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!
Girls Soccer-8:00am (Turf)
Girls Cross Country--4:00pm (Track)
Boys Cross Country-5:00pm (Track)
Boys Soccer--2:45pm (Turf)
Football-4:00pm (Turf)
Volleyball-3:15pm (Main Gym and Aux Gym)
Sideline Cheerleading-6:00pm (Aux Gym)
Girls Swimming-2:30pm (VAT)
By using the coupon linked below, all CIAC coaches, athletes, and their families will save 20% at any Dick’s Sporting Goods store when gearing up for the new fall sports season! Valid Friday August 15 - Monday August 18
20% Off Coupon Link: https://casci.ac/11971
Hoop it up at the Back to School Bash! Saturday, August 23rd 3-7PM
Hi Colonels! This is Jim Buonocore, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Ledyard High School. This message has multiple items, three very important items, pertaining to Ledyard High School Athletics.
1. 2025 Fall Sports Registration is now open online through Family ID. All students must be registered and approved before participating in a practice or try-out. Once you are on the Family ID site, you will find pertinent dates for our athletic department fall sports meeting (Monday August 11th at 7pm in the LHS gymnasium) as well as the start dates for our fall athletic programs (Football-Aug 14th, All other Fall Sports-Aug 18th).
Please note, your registration for summer athletics participation does not fulfill your requirement to register and be approved for fall sports participation. All summer (Season 4) athletic offerings will end on Friday August 8th.
BEFORE YOU REGISTER:
Please be sure that our school nursing staff has an updated physical (students physical must be within the last 13 months from the start date of fall sports which is August 18th) on file. You can also upload the physical on Family ID. A pay to participate fee ($100) will need to accompany your child's registration in order to complete the registration process online.
REGISTRATION LINK:
https://www.familyid.com/organizations/ledyard-athletics
· If you need assistance with registration, contact Family ID at: support@familyid.com or 888-800-5583 x1.
· Support is available 7 days per week and messages will be returned promptly.
2. Ledyard High School Athletics has a Team Store for all individuals in the Ledyard community who are looking to purchase Ledyard gear for the upcoming school year. The store contains multiple brands (BSN, Nike), colors, sizes and apparel options. The best thing about this sprint store is that all products will ship in 1-2 days from the moment your order is placed. All orders will ship directly to you. The store will close on July 31. The link below will take you to the store:
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/oLQXPAdtHg
3. Ledyard High School boys/girls cross country uniform store is open. Our cross country, indoor track and outdoor track teams all wear the same uniforms and warm ups. Athletes are encouraged to purchase their own uniform that they will be able to wear for all three seasons throughout their entire high school career and keep the uniform when they graduate. Of course, if you choose not to purchase your own, the school will issue you a uniform which you must turn in at the end of the season (note: we do not issue the warm ups that are available for purchase). The store will close on July 30 so please do not wait to order if you are running cross country and would like your personal uniform. The uniforms will ship after the store closes. The link to the cross country uniform store (and indoor track, outdoor track store): https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SSrBVBaESY
