Sherry Takahashi is a Weston resident. She spent 22 years as a Bridgeport teacher, first in special education and then as a district-wide literacy coach.
Did you know that Bridgeport’s Board of Education began the year with a $36 million deficit?
They had to cut 40 positions — reading and math coordinators included. They are also missing teachers for 28 classroom positions, and filling them with temps.
Sherry Takahashi
Also, the superintendent said that any special needs student who had been out- placed would be brought back into the district. That is every teacher’s favorite cost-saving strategy: having a severely disabled child placed into an already crowded classroom.
I went to help a friend set up her classroom in a local suburban town. She is a newly hired 4th grade teacher. I was taken aback by all of the new materials that arrived, clean and shrink-wrapped, that we unpacked.
She has 17 students,compared to the 29 that is Bridgeport’s max.
The disparity was eye-opening. I remember as a teacher scouring basements of old school buildings for displaced materials, and writing multiple grants for
essential items like pocket charts, whiteboards and manipulatives.
Every teacher in Bridgeport looks forward to the annual Pequot Library sale, where they were entitled to a $100 voucher to purchase used books for their classroom.
My friends who are still teaching and I are on a thread, so I get up-to-date information on life in urban education.
Our bond outlasts our time together, teaching under tough circumstances but
confident we had each other’s backs.
One time I forgot to bring a student to a district spelling bee. My colleague seamlessly covered for me. She told the parent her child wasn’t dressed
appropriately, and that was the end of it.
If it had happened in another setting, it probably would have gone viral.
Thinking back, I believe our strongest resource in Bridgeport was each other.
Westport teachers have every material resource. The community expects a blue ribbon education, and Westport’s Board of Education delivers.
As a result real estate values stay high, property taxes respond accordingly, the schools are fully funded and everyone is happy.
Bridgeport relies heavily on state and federal subsidies. Those have steadily eroded over the years.
I can’t really compare the systems dollar for dollar. I’m glad my kids had the benefit of suburban education, so the money the town sinks into the budget is worth it.
For equity’s sake I wish there were county budgets rather than town budgets. I don’t find de facto segregation that democratic.
Sometimes I run into former students working in service industry jobs, which is about the best they can expect given their level of education.
When Governor Lamont tried to suggest that smaller towns combine to save on administrative costs, the towns vehemently resisted because everyone is happy with the status quo.
So the class system is maintained. And now Elon Musk sits next to our next
president.
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!)
Clarence Hayes, who represents RTM District 4, is very engaged in local issues. He recently retired from a career in information technology. He is an avid amateur naturalist, gardener and walker, and enjoys hanging out with his 5 grandkids.
This was stated in letters and in person, by several parents at the Board of Education meeting last month.
This is not being exaggerated by a couple of annoyed parents. I have grandkids in elementary school, and am part of the parent gossip grapevine. It’s everywhere, in all the elementary schools.
Head lice: a familiar sight.
What should be done? At the BOE meeting parents were told “the district follows state regulation. Lice has been a persistent issue for many years in many schools.”
What are these “state regulations”? Information posted on the Westport Public Schools website states the school should do nothing, and rely entirely on parents to inspect their children at least weekly, then treat appropriately.
The “Head Lice Management in Schools” section states:
There should be no screening of students at school
No child should be excluded from school due to the presence of nits or live lice
If lice are discovered by a nurse, no one is to be notified other than the parent.
It adds that school nurses should educate parents on how to identify and treat lice.
Why do nothing? The WPS website says:
“A head lice infestation is not a communicable disease and no health risks have been associated with head lice … It is merely a nuisance, not a health issue.”
“Exclusion from school can adversely affect students emotionally, socially and academically.”
“Decrease stigmatism of these children”
11% of the total population of Westport (elementary age students), residing in perhaps 25% or more of the housing of Westport, goes to an environment every day, where they are mixed together.
Being active children they tussle and roughhouse, and share hats. brushes, helmets, masks, hair bands, play outfits, etc.
