Students don’t know their classmates’ names, because they seldom look up from their phones.
Those phones offer addictive dopamine rushes.
And when students go tech-free, it’s like they’re different people.
Those were some of the sentiments expressed last night, at a special Board of Education meeting. The session, at Coleytown Middle School, was held to hear residents’ thoughts on a proposed smartphone ban at Staples High.
Right now, phones are not supposed to be used during class. The proposal, from superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, could involve “pouches,” like those at Wilton High. They are locked at the beginning of the school day, and unlocked at the end.
Students handing in phones, to be locked in pouches. (Photo/Allan Jung for Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
The overwhelming majority of speakers favored some sort of ban.
And the vast majority of speakers were adults. Very few students attended.
Moderator Velma Heller — a retired teacher and administrator, and former Representative Town Meeting (RTM) moderator — began by asking attendees if they support a “bell to bell” phone-free high school.
Larry Perlstein, whose daughter is a junior, does not.
Larry Perlstein (Photo/Katherine Phelps)
“Today’s world is all about devices,” he said. “You can’t survive without it. Kids need to learn how to use it appropriately.” He would, however, support a “phased-in” ban.
But Perlstein proved to be an outlier.
Victoria Marcus has elementary age children. She also teaches high school in Bridgeport. She’s the one whose students don’t know classmates’ names, and said, “bell to bell is my time with students.”
Barrie Rosen — mother of a 7th grader — fully supports the ban, beginning next year. “We have heard from Wilton that it is beneficial,” she said. “It is time for action.”
Susanne Hall Armstrong, who has a junior at Staples, supports the ban. Her older children do too, she said, citing the potential for greater social interactions.
John Schwartz — who called phones “addictive,” with their dopamine rush — said that his daughter’s grades improved when he took her phone away.
Staples High math teacher Maggie Gomez recounted a conversation with a freshman. He looked up from a lunch table, and saw all his friends on phones.
“The ban will only do your children good,” Gomez said.
Some parents cited concerns about the proposed ban. One said that using pouches to lock phones is not a good use of teachers’ time.
Noting that teenagers often find ways around rules, he said, “My kids are going to have a device in the building. Period.”
He added, “as parents, we expect to be able to reach our kids.”
Tracey Brenner, the mother of elementary schoolers, countered, “A phone is not a safety device. It is a parental safety device.”
Nathaniel Martin, whose son is an 8th grader, urged the Board of Education to analyze the history of phone use. “We need excellent evidence as to why they should have phones,” he said.
Board of Ed members listened to all sides. They’ll render a decision later.
As the meeting ended, parents texted their spouses to say they’d be home soon.
During 3 years in Westport, Mrs. London’s has made her — er, its — mark.
The Church Lane café and bakery draws big crowds, with its pastries, coffee and more. (It also features a Champagne vending machine, though no one seems to have ever vended from it.)
Now though, it’s changing hands. With the sale of Mrs. London’s to Maman — a New York hospitality group — it will go the way of its predecessors Aux Delices, Java, Wild Pear, Chef’s Table, and probably a few more I can’t recall.
A press release says that Maman, “known for its cafés, bakeries, and event spaces, features a menu that celebrates childhood favorites from the South of France and North America.”
Mrs. London’s will retain its original brand in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Owner Max London says, “We’ve been given the opportunity to expand
nationwide with some of our key menu items, thereby broadening our reach beyond brick and mortar. So despite our success with this location, the timing just made sense.
“We have been very appreciative of Mrs. London’s success in Westport, and as local residents, we are very excited to see Maman thrive here as our successor.”
They’ve launched a community survey, covering programs, events and offerings.
It’s anonymous, open to Westporters and non-residents — and patrons, and those who have never stepped inside.
Need an extra incentive? Participants are eligible to win prizes, including 2 sets of Apple AirPods, free drinks at the Library café; Amazon gift cards; and — for students — a delivery of 10 pizzas to the Library during AP exam study times.
The survey (click here) takes 10 minutes to complete. It’s available through May 31.
Everyone’s got documents to shred. And who doesn’t want to support cancer research?
Both come together this Saturday (May 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., William Raveis Real Estate, 47 Riverside Avenue).
Raveis is sponsoring “Shred it for Cancer Research.” Your stuff will be shredded as you watch. You don’t even have to leave your car.
There’s a suggested donation of $10 per box or shopping bag, $20 for a large garbage bag (cash, check, credit card of Venmo).
100% of every donation benefits the William Raveis Charitable Fund, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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Four months after receiving notice that his contract was not being renewed, Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense will get a hearing.
The Board of Education meets next Monday (May 12, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium) to hear the appeal.
Well, they will be on Friday (May 9, 6 p.m.). The building is VFW Post 399 (465 Riverside Avenue).
At least, their music will be there. Tickets for the dinner (and classic hits) are $40. Click here to purchase. For more information, call 302-312-3774.
One more sign of summer: The Wakeman Town Farm farm stand opens June 14.
It will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features fresh produce, honey, artisanal baked goods, extra virgin olive oils and gourmet balsamic vinegars, Chaga mushroom elixirs and salsas — plus fresh cut flower bouquets and WTF logowear.
Visitors can also walk through the gardens, say hi to the animals, and chat with the farmers.
Meanwhile, Wakeman Town Farm is looking for volunteers (ages 16+) to prepare and plant gardens (Wednesdays and Fridays, 2 to 4:30 p.m.). Email info@wakemantownfarm.org.
Lots o’ stuff, at the Wakeman Town Farm stand.
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Staples High School’s May Students of the Month are senior Rachel Pontoriero, juniors Isabel Alfageme and Isabel Jo, sophomore Damein Potter, and freshmen Dylan Robbin and Sofia Urrea.
Nominated by teachers, they “help make Staples High School a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community — the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together.”
From left: Isabel Alfageme, Rachel Pontoriero, Isabel Jo, Dylan Robbin, Damein Potter. Not pictured: Sofia Urrea.
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Westport artist Steven Parton just completed an intriguing, throwback beach series of paintings.
This one will be part of New York’s Salmagundi Club Summer Invitational Exhibition, from May 20 through June 6.
Steve will see you there. Or at Compo.
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Play ball!
Westport Little League Softball welcomes 130 players grades pre-K through 8th — and their families — to opening day Saturday, at Meyer Field.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker threw a strike, for the ceremonial first pitch.
(Photo/Fairfield County Sports Photography)
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Speaking of sports: TOPSoccer — a national program for youngsters with disabilities — kicked off Saturday.
The partnership between the Westport Soccer Association and Weston Soccer Club drew a great crowd.
But there’s room for more players — and more volunteer buddies.
Sessions run the next 4 Saturdays, plus a rainout makeup date TBA; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Morehouse Farm Park in Weston.
To register as a player — or volunteer — click here.
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JazzFC’s “PianoFest” — this month’s feature at Jazz at the Post — cotninues with a repeat performance by David Berkman.
He’ll be joined by saxophonists Billy Drewes and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, bassist Jakob Dryer and drummer Quinton Cain.
It’s this Thursday (May 8) at VFW Post 399. Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner begins at 7. Tickets are $20; $15 for veterans and students. Click here to purchase.
The longtime Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce board member earned President’s Sales Leadership Club status for her regional work with Welcome Wagon. She was also named 2025 Local Business Person of the Year in Westport by Alignable, a national business networking platform.
And finally … in honor of Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond’s “appearances” at the VFW this Friday (story above):
(Viva Westport! If you enjoy this hyper-local blog: We’re glad. But don’t forget: We rely on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
There’s no better time to ride to school, work or the train station. It’s not too hot or cold. The foliage is fantastic. What’s not to like?
Well, in Westport: a lack of bike lanes. Inconsistent maintenance of the ones that do exist. And everywhere: dangerous, distracted and difficult drivers.
Bike Westport thinks we can do better.
