Message sent on behalf of Derby school superintendent shared

Good Afternoon,

At 11:30 a.m. a strange odor was reported at Derby Middle School. 

Our emergency system was activated and a code green was called. 
Students evacuated to the auditorium at the high school. 911 was called and fire and police responded. 

Utilizing a thermal imaging detector, it was determined the source of the odor to be coming from a computer monitor.  

The fire department cleared the building and students returned to their classes.

This information is from Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway's office.

Griffin Hospital honors volunteers at annual dinner in Seymour

Griffin Hospital Volunteer Scholarship winners are, from left, Melissa Healey of Ansonia High School, Rachael Tong of Oxford High School, and Oxford resident Christianne Zito of St. Joseph High School in Trumbull./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently honored its volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to the hospital in 2016 at its Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at The Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

A total of 375 hospital volunteers logged more than 41,427 hours last year while serving as ambassadors, candy stripers, bakers, shuttle drivers, room service, soft touch therapy providers, writers of vital patient stories and many more roles that benefited hospital patients, visitors, and staff.

“This recognition not only highlights the volume of hours selflessly given by volunteers throughout this past year, but acknowledges the true value of their work which touches the lives of patients, their families and hospital staff in countless ways,” said Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, LNHA, Director of Planetree Services at Griffin Hospital.

Betkoski thanked the volunteers for the heartfelt human interactions they provide each day and for the community spirit they bring to the hospital.

High school students honored

Griffin Hospital also awarded its annual scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000 to high school volunteers going on to college next school year.

For 49 years, Griffin Hospital has awarded scholarships to community students pursuing advanced education.  
To qualify for these scholarships, the students must have volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital, been in high academic standing, have been accepted into an accredited college or university, demonstrated initiative and perseverance and possess exemplary moral character.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Club in Shelton hosts 200 teens at regional summit

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley hosted the Boys & Girls Club Northeast Regional Torch Club Summit last weekend at its Raymond P. Lavietes Clubhouse.  

The Torch Club is a small-group leadership and service club for boys and girls ages 11-13, and it is chartered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. 

Members came together in a fun, safe, learning environment that reinforced the Torch Club’s values and traditions in four pillar areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness, and social recreation.  

More than 200 teens and advisors from 17 different Boys & Clubs across the Northeast region attended. 
The purpose of the summit is to inspire youth across the Northeast to feel confident that they are capable of achieving anything they put their minds to. 
The focus is to motivate Torch Club members to express their individuality and become more confident in knowing that they truly make a difference in this world.  

Workshops covered a range of issues, including peer pressure, drug trends, suicide prevention and making the right choices. Fun activities centered around health such as Yoga, Zumba and sport safety.  
The highlight of the summit was a special guest speaker, Shaun Derik, a performing artist who has dedicated his life to helping people, young and old, reconnect with their passion and go after their dreams.  Derik is the founder of Dreamsong, a production company designed to deliver inspiration and relevant content for today’s dreamer. 

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has been changing the lives of young people in our area for more than 60 years. 
With programs ranging from homework assistance to nutrition to sports, we help all young people to reach their full potential, but especially those from disadvantaged circumstances. 

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.

This is a press release from the club.

Insurance official featured on Logan's Access TV show

State Sen. George S. Logan’s latest edition of “The Senate Reports” features Connecticut Insurance Department Consumer Affairs Director Gerard O’Sullivan, left.  
O’Sullivan discusses the state agency’s many efforts and initiatives to help answer Connecticut residents’ questions about insurance. 

The Department’s free Consumer Helpline is (800) 203-3447 and questions on any insurance topic can be sent toinsurance@ct.gov. 
On the web:  www.ct.gov/cid.  
The show can be viewed at www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com and at www.AccessTV.org. 
Logan represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge. He can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and 800-842-1421. 

This is a press release from Logan's office.

Valley Arts Council to host Open Mic night at E Street Gallery in Derby

Derby school district selects 2018 Paraeducator of the Year

Paraeducator of the Year Pamela Stoll

Derby Public Schools selected Pamela Stoll as the 2018 District Paraeducator of the Year.

The Connecticut State Department of Education and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council have established the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the paraeducator in supporting student achievement. 
The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Paraeducator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.
“Pam is a tremendous asset to our school. She is dedicated, caring and committed to working with our students. In the classroom, Pam supports teaching and learning and provides direct instruction to students in reading and math during small groups. Her love of students and desire to see them succeed is evident in everything she does. Pam is very deserving of this outstanding recognition,” Principal Jennifer Olson said.
“In addition to working in the classroom, Mrs. Stoll runs the morning breakfast program. She makes sure that students start their day off right. She notices if a student needs some extra attention or someone to talk to when they get here and makes sure they are taken care of before going to class,” said Candy Lebel, Grade 2 teacher.

“Mrs. Stoll is a hard-working, goal-driven individual with a kind heart that I look up to every day,” said Nicholas Bartoli, Student Teacher/Irving School Teacher Intern.
“Mrs. Stoll plays a vital role in the success of my first grade classroom. She assists my teaching and provides a supportive, respectful environment. She effortlessly engages students in learning and instruction. Pam is a valuable member of our school community,” Grade 1 teacher Heather Landolfi said.
Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway said, "Pam Stoll represents and defines what paraeducators do for our children. She is relentless in her support of all children and goes above and beyond expectations to meet their needs.”

The school district also recognized Building Level Paraeducators of the Year: Elaine Levi from Little Raiders University; Mary Livoti from Bradley School; Alicia Proscino from Derby Middle School; and Roseann Lizza from Derby High School. 


This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.