To sum up: Lice are rampant. Kids like to play. Parents don’t tell the schools or other parents when their kids have lice, so others cannot act in response. This cycle cannot be broken without common shared intervention. It will go on forever. The BOE says as much, stating it’s been a problem for years.
School is the only institution in a position to do anything substantial enough to resolve this problem. That is where transmission happens, and that is the only place where all transmission vectors are gathered.
My proposal: Bring back school lice inspection, but do not exclude students from school if lice are found.
The district can periodically hire inspectors who will work with school nurses, to inspect students. This might need to be done annually, at the start of the school year.
If it is too expensive, a GoFundMe campaign could collect sufficient funds from parents. Initially everyone must be screened multiple times, over at least 9-12 weeks.
Confidentiality and effectiveness can be combined. Every child will be inspected by a professional, one at a time. If nits or live lice are present, that information would be provided only to that student’s parents. The child would still attend school. Any concerned parent will treat their child immediately.
However, that student will have to be inspected again to determine if treatment was actually done, and was effective. To mask this, there could be a random lottery of “re-inspection,” and those with nits would be included.
Or we could not worry about the supposed stigma, and just re-test as needed those initially found to have lice. If they are still going to school they will not lose academic time, nor will parents need to take off work to watch them at home.
This is common sense. I think the CDC and others have gone overboard in their attempt to “avoid stigma.” Their documents focus primarily on what not to do, due to concern about exclusion, rather than outlining ways that public institutions can solve the problem.
I call on the Westport schools to play a more active role in solving a problem only they are positioned to solve, instead of pushing it off solely on parents (who cannot solve it independently), in an effort to avoid any appearance of “stigmatizing.”
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. Opinion pieces of all kinds are always welcome. So are tax-deductible contributions, to help us continue our work. Please click here — and thank you!)
Redistricting is on tonight’s Board of Education agenda (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).
It’s a discussion item only. Many more steps and meetings lie ahead, before any decisions are made.
But parental anxiety is already high.
On social media and in conversations, there is concern about leaving friends, adapting to new schools, and more.
“NIMBY” might become “NIMSD”: Not in my school district!
The current Westport school district map. Hover over, or click on, to enlarge.
This would not, of course, be the first time some Westport youngsters would change schools.
It occurs every so often, over the years. Populations shift. Adjustments are needed. Stuff happens.
“Change is hard,” one parent wrote online.
Actually, kids are pretty resilient.
That was the point a Westport resident made to me recently.
He’d been redistricted when he was in elementary school. (And, he said, some kids changed schools twice during those years.)
He said he made friends quickly. (Some new classmates were already familiar, from outside activities.)
By the time everyone got together in Staples, he knew more people than he otherwise would have.
In fact, he said, he adjusted better to middle school and high school, because he’d already had the experience of change.
A sample size of one proves nothing, of course.
But I wonder: What the redistricting experience was like for others?
Was it stressful? Stress-free? Something in between?
Were your parents more worried than you were?
What helped you adjust to your new school? What hindered a quick adjustment?
If you changed schools during your youth in Westport — or anywhere else — click “Comments” below.
Fire away. As a new school year — with redistricting on the table — your stories are important.
(“06880” will cover the redistricting story regularly — along with the rest of the education beat, and everything else in town. If you appreciate our work, please support it by clicking here. Thank you!)
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”:
(As summer fades, “06880” helps you get ready for the “new year.” Thanks for sending us the news we need — and for supporting us with a few bucks, too. Please click here. Thank you!)
The Westport Public Schools address antisemitism and other biases in many ways: in and out of the classroom, and during and outside the school day.
But educators know they can do more.
That was one takeaway from last night’s “Addressing Incidents of Antisemitism and Bias in our Schools” forum at Temple Israel.
A large crowd — and more watching the livestream — heard Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, and nearly every member of his leadership team, discuss an array of efforts the district takes to confront a problem that is ongoing, rising, and part of American society as well as its schools.
Some of those efforts are proactive. Others are reactive. All, Scarice and others stressed, rely on the support of parents and the community, as well as educators.
