Danbury Digest District News & Highlights Spring 2019

Superintendent’s messageDear Staff, Families and Community,As another school year comes to a close, I am again amazed at how quickly the months fly by – but it’s because we are so busy in positive and productive ways. As I glance over the newsletter, I am so pleased to see that there are successes everywhere in our district, and our students are making the most out of their time in Danbury Public Schools.

This year, we had seven of our elementary schools were named as “Schools of Distinction” by the Connecticut Department of Education. We are very proud of this as it recognizes the hard work the district has put in to align our schools with high standards of quality educa-tion. Danbury High School – once a target school – has been taken off that list for noted improvement. Along that line, I just witnessed four of our high school students in the Danbury Early College Opportunity (DECO) program graduate with Associate Degrees from Naugatuck Valley Community College on May 23 and 13 other DECO students received certificates in management information systems and/or microcomputer networking. We are looking forward to many more graduates from that community-based effort.

I also note that, since our district has made a commitment to the “Start with Hello” and “Say Something” Sandy Hook Promise anti-bul-lying campaigns, students have grown in huge increments in terms of fostering a more tolerant and compassionate school environment. Students are paying heed to environmental concerns by increasing recycling efforts and students are more involved in being inclusive. This helps them not just become better people, but cultivates a better learning environment for everyone.

The success of our district and our students is possible because of you – whether you are one of our dedicated teachers or staff members, one of our diligent administrators, a caring parent, paraprofessional or community member – who advocate for our students by being present in their lives whether it’s quietly helping with homework or cheering them loudly to the finish line in their many endeavors. Ev-erything you give has been worth the effort.

We appreciate all you do for our students. Have a wonderful summer.Dr. Sal V. PascarellaSuperintendent of Schools

Danbury has seven elementary ‘Schools of Distinction’ recognized for academic improvement

Seven elementary schools in Danbury were named “Schools of Distinction” for the 2017-18 school year by the Connecticut Department of Educa-tion. Danbury High School is also no longer identified as a state “focus” school. According to a recent 2019 report that outlines the specifics of a new accountability system, Hayestown Avenue, Mill Ridge Primary, Morris Street, Great Plain, Shelter Rock, Ellsworth Avenue and Western CT Academy of International Studies schools were all noted for their performance and/or growth in student success.

The recognition is given to schools in the top 10 percent of the state for performance and/or growth. The Danbury elementary schools were among the 130 recognized statewide from more than 1,000 Connecticut public schools. Danbury had the highest number of recognized schools, along with the Greenwich district, which also had seven. Danbury High School has also met goals in academic improvement and growth. As of this year, the high school is no longer being monitored by the state as a “focus” school. Schools on the state’s focus list are monitored for inadequate academic growth among high needs students.

Shelter Rock showed growth in all five areas and in all students and was named as a high performance and high growth school in ELA and math, and high growth with high needs students also in ELA and math. Hayestown Avenue, Morris Street and Ellsworth were recognized as high growth schools; AIS and Mill Ridge were recognized as high performance schools.

“We are making great strides in our schools that directly impact the learning and the future of our students. The success is due in large part to the dedication of the teachers and administrators in our schools, who have made it their mission to go above and beyond to see our students do better every single day,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “The fact that students can make such great improvements over such a relatively short peri-od attests to the dedication of our educators.”

Titled “Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System,” the standards rely on a broad set of 12 indicators that measure how well a school is preparing students for success in college, careers and life. The system moves beyond test scores and graduation rates that, in addition to measuring academic achievement, also focus on student growth over time. The second change in the system is that it includes additional key indicators, includ-ing academic achievement status measured by new assessments; academic growth; assessment participation rate; chronic absenteeism; and prepara-tion for postsecondary and career readiness – coursework and exams.

Danbury Digest -2- Spring 2019

Next stop: Carnegie HallDanbury High student wins National Scholastic Gold Medal Art

Danbury High School senior Viviana Campoverde received a National Scholastic Gold Medal Art award in the digital art cat-egory for her “Flower Child.”

The award, announced in March, places her in the top 1 percent of 340,000 submissions nationwide. Viviana’s artwork will be dis-played at the Parsons School of Design in New York City; she will be honored at Carnegie Hall on June 6.

South Street students learn harmonica from ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalistOn March 7, Jia-Yi He, a finalist on television’s “America’s Got Talent” taught 60 South Street School students how to play the harmonica at Danbury Public Library.An anonymous donor gifted 60 new harmonicas and a free month of online lessons to the district. Friends of the Danbury Library, an organization that raises funds for library events, paid for He to come to Danbury and provide initial lessons for the students. “The donor stipulated that the harmonicas be distributed in a library program because the harmonicas help them learn about music and the library helps them learn about the world,” said librarian Deirdre Johnson.He began with an hour-long presentation and concert performance followed by a 45-minute har-monica lesson during which he taught the fourth- and fifth-grade students the mechanics of the instrument as well as how to play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Along with a concert, He educated students about history of the instrument and asked questions, allowing students to participate and be involved in the interactive presentation. Students were able to see various types of the instrument and learn of its origin, how old it is, as well as how many notes it can play before they were individually presented with their own harmonica to learn and practice together as a class.

Story and photos by Talleah Vaughan

Danbury Digest -3- Spring 2019

DPS music education program receives national recognitionThe Danbury Public Schools district was named a 2019 “Best Communities for Music Education School District” for its commitment to and support of music education.On March 26, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) released a list of 623 school districts nationwide, 18 of them in Connecticut, recognized as 2019 Best Communities for Music Education.The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit sup-ported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by sup-porting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.Jill Russell-Benner, the DPS k-8 music

program director, said at the SpreadMusic-Now check presentation. Efforts continue to ensure that eventually all K-8 students will have musical instruments and educa-tion. “The fact the music program in our schools has seen significant growth is due in large part to a partnership between the schools, thanks to Jill, and the nonprofit commu-nities who have supported it,” said Super-intendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “The benefit of music education is immeasurable, from the joy it brings to students playing an instrument to the confidence it builds and the skills it promotes. Music education is an important part of a student’s learning experience, and we are fortunate to have these community partners who help us make it possible.”

between schools and nonprofit organiza-tions and has been instrumental in getting funding specifically for music education.Last fall, the Redding-based SpreadMu-sicNow presented a check for $40,000 to VH1 Save the Music Foundation to support donations of musical instruments to the Danbury schools. VH1Save the Music do-nated $120,000 of musical instruments and supplies to support the elementary band programs at Ellsworth, Hayestown Avenue and Stadley Rough elementary schools. NAMM donated $20,000 to the foundation.“With six Core Band grants in place to date, we are well on our way to ensuring all Danbury students have access to a high quality musical instrument in school and can reach their full potential,” Jaclyn Rud-derow, VH1 Save the Music Foundation

Danbury teacher’s impact on education earns national awardA tireless dedication toward her students and a commitment to the Hispanic community that both continue to impact education and achievement have earned Rogers Park Middle School teacher Luanelly Iglesias a national award to be presented at the National Education Associa-tion’s convention this summer.Iglesias is the recipient of the George I. Sanchez Memorial award, given annually to an educator who promotes education for Hispanic children. An educator for 16 years, Iglesias, a dually certi-fied bilingual and math teacher, has taught at Rogers Park for the past four years. “Luanelly has been an integral part of our ELL program at RPMS for many years. Her compas-sion for our students is matched only by her dedication to providing the best possible academic environment for our English Learners. This award could not go to a more deserving teacher. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments,” said Rogers Park principal Dr. Kristy Zaleta.Iglesias believes strongly in the “power of transformation through education.” She works closely with students to improve their language skills and ultimately do better in school. She said she remembers when she was one of those students who initially struggled with English. “We give by grace what by grace we receive,” Iglesias said recently, adding that through educa-tion students learn about love, care, respect and team work. Nothing, she said, is more reward-ing than seeing students’ growth over the years and knowing that she had a part in helping them succeed.“That is the award,” she said. “Knowing how I impacted my students and they become success-ful, they become leaders. That’s the best award I could receive.” (continued on page 5)

