Tag Archives: Coleytown Elementary School

Suspect Arrested In Coleytown Bomb Threat

Westport Police have arrested a 29-year-old Southbury man, in connection with a November threat against Coleytown Elementary School. 

On November 3, at 7:34 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a text to 911, saying, “I’ll blow up Coleytown Elementary School.”

The school day was delayed 2 hours. Buses were rerouted to Coleytown Middle School, and people in the building were evacuated to CMS. Everyone in the middle school was advised to shelter in place.

Westport, Fairfield and Norwalk Police Department explosive detection canine units, along with the Stamford Police Department’s Bomb Squad, conducted a systematic search of the premises.

An extensive search yielded no explosives.

Coleytown Elementary School (foreground); Coleytown Middle School (rear). (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)

The cell phone from where the message originated was traced. It was found on the man, who was located by officers a short distance from the school  while the search was ongoing.

He initially claimed that his phone had been hacked. Further investigation, including a forensic examination of the device, interviews with the suspect and coordination with other agencies investigating similar incidents, tied the allegation to the man.

An arrest warrant was sought and granted. He was charged with threatening, falsely reporting an incident, misuse of 911, computer crime in furtherance of terroristic purposes, and breach of peace.

He was unable to post $100,000 bond, and was arraigned today.

Roundup: Pete Ratkiewich, Board of Ed, Israeli Hostages …

Peter Ratkiewich — longtime director of Westport’s Public Works Department — will retire on August 31.

First Selectman Kevin Christie says, “It is with regret that I accept Pete’s retirement letter.

“The town of Westport has been extremely fortunate to benefit from his expertise and knowledge for more than 36 years.

“Under his leadership, and among many other accomplishments, the town has maintained and improved its infrastructure, roadways, engineering capabilities, and equipment; strengthened coordination with public utilities and the state of Connecticut; and successfully managed numerous emergency response efforts during major storms impacting our community.”

Ratkiewich began working with and for the town in 1989. Hired as deputy town engineer, he was promoted to town engineer in 2008.

In that capacity he supervised the Engineering Department, and oversaw the design and administration of municipal infrastructure projects, including sanitary sewers, storm drains, refuse and recycling facilities, highway maintenance, parking lots, and roadway and intersection improvements.

Christie said, “Pete has led the Public Works Department with exceptional care and precision. He approaches every challenge with consideration, humor, and a thoughtful awareness of budgetary constraints — always with the best interests of the town in mind.

“Public safety, along with the well-being of his employees, residents, business owners, and visitors, has always been his top priority.”

He graduated from Northeastern University, with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. The search for a successor will begin soon.

Pete Ratkiewich (Photo/Dan Woog)

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On the agenda for this Thursday’s Board of Education meeting (February 5, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria; click here for livestream):

  • Screen time survey
  • Formation of a building committee for Coleytown Elementary School
  • Approval of proposed budget.

Coleytown Elementary School.

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Congressman Jim Himes reminds “06880” readers that Access Health has begun a special open enrollment period, for people who qualify for state financial support. This replaces the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which expired at the end of 2025.

Eligibility requirements can be found here. Questions? Call Himes’ office: 203- 333-6600.

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Liz Hirsh Naftali’s 3-year-old niece, Abigail Mor Edan, was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023 — after she watched them murder her parents.

Abigail spent 51 terrifying days in captivity. Liz was her tireless advocate, speaking with world leaders and sharing her family’s story.

On February 10 (7 p.m., The Community Synagogue), Naftali will talk about her memoir, “Saving Abigail” — a testament to resilience, courage and hope in the face of tragedy.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required (click here).

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Adam Kaplan did not go to Coleytown Middle School — he’s a Bedford grad.

But the 2008 Staples High alum was on stage yesterday at Coleytown. He brought along 3 castmates (and longtime friends) from the original “Newsies” on Broadway — plus a 3-man band.

The result was a high-energy, rousing benefit for Coleytown Company. Ben Frimmer’s middle school troupe presents “Newsies” of course next month.

Adam and his fellow performers gave many shout-outs to the importance of arts in the schools — and Westport’s support of it.

To show your own support, click here more information on “Newsies,” Coleytown-style. Tickets will be on sale soon at this link.

Adam Kaplan (far right) with (from left) Andrew Keenan Bolger, Liana Hunt and Ben Frankhauser, at Coleytown Middle School yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Ben Frimmer)

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Speaking of CMS and BMS: Congratulations to Westport’s Middle School Squash Club!