Introducing the evening, Rabbis Michael Friedman of Temple Israel and Jeremy Wiederhorn of TCS told the audience — which included members of the Board of Education, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and state legislators — that Scarice and his administrators work as partners with local clergy to address hate incidents.
Rabbi Michael Friedman welcomes forum attendees to Temple Israel.
The presentation was divided into 2 parts. Much of it was devoted to antisemitism, though other types of prejudice, such as racism and homophobia, were mentioned too.
The first part — “Prevention” — described staff training and professional development; curriculum and instruction; social emotional learning; student clubs and activities; special events, and parental outreach.
The second involved schools’ responses to incidents of bias. It includes prioritizing the safety of targeted students; gathering facts; education; communication with stakeholders; consequences and accountability, and restoration and training.
Scarice noted the importance of holding students accountable for their actions, while at the same time helping them understand the meaning and import of what they said or did.
Privacy laws prohibit schools from discussing individual incidents, or revealing specific consequences.
“We don’t behave a certain way because we’re fearful of being sued,” Scarice said. “We’re following the law.”
And, he acknowledged, “We can do more. We will still have bias incidents that are unacceptable. Kids will be kids.” But he committed the Westport Public Schools to continuing to address hate-based words and actions, wherever and whenever they occur.
(From left): Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, Staples High School principal Stafford Thomas, Westport Public Schools Grades 6-12 social studies coordinator Lauren Francese. (Photo/Dan Woog)
One way is through a tightened, clearer Code of Conduct. “It’s squishy now. It needs to change,” the superintendent said.
The code is being revised and reviewed, with Board of Education oversight. Scarice urged residents to provide input, throughout the process.
“Westport is a competitive community,” Scarice noted. “Sometimes this does not bring out the best in people.
One result: students “exclude others, based on things like socioeconomic status, ability, race, religion and ethnicity.”
A new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging page on the WPS website offers more information on the school district’s efforts to provide education and resources to combat hatred, bias and misunderstanding, in all forms.
A Newsweek “My Turn” column alleging antisemitism in Westport — and charging the school district with a lack of response — has turned a national spotlight on the town.
Andrew Goldberg begins:
I didn’t know what hurt more: The antisemitism directed at our seventh-grade son or our public school administration’s attempts to silence us about what happened to him.
Both seared like a brand.
Goldberg — identified in a bio note as “an Emmy Award-winning documentary producer and director” — says that his son was taunted in 6th grade.
It escalated, Goldberg says, in 7th grade, and progressed to “targeted antisemitism.”
A friend invited him to sign up for “Camp Auschwitz,” with “great showers,” Goldberg writes. The same boy then began saying “We must exterminate the Jews” — a chant he heard watching “South Park” with Goldberg’s son.
Goldberg says the school responded with an “interrogation” of his son, and a safety plan that included sitting at another lunch table. He did not think the school was addressing antisemitism, or using it as a teachable moment for students and faculty.
Goldberg continues, “Word spread in our town. In its retelling, we were villains.”
He says that the bullying of his son continued. Friends dropped away. Feeling out of options, Goldberg and his wife enrolled their son in a private Jewish school.
Goldberg hired an education attorney, who asked the Westport Public Schools to help offset some of the tuition of the new school, and answer questions about training and policies to deal with what had happened to Goldberg’s son.
Their answers, he says, were “far too little, much too late.”
Goldberg and his wife felt the confidentiality clause in a settlement agreement was too prohibitive. They refused to sign,
In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel, Goldberg writes, “Now, more than ever, speaking out about antisemitism is needed. Remaining silent was simply something we could not do.
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“06880” asked superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice for a comment. He says:
“The Westport Public Schools categorically rejects antisemitism and has no tolerance for antisemitism or any other form of hate. We address each issue and report head-on as they arise. Our response is done in a manner designed to help students feel safe and welcome in our schools.
“It is deeply saddening to know that our community members, specifically members of our Jewish community, have concerns that we do not take these matters seriously, particularly at this point in time. Although our hope is that the words below convey our commitment to no tolerance for any form of hate, we know that it is the actions that we take, proactively and responsively, that matter most.
