Dear Ledyard Families,
We’re thrilled to invite you to the Back to School Bash, hosted by the Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF) — a joyful celebration of learning, connection, and community pride!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Ledyard Town Green
🎉 What’s Happening at the Bash?
🎟️ Back to School Bash – Admission & Activities Info
🎫 Admission:
$10 per child (adults attend free!)
Includes:
A stamp card for unlimited play at carnival games (redeemable for a prize at the end!)
One food item: choose from popcorn, cotton candy, or a snow cone
🔫 Laser Tag:
$5 per session
A completed waiver is required before participating
This year’s Bash is packed with exciting activities for all ages:
🏫 Step Into History
Take a guided tour of the Old School House, hosted by the Ledyard Historic District Commission. Discover the roots of our town’s educational legacy and explore artifacts from Ledyard’s past.
🎡 Carnival Fun & Laser Tag!
Classic carnival games
Mobile laser tag arena (waiver required — see below!)
Music, dancing, and community booths
🍽️ Delicious Local Eats
Enjoy dinner and treats from beloved local vendors:
Valentino’s Restaurant – serving up hearty dinner options
Western Desert Coffee – specialty drinks and snacks
LC Sweets – homemade baked goods and sweets
Raven's Rise - specialty sourdough products
Moovin' Scoops - specialty ice cream in a retro truck
🎟️ Back to School Bash Raffle Prizes
Experiences with Ledyard Leaders & Educators
🍳 Breakfast with Superintendent Jay Hartling
🥪 Lunch with Superintendent Jay Hartling
📖 Reading with Superintendent Jay Hartling
🍕 Class Pizza Party (Anne Hogsten – Ledyard Public Schools)
🎶 Conductor for a Day – Ledyard Carolers (Melanie Cometa)
🥁 Conductor for a Day – Ledyard Marching Band (Melanie Cometa)
🏀 5th Grade Boys vs. Staff Basketball Game @ GHS (Brittany Robinson)
🏀 5th Grade Girls vs. Staff Basketball Game @ GHS (Brittany Robinson)
🎤 Swifty Setup Session – Gym setup with Taylor Swift music (Brittany Robinson)
🚓 Ride to School with Ledyard Police Department (Chief John Rich)
🧪 Make slime & have lunch with Mrs. Heaney (Barbara Heaney)
🧢 Principal for the Day at Gallup Hill (Lisa Hunter – 3 winners)
🎓 Front Row Seats at 5th Grade Celebration (Gallup Hill School)
🎉 Front Row Seats at Kindergarten Celebration (Lisa Hunter)
🚒 Ride to School in a Fire Truck (Ledyard Fire Company)
🏫 Extra Recess with Mr. Cook for winner + 3 friends
🍩 Donuts with Mrs. Mason for winner + a friend
🍨 Make Your Own Sundae with Mrs. Grasser for winner + 3 friends
🎨 “Make a Scene” Diorama Activity on Sept 22 & 30 (Megan McNabney – 4 winners)
School Spirit & Student Perks
😴 Pajama Pass (3), Elevator Pass (3), Hat Day (3), Pick Your Spirit Day (5) – Ledyard Middle School
🎟️ 2 Season Passes to All Home LHS Contests ($320 value)
🎟️ 1 Season Pass to All Home LHS Contests ($160 value – x2)
Gift Cards & Local Treats
☕ $25 Gift Card to Raven’s Rise (The Raven’s Rise LLC)
🍽️ $50 Gift Card to Tony D’s Restaurant (Moovin Scoops)
🧋 Large Beverage of Choice ($8 – Western Desert Coffee)
📖 $15 Cookbook (April Head)
Baskets & Goods
🧺 Starbucks Basket ($50 – Ellin Grenger)
🧺 Teacher Starter Basket – Bulletin board items, desk essentials, classroom organization (Kelsey Morales & Mackenzie Jimenez)
🧺 Sparkler Bag (Sparkler)
Unique Items & Services
🎁 Large Rotator Bracelet/Fidget in LEAF Colors ($10 – Big Boy Beadz)
🚗 Round Trip Car & Passenger Pass for Long Island Ferry ($150+ – Cross Sound Ferry)
💆 3 Aqua Massage Sessions ($114 – East West Chiropractic)
🎁 Plus surprise prizes revealed at the event!
💙 Why We Bash
The Back to School Bash is more than just a party — it’s a celebration of our students, educators, and the incredible community that supports them. All proceeds from admission, raffles and donations go directly to LEAF’s mission: uplifting Ledyard’s public schools through grants, recognition, and inclusive programming.
We can’t wait to celeb
Your commitment to Ledyard’s families and students helps us create a joyful, inclusive celebration to kick off the school year!
We’re thrilled to invite you to the Back to School Bash, hosted by the Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF) — a joyful celebration of learning, connection, and community pride!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Ledyard Town Green
🎉 What’s Happening at the Bash?
🎟️ Back to School Bash – Admission & Activities Info
🎫 Admission:
$10 per child (adults attend free!)
Includes:
A stamp card for unlimited play at carnival games (redeemable for a prize at the end!)
One food item: choose from popcorn, cotton candy, or a snow cone
🔫 Laser Tag:
$5 per session
A completed waiver is required before participating
This year’s Bash is packed with exciting activities for all ages:
🏫 Step Into History
Take a guided tour of the Old School House, hosted by the Ledyard Historic District Commission. Discover the roots of our town’s educational legacy and explore artifacts from Ledyard’s past.
🎡 Carnival Fun & Laser Tag!
Classic carnival games
Mobile laser tag arena (waiver required — see below!)
Music, dancing, and community booths
🍽️ Delicious Local Eats
Enjoy dinner and treats from beloved local vendors:
Valentino’s Restaurant – serving up hearty dinner options
Western Desert Coffee – specialty drinks and snacks
LC Sweets – homemade baked goods and sweets
Raven's Rise - specialty sourdough products
Moovin' Scoops - specialty ice cream in a retro truck
🎟️ Back to School Bash Raffle Prizes
Experiences with Ledyard Leaders & Educators
🍳 Breakfast with Superintendent Jay Hartling
🥪 Lunch with Superintendent Jay Hartling
📖 Reading with Superintendent Jay Hartling
🍕 Class Pizza Party (Anne Hogsten – Ledyard Public Schools)
🎶 Conductor for a Day – Ledyard Carolers (Melanie Cometa)
🥁 Conductor for a Day – Ledyard Marching Band (Melanie Cometa)
🏀 5th Grade Boys vs. Staff Basketball Game @ GHS (Brittany Robinson)
🏀 5th Grade Girls vs. Staff Basketball Game @ GHS (Brittany Robinson)
🎤 Swifty Setup Session – Gym setup with Taylor Swift music (Brittany Robinson)
🚓 Ride to School with Ledyard Police Department (Chief John Rich)
🧪 Make slime & have lunch with Mrs. Heaney (Barbara Heaney)
🧢 Principal for the Day at Gallup Hill (Lisa Hunter – 3 winners)
🎓 Front Row Seats at 5th Grade Celebration (Gallup Hill School)
🎉 Front Row Seats at Kindergarten Celebration (Lisa Hunter)
🚒 Ride to School in a Fire Truck (Ledyard Fire Company)
🏫 Extra Recess with Mr. Cook for winner + 3 friends
🍩 Donuts with Mrs. Mason for winner + a friend
🍨 Make Your Own Sundae with Mrs. Grasser for winner + 3 friends
🎨 “Make a Scene” Diorama Activity on Sept 22 & 30 (Megan McNabney – 4 winners)
School Spirit & Student Perks
😴 Pajama Pass (3), Elevator Pass (3), Hat Day (3), Pick Your Spirit Day (5) – Ledyard Middle School
🎟️ 2 Season Passes to All Home LHS Contests ($320 value)
🎟️ 1 Season Pass to All Home LHS Contests ($160 value – x2)
Gift Cards & Local Treats
☕ $25 Gift Card to Raven’s Rise (The Raven’s Rise LLC)
🍽️ $50 Gift Card to Tony D’s Restaurant (Moovin Scoops)
🧋 Large Beverage of Choice ($8 – Western Desert Coffee)
📖 $15 Cookbook (April Head)
Baskets & Goods
🧺 Starbucks Basket ($50 – Ellin Grenger)
🧺 Teacher Starter Basket – Bulletin board items, desk essentials, classroom organization (Kelsey Morales & Mackenzie Jimenez)
🧺 Sparkler Bag (Sparkler)
Unique Items & Services
🎁 Large Rotator Bracelet/Fidget in LEAF Colors ($10 – Big Boy Beadz)
🚗 Round Trip Car & Passenger Pass for Long Island Ferry ($150+ – Cross Sound Ferry)
💆 3 Aqua Massage Sessions ($114 – East West Chiropractic)
🎁 Plus surprise prizes revealed at the event!
💙 Why We Bash
The Back to School Bash is more than just a party — it’s a celebration of our students, educators, and the incredible community that supports them. All proceeds from admission, raffles and donations go directly to LEAF’s mission: uplifting Ledyard’s public schools through grants, recognition, and inclusive programming.
We can’t wait to celeb
Your commitment to Ledyard’s families and students helps us create a joyful, inclusive celebration to kick off the school year!
Our foundation work for the JWL Playscape is almost done. Any available community member willing and able to stop by this afternoon to help finish spreading the crushed pavement on the foundation level is appreciated. We are so close. Once this step is complete, the poured-in-place rubber surface will be installed.
Juliet Long has a new playscape! Thank you to the volunteers, parents, family members, students, PTO members, school staff, district staff, and the contractors who made our Community Build a success! Next step is getting the ground below finished with a new rubber surface.
Musical Relay Race, that sounds fantastic! Join us at the Back to School Bask
Hoop it up at the Back to School Bash! Saturday, August 23rd 3-7PM
Celebrating Community Through Education: Join Us for the Back to School Bash!
It’s finally here! After nearly two years of fundraising and community collaboration, we're building our new playscape at Juliet Long School, and we’re inviting YOU to be a part of this exciting moment. We are building on Saturday, August 9th, starting at 7:00 AM until done! Community members welcome.
Our app is live!
Do you still have a school library book at home? We are looking to have a 100% return of GFSJWL Library books to keep a current catalog for next year's ordering and, most importantly, check out. Look for a bin outside of Gales Ferry School for book returns. Thank you!
