Schools
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Joanna Leone May 20, 2013 at 03:37 pm
Congratulations to everyone at Jane Ryan School. The names of the inventions sound very…Read More interesting. Way to go!
Civics First May 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Congratulations to Katie Boland and her team. Best wishes from the staff at Civics First which…Read More conducts the We the People hearings in Connecticut.
Jenna May 13, 2013 at 12:06 am
Great accomplishment due a teacher going above and beyond in her profession.
Thomas Tesoro May 8, 2013 at 09:03 pm
Another shining example of the success of our School system. Congratulations to the students and…Read More their families as well as their teacher and those in our School system who support these worthwhile activities.
Jim Sullivan May 4, 2013 at 03:38 am
The SJ Cadets did a great job. I forgot how many catchy tunes were in that show. One…Read More recommendation for those going Saturday...bring you seat cushion. Those folding chairs have a bun numbing effect.
Scot Kerr May 2, 2013 at 02:08 pm
I thought I was imagining things at first, but Notre Dame HS in Fairfield is also doing "Guys…Read More and Dolls" this year, so I think Patch needs to send a reviewer to each, don't ya thinK? Having been involved in a production of G&D back in.....oh never-mind, it will be fun to see it again locally. Support the performing arts in our schools please.
Tom Kelly May 10, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Your statement at face value is absurd. What do people say when the town has a surplus? Do you…Read More realize as a percentage of the budget, the town has had bigger surpluses than the BOE? Does anyone on the other side cry foul? Do we beat our chests and say that you are budget padders, or that you never needed that much money, or that you overtaxed the taxpayers? No! A surplus is a good thing....it sure beats a deficit....you know, like the $2.5 million over the NN Nichols sewer project is projected to run. But you guys always think that some shenanigans are going on. Why would the Board of Education budget a surplus and then NOT SPEND IT? There are many variables every year. The average 1%, that's right, I said 1% surplus is considered by most reasonable people in this town to be a GOOD THING...
Now, stay tuned everyone. Cindy has claimed that she is always on the lookout for Trumbull taxpayers. Soon, I will put a blog and tell everyone many of the things she voted to spend taxpayer money on last night....we'll talk about the $20,000 repair of a greenhouse that hasn't been used for years, and the $47,000 in carpeting that she voted to BOND. And lots of other things. At the end of the day, you can forgot what she says, and you can forget what I say....just look at the list of items the Board of Finance voted to bond last night and JUDGE FOR YOURSELF who is looking out for Trumbull taxpayers.
Tom Kelly May 10, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Cindy, you are entitled to your opinion, and I think you are wrong most of the time as well. The…Read More difference is that I can make my points without being so personally insulting. Whether I agree with you or not, I respect the hours you put in and I also respect that you were collecting food for the Trumbull Food Pantry last week at Stop and Shop. I can just say nice job when I agree with you or you do some community service which is commendable. Not you, though. You are constantly caustic and acerbic, as your own words on Facebook demonstrate. When I was out collecting food in the bitter cold in front of Poricelli's for the same food pantry, your comment was maybe the folks wouldn't need the food pantry if he didn't make their taxes go up so much. As if I have one iota of control over the tax rate. I don't get a vote to spend one penny other than what the town decides to allocate, and I have no vote when it comes to that. Or another time when we were out there and you accused us of being out there for political purposes. I've been collecting food for the poor and needy for years, long before I ever got into politics. My wife runs the food pantry at our church.
At any rate, you are entitled to your opinion, whether or not I agree with it, and I while I will likely disagree, I won't try to stop you from saying whatever you choose. It is, after all, a free country. Even with Governor Malloy in Hartford and President Obama in Washington. Have a nice weekend.
Rebecca May 10, 2013 at 09:00 pm
Or how about the story that Dave Wilsoon perpetuates, that Trumbull High School has too many…Read More administrators? He wimped out when asked to back it up with facts.
It would be also interesting to know how other towns fund technology and how much they spent on their "like new" renovations.
Aaron Leo (Editor) May 1, 2013 at 04:32 pm
Thanks for the feedback Mark. I was quite busy yesterday but I can provide a link to a past story…Read More I've done on her.
Mark E Smith May 1, 2013 at 04:03 pm
Aaron,
This is a great story. However you gave Vishakha one sentence and the scholarship the rest…Read More of the whole story! Why don't you tell us a little about her and how she got herself into such a wonderful position? Develop the story!
Here is her opportunity to shine and you only tell us her name only and nothing else about her! Not good.
Jim Sullivan April 3, 2013 at 06:07 pm
Great job. This is a potential concern in suburban settings. Lawns that are over fertilized create…Read More nutrient rich run-off that negatively impact local surface water quality. Ms. Kelly picked a superb topic.
