Superintendent: 3 New Cases in 3 Schools
From Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“Dear Westport Families and Staff,
In our efforts to remain transparent with reports of positive Covid-19 cases associated with our schools, we will continue to provide these updates as information is confirmed. As of the time I am writing to you this evening we have 3 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the following schools:
Coleytown Elementary School - 1
Greens Farms Elementary School - 1
Staples High School - 1
The three most recent positive cases of Covid-19 involve individuals already quarantining, so there are no additional needs for students or staff to quarantine in the referenced schools.
As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19 cases of students using our reporting voicemail or email regardless of whether the students are in remote or hybrid models of instruction. Please follow this link for more information on reporting.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools”
News 12 Features Westport’s True Snow Day
Screengrab from News 12, the Bronx News Feature
News 12 featured Westport kids yesterday on what was a true snow day for them, while a remote learning day for many others. Westport was one of few districts in Fairfield County, and the tri-state area, who made the call to allow snow days without any remote learning, allowing students the day off to enjoy outside in the snow. According to the report, local parents - and kids - were pleased with the decision as they slid down the hill at Kings Highway Elementary School yesterday.
Inklings News features The Westport Local Press
Editor’s Note
Inklings News, the student run newspaper for Staples High School, featured The Westport Local Press in their recent publication. The article was written by Staples Junior Katie Simons and discussed the foundation and goals of the WLP.
I was happy to speak with them, and look forward to everything that Inklings publishes, posts, and tweets. As a Staples graduate, I know that Inklings has always been an integral link between our high school and our community.
Screengrab from InklingsNews.com
Superintendent: Full Remote Learning Friday for All Students & Staff
From Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“Good evening Westport Families and Staff,
Our custodial staff and the town’s Department of Public Works have done a wonderful job today clearing our parking lots and sidewalks around the schools. Despite their efforts to treat our parking lots and sidewalks, ice remains. In addition, we have been informed that refreezing of town roads, particularly secondary roads, and parking lot surfaces may cause hazardous conditions in the morning.
As a result, the Westport Public Schools will operate in a full remote model for teachers and students on Friday, December 18, 2020.
Sincerely,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools”
Superintendent: Two New Cases in Two Schools
From Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“Dear Westport Families and Staff,
In our efforts to remain transparent with reports of positive Covid-19 cases associated with our schools, we will continue to provide these updates as information is confirmed. As of the time I am writing to you this evening we have 2 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the following schools:
Coleytown Elementary School - 1
Bedford Middle School - 1
Those impacted have been notified by school and District officials. As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19 cases of students using our reporting voicemail or email regardless of whether the students are in remote or hybrid models of instruction. Please follow this link for more information on reporting.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools”
Snow Closure: Westport Public Schools Full Snow Day Thursday
According to Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“With the strong likelihood of a major winter storm tomorrow, I would like to inform the school community that the Westport Public Schools will be closed Thursday, December 17, 2020. This will be a traditional snow day which will be made up at the end of the school year. The schools will reopen Friday as scheduled. If the clean up efforts require a second day, Friday will be a remote learning day. https://sites.google.com/westportps.org/wps2020-2021reopeningourschool/full-remote-model
The anticipation and excitement of a snow day is something that every child should experience. Soak it up. As a fellow parent I feel the fleeting nature of time with my own children. The challenge of this year warrants a respite. Let this be Thursday. The forecast calls for about a foot of fluffy snow to end by mid-morning. Bundle them up and let them all (elementary through high school) get out and enjoy one of the few days a year that we get for winter fun in southern New England.
Stay safe and warm,
Thomas Scarice”
Registration Open for Saturday’s Candlelight Concert
According to the Staples High School Music Department, registration has been opened for Saturday’s virtual Candlelight Concert. The 80th anniversary concert will begin at 7:30 PM, and can be registered for by going to staplesmusic.org for digital tickets. The concert is free, however donations will be accepted. Photo by Dylan Goodman Photography, contributed by the Staples Music Parents Association.
Staples Senior Daria Maya named Coca-Cola Scholar Semi-finalist
According to a Staples High School press release:
“Daria Maya, a student at Staples High School, has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
1,609 high school seniors were selected as Semifinalists from a pool of 99,403 submitted applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
The Semifinalists are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000.
Local high school senior Daria Maya has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2021 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,450 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $75 million in scholarships over the course of 33 years.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Hopkins President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of alumni that have become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP, Coke Scholars Care (Coke Scholars doing good in the midst of the pandemic), and the fifth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.”
Staples Senior Daria Maya, 2021 Coca-Cola Scholarship Program Semi-finalist.