PM
📍 Location: Duffy Elementary School with a Virtual Option

📣 Join the Duffy PTO 

Co-Treasurer
We’re looking for a Co-Treasurer — a key role in managing budgets, supporting school events, and helping our community initiatives thrive. This is a great opportunity to get involved, learn the ropes of PTO finances, and make a meaningful impact.

Parent Teacher Council (PTC) Delegate
The PTC Delegate represents Duffy on the West Hartford Parent Teacher Council, which includes representatives from all public schools in town. This volunteer attends monthly meetings and shares key updates and discussions with the Duffy PTO Board.

Member at Large
Interested in getting involved but not sure where to start?
Join as a Member-at-Large to be part of the PTO Board’s planning and help shape the programs and events that make Duffy so special!

Get Involved: Duffy PTO Board & Committees

💚 DUFFY CARES: OUTREACH & SUPPORT COMMITTEE

This committee supports Duffy families and students who may need extra help throughout the year, from providing clothing and school supplies through the Duffy Closet to organizing assistance during holidays and back-to-school season. Volunteers help plan and coordinate these initiatives, ensuring every family feels cared for and connected.

Get Involved: Learn more about the Duffy Cares Committee Here

🎁 HOLIDAY HELPERS 2025: MAKE THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER

The holidays are coming, and our community needs your help! Please consider contributing to our holiday helpers program, an opportunity to make the holidays brighter for Duffy families in our community who could use some extra support this year. Please complete the form below if you are able to serve as a donor this year for gift wish list items, and a committee volunteer will be in touch with more information. 

https://forms.gle/QFwWYvp9p35xRVGw5 

Interested in helping but no time to shop? Consider contributing a donation that will go towards gift cards and wrapping paper for the family. You can venmo Anna Bennett (@Anna-Bennett-1) to donate. 

Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for members of our Duffy family!

🌿 DUFFY GARDEN COMMITTEE

In 2026, we’re excited to renew our focus on enhancing our school grounds and play areas through meaningful parent and student involvement. Our mission is to bring the Duffy community together by caring for our gardens and supporting seasonal beautification projects that make our school greener, more welcoming, and inspiring for all students.

If you’d like to help shape our plans for Spring 2026, we invite you to join the committee as a planning member today!

Get Involved: Join the Garden Committee Here

🌍 EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI) COMMITTEE

We’d love your input to help shape meaningful activities, events, and educational opportunities that reflect and celebrate our community.

Our mission is to strengthen our school community by planning events and sharing resources that broaden perspectives and foster belonging for every family. Through these events, we create opportunities for our community to learn, celebrate, and connect in ways that highlight and embrace the diversity that makes Duffy so special.  

Please take a moment to fill out our SURVEY by November 17th.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Monday, Nov 17 – Friday, Nov 21: Conference Week

  • 1:30 PM Dismissal: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri

  • 2:00 PM Dismissal: Wed

• Thursday & Friday, Nov 27–28: Thanksgiving Break — No School
  
  

AROUND WEST HARTFORD

What’s happening around West Hartford and in our larger community — events, activities, and opportunities for all ages!

Come support Camden Jacobs, Wesley Otto and Evie Normand in the premiere of a new musical, featuring the children of St. James’s! This hilarious, pun-laden quest begins in the ant colony governed by the Consonants, who enforce the proper rules for music-making until two hopeful recruits shake up the tonal foundation and learn that there’s much more to music than what meets the antennae. Inspired in equal parts by Sesame Street, Schoolhouse Rock and Gradus Ad Parnassum (an 18th century treatise on counterpoint), come see this hysterical, educational spectacle. Free admission. 



For more information click here!

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WAIT UNTIL 8th!

Want to wait to give your child a smartphone? You’re not alone!

Over the past several years, parents have said “yes” to smartphones for children as early as elementary school age due to societal pressures. Many parents today feel powerless, but together, we can change this! 

Parents now have access to research on the impacts of smartphone use on our children that was not available just a few years ago. The research shows that smartphone use in children before the age of 14 has lead to an alarming increase in such things as anxiety, depression, screen addiction, exposure to sexual content, cyber bullying, and suicide, to name a few…

Let’s listen to the data and say “not yet” together! 

Wait Until 8th is an organization that connects parents interested in waiting to give their children smartphones by distributing a pledge to each grade within a school. Signing the pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay smartphones until at least the end of 8th grade. Together, we can decrease the peer pressure felt by kids and parents, alike.

Here’s how it works: A pledge becomes "active" once 10 or more families within a grade sign it. The pledge is designed this way so you don't have to fear "what if I am the only parent that signs in my kid's grade" and so that you can connect with other families. We currently have many active grades at Duffy - sign the pledge to connect with others!

To learn more and sign the Wait Until 8th pledge, click here. 

*Please note - this pledge is for delaying smartphones only. If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts, you still can sign the pledge! Basic phones avoid the distractions and dangers that come with smartphones.

STAY CONNECTED

Explore all our volunteer opportunities and committees

Please CLICK HERE to see all the amazing events that you can be a part of too!  We thank you for all of your time and support!

Send announcements for the weekly eBlast by Friday, 3:00 PM to Calla Leonardo, PTO Communications Chair, or contact the PTO Co-Presidents.

📘 Like us on Facebook!