Botelle Elementary School serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade 6. All students are accepted, appreciated, nurtured and challenged in a safe, caring learning community. Warm relationships are the foundation on which learning is built. Students achieve at high levels in a multi-age environment and remain with the same teacher for two years. This allows our staff to know each child as a learner and person and tailor instruction to their needs and interests. The curriculum is based on the Connecticut Core Standards and students work on rigorous, real-life tasks.
As partners in the learning process, students develop the skills to be self-directed, engaged learners. They develop the knowledge, skills, strategies and desire needed for life-long learning, which supports the Norfolk Public School mission “…to educate all students to be competent, confident, thoughtful, responsible, and contributing members of society.”
The town acquired the current Botelle building in 1970 from the Augustinian Brothers who constructed the building and operated a seminary at the site from 1958 to 1970, and named it for Myrtle Botelle, longtime teacher at the Norfolk Center School. In 1996, an extensive renovation of the site modernized the facility for its current use. Students completing sixth grade at Botelle usually attend Northwestern Regional School in Winsted, which serves grades seven to 12 for students from Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford and Norfolk.
News
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3/6/25
Botelle Eagles Soar with Confidence
At a recent Good News Gathering, students learned about NBA star Michael Jordan and his determination to achieve his goals. Jordan was cut from his high school varsity basketball team, but instead of giving up, he set a goal to make the team next year. He practiced every day to improve his dribbling, shooting and jumping. Not only did he make the team the following year, he earned a basketball scholarship to North Carolina and became one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Many students knew his story. What they didn’t know was Jordan failed A LOT throughout his career as a pro athlete. However, because he set goals and worked hard to achieve them, he had the confidence needed to persevere.
Confidence is one of the feeling words in our school charter. Botelle’s School Charter says, At Botelle School, we deserve to feel…
Happy, Safe, Welcomed, Confident, Excited and Loved!
Students develop academic confidence with clear instruction, practice,and the ability to persevere through challenges. Every day their talented teachers set learning goals and help their students achieve them. However, we also equip our students to set and achieve their own academic goals. Students are motivated to set goals and work hard to achieve them. Just ask Mrs. Tallon’s Primary students! I did, and look at the goals they want to achieve next:
Jackie B. “I want to read harder words and harder level books.”
Ian W. “I learned how to add to 100 and now I want to subtract big numbers.”
Dalton J. “I want to read blue level books.
Calleigh P. “I want to do my best work at writing.”
Isla R. “I love to read and I want to keep reading bigger books.”
Brayden S. and Sean D. “I want to learn division!”
Adelina I. “I want to do big math problems and Mrs. Tallon will help me!”
Students can set and achieve these goals because they are confident in their ability to learn and confident their teachers, parents and peers will help them get there. All staff members support students in developing the confidence to achieve their goals. Let’s highlight a few who use their expertise in art, music, library and technology and physical education to help students achieve their goals in those academic areas.
Ms. Bazelmans
Role at Botelle: Art Teacher
Why did you choose to become an art teacher? With a passion for creativity and a love for sharing art, I feel like I’m exactly where I should be. I enjoy fostering creativity, encouraging experimentation, and helping each student develop their own unique artistic voice.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role at Botelle? The most rewarding part of teaching for me is the “ah ha” moment. It’s when I see the light come into a student’s eyes as understanding sets in, or inspiration happens. That, and when a student is proud of their work…I love that!
Favorites:
Food – I love to cook and dine!
Hobbies – Plants, museums, adventures of all sorts.
Interests – There are too many to name. I love learning so I’m always pursuing something. I’m interested in discovering new things – artists, flavors, places, etc.
Ms. Bazelmans lives in Norfolk. She teaches art at Colebrook and Barkhamsted schools too!
Mrs. Dubecky
Role at Botelle: Library Media Specialist
Why did you choose to become a library media specialist?
I have always loved children’s books, even as an adult! I like that my job involves teaching students about books, research, and technology, while also managing a library and a makerspace. I get to be a teacher and a librarian all in one job!
What’s the most rewarding part of your role at Botelle?
I love seeing students’ pride when they figure out how to solve a problem in the makerspace and create something unique. Because of Botelle’s small size, I get to know all of my students’ interests and help them find books they like.
Favorites:
Food – Dark chocolate
Hobbies – Reading, shopping, spending time with my family
Places – Maine and Lake George
Mrs. Dubecky lives in Colebrook and loves Botelle so much, she chooses to send her children to school here!
Ms. Krusch
Role at Botelle: Music Teacher
Why did you choose to become a music teacher?
I was inspired a lot by people I look up to. I begged my mom for piano lessons like my big brother. After playing flute in the school band, I realized I enjoyed playing various instruments, so I started the piccolo and euphonium. My brother studied music education in college, and I knew I wanted to do what I loved.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role at Botelle?
In band, watching students discover what they can do. From overcoming stage fright to mastering a difficult piece, I love seeing their confidence improve. In general music, watching students light up as they experience a song, dance or instrument that speaks to them is a beautiful thing!
