Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School

08/31/2026

💚 Like it was meant to be! 💛

Tomorrow, Nathan Hale is excited to welcome students, families, and staff from C.B. Jennings into our school community. And as we come together, we discovered a pretty amazing piece of New London history:

Charles Bulkley Jennings—the educator for whom C.B. Jennings School was named—served as principal of Nathan Hale Grammar School for 18 years, from 1891 to 1909! He also supervised New London’s other schools during much of that time before becoming Superintendent of Schools in 1909.

More than a century later, the Jennings and Nathan Hale communities are coming together again.

Two schools with generations of New London history. One shared connection we never knew we had. And now, one school community!

08/31/2026

We’re always happy to welcome new students at Nathan Hale… but these few may require some creative enrollment paperwork!

After spending several days checking out the playground from afar, a couple of wild turkeys finally decided to come see what Nathan Hale is all about — stopping by the front entrance and taking a stroll through the art room park.

We’re not sure whether they were looking for the Welcome Center or just heard that the unexpectedly wonderful always happens at Nathan Hale! 💚🧡

(We don’t know what grade they’re in, but they’ve already completed their campus tour.)

📸 Thanks to Ms. Rock for capturing our newest visitors!

08/25/2026

We are so excited to open our doors next week! Still have questions? Check out below, then let us know!

🆕 New to Nathan Hale? Be sure your paperwork is in SchoolMint to complete registration! You can also APPLY— we still have seats for students entering grades K-4: https://nlps.schoolmint.com/login

🚌 Bus routes are published: https://www.newlondon.org/departments/transportation

🗓️ Our school calendar & school times are here: https://www.newlondon.org/families/calendar

🌮 And menus for meals (free for all students!) can be viewed here: https://newlondon.nutrislice.com/menu/nathan-hale-arts-magnet-school/lunch/2026-09-01?isRunningInMobileApp=true

08/13/2026

🌻There's always something new growing at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School!

Mrs. Rock shared a few summer snapshots from campus today, including towering sunflowers reaching toward the sky and a tiny pumpkin already taking shape outside the dance studio. What began as seeds and student care has continued to flourish throughout the summer months.

These small moments are a reminder that our school is more than a building. It's a place where curiosity takes root, creativity blooms, and sometimes even a pumpkin appears when you least expect it!

We can't wait to see what other surprises are waiting for our Explorers when school begins in just a few weeks.

08/10/2026

🌼🦋 While our hallways may be quiet this summer, the 2nd grade garden at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School is bursting with life! These vibrant marigolds, planted and cared for by our students, are now attracting beautiful butterflies and helping support local pollinators.

This garden is more than a colorful corner of our campus. It is a living classroom where students learn about science, responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the wonder of nature. Even during summer break, the lessons continue to bloom.

A special thank you to Mrs. Rock for capturing and sharing this stunning moment from the garden. We can't wait for our Explorers to see all that has grown when they return this fall! 🌿✨

06/08/2026

🦋 A Decade of Wonder: Our Butterfly Release Celebration! 🦋
Today was a truly special day at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School as our entire community gathered for one of our most cherished traditions—our 10th annual butterfly release! For a full decade, our students have had the opportunity to observe the incredible journey from tiny caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, and this year’s celebration was just as magical as ever.

Before the big release, Mrs. Kennon’s kindergarten and first grade select dancers delighted everyone with a joyful butterfly release dance, filling the air with movement, music, and smiles. Their performance perfectly captured the spirit of transformation and new beginnings.

Then came the moment we’ve all been waiting for—Mrs. Rock led the butterfly release, and together we watched in awe as the butterflies took flight. It was a powerful reminder of growth, patience, and the beauty of letting go.

This 10-year tradition continues to remind us of the power of growth, the importance of nurturing, and the beauty of letting go. We are so proud to carry it forward each year with our incredible students and staff. 💛

06/05/2026

🏕️✨ Pages Cafe Spirit Week: Camping Day! ✨🏕️
Today, NHAMS brought the great outdoors inside for Camping Day—and the creativity was on full display! 🌲🔥📚

From cozy campfire scenes to pajamas, s'mores, and a few very imaginative “camp setups” our students and staff fully embraced the spirit of the day! There were smiles, laughter, and plenty of moments that reminded us just how special this community is. 💚

These photos capture just a glimpse of the fun—we hope you enjoy taking a peek at our NHAMS campers in action! 📸⬇️

06/05/2026

At Nathan Hale, we often think of our community as a “family,” but some staff members actually are in real life!

Pictured on left, paraeducator Frank Colmenares (son of bus driver Iris Glenn, far right) and special educator Deb Eskra (mother of assistant principal Kate Fioravanti).

06/03/2026

🎨Did you know the arts can help you live a healthier life? 🎭
At Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School, that’s not just a headline—it’s our daily practice. Through creating, performing, and experiencing the arts, our students grow in ways that support both their minds and their well-being.

Families looking for an engaging, innovative, and research-backed approach to free, public elementary education: come see what makes Nathan Hale special!

We are now accepting applications for Connecticut students entering kindergarten through grade 4. https://www.newlondon.org/apply

🔗 Read more from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5818172/study-arts-slow-biological-aging

Eat well and exercise. That's the classic advice for living a long, healthy life. A new study suggests another habit to add to the list: Let your creative juices flow.

06/03/2026

✨ Celebrating 10 Magical Years of Pages Cafe! ✨
In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Pages Cafe, we are officially in the midst of Pages Cafe Spirit Week! 🎉📚 Today is "Dress Like Mrs. Rock" Day... and 5th grader Josh absolutely nailed it!

Our staff and students truly LOVE this one-of-a-kind space—where imagination, literacy, and creativity come to life in the most magical ways.

To help capture the heart of Pages Cafe and the joy it brings to our school community, we’re excited to share this special video—take a peek inside the magic! 🎥👇
https://vimeo.com/reviews/b4f0699c-5ca3-4899-803f-54f523c561d5/videos/1158986241