Bike Westport executive director Markus Marty (right) makes the mornng commute to Kings Highway Elementary School and Earthplace Preschool with Miles (6 years old) and Ellis (4). Selma (19 months) rides with her dad.
The non-profit organization is not a “bike club.” They don’t sponsor rides (beyond organizing elementary school get-to-class efforts).
They’re an advocacy group. Their mission is to build a community of people who want more, safer and better biking; work with town and state governments on infrastructure improvements connecting schools, downtown, beaches and the train stations; and educate riders and drivers on safe practices and laws.
And though their name says “Bike,” they want to make Westport better for all: riders, pedestrians and drivers.
Bike Westport director Jenna Petok crosses Post Road West with her son Elis (5), on their way to Kings Highway Elementary. The organization advocates for safety for pedestrians and drivers, as well as bikers.
In the 2 years since it was founded, Bike Westport has shed its training wheels. It’s not racing in the Tour de France yet — but that’s not the goal.
Founder and executive director Markus Marty, and director of strategy and community engagement Jenna Petok just want Westport to be more bikeable. And more friendly to bikers.
Their definition of “bikers” includes all ages and all abilities, all over town.
Markus has young children. The local school is Kings Highway Elementary — reachable (though not yet easily) by bike from their Stony Point home. Petok’s kids are there too.
Recently, KHS 5th graders drew maps of possible bike paths. They also wrote letters to 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Department of Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich.
Kings Highway 5th graders suggested bike paths to their school, and loops to downtown, the beaches and other sites.
Bike Westport has met with both leaders. Markus and Jenna have also sat with other elected officials, and transit advocates in Westport, Fairfield and Norwalk.
With local elections ahead for first selectperson, and various commissions and the RTM, the advocates hope to make biking a campaign topic. They’d like to hear candidates’ positions — and learn how they’d follow through.
Markus has no patience for people who say — of nearly every major thoroughfare in Westport — “It’s a state road. We can’t do anything about it.”
“The state will react, if the town requests something,” he says. “But it needs to be a priority in Town Hall.”
Markus and Jenna note that the town’s Safety Action Plan is completed. Now is the time to apply for grants, to turn the document into reality.
Bike Westport is focusing town-wide, but also targeting specific areas for attention. What good is biking to the train, they ask, if there is nowhere convenient to store your bike? (The current racks are in an out-of-the-way, nearly inaccessible location.)
They’re also working with the Parks & Recreation Department, to identify a site for a bike rack at Compo Beach
To celebrate Bike Month, Bike Westport will participate in the May 24 Parks & Rec “Celebrate Summer” event at Compo Beach. They’ll offer tuneups and repairs, and a “bike rodeo” obstacle course.
On May 27, the group will join — on bikes, of course — the Memorial Day parade.
Safe biking in Westport “is too important not to have a town committee working on it,” Markus says, “we’ve been working with advocates and RTM members on a committee that addresses biking, walking and mass transit solutions.”
(Bike Westport is eager to work with anyone who can help: residents and town officials; regular bike riders, and those too fearful to take to the roads. They’re looking for volunteer help in marketing and communications, plus a community events manager and webmaster. They also hope to hire a part-time advocacy consultant. Click here for job descriptions. If interested, email info@bikewestport.org, or call (203) 293-0093. For more info on Bike Westport, click here.)
(“06880” reports often on Westport’s transportation issues — roads, rails, water, whatever. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
A 5th grader asked this question. The answer, Bike Westport hopes, is: yes.
Jeremy Schaap is one of ESPN’s longest tenured and most respected journalists.
He began with the network in 1994 — just 6 years after graduating from Staples High School. He hosts “e60,” “Outside the Lines,” “The Sports Reporters” and other shows.
Jeremy has covered the Olympics, World Cup, Tour de France, World Series, Super Bowl, US OPen golf and tennis, men’s and women’s Final Fours, New York Marathon, Daytona 500, NBA finals, Kentucky Derby, and … chess boxing.