Favorites:
Hobbies – Baking cupcakes and playing classical music
Books – Mysteries by Harlan Coben
Pastime – Cooking with my kids and watching scary movies
When Ms. Krusch was little, she hiked Dennis Hill every year with her family. She teaches instrumental music at the Ana Grace Academy for the Arts.
Mr. Thorne-Kaunelis
Role at Botelle: Physical EducationTeacher
Why did you choose to become a PE teacher? I always loved running, jumping, climbing and really any type of movement growing up. As I got older, I began to fall in love with various sports like soccer, tennis and ultimate frisbee. When I learned that you could teach other people to move as a job I knew then that I wanted to be a PE teacher.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role at Botelle? The most rewarding part of my job is watching a student grasp a concept or movement principle that initially seemed “Impossible” to them!
Favorites:
In addition to being an athlete and loving all things sports related, I am also a bit of a nerd. I thoroughly enjoy playing video games, board games and a card game called Magic the Gathering in my free time.
Book – Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Food – Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich
Movie – A League of Their Own
Pastime – Board games/video games/card games
Mr. T-K, as the students call him, is a Botelle graduate and Norfolk resident.
—Lauren Valentino, Principal
11/10/24
A Safe and Positive School Climate is Essential for Learning
The National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments defines a positive school climate as “the product of a school’s attention to fostering safety; promoting a supportive academic, disciplinary and physical environment, and encouraging and maintaining respectful, trusting and caring relationships throughout the school community.” School climate has many components and safety is one of them. Feeling safe at school is so important, that when our students, families and staff created our School Charter, which identifies how we want to feel at school, “safe” was near the top of the list of emotions. Botelle’s School Charter says, At Botelle School, we deserve to feel…Happy, Safe, Welcomed, Confident, Excited and Loved!
What does safe mean? RULER, our social-emotional learning approach, defines safe as “feeling protected from anything bad or scary.”
Every year, we anonymously survey our students, families and staff about our school climate. We ask questions that help us determine if our school feels safe. Last year, 100 percent of our staff agreed with the statement, “I feel safe at this school.” 95 percent of families agreed with a similar statement, “This school is a safe place for my child.” But how do our students feel? See what some of them said below in response to the questions, “Do you feel safe at school?” and “Can you think of one thing that makes you feel safe?”
Elana H. “Yes. When you greet me in the morning.”
Michael P. “Yes, most of the time. I feel safe in music because of Mrs. Krusch.”
Abby B. “Yes, most of the time. I feel safe sharing something personal with a friend.”
Charlie K. “Yes. My teacher is here to protect me.”
Rowan R. “Yes. I feel safe when we practice if something goes wrong. Like an emergency.”
Charlie T. “Yes. I feel safe when my friends are with me.”
Are there times when students do not feel safe at school? Of course. Children are learning prosocial behaviors and developing independence. There are bound to be times when a child feels unsafe. When asked when they feel unsafe at school, our youngest students said stormy weather makes them feel unsafe because they are afraid of thunder and lightning. Some feel unsafe in the bathroom because the toilets flush automatically, it’s loud and surprises them.
Our older students were concerned that some of their classmates may feel unsafe. They notice if someone is being unkind to others. It can be easy to label someone as “weird” or “annoying” but it is important to recognize that sometimes it is difficult to know what another student might be feeling or have gone through. We discussed that something that feels unsafe to one student may not bother another student. We are each individuals and respond differently to the same situation.
The good thing is that at our “Small School with a BIG Heart,” our students feel like there are adults at school they have trusting relationships with. They feel comfortable asking for help. Our families agree. In response to the survey question, “If my child has a problem, there is someone at school who can help,” 95% of them agreed. It’s everyone’s job to contribute to a positive, safe school climate – students, staff, families, and the Norfolk community. It’s the foundation for learning!
There are certain staff members whose main job is to help our students feel safe. Nurse Dillard and Ms. Buono are two of those staff members. Ms. Buono helps our students feel emotionally safe. Nurse Dillard helps students physically (and emotionally sometimes too!) Here’s a little more about them and what they love about their job at Botelle!
Ashleigh Buono
Role at Botelle: School Psychologist
Why did you become a school psychologist? From a young age, I was always interested in psychology and how the brain works. I studied psychology in college and decided I wanted to use my knowledge to help people. I chose to become a school psychologist because I felt that I could make a difference by working in schools and helping students learn and feel safe in school.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role? Any time a student thanks me for helping them!
Favorites:
Food – tacos
Free Time Activity – hiking and reading
Music – all kinds!
Sport – baseball
Keondra Dillard
Role at Botelle: School Nurse
Why did you become a school nurse? I became a school nurse because I love caring for kids. Coming from a background in pediatrics, it was the best next chapter.
What is the most rewarding part of your role? The most rewarding part of being part of the Botelle team is the relationships I have formed with the students and their families. It is way more than just ice packs and bandaids!
