Schools

Weston senior teams with Redding musician for concert

Arthur Lipner and Stephen Blinder will perform with Weston musicians past and present, at a concert in Weston on Friday, Feb. 9.

Weston High School senior Stephen Blinder wants to bring music to the area to unite people. “Music for me is more than a passion,” Blinder said. “In a world where we have so much conflict and division, music can unite people, it can transcend all of the boundaries that we face.” Stephen is bringing his mentor, Weston High alumnus Arthur Lipner, to the Weston High School auditorium for a concert on Friday, Feb. 9. The concert will feature Lipner performing with Weston High’s jazz ensemble, the wind ensemble and an alumni group, all at different points throughout the evening. There … Read more

Barlow debate team places at three events

Barlow students Charlotte Bridwell and Elizabeth Hayman with their debate awards at Stamford High School.

This past month at three consecutive debate events at Stamford High School, Loomis-Chaffee, and Choate Rosemary-Hall, Joel Barlow students earned awards in different debating styles, arguing about issues ranging from a universal basic income to Santa Claus. For the third time this season, a Barlow team made it to the final round of debating at Stamford High School in the Connecticut Debate Association. Elizabeth Hayman and Charlotte Bridwell were the second-place varsity team debating the merits of establishing a universal basic income. Elizabeth also earned fifth-place speaker. Every member of Barlow’s 17-member team was victorious in at least one round. … Read more

Imagine World science fair in Redding features STEM projects

The Redding Elementary School PTA is sponsoring an interactive science and art fair called Imagine a World on Saturday, Jan. 27. This year, students are also encouraged to exhibit their own STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) projects at a revived STEM Fair. “In past years, there has been a science fair at RES that students and parents loved. We decided to bring it back and hold it in conjunction with Imagine a World, said Jim McDevitt, a member of the IAW committee and co-chair of STEM Fair. The deadline for STEM Fair registration is Jan. 22. The public is invited … Read more

Weston student earns top prize in GBYO Concerto Competition

Trumpeter and Weston High School senior Jane Paknia won the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra (GBYO) 2018 Concerto Competition. The finals of the competition were performed for the public recently at the Pequot Library in partnership with Music for Youth. GBYO’s most accomplished young musicians auditioned in November to advance to the final round and vie for the chance to perform as soloist with the Principal Orchestra at GBYO’s annual Spring Concert in May. Ten students auditioned, with six competing in the final round. Each musician played one movement of a concerto for the panel of judges. Judges this year included GBYO Music … Read more

$1.8 million school budget increase proposed for Weston

Weston Schools Superintendent William McKersie is proposing an education operating budget of $51,705,609, an increase of $1,798,088, or 3.60% from the current fiscal year. McKersie made his presentation to the Board of Education at a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16. He said the main reason for the increase is “addressing the financial shortfall in special education.” Approximately $1,616,329, or 90% of the proposed budget increase for the 2018-19 fiscal year is allocated to Special Education and Pupil Services. In the current year, he said, the Weston school district faces $1,402,564 in an out-of-district tuition deficit for Special Education. He … Read more

Weston Schools Superintendent discusses goals, challenges

William McKersie

Weston’s school superintendent, Dr. William McKersie, is convinced that creating global citizens is the district’s highest priority. A global citizen is defined by the district as someone with “the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes to achieve their personal goals and contribute to society.” In September 2017, McKersie launched a web page outlining how achieving the ultimate vision of creating global citizens can be achieved. The page lists five “goals” that are designed to “cultivate empowered citizens of the global community.” The five goals are “academic excellence,” “digital learning,” “healthy learning environments,” “gauging district progress,” and “resources for learning.” “Global citizenship was … Read more

Expert gives talk at Barlow on managing stress

When faced with a feeling of stress, rather than trying to fight it, accept it, Kathy Katts, a holistic wellness counselor, said at a recent presentation at Joel Barlow High School. According to Katts, once people accept the negative feeling, they will be able to let it go and be on their way to feeling much better. The talk was hosted by the Easton-Redding Community Care Coalition, which promotes ways to reduce substance abuse and risky behaviors through prevention and education. In her talk, Katts discussed the root of anxiety and introduced how-to strategies to effectively cope with stress. While … Read more

Ways to volunteer

By Peter Houlahan, Contributing writer With every new year come new resolutions. For many, this includes a commitment to giving back to the community by volunteering one’s time and expertise to a good cause. “The town would cease to function without its volunteers,” said Redding First Selectman Julia Pemberton. “They play an enormous role in the community.” Every town offers an abundance of organizations and clubs, whatever one’s interests, skills or time constraints. Sometimes the trick is just finding them. Here is a small sample of organizations that could use your help. Additional opportunities to volunteer are provided on each of … Read more

Health official: Complications from flu caused death of New Canaan 10-year-old boy

[UPDATED 10:39 a.m JAN. 16] The cause of the death of the 10-year-old New Canaan fourth grader was flu complicated by pneumonia followed by sepsis, according to a New Canaan health official on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. A New Canaan health official reported to the Advertiser information that he received from a New York State medical examiner. “It had nothing to do with hockey,” a New Canaan health official said, responding to question about the boy’s participation in a hockey event trip to upstate New York. The boy, Nico Mallozzi, started feeling ill last Thursday, Jan. 11, a … Read more

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