Among his awards: 14 Emmys, a Peabody, 2 Edward R. Murrows, and ESPN’s first-ever Robert F. Kennedy Award for human rights and justice reporting. He earned that for revealing the conditions of migrant laborers in Qatar before the 2022 World Cup.
I could go on and on. But I won’t.
Instead, click below to see our very revealing chat on “06880: The Podcast.” Like Jeremy Schaap, it’s a winner.
Students design an app using any programming language on any platform, with no limits on topic or function. Winners from each congressional district have their apps featured online — and in the US Capitol.
And the winners this year for Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District are … Rohan Sareen and Sahil Vora.
The Staples High School sophomores’ app — “Neighborly Impact” — was selected by Representative Jim Himes, for its innovation, design and real-worldl impact.
The app allows neighbors to connect, and get items, medicine, and services.
Rohan and Sahil — the first Staples students to win the contest — are finalizing several safety features. It will then be released to the public.
Himes honored the enterprising pair last month in Washington, at the #HouseofCode ceremony.
Sahil Vora, Rohan Sareen and Congressman Jim Himes, in Washington.
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Saturday was “Clean Up Westport Day.”
To celebrate, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399, and the VFW Auxiliary, picked up litter and beautified nearby Riverside Avenue.
“Our members are proud to give back to Westport,” says VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado. “Events like this allow us to stay connected to the town, and each other.”
Cleaning up at the VFW (from left): Bob Rogers, Janice Veno, Frank Veno, Steve Jenkins, Buyile Rani, Betsy Shoupm Phil Delgado. Photo/ Patty Kondub)
On the other side of the river, the Democratic Women of Westport (and one Democratic Man) cleaned up Grace Salmon Park.
Rear, from left: Nancy Axthelm, Tracy Porosoff, Allyson Stollenwerck, Becky Martin, Abby Tolan. Front: Sal Liccione. Not pictured: Candace Banks, Jessica Hill, Joan Gillman.
Speaking of clean-ups: Josh Berkowsky wants to organize another one.
He and the Saugatuck Congregational Church usually help out at Riverside Park. However, there’s a (good) problem: It’s improved dramatically over the past few years. There’s considereably less trash there. (Thanks, Parks & Rec Department!)
Josh has been checking out new spots. But he doesn’t know every place in Westport. So he asked “06880” to help find “trash-covered waterways or shorelines.”
If you know of one for Josh, the Church (and others — maybe you?) to tackle, email jberkowsky1@gmail.com. Put “Trash” in the subject line.
Speaking of the environment: Bike Westport sends along news of the Drive-Less Challenge.
Sponsored by CTRides, the event promotes alternatives to driving. There are more than most people realize: train, bus, scooter, carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, telecommute.
And, in Westport, Wheels2U.
For every 17 car trips eliminated, CTRides will plant 1 tree.
Need an incentive beyond helping the environment? Just download the “CTRides” app, or click here. Record your non-car trips, from now through May 31.
For every 1+ trips, you’re eligible to win 1 of 10 $25 gift cards. For 20 or more trips, you can win 1 of 4 $100 cards. For 30+ trips, you can win 1 of 2 $250 gift cards — and for 50 or more trips, you’re eligible for a $500 card.
As of yesterday, CTRides recorded 9,518 car trips eliminated; 149,953 miles, $104,967 and 6,606 gallons of gas saved. So far too, 559 trees will be planted.
Speaking of the beach: It’s not too early to think about the fireworks.
And to worry about them.
Alert reader Sunil Hirani sent a news article about President Trump’s tariffs. It notes that over 90% of fireworks used in the US are imported — and 95% of those imports come from China.
“06880” reached out to Corporal Craig Bergamo, president of the Independence Day’s longtime sponsor, Westport PAL.
He replied quickly. He’s checked with his fireworks guy, who says everything is okay.
Party on!
(Photo/Elissa Moses)
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Over 225 people enjoyed the next best thing to Creedence Clearwater Revival Saturday night, at the Westport Library.