“Across our schools, the district provides student programming and staff training from reputable institutions such as Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other organizations to help foster a school climate in which students feel a sense of safety and belonging.
“It is understandable that community members will have serious concerns when they hear stories that paint a very different picture. In full disclosure, this is a challenge because we have a duty and commitment to honor student privacy rights. However, we can assure the community we are absolutely vigilant in addressing discrimination, harassment, and other forms of hate-based conduct.
“When reports are made with us about student interactions, in school or outside of school hours, including allegations of bias or hate-based discriminatory conduct, our schools immediately respond with our Identity-Based Incident’ protocol, established to implement the Board of Education Hate-Based Conduct’ policy (#0525).
“The response is centered on the following steps: (1) thoroughly investigate and ensure student safety, (2) address (i.e. consequences for substantiated acts, learning experiences), (3) restore relationships.
“Our response to these concerns always includes prioritizing the safety of students first, which usually means creating a safety plan, while incorporating parent feedback, for the students involved as we investigate.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
“We then conduct a thorough investigation and, depending on our findings, address substantiated findings in a variety of ways. This includes disciplinary consequences, longer-term safety measures, interventions to address the school climate, training for staff, and learning opportunities for students. When all parties are ready, we create and facilitate opportunities for the students involved to restore relationships within the school community.
“While our response to concerns of hate-based conduct is critical, a vitally important aspect of our program includes implementing proactive measures for students that foster a school climate in which students feel safe and welcome.
“To that end, we have provided programs to our students to help them understand the impact of their words and actions on others. Some of these programs include the Second Step SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) curriculum (e.g. empathy and kindness lessons, and perspective taking), ADL ‘identity-based’ anti-bullying lessons, the Responsive Classroom model, the Ruler program, heritage month celebrations, using our 6-12 advisory programs (e.g., ‘Connections’) to lead discussions on these topics.
“Staff professional development programs addressing this need have included: ADL scenario-based training (i.e. responding to bias/hate-based incidents), training on microaggressions/subtle acts of exclusion, and school-based DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) committee book clubs. In addition, given our commitment to this work, the district has begun to explore the pathway for a ‘No Place for Hate’ designation by the ADL.
“As always, we invite community members to share any concerns about their experiences in our schools. We are committed to maintaining a school climate that is safe and welcoming to all, and we recognize that there is always more work to be done.
“We look forward to partnering with the community in confronting these difficult issues.”
Click here to read the full Newsweek column by Andrew Goldberg.
All residents are invited to a Westport Board of Education “community conversation” (Tuesday, November 14, noon to 1:30 p.m., Westport Library Komasky Room).
Any topics related to the schools can be raised. Former RTM moderator and educator Velma Heller will facilitate the discussion.
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Adam Vengrow writes:
“Each year after our Veterans Day Town Hall service, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 hosts all local veterans and supporters for food and drinks.
“It costs about $25 per veteran. We hope to have 100 people this year.
“We want our great men and women who have served to enjoy the day. Anything ‘06880’ readers can donate is appreciated — via Paypal @vfw399ct, or email me (a.vengrow@ven2port.com) for Venmo and other options. The VFW is a 501(c)3.”
To learn more about VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, click here.
The Westport Downtown Association’s Instagram was hacked.
To follow them — and get information about upcoming events, promotions, and everything else downtown-related — click on their new Insta: @WestportDowntownOfficial.
Hard to envision this past weekend’s bridge slide?
Check out Sunday’s great drone video from Rick Giunta (sent by Andrew Colabella):
(Drone photo/Rick Giunta)
The view — looking west — shows traffic squeezed into 2 lanes. The bridge has been slid into place on the southbound side, with that entrance/exit ramp closed.
“There are 2 days each year — one in spring, one in fall – when the sun sets directly down the Longshore entrance road.
“I was lucky enough to catch it this afternoon, as I biked through Longshore. Call it ‘LongshoreHenge.'”
(Photo/John Richers)
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DNR — Westport’s favorite almost-all-physician rock band — takes the stage on Saturday, November 18 (7 p.m., Westport Library).