One of just a few of 59 clubs to field 3 strong teams at this past weekend’s US Middle School Team Squash Championships in Philadelphia, they had great success.

Team A finished 5th in the nation — the highest for any public school — while Team B won the Division III title.

Club members representing Westport were Theo Abrams, Luke Amitin, Xuanhao (Hardy) Chao, James D’Angelo, Alex Jiang, Liev Katz, Theo Keefe, Matthew Lyle, Oscar Quintner, Ilina Rangaraj, Zach Smith, Logan Warnke, Jonathan Whee, Olivia Whee, Len Xie, and Orson Xie. Parent managers were Amber Warnke, Aaron Amitin, Gali Katz and Tim Whee, with club advisor Ella Ye and advisor emeritus TJ Sheridan.

The Westport Club is coached by Mohsin Khan, of Intensity Fitness.

For more information, contact msinfo@westportsquash.org.

Team A (from left): Jonathan Whee, Zach Smith, Theo Keefe, Len Xie, Luke Amitin.

Team B (from left): Ilina Rangaraj, Liev Katz, Logan Warnke, Alex Jiang, Xuanhao (Hardy) Chao.

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Baby, it’s cold outside!.

But at VFW Post 399, Thursdays mean hot jazz.

This week (February 5; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7) features Jen Allen. The pianist/composer has performed all over the world. She’s joined by 2 longtime associates: bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Jonathan Barber. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Longtime St. Luke Church organist Leon Bernard died January 29 at Hartford Hospital. He was 86.

The New Rochelle, New York native graduated from Staples High School. He then served proudly in the Army, stationed in Alaska and California.

A church organist for over 60 years at St. Luke in Westport, he had a strong interest in music, and all things trains, engines, locomotives and railroads. He also liked gardening, and visits for over 40 years to the Trapp Family Lodge and Resort in Vermont.

In his later years he enjoyed NFL football, the University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball, and broadcast mysteries. He was president of 2 condominium associations.

He his survived by his close friends Rev. Kumar, St. Luke pastor, and Richard Fitol, Mark Prisloe and Natasha Morant; many St. Luke parishioners, neighbors, and work-related associates, including real estate development at T&M Building, and piano and commercial sales.

Calling hours at the Harding Funeral Home are this Friday (February 6, 4 to 7 p.m.). A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (February 7, St. Luke Church). Interment will follow immediately at Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Church.

Leon Bernard

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Our “Westport … Naturally” photos are all about the features and creatures that make our town “naturally” beautiful, and interesting.

Occasionally, a human being or 2 add to the mix.

Andrew Colabella captured this frigid scene, at Gray’s Creek:

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … on this date in 1961, the US Air Force began Operation Looking Glass. For the next 30 years, a “Doomsday Plane” was always in the air. It could take direct control of American bombers and missiles, if Strategic Air Command headquarters was destroyed.

(Barry McGuire’s song is timeless — and “06880” is always timely. Please click here, to help support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

Scarice: Follow Up Info On Coleytown Incident

A few minutes ago, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this message to Westport Public Schools parents and guardians:

As we conclude the day, I want to provide a brief follow-up to my earlier message regarding this morning’s reported threat to Coleytown Elementary School.

As shared earlier, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message reporting a bomb threat to CES. Shortly thereafter, the Westport Police Department contacted district administration, and our established safety protocols were immediately implemented, no small task during the height of morning transportation.

By 8:15 a.m., families were notified of a 2-hour delayed start while the WPD, joined by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and explosive detection K9 unit, conducted a comprehensive search of the building.

During this time, staff and students already on site were safely relocated to Coleytown Middle School, and CES buses en route were redirected to the same location.

Coleytown Elementary School. Rear: Coleytown Middle School.

At that point in time, CMS students were already en route to CMS or on campus. As a result, CMS was placed in a brief shelter-in-place as a precaution.

By 9:10 a.m., the WPD and their Stamford partners cleared the building, confirming that no explosive devices were found. CES was deemed safe, CES students returned later that morning between 10:45 and 11 a.m., and the CMS shelter-in-place was lifted.

Today’s tightly coordinated response resulted in a resolution of the incident in less than 90 minutes, while engaging 3 regional police departments (Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield, along with the Stamford Police Bomb Squad).

