This morning’s “06880” Opinion piece from the Staples High School PTA executive board — opposing superintendent of school Thomas Scarice’s proposed full ban on cellphones in Westport Public Schools — drew plenty of public comments, on all sides of the issue.
It also drew a private email, from a longtime Staples teacher. The teacher used their name but requested anonymity, due to district regulations about posting on social media. The teacher writes:
There is most certainly a problem at Staples with cell phones. That parents are relying on students saying that there is not a problem is laughable.
I urge any parent to have an honest conversation with a Staples teacher. You would hear the exact opposite.
Students are completely addicted to their phones. As a teacher who strictly enforces the putting of phones in the holder for all classes (grades 9-12), I can say without a doubt that every single day I encounter resistance from students, even though my stance and policy on phones has not changed since the first day of school, or within the last 5 years.
Every week I confiscate phones, bring them down to the assistant principals’ office, email/call home, and follow up with the admin after class.
Cell phone holder.
The reason many teachers do not enforce the phone holders is that it is exhausting. No matter how consistent teachers are with their phone policies, the students are extremely resistant (and unfortunately somewhat rude) to giving them up, even during a class.
Having taught at Staples for over 20 years, I can say that phones have no positive impact on the school day.
I understand that students and parents feel that students will have difficulty navigating their schedules. Students are unaware of their schedules precisely due to the Saturn app. Before Saturn, my students always knew their schedules. They either had them printed out or they had them memorized over time. There was never an issue with students not knowing where they were going.
If students could use phones responsibly we would not be here. But every day students are sneaking phones, leaving class under the guise of having to use the bathroom and then scrolling through social media. I see it every single day here at Staples.
Phones are specifically designed to be addictive. Our students are being asked to monitor their use against a device that is using their own brains to work against what is best for them.
Every notification excites — and distracts — students.
I implore all parents to support the superintendent’s proposed ban on phones at Staples. Your children are not benefiting at all by having access to their phones throughout the school day.
We are doing a disservice to them. I deeply hope the community will come together to realize what is best for these students.
Last night, the Board of Education confirmed the appointment of Dr. Anna Mahon as assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.
The Brookfield educator — and former Olympic athlete — joins the Westport Public Schools on July 1. She replaces Dr. Anthony Buono, who is retiring.
In announcing her selection last night, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice cited a “rigorous” interview process. He said Dr. Mahon impressed staff, parents, BOE members and administrators with her experience, passion, commitment to students, clarity of thought and communication skills.
A press release from the Westport Public Schools says:
Dr. Mahon brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in education to the Westport Public Schools.
She currently serves as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and human resources with the Brookfield Public Schools.
Dr. Anna Mahon
Prior to this role, which she assumed in August 2022, Dr. Mahon had a long and accomplished tenure at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge. She began as an English teacher in 2000, advanced to English Department chair in 2007, was promoted to associate principal in 2010, and served as principal from 2015 to 2022. Dr. Mahon has also taught high school English in Darien and Stamford.
She recently completed a term as a member with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. She has also served on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation advisory board and the Executive Board for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) board of control.
Additionally, Dr. Mahon is an adjunct professor in the doctoral Program in educational leadership at the University of Bridgeport.
Dr. Mahon holds a bachelor of arts degree in English and psychology from the University of Vermont. She earned a master of arts in teaching secondary English from Boston University.
She continued her studies with a sixth year degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University and a doctor of education in educational leadership and internatiolnal educational studies from the University of Bridgeport.
Beyond her contributions to education, Dr. Mahon is also a former Olympic athlete. She competed with the US track and field team in the 4-kilogram hammer throw at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
She later served as an assistant coach for Yale University’s men’s and women’s track and field teams (2004 to 2012).
Her experiences as both an elite athlete and coach have further shaped her leadership skills and dedication to excellence. Colleagues who have worked with Dr. Mahon speak highly of her leadership skills.
Scarice said, “It is rare to find a candidate with the depth and range of leadership experience and expertise that Anna brings. She brings a long track record of success as a leader from the building level and central office level. In addition to her expertise and experience, Anna brings an extraordinary moral compass to her work. This was noted throughout the search process and across the reference checks.”