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Danbury Digest -4- Spring 2019

Rogers Park gets weekend makeover with help from community

Danbury educator chosen as ‘Leader of the Year’ by CAACEJody Huzina, program facilitator at the Western Connecticut Regional Adult Edu-cation center (WERACE) has been named “Leader of the Year’ by the Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education (CAACE).Each year CAACE, the adult education oversight organization, chooses several out-standing educators, learners and one leader of the year out of hundreds of educators. Huzina was chosen not only for her contribution in Danbury, but also for her volun-teerism and work on numerous committees and projects at the state level. She received the award at the annual conference March 28.Huzina has been with Danbury Public Schools for 10 years, the last eight at WER-ACE. In addition to her role as program facilitator, she also serves as GED and testing program coordinator, grant and financials coordinator, and overall program manager. Most recently, she has focused on community engagement in an effort to expand ESL, transitions and workforce programming. She is a core partner with DanburyWORKS initiative, which is a result of the recent Working Cities Challenge through the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; she works closely with the NRWIB to bring more programs to Danbury; and she is part of the CSDE GED Task Force and the Career Pathways Task Force teams.

On Saturday, May 4, more than 100 parents and community members volunteered their time to painting the inside of Rogers Park Middle School. Principal Kristy Zaleta cut the ribbon on the following Monday to celebrate the “new” interior. Volunteers included Board of Education members, teachers and students. Through its subsidiary Praxair, Inc., Linde, with corporate offices in Danbury, and Sherwin-Williams employees also participated. The job required more than 75 gallons of paint to cover 30,000 square feet of hallway space. Linde’s grant, provided through its Global Giving Program, funded the supplies and Sherwin-Williams donated the paint.“It is wonderful when a community gets together to help improve the everyday lives of its students,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pas-carella. “The school’s hallways look beautiful, but the project was more than just a facelift: it was a testament to what happens when ev-eryone works together. We are grateful to our corporate sponsors Linde, Praxair and Sherwin-Williams and all the people who donated their free time to spruce up Rogers Park.”

Danbury Digest -5- Spring 2019

When second-grader Marco Mazzella noticed litter in his schoolyard during recess, he decided that upcoming Earth Day would be a great time to do something for the environ-ment. On April 22, second-graders at King Street Primary School dedicated their recess to Earth Day, cleaning up garbage in the school-yard. Each of the 58 students who participat-ed was given a paper grocery bag in which to collect trash found outside.Marco explained why he wanted his peers to get involved in this event, saying, “It’s Earth Day and you’re supposed to take care of the Earth. Besides, it’s bad for the trees and the trees give us oxygen to survive.”He wrote a letter, displaying a picture of the Earth, proposing the idea to the school’s vice principal, Gwen Gallagher, who agreed and sent letters to parents of each of the five sec-ond-grade classrooms encouraging them to talk to their children about the event and the significance of Earth Day.

Second-grader Alena Perlman, a member of the school’s Nature Club, expressed disap-pointment about pollution and the harmful effects it holds for the environment; she was eager to help her classmates clean their play-ground. “I’ve seen garbage on the playground and in the woods,” she said. “When I see garbage on the ground, I get so angry.”Following the activity, students collectively conveyed an awareness of the importance to keep the environment clean, while sharing how much garbage they discovered outside of their school.“You guys can prevent that plastic from polluting our playground,” Gallagher said, encouraging the second-graders to replace plastic water bottles and disposable lunch containers with reusable alternatives. “This will save the garbage from polluting our earth.”

King Street student inspires Earth Day cleanup

Danbury teacher receives NEA award (continued from page 3)Despite moving from Puerto Rico to Connecticut without being fluent in English when she was 18, Luanelly Iglesias quickly immersed herself not just in learning the language, but learning language with a purpose: to help others.Her first job in 1996 was as a social worker assistant at the Department of Children and Families before earning a degree from Springfield College and becoming a full-fledged social worker. It was during her tenure her that she earned a Governor’s Service award for her outstanding service to the children and families of Connecticut. Since then, Iglesias has dedicated her life toward helping others by empowering the Latino community. Part of her successes include starting a GEAR Up (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program) for high-poverty Hispanic students in Waterbury. She also co-founded Madre Latina, a nonprofit foundation based in Waterbury that helps Hispanic mothers and their chil-dren connect with community services. “I love working with the Hispanics as well as other ethnically and racially diverse populations, support my students and their families, seek for services and opportunities to help them address their needs,” Iglesias said. Other awards include Waterbury’s Teacher of the Year, Educator of the Year by the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury, Hispanic Educator and Communications Relationships and Eunice Waller Ethnic Minority Initiative awards by CEA and the Outstanding Leadership Award from the

‘Little Kids Rock’ at Broadview Middle SchoolThe Broadview Middle School Advanced Mod-ern Band performed with guest star musician Pete Francis of “Dispatch” to celebrate their year-long participation in the Little Kids Rock program.On April 25, Francis spoke to students about the value of music education and then per-formed with the students. The BMS music group is an after-school program that combines students in the school’s band, chorus, orchestra and modern-band classes. Last year the entire music staff was trained by Little Kids Rock and more than $80,000 in modern band instru-ments was granted to Danbury Public Schools.“People are getting up here with different skills sets, but we all share the same love of music,” said Francis, whose group has sold out Madi-son Square Garden five times.Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization, is

the nation’s leader in offering Modern Band professional development workshops to public school teachers. Since 2017, LKR has equipped six Danbury schools music teachers with $24,000 worth of instruments and technology, and recently provided additional instruments.Program teachers at BMS include Jill Rus-sell-Benner, Lauren Brown, Katie Orie and Bob Ondek.“Being afforded the opportunity to teach music as a second language is incredibly rewarding,” Benner said. “As educators, we are always striv-ing for ways to implement relevant materials for students. What better way to do this than through music that our students know and love? The Modern Band pedagogy Little Kids Rock provides to our teachers has created an engaging and positive environment for our students.”

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Danbury Digest -6- Spring 2019

DHS child development students prepare to lead ‘Little Hatters’ preschoolPlanning healthy snacks and activities while being mindful of incorporate education lessons is a lot of work, as students in Danbury High School’s child develop courses found out. They have been preparing since the fall to lead their own preschool classes that begin in March.The 84 students enrolled in either Child Development or Early Childhood Workshop put the fin-ishing touches on lesson plans in March so they could assume the role of preschooler teacher and welcome a group of three- and four-year-old “Little Hatters” into their classroom. Since September, under direction of their family consumer science teacher Erica Keane, students have learned about physical (including nutrition), intellectual, emotional and social (PIES) development of pre-school-age children in order to take on the task of planning lessons and activities that will take them through a four-hour session.“I have them engaged early on in activities that younger children would participate in,” said Keane.

“They are also asked to use their non-dominant hand to make it more challeng-ing. They learn about sensory motor and fine motor skills and see for them-selves how to teach content at the appropriate age level.”Keane also discusses with her students the effects of technology on young chil-dren and the result of different parenting styles that affect how children behave. The emotional and social components of development are more academic and involve discussing the challenges that students face.The childhood development courses are one of several career pathways offered at DHS, so students can explore different career options while still in high school. Since early February, the DHS students worked to transform their class-room into a preschool and plan lessons. Working in pairs, the students are each

tasked with taking the lead for a four-hour preschool day that includes play time, snack time, outdoor recess and classroom learning with activi-ties. “It’s really their preschool,” Keane said. “They get to take over and lead.”The students are working hard on lessons and are very eager for the Little Hatters to arrive in March.“It’s time-consuming to plan a class. We have to think of very single, little moment,” said senior Marissa Volpe.Little Hatters preschool has been a part of DHS for more than 30 years; enrollment is limited to a dozen or so four-year-old children who come three days a week; a class of three-year-old students meets the other two weekdays. There is a minimal cost to parents that covers supplies. Keane said there is currently a wait list to register and applications are taken in November for the following spring.Marissa, a Danbury native, went to Little Hatters as a youngster, as did her brother and sister. She is looking forward to applying everything she has learned thus far about preschoolers and how they think and develop.“We studied how their brains develop and how to deal with other challenges, like how to teach kids who may need a nontraditional approach,” Marissa said. “I’m so excited for the kids to come in.”Marissa has teamed up with classmate Sofia Rizk to work on a sea animal theme that includes memory cards, a sea animal book and a sensory table with water absorbent beads and toy sea creatures.“Our biggest challenge has been making the activities easier or harder for those who are advanced or those who may need more time,” Sofia said.Gabrielly Oliveria, a sophomore, wants to be an elementary school teacher or a child psychologist. Her classroom partner Elizabeth Hadden, a senior, wants to work in the health field and said working with students is good experience. Their topic is fish and frogs and includes a math activity where children sort paper fish by shape. They, too, found the range of ease for the activities a challenge.“It’s hard to make it harder,” Elizabeth said. “The planning has been time consuming. You can’t just sit with them for 96 minutes. It’s very inter-active. But I’m excited about applying everything we learned to teaching the students.”Jay Chapa and Matt Lucas, both sophomores, agreed that the class has been interesting.“The class makes me more interested in the possibility of teaching someday,” said Matt.Jay said he took the class for personal interest and noted that it’s good to learn how children play and interact.“It’s useful knowledge for other careers,” he said. “Keeping them occupied is going to be hard. You have to put yourself in the mentality of a preschooler to see what they want to do and that was difficult.”

King Street student places in top ten at National Geographic Bee state contestFifth-grader one of 100 state competitors

Aditya Jay “A.J.” Singh, a fifth-grade student at King Street Intermediate School, placed tenth at the state round of the National Geographic Bee on March 29 at Central Connecticut State University. The state competition, held in New Britain, is open to students in grades four through eight; 10,000 schools across the country are competing in the 2019 National Geographic Bee for a chance to win a $50,000 scholarship. Although coming in tenth officially ends the Nat Geo journey for A.J., who loves reading and geogra-phy, he was thrilled to come in in the top ten percent.

Danbury Digest -7- Spring 2019

Westside students excel at CT Science & Engineering Fair Six students from the Westside Middle School Academy STEM program took home prizes at the CT Science & Engineering Fair held March 11-16 at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. For the past four years, WSMSA, led by science teacher and theme coach Jon Neuhausel, has been one of the top three mid-dle school in the state in terms of winning entries. The WSMSA students were among the 647 stu-dents from 120 middle and high schools from Con-necticut, Fishers Island and New York competing in the 71st annual fair for more than $200,000 in prizes.“Westside Middle School Academy is committed to empowering students to achieve at high levels,” said principal Dr. Frank LaBanca. “Our ongoing success at the state Science Fair exemplifies our teach-ers’ commitment to facili-tating student excellence.”The following students were awarded:

•GABRIELLA BROWN (photographed above), seventh grade, “Design, testing, and optimization of Kombucha scoby-based biofilms: 1st Place- Life Sciences 7th grade; Urban School Challenge Awards Middle School Finalist - Medallion; Peer-to-Peer Awards --- 7th Grade Life Sciences; Broadcom MASTERS National Competition Invitation to Apply •ANNABELLA JARDIM, seventh grade, “Good Up High, Bad Near By”: Physical Sciences 7th Grade Medallion; Office of Naval Research- U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps Award•SHARVA KARTHIKEYAN, eighth grade, “Impact of Microwave-irradiated Plastic on Microbiological Health Indices”: Urban School Challenge Awards Middle School Finalist - Medallion•SRISHTI RAMAKRISHNAN, eighth grade, “The Study of Effectiveness of Different Separation Methods in Removing Suspended Microplastics from Water”: Finalist - Physical Sciences 8th Grade - CSF Medallion; Petit Family Foundation Women in Science & Engineering Awards --- 1st Place- Mid-dle School; Urban School Challenge Awards- 1st Place Middle School; Environmental Sciences Awards -- 3rd Place; Urban School Challenge 1st Place Middle School; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award; Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy --- Founder’s Award; Air and Waste Management Association, Connecticut Chapter Award; GENIUS Olympiad Competition (Oswego, NY) for Highest Placing USC 8th grade Proj-ect•MARIA EDUARDA SOUSA LOPES, seventh grade, “Molecular Health Indices of the Kalmia latifolia”: 4th Place- Life Sciences 7th grade; Urban School Challenge Middle School Finalist - Medallion; Biotechnology Awards Finalist; Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy --- Founder’s Award; Alumni Botany Award; Broadcom MASTERS National Competition Invitation to Apply •CHASE TOMAINO, seventh grade, “DIY WiFi Booster”: 3rd Place- Physical Sciences 7th Grade; Urban School Challenge --- 3rd Place Middle School; U.S. Air Force Award; Broadcom MASTERS National Competition Invitation to Apply.

Danbury Digest -8- Spring 2019Cultures blend, students learn about each other at DHS International Night at DHS

May 17 was a night for celebrating many cultures as students from the Danbury High School Latino Club shared their talents and family traditions. Students were dressed in festive costumes that represented their heritage and hundreds of students were in the audience cheering them on.Rosangie Nunez, an 11th grader and Camille Quezada, a sophomore, whose family is from the Dominican Republic, sang “Promise” by Romeo Santos. They practiced the duet while at the Latino Club, which meets every Wednesday after school.“It’s very diverse and welcoming to other people,” Camille said of the club, which is run by social studies teacher Jose Rojas.Diana Barboza and Kevin Lascurain, both freshmen, danced a traditional Mexican dance that they practiced for two months prior to the performance. Rosangie said that the club is a good way for students to learn about each other.“We take the time to appreciate other cultures,” she said.

A month into their renewed commitment to recycling, students at the Academy of Interna-tional Studies (AIS) recycled 61 pounds of milk containers in April – reducing the cost of hauling away the school’s trash. According to AIS teacher Ruth Purdie-Dyer, who helped spearhead the project, not only was the amount of trash reduced by the milk cartons, but by the excess milk, which is now poured into a larger container rather than thrown out previously with the milk cartons. This total amount of liquid spared from the trash totaled 238 pounds.“We currently recycle paper and bottles,” Purdie-Dyer said. “Now that we’ve added milk con-tainers, we are saving money for the district and helping the environment.” Earlier this month, Jen Heaton-Jones, executive director of the Housatonic Resources Recov-ery Authority, spoke to students in one of their recycling assemblies about celebrating Earth Day and how they could make a difference. She told them what items can be recycled and how to reduce and reuse. Richard Jalbert, DPS site and facilities coordinator, and Patti Oberg from All-American Waste, also talked to students.HRRS provided recycling containers and each classroom received a recycle bag filled with information for students.“Students saw that milk was also being consumed for breakfast, so they added breakfast to our total program,” Purdie-Dyer said. “We are so proud of the students taking an initiative and following through.”Parent and PTO member Gesette Jewett helped spearhead the effort.“We are very proud to be a recognized green school,” said Jewett, “but it takes commitment from everyone to show our students how they can make a difference.”

AIS ramps up recycling effortsProgram helps environment, district

Rogers Park student’s poetry chosen for ‘Celebration of Young Writers’My Sweet Sliver of SilenceThe silence seeping in,almost like the cold,invading my space like an open window.Silence is soothing, silence is calm.With it comes the freedom, the freedom from all.Silence soaks into my ears, into my head.The hope for help to be sent, returning my quiet, my silence once again.Silence is older, silence is smart, with these comforts win a place in my heart.Silence is kind, silence is sweet.Giving a comfort, not many could beat.Silence is colorful, silence is loud.It speaks louder in my ear than one million sounds.Silence is clouded, silence sharp and clear, the pounding of my blood in my ear.Shatters so easily, breaks so clean, delicate sound, like a feather on the breeze.Carefully crafted, comforts everything living, makes me realize one thing, we aren’t so different . . .

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Ella Noor Djilani, a sixth-grade student at Rogers Park Middle School, was one of four student chosen from over 200 applicants to read her poetry at the “Celebration of Young Writers” on June 1. The celebration is part of the After School Arts Program (ASAP) in Wash-ington, Connecticut founded in 1999. The winners will read their work at this year’s 20th anniversary celebration cere-mony at The Gunnery school. All public, private and home-schooled children in grade k-12 are invited to participate in the literary project. The celebration will feature dance, music, theatre and film.“I really enjoy the silence,” said Ella, who has been writing poetry since fourth grade. “My poem doesn’t have deep meaning, but you can relate to the 20 seconds of silence you get in a day and enjoy.”

My Sweet Sliver of SilenceThe silence seeping in,almost like the cold,invading my space like an open window.Silence is soothing, silence is calm.With it comes the freedom, the freedom from all.Silence soaks into my ears, into my head.The hope for help to be sent, returning my quiet, my silence once again.Silence is older, silence is smart, with these comforts win a place in my heart.Silence is kind, silence is sweet.Giving a comfort, not many could beat.Silence is colorful, silence is loud.It speaks louder in my ear than one million sounds.Silence is clouded, silence sharp and clear, the pounding of my blood in my ear.Shatters so easily, breaks so clean, delicate sound, like a feather on the breeze.Carefully crafted, comforts everything living, makes me realize one thing, we aren’t so different . . .

Danbury Digest -9- Spring 2019

DHS sophomore contestant in International United Miss Scholarship Pageant

emphasis on volunteering in the commu-nity, developing self-confidence, learning good sportsmanship, and setting and achieving personal goals.Kaitlyn is no stranger to overcoming obsta-cles. As a toddler, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Eight years ago, she under-went extensive surgery and physical therapy to learn to walk again.“I embraced my recovery with dignity and grace, as I knew there were many things in my future that I wanted to pursue,” Kaitlyn said. “Six months to date of the surgery, I was cheerleading, a few months later I participated in track and field. In December 2014, I danced in the ‘Nutcracker.’”Active in Girl Scouts and musical theater, she is an ambassador for Shriner’s Children Hospital, making guest appearances at fundraisers.“Being a contestant in pageants has been a lifelong dream for me,” Kaitlyn said. “In doing what I am doing I hope other people with disabilities can learn something from me if given the opportunity.”

Danbury High School student and Miss Connecticut Jr. Teen Kaitlyn Klampert will compete for the title of International United Miss Junior Teen in July after being crowned the state winner last fall.The International United Miss Scholarship Program competition will be held July 14-21 in Galloway, New Jersey. The program is dedicated to celebrating Ameri-ca’s future leaders and equipping them with lifelong skills. Each year the pageant awards more than $500,000 nationally in scholarships and other prizes. The program is based on inner beauty, poise and presentation with

DHS, Westside take numerous awards in Connecticut History Day competition

Danbury High School students took home a prize in every category at the Connecticut History Day regional competition in Torrington over the March 18 weekend with five total awards. Westside Middle School students also won five awards.DHS won the following categories:•1st Place Senior Group Performance: “Hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials” Montez Osbey, Andrew Philbin, Gabriel Dos San-tos, Malcolm Going, Jarod Rodriguez•3rd Place Senior Individual Exhibit: “Triumph and Tragedy of Pablo Escobar”: Arta Berisha•2nd Place Senior Group Exhibit: “Mutiny and Murder: Anastasia and the Bolsheviks” Ana Dela Cruz , Valerie Fox. Faith Thomas, Laura Snow, Elizabeth Antedomenico•1st Place Senior Group Exhibit: “The History of Fingerprinting” Gabriela Galarza and Chrystel Acosta •3rd Place Senior Group Website: “The Triumph and Tragedy of Sybil Ludington” Allyson Vecchia-Spooner (Not present: Sar-ah Barta and Cailtin Van Tronk) Westside Middle School won the following categories:Junior Group Exhibit•2nd Place Junior Group Exhibit: “The Man Behind Mickey” Ioannis Rountos and Dylan Hennessy•3rd Place Junior Group Exhibit: “Animals Save Lives” Joey Arizzi and Jordan Bido•2nd Place Junior Individual Exhibit: “Slavery in America” Daniel Naulaguari•3rd Place Junior Individual Exhibit: “The Black Panther Party” Tylyn Johnson•3rd Place Junior Group Performance: “Our New Lives” Manuel Abrantes, William Sweeney and Luke Goncalves

Two fifth-grade students from King Street Intermediate School performed in the Connecticut Music Educators (CMEA) All-State Elementary String Ensemble on April 11.James McElmurry and Monika Principal, who were two of 120 stu-dents statewide selected for the recent performance, joined the strings program while in the third grade at Mill Ridge Primary School. “They were both recommended and chosen for the CMEA Elementa-ry Honors Orchestra because of their advanced ability and dedication to playing the violin,” said Joey Walko-Robinson, orchestra director for King Street, Rogers Park and South Street schools. “They had to prepare seven pieces prior to the event.On April 11, the students joined 120 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade musicians from all over Connecticut to rehearse for five hours before performing.“It was important to be a strong musician on their own, but as the day went on, they learned that it was also important to be a useful contributor to the group – 120 musicians working together to create a polished and beautiful concert for their families,” Walko-Robinson said.

Students perform in All-State Stringl Ensemble

Danbury Digest -10- Spring 2019

Board of EducationMembers

Joseph BrittonRachel Chaleski

Kate ConettaGladys Cooper

Richard JannelliPatrick JohnstonFrederick KarratDavid Metrena

Emanuela PalmaresRalph Pietrafesa

Amy Spallino

SCHOOL CALENDAR

June 17: ACE Graduation, 5 p.m. Western Connecticut State University Student Center Theatre; Adult Education graduation (WERACE), 7 p.m. WCSU Visual & Performing Arts CenterJune 18: Middle school moving up ceremonies at DHS noon - Rogers Park Middle School 2:30 p.m. - Westside Middle School Academy 5 p.m. - Broadview Middle SchoolJune 19: Last day of school - early dismissal Danbury High School graduation 5 p.m. at DHS athletic field

Danbury Board of Education 63 Beaver Brook Road

Danbury, CT 06810

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DPS welcomes two elementary school principals to district

Ellsworth Avenue School principal Mar-nie Durkin, top, and Morris Street School principal Kristen Bradley, bottom

Danbury Public Schools welcomes two elementary school principals to the district: Marnie Durkin at Ellsworth Avenue School and Kristen Bradley at Morris Street School.Durkin began her career as an elementary school teacher, spending more than ten years in the classroom, before working as a math specialist in Danbury elementary schools. She later served as the principal of South Street School and assistant principal of Park Avenue School.“Marnie’s breadth of experience in the classroom as well as her hands-on experience as an ad-ministrator in several of our elementary schools made her the clear choice to continue to move Ellsworth Avenue School forward,” and Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “Her expertise and career-long commitment to Danbury’s students and staff continue to benefit the district, and I am delighted to see her in this new role.”Bradley joined DPS two years ago as a language arts specialist, following a 20-year career in ed-ucation in which she taught across all elementary grades and later assumed the roles of data and literacy coach that reflected her knowledge and teaching experience.“I’m very excited to name Kristen Bradley to this position. Kristen had already established herself as a master teacher at the elementary-school level, and her academic coaching experience has earned her tremendous respect with her colleagues,” said Pascarella. “I am confident that Kristen is the perfect candidate to continue the gains we have made at Morris Street, and I look forward to seeing her in this role.”Durkin earned a B.A. in elementary education and a Master of Science/Reading from Western Connecticut State University, as well as a Sixth-Year degree in educational leadership from South-ern Connecticut State University.Bradley earned a B.A. in elementary education from Stonehill College, a Master of Education in reading from Lesley College and a Sixth-Year degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.The new principals will begin their positions July 1.