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Wintergreen School in Hamden celebrates end of school year with ‘WIMS Palooza’

July 12th, 2018


The event Wednesday was a follow-up to cap the school year, Solli said. Students who would enter the school in the new year were invited as well, helping to introduce them to the institution. “This is a culmination of the great things we’ve done this year at Wintergreen,” said Solli. “It’s about bringing the community together and celebrating our families... this is for them, this is for everyone to really enjoy each other and the school and the community at large.” Solli helped contribute to the merriment with a physical sacrifice as well. He sat in the dunk tank, plunging into a tank of water when young people hit the target with a softball. Funds raised at the event helped defer the cost of bringing in food trucks and other attractions, Solli said — the first iteration was a wash financially.

Ingrid Ellinger-Doviak, an instructional coach at WIMS, helped organize the event. She noted that approximately 1,000 people attended the September event and 250 people had purchased tickets before the gathering Wednesday. “We’re just about building relationships at this school,” Ellinger-Doviak said. “That’s what our theme has been — we’re really excited about that idea.” Despite the end of the year fun activities, the future of the school was on the minds of some in attendance.

The Hamden Board of Education voted to retake control of the Wintergreen school building in May, likely forcing the program to find a new home. Lori Tibbetts, the parent of four past students at Wintergreen, wanted to voice her feelings about the institution, as did parent Tamika Gordon. “The principals, the teachers, they’re all so supportive,” said Gordon. “They’re crazy if they want to close this school,” said Tibbetts.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com

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