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Staples High School

Schools
These Fairfield County High Schools Rank Among Top 10 In State, Report Says These Fairfield County High Schools Rank Among Top 10 In State, Report Says
These Fairfield County High Schools Rank Among Top 10 In State, Report Says The grades are in and these Connecticut high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked top 10 in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools in Connecticut” report: No. 1 - Fairfield County: Staples High School in Westport No. 2 - Fairfield County: New Canaan High School No. 3 - Fairfield County: Darien High School No. 4 - Fairfield County: Greenwich High School No. 5 - Fairfield County: Wilton High School No. 6 - Hartford County: Avon High School No. 7 - Hartford …

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line
Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line A Jeep crashed into a  high school in Fairfield County, causing the school to be evacuated. The incident took place in Westport around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, at Staples High School. According to Lt. Eric Woods, of the Westport Police, the Jeep accidentally plowed into the Culinary Arts department classroom during the prime drop-off time. The vehicle hit a gas line in the classroom used for cooking instruction, Woods said. Students were evacuated and the Westport Fire Department was called to clear the scene. The gas was quickly shut off and multiple fans were used to ve…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
'Swatting' Incident Reported At Westport HS, Police Say 'Swatting' Incident Reported At Westport HS, Police Say
'Swatting' Incident Reported At Westport HS, Police Say A second Fairfield County high school reports being the victim of a "swatting" incident where the police department received a call regarding an active shooter on the school campus. The latest incident took place in Westport, around 9:10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21 at Staples High School. According to Westport Police Lt. David Wolf, the 911 center received a call from a person who was reporting that there was an active shooter inside Staples High School.  The patrol and detective divisions as well as officers serving in administrative roles immediately went to the school, Wolf sai…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
High School In Fairfield County Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash High School In Fairfield County Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash
High School In Fairfield County Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash A high school in Fairfield County is operating on a delayed start on Monday, Oct. 17 after one of its teachers was killed over the weekend in a crash on I-95 in Connecticut. Michael Sansur, age 52, of Darien, a technology education teacher at Staples High School in Westport, died from his injuries in the New London County crash that happened at about 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Old Lyme. Staples students are scheduled to begin the school day at 11 a.m. Monday, Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said in an email to the school community Sunday night, Oct. 16. "I m…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Beloved Fairfield County HS Teacher ID'd As Victim Of Fatal I-95 Crash Beloved Fairfield County HS Teacher ID'd As Victim Of Fatal I-95 Crash
Beloved Fairfield County HS Teacher ID'd As Victim Of Fatal I-95 Crash Updated story: High School In Fairfield County Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash A beloved Fairfield County teacher has been identified as the victim of a two-vehicle crash on I-95 in Connecticut. The crash happened in the New London County town of Old Lyme between Exits 70 and 71 near Whippoorwill Road at about 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, according to Connecticut State Police Police said a northbound 2019 Kia Stinger GT struck the rear of a 2003 Honda Accord EX that was stopped in the left lane for an unknown reason. The driver of the Honda, identifie…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
These Fairfield County Public Schools Rank In Top 5 Statewide, New Report Says These Fairfield County Public Schools Rank In Top 5 Statewide, New Report Says
These Fairfield County Public Schools Rank In Top 5 Statewide, New Report Says Five Fairfield County schools were ranked the best public high schools in Connecticut in a newly-released report. Niche, a website that creates ratings and reviews of schools and colleges across the United States, published its ranking of the "2023 Best public high schools in Connecticut." According to the report, the best public high school in the state is Staples High School, located in Westport. The school was also ranked Connecticut's best college prep public high school and second on the list of high schools with the best teachers in Connecticut. The following high schools …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Report Of Suspicious Person Leads To Shelter-In-Place Order For Two Fairfield County Schools Report Of Suspicious Person Leads To Shelter-In-Place Order For Two Fairfield County Schools
Report Of Suspicious Person Leads To Shelter-In-Place Order For Two Fairfield County Schools A person deemed suspicious who was walking on school grounds in Fairfield County led to shelter-in-place orders for two buildings to allow police to investigate. On Thursday, May 19 in Westport, the police department's school security officer, and Staples School resource officer investigated a report of a suspicious person on school grounds. According to a spokesperson from the Westport Police Department, an unknown suspect - believed to be in his teens - was dropped off at the Bedford Middle School, but the person then left that campus and walked towards Staples High School. The spokespe…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
These Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best According To Brand-New Rankings These Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best According To Brand-New Rankings
These Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best According To Brand-New Rankings It’s no secret that Connecticut is home to some of the nation’s best schools, but which rank among the top in the country? The U.S. News & World Report released its 2022 list of the best high schools in the country after evaluating nearly 18,000 schools at all levels. According to the organization - which touts itself as “the global authority in education rankings” - high schools were judged on a weighted scale on these factors: College readiness (30 percent); Reading and math proficiency (20 percent); Reading and math performance (20 percent); Underserved student performance (10 perc…

