Klarides, Klarides-Ditria attend meeting, learn about issues facing educators

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education hosts event

State Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby

DERBY - State Representatives Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria met with local Board of Education members, Superintendents, Principals, teachers in Derby Wednesday to hear the top issues impacting schools K-12. 

An annual legislative breakfast is hosted by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

In attendance were superintendents, principals, teachers, and BOE Members from Ansonia, Derby, Orange, Milford, Seymour, Woodbridge, and West Haven. 

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour

Many expressed their concerns about school safety for both teachers and students. 
In addition, funding teachers' pensions, providing more opportunities for advanced manufacturing training, and ECS funding were discussed.

Klarides said, "Today's classrooms are much different than they were 10 years or even five years ago. I give teachers a lot of respect for the work they do day in and day out to teach our children.  It's important that we work this session to protect ECS funding for our communities and continue to prevent teachers' pensions from being placed on the backs of our towns and cities."

Klarides-Ditria said, "Teachers or students not feeling safe in a classroom is something that we need to fix. Having a safe classroom for all makes the learning experience more productive, which will lead to better performance by students. I will be talking to my colleagues this session to see if we can repass legislation to address school safety."

Last year, Gov. Dan Malloy vetoed S.B.453, a school safety bill that made several changes to school safety laws - the bill was co-sponsored by both Klarides and Klarides-Ditria. 

Malloy also vetoed a bill that would have prevented future governors from being able to cut ECS funding midyear.

This is a press release from Spencer Rubin, press secretary.   

Derby school officials, police team to host forum on safety, security

Sharing press release from Derby Public Schools:

DERBY - Derby Public Schools and the Derby Police Department invite you to attend a community forum on School Safety and Security at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Derby Middle School cafetorium. 

Learn about the advancements made in our schools to help protect against threats and provide for a safe learning environment for all staff and students. 
This will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions as they relate to school security. 
We very much welcome and value everyone’s input so together, as a family, we know we are doing everything in our power to protect the ones we love. 
We hope to see you on Tuesday.

The school is at 73 Chatfield St.

Shelton High School to induct first Hall of Fame members

SHELTON -The Shelton High School Hall of Fame will induct its inaugural class Sept. 16 at a dinner and induction ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. 

The Shelton High School Hall of Fame was established as a way to recognize and honor in a permanent manner those who have excelled in their dedication to the community of Shelton High School and those who have made outstanding contributions both at Shelton High School and in the world which reflect positively upon Shelton High School. 

The Shelton High School Hall of Fame was established in 2013 with founding members Dr. Beth Smith, headmaster; John Niski, athletic director; Charles Fowler, teacher and coach; Howard Gura, retired SHS administrator; Tyler Tice, student. After years of defining the bylaws and procedures, twelve esteemed SHS Community members were identified by the committee to be inducted. 

The inaugural class includes: Joseph Benanto (retired SHS History teacher; SHS baseball, basketball, and football coach); Mary Lou Cook (retired Director of Special Education; Ripton School principal; teacher); Audrey Dreyer (retired SHS school nurse; founder of the SHS Food Bank); Howard Gura (former SHS Housemaster; retired SIS Headmaster; teacher; guidance counselor; SHS graduate and standout athlete; SHS basketball and football coach); Mark Lauretti (Mayor of Shelton; entrepreneur; SHS graduate and standout athlete; basketball coach, and teacher); Bernice Nicolari (retired SHS teacher, SHS basketball coach and women’s athletic pioneer); Dan Orlovsky (SHS graduate and standout athlete; NFL quarterback; founder of Dan Orlovsky Foundation); Anthony Piccolo (retired SHS Housemaster; teacher; guidance counselor; SHS graduate and standout athlete; SHS softball and football coach); Jack Ribas (retired Director of Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley); Fran & Gary Scarpa (former SHS Drama Club advisors; Center Stage Theater founders; Youth Connection Theater troupe); Joseph Sedlock (SHS graduate and standout athlete; retired SHS teacher and basketball coach; current SHS Drama Club co-advisor); Leon Sylvester (retired Shelton Superintendent of Schools; Vocational Education Director; teacher; SHS graduate and standout athlete).

Tickets are $50 per person. Checks made payable to Shelton High School Hall of Fame may be sent to: Shelton High School Hall of Fame, 120 Meadow St., Shelton, 06484, c/o Dr. Beth Smith. 
Deadline for tickets is Sept. 1. 


This is a press release from Headmaster Beth Smith.

New Derby High School principal profiled

Answers questions posed by Valley Independent Sentinel

Derby Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway, left, congratulates Martin J. Pascale Feb. 3 after he was named Derby High School principal at a Board of Education meeting at Derby Middle School.

DERBY - The Valley Independent Sentinel recently posed questions to Martin J. Pascale, 37, newly-named principal of Derby High School. 

Please click here to read the story.

2 middle school administrators in Derby temporarily replaced

DERBY - The principal and dean of students/assistant principal at Derby Middle School have been temporarily replaced.

Read the details in a story today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.