Windsor Public Schools -

Windsor Public Schools staff enjoy relaxing, free massages at the inaugural Fall Fest, celebrating wellness and unity across the district.

Windsor, CT — At the start of the week, Windsor Public Schools (WPS) hosted its inaugural Fall Fest and Benefits Fair, a dynamic day of celebration, professional development, and wellness opportunities designed specifically for WPS staff. This event, made possible by the CT Stronger Connections Grant, underscored Windsor Public Schools’ commitment to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and the well-being of its educators, emphasizing that empowered, emotionally whole educators lead to stronger schools and communities.

Staff enjoy a complimentary lunch and dessert from New Haven Pizza Trucks at Fall Fest, a celebration of wellness and appreciation for Windsor Public Schools educators.

The Fall Fest and Benefits Fair, a first-of-its-kind event in the district, brought together interactive professional development sessions, wellness activities, and an impressive Benefits Fair coordinated by Lisette LaTorre-Muszynski, WPS Benefits Coordinator. Over 20 in-network vendors participated, offering information, resources, and raffle prizes for staff. In addition to wellness activities like massages, line dancing, and fire-pit relaxation, staff enjoyed a delicious lunch from pizza trucks and sweet treats, all intended to offer a well-deserved break and promote staff unity.

The day kicked off with inspiring performances by the award-winning Windsor High School band and the Sage Park Middle School steppers, followed by an impactful keynote from poet and motivational speaker Mr. Frank E. Brady (pictured above).

Dr. Noha Abdel-Hady, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services and creator of the district-wide initiative “Windsor Nation,” led the event with a unified message to staff. Windsor Nation is her vision for delivering clear, consistent communication across all schools and teams in the district.

“Our goal with Windsor Nation is simple yet profound: one clear, core message to all staff at once, to foster unity and reduce miscommunication,” said Dr. Abdel-Hady. “This Fall Fest and Benefits Fair embodies that vision by bringing us together and showing appreciation for the incredible work our staff does every day. We believe that Better Schools equal Better Communities, and this begins with empowered, emotionally whole educators who can pour that same energy into our students. Our team’s focus on SEL for staff is a pillar of our commitment to building a healthy, thriving school environment for all.”

Lisette LaTorre-Muszynski, the district’s Benefits Coordinator, organized the Benefits Fair with the help of a grant from Anthem, a nod to her dedication to staff wellness through her award-winning WPS wellness newsletter.

WPS staff are all smiles as they pose with WPS Benefits Coordinator Lissette LaTorre-Muszynski, who organized the Benefits Fair portion of the day.

“This event was about giving our staff access to resources that help them feel valued and supported,” said LaTorre-Muszynski. “With over 20 in-network vendors, raffle prizes, and wellness information, we wanted our team to feel appreciated and have easy access to benefits that make a difference in their lives.”

Throughout the day, staff enjoyed complimentary signature espresso drinks and snacks served up by local favorite, Formal Indulgence, with a helping hand from our dedicated WPS principals, pictured from left to right with Dr. Noha Abdel-Hady, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services: Taran Gruber (Oliver Ellsworth), Jay Mihalko (Poquonock), and Dana Gagne (John F. Kennedy).

The Fall Fest and Benefits Fair mark a significant step forward in Windsor Public Schools’ efforts to prioritize SEL and create a positive, supportive culture for its educators and staff, reinforcing the district’s belief that the strength of its community starts within.

#weareWINdsor

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Gianna Gill
860.709.3858
ggill@windsorct.org