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39°
Wednesday, dec 4
Tag:
Board of Education
Police & Fire
Sandy Hook School Receives Threat, All Safe, Police Say
Police in Fairfield County are reassuring the community that all students and staff are safe after a school in Sandy Hook received a new threat. The threat was made in Newtown around 9:15 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 at Sandy Hook School. According to Lt. Scott Smith, this morning police received a third-party report of a threatening message regarding the school. Newtown Police promptly responded to the school as staff followed appropriate safety precautions. "Newtown Police quickly determined that all students and staff were safe and that the threat was not credible, but instead was simi…
Police & Fire
Greenwich Schools Threat Likely 'Swatting' Incident, Police Say
A threat to schools in a Fairfield County town has been deemed a swatting incident by officials. The incident took place on Tuesday, Oct. 17 when police became aware of a vague threat through social media directed against the Greenwich School System and one of the town’s middle schools. According to Lt. Ted Latiak of the Greenwich Police, no specific threats were identified, but every precaution was taken to ensure the safety of the town’s students and staff members. Working closely with the Board of Education and other town departments, the Police Department has determined that this was a…
News
Fairfield County School Children Become Sick After Eating THC Gummies On Bus, Police Say
Several elementary school students became ill last week after allegedly eating THC gummies on a school bus in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Westport. Westport Police Department Lt. Eric Woods said that there is an active investigation and he could not comment on what took place. The student illnesses first came to light on Monday, Dec. 19, when Westport Public School Superintendent Thomas Scarice commented on the situation during a Board of Education meeting. "Last week, there was a school-related incident in which students became ill after ingesting what appeare…
News
Fight Breaks Out, Leading To Lockdown At School In Fairfield County
A fight between several students caused a school to go into a temporary lockdown in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Stamford on Tuesday, April 26 at Cloonan Middle School. In a letter to parents, Principal David Tate wrote that as a result of the fight, police were notified and responded to the campus. "During this time, we followed our standard protocols, and the school was placed on lockdown while we resolved this isolated incident," Tate said. The responsible students have been immediately disciplined and will face further disciplinary action under the Board of Educa…
Police & Fire
Two Men Arrested After Altercation At CT Board Of Education Meeting, Police Say
Two men were arrested following the investigation into a fight that broke out during a December Board of Education meeting in Connecticut, police announced. In Hartford County, Glastonbury residents Monte Ray McFall and Mark Finocchiaro were both charged with second-degree breach of peace following their fight during a meeting discussing the district’s mascot on Dec. 14, 2021. Earlier story - Connecticut School Board Member Punched, Knocked Down During Public Hearing Last year, the district moved to change the mascot due to its negative connotation and impact on Native Americans; however, …
Police & Fire
Juvenile Charged After Threat To School In Fairfield County
A Fairfield County juvenile has been arrested in connection with an alleged social media threat directed at an area middle school. The Stratford Police Department became aware of a social media threat directed toward students and faculty of the Stratford school system on Monday, Dec. 20. According to Captain Frank Eannotti, of the Stratford Police, investigators were able to quickly identify the suspect, and based on the investigation one juvenile was arrested for posting the threat. Earlier Story: Social Media Threat Targeting Schools Under Investigation In Fair…
Schools
CT School Board Member Punched During Hearing On Mascot Name
A school board member in Connecticut was punched during a contentious meeting meant to be about a high school mascot. In Hartford County, a man punched a board of education member during a special meeting held in Glastonbury to discuss the high school’s mascot, which was changed from the Tomahawks to the Guardians last year, much to the dismay of some. During the meeting, tensions rose, and a fight broke out between someone in attendance and a board of education member during a break in the mascot discussion. It is unclear what caused the fight. Last year, the district moved to change the …
Schools
Fairfield County Community Mourns Death Of Popular, Longtime School Board Member
The sudden death of a popular leader and member of the Board of Education has stunned one Fairfield County community. Norwalk Public Schools announced on Wednesday, Sept. 22, that longtime school board member Mike Barbis died unexpectedly. "The Norwalk Board of Education and Norwalk Public Schools are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Mike Barbis," the district said. A member of the Board of Education since 2011, the district said Barbis, was "a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for Norwalk students and schools." During his tenure on the Board, he served as chair of the Fin…
Schools
Referendum On Starting Time Sparks Debate At School District In Fairfield County
A referendum on whether or not to review and potentially change the starting time for schools in a Connecticut school district has led to a mass debate and much consternation in the community. On Wednesday, June 2 in Fairfield County, there will be a referendum vote from noon until 8 p.m. in New Canaan at the high school over whether or not the Board of Education should spend nearly $500,000 to study start times for students. Absentee ballots can be left at the ballot box in front of Town Hall. Town Council member Michael Mauro made a motion in March “to reduce the Board of Education Opera…
Police & Fire
Westport Police Department Welcomes New Officer
