Top Honors: These CT Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award Top Honors: These CT Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
Top Honors: These CT Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award When it comes to overall excellence, these Connecticut schools are at the top of the class, and they have the hardware to prove it. Four schools in the Constitution State are among just 353 across the country to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award from the US Department of Education. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools, as well as those making strides in closing “achievement gaps” among student groups. “Their leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, they stay close to the real action of teac…
This Connecticut Liberal Arts College Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says This Connecticut Liberal Arts College Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says
This Connecticut Liberal Arts College Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says The grades are in, and these colleges are a cut above the rest. Of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the United States, four can be found in Massachusetts, three in New York, and one in Connecticut, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings. They are: No. 1 - Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts No. 2 - Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts No. 4 - Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts (Tied with Pomona College in Claremont, California and Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania) No. 8 - United States Military …
Best High Schools: CT Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: CT Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: CT Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Led by a strong showing in Fairfield County, Connecticut is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's brand-new rankings of the nation's best high schools. The rankings were released on Tuesday, Aug. 29. The Nutmeg State's No. 1 ranked school is the Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut, with a 100-percent graduation rate, and college readiness rating of 76.1. The top-ranked school from Fairfield County is Staples High School in Westport at No. 2 in the state, and 240th nationally. Connecticut IB Academy in East Hartford checks in at No. 3 in Connecti…
Sexually Explicit Material Shows Up On Slideshow During School District Event In CT Sexually Explicit Material Shows Up On Slideshow During School District Event In CT
Sexually Explicit Material Shows Up On Slideshow During School District Event In CT A Connecticut school district is investigating after reported sexually explicit material showed up in a slideshow presentation during the district's annual convocation. The incident took place in the town of Fairfield on Thursday, Aug. 24 during the event that kicks off the new school year.  “There was an inappropriate website URL which appeared within the keynote speaker’s presentation during yesterday’s Convocation," said Fairfield Public School Superintendent Michael J. Testani. Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Michael J. TestaniFairfield Public Schools Testani said the w…
These Connecticut High Schools Are Top 10 In State, Report Says These Connecticut High Schools Are Top 10 In State, Report Says
These Connecticut High Schools Are 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 …
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Harvard University is under federal scrutiny for its preferential treatment of donor and legacy candidates, reports say.  The US Department of Education announced this week it had opened an investigation into the prestigious Massachusetts university's admissions practices for undergraduate applicants, according to Harvard's newspaper, the Crimson.    Related: End Of 'Legacy': Wesleyan University Halts Admissions Perk The investigation will seek to determine if the legacy or donor admissions discriminate on the basis of race, the Crimson reported. If so, the university m…
CT Educator Earns Exceptional Principal Award CT Educator Earns Exceptional Principal Award
CT Educator Earns Exceptional Principal Award An educator in Fairfield County has been awarded the prestigious Exceptional Principal Award. In Danbury, Rogers Park Middle School Principal, Dr. Kristy Zaleta, accepted the award from the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.  The award “recognizes a school principal who goes beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment for Latino students and their families,” the organization said.  Rogers Park Middle School is composed of 78 percent of Black, indigenous students of color, 6…
Pair Of CT Students Named Presidential Scholars Pair Of CT Students Named Presidential Scholars
Pair Of CT Students Named Presidential Scholars Two Fairfield County students have been named as 2023 US Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for graduating high school seniors. Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker made the announcement on Wednesday, May 10 that Ambika Grover of Greenwich High School and Lukas Koutsoukos of Wilton High School were selected for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.  “I am so proud of Ambika and Lukas on being named US Presidential Scholars and receiving this extraordinary national rec…
Junior Scientist Award: CT Student Earns Prestigious STEM Program Award Junior Scientist Award: CT Student Earns Prestigious STEM Program Award
Junior Scientist Award: CT Student Earns Prestigious STEM Program Award A Connecticut middle school student impressed a national STEM competition with a potential study that could be out of this world.  Fairfield County resident Ziggy Zhao, who attends the Pierrepont School in Westport,  won one of the five Junior Scientist Awards from the Genes in Space contest, which asks students from across the country to design biology experiments that address real-world challenges in space exploration.  The winning study will be carried out by astronauts aboard the International Space Station next year.  The 12-year-old Zhao created an exper…
Educator Earns State's Top Honor Educator Earns State's Top Honor
Educator Earns State's Top Honor An educator in Fairfield County has been named the Connecticut Association of Schools’ 2023 Elementary School Principal of the Year. Dr. Keshia Smith-Davis, the principal of Great Plain Elementary School in Danbury, was selected last week after being nominated by Danbury Schools Superintendent of Schools Kevin Walston, who praised her as a “warm, engaging, articulate and inclusive school administrator who consistently leads by example.” “I am grateful and truly honored to have been selected as Connecticut’s Elementary Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools,” said Sm…
These CT School Districts Rank Among Top 25 In America, New Report Says These CT School Districts Rank Among Top 25 In America, New Report Says
These CT School Districts Rank Among Top 25 In America, New Report Says Two school districts in Connecticut are among the best in the entire country, according to a new report. In Fairfield County, the Westport, and New Canaan public school districts ranked No. 17 and No. 21 respectively, according to Niche's new 2023 rankings of the top school districts in the country. Niche says it uses "a series of steps to ensure statistical rigor and useful guidance in the school choice experience," according to its website. A detailed explanation of the criteria used to rank the school districts can be read by clicking here.  Both districts received a Niche gr…
Ex-New Britain Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault Ex-New Britain Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault
Ex-New Britain Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault A former Connecticut elementary school teacher has been charged with the sexual assault of a 10-year-old female student, according to an arrest warrant. The warrant, obtained by WFSB Eyewitness News 3, details the arrest of Erving Rivera, age 50, of Hartford, for allegedly kissing and having sexual contact with a female student in his classroom.  He was arrested and charged on Wednesday, April 5, with sexual assault and illegal sexual contact with a victim under 16, court records show.  Rivera, who was a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in New Britain, …
UConn Student, Fan Celebration: 16 Hospitalized, 15 Charged After NCAA Title Win UConn Student, Fan Celebration: 16 Hospitalized, 15 Charged After NCAA Title Win
UConn Student, Fan Celebration: 16 Hospitalized, 15 Charged After NCAA Title Win As students and fans celebrated the huge win by the  University of Connecticut in the NCAA men's basketball championship, several ended up in handcuffs and 16 others were injured. The incidents took place in Tolland County on the UConn campus in Storrs as thousands celebrated the win over San Diego State University that was wrapped up late Monday evening, April 3. According to UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz, the vast majority of those celebrating the Husky victory last night did so safely and responsibly. "A small number chose to risk their safety and that of others by vandal…
CT High School Evacuated After Police Respond To Suspicious Incident CT High School Evacuated After Police Respond To Suspicious Incident
CT High School Evacuated After Police Respond To Suspicious Incident A telephone call from an unidentified source who communicated a possible threat caused state police troopers to evacuate a high school in Connecticut. The incident took place in Tolland County at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29. According to state police, a preliminary investigation indicates that a staff member at the school had received a telephone call from an unidentified source, who communicated a possible threat to the school.  Out of an abundance of caution, the school was evacuated while troopers investigated.  After conducting a …
Suspect Nabbed After CT HS Stabbing Suspect Nabbed After CT HS Stabbing
Suspect Nabbed After CT HS Stabbing A suspect is in custody after a stabbing at a high school in Fairfield County. Norwalk Police say a knife was located, and a victim is receiving stab wound care at Norwalk Hospital early Friday evening, March 24.  New information on the Norwalk High School incident will be released shortly, police say. This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
School Bomb Threats: 26-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed After Separate Incidents In CT School Bomb Threats: 26-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed After Separate Incidents In CT
School Bomb Threats: 26-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed After Separate Incidents In CT A 26-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with allegedly calling in two bomb threats at local elementary schools. Hartford County resident Dahari Martin, of Windsor Locks, was arrested on Tuesday, March 14 for the incidents which took place on Friday, Feb. 17. South Windsor police said Martin turned himself in to police on two arrest warrants, following the threats that had been called into North Street Elementary School and South Street Elementary School. Dahari was quickly identified as a suspect following a disturbance he had caused earlier that same morning at North Street Element…
Yale Student To Appear On Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament: Former Champion Yale Student To Appear On Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament: Former Champion
Yale Student To Appear On Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament: Former Champion A Yale University student and former Jeopardy! champion will soon return to the show as part of a new spin on the show's College Championship.  Related Story - 'Jeopardy!': Stamford Native To Compete In High School Reunion Tourney Yale University senior Claire Sattler will appear on the popular quiz show on Monday, Feb. 27. She previously appeared on the show's Teen Tournament which was aired in 2018. Sattler, who is originally from Bonita Springs, Florida, will face off against Rohan Kapileshwari of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Rhea Sinha of Chatham, New Jersey during her…