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by Zak Failla
Sports
High School In Fairfield County Wins State Fencing Championship High School In Fairfield County Wins State Fencing Championship
High School In Fairfield County Wins State Fencing Championship Some Fairfield County high school fencing competitors were crowned as the best in Connecticut after earning top honors at the state championship. Juniors Gleb Syomichev, Peter Loranger, and sophomore Max Piterbarg at Staples High School in Westport faced some of the toughest opponents in Connecticut, but came out on top to claim the title on Sunday, March 13 at the tournament held at North Haven High School in New Haven County. In the first round, Staples easily bested the hometown North Haven High School 5 to 1 before advancing to take on Hopkins School, which boasts state champion Matthew…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best In U.S. News Rankings Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best In U.S. News Rankings
Fairfield County High Schools Among Nation's Best In U.S. News Rankings Connecticut is well represented in the brand-new 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best high schools in the nation. The criteria in ranking the more than 17,000 focused on six factors:  College readiness,  Reading and math proficiency,  Reading and math performance,  Underserved student performance,  College curriculum breadth, Graduation rates.  College readiness specifically measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, U.S. News & World Report said. The data used was from the 2018-20…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
COVID-19: 15 New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County COVID-19: 15 New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County
Covid-19: 15 New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County A Fairfield County school district is contending with a new surge of COVID-19 cases that have cropped up across multiple school buildings, officials announced. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued an alert to the community cautioning that there have been more than a dozen newly confirmed COVID-19 cases within schools districtwide. According to Scarice, new cases were confirmed in students and staffers at: Staples High School: 9 cases; Bedford Middle School: 2 cases; Coleytown Elementary School: 1 case; Greens Farms Elementary School: 1 case; Kings Highway Elementary Scho…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Six New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County COVID-19: Six New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County
Covid-19: Six New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County A Fairfield County school district is reporting several new cases of COVID-19 that have been confirmed in students and staffers. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued a notice to the community on Monday, Jan. 25 advising that there have been six new COVID-19 cases reported within the district. Four new cases were reported at Long Lots Elementary School, with one each at Saugatuck Elementary School and Staples High School. No school closures have been announced as a result of the new cases. Contact tracing is in progress and anyone who may have been exposed will be notified …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: 10 New Cases Reported At Westport School District COVID-19: 10 New Cases Reported At Westport School District
Covid-19: 10 New Cases Reported At Westport School District A Fairfield County school district is reporting nearly a dozen new cases of COVID-19 that have been confirmed in students and staffers. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued a notice to the community late on Wednesday, Jan. 13 that there have been 10 new COVID-19 cases reported within the district. Five cases were reported at Staples High School, with one each in Kings Highway Elementary, Long Lots Elementary, Saugatuck Elementary, Coleytown Elementary, and the district’s central office. No school closures have been announced as a result of the new cases. Contact tracing is…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Seven New Cases Confirmed At Westport School District COVID-19: Seven New Cases Confirmed At Westport School District
Covid-19: Seven New Cases Confirmed At Westport School District Seven new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at four schools inside a Fairfield County district, officials announced. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued a notice to the community this week advising that new cases were confirmed at Staples High School, Coleytown Elementary School, Saugatuck Middle School, and Bedford Middle School. Of the seven cases, four were reported at Staples, with one each in the three other schools. “Those impacted have been notified by school and District officials,” Scarice stated. “As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District COVID-19: New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District
Covid-19: New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District New COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Westport Public School District, officials announced. Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice announced on Monday night, Dec. 14 that two new cases in the district, one each at Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Elementary School. During the pandemic, Westport has been hit particularly hard, with cases quickly spreading, though the district has been able to keep buildings open in many cases. Earlier story - COVID-19: Two New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District “Both cases involved individuals already quarantining based on exposures outs…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Fairfield School District Reports New Cases COVID-19: Fairfield School District Reports New Cases
Covid-19: Fairfield School District Reports New Cases Several new positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed in multiple Fairfield County schools, officials announced. In Westport, four new cases were reported at four different schools: Bedford Middle School, Long Lots Elementary, Staples High School, and Stepping Stone Preschool, Superintendent Thomas Scarice wrote in a notice to parents. Related story - COVID-19: Two New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District “In our efforts to remain transparent with reports of positive Covid-19 cases associated with our schools, we will continue to provide these updates as information is confirmed,” Scar…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Two New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District COVID-19: Two New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District
Covid-19: Two New Cases Confirmed In Westport School District At least two new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in a Fairfield County school district that has been hit hard with the virus, with a possible third presumptive case, officials announced. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice advised parents this week that there were COVID-19 cases confirmed at Green Farms and Long Lots elementary schools, with a possible third case at Staples High School. Earlier story - COVID-19: Four New Cases Reported At School District In Fairfield County Health and district officials have completed contact tracing, and anyone who may have been exposed to anyon…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Four New Cases Reported At Westport School District COVID-19: Four New Cases Reported At Westport School District
Covid-19: Four New Cases Reported At Westport School District A Fairfield County school district is contending with a new outbreak of COVID-19 cases in a pair of schools. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued a notice to parents on Monday, Nov. 23 cautioning that there were three confirmed COVID-19 cases in Staples High School, two of which were confirmed over the weekend, and the third on Monday. The fourth case was at Green Farms Elementary School, where the student was last in the building on Friday, Nov. 20 before the infection was confirmed on Monday afternoon. Health and district officials have completed contact tracing, and any…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Two Westport Schools Go Remote After Positive Cases COVID-19: Two Westport Schools Go Remote After Positive Cases
Covid-19: Two Westport Schools Go Remote After Positive Cases Two new schools in Fairfield County have switched to remote learning after positive COVID-19 cases. Staples High School and Bedford/Coleytown Middle School in the Westport District will operate on a full remote teaching model for students and staff on both Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13. "The decision to move our secondary schools to a remote model for two days came as a result of several individuals testing positive and the subsequent need to quarantine many individuals and continue contact tracing," Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said in an email to the c…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Positive Case, Exposure Lead To Quarantines At School In Fairfield County COVID-19: Positive Case, Exposure Lead To Quarantines At School In Fairfield County
Covid-19: Positive Case, Exposure Lead To Quarantines At School In Fairfield County A positive case of COVID-19, as well as additional exposure, have led to quarantines at a high school in Fairfield County. Ridgefield Public Schools Superintendent Susie Da Silva said in a message Friday night, Oct. 16 that about three dozen Ridgefield High School staff members and students have been asked to quarantine after being exposed to multiple sources of COVID. That came after Da Silva reported earlier in the day that a member of the high school community had tested positive, leading to a 9:30 a.m. early dismissal and the start of contact tracing. The individual is considered …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
These Fairfield County HS Students Named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists These Fairfield County HS Students Named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists
These Fairfield County HS Students Named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists Some of Fairfield County's best and brightest students were among those chosen as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, which celebrates the academic achievements of high schoolers. This week, 16,000 high school seniors were chosen from around the country as semifinalists, who are vying for 7,600 scholarships totaling more than $30 million that will be announced in the spring. To become a finalist, semifinalists and an official from their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about the students’ academic record, participation…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Alleged Racist Social Media Post Investigated By Westport School District Alleged Racist Social Media Post Investigated By Westport School District
Alleged Racist Social Media Post Investigated By Westport School District Officials in a Fairfield County school district investigating alleged reports of a racist social media post found the claims to be unfounded. Last month, a student at Staples High School in Westport took to the Internet to claim that minority students in the district are treated poorly and subjected to racist behavior. There were also allegations of a racist post on social media. The school launched a weeks-long investigation, which ultimately determined that there was no post, officials said. No punishment is expected to be handed out to any students. On WestportNow.com, Niah Michel, an …