We were also supported on-site by Deputy Chiefs Ryan Paulsson and Dave Wolf of the Westport Police Department. Their professionalism and collaboration were exemplary and deeply appreciated.

Following the all-clear, both Coleytown Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools convened their crisis response teams to review the morning’s events. Later, each school gathered their full faculties to debrief and reflect on the effectiveness of our response and the well-being of students and staff.

At CMS, Principal Janna Sirowich provided clear and compassionate communication throughout the morning.

At 8:25 a.m., she addressed all students and staff in the cafeteria and auditorium, explaining that while a threat had been made to CES, police determined it was not credible and that these actions were being taken as a precaution.  She reassured everyone that the shelter-in-place was precautionary, encouraged calm, and asked students to refrain from using cell phones and Chromebooks.

She made a follow-up intercom announcement later thanking students and staff for their cooperation and composure, and confirming that the shelter-in-place had been lifted and normal routines could resume. She also reminded students that support was available for anyone feeling uneasy.

As I shared this morning, while any such threat is deeply unsettling, today’s events once again demonstrated the strength of our safety protocols, the professionalism of our law enforcement partners, and the calm leadership of our building administrators, the professionalism of our staff and the maturity of our students.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our district and school leaders, the Westport Police Department, and our regional law enforcement partners for their coordinated and effective response. Most of all, I want to thank our students and families for their patience, trust, and support throughout the day.

Scarice: Update On Coleytown Elementary Incident

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice offers this update on today’s incident, involving a reported threat at Coleytown Elementary  School:

At approximately 7:45 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message reporting a bomb threat to Coleytown Elementary School.

Shortly thereafter, the Westport Police Department contacted district administration. We immediately implemented our established safety protocols, which is particularly challenging during morning transportation runs.

By 8:15 a.m., a message was sent to Coleytown Elementary families notifying them of a 2-hour delayed start while the WPD, supported by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and their explosive detection K9 unit, conducted a search of the building.

During this time, staff and students who were already on site were safely relocated to Coleytown Middle School, in addition to any buses in route.  As a precaution, Coleytown Middle School was briefly placed under a shelter-in-place directive while the investigation was underway.

By 9:10 a.m., the WPD and their Stamford partners cleared the building, confirming that no explosive devices were found. Coleytown Elementary was deemed safe, and normal operations will resume, with students expected to arrive between 10:45 and 11:00 a.m. The CMS shelter-in-place was lifted.

The incident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau.

I want to express my deep appreciation for the professionalism and swift coordination of the WPD, the leadership of our building administrators, and the dedication of our faculty and support staff, whose actions ensured the safety of everyone involved.

I also want to commend our students, who responded calmly, respectfully, and with great maturity, reflecting the care and preparedness that define our school community.

While deeply troubling, our prior experiences, such as previous “swatting” incidents, have made us well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively, as was demonstrated this morning.

While any such threat is unsettling, today’s events clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of our emergency response protocols, the strength of our partnership with the WPD, and the remarkable composure of our staff, students, and building administrators.

Thank you for your continued trust, cooperation, and support.

Coleytown El Delayed By “Non-Credible” Threat; Students Shelter In Place At CMS

Coleytown Elementary School is operating on a  2-hour delay today, and Stepping Stones Preschool is closed, following a threat made concerning CES.

Students at nearby Coleytown Middle School were sheltering in place, in areas like the auditorium and cafeteria.

School officials told parents that while they do not believe the threat is credible, they are conducting a thorough review of CES. Students en route to Coleytown El were delivered to Coleytown Middle, where staff received and took care of them.

Coleytown Elementary School; in the background is Coleytown Middle School.

Meet Safiya Kay: Coleytown El’s New Principal

Coleytown Elementary School has a new principal: Safiya Key.

Her appointment comes after a rigorous search process, involving multiple rounds of interviews with the school staff, parents, administrators and the Board of Education.

Key has had extensive leadership experiences in the Greenwich Public Schools, including assistant principal at Riverside School. She previously served in leadership roles as a speech and language pathologist, including nearly 20 years with the Norwalk Public Schools.

Safiya Key

She currently serves as an assistant principal at the International School at Dundee, a magnet school in Greenwich that follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Before Greenwich, Key was a public affairs coordinator with Nickelodeon. She enjoyed the work, but it sparked her desire to become an educator who can have a direct impact supporting student needs.

Key earned a bachelor of science degree in speech communication from Syracuse University, and a master’s of science in communication disorders from Southern
Connecticut State University.

