School in Derby to host open house on 2 days

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave., will begin to enroll students for the 2014-2015 school year beginning January 21.  

To be eligible for full-day kindergarten children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2014.  

The school offers a Pre-K Program for 3-and 4-year-old children which may be full time or part time.  

All are invited to an Open House from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Jan. 29.

St. Mary- St. Michael School offers the following:

·      Full-Day Kindergarten                               

·      Before and After-School Program

·      Pre-K for 3-and 4-year-old children

·      Interactive Whiteboard Technology

·      Technology Instruction

·      iPad Learning

·      Drama Club

·      Basketball, Soccer

·      Spanish (K - 8)

·      Band

·      After-School Art Enrichment

·      Accredited by NEASC

·      Catholic Identity

·      Monthly Community Service Projects

This is a press release from the school.

Sharing message from Ansonia schools

Letter to All Prendergast Parents Regarding Snow Today:

John G. Prendergast School
59 Finney Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
(203) 736-5080 FAX: (203) 736-1045
Mr. Apicella, Principal, Mr. McNeill, Assistant Principal


January 9, 2015

Dear Parents:

Our decision to have school today was a very difficult one considering the forecast did not call for the snow to start until later in the morning. As you know, the snow did not start until 7:15 by which time many of our buses were in route and two of our buildings were already in session. We always have our students in mind whenever a decision like this is made and we are glad to report that all of the buses arrived to school without incident. That being said, we understand that many parents had a difficult time bringing their children to school and for that we apologize.

We thank you for your patience and working with us through this very difficult circumstance. Student safety is always our first priority in determining whether to open or close schools. Our appreciation goes out to the many teachers and school staff members that worked diligently to get our schools ready. As always, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Central Office and Prendergast School


This info is taken from Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page posted at noon.

Griffin Hospital in Derby slates 3 health talks

DERBY - Griffin Hospital wants to help individuals keep their New Year’s Resolutions for better health with a series of free talks in January and February.

The three talks will focus on losing weight, getting better sleep, and quitting smoking, offering health education as well as information on services Griffin offers to help the resolutions stick.

Each talk will be held at the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

At 6 p.m. Jan. 20, health experts in fitness, nutrition and bariatric surgery will present “Lose Weight, Gain Health,” a discussion on the risks of being overweight and simple strategies, innovative programs, and surgical options to help individuals reach a healthy weight. 

Attendees can receive a free BMI screening and consultation.

At 6 p.m. Feb. 10 representatives from Griffin Hospital’s smoking cessation program, “That’s It – Learn to Quit,” and the hospital’s CT Low Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program will present “Quit for Good,” a talk about strategies for quitting smoking and free lung cancer testing available to high-risk individuals.

At 6 p.m. Feb. 12, Dr. Marya Chaisson, director of The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital, will present “Better Sleep for Better Health,” a discussion about the health risks of getting too little sleep, tips for getting better sleep, and warning signs of sleep apnea.

Lifestyle change program
Each talk also will provide information on Griffin Hospital’s new lifestyle change program, Wellness for Life. 

This comprehensive, evidence-based, and medically supervised program offers hands-on and personalized learning in nutrition, exercise, and reducing stress to help individuals change to a happier, healthier life.

The talks are part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U program, which features Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 

Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.  

Ansonia Nature Center to host art group, animal tracking, documentary on conservation, more

January activities planned

HEALTHY LIVING SERIES – Join us at 2 p.m. Sunday for the second of three sessions on healthy living. 

Americans over-consume processed foods yet we are undernourished! We are polluted from the foods we eat! 
Learn why everyone should eat clean and detox at least once in his/her life. 

If you experience fatigue, indigestion, joint pain, anxiety, skin problems, or many other issues it may be time to take charge of your health and rid your body of toxins from food that has been altered by chemicals. 

Free; please register in advance. 

FIBER ARTS GROUP - Slated from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 13.
Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. 

If you took our Knitting 101 workshop, you can continue the project you started there. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize, too. Free.

19TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE  - Jan. 18, noon–4 p.m.; Jan. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Join the Nature Center staff and volunteers at the Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven. 

The Peabody will once again offer world-class performances and educational activities for visitors of all ages, in honor of Dr. King and his efforts to ensure justice for all people.

CONSERVATION DOCUMENTARY - "Bag It" to be shown at 2 p.m. Jan. 25.

Is your life too plastic? This enjoyable documentary sheds light on our world’s serious but seemingly unnoticed addiction to plastic in our everyday lives. It tells why plastic is a problem for us and our planet, and what you can do to eradicate plastic in your life starting the instant you’ve seen this film. 

Free. Please pre-register.

ART OF ANIMAL TRACKING – Explore the Nature Center’s property this winter for animal signs at 1 p.m. Jan. 31.

Ranger Jess, also an educator at the Two Coyotes Wilderness School, will teach you tracking techniques used by native people of many cultures. 
Follow the signs and tracks and become an animal detective. Learn how to identify the species in our park and make a plaster cast for your own collection. 

Free. Please pre-register for this family-oriented program. 

EAGLE WATCHING AT THE SHEPAUG DAM – At 9 a.m. on a Saturday, date to be determined.
Nature Center director Alison Rubelmann will lead this field trip to the Shepaug Dam in Southbury to view the bald eagles wintering on the Housatonic River. 

Meet at the Nature Center parking lot at 8 a.m. sharp to carpool or caravan. Group size is limited. 

Pre-registration is required. Fee: $3. Dress in warm shoes and clothes. 

To register and for more information on all programs call 203-736-1053. 

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road. 

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.