Fire prevention poster contest winners named in Ansonia

Mead School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners are, from left, Fahmida Chowdhury, Lizsandra Muniz, Logan Coon, Alleyanna Figueroa, Jamiah Renee Carrillo, and Karisma Jones. Second row, from left, Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone, Principal Amy O’Brien, Assistant Principal John Coppola, and Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley./ Contributed photo 

The Prendergast School Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners are from left, Karleigh Gatison, Makayla D’Alessio, Samantha Burton, Alana Morell, Maqila Mosley, and Jaden Manning. They are congratulated by, from left, Assistant Principal Sara Crooks, Principal Liz Nimons, Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley, and Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA – Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley has announced the winners of the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest for Ansonia Public Schools.

Gift cards were presented to the top three winners in Grades 4 and 5 for Mead and Prendergast Schools.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone joined the building principals for the Jan. 4 presentation.

Lizsandra Muniz, a fourth grader at Mead, and Karleigh Gatison, a fifth grader at Prendergast, were the first prize winners for their grade levels and were also selected as the grand prize winners for the city. 
Their posters are on display in the State Capitol in Hartford. 

The other winners of the contest at Mead are as follows: Grade 4, second prize, Alleyanna Figueroa, and third prize, Karisma Jones; and Grade 5, first prize, Fahmida Chowdhury, second prize, Logan Coon, and third prize, Jamiah Renee Carrillo.

At Prendergast, fourth grade winners are Makayla D’Alessio (first prize), Alana Morell (second prize) and Jaden Manning (third prize), while the other two fifth grade winners are Samantha Burton (second prize) and Maqila Mosley (third prize).


This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

Congratulations to all the contest winners on jobs well done!

Newsletter features lead hazard control program, monkey love in Valley

Dear readers,

Our latest newsletter is out. Please click here to read all about it.

Have a great weekend!

~ Patti and Ralph

Seymour slates kindergarten registration

SEYMOUR - Seymour Public Schools will hold kindergarten registration on the following dates:

• Jan. 17, 8 to 11 a.m., Bungay School, 35 Bungay Road
• Jan. 18, noon to 3 p.m., Bungay School, 35 Bungay Road
• Jan. 19, 8 to 11 a.m., Chatfield-LoPresti School, 51 Skokorat St.
• Jan. 20, noon to 3 p.m., Chatfield-LoPresti School, 51 Skokorat St.

Parents of children eligible for kindergarten in August 2017, as well as Grade One students who have been attending a private kindergarten program, are urged to register their children at the elementary schools in their districts on these dates and times. 

Children must be five years of age as of Dec. 31, 2017 to be eligible to attend kindergarten in August 2017.

Parents must bring a copy of their child's official birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residency. Proof of residency documentation includes driver's license, house deed or lease and two utility bills. 

Children should have the required immunization inoculations for the following: Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, DPaT, Varicella, Hib (Hemophilius Influenza Type B), and Hep B (Hepatitis B), Pneumococcal and Hep A.

State law also requires that all schoolchildren have a health examination prior to entering kindergarten. 

School officials encourage parents to have their private physician perform a health exam for their children prior to Aug.15, 2017 so that their child may be admitted to school Aug. 28, 2017. Completed physical paperwork must be returned by Aug. 15 in order for students to start school.

More information, including other required health screenings, can be found at www.seymourschools.org, or call 203-888-4564.

Nominations sought for Caring Heart Awards in Valley

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee (formerly Women & Heart Disease) is seeking nominations for its annual Caring Heart Awards. /Contributed photo

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee (formerly Women & Heart Disease) is seeking nominations for its Annual Caring Heart Awards.

These awards are presented to an individual and a group, organization or business that lives or works in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and has made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large, and demonstrates a “Caring Heart” by their actions and/or volunteerism.

For a nomination form or information on how to make an email nomination, contact Eunice Lisk, 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org. 

Nominations must be received by Feb. 3 to be eligible.

The award winners will be announced in February and presented at the Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Brunch March 25 from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Griffin Hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of healthcare professionals, heart patients and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

Tickets for the 12th Annual Women’s Heart Wellness Brunch and Awards Program event will go on sale in February. To learn more, become a sponsor or make a donation, contact 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Basketball game at Shelton High School to raise diabetes awareness

 SHELTON - The Shelton High School Girls Basketball team will host the first annual “BLUE GAME” at Shelton High School Jan. 20 when the Gaelettes take on rival Guilford High School. 

The “BLUE GAME” is an event in which the Shelton High School Girls Basketball program wants to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, also known as Juvenile Diabetes. 

   

The event will be held at the Murray Gymnasium at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St., beginning with the junior varsity game at 5:15 p.m. and culminating with the varsity match-up at 7 p.m.   

Many local businesses and families have donated items to be raffled off as part of this event with all proceeds being donated to Yale Pediatric Diabetes.  

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food.  

It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and — at present — nothing you can do to get rid of it. 

At the present time the Shelton High School Girls Basketball program has three players that are afflicted with Type 1 Diabetes and are constantly managing their lives with this affliction.

Please consider attending this important event and wear your “BLUE” to show your support.

This is a press release from John Niski, Shelton High School Athletic Director.

Shelton High School Drama Club to present 'Adaptations'

SHELTON - The Shelton High School Drama Club will present its annual production of Adaptations this weekend. 

Adaptations is a unique theatrical performance in which each grade level presents its own 30-minute musical skit. 

Club advisors Joe Sedlock and Samuel LaPaglia are looking forward to another year of exciting performances from Shelton’s talented teens.

“Once again, we have the good fortune of having returning directors working with every class,” Sedlock said. 
“Our directors are enthusiastic and experienced, and we are thrilled to see so many of them return year after year to work with our great kids.”

This year, Adaptations will feature a variety of songs from various musicals and movies including Seussical, Grease, Pitch Perfect, and Wicked. Because so many students are involved in the production, the performance has a large directing team comprised of teachers, parents, and performers from the community. 

Justin Zenchuk is one of the directors for the senior class and has been on the Adaptations directing team for several years.

“It’s always great to return to SHS for Adaptations every year. I love the chance to combine forces with actors, parents, and teachers. I think it really gives the kids a unique experience.”

Adaptations will be staged at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 in the Shelton High School auditorium, 120 Meadow St. 

Ticket price is $10; tickets can be purchased at the door.


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

Derby Neck Library to host Dinner and Movie

DERBY- The Derby Neck Library will host Dinner and a Movie for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2. 

This month’s feature film is “The Accountant,” an action-packed thriller, starring Ben Affleck. 
It is shown on blu-ray and a large screen. 
Movie refreshments will be served, including a free pizza dinner at intermission. 

For details call 203-734-1492.
The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.



This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.