As we get ready to hunker down for the Saturday night snow, I’d like to share some district updates:
Smartphone/Wearable Technology Update
As I shared in my update to the community last month, we will continue to take the time to learn, listen and thoughtfully plan as the school community considers my recommendation to restrict access to smartphones and wearable technology during the school day across all grade levels.
This approach is solidly in place for grades K-8. We have maintained the current system at Staples High School, which allows limited access during non-instructional periods, as we evaluate our next steps and consider interventions that fully restrict access during the school day.
Last week over 300 parents attended an outstanding community session on the topic of social media, smartphones, and other related issues in a keynote presentation/Q & A by Max Stossel. The feedback was incredibly positive.
When I learned that Wilton High School was implementing a full smartphone ban, I decided to slow our process down so that we can learn from our peers’ experience.
Today I would like to recap the efforts taken so far, what is on the horizon, and what I anticipate as culminating steps.
Efforts taken so far:
Last June I provided the Board of Education with my recommendation and supporting rationale
In September, I worked to personally engage all Staples faculty in small groups to gather their input and feedback. While some opinions varied, a strong majority supported moving toward greater restrictions on smartphone use, including a full ban during the school day.
Staples High School hosted filmmaker and primary care physician Dr. Delaney Ruston in grade level student assemblies, along with a parent evening event.
Last week, the district hosted former social media strategist Max Stossel at both middle schools for grade level assemblies and an evening parent event.
A comprehensive research review has been conducted to accurately identify the latest findings on the impact of smartphones and wearable technology on student learning and well-being. This will be part of any final presentation and action steps.
Next Steps:
In November, Wilton High School implemented a full smartphone ban. Their experience has provided us with an opportunity to learn before finalizing any changes in our district. Our site visit is February 13. A team of Staples faculty and administrators will attend, along with a parent representative and 2 reporters from the Staples student newspaper, Inklings.
A town hall event for parent input/feedback, as well as one for students will be held after the site visit.
Culminating Steps:
Following the site visit and town hall events, I will bring this topic back to the Board of Education to share my recommendations for next steps. I suspect this will be in the early spring.
Stay tuned as we continue this deliberate process to ensure we make the best decisions regarding the presence of smartphones and wearable technology in our schools.
No Place For Hate Gallery on District Website:
The district is committed to implementing the No Place for Hate program. We have developed a microsite on our website with the overview. In addition, we have added a photo gallery. You can stay up to date on the activities by following the postings on the microsite.
AI Pilot:
In December I recommended to the Board of Education that the district pursue a bold strategic vision to position the Westport Public Schools as a national leader in public education’s artificial intelligence revolution. I will return to the Board of Education in the spring with a clear strategic plan to these ends.
In the interim, I am enthused to share that Westport has been selected as one of 7 districts to participate in an AI Pilot through the State Department of Education.
This pilot will occur in March, April and early May in the 6th grade at Bedford Middle School (language arts, math,sScience and social studies), and across a small number of science electives at Staples.
Parents of students in this pilot will receive additional information before the pilot begins. The curriculum units will not change, but the use of the tool SchoolAI will be employed by faculty. This tool has been approved by the state Department of Education and aligns with the Connecticut Data Privacy Act.
Results of the pilot will be shared widely, and help inform long term efforts in the district. This pilot will serve as one effort to consider the role of AI in our schools. Much, much more to come on this topic in the coming months.
(“06880” regularly covers Westport schools: achievements, trends, issues and more. If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The large crowd gathered Friday in the Town Hall auditorium had plenty of questions.
Would they be able to speak in support of Kris Hrisovulos, the multi-state champion-winning Staples High School boys tennis coach, as he appealed the non-renewal of his contract by Westport administrators?
What would the Board of Education — the group hearing Hrisovulos’ appeal — think about the reasons given for non-renewal?
Would some of the underlying elements of the case — a complaint by a parent not made through the usual chain of command, for example — be discussed openly?
Staples tennis players were among the large crowd at Friday’s Town Hall hearing.
None of those questions were answered.