Oxford Man Threatened To 'Shoot Up Graduation' At School, Police Say Oxford Man Threatened To 'Shoot Up Graduation' At School, Police Say
Oxford Man Threatened To 'Shoot Up Graduation' At School, Police Say A man faces charges after threatening to harm students at a school in Fairfield County, police said.  Police first learned of the threats on Friday, Feb. 17 around 6 p.m., when two people told state troopers that a student at the Stratford School for Aviation had made the comments at the school, state police said. According to the two witnesses, a student identified as 21-year-old New Haven County resident Joseph Cyr, of Oxford, had allegedly said that he was going to "shoot up graduation" with a friend or coworker in December 2022.  Additionally, on Thursday, Feb. 16, a witness …
Wesleyan University Student-Athlete Dies In Skiing Accident Wesleyan University Student-Athlete Dies In Skiing Accident
Wesleyan University Student-Athlete Dies In Skiing Accident A junior at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, has died after a ski accident. Jack Seivwright was studying abroad this semester, the university said in a statement. The accident happened on Sunday, Feb. 12. "Known on campus as a student-athlete who brought people together, he will be sorely missed by many," Wesleyan's statement said. "We offer our condolences to Jack’s family, friends, and loved ones." A native of Elmore, Vermont, Seivwright was a member of the soccer team during his freshman year in 2020-21. “Jack was a ball of energy who loved being active and spending tim…
Region 16 School Superintendent's DUI Reduced To Misdemeanor In Florida: Records Region 16 School Superintendent's DUI Reduced To Misdemeanor In Florida: Records
Region 16 School Superintendent's DUI Reduced To Misdemeanor In Florida: Records Michael Yamin, the Connecticut Region 16 superintendent, pleaded guilty to reckless driving in Florida last month after prosecutors reduced his DUI charge, court documents show.  Police in Volusia County, Florida, pulled over Yamin, age 54, of Cheshire, last summer after they spotted him weaving in and out of his lane, records show. Officers said he slurred his words and stumbled as he got out of his 2018 Lincoln.  Yamin refused a field sobriety test but agreed to a breathalyzer. However, he could not follow the instructions and both attempts to test his blood alcohol levels …
5 CT HS Students Try To Enter School In NY, Leading To Security Concerns 5 CT HS Students Try To Enter School In NY, Leading To Security Concerns
5 CT HS Students Try To Enter School In NY, Leading To Security Concerns School officials have provided an update on a group of males who tried to enter a high school in Westchester County before being denied entry. Earlier Report - 5 Men Try To Enter Eastchester HS, Flee After Security Denies Entry: Police The update was given in regard to an incident on Friday, Jan. 20, when five unidentified males tried to enter Eastchester High School and were turned away by a security guard.  In a statement sent to parents on Tuesday, Jan. 24, Eastchester Union Free School District Superintendent Ronald Valenti said that the five were identified as high sch…
Basketball Brawl: Arrests Made After Fight At HS Game In Middletown, School Officials Say Basketball Brawl: Arrests Made After Fight At HS Game In Middletown, School Officials Say
Basketball Brawl: Arrests Made After Fight At HS Game In Middletown, School Officials Say Numerous people have been arrested following a fight that broke out at the end of a boys varsity basketball game in Connecticut, school officials said.  The fight happened at the end of a game between the Middletown High School and Hartford-based Weaver High School basketball teams on Tuesday, Jan 17 at Middletown High School.  In the wake of the violence, Middletown Police are "in the process of making numerous arrests" according to the Middletown Public Schools Communications Director Jessie Lavorgna.  The arrests are a result of authorities taking a look at camera fo…
Female Students Charged After Fight At CT HS Caught On Video Female Students Charged After Fight At CT HS Caught On Video
Female Students Charged After Fight At CT HS Caught On Video Two Fairfield Warde High School female students have been charged following an alleged fight at the school in which one was injured and needed medical treatment. The incident took on Friday, Jan. 6, at the school located at 755 Melville Ave., and was filmed by other students who posted it online. Both students, who were arrested on Monday, Jan. 9, were charged with assault and breach of peace, said Fairfield Police Lt. Michael Paris. "The injured juvenile student was treated and released following the altercation," Paris said. Fairfield Warde Principal Paul Cavanna told students on Thursd…
These Connecticut High School Seniors Named Regeneron Scholars These Connecticut High School Seniors Named Regeneron Scholars
These Connecticut High School Seniors Named Regeneron Scholars Eight high school seniors from Connecticut are among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023, regarded as the nation’s oldest and most prestigious scholastic science and math competition, the Society for Science announced on Tuesday, Jan. 10.The 300 will be awarded $2,000 each and their schools will be awarded $2,000 for each enrolled scholar. The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,949 applications from 627 high schools across 48 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and four other countries. The following Connecticut students were named: …
2 CT High School Students Get Perfect SAT Math Scores 2 CT High School Students Get Perfect SAT Math Scores
2 CT High School Students Get Perfect SAT Math Scores Two promising students who attend a high school in Fairfield County will likely have no problems getting accepted into colleges.  That's because they both achieved a perfect score of 800 on the math portion of their SAT exams in December, according to Immaculate High School, which is located in Danbury.  Both Danbury resident Jie Du, Class of 2023, and Sandy Hook resident Yipeng "Simon" Zhao, Class of 2024, earned the impressive accomplishment.  The school announced the perfect scores on Thursday, Dec. 29. 
