Tag Archives: Frank Corbo

Roundup: Fashionably Westport Freebies, Lis Comm’s Book, Playhouse’s Garden …

Posted on February 20, 2025 | 8 comments

Tickets are selling fast for Fashionably Westport — the February 28 benefit for Homes with Hope featuring a runway show from many of the town’s mot sophisticated retailers. Models are local friends and celebrities.

But there’s a way to score preferred admission seats.

Just follow @westportdowntownofficial on Instagram (the Westort Downtown Association is the event’s sponsor); follow @davebriggstv (Westport’s own Dave Briggs is co-emcee, with fellow resident Alisyn Camerota); then tag 2 friends in the comments section on Briggs’ Instagram (who would enjoy the show too).

The winner will be chosen at random February 22. They’ll enjoy guaranteed seating with a full view of the stage, open bar, light fare from from chef Claudia Fascenell, and a VIP gift bag.

Click here for tickets to Fashionably Westport, and more information.

Dave Briggs, Fashionably Westport co-emcee

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Thirty years before her death this past August, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, former Westport townwide coordinator of English Lisabeth Comm wrote a book.

Her husband, fellow Staples High School educator Frank Corbo, discoveed the nearly completed manuscript in a storage unit. He edited it, and has published it as a tribute to her life and work.

“Myths, Mothers, and Mirrors: Split Images of Women in Literature” employs feminist literary criticism to examine how cultural imperatives have shaped the role and image of women in Western literary tradition.

By analyzing patriarchal child-rearing practices, literary traditions rooted in Greek mythology and the Judeo-Christian Bible, and the portrayal of women as objects of the male gaze, Comm showed how feminist psychoanalytic theory can deepen understanding of women’s roles in life and literature.

She applied feminist criticism to popular high school and undergraduate works like “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Pride and Prejudice,” as well more contemporary novels including “Surfacing,” “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” and “Beloved,” along with modern female poets.

Click here for more information, and to order.

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This Sunday’s Westport Country Playhouse Symposium — “Planting Our Gardens – A Conversation about Growing Stronger Together” — explores themes of inclusivity, respect and equity.

The February 23 event follows the matinee performance of “Native Gardens” — a comedy about neighbors from different cultures who clash over the property line that separates their gardens.

Guest speakers are Lee Goldstein, Westport Board of Education, who will discuss the work being done by No Place for Hate, an ADL program to improve school climate, and Linedy Genao, “Native Gardens” cast member who was the first Latina performer to originate the leading role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical.

Inspired by the production of “Native Gardens,” the symposium will examine “better understanding in shared spaces.”

The Symposium begins are 4:30 p.m., following the 3 p.m. show. The discussion is free, and open to the public.

For tickets to “Native Gardens,” and more information, click here.

Lee Goldstein, Board of Education chair

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You take pretty good photos with your cellphone.

But you can probably take even better ones.

This Sunday (10 a.m., Sherwood Island Main Pavilion), Friends of Sherwood Island invites the public to join Weston photographer Alison Wachstein. She’ll help guests learn how to create inspiring landscapes, sharp nature closeups and beautiful portraits, all on a smartphone.

The event is free; donations to benefit the Friends’ garden team are welcome.

Capturing nature with a cellphone, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Becky Keeler)

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Seen at Trader Joe’s, and posted here with absolutely no editorial comment of any kind:

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On Tuesday — with the war in Ukraine once again in the headlines — Westporter Mark Yurkiw addressed the Westport Rotary Club.

The artist — who is of Ukrainian descent — visited the war-ravaged country most recently in October.

He traveled up to 18 hours a day around the nation, recording and listening to people’s stories to help spread the word about the realities of the war with Russia.

His message to the Rotarians was that supplies of all kinds are urgently needed. “These are people like you and me,” he said.

“They are working, trying to live their lives while under threat of bombing and suffering from the tragic loss of life. They are constantly trying to build graves fast enough to bury the slain.”

Yurkiw works with Ridgefield Responds, to collect equipment and medical supplies. He ships them to Ukraine, where they help save lives of civilians, and Ukrainian — and occasionally Russian soldiers.

They also collect financial donations. It costs $8,000 to ship a 40-foot container to Ukraine.

Yurkiw noted that he (and Ridgefield Responds) could not do what they do without the help of Ukraine Aid International. That’s the non-profit, boots-on-the-ground non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer.

To donate money, equipment, medical supplies, or volunteer your time, click here call Ridgefield Responds: 646-873-0050. To donate to Ukraine Aid International, click here.

Mark Yurkiw shows a slide of devastation in Ukraine, at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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The United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston invites the public to a jazz vespers music and word service with vocalist/composer Sabth Perez on March 2 (4 p.m.; free will offering). UMC Westport-Weston church at 49 Weston Road, Westport, CT.

Sabéth Perez

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between February 12 and 19.

A 23-year-old Fairfield man was charged with breach of peace, stalking and harassment, after a complainant said her ex-boyfriend parked near her place of work and tried to engage her in conversation — as he had done since their breakup last May. She said he followed her vehicle, flashing his lights and following very closely. He was released on $25,000 bond.

A 53-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and threatening. A woman said they are going through a divorce, and he made statements during an argument that caused her to fear for her life. He was released on $15,000 bond.

Westport Police alos issued these citations:

  • Failure to renew registration: 3
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Distracted driving: 2
  • Disorderly ocnduct: 2
  • Driving while texting: 1
  • Speeding: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1

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Clouds frame the waters near Compo Beach’s Ned Dimes Marina, and Owenoke beyond it, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured (and frigid) photo.

(Photo/Andrea Cross)

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And finally … in honor of the upcoming “Fashionably Westport” show (story above):

(If you are a dedicated follower of “06880,” please click here to help support this 24/7/365 hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Posted in Environment, Police, Westport Country Playhouse

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Remembering Lis Comm

Posted on August 27, 2024 | 14 comments

Lisabeth Comm — a beloved and innovative educator who impacted thousands of Westport students, and was also a world traveler and arts aficionado — died Friday in Florida, from complications of Alzheimer’s. She was 76 years old.

The Ohio native loved her role as an educator, in all forms.

She was a highly respected English teacher and department chair at Staples High School. Her leadership and vision changed the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Lis Comm

Over her 44-year career in Westport, Lis inspired generations of students with her passion for literature, and her commitment to expanding their horizons through a wide array of English courses.

She was particularly proud of 2 she designed: Mythology and Bible, and Women in Literature.

She was an early advocate of integrating literature from diverse cultures, including Native American, Asian, Black and Latin American — into the traditional English curriculum.

Lis was also instrumental in introducing feminist literary criticism to the Staples English Department.

Lis Comm and her husband, Math Department chair Frank Corbo, promoted reading for pleasure at Staples. The book they chose was, appropriately, “Romeo & Juliet.”

Her love for education extended beyond the classroom. After retirement Lis volunteered as a docent at the Baker Museum in Naples, Florida, where she shared her passion for art and culture with visitors. Her warmth, knowledge and enthusiasm enriched the lives of many.

Lis is survived by her husband Frank Corbo, former head of the Staples math department, with whom she shared 38 wonderful years. Together, they visited all 7 continents, including a final trip a year ago to Norway.

Lis Comm, on one of her many journeys.

Frank calls Lis “the most incredible, beautiful, brilliant partner anyone could have. I’m an extremely lucky man.”

Lis is also survived by her sisters Julie Kireta and Clare Comm, and brother James Comm.

A celebration of Lis’s life will be held in Westport at a time and place to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Lis Comm

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Posted in Education, Obituaries, Staples HS

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Frank Corbo And Lis Comm’s Very Important Lessons

Posted on June 18, 2014 | 9 comments

This month, Frank Corbo retires after nearly 5 decades in education. He spent 30 years as a classroom math teacher, 13 as a department chair who taught 2 classes, and the past 6 years as Westport’s full-time grades 6-12 math chair. He has helped put Westport on the world math education map.

At 70 years old, he looks back at his career — and discusses what he’s learned.

First, you have to love the subject you teach. I love math. It is much more than computation and manipulation of symbols. Math is about thinking. Math is a language that gives us an alternate window to view and understand the world. Math can can surprise and delight. It can also be a thing of beauty and elegance, in its ability to generalize and compress big ideas into symbols. One simple differential equation can express an infinity of meaning.

Frank Corbo

Frank Corbo

Second, you have to love your students. You must find something you can genuinely like in each one, no matter how challenging he or she may be. Unless you can connect with your students as human beings, as individuals, and find their strengths, you can never reach them.