After more than 2 hours of debate, the board reached a consensus. The appeal hearing ended, because Hrisovulos had not been given timely, proper and legal notice that his contract was not being renewed.
What the hearing did reveal, however — through questions that were raised, and others that were not, yet loomed unasked over the proceedings — was a number of flaws in Athletic Department policies and procedures.
They include:
Evaluation of coaches by superiors.
Expectations of, and training provided to, coaches.
Support given to coaches by administrators.
Expectations of parents regarding the role of interscholastic athletics, and the coaches of those sports.
Handling of complaints made by parents, particularly those that go outside the defined chain of command (coach first, then athletic director, principal, and finally superintendent).
Process for timely, thorough investigations, including input from student-athletes.
Communication with, and respect shown to, student-athletes and their parents.
Transparent discussions of conflicts of interest.
One positive consequence of Hrisovulos’ long and expensive battle to retain his job as tennis coach is this: Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, Staples principal Stafford Thomas and athletic director VJ Sarullo have an opportunity now to refocus their relationships with coaches, athletes and parents.
They can re-examine policies regarding the hiring, supervision and evaluation of coaches. They can re-set expectations of when, where and how parents can make complaints known — and how to react once a complaint is made.
They can acknowledge the excellent work being done by so many coaches, in so many ways, for such low pay. They can celebrate coaches’ accomplishments, on and off the field and court — and help them improve in areas where it’s needed.
On Monday, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice issued a statement affirming the right of Westport youngsters to attend public school here regardless of their immigration status.
Citing legal counsel, he added that ICE agents cannot enter the inside of schools here without a valid wrrant, consent from school officials, or an extreme emergency.
“Our priority remains providing a safe learning enviornment for every student,” the superintendent concluded.
That’s an astonishingly low bar for heroism.
But at a time when the state of Oklahoma has moved to request proof of citizenship or immigration status from families when they enroll their children in public schools — and on the heels of an email from an “06880” reader whose daughter teaches 2nd grade in South Carolina, describing the fear her primarily Hispanic students have for themselves and their families — we will honor a stand for compassion and humanity wherever we can fine it.
Westporters are justifiably proud of the Staples High School sports program.
Teams win championships, and represent their community well. Strong coaching staffs teach skills and sportsmanship, and impact their student-athletes positively by teaching life lessons on and off the fields and courts.
But in recent months, several Staples High School athletic coaches have been told their contracts will not be renewed, after complaints from a very small number of parents. At least one resigned, also after parental pressure.
A much larger group of parents is concerned about the current Staples athletics environment. This weekend, they circulated a letter.
In just 2 days it was signed by over 225 parents, other community leaders, and former student-athletes.
Their goal is to fix a flawed system. They want to make currently opaque policies about the supervision and renewal decisions of coaches more transparent; ensure that a small group of parents do not have undue power over coaching decisions, and see that administrators and the Board of Education give coaches the tools to succeed, not terminate them without providing important feedback or support.
The letter signers offer solutions to fix the problem. They say:
But Superintendent of Schools Tom Scarice and our Board of Education have a unique opportunity to fix this problem here, in a way that sets a standard for towns across the state and beyond.
As people with a stake in getting this right — including former Staples student-athletes, and parents of Staples student-athletes past, present and future — we urge Mr. Scarice and the board to fix it, for the sake of our town, our dedicated coaches, and most importantly, our kids.
Dan Woog laid out the problem well: a broken system where high school coaches can be pressured to make coaching decisions, and even forced out of a job, by a small group of unhappy parents. A broken system where a long-tenured and highly successful coach beloved by most of his or her players can lose his or her job based on a single amorphous allegation of “lapse in judgment,” despite never having been trained or given constructive feedback on the issue at hand, and despite there being no clear policy in place that the coach was supposed to have followed.
The only common through-line we can see is that the coaches unfortunate enough to have been caught up in this are coaches who have been relentlessly targeted by a small group of unhappy parents.
We do not write this letter to shut parents up. Every one of us — every parent of any athlete in history, we’d bet — has been unhappy with their kids’ coaches at one time or another. Sometimes it is justified; sometimes not.
