Canton Public Schools

08/31/2026

Canton Parents as Teachers (CPAT) is currently enrolling families for the 2026–2027 school year!

Canton Parents as Teachers (CPAT)🍎
CPAT is currently enrolling families for the 2026–2027 school year!

Canton Parents as Teachers is a parent-child program offering a variety of services for Canton residents with children from prenatal through kindergarten.

Our goal is to support parents and caregivers while recognizing that you know your child best. We are here to provide information, resources, and support—not to tell you how to parent.

1. Early Learning Groups
Our Early Learning Groups are a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to:

-Meet other children and parents in the community.
-Give your child opportunities to learn and play with other children.
-Connect with a certified parent educator.
-Learn more about your child's development.
-Experience art that you don't want to do at home.
-Get ideas and activities that can make everyday parenting a little easier.
-To have a positive early social experience.
As parent educators, we believe that you are the expert when it comes to your child. We can provide information about where your child is developmentally and offer suggestions and resources to support their growth.

Early Learning Groups are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at CIS. The fee is 100 dollars for the year or 50 dollars a session per family.

2. Developmental Screenings
Are you wondering if your child is developing on track? Do you have questions or concerns about your child's development?

CPAT offers developmental screenings to help you learn more about your child's development. If a concern is identified, we can help connect you with appropriate resources and explain possible next steps.

3. One-on-One Visits
One-on-one visits can take place in your home or in our classroom.

During these visits, we provide information to help you better understand your child's development and how their brain is growing and learning. We also offer fun, age-appropriate activities that you can do together to support your child's development.

We would love to have your family join us!

We are currently enrolling children in our Early Learning Groups!

If you are a Canton resident with a child from prenatal through kindergarten, contact CPAT to learn more about our program and how to enroll. Please contact us at [email protected] or call (860) 693-1736

08/18/2026

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2026

Canton Collaboration Awarded Full $500,000 State Grant to Expand Special Education Programming

CANTON, CT — Canton Public Schools, in partnership with New Hartford Public Schools, has been awarded $500,000 through Connecticut's new High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant Program — the maximum amount available to collaborative district proposals.

The grant was highly competitive. More than 110 applications were submitted statewide, and just 41 programs ultimately received funding. Canton and New Hartford were one of only two recipients statewide to receive the full $500,000 collaborative award — fewer than 2% of the applicant pool.

"This is phenomenal news for Canton's students and our broader community," said Lou Daniels, Chair of the Canton Board of Education. "It reflects the hard work of our staff, the strength of our partnership with New Hartford, and our shared belief that all students deserve access to high-quality programming close to home. We are incredibly proud."

"This is an exciting investment in our students and in the continuum of special education services available within our communities," said Barbara McLean, Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Canton Public Schools. "Receiving the full grant award speaks to the strength of our specialized programming, and the power of collaboration when districts work together in the name of high quality programming for each and every learner.”

The Canton/New Hartford award includes $328,660 in programmatic funding and $171,340 in capital funding, for a total state investment of $500,000. Connecticut awarded approximately $10.6 million statewide during this first round of the program.

The High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant Program was established through Public Act 25-93 and is administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The initiative is designed to strengthen in-district and regional special education programs, expand opportunities for students with disabilities to learn within their communities, and reduce reliance on costly out-of-district placements.

What the Grant Will Support
A significant component of the Canton/New Hartford collaboration will be the development of Encompass, a new specialized regional program designed initially to serve young students with significant and medically complex disabilities. Grant funds will support program start-up, specialized staffing and services, instructional supplies, equipment, and the facility improvements necessary to meet students' educational, accessibility, health, and safety needs.

The funding will also strengthen specialized programming within Canton, further developing the district's capacity to serve students with a range of learning, behavioral, functional, and communication needs in our local community.

"This work is about creating sustainable options for students and families," McLean said. "When we can build the expertise, staffing, environments, and support our learners' needs within our own districts through community partnerships, we create greater opportunities for belonging while also using public resources strategically."

The state created the grant program in response to increasing special education needs and the rapidly growing costs associated with out-of-district placements. Governor Ned Lamont has emphasized that the investment is intended to give districts greater capacity to support students alongside their peers and within their own communities.

Canton Public Schools looks forward to continuing its partnership with New Hartford Public Schools as both districts move from grant development to implementation.

08/07/2026

Interested in joining the Canton Schools team? We are hiring paraprofessionals, with positions available district-wide!

Visit www.cantonschools.org/p/employment to view open open positions and apply!

06/23/2026

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

As our school year closes, we find ourselves in our time of annual reflection. We are grateful for the outstanding work of our staff and students as well as the outstanding support of our community.

As you enjoy summer break, visit our website to find a celebratory edition of the Canton Schools Community Connection, and our seventh episode of Students at the Center, highlighting some of our outstanding community partners.

Additionally, as a district committed to continuous improvement, your feedback aids us in our work to achieve our goals. Parents and families, please check your email to access the 2025-26 Family/Guardian Survey and a Nutrition Services Survey.

Thank you for your partnership and support. Have a wonderful and safe summer!

06/12/2026

Dear Canton Public Schools Community,

Based on the prediction and the timing of the impending thunderstorm, we will hold Canton High School Graduation indoors in the CHS Gymnasium, beginning at 6:30pm. As a reminder, please bring your six tickets with you to enter the Gymnasium. Overflow seating will be available beginning at 6:10pm in the CHS Auditorium.

Thank you for your understanding with this difficult decision.

06/04/2026

Parents and guardians, if your student is a Canton resident attending the Canton Public Schools, please complete the following steps to declare your transportation intentions (school bus or guardian transportation) for the 2026-27 school year.

- Log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Navigate to the “General Forms” tab in the PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Complete the form called “Transportation - Survey”
- Complete the short survey by June 16, 2026 to secure early route confirmation.

Visit www.cantonschools.org/p/bus-routes for more information!

04/27/2026

New date! May 13, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the CMS Cafeteria

We invite you to attend the following community conversation on May 13, 2026, with Connecticut State Department of Education School Climate and Culture consultant, Amanda Pickett. Learn about the state's new school climate legislation and how Canton's current and future work ensures that every student feels they belong.

Register to attend by visiting https://bit.ly/CantonClimate

03/31/2026

03/20/2026

❗️Volunteers needed!❗️

Canton Middle School is looking for volunteers to talk with student groups about professional journeys and career pathways on the morning of Friday, April 10.

Interested in sharing your story with our students? Please contact Amy Brintle at [email protected].

03/12/2026

As we welcome the spring season, we want to express our gratitude for the outstanding work of our staff and students. We are also grateful for the support of our community.

We also want to share that the latest edition of our Canton Schools Community Connection for Winter 2026 is now available to read at www.cantonschools.org/p/communications !

And be sure to check out the newest episode of Students at the Center by visiting www.cantonschools.org/p/students-at-the-center