She studied leadership at the University of Bridgeport.

One colleague noted, “In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Key is a collaborative and compassionate team member who consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues, students and families.”

Another said, “Any school or district would be lucky to have her as part of their team.”

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice added, “Safiya brings a strong record of experienced leadership. I have complete confidence that Safiya is the perfect leader to build on the years of success students and families have experienced at Coleytown Elementary School.”

Roundup: OKA, Young Shoots, Safe Guns …

For decades, Klein’s Department Store was a fixture at 44 Main Street.

Banana Republic lasted a couple of decades.

OKA didn’t even make their 2nd anniversary.

The British furniture and home accessories retailer moved in right before Christmas in 2022. It was their 3rd US store. And, they proudly proclaimed, “our flagship.”

Now they’re gone.

“Greenoaks42” posted on Reddit yesterday:

They charged me of +$700USD months ago for a lamp they never sent. Now they filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Their website is gone. Phones disconnected. But they have the audacity to continue posting on social media.

They told me to wait for their bankruptcy rep to contact me about a refund “in due course.” Good riddance to unethical companies. I’m glad they’re gone from Westport.

Their website is non-functioning too.

“06880” could not contact anyone at OKA for information. Instead, we’ll offer this look back at their opening in Westport, less than 2 short years ago:

(Hat tip: Jonathan Alloy)

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Calling all student photographers!

The Westport Farmers’ Market’s Young Shoots Photography Contest, for students ages 5 to 18, begins Thursday.

The 8th annual event runs through August 3. Children and teenagers can demonstrate their love for local food — and their creative photo talents — to win cash prizes in 3 age categories, plus a chance to attend an art class at MoCA CT.

All photos must be taken at the Westport Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot). It’s an amazing place, filled with food, plants, food trucks, entertainers, the farmers themselves, shoppers — everything a young photographer could hope to shoot.

Local artists will judge. Age groups are 5-9, 10-14 and 15-18. An exhibit at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center will showcase the winners.

The contest is sponsored by the Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.

Click here for rules, registration and more information.

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Calling all runners!

Fleet Feet will once again sponsor the Westport Summer Series Races.

The weekly events — now in their 62nd year — are held Saturday mornings, at various locations. The first race (June 29) is 2.3 miles. They get longer each week. The final is 10 miles, on Labor Day weekend.

Click here to register, and for more information.

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Speaking of sports: Steve Haberstroh teed off at 5 a.m. yesterday, at Great River Golf Club in Milford.

The former member of Staples’ 1997 state champion golf team played 100 holes — an astonishing 5 1/2 rounds — to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.

He was honoring his mother, Patty Haberstroh, Westport’s beloved Human Services Department social worker who died of the disease last year.

Dan Orlovsky — a Westport resident, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback — played a few holes too. Today he’s in the Travelers ProAm. Not too shabby!

The ALS event included a reception, and live and silent auctions.

 Patty Habestroh

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The town may soon put the “play” in playground.

On June 24 (6 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will review a request to expand 2 existing play areas at Coleytown Elementary School.

It includes a 665 square foot expansion of the existing southern area with a new carousel, and a 1,050 square foot expansion of the western area with a swing.

Funds will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Coleytown Elementary School, with existing play areas. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)

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Congressman Jim Himes is a regular guest at Westport Rotary Club meetings.

Yesterday, he spoke mostly about the domestic environment. He said the main issue in the US today is the impact of social media, and the anger and rage between Americans with opposing views.

Himes said, “I don’t want my grandkids living as if we’re a third world country, where people are always fighting or verbally attacking one another.”  In the long term, he said, we “risk losing our self-confidence.”

He is deeply skeptical about how Americans seek their news sources. “With 500 channels anyone can tailor their own instincts about what news sources they select….If you elect someone bombastic, for instance, that’s the kind of government you’re really asking for.”

As for the Supreme Court, Himes favors 18-year term limits for justices.

Rep. Jim Himes (left) and Rotarian/RTM moderator Jeff Wieser, at yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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Five years ago this month, Governor Lamont signed Ethan’s Law. It requires gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms — is named for a Guilford teenager killed by an unsecured weapon.

Staples High School students Aidan Lapatine and Logan Noorily mark the anniversary by bringing it to Westport’s attention.

