After a frustrating morning, I want to share an update following today’s weather-related school closure, and explain the steps we’re taking to protect the end of the school year calendar.
Recommendations to End Student School Calendar on June 18
I will make 2 recommendations to the Board of Education, so that the student school calendar ends on June 18.
To keep the school year on track, I will recommend that the Board of Education take action at a short, 1-item meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. to:
Reduce the student calendar from 182 to 180 school days, and
Make Friday, March 20 a regular student school day, moving the scheduled professional development day to Wednesday, June 24.
If approved, this plan would allow:
Students to finish the school year on Thursday, June 18 (school is closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth.) and
No changes to April vacation (barring additional cancellations).
To make sure this adjustment is workable and does not create avoidable disruption I communicated with most bargaining unit leadership (teachers, paraprofessionals, etc.) and First Student Transportation to confirm March 20 can become a student day without complications.
Assuming the Board proceeds with the agenda as planned and approves my recommendation, I will communicate the final decision to families as soon as possible after Thursday’s meeting.
School Closure Decision Today
As an aside, I provided the following information to a media inquiry related to the decision to close today. I share this information with you in the event you are interested.
“We began with a conference call with meteorologist John Bagioni at 4:10 a.m. The guidance at this time indicated that precipitation would begin in the 10 a.m.-12 p.m. window, likely on the early side. It also indicated that the cold air mass was not showing signs of moving out of the area as quickly as originally forecasted.
“I sent a message to families last night to provide prior notice of a possible early dismissal. Given the storm’s timing in the 4:10 a.m. update, an early dismissal would be problematic since it would put buses and drivers on the road during the worst of the snow/ice (early dismissal bus runs are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m). Additionally, given the cold temperatures over the past few days, it was predicted any precipitation would freeze on contact.
“I communicated with our Department of Public Works to determine their capability to treat the roads so that buses and drivers could safely return home between 2:45 and 4:45 p.m., the window of our normal afternoon dismissal runs.
School buses are an important part of any closure decision. (Photo/Amy Schneider)
“Then the final email update came shortly after 5:30 a.m. I have pasted the part of the updated forecast from our meteorologist that led to the closure decision:
The overall atmospheric pattern has trended colder, and while much of the initial snow and sleet will likely fall at light intensities, the surge of warmer air at cloud level could allow bursts of moderate snow at times. Periods of snow and sleet will continue into the afternoon, but there should be a tendency for the snow to mix with or change to mainly freezing rain or freezing drizzle during the afternoon.
The immediate I-95 corridor may be able to nudge above freezing this afternoon, but the current cold air mass will only grudgingly moderate, and freezing or sub-freezing temperatures are expected across most of inland CT and interior eastern NY through the daytime period. And there is some support for freezing rain to continue in some areas well into the evening or early nighttime period.
MoCA\CT was packed last night, for the opening of its “Art, Jazz + the Blues” exhibition.
The sprawling show explores the intersections between visual art and 2 musical forms deeply rooted in African American traditions.
Westport artists are well represented, with many works drawing from the rich holdings of the Westport Public Art Collections. The centerpiece is “Giants of the Blues,” 7 large pieces by Eric von Schmidt depicting scores of influential artists, from the jazz, blues and folk worlds. It has hung for 20 years in auditorium lobby at Staples High School — von Schmidt’s alma mater — but at MoCA can be seen and appreciated much more grandly.
The exhibition also includes art by high school students, responding to a prompt about music in their lives and culture.
The opening reception featured remarks by von Schmidt’s daughter, and piano entertainment by Westport resident and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s original keyboardist, Mark Naftalin.
MoCA\CT executive director Robin Jaffee Frank (far left) and others involved in the “Art, Jazz + the Blues” exhibit. One of Eric von Schmidt’s 7 works hangs at the right. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Also last night: a reception honoring Bill Harmer’s 10 years as executive director of the Westport Library.
Former board of trustees chairs spoke about his work transforming the institution into Connecticut’s only 5-star library. In his remarks, Harmer praised the trustees, his staff, and the community for their collaborative work, and promised even deeper relationships in the future.