Lucinda Ames April 3, 2013 at 12:45 am
Abby is my niece and a super bright young lady. And yes, is a very nice girl with many talents. SO…Read More happy for her!
Jenny Ames April 2, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Abby is my goddaughter and cousin, and I am so proud of her. She is extremely thoughtful and kind…Read More to others in addition to beingsuper smart.
Kathleen McGannon March 29, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Thank you, Tom T for explaining my post to Mr. Smith. I thought my point was rather obvious. And I…Read More appreciate your generous description of my qualities. But somehow, reading "Grandmother" made me feel very old! You have to tell people that I am a VERY young grandmother! It's still funny to see that in writing. And I would never use children for any political purpose. I have too much respect and affection for children to ever use them as pawns. They deserve so much better than that!
JR March 29, 2013 at 06:04 pm
Aren't you part of the group that "rubber stamped" the North Nichols sewer debacle?
Thomas Tesoro March 29, 2013 at 05:17 pm
Thanks Mark for yet another incoherent rant but within the waste you can find some reals pearls:…Read More Let's look at a few:
In the last election Ms. Thornton made several substantive proposals, one of which was to use external expertise both from Town Citizens and external consultants to find efficiencies and improvements. Mark Smith ranted that this was a "lack of vision and leadership". Once elected, Mr. Herbst did exactly what Ms. Thornton suggested. There are several more examples but the point is the Democrats ran a very substantive campaign.
Mr. Smith says in one of his more disturbing quotes, that it is the same "OLD" Democrats and the same "OLD" issues that mean "NOTHING" to the rest of the Town. In the Democratic party we respect our elders and do not cast them aside. We recognize that this wonderful Town was built to a great degree by tremendous Democratic First Selectman like Paul Timpanelli, David Wilson and Ray Baldwin. Unlike Mark, I also give credit to Morag Vance and Ken Halaby both Republicans.
As for Democratic issues, we believe in a strong education system as the pillar of the Community, we believe in helping Citizens (both Seniors and Others) in need. We believe, in keeping the character of our Community by developing parks and preserving open space. We believe in balanced government including strong minority representation, we believe in civility in government and respect for people. I happen to think those are the things people care about.
Thomas Tesoro May 7, 2013 at 05:14 pm
I want to say thank you to the Board of Education, the administration and the staff for producing…Read More outstanding results at a below average cost. Communities all around us dream of what we have in Trumbull.
Above average results, below average cost per student below average administrators to teacher and student ratios.
Best wishes to our outgoing and incoming Superintendants!!!!!
Thomas Tesoro May 3, 2013 at 08:33 pm
These are outstanding young people who are role models for any Citizen of the United States. Their…Read More knowledge of the founding principles of our Country and their mastery of Constitutional law is impressive. They are a credit to our education system in general and to their wonderful teacher, Ms. Boland. Thanks to all these students and their parents. These young people represent our best hope for the future.
Jose April 27, 2013 at 02:58 am
And by the way, the program is housed in a separate building, a former garage, on the grounds of…Read More Madison Middle School. Before I retire, Is there anything else you need help with Ted? We can offer a more intensive enlightenment service for other topics within which you struggle to get right?
Jose April 27, 2013 at 02:53 am
It's not the Alternate school, it's the Reach program for special education students who otherwise…Read More might be sent out of district for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Stop getting 2nd hand or inaccurate information from your kids. You are the adult right?
Also, regardless if the high school was filled, these students would not be successful as a legally bound meeting was convened to determine a smaller more intensive specialized setting met the needs of students.
There should be some sort of criteria before you post inaccurate (I mean ignorant) ideas and if so, Ted would be poster candidate #1. It didn't take much for me to become enlighten with facts before I posted. Let's hope the apple does fall far from the tree in your case Ted!
Jill Massari April 26, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I think the point is that you shouldn't make generalizations about people, especially not people who…Read More are only 12 or 13 years old. It's one child and it could have happened anywhere. The fact is that countless kids have succeeded at the Alternate School over the years.
Steven Castro April 15, 2013 at 03:31 pm
And here's the other shoe that the Republican controlled BOF will drop. As I have been saying, most…Read More of this belongs in the operating budget. This will be added to the $12 million in notes to be bonded at the next new borrowing issuance. And these guys want you to believe that they have your mil rate under control. Street paving is a maintenance item. Fleet equipment has been moved from the operating budget to the capital improvement spending under this administration. You will be paying for this long after Herbst and Ponzio have moved on.
Tom Kelly April 13, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Dave Wilsoon is uninformed. He has an anti-education agenda, he always has, and he always will. He…Read More makes so many statements with factual inaccuracies that it's laughable. There are MANY costs in the Board of Education budget that fluctuate, and have to be managed. Do more or less employees take health insurance during the course of the year? What effect to the addition of spouses and dependents have on the health insurance budget? How many teachers and other staff go on leave of absence, which would create a surplus in the salary accounts? This year, the BOE is WAY overbudget on out-of-district tuition. As Scot says, when there are 9 schools and multiple buildings, energy costs will fluctuate by hundreds of thousands of dollars based on how warm or cold the winter is. The Board of Education has to budget a year ahead of time on things that can fluctuate wildly, like energy prices. Does anyone know what the price of heating oil and natural gas will be next winter? The BOE's estimate is already in the budget, and if we underestimate, there will be all kinds of criticism from folks like Dave Wilsoon. Also, it's virtually impossible to predict last minute enrollment changes when you budget the number of teachers. If several new students move into a school district at the last minute, extra teachers need to be added in order to maintain class sizes.
I have been on the BOE for four years. Trumbull is getting OUTSTANDING value for its investment in education.
louis April 13, 2013 at 01:00 am
Is it me or does the Town Council also remind you of the NBC hit show, Parks and Recreation?
Linda Woods December 16, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Reading this really upset me with the NFL. I can't believe that ONLY 3 teams are wearing decals…Read More in memory of SandyHook School. What difference does it make if you are on the East Coast or West Coast. I have so much respect for the Patriots, Giants and Jets for showing such a wonderful tribute to this very sad loss. And to the Patriots, who will be sending up 26 individual flares for those who lost their lives.
Excellent tribute men !
MAC April 12, 2013 at 05:52 pm
Pam's comments are polite and well-reasoned, while Jose's are mostly a tirade against those he…Read More disagrees with. He also swivels between criticisms of weaknesses in Trumbull schools, to an unqualified praise of all programs as they are (except staff not being paid as much as in richer towns!) when others bring up reasonable questions. (Note also that Jose's spelling/grammar are very sloppy/un-exemplary for someone working in the school system.)
Examples from Jose: "What about are [SIC] number of students in special education? Rates of suspensions and expulsions? Number of students graduating with Cs and Ds?" "Why don't you throw blacks and Hispanics under the bus while you're at it do you can achieve a new low tonight! You have shown all the prerequisites for a PHd in ingnorance and insensitivity." "Why don't you put your house on the market ASAP and go?" "Pam, I don't want to labor on [SIC] this, but to show 'Dave' respect is bizarre."
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More substantively as to dw's complaint, his questions about the alternative school (and all the costs) are reasonable--and I would be interested in any info about the curriculum discovered by Pam or others.
Re Trumbull Mom's post (and KUDOS to her and her son!), it's a good guess that he was properly taught and motivated/supported at home. Also that he preferred the full program/environment at THS to one with troubled/angry kids--an extra motivation to spend only a "short time" at the alternate school!
dave wilsoon April 9, 2013 at 01:31 am
YEA BABY !! TAX AND SPEND TAX AND SPEND WHILE THE ECONOMY GOES FURTHER AND FURTHER INTO THE…Read More TOILET ASK THE TAXPAYERS FOR MORE AND MORE $$$$$$ WE NEED A CUSTOM SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD , SO WE CAN MEET THEIR EVERY NEED BTW SHEFF VS ONEILL IS STILL IN THE COURTS AND WE STILL DON'T COMPLY AS A STATE
HOW ABOUT A SPECIAL "SHEFF" MAGNET SCHOOL TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF KIDS RELATED TO THE SHEFF FAMILY? OR ANYBODY NAMED SHEFF IN CT? WHY NOT - THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE HAPPY TO KEEP THE TAX DOLLAR ORGY GOING
Thomas Tesoro April 8, 2013 at 01:14 pm
Magnet schools, Charter schools parochial schools and our Public School system all exist for a…Read More specific purpose and serve different populations. For parents who want an education that has a religious componebt, there are parochial schools. For parents and students who want to focus on speciif topics there is the Agriscience School, the Aquaculture program etc. The magnet school and charter schools give parents choice, particularly if they feel that thier local schools, for whatever reason, are not adequate. Magnet schools by blending an urban and suburban population (by choice) help address the issues noted in the case of Sheff Vs. O.Neill. The alternate school serves a speciic population. As noted by Trumbull Mom, it has success stories. Is every child that goes there a success story, probably not. However, there are success stories and IMHO, that makes the investment in tax dollars money well spent.
Inclusion Teaming/Social Communication Foundation April 6, 2013 at 10:52 am
The state have made efforts about setting policy since 2003; schools are not obligated to set policy…Read More or re-tweek it (but most have). But most importantly, how they follow the policy, i.e. respond to a bullying matter is completely up to them. It is very difficult for schools to be effective because deciding the truth is often difficult and giving consequences that affect school attendance is quite problematic. Because of this, even serious cases, involving physical contact, fall between the cracks. We offer a solution for the targeted youth and the youth who do not bully. Contact us at info@inclusionteaming.org
louis March 30, 2013 at 10:19 pm
School policy is currently directed so as to strengthen bullies not limit them. We have a…Read More value-less way of looking at these children, we no longer teach right or wrong, evil responds to docility by destroying it, unless we start to instill the correct values, the type of nurturing that makes a person both strong, independent and opinionated, while defending the values of rights and justice, we will lose this war in the winner take all culture
louis March 30, 2013 at 10:16 pm
really what we need is common sense when it comes to bullying. You will always have kids who are…Read More aggressors who scare their fellow classmates. It reminds me of this movie I watched once with Rupert Grint, or one of the other Harry Potter characters, we might not stand up to the jerks, but someone has to. When one of our caring types knocks out a bully, then that is the type of sensitivity training they need. When everyone is silent and holding hand sessions, it just makes evil stronger
Suzanne Stewart March 27, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Probably not a very good or appropriate place to spew your sarcasm, however.
These kids have worked…Read More hard for six months day in and day out and on weekends to win a State Championship for THS for the very first time. They should be congratulated and admired. Good Luck Mock Trial Team at Nationals!!!
louis March 26, 2013 at 03:35 pm
very good and appropriate because quite a few are mocking Rutigliano right about now
Jessica Spillane March 21, 2013 at 08:00 pm
The first photo is of Morgan Fried as Tess, not Gabby Gottschall as Polly Baker.
JL March 19, 2013 at 11:23 am
You would have thought the town could have done a much better job with the roads last night, given…Read More we all knew what was coming. Every hill in town, from upper Main St. to Church Hill to Daniels Farm Rd. to Lake Avenue had cars stuck, unable to move, creating an extremely hazardous situation for those trying to pass them. Is it too much to expect the Public Works Dept. to apply some sand and salt to the hills during a storm?
LovesTrumbull March 20, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Get your tickets at http://thsmusicals.com/THS_Musicals/Home.html
Thomas Tesoro March 15, 2013 at 08:22 pm
If I were to prioritize my own money would I spend it for education (Democratic Position) or lawyers…Read More and consultants (Republican)? My own money goes to education because in the long run, children reaching their potential has the greater payback.
I understand Ms. Hammers concern for the unemployed and under employed. The Bush near depression has been painful to eradicate. However, I think those comments are misdirected. In my Company, those that come in under budget and achieve all of their goals get praise and reward. The BOE in Trumbull gets above average results at a below average cost, something other Communities dream about. We have achieved it. The fact that they come in UNDER budget on top of those impressive results is like a cherry on the top of the ice cream sundae. However, there are some who see good management practice as a negative. It is all politics. Instead of celebrating our success we go through the annual ritual of mistrust and at times out right hostility. WHY? So unnecessary in our small Community. Technology needs to be upgraded. Mr. DeGennaro who is a real IT professional makes excellent points and things we need to consider. Children of today learn differently and are tech oriented. Time to bring Trumbull into the 21st Century but let's do it smart.
If we want to criticize, let's criticize those who spend OVER budget.
Jose March 15, 2013 at 12:38 am
Nothing like a voice from the community wanting to either halt progress and take us backwards.
I am…Read More so sick of hearing such ridiculous excuses for why we can't modernize our facilities and update our technology. Technology is no longer a tool, it's an integrated part of learning and it's going to continue to evolve.
Our job is to prepare students for the work world which requires them to be literate and proficient in the use of technology. They should be exposed to technology for educational reasons, not just for social interaction and entertainment.
Colleges and universities, where a majority of our high school graduates move on to, require students to have a computer, email accounts, and familiarity with discussion boards, registering for classes, ordering books, conducting research, deliver presentations and so on.
No one is asking for luxuries, we are just asking to keep pace with the rest of the country and other countries with whom America lags behind in the use of technology!
Any business that thinks it's fine to not change and make do with outdated technology is sure to go out of business. Any employee or CEO standing in the way of progress or innovation would most certainly be fired.
This is Fairfield County Connecticut after all and perhaps you would feel comfortable living in a community without electricity, running water, and a horse drawn carriage. How about moving to Appalachia?
Joey March 14, 2013 at 09:59 pm
Hey Vincent DeGennaro, how long have you been an IT professional? These kids are using internet…Read More explorer, MAYBE Microsoft word and Excel. For what they use the computers could be 10 years old and still provide another 10 years of service. Please, save it. They dont need ipads. In fact you can probably get half of the schools updated if you visit the transfer station on spring hill rd or the goodwill in monroe or westport. Stop with the we have to have BMWs for the kids computers. I'll trim that budget down without even trying. I've got a brilliant idea! Pretend its your OWN money! You'll see how fast you can fix your budget problems.
Trumbull Students Decorate The Westfield Trumbull Mall
0 Recommend Aaron Leo (Editor)