Here's Where Connecticut Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says Here's Where Connecticut Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says
Here's Where Connecticut Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says Connecticut's public school system is among the best in the country, according to a report by Forbes.  The state ranks as having the third-best public school systems nationwide, behind only Massachusetts and New Jersey, the news outlet reports.  Connecticut's strong schools help contribute towards the state being ranked fifth in the nation for quality of life, also thanks to low crime and poverty rates, as well as a healthy population, according to Forbes.  However, income inequality in the state is still a large problem, especially when comparing affluent Fairfield County t…
Stratford School District Announces When It Will Resume Charging For Lunches Stratford School District Announces When It Will Resume Charging For Lunches
Stratford School District Announces When It Will Resume Charging For Lunches Stratford Public Schools announced that it will resume charging full price for students' meals next month. The school district reported that beginning Tuesday, Jan. 3, it will charge full price for meals because the School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) funds, which are used to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students through a grant provided by the Connecticut State Department of Education, will expire on Friday, Dec. 23. Students whose households are eligible for free or reduced meals can submit free and reduced-price meal applications, the district said. …
Decade After Sandy Hook Shooting, New Tech Giving Milford School Added ‘Layer Of Security' Decade After Sandy Hook Shooting, New Tech Giving Milford School Added ‘Layer Of Security'
Decade After Sandy Hook Shooting, New Tech Giving Milford School Added ‘Layer Of Security' Gun control advocates will tell you that not much has changed since a 20-year-old gunman walked into a Connecticut elementary school and murdered 20 students and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown on Dec. 14, 2012. Since that day, another 279 people have died in 189 different shootings that have occurred at schools across the United States, BBC News reports. Among them are the 19 students and two teachers who were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May 2022. What has changed, though, is the technology that’s available to schools to help keep students an…
CT Educator Fired After Video Shows Him Making Sexual Comments About Students CT Educator Fired After Video Shows Him Making Sexual Comments About Students
CT Educator Fired After Video Shows Him Making Sexual Comments About Students A teacher at a private school has been fired after a hidden camera video was posted on YouTube allegedly showing him making inappropriate comments about his female students in Fairfield County. The video of Iman Rasti, a teacher, writing director, and middle school dean at Green Farms Academy in Westport first surfaced online on Project Veritas on Thursday, Nov. 10. By Friday, Nov. 11, the school had fired Rasti, according to a letter sent to parents and obtained by Daily Voice. "Dr. Rasti claimed that the statements in the edited video were taken out of context," wrote Bob Whelan, he…
Water Main Break Causes School Closure In Connecticut Water Main Break Causes School Closure In Connecticut
Water Main Break Causes School Closure In Connecticut Students and staff at one Connecticut school are getting the day off due to a water main break. Located in Middlesex County, Cromwell Middle School will be closed all day on Wednesday, Nov. 2 due to the water main break, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Enza Marci. All other schools in the district will be open as usual.  Parents will be notified if there is any issue fixing the break and the return to school on Thursday, Nov. 3 is delayed, district officials said. Check back to Daily Voice for updates. 
CT High School Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash CT High School Has Delayed Opening After Teacher Dies In I-95 Crash
CT High School 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…