Ansonia High School Class of '28 members win plaudits at ceremony

Ansonia High School would like to congratulate the members of the Class of 2028 that were acknowledged for academic achievement and character. Congratulations!

Top 10 graduates of Ansonia High School Class of 2023 win plaudits

 

Seymour High School Dance Team wins plaudits on victories

Sharing from Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page:

"Congratulations SHS Dance Team they took

1st Place in Pom

1st Place in Kick Line

And won a Special Judges Award for Professionalism At the Wildcat Dance Off at NFA"

Great job, dance ladies!

Ansonia mayor, aldermen applaud inventor of anti-drunk driving device

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti read a proclamation Wednesday at the Board of Aldermen meeting honoring resident Lakesha Stines. 
She has invented Sober Touch Sensoring, a device that prevents drunk driving. 

Derby Public Works employees win plaudits

Sharing from the Derby Mayor's Office Facebook page: 

"We would like to thank our Public Works Department for all the hard work they've put into making Derby a cleaner and safer place to live. Here are a few photos of some of the work they've done throughout our city."

Looks nice!

Assistant principal at Ansonia elementary school saves student's life

ANSONIA - For the second time in as many months a John G. Prendergast Elementary School student has been saved from choking by a quick-thinking adult.

In March, longtime kindergarten aide Kimberlee Martin performed the Heimlich maneuver on Liam Angeski, 6, who was choking on a piece of popcorn chicken in the school cafeteria.
And in April Prendergast Assistant Principal Sara Crooks performed the Heimlich maneuver on sixth-grader Jordyn Zealor who was choking on a chicken nugget at lunch.

Please click here to read the story about Crooks by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Kudos to both women for their quick actions in saving the students' lives. 

Wesley Village employees honored at celebration in Stratford

Pictured from left, John Dipoalo, Zofia Kempna (Middlewoods), Victoria Dompierre, Beth Cairone, Hector Velez, Linda Midwinter (Middlewoods), and Angela Gaites. Not pictured is Angelo Costantini. (Wesley Village award winners are also pictured with members of UMH’s Middlewoods communities.) / Contributed photo

STRATFORD - Wesley Village employees were recently recognized by United Methodist Homes for winning the organization’s annual Values in Action Award. 

Wesley Village is in Shelton.

The award, presented at UMH’s annual Employee Recognition Celebration dinner Sept. 29, is given in recognition of employees who have demonstrated extraordinary behavior that exemplifies the organization’s core values of Respect, Spirituality, Excellence, Collaboration, and Stewardship. 

All employees are eligible to be nominated and to nominate any of their team members who demonstrate these core values. 
One individual from each of United Methodist Homes’ six communities is chosen to receive the award. 

Wesley Village award recipients included: Hector Velez (Crosby Commons); Angelo Costantini (Wesley Heights and Lifestyle Transitions); Beth Cairone, John DiPoalo, and Angela Gaites (Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center); and Victoria Dompierre (UMH). 

The staff members were nominated by managers and co-workers for their professionalism, positive attitudes, commitment to excellence, and the exceptional resident care they provide. They were recognized with a monetary award and a trophy and were praised by their supervisors for their outstanding character and service.

Also honored at the event were 33 employees who were recognized for their length of service of 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, and 25 years with United Methodist Homes.  

Seventeen UMH employees were also acknowledged for five years of service to the organization. 

More than 160 staff from all of UMH’s healthcare and senior living communities around the state attended the event at Mill River Country Club. 

United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based not-for-profit organization based in Shelton, is proud to work with such a wonderful team of staff. 

For more information about the mission, vision, and values of UMH, visit www.umh.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.  

ICYMI: A feel-good feline story in Ansonia

This must be how the kitten felt after being rescued. (Stock photo)

Sharing a story about Ansonia firefighters saving a kitten stuck in a storm drain. It was published Thursday in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Way to go firefighters!

Ansonia resident compliments Cassetti

ANSONIA - Ready for a break from all the blizzard talk and snow photos?

Mayor David S. Cassetti 

I'm sharing this video taken by resident Ryan Hunt that was posted this morning on the City of Ansonia's Facebook page.

I urge you to check it out! 

Phyllis Hunt, 95, truly appreciates the work that Mayor David S. Cassetti has been doing and she's not afraid to tell her grandson, Ryan, how she feels.

Ansonia educator wins honor from CT Association of Schools

Congratulations!