Of course, there’s a medical hook: “Rocking for the Cure” is a benefit for pancreatic cancer research at Nuvance Health. Dr. Richard Frank is chief of cancer research there — and DNR’s sax player.
Tony Award-winning actor and great local friend James Naughton will emcee.
Tickets are $35 each, and include wine, beer, soda and snacks. Click here to reserve, and for more information.
Oh, doctor! The DNR band.
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More entertainment: “Rock, religion and Westport’s homeless shelter” may never have appeared n the same sentence.
But they all come together this Saturday (November 11, 3 p.m.,) when the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport welcomes the Fairfield School of Rock House Band for a family-friendly concert.
It’s free — but donations to Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center are welcomed. Concert-goers are asked to bring food and toiletries for the Homes with Hope pantry too.
Complimentary refreshments will be available, thanks to merchants like Trader Joe’s.
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Also on stage: Jaden Myles Waldman — one of Westport’s most gifted young performers — plays one of his most important roles this Sunday (November 12, 7 p.m., Symphony Space, New York City).
The Bedford Middle School 8th grader is part of “Lyrics for Life.” The goal is to break the stigma surrounding mental health through the power of music.
Jaden will sing with a star-filled lineup of performers from Broadway, TV and fil. All are between 6 and 25 years old. Hosts are Swayam Bhatia (The Mighty Ducks and Succession) and Devin Trey Campbell (MJ The Musical, Kinky Boots,Single Parents).
Jaden was on Broadway in Caroline, or Change. He recently performed a solo at Carnegie Hall’s “We are Here” concert, honoring Holocaust victims and celebrating Jewish history.
He was the voice of Peter in Pinkalicious and Peteriffic, Kun in Mirai, and TO-B1 Star Wars: Visions. his film and TV credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Give or Take.
Jazz at the Post celebrates Veterans Day 2 days early.
This Thursday (November 9; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399), the popular series welcomes Tower of Power’s trumpeter Michael Bogart (a 20-year veteran of the US Navy Band), and drummer and US Army Band veteran Joe Corsello.
Also sitting in:pianist Mitch Schecter, bassist Brian Glassman and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
There is special Veterans Day pricing. Suggested minimums are $55 for the performance with dinner, $30 for music only. Funds raised will support VFW post 399, the longtime Jazz at the Post host (and a mainstay of the area’s veterans community).
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Roger Kafuman’s “Speaking of Music” series returns to the Westport Library with a special program. Speaking of Jazz: What It Is, is set for this Saturday (November 11; doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.)
Performers include the Brian Torff Group, the Jones Factor Lite, and the Tim DeHuff Quartet.
A discussion panel includes includes author Bill Milkowski, saxophonist Rabbi Greg Wall; bassist Dave Anderson, and bassist, author and music educator Torff. Kaufman will moderate the discussion, which will include the long evolution of jazz, through multiple genres.
The grandson of ragtime songwriter Mel B. Kaufman, Roger — a 1966 graduate of Staples High School — has spent a lengthy career as a bandleader, bass player, producer, moderator and historian. He founded Old School Music Productions, which puts on the Speaking of Music series as a “cornerstone of musical education” combining narration, expert discussions and live performances.
In 2016 he helped the Smithsonian acquire, archive and exhibit donations by guitarist/composer/producer Steve Cropper (“Midnight Hour,” “Knock on Wood,” “Dock of the Bay”). He has worked closely with Smithsonian curators to archive musicians’ work, including Weston resident Jose Feliciano.
And finally … because we’re previewing so many musical performances today, including rock and jazz:
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Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel earlier this month is an international event.
But it has local implications.
At the beginning of last night’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice spoke heartfully about what the incident means, for our students — and for him.
I can speak on behalf of the Board when I reiterate that our hearts are broken for the unspeakable acts of violence and terror that occurred in Israel the weekend of October 7, and now the continued violence that is sure to engulf the region, and world, for the foreseeable future.
Together with the community, the Westport Public Schools stand against all forms of hate and violence, including of course the desecration of human life, the murder and the kidnappings of innocent citizens in Israel.