Green River — the CCR/John Fogerty tribute band — rocked all their hits.
It was part of “Supper & Soul,” the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s ongoing series that combines dinner at one of 11 restaurants, a concert, and after-party drinks.
Next up for the Chamber: the much-loved Dog Festival, May 18 at Winslow Park.
Green River, at Supper & Soul. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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For a cemetery, there’s a lot of life at Willowbrook.
JC Martin offers today’s lively “Westport … Naturally” shot, of a mallard in the water just off Main Street:
(Another Monday, another week of “06880” Roundups. They’re informative and fun … but they don’t just fall from the sky. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Board of Education spent half an hour discussing Staples High School’s Block “S” honors last week.
In the end, they made vague promises to to search for a solution to resolve the 70-year-old tradition of providing handsome metal awards to 2 members of each varsity team.
The other day, board member Robert Harrington posted an “Opinion” piece on “06880,” explaining his concerns over the handling of the controversy.
Traditional Block “S” …
But it turns out a solution had been offered weeks earlier.
Chris O’Dell — owner of a local design/build firm, former Block “S” winner for baseball, and 20-year Staples soccer coach — told athletic director VJ Sarullo that he is willing to procure manufacturing, pay for and deliver Block “S”s, for all 40 boys and girls varsity teams.
O’Dell cares deeply about Staples, and the Block “S.”
A 1995 graduate who lettered in soccer, basketball, baseball and track; a soccer (state champion) and baseball captain, he built 2 soccer kickboard sheds, and the baseball trophy case.
His firm, the O’Dell Group, employs 3 Staples grads as project managers. He has hired dozens of Staples interns over the years.
… and the plaque that replaced it.
One of the reasons offered for the discontinuation of the awards was cost. The other was sourcing. O’Dell is ready to handle both.
He contacted Sarullo in March, as soon as he read on “06880” that the Block “S” tradition was in jeopardy.
Sarullo said he would be in touch soon.
“Over a dozen people have already reached out to me, offering to contribute,” O’Dell says. “I’ll get to work on it as soon as I am given the go ahead.
“There is no reason we should not be taken up on our offer to help keep this tradition alive. There would be no cost, and no headache to the school or administrators.”
Problem solved? Stay tuned.
*Full disclosure: I coached Chris O’Dell, then hired him and worked closely with him for 2 decades while I was Staples soccer head coach.
One of the great fears of the rapidly dwindling number of Holocaust survivors is that it will be forgotten.
The horrors of the 1930s and ’40s, the evil that can be done when no one stands up, the lessons learned — all may be lost in just a couple of generations.
Dylan Robbin is 3 generations removed from Nazi Germany. But he is making sure that no one will forget.
Dylan Robbin
Dylan is a typical Staples High School freshman. He plays football, and is part of Inklings, WWPT-FM and the Service League of Boys.
Two years ago, Dylan was preparing for his bar mitzvah. A key part of the coming-of-age rite is a project demonstrating commitment to Jewish values.
Dylan had had heard stories of his family’s personal history in the Holocaust. In some ways, it was similar to millions of others: His paternal great-grandfather, a cardiologist named Samek “Samuel” Rubinstein from Krakow, Poland, was targeted by the Nazis.
In another way though, it was special. Dr. Rubinstein was Oskar Schindler’s physician.
The German industrialist — a member of the Nazi party — saved the lives of 1,200 Jews, by hiring them for his enamelware and munitions factories in occupied Poland.
Dylan’s great-grandfather worked there, treating Schindler and his employees
Dr. Rubenstein’s Krakow ghetto ID card.
But that’s not all.
In 1944, as the Russians closed in on the Eastern Front, Dr. Rubinstein and many of Schindler’s employees were transported to Auschwitz and Mauthausen.
While at the Mauthausen concentration camp — where he helped treat prisoners — Dr. Rubinstein met Simon Wiesenthal. After surviving 4 camps and a death march, Wiesenthal dedicated his life to tracking down Nazi war criminals. The Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles is named in his honor.