We respect the rights of individuals concerned about any child’s welfare to raise their concerns appropriately. But here’s the key: This town needs to put clear policies in place to ensure parental concerns are handled in a way that is consistent, transparent, timely, and fair, not just to the unhappy parents and kids, but to the rest of the kids on the team and to the coaches.
No one should accept a position, especially a coaching position, in Westport schools unless it is clear to them what is expected of them to excel, and what policies and best practices they are expected to follow, including how to deal with concerned (and potentially intrusive) parents.
Those policies are not in place in Westport today, and that has left all our coaches exposed to being suspended or “non-renewed” as a result of parental complaints for alleged conduct violations not covered in any policy. Coaches are being blindsided, having received no constructive or critical feedback on performance during the season or the previous seasons. Other employees are resigning or capitulating to parental pressure to keep their jobs.
No coach should want to work under these conditions.
Mr. Scarice and the Board of Education need to step up and reset. They should suspend all current actions against coaches until proper policies and procedures are adopted, so our coaches know what they’re aiming for — and can have confidence that they are being treated fairly when inevitable parent complaints arise.
We believe they should enact policies that:
Clearly state written expectations for coaches and employees, with specific examples, which every student, parent, coach and teacher should be able to read and clearly understand;
Provide a mechanism, and hold the administration accountable, for updating these expectations and policies as situations arise that are not clearly addressed, so all our coaches can benefit from lessons learned in particular sports;
Prioritize the safety and well-being of the students during the year/season;
Consider the risks and harm done to students where there is a suspension or investigation;
Set expectations for how the administration evaluates and provides constructive feedback to employees — it should be in writing, and it should be timely;
Enforce a consistent and transparent process for responding to (and, if necessary, escalating) student-athlete and parental criticisms or complaints about coaches; this policy should clearly address how to deal with parental complaints about coaching decisions such as starting lineups, playing time, and captaincies; and
Fully spell out the potential consequences for violating the policies.
These policy improvements, needed now, are long overdue.
Sports are a wonderful way to teach our kids critical life lessons, including how to handle disappointment.
Right now, the way we treat long-tenured and dedicated coaches is teaching our kids exactly the wrong lessons: that if a parent can reframe disappointment in coaching decisions as a coach having been “vindictive” (an argument any parent can always try to make), that’s the ticket to getting rid of a coach.
We should instead be teaching our kids how to deal with disappointment, while also modeling a system of constructive feedback and clear expectations that improves our sports programs, while treating everyone — including our coaches — fairly.
Mr. Scarice and the Board of Education owe it to our town, our student-athletes, and every employee to get this right, and set our town up as the best place in the state for coaches to work and student-athletes to compete.
The letter was signed by over 225 parents of current and former student-athletes; former student-athletes, and other community members.
Natalia and Claudio Alarcon-Frias
Rafael and Maria Alfaro
Suzanne and Josh Allen
Eva Amurri
Rahul and Meredith Anand
Eva and Kevin Audit
Nancy Austin and Al Gratix
Stephen Axthelm
Candace Banks
Diana and Pete Barnes
Jen and Ken Barnes
Chris Barnett
Caroline and Craig Barney
Christina Bassler
Peter Bassler
Michael Beebe
Sophie Blondeau
Sam Bowlby
Brandi and David Briggs
Adam Brodsky
Melissa and Grant Byczek
Mafe Cala and Ricardo Ceballos
Ali and Michael Cammeyer
Carolyn and Lee Caney
Aly and Bobby Christoph
Robin and Pierre Chung
Jeff Clachko
