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Schools
School Goes On Lockdown After Student Brings Fake Gun; 2 Arrested: Police School Goes On Lockdown After Student Brings Fake Gun; 2 Arrested: Police
School Goes On Lockdown After Student Brings Fake Gun; 2 Arrested: Police Two Connecticut high school students were arrested after one brought an airsoft pistol to class forcing administrators to go into lockdown, authorities said.  Police swarmed West Have High School on Friday, Nov. 15, just after 10 a.m. after a student reported seeing another student handle what they believed to be a handgun, authorities said.  The gun was not real, but airsoft weapons are designed to look like the real thing.  The student who brought the airsoft weapon left the school before officers arrived, but they found him nearby with the gun soon after, West Haven …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom
Students Sent Home After Police Find Fentanyl In CT High School Bathroom Students at a Connecticut high school were sent home early on Friday, Nov. 15, after police found fentanyl on the bathroom floor, authorities said.  The school resource officer at Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester noticed a suspicious powdery substance in one of the bathrooms just after 10:30 a.m., Connecticut State Police said. A field test showed it was fentanyl.  Cheney Tech students, teachers, and faculty were dismissed early so the powerful and potentially dead drug could be cleaned and safely removed.  “There have been no reported incidents of exposure …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral
CT Teacher Resigns After Video Of Her Threatening Trump Voters Goes Viral A Connecticut school teacher who was put on leave after a video surfaced of her delivering an angry message directed at President-elect Donald Trump and his voters has resigned, officials said. Annie Dunleavy, a special education teacher for the Cheshire School District, submitted her immediate resignation from Chapman Elementary on Wednesday, Nov. 13, two days after being placed on temporary leave, school officials said. 'Related: You Will End On A Stretcher': Teacher on Leave After Threatening Trump Voters She shared the minute-long viral video in a private group message on Snapchat, b…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
(Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters (Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters
(Update) 'You Will End On A Stretcher': CT Teacher On Leave After Threatening Trump Voters Update: A Connecticut teacher who threatened to fight President-elect Donald Trump's voters in a viral video has resigned from the New Haven County school where she worked. Click here to read more.  Original: A Connecticut elementary school teacher was placed on temporary leave after a video of her threatening people who voted for President-Elect Donald Trump was shared on social media.  Cheshire Schools Superintendent Jeff Solan announced the decision on Monday, Nov. 11, and said the New Haven County school district is investigating the incident.  In the minute-long vi…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT Filmmakers Up For Emmy For Documentary On ABC Journalist Nearly Killed In Iraq CT Filmmakers Up For Emmy For Documentary On ABC Journalist Nearly Killed In Iraq
CT Filmmakers Up For Emmy For Documentary On ABC Journalist Nearly Killed In Iraq Two young Connecticut filmmakers have made it to the finals for a Student Emmy for their documentary on ABC journalist Bob Woodruff, who nearly died covering the war in Iraq and his work to help troops who suffered the same fate as him.  Emily Sedgwick and Devan Jordan, both 2024 Sacred Heart Greenwich alumnae, made the movie titled "Upon Return." The documentary won-out over thousands of entries to make the finals for the illustrious prize.  Woodruff was riding on top of a tank in 2006 in Iraq when it was hit by an IED. The blast nearly killed the then anchor of ABC's "World News…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops
Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Police are accusing a secretary at a Connecticut high school of using the administration's Amazon account to spend more than $40,000 over five years on gifts for herself and other employees at the Tolland County school, authorities said.  Christine Vardanian, age 56, of Marlborough in Hartford County, is charged with first-degree larceny, Connecticut State Police said on Wednesday, Oct. 23. She was later released after posting a $5,000 bail, authorities said.  Vardanian worked as a secretary at RHAM High School and had access to the district's Amazon account. School officials beca…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State A preliminary list has been released of schools that received items that were part of a nationwide recall of millions of pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Earlier this week, the recall was expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds of products, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspectio…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now A group of talented teenagers will soon accomplish a feat that all filmmakers aspire to but few reach: having their films shown in one of the busiest movie theaters in the country.  Nine students from Sacred Heart Greenwich were chosen to screen their short films as part of the 12th annual All-American High School Film Festival. Their movies were picked from thousands of submissions to make it to the finals.  Their movies will be shown at AMC Empire 25 Theatre in Times Square on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20 as part of the prestigious festival.  Click here f…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools Niche released its Best High Schools in the Country list this week, and while no Connecticut school made it onto the national charts, several of the state's public schools scored near the top.  Here is a breakdown of the top 10 rated schools in Connecticut.  Click here for the full list, and click here for a breakdown of the survey's methodology.  10: Glastonbury High School Researchers credited Glastonbury High's teacher-to-student ratio with his solid test scores. With 13 pupils per educator, the Hartford County school allows teachers more time to work with the …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police
Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police Five teens were arrested this week after one of the children, fed up with being bullied, pulled knives against the four others, police said.  Fairfield Police said a video circulating online shows the result of an "ongoing verbal harassment and bullying" campaign by four Fairfield kids against another middle school student.   Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Michael Testani said in an email that the incident involved Roger Ludlowe Middle School students and took place on Thursday night, Oct. 3.  The incident happened off of school grounds. In the video, the alle…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
'Vision Of Excellence': 3 CT Schools Earn Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award 'Vision Of Excellence': 3 CT Schools Earn Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award
