Derby Public Library to host online Hooping for Earth Day program

DERBY - Derby Public Library welcomes back Bring the Hoopla for children of all ages at 4 p.m. April 22.

This Earth Day celebration program will be virtually attended via Zoom for those who register.

To celebrate, children will use hoops to play and exercise so it is recommended to dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You can register at http://www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Klarides-Ditria: Griffin hosting vaccine clinics in Derby, Ansonia

I wanted you to know that in the next two weeks, Griffin Hospital will be hosting several Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics for residents of Derby and Ansonia! In addition to Griffin’s weekly Thursday vaccine clinic at the Ansonia Armory, they are also teaming up with Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos, the Boys and Girls Club and Abundant Life Ministries to host vaccine clinics at those locations. The clinics will be held on April 22 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Armory in Ansonia; April 26 from 4-7 p.m. at Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos in Derby; April 28 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Ansonia; and April 30 from 9 a.m.-noon at Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia. These free to the public walk-in clinics are available without appointment and the vaccine will be administered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.  Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced. Insurance information will be collected at registration, but insurance coverage is not required.  Those being vaccinated will incur no out of pocket cost.  “Griffin’s courageous caregivers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to provide residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities with a range of vital services from heroic hospital care for those suffering serious complications of coronavirus infection, widely available COVD-19 testing that helped limit the spread of COVID-19, and now lifesaving COVID-19 vaccination in mass vaccination sites operating in Shelton and Naugatuck as well in numerous community-based clinics throughout the Valley and beyond intended to bring vaccination into the neighborhoods where people live in order to make it highly accessible.  "We are grateful for the opportunity to provide community vaccination clinics in Derby and Ansonia and appreciate the tremendous support and collaboration of community leaders and organizations who have facilitated vaccination events and actively participated in our outreach effort,” said Pat Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital.  “I want to thank Griffin Hospital and Pat Charmel for always working to address the health needs of the Valley and for making sure residents throughout the area have free, safe and local access to these vaccines,” Klarides-Ditria said.  “The doctors, nurses and thousands of other caregivers who make up the Griffin family have always gone above and beyond for us. They are true heroes.”

Sincerely,

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.

Rochelle to host presentation via Zoom on affordable health care

At 7 p.m. Wednesday Valley residents are invited to join state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby, and Access Health CT for a virtual presentation on the changes coming to insurance coverage options, including more affordable insurance premiums for many, and the Access Health CT special enrollment period beginning May 1.

 

Residents who are currently insured will be able to learn about more affordable, high-quality health insurance options that will become available and how they can potentially upgrade their plan for the same price. Residents will be able to shop, compare, and enroll in these high-quality, lower cost health care plans starting May 1.

 

"Affordable health care is a top concern for many residents in Ansonia and Derby. Each year, health care costs increase and are far too high for most residents. 

"The improvements to the Affordable Care Act created by the American Rescue Plan will help many in our community access more affordable options and better-quality coverage," Rochelle said. 

"I encourage all interested parties to join this information session and learn about their options to save money and enroll in high-quality coverage. I am pleased to bring an initiative like this to our residents so that everyone knows about the newly available opportunities for people and families in our community."

 

Interested residents can register to join the discussion via Zoom at https://bit.ly/3sff1Pw.

Those who would like more information about the event can contact Rochelle at  Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. 

If they need immediate assistance, residents can call 860-240-8585.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Derby Public Library to present virtual talk on honoring veterans

DERBY - In a virtual presentation at 6:30 p.m. May 3, Hamish Lutris, Associate Professor of History, Political Science, and Geography, Capital Community College in Hartford, discusses ways veterans of U.S. wars have been recognized for their service, and how that recognition has changed over time. 

The presentation will range widely, from creating our first veterans’ organization, the Cincinnati, to observing holidays like Memorial Day, sponsoring the creation of national cemeteries, and passing the GI Bill, among others.

Register here https://bit.ly/3a7xgQG by 4:30 p.m. May 2 to receive the Zoom Link and password.

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Board of Education recognizes 7 students

DERBY - At a recent meeting of the Committee of the Whole the Derby Board of Education  recognized seven students.