Luciano and Leila Cocito
Andrew Colabella
Darrin Cozzolino
Louisa and Peppe D’Amore
Barbara Jean Davis
Jonathan and Erica Davis
Lisa Dearbourne
Karen and Paul DeDomenico
Stephanie and Mac DeVito
Anna and Danny DeVito
Sam and Julie Diederich
Frank DiScala
Jennifer and Tim Dolnier
Joanna, Jack and Drew Douglas
Greg Downes
Cherie Duque
Julia and Anel Dzafic
Cindy and David Eigan
Robin Eisenberger
Jason Epstein
Julia and Collin Felleman
Bettina and David Fiore
Patrick Fontana
Daniela and Mike Forde
Mary Garone
Steve and Nicole Gerber
Joan and Ted Gillman
Stephanie and Steve Girling
Marty and Cathy Gitlin
Deb and Matt Goldfarb
Lynn Gonsor
Ram and Srividya Gorre
Shayna and Andy Green
Zack Gross
Trudie Gubitz
Margaret Armstrong, and Barry and Bruno Guiduli
Kim Gullens
Jacque and Chuck Haberstroh
Robin and Allon Hellman
Karen Hess
Lisa and Jay Hill
Jonathan, Amy and Jackson Hochhauser
Jeff and Amelia Holl
Sam and Lara Jacob
Wendy and Richard Jones
Meredith and David Kamo
Rinat and Victoria Khisyamov
Jean and Mark Kirkham
Matt and Kendall Kremer
Sandra and Greg Krenzer
Marcio and Patricia Krug
Jeffrey Lampert
Dean Landis
Allan and Caroline Landis
Andy and Nicole Laskin
Sal Liccione
Brett and Jennifer Lieberman
Jason Little
Donald Lowman
Alyson Luck
Patty Lynch
Maryanne and Dean Martire
Jennifer and Jimmy McGeehan
Danielle and John McGrath
Kevin McGrath
Patrick and Morgan Mermagen
Alex and Jeremy Metz
Bill Mitchell
Sandro and Eduarda Moreno
Sile Marrinan and Colin Morris
Rich Morse
Merri and Adrian Mueller
Katherine and Austin Murray
Janine and Tony Nashawaty
Steve O’Dell
Liz and Doug Pardon
Meena Pellerin
Rolando and Angelica Perez Elorza
Rick and Kim Perlen
John Petrsoric
Maria Petti
Swapna Podlich
Mackenzie and Thomas Pretty
Lori, Chris and Zach Pulichino
Gustavo and Daniela Reyna
Ana and CJ Rinaldi
Rima Fawaz and Leonel Rodriguez
Brant Root
Caio and Danielle Rossoni
Mark Rubino
Parma Ayodhimani and Bala Sathyanarayanan
Jordan Schur
Karen and Robert Scott
Neal and Michelle Seideman
Beth and Dan Selig
Stefanie and Stephen Shackelford
Ken Shapiro
Courtney and Matt Shiel
Nicole and Isaac Sine
Chandy Smith
Kathryn and Jim St. Andre
Meredith and Jon Stoler
Will and Susan Suarez
Cindi and Nick Sunjka
Joanna and Tom Triscari
Vanessa Valadares
Jeff and Sam Vannart
Ted and Stephanie Vergakis
Kecia and Greg Von der Ahe
Kathy and Colin Walker
Scott and Lisa Waller
Jeff Warshaw
Niccola and Gavin Whitaker
Jim and Lizzie Wolf
Andy and Jessica Wolff
Janet and Howard Zev
Rong and Kevin Zhu
[Full disclosure: I served as the Staples varsity soccer coach from 2003 to 2021. I was an assistant coach for over 20 years before that. — Dan Woog, executive editor, “06880”]
Posted onJanuary 8, 2025|Comments Off on Scarice: Important Updates On Social Media, Smartphones And Students
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice says:
Greetings and Happy New Year!
As you settle back into routines following our winter break, I would like to flag an important event for all parents on Wednesday, January 29, at 7 p.m. in the Bedford Middle School Auditorium.
This engaging and insightful conversation will explore the impact of social media on our children’s mental health and well-being, while offering practical strategies for creating healthier digital habits. All families are encouraged to attend this important event to better understand the influence of social media and how we can work together to support our youth.
Max Stossel is an award-winning artist, and the founder of Social Awakening: an organization dedicated to helping young people survive and thrive in the modern world.
Before working in this field, Max was a media strategist with an extensive background in social media.
He ran social media for big brands, and later worked for a social media company. He has spent the past 10 years speaking with over a million students, parents, and educators around the world about social media’s impact on our lives, and creating resources to help manage that impact.
In addition to this invitation, I would like to provide an update on the steps the district has taken, and will be taking, to further consider my recommendation to restrict access to smartphones and wearable technology across all grade levels during the school day.