In a letter last week to parents, signed by Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice and Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Aidan Lapatine and Logan Noorily — co-presidents of Staples Students Demand Action — highlighted the safe-gun legislation. awareness about local and national gun storage laws.

The students’ next steps include sharing the message with nearby towns.

“Members of SDA are committed to preventing gun violence,” Aidan says.

“Our safe storage campaign aims to educate parents and students on the risks associated with unsecured firearms. Over 75% of firearms used in youth suicide attempts and unintentional injuries originate from the residences of the victim, a relative or friend.”

Logan adds, “As students deeply concerned about school safety, we believe that impactful change can begin on a local level. Promoting safe storage is simply common sense.”

In addition, the Staples SDA is distributing gun locks, and engaging in grassroots lobbying to encourage lawmakers to support legislation to expand secure storage or child-access prevention laws beyond the 26 states that currently have laws or practices in place. Social studies teacher Cathy Schager is the club advisor.

For more information on firearm safety, click here.

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This flag flies outside Riverside Barber Shop, where Treadwell/Riverside/ Saugatuck Avenue intersection.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

It’s clever.

And also probably very illegal.

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The Saugatuck Rowing Club junior rowing program had a very successful showing at the recent USRowing Youth Nationals regatta in Sarasota, Florida.

SRC sent a club record 96 athletes to the event. Eight boats made the final. 

The women’s U17 4+ A boat, including Westporters Luka Kuokalas, Annie Bowman, Ashlyn Frey and Olivia Saw won gold. This was the 4th national title in a row for that race.

The men’s U17 8+ boat, with Westporter’s Elena Nasar, Daniel Arava, Jack Mello, Liam Wiegand and Alex Proctor (Westport), placed third, just one second behind historic rival RowAmerica Rye.

Next up for Saugatuck Rowing Club: the Henley Royal Regatta in London next month.

Women’s U17 4+ A boat (from left): left to right: Luka Kuokalas, Olivia Saw, Ashlyn Frey, Annie Bowman, Mackenzie Fosdick. All but Mackenzie are from Westport.

Men’s U-17 8+ boat (from left): Coach Alex Vogt, Samuel Turok, Alex Proctor, Liam Wiegand, Jack Mello, Elena Nasar, Henry Basham, Gavin Remley, Will Firmender, Daniel Arava.

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Nature can be a dog-eat-dog world.

Or bird-eat-blueberry, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows.

(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)

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And finally … in honor of Juneteenth:

(Whether you’ve been here long enough to remember Klein’s, or arrived after OKA opened, “06880” is your place for hyper-local news. And everyone can click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Finance Board Look$ Ahead

It’s a good thing the days are getting longer.

The Board of Finance will need all the time they can get at next Wednesday’s meeting (February 7, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).

The agenda includes 3 discussion-only items: a financial report from the Finance director, and updates on the Longshore Sailing School lease and from the audit manager.

Then come a bang-bang series of action items:

  • A request from the Long Lots School Building Committee to approve $6.8 million for the design of the new elementary school and Stepping Stones pre-school.
  • A request from the Parks & Recreation Department director to approve $104,000 to install irrigation at the Coleytown Middle School fields.
  • Another request by the Parks & Rec director to approve $80,000 for analysis, design and preparation of construction documents to replace critical elements of the Compo Beach Ned Dimes Marina.
  • A request from the Fire Department deputy chief to approve $110,000 for work to update and merge Fire Department conceptual plans to include the Police Department and Emergency Medical Service in a new concept analysis, for a joint public safety facility.
  • A request from the Public Works Department director to approve $630,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for design and permitting of the redevelopment of Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

That’s a robust agenda.

And it’s an indication that Westporters will be asked to fund a number of big-ticket items, in the months and years ahead.

This is the 8-24 preliminary plan for a new $100 million Long Lots Elementary School. It may cost nearly $7 million for a complete design.

We’ve talked a bit about the redesign of the Parker Harding parking lot — though without much discussion of cost (and no firm decisions yet). Now, Phase 2 of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s recommendations looms on the Saugatuck River horizon.

Few people have mentioned much about plans for a join public safety facility. Police, fire and EMS have all done great work in cramped, aging buildings. A new, shared facility is important — and will soon be a topic for debate.

The request for work at Ned Dimes Marina is a rounding error, compared to what’s ahead for Parks & Rec. Officials have been working for a couple of years on a long-term redevelopment plan for Longshore.

Parks & Rec is developing a long-term plan for the renovation of Longshore.