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by Zak Failla
Sports
Staples HS Assistant Football Coach Placed On Administrative Leave Staples HS Assistant Football Coach Placed On Administrative Leave
Staples HS Assistant Football Coach Placed On Administrative Leave An assistant football coach at a Fairfield County high school has been placed on administrative leave for an undisclosed alleged indiscretion. Jon Zames, an associate head coach and coordinator for the Staples High School varsity football team in Westport, has been placed on paid leave since Friday, Nov. 8, when an issue was presented to the school’s administration, officials said. No other information has been released by the school district. Zames spent part of the year on the sidelines as the head coach of Staples’ football team while head coach Adam Behrends dealt with a family concern…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Caught Stealing From Staples High School Boys Locker Room, Police Say Man Caught Stealing From Staples High School Boys Locker Room, Police Say
Man Caught Stealing From Staples High School Boys Locker Room, Police Say A 46-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing from multiple items from the Staples High School’s boys locker room last month. Westport police were notified of the thefts around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, when they received multiple reports of thefts from the boys locker room, said Westport Police Lt. Anthony Prezioso. Responding officers met with several victims who reported that personal items including a backpack, electronics, and cash had been stolen, Prezioso said.  It was determined that all of the stolen items had been taken within a brief timeframe. An investigation, …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Parents, Students Protest Firing Of Staples HS Outreach Counselor Parents, Students Protest Firing Of Staples HS Outreach Counselor
Parents, Students Protest Firing Of Staples HS Outreach Counselor The Westport community is rallying in support around Ed Milton, a popular student outreach coordinator at Staples High School who was unexpectedly fired earlier this year. Parents and students alike came together to express their displeasure over Milton’s firing at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 7. Milton was a former employee of the town’s Department of Human Services for Staples students and was involved with the school’s Teen Awareness Group. He was hired in 2016, and no reasoning has been provided by school officials for his firing. Before becoming the student outreach …