The event was held at The Visual Brand studio on Church Lane, where Harmer and other Library officials spent a great deal of time during the Library’s actual physical transformation in the late 2010s.
Bill Harmer, at his 10-year reception. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The only agenda item for next month’s meeting (March 3, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) is “to hold a public discussion to support the Town Administration in its Cribari Bridge discussions with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, with the intent to adopt a sense of the meeting resolution.”
Cohl Katz is a hair stylist and makeup artist to the stars.
Her client list runs, literally, from A (Al Green, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Arnold Schwarzenegger) to Z (Zelda Williams).
With Barbara Bush, Bob Dylan, Cal Ripken, Cindy Crawford, Ellen DeGeneres, Hillary Clinton, Hilary Swank, Jerry Seinfeld, John McEnroe, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary Tyler Moore, Mel Gibson, Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali, Nicole Kidman, Ray Charles, Robin Williams, Rod Stewart, Rosie O’Donnell, Sting and Tom Cruise in between.
Now, it can include you.
In your home.
Cohl is offering house calls throughout the area.
Haircuts, hair style, makeup, makeup lessons; for weddings, big moments, perhaps a TV appearance or speech — she’s ready for it all.
You don’t need a red carpet to welcome Cohl. Just a front door.
Text 917-848-9596 for an appointment, or more information.
Cohl Katz and a client …
… and now Cohl comes to you.
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The Staples High School Counseling Department helps students find the right college.
On March 5, they’re bringing in a big gun to help.
Higher education expert Jeff Selingo will speak on “Dream School: Finding The College That’s Right For You” (book signing 5:30 p.m., presentation 6 p.m., followed by Q-and-A).
Selingo’s previous book, “Who Gets In and Why,” explored decision-making by university admissions offices. His latest, “Dream School,” shifts the focus toward student agency. The presentation will encourage families to move beyond selectivity, and evaluate colleges through the lenses of fit, value, and long-term outcomes.
Our Public Works Department did the heavy lifting after Monday’s blizzard.
But there’s still work to be done — including 24 miles of sidewalks.
This was the scene yesterday, on Hillspoint Road.
(Photo) Tracy Porosoff)
They’re doing a great job.
But they sure wouldn’t mind if residents with shovels lent a hand outside their own homes, too.
PS: Speaking of snow removal, Billy Cohen sends great thanks to Westport Police Chief David Farrell, for making sure that mounds of snow have been removed from the main (southbound side) parking lot at the Saugatuck train station. (The Westport Police are in charge of parking lots at the Westport and Greens Farms stations.)
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Speaking of Monday’s snowfall: It kept attendance down on Tuesday, at a morning Westport Library event.
But Allan Siegert was there. And he wants “06880” readers to know what they missed. He writes:
“Can AI ever replicate the magic of human actors on a real set? That is what Westport’s own Stéphanie Szostak, who played fashion editor Jacqueline Follet opposite Meryl Streep in ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ and starred in ‘Iron Man 3’ and ‘A Million Little Things,’ asked AI entrepreneur Eline van der Velden.
“Szostak is a working actress who has lived the experience. van der Velden is trying to recreate through AI, and she wanted to know if it’s even possible.
“Szostak said the finished product may look similar, but the process is fundamentally different. On a real set, she said, it’s the happy accidents, the unplanned collaboration, and the raw human energy between actors that create the magic. She said no prompt can engineer that.
“Van der Velden pushed back, saying filming motion capture for Tilly actually feels more raw and free than a traditional set, less choreographed, more like a rehearsal room, where the focus shifts entirely to craft and energy rather than appearance.
“But Van der Velden acknowledged there will always be a place for 100% human productions — just as filmmakers still shoot on film in a digital age.”
Stephanie Szostak, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Allan Siegert)
Siegert also reports: “Enslaved people in Revolutionary War-era Connecticut faced a choice with no good answer: fight for Patriots who offered no real promise of freedom, or flee to the British side and risk being sold to the brutal Caribbean slave trade if caught.