In addition, the Coleytown Middle School field request is just one of many that Parks & Rec may make.

The Long Lots debate has underscored the woeful conditions of a number of town playing fields. Artificial turf — the modern, non-carcinogenic type — may be an answer, at sites like Wakeman, Staples’ Loeffler Field, and Kings Highway Elementary School. Lights would help alleviate the fields crunch too.

Those are costly, quality-of-life, youth-oriented projects that we’ll hear more about in the months to come.

Not on the Board of Finance’s long agenda next week, but hard to ignore: possible renovation of old-as-Long Lots Coleytown Elementary School.

Dredging the Saugatuck River.

And, I’m sure, one or two other important projects I’ve forgotten to mention, or not yet heard about.

Coleytown Elementary School is in need of modernization too.

On Wednesday, the Finance board will vote, for the most part, on initial design work.

These are small down payments on future work. Appropriations to come will have many more zeroes.

All are important to some people. Some are important to all.

But improving our town for generations to come won’t come cheap.

Buckle up.

(Click here for the full Board of Finance agenda. The meeting will be livestreamed at http://www.westportct.gov, and shown on Optimum channel 79.)

(“06880” will continue to cover these projects — and everything else, big and small, in Westport. But we need your help to do so. Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!) 

Inclusive Schools Week Includes All

You may not know that this is National Inclusive Schools Week.

But your kids sure do.

All 5 Westport elementary schools — and Stepping Stones Preschool — planned special programming to celebrate the annual event. Begun in 2001, it encourages schools to support cultures of inclusion, and provide quality education to an increasingly diverse student population.

“Many activities open doors to understanding and respecting different ways of thinking, reflecting on themselves as learners, and fostering a sense of belonging in our schools,” says Coleytown Elementary principal Janna Sirowich.

“We are educating students about neurodiversity  — the different ways that people’s brains work — and how disabilities do not define or limit an individual’s potential.”

Every elementary school read a book about a famed disability rights activist.

Each school designed a variety of learning opportunities and experiences, across all areas of the building.

For example, Stepping Stones classes read “It’s Ok to be Different,” by Sharon Purtil, which celebrates diversity and encourages acceptance.

All elementary classes read “All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything,”  the true story of disability rights advocate Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Born with cerebral palsy, she joined the “Capitol Crawl” in Washington — which led to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Among other activities:

Stepping Stones Preschool students watched a PBS show featuring Sesame Street character Julia, who has autism. The video promotes awareness and understanding of neurodiversity at a developmentally appropriate level.

Coleytown Elementary students learned about Special Olympics and Paralympics in their physical education classes — including many athletes who achieved great success in a variety of sports.

All kindergarten through 5th grade artists at Greens Farms Elementary studied Henri Matisse. In a wheelchair and despite his physical limitations, he made incredible art. Students creating their own all-school mural, using organic shapes.

Students in Kings Highway Elementary music classes students incorporated sign language in songs they sang. They also learned about a number of musicians who use their abilities and talents in different ways.

Inclusive Schools Week bulletin board.

All Long Lots Elementary 2nd graders visited with a therapy dog. They learned how animals provide emotional comfort and support to people of all ages and circumstances.

The daily TV news show, Saugatuck Seal News, highlighted individuals with disabilities who have adapted and overcome challenges to create new opportunities once seen as impossible.

Inclusive Schools Week began last week, with a special Cultural Arts performance. “Magic Into the Deaf World” was an inspiring show with Matthew “Magic ” Morgan, who enchanted his audience. Westport science coach Phaedra Taft signed and interpreted for “Magic Morgan.”

“Magic” Morgan (far right), his wife Liliana (2nd from left), with Kings Highway principal Tracey Carbone (wearing green), and parents during Inclusive Schools Week.

“National Inclusive Schools Week provides an opportunity for educators, students, families and communities to engage in conversations and activities that foster a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere within our schools,” Coleytown El principal Sirowich says.

“It encourages reflection on current practices, and the exploration of new strategies to ensure that every student feels welcomed, respected and valued.”

(“06880” highlights the often-overlooked achievements of students and teachers. Please click here to support hyper-local stories like these. Thank you!)

Pics Of The Day #2416

There are not a lot of birds around Westport these days. Hey — it’s (almost) winter.

But when they return, we’ll be ready.

At least, Coleytown Elementary School will be.

This is the welcoming scene, on Easton Road:

(Photos/Mark Mathias)