Democratic Women of Westport, Staples Young Democrats Host “The Anti-Racist Policy Agenda: Education” Tomorrow at 7:30 PM
The Democratic Women of Westport and the Staples Young Democrat club will be hosting a Zoom webinar as part of their series: The Anti-Racist Policy Agenda. This conversation’s focus will be on education, and will include panel members from the local education community as well as national organizations. The previous conversation was based on Immigration, and included Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.
The conversation will cover:
• What racial disparities have persisted in the educational system in the last decade?
• Can we identify state-level policy solutions to address these disparities?
• Have federal policies, like testing or curriculum requirements, exacerbated or lessened disparities and can the state ameliorate those policies?
• What would educational equity in Connecticut look like?
• Can we build political support for these solutions and make CT a model for change?
Panelists will include:
Joshua Aronson, New York University
Michael Cummings, Fairfield Public Schools
Steve Hernandez, CT Commission on Women, Children & Seniors
Eric Juli, Shaker Heights (OH) High School
Keith Little, SCO Family of Services
Moderated by Justine Marous, Marous Law
Front Yard Skating Rink Brings Wright Street Neighborhood Together
Local siblings and neighbors living in the Wright Street neighborhood spent yesterday afternoon on the ice, enjoying the outdoors and being with one another.
For nearly twenty years the Reilly Family’s front yard has been transformed into an ice skating rink, with neighborhood kids invited to enjoy it on Winter’s coldest days - combatting the doldrums of the season dominated by a pandemic. By Jaime Bairaktaris
The ice rink is custom designed and built by the family and their friends each year around Thanksgiving, allowing ample time for the water to catch a few consecutive days of freezing temperatures to create thick enough ice to skate on. Being only a few inches deep, falling through isn’t disastrous - making it a much safer option than relying on local ponds, and more accessible than the many rinks closed this season due to coronavirus.
To keep the ice smooth, mother-of-five Alison Reilly maintains it with a hot water rake (donated by neighbors) or with a propane blow torch. A true labor of love; the neighborhood tradition is more important this Winter than ever before as the World tries to remain outdoors as much as possible during the COVID-19 crisis.
After school days dominated by at-home-learning and social distancing, ice skating has been a safe way to get kids moving and to promote positive social interaction. The Mayo Clinic cited the benefits of being outside during the Winter, naming ice skating as one of their lowest-risk options to enjoy during the pandemic. Skating and other low-risk social activities are also being promoted as ways to help boost mental health amongst children and adolescents, a goal for many local parents as some push to get kids into schoolhouses full-time in order to grow their social connections and combat isolation.
As temperatures froze and Zoom classes finished, the neighborhood kids waddled down the street in their winter gear last night to get onto the ice to continue the Wright Street Winter tradition. They slipped and fell, and slid and glided, and laughed and chatted under their masks as the friends supported each other on their skates.
With families and neighbors watching from the driveway as smaller kids held the fingers of the older kids leading them around the ice, the front yard rink exemplified how a community can rise up together amidst a pandemic.
The Reilly family has always welcomed their community to enjoy the rink as a way to get kids outside and to make memories together, however never did they imagine how important this year’s memories will be in proving not all was bad during the coronavirus crisis.
With cold weather ahead, the kids on Wright Street won’t be complaining. They’ll be closing their ChromeBooks, lacing up their skates, and gliding out onto the ice.
Frozen Over on Imperial Avenue
A cold morning and low tide allowed the Saugatuck to freeze along Imperial Avenue this morning.
Westport Library Offers Video Production Class for Beginners
From the Westport Public Library:
Could your homemade videos be better? Are you looking to improve your professional skills; move up to the next level?
Develop a foundational understanding of the equipment, software, techniques, and aesthetics of shooting, lighting, audio, and editing with Emmy-award winning producer David Bibbey.
The Westport Library’s first, virtual course in VIDEO PRODUCTION starts next week. Participants can choose to attend the six-week program on Monday evenings or Saturday mornings. The Monday class kicks off on January 25th at 6:30 pm and the Saturday class on January 30th at 11:00 am. In addition, as you work on your assignments, you can take advantage of weekly online drop-in clinics.
What you'll learn:
Gain key knowledge of what it takes to create quality videos from conception, proper planning, production through to editing and posting online
Understanding the importance of and how to craft the story arc
Common camera settings and shooting techniques
A solid baseline of knowledge for capturing audio, including how to record quality audio with a variety of microphones
How to use and set up lighting including use of natural lighting, three-point lighting for interviews, and more
To register for this exciting new program go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R6PPDB7
Once we have received your registration, we will contact you regarding payment. The cost of the program is $150.
Questions? Contact dbibbey@westportlibrary.org