“That stark dilemma was brought to life yesterday morning by historian Ramin Ganeshram, speaking to the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
“Ganeshram — executive director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture, and a George Washington Presidential Library Fellow, noted that enslaved people first arrived in Connecticut in 1639. Many had roots here going back 3 or 4 generations by the time the war began.”
Ramin Ganeshram, at the Y’s Men meeting. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
A celebration of the life of Jon Gailmor — the 1966 Staples High School graduate and beloved musician/educator/humanist who died November 30 — is set for May 23, from 1 to 6 p.m.
The setting is appropriate: the statehouse lawn in Montpelier, Vermont. He lived in the Green Mountain State for 40 years, and was named an official state treasure for his work with students, and his love for Vermont.
And finally … Eric von Schmidt was not just a very talented painter. He’s included in MoCA\CT’s “Art, Jazz + The Blues” exhibition as a blues and folk singer too, who made a big impact on a young Bob Dylan.
In fact, Dylan name-checks von Schmidt — and talks at length about him — on “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down,” in his debut album. Click here or below to listen.
(Another day, another Roundup, full of news, info and photos. If you like this daily dump of stuff — which takes a ton of time to produce! — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
First responders were on high alert too. They were ready for anything, and everything.
As soon as the snow stopped falling, firefighters fanned out. They began shoveling around hydrants. It’s a job residents should do — but our Fire Department makes certain it gets done.
Here’s a typical scene, from Center Street:
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Bottom line: We knew there would be a blizzard.
It came.
But thanks to our amazing Highway Department, DPW and Fire Department, we’re already back close to normal.
Our entire town’s hats are off to you, for your amazing work.
Now get some rest!
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PS: This just in from Kevin Desjardins, moments before we posted the story above:
“I’d like to nominate all the people who have taken time to plow a path (no matter how small) along the sidewalks in front of their houses.
“While residents are not obligated to do so, this act of kindness for the community is greatly appreciated, and provides temporary safe walking conditions until the DPW crews can finish clearing the sidewalks.
“It’s acts like these that make me feel like 🎶 We’re all in this together 🎶…. even if it is just my morning commute to work!”
Myrtle Avenue sidewalk. (Photo/Kevin Desjardins)
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Westport Public Schools were open on time today, after a 12-day hiatus due to a professional development day, winter break, and 2 blizzard-related cancellations.
It did not go well. A dawn snowfall made driving and walking treacherous.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice has done something rare in the school cancellation/delay/carry-on-as-usual world: He has taken ownership for the decision.
And apologized. He says:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I regret not calling for a delay, and the resulting difficulty and hardship this caused many of our families, faculty, and staff.
While I rely on professional guidance to inform these early-morning calls, the responsibility is mine.
This morning’s drive to school. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)
Some families have asked what information I had at 4 a.m., so I want to share it to give context of the decision-making, not to offer excuses. The responsibility for the call is mine.
At that time, our consulting meteorologist indicated that data suggested the likelihood of a coating to 1 inch of snow along the shoreline, which led to regular openings for all neighboring shoreline districts.
In addition, Public Works expressed a high level of confidence that roads had been heavily salted over the past several days and crews were prepared. Based on this information, I made the decision to start on time.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
In hindsight, a 2-hour delay would have been the better decision for students, staff and families. I am sorry for the difficulty this caused, particularly for those who experienced challenging travel conditions, and for the buses that missed stops or ran excessively late.
I want to thank everyone who stepped in across the district to support student arrivals and classrooms as faculty arrived. I also want to thank our buildings and maintenance teams for clearing and salting our lots, and our bus drivers for their professionalism this morning.
Thank you for your patience, your partnership, and for taking care on the roads today.
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To make sure this adjustment is workable and does not create avoidable disruption I communicated with most bargaining unit leadership (teachers, paraprofessionals, etc.) and First Student Transportation to confirm March 20 can become a student day without complications.