After talking about trust — between students and teachers, teachers and department chairs, department chairs and building administrators — Corbo says:

The hierarchical workforce paradigm is different from the commonly accepted one. Teachers are not the workers. Instead they are leaders of the workforce, which is the students. The product is learning. Productivity is measured not by how many hours or classes a teacher teaches. but how much work the kids do. And that depends on how good a leader the teacher is — how well the teacher plans tasks that will lead students to a deeper understanding, and motivate them to complete those tasks.

My job as an administrator is to bring teachers new ideas, ask provocative questions, and push them to think about what they are doing and why. If there is trust, teachers will be open to new ideas, to trying new approaches. I have been fortunate to lead an exceptional group of teachers, arguably the best group of math teachers in the country. They are intelligent, professional, adaptable, good-humored, and passionate in their commitment to kids and to high-quality math education.

Westport is an exceptional district. My years here have been fulfilling, challenging and enjoyable. Thank you all.

Frank Corbo is not the only administrator retiring — not even in his family. His wife, Lis Comm, steps down too, after 44 years in Westport. Her current position is townwide director of secondary education. She says:

Lis Comm

Lis Comm

First, I love my subject area: English. Teaching students to read the word is really teaching them to read the world and to read themselves. And teaching students to write is really teaching them to think about their place in the world, to solve real world problems, and to find out who they are.

Reading and talking about literature, poetry, and non-fiction, in a classroom together, is an extraordinary opportunity to get to know the best that has been thought and written through the ages, to get to know yourself and others. I am proud to say I was a full-time English teacher for 25 years.

Second, I would go into education again because of teachers in Westport. I saw amazing teaching in every classroom. Really good teachers are my heroes. I think William Ayers got it right when he described the work of a teacher as “exhausting, complex, idiosyncratic, never twice the same—… at its heart, an intellectual and ethical enterprise…. Teaching begins in challenge and is never far from mystery.” Who would not fall in love with a job description like that?

Working with young people has kept me young in spirit and forced me to at least try to keep up with a fast changing world. The great educator Elliott Eisner said that students ensure our immortality. Our lives as teachers live on in theirs.  That is quite a remarkable thought!

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Posted in Education, People, Staples HS

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Westport Teachers Teach The World

Posted on February 20, 2014 | 5 comments

For 3 days in April Columbia University’s Teachers College will be the site of an international event. Educators from around the world will participate in the Global Learning Alliance‘s 2014 conference, on 21st-century education.

Hundreds of presentation proposals were submitted, from China, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Australia, Finland, England, Canada and the US. Only 40 were selected.

But of those 40, an astonishing 5 came from Westport teachers. They represent all levels: high school, middle school and elementary.

Bedford Middle School 6th grade instructor Jeremy Royster will present “Truth- Sleuthing to Develop Global Solutions.”

Jeremy Royster

Jeremy Royster

That’s “a fun way to describe the search for evidence in conflicting reliable sources to support a reasoned conclusion about a given topic,” he says. Throughout the year, his students use their “truth-sleuthing” skills to challenge Dr. Jared Diamond’s claims that geography is the key to unearthing the causes of wealth and poverty in the world.

Participants in Royster’s workshop will study a region of their choice, using resources linked to his website to support or refute Diamond’s argument. They’ll also use his own students’ proposals intended to help some of the poorest countries in the world.

The goal of truth-sleuthing, Royster says, is to “encourage people to think more critically, deeply and broadly so that they will be better poised to improve our global society.” To that end, his students are well versed in critical thinking, global awareness, online research, presentation skills, creative thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving.

He looks forward to sharing what he’s doing with educators from around the planet. He hopes too that they will offer him “a different cultural perspective on teaching in general.”

Other presenters from Westport include:

  • Staples math teacher Trudy Denton and grade 6-12 math coordinator Frank Corbo: “Transforming a High-Performing Mathematics Program to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century.”
  • Kings Highway Elementary School assistant principal Anne Nesbitt: “Elementary Math Education for the 21st Century: Transitioning From the Concrete to the Abstract.”
  • Bedford Middle School teachers Courtney Ruggiero and Alison Laturnau: “Bringing the  Common Core into the 21st Century.”
  • Elementary school teacher Hannah Schneewind: “Persuasive Writing and 21st Century Skills in a First Grade Classroom.”

Top educators from around the globe will be at Columbia in April. They come from places like Singapore and Finland — countries regularly ranked atop the lists of “best educated.”

And they’ll all learn from 7 of Westport’s finest.

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Posted in Education, People, Staples HS

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