Yet there may have been no center — and no convictions of Adolf Eichmann, and many other Nazis — if not for Dr. Rubinstein.
At Mauthausen, as Wiesenthal shrank to just 80 pounds, the doctor kept his spirits up.
Simon Wiesenthal (left) and Dylan Robbin’s grandfather reunited after the Holocaust.
In gratitude, Wiesenthal gave him several drawings. Years later while cleaning out his apartment, Dylan’s grandfather found them. The family donated them to the United States Holocaust Musuem in Washington.
A drawing by Simon Wiesenthal, given to Dr. Rubinstein. It is now housed at the United States Holocaust Memory.
Though his great-grandfather was not on Schindler’s list of Jews he saved — memorialized in the 1982 book “Schindler’s Ark” and 1993 movie “Schindler’s List” — Dylan realized that his ancestor’s story needed to be told.
He began researching it. The more he learned — including watching “Schindler’s List” — the more fascinated he became.
There was, for example, the story of Sam Soldinger. He survived Mauthausen — and 6 other concentration camps — and knew Dr. Rubinstein.
Dylan discovered that Sam’s story is told in a museum exhibit in Chandler, Arizona, and that Sam’s daughter Laura wrote a book called “Death & Diamonds: A Holocaust Survivor’s Inspiring Journey of Survival, Faith, Hope, Luck and the American Dream.”
Amazingly, Laura lived just 30 miles from Dylan’s grandparents in Arizona. The 2 families had an emotional visit, sharing stories about their relatives, Schindler, and the journeys their families have taken.
Laura told Dylan’s grandfather, Mark Robbin, “I would not be alive if were not for your father.”
“That’s a story that needs to be shared,” Dylan says.
He has many other stories. And — beyond his bar mitzvah project — the teenager wants to share them with as many people as he can.
One way is through the video he made 2 years ago. (Click here to see.)
“There’s so much antisemitism today,” he says. “There were swastikas in Weston and Wilton. It may never go away. But if people in Westport and the US hear personal stories, it could help.
“I want to get this out. People need to realize the Holocaust was a real thing. It was awful. It was inhumane. This needs to be told. I haven’t done enough of that yet.”
Dylan Robbin, at his 2023 bar mitzvah.
While at Bedford Middle School last year, Dylan’s language arts class read “Night,” by Elie Wiesel. Dylan mentioned his project to his teacher, Alison Antunovich, who suggested he present it to the class.
This year, the BMS Culture Club watched the video.
“People my age know what the Holocaust was. But they don’t understand it,” Dylan notes.
“Personal stories can convey the reality of it. We need this now, more than ever.”
Dylan’s family’s story is certainly personal. After being freed from Mauthausen, and making his way to the US, Dr. Rubinstein changed his name. Samek “Samuel” Rubinstein became Dr. Stanly Robbin.
He had a successful career in this country. In addition to medicine, he founded and chaired the Long Island Holocaust Memorial Commission. He designed the Long Beach Holocaust Memorial Monument in Nassau County. Dedicated in 1987, it received international recognition, and was the subject of an Austrian Broadcasting Corporation documentary.
Long Beach Holocaust Memorial, designed by Dr. Stanley Robbin.
Dr. Robbin’s great-grandson Dylan Robbin now lives comfortably in Westport.
But he will never forget.
And he is doing his best to make sure that no one else does, either.
(Dr. Rubinstein’s stories — and many others — are told in “Schindler’s Legacy.” Dylan used the 1995 book as oart of his research.
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Some parents cited concerns about the proposed ban. One said that using pouches to lock phones is not a good use of teachers’ time.
Bike Westport is focusing town-wide, but also targeting specific areas for attention. What good is biking to the train, they ask, if there is nowhere convenient to store your bike? (The current racks are in an out-of-the-way, nearly inaccessible location.)
Dylan discovered that Sam’s story is told in a museum exhibit in Chandler, Arizona, and that Sam’s daughter Laura 