John G. Prendergast Elementary School Assistant Principal Sherrod McNeill works the crowd at a recent assembly at the end of the school's 'Movember' celebration that benefited two Griffin Hospital initiatives. 
'Movember' is a global event that raises awareness of men's health issues. Male teachers grew mustaches as part of the monthlong event. McNeill is pictured with the school's mascot, a panther named 'John G.'


ANSONIA - Kudos go out today to Sherrod McNeill, Assistant Principal at John G. Prendergast Elementary School, on his recognition from the Connecticut Association of Schools.

McNeill has been named 2015 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year. 

Here is the letter from Principal Joseph Apicella being sent home with students today:

December 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am pleased to announce that our Assistant Principal, Mr. McNeill has been selected as the Connecticut Association of Schools 2015 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year! 

This award is given annually to an assistant principal who sets high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for students, families, and staffs in their learning communities.  

To share a portion of his congratulatory letter from Connecticut Association of Schools Awards and Recognition Committee Chair, Paul Newton, regarding Mr. McNeill’s selection of this prestigious award, “It is a fitting tribute to a man who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and an unrivaled commitment to his students, school and community.” We could not agree more with these words. 

Mr. McNeill will be formally recognized at a Connecticut Association of Schools event in October of 2015. The National Association of Elementary School Principals will also be showcasing the best practices of elementary assistant principals of the year from across the nation. 

Please join me in congratulating Mr. McNeill on this award.  This recognition should be shared by all members of the Prendergast School community, for it is only with your support that this is possible.  Thank you for all your work in supporting education in Ansonia. 

Mr. Apicella

Principal


*Update: Ansonia Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone has shared her letter of recommendation for McNeill. The text follows:

October 24, 2014

Dear Colleague:

To reiterate the words of Eric Harvey, President and Founder of WalkTheTalk.com: 

“For every person in every organization, there comes a moment when he or she must have the courage to step forward and meet the needs of the time. Regardless of whether your time is now or in the future you must be prepared and willing to seize that moment as a courageous leader!”

Mr. McNeill is this leader. He seizes the moment every time it presents itself within the school setting or out in the community. For example, in 2012 Mr. McNeill was the honoree and keynote speaker for the Julian Ann Taylor Award and in 2013 was presented the Outstanding Service to Community Award by the NAACP Ansonia, CT Chapter. During that same time period Mr. McNeill was also appointed to the Team Community Action Agency Board of Directors. To that end I must say that it gives me great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Sherrod McNeill’s candidacy for the 2015 Outstanding Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year Award. Mr. McNeill began his tenure with the Ansonia School District in April of 2003 as an interim grade 6 math teacher at Ansonia Middle School. In August of 2003, Mr. McNeill was awarded a 5^th grade teaching position at Mead Elementary. In 2009-2010 Mr. McNeill found himself once again at Ansonia Middle School. This time he served as an Administrative Intern to the Principal. Within two years he was appointed as the Assistant Principal of the largest elementary school in the district. With approximately 700 students and 100 staff members, Mr. McNeill’s mission is to create a culture of teaching and learning, whereby students and staff members find meaning in their work and in their relationships with one another. 

As an instructional leader of Prendergast School, Mr. McNeill lives his dream of making a difference in the lives of both his students and teachers. Setting the bar very high for his students and staff, Mr. McNeill keeps student learning as the central focus and works diligently with teachers to improve student learning. With the principal of the building he routinely conducts daily walkthroughs and conferences with teachers on best practices and on different activities to incorporate student engagement and higher order thinking skills. When Mr. McNeill enters the classroom, his teachers know that he is looking for guided reading, effective teaching skills and higher order thinking activities and questioning. Mr. McNeill’s goal, as well as every teacher’s goal in the building, is aligned to the building improvement plan which is directly aligned to district goals. 

Mr. McNeill has worked diligently to extend a culture of continuous learning to parents and the community at large. From his participation in presentations to the Board of Education and school community on the Prendergast School budget to his one-to-one tutorial conversations with parents on the Common Core, Mr. McNeill is a big advocate for our students and public education. Mr. McNeill hosts programs at Prendergast School which involve the students and welcome parents and public dignitaries. Prendergast School is no stranger to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Senator Joe Crisco, Representative Linda Gentile and Mayor David Cassetti.

As an individual involved with Change Leadership, I recognize that Mr. McNeill understands some of the most challenging concepts facing America’s 21^st century educators. I will say no more because through Mr. McNeill’s packet one will understand the impact this individual has on everyone he comes in contact with. He truly Walks the Talk. It is definitely without reservation that I recommend Mr. Sherrod McNeill as The National Outstanding Assistant Principal. 

Sincerely,

Carol Merlone, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools