08/24/2026
What an incredible NPS Back-to-School Bash!
Even the rain couldn’t stop us! Our community showed up for Norwich students, and together we made this year’s Bash an amazing day. We were able to give away more than 1,000 backpacks to Norwich students!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this special day possible, including Superintendent Susan Lessard and our Board of Education members, along with our sponsors and supporters: State Representative Derell Wilson, State Senator Cathy Osten, State Representative Larry Pemberton, Dan Jenkins of Black Dragon Martial Arts Academy, and TMJ Marketing Solutions.
We are incredibly grateful to our NPS staff, volunteers, NPS Loft Student Volunteers, and EastCONN interns who worked before, during, and after the Bash—from organizing supplies and setting up to assisting families and cleaning up.
A special thank you to Kelly Middle School custodians and our Facilities staff for all their behind-the-scenes support, to First Student for supporting our Fill-a-Bus efforts, and to DJ Mr. Murphy for keeping the energy going—even through the rain!
Our appreciation also goes to Barbershop LJ Allstar Cuts and Joyful Face Painting LLC, who served more than 60 students throughout the event.
With funding from the PEACE Project Grant, the NPS Loft provided our families with cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and other essential items during the Bash. We are incredibly grateful for this support and the opportunity to provide even more resources to our Norwich families.
We are also grateful to the businesses, organizations, unions, schools, PTOs, and community partners whose generous donations and support helped make the Bash possible:
Black Dragon Martial Arts / TMJ Marketing Solutions
Joyful Face Painting LLC
Costco
Yankee Peddler & Pawn
Busy Bee
Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce
Global City Norwich
Northeast Towing & Transport LLC
Meineke Car Care Centers
O&G Industries
Norwich Fire Fighters Local 892
Norwich Walmart
I.B.E.W. Local Union 35
Jump and Jam Bounce House
C & P Bounce House
McKenna’s Flowers
Eastern Towing
Otis Library
Juices on Broadway
Seamstress
Wequonnoc PTO
Teachers’ PTO
We also want to recognize our emergency responders for joining us and bringing their emergency vehicles and police cruiser for our students to see and enjoy. A special thank you to the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Company, City of Norwich Fire Department and Emergency Management, and the Norwich Police Department for being part of the day.
And most importantly, THANK YOU to our Norwich students and families! Seeing our families come together despite the rain and watching our students leave with backpacks, school supplies, and smiles made all of the hard work worthwhile.
Rain or shine, Norwich shows up for our kids!
What an amazing way to come together as a community and kick off the 2026–2027 school year!
