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Public Schools

Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss' Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss'
Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss' A Connecticut firefighter who was killed when the ATV he was on rolled over while battling a blaze has been identified as a grandfather and former member of the Hartford Fire Department.  Robert "Sharky" Sharkevich Sr., age 66, was working as a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, Oct. 22, fighting a brush fire that had spread to more than 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, Meriden Police said.  Sharkevich and three other firefighters were in Meriden on the southern edge of the blaze, riding a firefighting ATV that flipped around 5:30 p.m.…
'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award 'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award
'Vision Of Excellence': Shelton School Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award A Connecticut high school and two elementary schools have been named some of the nation's most dedicated.  The US Department of Education released its 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools this week, with 356 earning the prestigious distinction. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools and those making strides in closing achievement gaps among the student body.  In Connecticut, the three deemed to have reached those goals are: Daniel Hand High School in Madison Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden Sunnyside Elementary School in Shelton Dan…
New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior
New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior A community in Fairfield County is mourning the sudden death of a high school student-athlete. Elliott Kropf, a senior who attended New Canaan High School, died on Saturday night, Sept. 14. Update: New Details Released On Death Of Elliot Kropf "Elliott was a strong student, an excellent athlete, a kind young man, and a wonderful friend, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him," New Canaan Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Luizzi said in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 15. New Canaan High School will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, Sept. 16. "All buses …
'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor 4 CT Residents Killed In Plane Crash 'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor 4 CT Residents Killed In Plane Crash
'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor 4 CT Residents Killed In Plane Crash Communities across Connecticut are reeling following the death of four residents in a small airplane crash on Sunday, Sept. 8, as they returned home from a luncheon in Rhode Island.  The victims were:  Paul Pelletier, age 55, of Columbia, in Tolland County Frank Rodriquez, age 88, of Lebanon, in New London County Susan Van Ness, age 51, of Middletown, in Middlesex County Delilah Van Ness, age 15, of Middletown, in Middlesex County Pelletier was an aviation teacher at Middletown High School and Delilah Van Ness was his student. Susan Van Ness was Delilah's mother.  Ori…
These CT Towns Among Best Places To Live In US, According To New Rankings These CT Towns Among Best Places To Live In US, According To New Rankings
These CT Towns Among Best Places To Live In US, According To New Rankings A brand-new ranking has listed the best locales in Connecticut to live in, including one town that is reportedly among the best 200 places to reside in America.  According to Niche's 2024 Best Places To Live in America, the town of West Hartford is the best locale to call home in the state and ranks No. 159 in the entire nation.  Factors used by the organization to determine its rankings include Public Schools, Crime and Safety, Housing, Nightlife, Good for Families, and Diversity.  West Hartford's high ranking was attributed to the town offering "a lot of bars, restaur…
Gov. Lamont Signs Legislation Establishing Juneteenth As State Holiday Gov. Lamont Signs Legislation Establishing Juneteenth As State Holiday
Gov. Lamont Signs Legislation Establishing Juneteenth As State Holiday Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has signed into law legislation recognizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday. He said that June 19 will be recognized as a legal state holiday known as "Juneteenth Independence Day" effective October of this year. This means Juneteenth Independence Day will be legally recognized as a state holiday in Connecticut for the first time on Tuesday, June 19, 2023. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the announcement reads.  “Juneteenth marks an important day in our nation that for far too lo…
COVID-19: School District In Fairfield County Sets Date To End Mask Mandate COVID-19: School District In Fairfield County Sets Date To End Mask Mandate
Covid-19: School District In Fairfield County Sets Date To End Mask Mandate A Fairfield County school district is set to become the latest in the state to ditch masks for students and staff members as Connecticut continues its recovery of the winter COVID-19 surge of fresh infections. Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Michael Testani announced that following the latest meeting of the Board of Education, they voted to drop the mask mandate in all public schools beginning as of Thursday, March 31. According to Testani, the decision to make masks optional in school settings was “not made without important guidance from our local health officials,” and was in response …
COVID-19: Social Distance Rules For Students Far Shorter Than For Adults COVID-19: Social Distance Rules For Students Far Shorter Than For Adults
Covid-19: Social Distance Rules For Students Far Shorter Than For Adults The guidelines for social distancing at public schools recommend far less space between people than the 6 feet standard encouraged throughout much of the pandemic. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Massachusetts announced a plan to return all elementary school students to the classroom by April. When asked about COVID-19 safeguards for the schools, Commission of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley said that 3 feet of distance between students, staff, and faculty is the goal for public schools, though if they are able to distance further - up to 6 feet - all the better. …
COVID-19: New Cases Lead To Additional Closures Of Schools In Norwalk COVID-19: New Cases Lead To Additional Closures Of Schools In Norwalk
Covid-19: New Cases Lead To Additional Closures Of Schools In Norwalk As a result of confirmed COVID cases and the number of staff members quarantined, additional public schools in Norwalk are switching to full remote learning effective immediately.  Ponus Ridge Middle School and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School (all students, including grades 4 & 5 at the annex), in Norwalk, will transition to full remote learning beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and will return on January 4, 2021, school officials said. Jefferson Elementary and Fox Run Elementary will remain on full remote learning, returning to in-person learning on Monday, Dec. 21.  St…
COVID-19: College Students To Sub For Teachers In Quarantine COVID-19: College Students To Sub For Teachers In Quarantine
Covid-19: College Students To Sub For Teachers In Quarantine Connecticut is seeking to use college and university students to fill staffing gaps at public schools reeling from COVID-19 infections. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, Gov. Ned Lamont expounded on a plan to recruit college students to work as substitute teachers, either on a volunteer or paid basis, in the state's public schools. The state has had to get creative due to a lack of available teachers during the pandemic. The requirement that people exposed to COVID-19 quarantine for 14 days has left many schools in Connecticut and neighboring Massachusetts short-staffed. With not enough faculty and st…
Website Lists Every CT School That Reported Positive COVID-19 Cases - Link Updated Website Lists Every CT School That Reported Positive COVID-19 Cases - Link Updated
Website Lists Every CT School That Reported Positive Covid-19 Cases - Link Updated In Connecticut, about 175 confirmed incidents of COVID-19 infections among elementary and secondary school students, faculty, and staff have been reported since the start of the pandemic. So far, Waterbury has had the most wide-reaching outbreak with 29 reported infections. About 90 Connecticut school districts have had to contend with infections and the aftermath, which can include sterilization and quarantine. Some districts have had to contend with multiple outbreaks.  The numbers come from the National Education Association, which is tracking reports of school-related COVID-19 inc…
Schools Lockdown Lifted, Gun Recovered, Two In Custody Schools Lockdown Lifted, Gun Recovered, Two In Custody
Schools Lockdown Lifted, Gun Recovered, Two In Custody A lockdown at two schools has been lifted and a gun has been recovered following an emergency, Thursday, Sept. 24. At around 12:30 p.m., Hartford Police said the lockdown at Kinsella and Sport & Medical Sciences Academy had been lifted. Two people are in custody, police said, and one gun was recovered as well as dozens of rounds of ammunition. The arrests were not made on the school property, police said. “Incident appears not to have anything to do with the schools other than general area,” Hartford Police said. Kinsella School is on Van Block Avenue. Sport & Medical Science …
Nearly 4,000 Students In Two Large CT Cities Have Not Declared Back-To-School Plans Nearly 4,000 Students In Two Large CT Cities Have Not Declared Back-To-School Plans
Nearly 4,000 Students In Two Large CT Cities Have Not Declared Back-To-School Plans Thousands of surprises are anticipated for the first day of school in Hartford and Waterbury where 10 percent of families are yet to inform districts of their students’ education plans. Public schools in these cities are reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Without knowing the number of students physically attending classes, administrators are having a hard time determining how to socially distance students, and much equipment is needed. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin said the district is missing information on 2,000 students’ back-to-school plans, according to NBC Connecticut. Due to …
COVID-19: CT Public Schools Will Be Allowed To Cut Days From Academic Calendar COVID-19: CT Public Schools Will Be Allowed To Cut Days From Academic Calendar
Covid-19: CT Public Schools Will Be Allowed To Cut Days From Academic Calendar Connecticut is still finalizing what schools will look like in the fall as the state recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, but districts will have the option to be more flexible with their schedules. The state Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 14 to permit public schools to shorten the academic year by as many as three days, from 180 down to 177, without punishment to permit additional training as schools adjust to the "new normal." The waiver would allow districts extra time to train staff once plans are finalized for reopening schools in the next month…
COVID-19: State Negotiating With School Districts For Closure Through End Of Academic Year COVID-19: State Negotiating With School Districts For Closure Through End Of Academic Year
Covid-19: State Negotiating With School Districts For Closure Through End Of Academic Year Children in Connecticut are unlikely to head back to school this spring as the state works with school districts about closing through the end of the 2019-20 academic year amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s office is reportedly in negotiations with public schools statewide to determine the best strategy to keep students at home to help curb the spread of COVID-19. As of Monday, April 6, there were 6,906 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Connecticut, including 3,719 in Fairfield County. There were 1,231 new cases reported overnight. This is a developing …
Westchester Public School District Becomes First In State To Close Due To Coronavirus Fears Westchester Public School District Becomes First In State To Close Due To Coronavirus Fears
Westchester Public School District Becomes First In State To Close Due To Coronavirus Fears Click here for an updated story: Second Westchester Public School District Closes Due To Coronavirus Concerns A Westchester public school district has become the first to close its doors out of fears of spreading coronavirus. In a message to parents on Wednesday, March 4, Hastings-on-Hudson  Schools Superintendent Valerie Henning-Piedmonte announced that school buildings will be closed for the rest of the week to sanitize the buildings “out of an abundance of caution.” Earlier report: Five New Cases Of Coronavirus Confirmed In Westchester, Bringing Total To 10 In County “…
Michael Bloomberg Rules Out 2020 Presidential Run Michael Bloomberg Rules Out 2020 Presidential Run
Michael Bloomberg Rules Out 2020 Presidential Run Another prominent New York politician has taken his hat out of the ring for a potential presidential run in 2020. Billionaire Mike Bloomberg announced on Tuesday that he will not be challenging President Donald Trump for a seat in the Oval Office, citing the difficulty of winning the Democratic nomination in such a crowded field. His announcement comes a day after Chappaqua’s Hillary Clinton bowed out of the race. Bloomberg - the former New York City mayor who owns a Northern Westchester estate in North Salem - noting that he is three-for-three in elections, said he believes he could win e…
Nine Students From Westhill, Stamford HS Earn Regional Art, Writing Awards Nine Students From Westhill, Stamford HS Earn Regional Art, Writing Awards
Nine Students From Westhill, Stamford HS Earn Regional Art, Writing Awards A total of nine students from Westhill and Stamford high schools have been honored with Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Two students come from the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (AITE). Four students come from Stamford High School (SHS) and three from Westhill High School (WHS). These students have been recognized for their submissions in the 2019 Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program, a national program dedicated to honoring creative efforts of public, private, and parochial school students in grades 7 through 12. S…
Video: Gillibrand Announces 2020 Presidential Run On 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Video: Gillibrand Announces 2020 Presidential Run On 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert'
Video: Gillibrand Announces 2020 Presidential Run On 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Could another New Yorker be heading to the White House in 2020? New York U.S. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand took center stage on CBS-TV's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday night, Jan. 15, announcing that she will be throwing her hat into what is likely to be a crowded field of Democrats challenging President Donald Trump for his seat in the Oval Office. “I’m going to run for president of the United States, because as a young mom, I’m going to fight for other’s people’s kids as hard as I would fight for my own,” she told Colbert. “Which is why I believe healthcare sho…
Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre
Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre Sandy Hook Elementary School students were sent home Friday morning after the school received a bomb threat on the sixth anniversary of a mass shooting that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead. School personnel reported the threat to Newtown Police around 9 a.m. Friday, said Lt. Aaron Bahamonde. Police went to Sandy Hook School to investigate the threat and it is currently being investigated by members of the Newtown Police Department, he said. "The school was safely and orderly evacuated for precautionary reasons and so that a thorough sweep of the school could be performed," Ba…
Schools Announce Delayed Starts, Closures For Friday Schools Announce Delayed Starts, Closures For Friday
Schools Announce Delayed Starts, Closures For Friday Snowfall totals from the region The following school districts and schools have announced delayed starts for Friday, Nov. 16 in the aftermath of Thursday's Nor'easter. Bridgeport Public Schools, two-hour delay Brookfield Public Schools, three-hour delay Danbury Public Schools, closed Darien Public Schools, two-hour delay Fairfield Public Schools, two-hour delay Greenwich Public Schools, one-hour delay Monroe Public Schools, two-and-a-half hour delay New Canaan Public Schools, two-hour delay Newtown Public Schools, three-hour delay Ridgefield Public Sch…
Damage From Water Leak Causes Tuesday School Closure In Greenwich Damage From Water Leak Causes Tuesday School Closure In Greenwich
Damage From Water Leak Causes Tuesday School Closure In Greenwich Cos Cob School will be closed Tuesday due to ongoing assessment of damage as a result of a water leak.  School officials said restoration and environmental consultants, town officials, among others, will be on-site to assess the damage, conduct air-quality testing, and to estimate the cleanup and restoration plan and timeline.  District and school administrators are reviewing plans to address impacted classrooms in order to be able to resume school as soon as possible, officials said.  Once the assessments have been completed, the district will have a better idea of the timeline. Parents …
These School Districts Will Dismiss Early Due To Heat These School Districts Will Dismiss Early Due To Heat
These School Districts Will Dismiss Early Due To Heat The following school districts in Fairfield County have scheduled early dismissals for Tuesday, Sept. 4 due to extreme heat.A Heat Advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday with heat index values between 95 and 99 degrees. Danbury Public Schools New Fairfield Public Schools Newtown Public Schools Norwalk Public Schools Stamford Public Schools Trumbull Public Schools Check back for updates.
Find Out Where Fairfield Ranks Among State's Best Counties To Live Find Out Where Fairfield Ranks Among State's Best Counties To Live
Find Out Where Fairfield Ranks Among State's Best Counties To Live New rankings confirm what you probably already think. Fairfield County is one of the best places to live in Connecticut. Niche.com's 2018 Best Counties to Live in Connecticut rankings weighed such factors as crime rates, housing trends, the quality of local schools, employment statistics and local amenities. The No. 1-ranked county in the state is -- drum roll, please -- Fairfield County. It drew A rankings for good for families, outdoor activities and diversity and A- for public schools and nightlife and an A+ for health and fitness. To view the complete Niche rankings, click here.
Ridgefield, Danbury Schools Get State OK To Make Up Storm Days In 2018-19 Ridgefield, Danbury Schools Get State OK To Make Up Storm Days In 2018-19
Ridgefield, Danbury Schools Get State OK To Make Up Storm Days In 2018-19 The Danbury and Ridgefield school districts have been given the okay to make up missed school days next year from state officials.  All schools are required to be in session for 180 days, said Danbury Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella.  All except three of his 18 district schools only need to make up one day of school, the others need to make up two days, he said.  The days need to be made-up next year because schools are required to end the school year by June 29, he added. Pascarella said the May 15 storm that produced a microburst that wreaked havoc on the area is the reason the di…
This Fairfield County Locale Ranks Highest For Best Place To Raise Family This Fairfield County Locale Ranks Highest For Best Place To Raise Family
This Fairfield County Locale Ranks Highest For Best Place To Raise Family It’s no secret that raising a family in Connecticut has enormous benefits, but where is best? Old Greenwich took top honors as the best in the state earning A+ grades across the board, according to a report released by Niche this week, which ranked the best places to raise a family in New York based on the quality of public schools, safety, affordability and access to family amenities based on collected data. Several Fairfield County locales made the cut, right behind Old Greenwich, with Weston (third) and Ridgefield (fourth), making the top five. New Canaan (sixth), Westport (seventh), Ri…
Schools Announce Closures, Delayed Starts For Thursday Schools Announce Closures, Delayed Starts For Thursday
Schools Announce Closures, Delayed Starts For Thursday The following school districts have announced closures an delayed starts on Thursday, May 17 as a result of impassable roads and power outages following Tuesday's severe thunderstorms. Bethel Public Schools, closed Brookfield Public Schools, closed Danbury Public Schools, closed New Fairfield Public Schools, closed Newtown Public Schools, closed Ridgefield Public Schools, three-hour delay Check back for updates.
17 Hires Give Bridgeport PD 100 New Officers In Last Two-Plus Years 17 Hires Give Bridgeport PD 100 New Officers In Last Two-Plus Years
17 Hires Give Bridgeport PD 100 New Officers In Last Two-Plus Years Mayor Joseph Ganim and Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez welcomed the 17 newest police recruits training at the Bridgeport Police Academy this week. The 17 new recruits bring the total number of new officers to 100 since Ganim took office in 2015. In addition to the recruits, the most recent BPD graduating class of 22 officers hit the streets this week, the department said. “The Police Department serves a major function in any city and the only way they can properly do their job is with the manpower," said Ganim. "It has been my commitment to replenish the Police Department so tha…
Ridgefield Public Schools Will Remain Closed Friday Ridgefield Public Schools Will Remain Closed Friday
Ridgefield Public Schools Will Remain Closed Friday The following area school districts and schools have announced they will remain closed or will have delays on Friday, March 9 as a result of the latest Nor'easter. Check back for updates and refresh this page. Darien Public Schools, two-hour Easton Public Schools, closed Greenwich Public Schools, two-hour delay New Canaan Public Schools, closed Newtown Public Schools, closed Redding School District, closed Ridgefield  Public Schools, closed Stamford Public Schools, closed Westport Public Schools, three-hour delay Weston Public Schools, closed Wilton Public Schools, closed Check ba…