Favorites:
Food – ice cream
Music – I love music—all genres!
Free Time Activity – watching movies with my daughter
Sport – horseback riding and dancing
—Lauren Valentino, Principal
10/8/24
Welcome Back to a New School Year
At Botelle School we want to feel Happy, Safe, Welcomed, Confident, Excited & Loved! These feeling words express how our students, staff and families want to feel at our school. It’s our School Charter, which is a pledge or promise that each of us makes, to act in ways that support these emotions. How do our students feel about the new school year, their classmates, teachers and Botelle in general? Read for yourself…
Madison – “Kindergarten is the best thing I ever thinked!”
Elana – “I’m tired but I like it. I love it. I love being a 6th grader.”
Ian and Lilly – “My favorite place is school.”
Parker – “Being back feels good. I love 6th grade, seeing my friends and my favorite teachers.”
Charlie and Eli – “Botelle’s the best school in the whole wide world.”
Abigail – “It’s fun. I’m glad we’re being flexible. I love math.”
Brion – “It’s been a fun start.”
Charlie – “My brother said that 3rd grade would be fun. He was right.”
Ryleigh – “I am so happy because I love the school!”
This year, the Botelle School community plans to build off last year’s theme—Celebrating All, Creating Community—by shining a spotlight on our students and staff, celebrating them so Norfolk gets to know us better. Four staff members, new to Botelle last year, returned this school year. Read on to find out what makes them happy about working at Botelle, along with other fun facts about each of them.
Amy Pottbecker
Role at Botelle: Literacy Specialist
Years as an educator: 37, every grade level, PK-12
Favorite book series – It’s too hard to pick just one!
Early Primary – Alfie and Annie Rose, Shirley Hughes
Primary – Jonathan London’s Froggy; The Littles, Peterson
Intermediate – A to Z Mystery, Roy; The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Cleary
Upper Intermediate – Half Magic, Eager; Tim Green’s Football Genius
Hobbies – cooking, gardening, hiking, anything on the water…and reading!!
What makes me happy about working at Botelle is the people and the relationships. I came from a district where I supported 18 teachers and 850 students. I love that at Botelle I know every student, and I love partnering with teachers to support their reading and writing instruction.
Nicole Partyka
Role at Botelle: Intermediate Teacher
Years as an educator: 13
Favorite pastime: I love spending quality moments with my family—my husband, our daughters, and our dog. We enjoy camping together and traveling to Disney.
Hobbies: I rekindled my passion for dance, taking tap and jazz classes, which has been an exciting and rewarding return to a beloved hobby.
Connection with Norfolk: Growing up, I spent my springs and falls just down the road at Lone Oak Campsites. Five years ago, I returned with my own children, and now we enjoy spending half the year in the beautiful Northwest Corner.
What I enjoy about working at Botelle: After over a decade in an urban setting, I was ready for a change. Living and working in this area has been a breath of fresh air. My time at Botelle has been among the most rewarding of my educational career thus far. I am grateful to be part of this fantastic community!
Sarah Ward
Role at Botelle: Upper Intermediate Teacher
Years as an educator: 3
Favorite sport: Although I was a soccer player for most of my life, I enjoy playing pickleball now. I also love watching my kids play their sports-soccer, softball, basketball, baseball and hockey!
Career(s) before teaching: Program Developer at CREC, home with my children, and grants & resource developer
What I find fulfilling about working at Botelle: is the relationships shared between students and with the community. I have enjoyed being part of events like River and Mountain Day. It is evident that the students of Botelle have the support and investment of those living in Norfolk and surrounding communities as they share their time and skills. I saw many caring and thoughtful interactions between students, across grades, as we celebrated those days!
—Lauren Valentino, Principal
Useful Links
Contact
Address: 128 Greenwoods Road East, Norfolk CT 06058
Phone: 860-542-5286
Fax: 860-542-5770
Main office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
School calendar
A simple listing, in month-by-month calendar form, of school events. It can also be viewed in weekly or Agenda (list) formats. A single-page calendar showing holidays, early dismissal days and the dates for winter and spring breaks is posted here.
Parent/Teachers organization
The goal of the Botelle PTO is to enhance the educational experience and support the students and teaching staff by providing additional equipment, services and special events. It works to foster a close working relationship between parents, teachers/staff and students, and believes that a strong PTO is evidence of parental interest and ensures a better school environment for our children. Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. All are welcome to attend or to send input to pto@botelleschool.org.
Board of Education
The Norfolk Board of Education is an elected body charged with maintaining the organizational and fiscal well-being of the town’s school. The Board meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month to hear issues of importance to the school, its teachers and its families. All are welcome to attend. Budget information, minutes and agendas are posted on the school website’s BOE page and video recordings of the meetings can be viewed on YouTube.
Facebook and Instagram
See Botelle School Facebook and Instagram pages for photos, event notices and more.
Newsletters
Links to Botelle School’s weekly newsletters are posted on its home page.