The Westport Police Department has sworn in a new policeman, Dominique Carr, bringing its total number of officers to 63. Carr was sworn in on Monday, Nov. 9 at a small ceremony at police headquarters, compliant with COVID-19 restrictions, attended by the new officer's friends and family, First Selectman James Marpe and Police Chief Foti Koskinas. “Today we are very excited and proud to welcome Officer Carr to our Westport Police Department family," said Koskinas at the ceremony. "He brings with him an impressive educational background and the valuable experience derived from se…
News
Covid-
19: School District In Fairfield County Staying Hybrid After Rise In Cases
A recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the region will keep students in a Fairfield County school district sticking to a hybrid learning plan. During a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, Westport Superintendent Thomas Scarice said that it could be weeks until students return to a normal schedule due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Scarice said that the district will stay the course for four to six weeks, at which point they will assess the COVID-19 situation throughout Connecticut before making a decision. He also expressed concerns about a possible second wave of…
Schools
Covid-
19: Wilton School District Shifts To Remote Learning After Large Gathering
The Wilton School District will be kicking off the academic year remotely after a photo of a large gathering of high school students went viral, causing concern for some parents and educators. Earlier story - COVID-19: Photo Of HS Students At Large Gathering In Fairfield County Sparks Concerns Following a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, the district announced that it has canceled the two half days that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Friday, Aug. 28 that had been scheduled as orientation days. The first day of remote learning for students is Monday, Aug. 31. Orie…
Schools
Covid-
19: Photo Of HS Students At Large Gathering In Fairfield County Sparks Concerns
Some in Fairfield County are concerned after photos of dozens of teenage high school students failing to socially distance during the COVID-19 pandemic circulated online. The photo of students reportedly gathering for a scavenger hunt - an unofficial annual tradition for seniors - was first posted on Facebook, then went viral online, sparking concerns as schools are nearing their reopening dates. Following a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, the district announced that it has canceled the two half days that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Friday, Aug. 28 that had be…
Schools
Covid-
19: Danbury Schools Shift To Remote Learning After City Sees Spike In Cases
After the spike in COVID-19 cases in Danbury, school officials in the city announced that the district will begin the academic year remotely. Citing the recent rapid uptick in cases, Danbury Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella said that local health officials and the Board of Education decided it is safest to continue distance learning through at least September. “Due to these unusual circumstances, I have been consulting closely with the State Commissioner of Education, Mayor Boughton, DPS Administrative Leadership teams, and our local health officials,” Pascarella said. “In order …
Schools
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 …
Schools
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…
News
Trial Starts For Fairfield Teacher Accused Of Exposing Himself To Student
The trial for a Fairfield County teacher who allegedly exposed himself to a teenage student is set to begin on Monday. Jeff Iwanicki, 46, a graphic arts teacher at Fairfield Warde High School will face a jury on charges that include multiple counts of impairing the morals of a minor, public indecency and breach of peace. The trial date has been set for Monday, Jan. 28 and is expected to last approximately a week. The trial comes following Iwanicki’s arrest for allegedly exposing himself to a 15-year-old student on Nov. 2 and Dec. 6, 2016 in a multipurpose room at the school, police said. T…
Schools
Mold Concern Sparks Student Walkout At Westhill HS
Students at Westhill High School in Stamford staged a walkout on Monday morning as they protest ongoing mold issues in the building. Hundreds of students took to the football field shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, after a message was circulated amongst students. During the walkout, students were advised to wear black and green, and many brought picket signs protesting the conditions at the school. The walkout comes days after a Board of Education meeting where it was announced that dozens of teachers filed worker’s compensation claims over mold-related symptoms. The Stamford Mol…
Schools
Westport Dad Launches Petition Against 'Monster' Middle School
A Westport father is rallying the community as he attempts to prevent the school district from creating what he dubbed a “monster school.” Earlier this year, the Coleytown Middle School in Westport was forced to shut down for the year due to an ongoing mold problem. The emergency closure left the 450 Coleytown elementary school students and staff split between Bedford Middle School and Staples High School. One of the proposals included the consolidation of every middle school in the district into one school in Bedford, drawing the ire of some opposed to the “monster school.” The district’s …
Schools
Mold Sparks Concerns At School In Stamford
Click here for a related story: Middle School In Westport Will Remain Closed Through June Due To Mold Issue Mold issues continue to plague an elementary school in Stamford. There have been complaints of mold escalation at other schools in Stamford, but it came to a head this week at the Westover Elementary School, during a PTO meeting between parents and school officials. The outbreak continues to spread, although contractors have been called in to kick off cleanup efforts. The issue has become so prevalent that a Board of Education member reportedly said it was an “emergency-type situatio…
Schools
Staples High Admins Failed To Act When Students Reported Sex Assault
Four Staples High School students said school administrators failed to act when they reported sexual assault from another student, the Connecticut Post reports. During a Board of Education meeting Monday, one student said the four of them reported the abuser together and were told by the administration to not make school a "hostile environment" for him, the article says. The accused abuser allegedly received a stern talking to, according to the CT Post. Click here for more.
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