Isabelle Chevarella, a grade 12 student at Derby High School, has been selected to receive the SCASA Memorial Scholarship. 

This scholarship is given in honor of former Hamden Superintendent Dr. Alida Begina and former East Haven Superintendent Martin DeFelice, Jr. 

The scholarship is awarded to students who intend to major in education and work in K-12 public education, who have demonstrated involvement in the education field, e.g. tutoring, peer advising, or student teacher club, etc., who has demonstrated high academic achievement of a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and is a student of high moral character. 

In Isabelle’s essay to the committee for consideration she references her father as her influencing factor in her decision to pursue education stating, “His passion for teaching and putting his students first has motivated me to follow in his footsteps.” 

Isabelle plans to major in history education.

The Board also recognized six of our students who received the SCASA Student Recognition Award. 

The award is presented to a female and male student at the highest level in each school who exhibit the following criteria: community service and service to others; academic prowess relative to ability; and leadership to the school community. 

The Board recognized Brianne Fernandez, Grade 5, Bradley School; Eduar Barillas, Grade 5, Irving School; Gianna Akter, Grade 8, Derby Middle School; Joseph Izquierdo, Grade 8, Derby Middle School; Destiny Lewis, Grade 12, Derby High School; and Bryce Cotter, Grade 12, Derby High School.

Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr, Superintendent of Schools and President of SCASA aid, “It is always exciting to call out and recognize the incredible attributes of our students and share with the world the great things they are doing every day to be impactful both in school and our community. The scholarship award is especially meaningful because of what it represents; honoring the past contributions of both Dr. Begina and Martin DeFelice, Jr. while supporting future leaders as they embark on the rewarding journey.”

Jim Gildea, Board of Education Chairman said, “The Derby school system is fortunate to have such an amazing group of students. Their accomplishments are special and deserving of recognition. They are the best that the Derby school system has to offer and we are proud of them.”

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Seymour Public Library to host Food Explorers program via Zoom

SEYMOUR - Join Katie, Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers, at 4:30 p.m. April 23 to make Mac & Cheese Cups! 

The program is hosted by Seymour Public Library.

You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe: dried pasta (elbows), 2 TBSP butter, 1/4 cup flour, 1 onion, 2-3 cups milk, cheddar cheese, plus optional breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

You will also need a muffin tin.

Registration is required for this program.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZEscu...

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This is shared from the Seymour Public Library Facebook page.

Rochelle, Griffin Health schedule 3 mobile clinics to Vax the Valley

State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia and Derby, and Griffin Hospital have coordinated three mobile vaccine clinics with local partners for Ansonia and Derby residents. 

These are walk-up clinics and no appointment is required.
The clinics are scheduled for the following dates:

• April 26 from 4-7 p.m. at Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos, 101 Elizabeth St., Derby.
• April 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, 28 Howard Ave., Ansonia.
• April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries, 195 N. Main St., Ansonia.

The clinics will administer the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. 

Residents of Ansonia and Derby must bring photo ID and proof of residence. Insurance is not required, but residents who have insurance should bring their insurance card. 

Vaccines will be administered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

"These clinics are a way for residents who are having difficulty accessing transportation or securing an appointment to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The most important part of moving the Valley forward from the pandemic is ensuring our friends and neighbors can protect themselves against the virus," said Rochelle. 

"Thank you to Griffin Hospital for being a strong partner on this initiative as well as Pastor Ulysses and Leslie Youngblood from Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries and the Life, Health, and Wellness Center, respectively, Pastor Dennis Maroquin of Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos, and Breon Sanders, Unit Director for the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, for always lending a helping hand to our community and making these spaces available for residents to receive their COVID-19 vaccine."

Residents who may have questions about the safety or effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines can reach out to Griffin Hospital 203-204-1053 or Rochelle at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov for in-depth information about the vaccine. 

Additional information about the vaccines is available at https://bit.ly/3tnJuMR.

Throughout the pandemic, Rochelle has worked closely alongside local nonprofits and faith groups to ensure residents in need had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer. 

Rochelle continues to work with community partners to connect residents with food support, rent and mortgage assistance, health care, utility assistance, and connect small businesses to critical resources.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.