Irving School Principal in Derby named to new administrative position

DERBY - After a competitive search and selection process the Board of Education, on the recommendation of the Selection Committee and superintendent, appointed Irving School Principal Jen Olson to fill the new, grant-funded position of Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.

Jen Olson

Olson, with the support of Team Irving, has a track record as a transformational leader. She will now have an opportunity to scale, across all classrooms, those successes and support structures that have proved most beneficial to student growth.

This is a critical role in the district to help lead the work which began five years ago to identify, introduce, align, and deliver curriculum and instruction in a meaningful and engaging way in every classroom for every child.
With all the changes in teaching and learning today, from new curriculum, new approaches to learning, new strategies to teaching, new assessments to better understand the learning and growth that is occurring, teachers need more time and support to plan, practice and engage in learning about new methods and strategies to instruction and assessment.
In looking at ways to provide better support for the many new learning initiatives, implemented in response to the changes nationally in education, Derby looked at districts across the state and found 100 percent of the districts who responded to a survey had either a Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent or similar position leading this work. This led to a dialog with the Board and other stakeholders, as well as identification of grant funding to support the position.
Superintendent of Schools Matt Conway said, “While the position is considered a district level position, it is more about the ability of the individual selected and their relentless passion to be working side by side with teachers, coaches, and principals to positively impact learning for every student in every classroom. We had an opportunity, through a combination of both federal and state grants to provide this, much needed, layer of support and largely due to the foresight and support of our Board, we are going to take advantage of every second we have with this funding, to continue to improve learning for every child and adult across all classrooms. We owe it our teachers and kids. As teachers face growing challenges in our classrooms, you can’t keep expecting more and better without providing the right support. This is a step towards that.”
Board Chairman Jim Gildea said, “This is an exciting time for the Derby school system. There are few things more important than ensuring our curriculum is current, aligned, and delivered to our students in a coordinated manner. This is a position that is long overdue. The fact that we are able to implement this position at no cost to the Derby taxpayer is also important and a credit to the school system.”

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Griffin Hospital in Derby announces new senior management position

Adam Dworkin

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is proud to announce the promotion of Adam Dworkin of Bethany to the newly created senior management position of Vice President, Operations - Integrated Medical Group.

Dworkin joined Griffin in 2011 as the Executive Director of Griffin Faculty Physicians, subsidiary of Griffin Hospital. He previously served as Director of Marketing for a large Connecticut law firm following distinguished service in the U.S. Navy as surface warfare officer, mission planner and instructor for which he received numerous awards and commendations. 

Dworkin earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and a Juris Doctor from University of Connecticut School of Law.

In his six years at Griffin, Dworkin has facilitated the expansion of GFP into a multi-specialty group practice with more than 50 physicians, 100 support staff, and an annual operating budget in excess of $19 million. 
GFP providers now include highly accomplished medical and surgical specialists, Physician Assistants and Advance Practice Registered Nurses practicing inpatient medicine, adult primary care, geriatrics, gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, general surgery, breast surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and urology in the hospital and in more than a dozen community-based office locations throughout Griffin’s seven-town primary service area, as well as Southbury, Naugatuck, and Hamden.

“Griffin’s success in healthcare’s new era requires that we possess the capabilities to deliver high-quality and value-based care by effectively and efficiently managing the health of defined populations,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“The expanded scale, scope of services, and geographic footprint of GFP combined with the practice’s strong operational foundation and strong integration with the hospital will help us achieve a superior level of performance. We are counting on Adam and his GFP team to help us navigate healthcare’s new era.”


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Club shines spotlight on ex-Shelton educator as part of anniversary celebration

As part of its year-long 60th anniversary celebration, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will be recognizing the life of someone who has been positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club on a regular basis throughout the year.

This month the Club recognizes Louis “Lou” Dagostine, Sr. 
Lou’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club has been as a club member, a staff member, and a member of the Board of Directors. 
Lou fondly recalls many of the activities he participated in as a Club member, including the stamp collecting club and woodworking club. 
Games room and gym activities were popular then, as they are now, and Lou especially enjoyed ping pong (with sand paddles!), pool, and basketball.
Lou, like many of the Boys Club members of the late ’50s and early ’60s, transitioned from the Boys Club to the Community Center (back room to front room) and continued to be an active member of the Community Center.

After graduating from Western Connecticut State College, Lou began a 34-year career in the Shelton School System that included teacher, counselor, and principal. 

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club, Lou has served as Second Vice President of the Parent Child Resource Center Board of Directors, a member of the Shelton Youth Services Bureau Juvenile Review Board, and a mentor in the Shelton Student Mentoring Program. 
He was the recipient of PCRC’s Award for Significant Contributions to Children and Families in the Valley Area.
Lou, his wife Jenny, and their three sons, Louis, Peter, and Ralph have all been involved with the Boys & Girls Club as members of the Board of Directors, members of the Corporation (Corporators), and as various committee members. 
Their family has expanded to include Louis’ wife Renee and grandchildren Emery and Maria; Peter’s wife Michelle and granddaughter Madeleine; and Ralph and his girlfriend Andrea.

The club is looking for stories about anyone whose life was positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club. 
Stories are welcome all year long, from Club members, past members, friends, and family. 
If you have an experience you’d like to share please email Press@BGC-LNV.org, or call Ann Wheeler, 203- 924-7462. For details visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.