On September 20 I met with all Staples faculty members in small groups to discuss my recommendation and solicit their feedback. My recommendation was widely supported by faculty, provided that the district supply the necessary tech tools for implementation of the curriculum where smartphones and related technology have been used.
On September 22, all Staples students attended grade level assemblies to hear Dr. Delaney Ruston’s presentation discussing the rising addiction to social media in youth.
On the evening of September 23, Dr. Ruston discussed ways that parents can address screen-time issues with their children, in a parent workshop at the BMS auditorium.
In the coming weeks:
On January 28 and 29, Max Stossel will lead grade level student assemblies at both middle schools sharing his insights. I attended Max’s keynote address to New Canaan High School students, and have complete confidence that he will deliver a powerful and engaging message to our middle school students.
An opportunity for parents to share their feedback on this recommendation will be scheduled in a “town hall” style setting. A similar event will be scheduled for students.
A site visit will be scheduled to Wilton High School for a team of faculty, students and administrators. Wilton High implemented a smartphone ban in early November during the school day, and there is a great deal that we can learn from their experience.
We are moving deliberately through this process so that the school community can learn about the impact of smartphones and wearable technology on student well-being and academic performance. This event with Max Stossel is a vital part of that effort, offering valuable insights and practical strategies to help our community understand the risks and challenges posed by these technologies.
We are committed to making informed, thoughtful decisions that prioritize the health, well-being, and educational success of our students.
I encourage all parents to join us on January 29 as we continue this important journey together.
Comments Off on Scarice: Important Updates On Social Media, Smartphones And Students
As we prepare to close out 2024 and head into winter break, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.
My wife Kerry has taught kindergarten for many years. Every December I hear stories about the boundless excitement her 5-year-olds bring to the classroom.
Teachers across our district face the unique challenge of channeling this energy while maintaining focus during this time of year. Please join me in extending extra patience and appreciation to our incredible faculty and staff as they guide our students through this exciting final week of the year.
Below are a few important updates from around the district:
Greens Farms Elementary School Swatting Incident Last Week
Greens Farms Elementary School experienced a “swatting” incident last week, when a false report of a potential threat was made.
While such situations are deeply unsettling, I want to commend the extraordinary response from the GFS administration (Principal Brian Byrne and Assistant Principals Adelia Eddy and Chris Breyan), the faculty, staff, and our invaluable partners at the Westport Police Department.
In moments like these, it’s crucial to treat every situation as real until proven otherwise. Our emergency response system was put into practice, and the collaboration between GFS and WPD demonstrated exceptional coordination and professionalism.
Greens Farms Elementary School
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the parents who were waiting in the parking lot for holiday events during the incident. Your patience and cooperation set a remarkable example for our entire community.
Unfortunately, these types of challenges are a reality of our time. However, through careful preparation and strong partnerships, I remain confident in the safety measures we have in place to protect our students and staff.
Smartphone/Wearable Technology Update
Last spring, I recommended restricting access to smartphones and wearable technology during the school day across all grade levels. While this approach is solidly in place for grades K-8, we have maintained the current system at Staples High School, which allows limited access during non-instructional periods, as we evaluate our next steps.
This fall, I engaged with all Staples faculty in small groups to gather their input. While some opinions varied, a strong majority supported moving toward greater restrictions on smartphone use, including a full ban during the school day.
I had intended to host a couple of “town hall” events for parents and students on this matter, but there was a change in a nearby district and it gave me pause.
In November, Wilton High School implemented a full smartphone ban. Their experience has provided us with an opportunity to learn before finalizing any changes in our district.
Wilton High School has generously offered to host a site visit for a team of Staples faculty, administrators and students. This visit will likely take place in late January. After that, I will host the town hall events for Staples parents, and for students, that was originally planned for October/November.
I have also reached out to the Inklings faculty advisors (the Staples student newspaper), and asked that they send a student reporter to chronicle the site visit to Wilton High School.
We will take the time to learn, listen, and thoughtfully plan for the best path forward.
A Bold Strategic Vision for AI in the WPS
Last night, I presented a bold recommendation to the Board of Education: to position the Westport Public Schools as a national leader in public education’s artificial intelligence revolution.
AI tools are rapidly transforming how we live, work, and learn. These tools are here. In just a few years, they have moved from futuristic novelty to mainstream necessity. As educators, we cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.
This was delivered as part of an update on the district strategic plan. I recommended that the district adjust priorities, and make the appropriate use of AI a focal point of district innovation.
We must ensure that AI augments — not replaces — the fundamental aspects of education and cognitive development.
My charge is to return to the Board of Education in the coming months with a clear strategic vision for teaching and learning in the era of the AI revolution. I enthusiastically welcome that challenge!!
I will return to the school community with updates. Additionally, I will seek community partnerships, in search of expertise among community members and educational consultants on developing a bold vision and action plan for our students and schools.
My best to you and your family this holiday season.
(Education is a regular “06880” beat. If you enjoy our coverage of Westport schools — grades K-12, public and private — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Last night, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this message to Staples High School parents and students:
Earlier today (Monday) Staples Principal Stafford Thomas sent a message to the Staples community sharing that the school administration was made aware of language found on a wall in a bathroom stall which would be considered threats to the school.
The team spent the day working with the Westport Police Department, up to the level of the chief of police. This threat was not deemed credible, yet in an effort to reassure the school community, the decision was made to have multiple Westport Police officers stationed on campus tomorrow (Tuesday).
“06880” obtained this image of the message in a bathroom stall.
This evening (Monday), a social media posting (a separate incident from what was reported this afternoon) was shared widely from a number of students and parents.
An immediate response from the district administration and WPD initiated a visit this evening by the WPD to the home of the suspected source of the posting.
I was just informed that the WPD definitively identified the source of the posting and took enforcement action.
We will continue with our plans to have multiple WPD officers at Staples tomorrow (Tuesday).
Additionally, I can assure the school community that the individual who was identified as the source of the social media posting will not be in school tomorrow (Tuesday).
As an aside, I truly appreciate the calls and emails notifying the school district and WPD of this posting. We jumped into action immediately.
That said, we cannot, and will not be able to, keep up with the speed of social media, nor can we respond to emails during our response to an incident.
This message is intended to inform the community of the online threat, our assertive response in coordination with the WPD, and to respond to those email inquiries.
Staples High School will be well protected by Westport Police today.
Greens Farms Academy’s new cellphone ban — the subject of this morning’s “06880” post — parallels a discussion underway among Westport’s public school administrators and parents.
Last month, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice was a guest on my “06880” podcast. For half an hour, he spoke strongly and directly about his reasons for proposing a ban in Westport schools — and acknowledging the challenges.
The great non-profit — which does so much to fight homelessness and hunger in Westport — hosts an annual fundraiser, with some of America’s best comics. It’s an evening of laughs, for a fantastic cause.
This year’s featured comedian is Dustin Nickerson. His “Overwhelmed” debut in 2020 is one of the highest rated special on Amazon Prime Video.
He’s been featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, the Late Show with James Carden, Fox and Hulu, and is heard regularly on Sirius Radio XM.
Mark the date: Saturday, September 28 (Quick Center, Fairfield University). Tickets are $175 (including cocktails and a light supper, 6:30 p.m.) and $75 (performance only, 8:30 p.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Dustin Nickerson
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After-school childcare is one of the toughest juggling acts for working parents.
Once again this year, the Westport Public Schools and Westport Weston Family YMCA are coordinating care for children in grades K-5.
The program offers a variety of educational and physical activities, including STEM, art, outdoor play, social-emotional learning, and more.
It runs until 6 p.m., and includes transportation to the Y. Click here for details.
For many shoppers, CraftWestport marks the start of the holiday season.
This year’s event is November 2-3, in the Staples High School fieldhouse. Over 175 vendors will participate, showcasing ceramics, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, glass art, skincare products, food and more. The event is a benefit for the Westport Young Woman’s League.
All-weekend admission is $11; seniors 62+ are $10; children 12-18 are $5; those under 12 are free. Click here for more details.
“Script in Hand” is one of the Westport Country Playhouse most popular features.
The 2024 season returns with a special twist. “Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing” was directed and co-written by Trey Ellis — the noted Westport novelist/ screenwriter/playwriter/essayist/director.
In 1947, Satchel Paige was a charismatic pitcher, and Negro Leagues legend.
But as Jackie Robinson embarked upon a historic first season in the majors, Paige’s fame was eclipsed, and his desire for greater respect increasingly frustrated.
Set in Kansas City during a barnstorming tour, this jazz-infused tale portrays an America on the brink of change, capturing the struggle for equality on and off the field. “Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing” is a powerful story of resilience and transformation, at a defining moment in the nation’s history.
All tickets are $30. Click here to purchase, and for more details.
Trey Ellis
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The Peter Thorp House — one of Weston’s oldest and most intriguing homes — is open to the public next month.
The Weston History & Culture Center offers guided tours — plus a rose garden cocktail party, music performance and raffle — on September 29 (4 to 7 p.m.).
Proceeds support the Weston History & Culture Center’s upcoming permanent exhibit in the Coley Barn, “Weston at Work.” It explores the town’s industrial past through manufacturing, agriculture and textile production, highlighting the overlooked contributions of enslaved, free Black, immigrant, women and child laborers from the 18th to early 20th centuries.
Early bird tickets are $125, and include 5 complimentary raffle tickets.
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between August 7 and 14.
A 67-year-old Westport man was charged with criminal violation of a civil protection order, and criminal mischief, following a complaint that, despite an order barring him from assaulting, threatening, abusing, harassing, following, interfering with or stalking the protected person, he placed a bible on a table outside of the residence, opened to a specific verse and with a knife stabbed through the pages.
Six days later, Westport police officers and firefighters responded to his residence after a report of a fire. He was in the back yard, near recently burned grass. It was determined he had been performing a “ritual” when he set the grass on diew.
He posted a $50,000 bond, and will appear August 22 in Stamford Superior Court.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 12 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 11
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 7
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
Failure to obey stop sign: 3
Failure to renew registration: 3
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance 2
Simple trespass: 1
Reckless driving: 1
Passing in no-passing zone: 1
Following too closely: 1
Improper stop: 1
Falsified marker, license or registration: 1
improper use of marker: 1
Failure to carry insurance card: 1
Failure to return license: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without tint inspection: 1
Illegal operation by a motor carrier: 1.
Tinted windows must be inspected!
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Every day, kids hang out at Wakeman Field.
Is this some kind of strange ball they kicked through the goalpost?
(Photo/Cathy Utz)
Nope.
Just the sun doing what it does every day: setting.
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Longtime Westport Rotary Club member Lyla Steenbergen addressed the organization at its Tuesday lunch meeting.
As chair of the International Giving Committee, she presented an overview of the local group’s current projects.
For several years, she has helped equip and enlarge a hospital in Uganda. This year, the Rotarians will add a vision and dental clinic.
Other projects include NicaPhoto, which creates after-school programs in Nicaragua; Gift of Life, which funds pediatric heart surgeries, and M-Lisada, which brings education programs and scholarships to 2,100 youngsters Uganda.
Westport Rotary is also involved in water, irrigation and sanitation projects in Nepal and Kenya.
Lyla Steenbergen (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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The weather the past few days has been spectacular.
It’s that time of year when summer is ending, but the craziness of a new school year has not yet begun.
Everyone is chill.
Including this guy, who is relaxing just like the rest of us.
Ben Meyer spotted him at Owenoke near Gray’s Creek, posing for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo.
And finally … in honor of Trey Ellis’ Script in Hand show at the Westport Country Playhouse, “Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing”:
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Her experiences as both an elite athlete and coach have further shaped her leadership skills and dedication to excellence. Colleagues who have worked with Dr. Mahon speak highly of her leadership skills.
This approach is solidly in place for grades K-8. We have maintained the current system at Staples High School, which allows limited access during non-instructional periods, as we evaluate our next steps and consider interventions that fully restrict access during the school day.
Before working in this field, Max was a media strategist with an extensive background in social media.
This was delivered as part of an update on the district strategic plan. I recommended that the district adjust priorities, and make the appropriate use of AI a focal point of district innovation.
