Teen activities planned this summer at Derby Public Library

Reading club, games, art classes are on tap 

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to join its 2015 Teen Summer Reading Club running through Aug. 13.  

This year’s theme is “Unmask,” encouraging members to make discoveries through a variety of Library programs. 
Participants earn credits toward weekly prizes for reading and reviewing books and participating in rewarding activities, all while making new friends and exploring resources. 
Every credit earned through the eight-week program will be used for drawing a grand prize winner. 
Registration ends on July 11. 

Game night

The Library hosts “YA Wednesdays” each Wednesday in July from 6-7:30 p.m.  
All young adults ages 12 to 17 are invited to a variety of activities, Teen Game Night combined with Lego Construction Project, and Scrabble Tournament. Light refreshments will be provided. This program is part of the 2015 “Unmask” Teen Summer Reading Club. Registration is requested. 

Chess club

The Teen Chess Club invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to “Open Chess Call” Mondays in July from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. 
This program is part of the DPL 2015 “Unmask” Teen Summer Reading Club. Registration is requested. 

Tie-dye fun

The Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Tie-Dye from 3-4:30 p.m. July 7. Each participant will be provided a new white T-shirt, dyes, and the expertise needed to create a personally designed fashion statement. 
This program is part of DPL’s 2015 “Unmask” Teen Summer Reading Club. Space is limited so registration is required. 

Art workshops

The Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Summer Art Workshops, from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, and 30 led by Rich DiCarlo, Valley Arts Council President. All materials are provided. 

This program is part of the DPL 2015 “Unmask” Teen Summer Reading Club. Registration is requested. 

Robotic design 

The Library will host Teen Maker Space for young adults ages 12 to 17 July 14, from 3-4:30 p.m.
This program is part of DPL’s 2015 “Unmask” Teen Summer Reading Club. Registered club members will be provided a cool kit to assemble and energize while learning the basics of robotic design and function. 

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult/reference librarian, Derby Public Library.

Derby Library to offer resume workshops, movies, more

DERBY - The Derby Public Library offers Resume Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

During these sessions, participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring 

copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.

The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 1. 

Movie matinees

The Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series throughout the summer for ages 

18 and over. 
Newly released DVDs will be shown at 1 p.m. every Wednesday.

Light snacks will be provided. This is a great way to cool off and relax on a summer afternoon.

Registration is requested. For a list of featured films, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.

Local history

The Library holds weekly Local History Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and from 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays. 

During this time the Library’s Local History Coordinator offers information on monthly 

highlighted topics. 
July’s topic will be Derby Recreational Sports through the Years.  

Assistance will also be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent 

local figures, major area events, and more.  

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Derby Teacher of the Year honors go to Irving School educator

Frank Briganti

DERBY – Irving School fourth grade teacher Frank Briganti is the Derby School District’s choice for 2016 Teacher of the Year.

Briganti was chosen for the top honor from among a group of teachers from each of the district’s four schools who were nominated by their peers for their excellence in teaching and extraordinary contributions to Derby’s students, families, and educators. Briganti has been a teacher in the district since 2013.

“Mr. Briganti is an outstanding educator,” said Irving School Principal Jennifer Olson.  “His lessons always include a real life application of a math skill, the integration of technology, and small group work. Students in his class made significant gains in their ability to solve complex problems, and improved their fact fluency.”

According to Olson, Briganti has filled a myriad of responsibilities on a regular basis. His primary responsibility has been as a classroom teacher, however, he is member of the Irving School’s Leadership Practice Improvement Team (LPI), he volunteers his time to tutor students after school, and piloted a school-wide Invention Convention.  
This year he secured funding to launch a Robotics Club which will begin in the fall. He also worked on the committee to select a new math program for the elementary schools, and has led several professional development sessions for teachers on math instruction, assessments, and technology use.  Briganti is also a committee member for the Derby B.E.S.T. 5K Race. 

Derby’s 2015 Teacher of the Year Christina Guerra said of her colleague, “Frank incorporates protocols and routines that engage even the most reluctant students.  Students are excited to enter his classroom and held to high expectations.  He is an outstanding teacher to represent Irving School and Derby Public Schools.”

District ceremony slated Aug. 24

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Conway said that Briganti was chosen for Teacher of the Year because he is an outstanding educator who is always willing to go above and beyond for his students, parents and school. 
“Mr. Briganti engages every student, every day, identifying lessons and activities to meet each student’s needs,” Conway said. 
“His performance as a teacher is professional and conscientious.  Mr. Briganti is a valued asset to the Derby School district.”

Briganti will be honored at a ceremony on Aug. 24 when the district’s teachers return to school for professional development activities.  He will also be honored at the annual statewide awards ceremony to be held Nov. 10 at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. 

Also to be honored at the events are the three other teachers who were chosen as Teacher of the Year at their individual schools. 
Those teachers are: Lisa Detoro, Grade 4 teacher at Bradley Elementary School; Greg Murphy, Special Education Resource teacher at Derby Middle School and Rebecca Syombathy, a ninth grade teacher at Derby High School.  
In addition, we will be honoring our Paraeducators of the Year.  
Those Paraeducators are: Cheryl Shea, Bradley School; Mary Lou Victor, Irving School; Alicia Proscino, Derby Middle School and Pamela Queen, Derby High School, the District’s Paraeducator of the Year.


This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.


Congratulations go out to all of the honored educators!

Baseball in the spotlight at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 10th season of Sports Talks.  These 

informal sessions are held at 10 a.m. every Thursday throughout the baseball 

season.  

They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball 

Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi.  Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively 

conversation and more.  

All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.

No registration is necessary.

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Seymour students learn water safety from 'Stewie the Duck'

Presentation held at elementary schools

Bungay Elementary School first graders Alyssa Vergati, left, and Lily Reyher with Seymour Public Schools' Director of Security Richard Kearns showing what the wrong size life vest will do. Behind them is 'Stewie the Duck.' / Submitted photo

SEYMOUR - As the school year ends and summer begins, warmer weather will bring the opening of family pools and family visits to the beach! Every year we hear of accidental drowning that occurs during the warmer months.

Seymour Public Schools' Director of Security Rich Kearns thought it would be beneficial to the Seymour Community to continue a water safety program for younger children that can be shared with their families in an effort to spread a little bit of prevention that can save a life.

For the fourth year in a row Kearns was joined by Seymour Police Department School Resource Officer Corey Tomasella to present to all of the first grade students in the Seymour Public Schools a water safety program called “Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim.”

“Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim” was founded by Kim and Stew Leonard Jr. The program teaches children and parents the importance of water safety.

Stew and Kim Leonard turned their personal tragedy of the drowning of their toddler son into inspiration and created this water safety program.

Submitted photo

The program was held for all first grade students at Bungay Elementary School and Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School. 

During the program children were given safety tips to use around pools and the beach.

Students were thrilled to meet Stewie the Duck himself who made a special visit to teach children the three important rules: 
Don’t jump in until you learn to swim, Cover your chest with a safe life vest, and Don’t play near the water alone.

Through the generosity of the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities, 250 “Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim” books donated to the Seymour Public Schools to distribute to each first grade child to take home. 
The total cost of these books totals was just over $1,200. Parents were encouraged to take the time to read this book with their child and share these important water safety tips with the entire family.

The program was presented by Rich Kearns Director of Security for Seymour Public Schools and Seymour Police Department School Resource Officer Corey Tomasella with the assistance of Seymour High School seniors students Shaylin Rodriguez and Jailyn Brantley.



This is a press release from Seymour Public Schools.

Bradley School students meet Derby K-9 officer, partner

Contributed photo

Third graders at Bradley Elementary School in Derby enjoyed a visit Friday from Derby Police K-9 Officer Jordan Gochros, kneeling, and his K-9 partner, Bear, a German shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix. Standing behind them is Derby Police Sgt. Scott Boulton.

Contributed photo

K-9 Officer Jordan Gochros and his partner, Bear, visited Bradley School Friday. 

Cards sought to honor state veteran on his 90th birthday

Sharing from Shelton resident who is proud of her Dad, part of 'The Greatest Generation'

WWII Army hero Paul Panagrosso 

By DEBBIE BARBIERO
Paul Panagrosso entered World War II by joining the U.S Army at age 18 to be part of the 106th Infantry Division. 

He was captured by the Germans on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 16, 1944. 
After marching for days in snow he was placed in Stalag XIA and then transferred to Stalag IIIA. Eventually he was sent off to a work camp where he spent untold hours unloading railroad ties. 

Panagrosso during WWII

In April 1945 the work camp was evacuated and he had to march east. His feet were frostbitten and he needed the aid of a cart for this journey. Near the Elbe River he and his group stopped to take shelter. That evening the town came under attack by advancing Americans and they were liberated, ending five months of captivity. 

He was 165 pounds when he entered the Army. But when he arrived at Camp Lucky Strike in France for treatment he weighed only 100 pounds. 
After just one month at the hospital he was on a ship back to the States. 

He received a 60-day furlough and reassigned to Camp Devens, Mass. where he waited after being told he would soon be deployed to the Pacific to fight Japan. 
The war thankfully ended before this occurred and he was released from the Army in December, 1945. 

Like so many other Americans our father was part of “The Greatest Generation.”

To show our appreciation we are hoping to flood his mailbox with greetings in celebration of his 90th birthday on July 5. 

Please send cards to: 

Paul Panagrosso, P.O. Box 193, Chaplin, CT., 06235.

I'm PROUD to say, this is my Dad! 
I am so grateful he is still with us. He is my HERO!

Ansonia slates soccer registration

ANSONIA - Registration for fall soccer for new and returning players will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. today and Thursday at the Ansonia Armory, 5 State St., at the corner of North Cliff Street.

Dues are $65 for Recreational Players (In-Town)
(Born 8/1/2005 – 7/31/2011) and $85 for Travel Players (New Haven County) (Born 8/1/2001 – 7/31/2003)

Requirements:

• Proof of Ansonia residency (utility bill or other official U.S. Mail)

• Birth Certificate (Photocopy we can keep, if possible)

• Dues payment: check payable to “Ansonia Soccer Club”

• Registration form signed by parent or legal guardian

This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.