'Vision Of Excellence': 3 CT Schools Earn 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Officials in Connecticut said there is no threat following a "swatting" call on Monday, Sept. 23, that claimed an armed intruder was inside an elementary school. It's part of a growing trend of hoax calls promising violence at schools.  Hartford County's Vance Elementary School in New Britain was forced to go into lockdown on Monday after a call was placed to the main office around 11 a.m., said Tony Gasper, superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain in a message to parents, per NBC Connecticut.  Related: Dozens Of Connecticut Schools Have Received Th…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
These Windham County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists These Windham County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
These Windham County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Several talented high school seniors in Connecticut have been recognized for their impressive achievements by being named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  Those who earned this title join more than 16,000 other students across the country also named as semifinalists after earning high marks on the Preliminary SAT during their junior year.  Each semifinalist must fulfill requirements to advance to the finalist level, including submitting an application including information about their academic record, school and extracurricular activities, leadership abilities, work, hon…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident' Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident'
Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident' Police are investigating after a gun was found at a Connecticut elementary school that looks similar to one used in an "incident" in 2017, authorities said.  The gun, which was rusted inside and out and inoperable, was found at Nichols Elementary School in Fairfield County in the evening, Stratford Police said.  The caked-on dirt and debris on the weapon found in Stratford led police to believe it had been there for some time. It also matches a firearm that went missing from the scene of an incident in 2017, police said.  Authorities did not say what that previous incid…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal 3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal
3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal Administrators at a Connecticut middle school are investigating after three students got sick after consuming cannabis edibles on Monday, Sept. 16. Kerri-Lynn Major, principal at Slade Middle School in New Britain, sent a letter to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that NBC Connecticut published. In it, Major says the students had a "severe reaction" to the drug but reiterated that everyone is now safe. The principal added that the students could face expulsion for the incident. (The Consolidated School District of New Britain) has strict policies against the possession, use, sale, or dist…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Interim Principal Named At School In CT New Interim Principal Named At School In CT
New Interim Principal Named At School In CT Danbury Public Schools has named a new interim principal at Westside Middle School Academy. Michael Flynn, a 28-year veteran of Danbury Public School as a teacher, administrator, and now principal, was chosen by Superintendent Dr. Kara Casimiro on Monday, Aug. 19.   According to Michael Seelig of Danbury Public Schools, Flynn attended Danbury public schools from grade three onward, graduating from Danbury High School in 1988. “I feel very fortunate and humbled to be selected for this Principalship,” said Flynn. “Westside has so many great leaders, veteran teachers, and …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County A high school in Fairfield County is welcoming the arrival of two new assistant principals.  Both Parthena Proskinitopoulos and Nicholas Torres have been appointed as the new Assistant Principals of Weston High School, district officials announced on Friday, July 19.  Proskinitopoulos and Torres will replace Juliane Givoni and Matthew Filip, who will become the Weston school district's Director of Human Resources and return to classroom teaching, respectively.  According to school officials, Proskinitopoulos already has plenty of leadership…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County With the naming of a new assistant principal, an unfamiliar face will be seen in the halls of a Fairfield County school. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced David Cheris's appointment as Parkway School's assistant principal.  Cheris will assist Principal Mary Grandville in supporting the entire Parkway community, aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students.  He replaces Matthew Cerruto, who was named assistant principal of Western Middle School at the end of the school year. “Mr.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School Students will see a different face at a Fairfield County school with the naming of a new assistant principal. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Lauren Bird as assistant principal at Cos Cob School in Greenwich, effective immediately.  Bird, who most recently served as assistant principal in Wilton, will assist Cos Cob School Principal Kerry Gavin, supporting the entire Cos Cob community and aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students, Jones said. “Mrs. Lauren Bird …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad
Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad Classes at a Connecticut school were interrupted after someone discovered what appeared to be a grenade on campus. Emergency crews in Fairfield County were called shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, June 3, after the device was found outside the Middlebrook School in Wilton, near the school’s batting cages. Wilton Police said administrators placed the campus into a “secure” mode, and several classrooms located adjacent to the area were moved to a different part of the building. Members of the Stamford Bomb Squad responded and determined that the device was hollow and non-functional. Administrator…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President The president of Long Island’s Stony Brook University has been selected to first permanent female president of Yale University. Maurie McInnis was named Yale’s 24th president in an announcement by the school. The 58-year-old cultural historian, currently serving as the president of Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, graduated from Yale with a Ph.D in art history in 1996. In the years since her graduation, McInnis has served in senior positions at the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Stony Brook University in 2020. She became a Yale trus…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year A Fairfield County principal has received two high honors: the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2024 Connecticut State Principal of the Year. The Connecticut Association of Schools selected Dr. Kristy Zaleta, the principal of Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, for both awards. Now in her 21st year with Danbury Public Schools and her sixth year as principal of Rogers Park, Zaleta has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, said officials with Danbury School. Before her current role, Zaleta was …

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by Kathy Reakes