UPCOMING EVENTS
Catch up on all the upcoming PTO events and activities happening in the Duffy community!
📚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!
- New Vendor: River Bend Bookshop
- Teachers will communicate their classroom's shopping day (no preview days or wishlists)
- If you want your child to shop during the school day, please fund an eWallet or send in another form of payment
- Fund an eWallet (school code: WHDUFFY)
- Cash, Credit Card, Check, Cash App and Tap to pay (Apple/Google Pay) also accepted
- A digital payment option for your child
- Choose a preset amount or customize
- Fund using a credit/debit card or Cash App
- Students may shop at school without worrying about losing cash!
- Unused balances will be returned (any balance of less than $1 will be donated to the library)
- More details? Watch a video and/or read more
What if I want to visit the Book Fair with my family?
- Come to Family Night: Tuesday, December 2 from 4:00-6:00pm!
Can I Purchase Books for My Child's Teacher and/or Classroom?
- Yes, you can purchase an e-wallet for your teacher
How do I get more information?
📣We are looking for volunteers to help out at the Book Fair. If you are interested in supporting our Duffy Community during this exciting event, please click this link: Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up!
📅Friday, December 12th is PJ Day for the Kids - a day for people to show unity with and support for the kids at Connecticut Children’s, who spend long periods of time in their PJs.
Duffy will participate as a member of the West Hartford Public Schools team. On 12/12, every member of our school community can wear their PJs, and, if they choose, make a donation of $1.00 or more to fund vital childhood cancer research, clinical trials, and care.
Cash and check donations will be collected at school that day (Checks should be made payable to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc.). Families and friends can also support our team by making an online donation via Duffy’s Donation Page or the QR Code in the attached flyer.
Please check the Duffy calendar for a complete list of all school events & activities.
DUFFY SPIRIT WEAR UPDATE
Thank you to everyone that placed Duffy apparel orders - it was our largest sale yet! There have been a few delays in receiving a portion of our items, but we're working diligently to be able to distribute everything ASAP. My best guess is that we'll distribute by December 15th, but I'm actually really aiming for December 12th. Thanks for your patience, and can't wait to see everyone in their new gear! -Caitlyn Ward
DUFFY CLUBS
🏈⚾🏃♂️It is time to sign up for a new round of Before and After School Sports with Mr. Deveau! Children will have an opportunity to play lots of different sports and games before and after-school with Mr. DeVeau, Duffy's Physical Education Teacher.Your children will be able to learn sports-related skills and use those skills in games and other fun activities, including the use of the gymnastic equipment! 
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
LAST CALL FOR HOLIDAY HELPERS!
🎁 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
IMPORTANT DATES
- December 1st-5th: Book Fair
- Friday, December 12th: CCMC PJ Day
- Wednesday, December 24-January 2: Winter Break — No School
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.AROUND WEST HARTFORD
Duffy's very own Colette Morse will be performing in a production of Matilda Jr. as part of the Bushnell Performing Arts Scholars program. The shows will be 3/28-3/29 and tickets are on sale now.
Click here to purchase tickets and support our own Duffy community member!
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.
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