With the Board, we stand in solidarity in condemnation of these acts, and ready to support all those impacted by these atrocities.
This week I had the fortune of meeting with 4 of our local rabbis: Rabbi Wiederhorn, Rabbi Friedman, Rabbi Kantor and Rabbi Wall. This will be followed by a subsequent meeting with the Interfaith Clergy Association of Westport and Weston
I asked for this meeting in search of wisdom and knowledge … but also in search of thought partners in how to best support our Jewish students, and the Jewish community of Westport.
As Rabbi Kantor pointed out to me, there are 15 million Jews in the world, and 7 million live in Israel.
It is not just a high likelihood … it is a fact that many of our Jewish students have a direct connection to family, friends and loved ones in Israel.
That puts our schools in a position where we must provide necessary school- based supports
As Rabbi Wiederhorn pointed out to me, Israel is at war with the terror group Hamas. Collectively our local rabbis want, and pray for, peace with all neighbors, here, and internationally.
I also had the opportunity to connect with former executive director of the Connecticut ADL, Steve Ginsburg.
I had the chance to work with Steve in confronting a very public issue a couple of years ago. We became friends. And as a friend, Steve shared some wisdom with me that I would like to share with the community.
As the local rabbis cautioned me about historical increases in antisemitism following international incidents such as October 7, they noted concern for all students.
Steve also wisely advised that we remain on high alert for incidents of Islamaphobia. He indicated that historically, incidents of Islamaphobia rise following international incidents such as October 7.
We are a public education system. We have a lane. Although I am comfortable expressing my moral clarity on violence directed towards innocent children, elderly, families, etc. anywhere, I am mindful of my professional lane when speaking publicly on these matters. And I am quite confident that my comments will not be received with unanimous support.
That said, in my lane, I am the same exact superintendent for each and every one of our approximately 5,400 students.
Our job as public educators is to support the growth and development of our students.
That work is optimized in an environment marked by physical and emotional well-being, one in which students feel safe, and an abiding sense of belonging and affiliation. This is the foundation of all learning.
As I said in my message to the community, as much as we try, the chaos and evils of the outside world penetrate the walls of our schools. When this happens, we respond to the best of our abilities.
Rather than divide and scatter, as chaos and evil can do, we work to pull closer together as a wider Westport school community to serve our students.
This means every student. We won’t be perfect, but it will not be due to a lack of caring.
The first day of school was yesterday. But Staples math teacher Maggie Gomez already has a Westport Public Schools nomination for “06880” Unsung Heroes. She writes:
The whole Westport Public Schools IT (Informational Technology) crew are unsung heroes.
I can’t testify to what goes on in other buildings. But at Staples on Monday, all sorts of computers needed updating. Printers were not connecting. If things were not up and running, opening day would be a mess.
The whole IT department was more than helpful. They individually helped teachers endlessly, all day long. And they did it with smiles on their faces.
After helping one teacher, instead of ducking out they went around and asked if anyone else had issues.
They even helped unlock my own son’s account. because he had entered a wrong password too many times.
The IT staff is very deserving Unsung Heroes. They keep us running all year long, totally behind the scenes — especially before school starts. We would be lost without them.
Staples High School math teacher Maggie Gomez — at her computer. (File photo/Susan Woog Wagner)
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Emil 06880blog@gmail.com)
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One time I forgot to bring a student to a district spelling bee. My colleague seamlessly covered for me. She told the parent her child wasn’t dressed
I can’t really compare the systems dollar for dollar. I’m glad my kids had the benefit of suburban education, so the money the town sinks into the budget is worth it.
Goldberg says the school responded with an “interrogation” of his son, and a safety plan that included sitting at another lunch table. He did not think the school was addressing antisemitism, or using it as a teachable moment for students and faculty.
As Rabbi Wiederhorn pointed out to me, Israel is at war with the terror group Hamas. Collectively our local rabbis want, and pray for, peace with all neighbors, here, and internationally.
Our job as public educators is to support the growth and development of our students.