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Staples HS Grad Killed By Falling Tree In Fairfield Remembered As Talented Sales Exec, Chef Staples HS Grad Killed By Falling Tree In Fairfield Remembered As Talented Sales Exec, Chef
Staples HS Grad Killed By Falling Tree In Fairfield Remembered As Talented Sales Exec, Chef The 54-year-old man killed in Fairfield when a tree fell on his car during a storm is being remembered as a talented sales executive and chef. David Laurence Schmerzler, a lifelong resident of both Westport and Fairfield, died Sunday, June 30.  He was vice president of sales at Lindenmeyr Central, a paper company with offices in Southport. Schmerzler was driving in front of 3330 Sturges Highway when his vehicle was hit by a large limb from a Sassafras tree around 2:16 p.m., Sunday, June 30, said Fairfield Police Capt. Robert Kalamaras. When first responders arrived on the scene t…

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by Donna Christopher
Schools
Staples HS Welcomes New Principal Staples HS Welcomes New Principal
Staples HS Welcomes New Principal The Westport Board of Education has named a veteran educator to take over at the helm of Staples High School. The Board announced on Thursday that Stafford W. Thomas, Jr. will succeed Principal James D’Amico, who announced earlier this year that he was resigning to take over at his hometown high school in New Fairfield. Thomas will take over on July 1, when D’Amico’s resignation officially takes effect. He was unanimously approved by the Board at a meeting on Thursday, June 20. He comes to Westport after serving as the principal at Hillcrest Middle School in Trumbull for eight years. Unde…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Staples HS Students With Unpaid Lunch Bills Will Get Caps, Gowns, Despite Posted Signs Staples HS Students With Unpaid Lunch Bills Will Get Caps, Gowns, Despite Posted Signs
Staples HS Students With Unpaid Lunch Bills Will Get Caps, Gowns, Despite Posted Signs Seniors at a Fairfield County high school will not have their caps and gowns withheld, despite signs that were recently posted at Staples High School last week. “Attention all Seniors!,” the signs stated. “Two things will happen if you have a negative lunch balance… 1. You will not receive your graduation cap & gown! 2. You will not be allowed to purchase ANY items except for a basic lunch. Please make your life easier by paying up NOW!” Despite the signs, school officials have reportedly clarified the policy and announced that no students will have their caps or gowns withheld for gra…

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by Zak Failla
News
Staples HS Custodian Arrested For Stalking Student, Westport Police Said Staples HS Custodian Arrested For Stalking Student, Westport Police Said
Staples HS Custodian Arrested For Stalking Student, Westport Police Said A Stratford man who worked as a maintenance employee at Staples High School in Westport has been arrested for allegedly stalking a student. Paul Telep, 52, was arrested on Tuesday, May 7, and charged with stalking, after a school resource officer observed him allegedly recording a student in the school cafeteria, said Westport Police Lt. Jillian Cabana. During the incident, Telep appeared to be recording students, particularly a juvenile female, with his work cell phone, Cabana said. The school officer confronted Telep about the suspicious incident and notified school officials, …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Staples HS Principal Stepping Down To Take Over At Alma Mater, New Fairfield HS Staples HS Principal Stepping Down To Take Over At Alma Mater, New Fairfield HS
Staples HS Principal Stepping Down To Take Over At Alma Mater, New Fairfield HS Staples High School Principal James D’Amico has submitted his resignation and a search for his successor has already kicked off, school officials announced on Friday. In an email to parents, Westport Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer told parents that D’Amico will be leaving Westport in June to take over at his hometown high school in New Fairfield. D’Amico, 42, the district’s former director of secondary education, took over at the helm of the high school in July 2016, filling the seat of the retired John Dodig. He first came to the district in 2001 as a social studies teacher and work…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Coleytown Middle School May Not Open Before 2020 Coleytown Middle School May Not Open Before 2020
Coleytown Middle School May Not Open Before 2020 A Fairfield County middle school that was forced to shutter its doors in September due to mold concerns may not reopen for more than a year. A report from engineering firms Kohler Ronan, LLC and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. that was recently returned found that Coleytown Middle School in Westport may not be able to safely reopen until January 2020 after the building was closed due to ongoing mold issues. The emergency closure left the 450 Coleytown elementary school students and staff split between Bedford Middle School and Staples High School. Officials said that the mold proble…

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by Zak Failla