Haiku Moment from Westport’s Poet Laureate
From Westport’s Poet Laureate: Diane Meyer Lowman
Dry January
Was only half a success
Last til the ides
Westport Cumulative COVID-19 Cases Up 8; Deaths Unchanged
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport has added 8 positive or probable COVID-19 cases, and has added 0 new deaths. This includes data from this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,148 cases. Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 26 deaths.
The Westport Farmers’ Market Celebrates 2021 with Love, Health, & Seed Exchange
From the Westport Farmers’ Market:
On Thursday, January 28th the Westport Farmers’ Market will celebrate 2021 by hosting our annual seed exchange in honor of National Seed Exchange day.
“Collecting, sharing, and growing seeds saved by our very own shoppers, farmers, and vendors – especially heirloom varieties – involves the community personally in the promotion of local food and flora,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director of the WFM. “This year more than ever we want to seed the year with love and health.”
The public is invited to bring seeds they have saved from their own gardens or simply take home a few saved by others. WFM farmers will donate seeds from their favorite crops for the community to try at home. All seeds except those of invasive species* are welcome, however, the market is requesting people to bring and take home heirloom or organic varieties.
“Heirloom seeds are critical to reclaiming of our food system,” continued Cochran-Dougall. “These are open-pollinated plants that have been passed down from generation to generation without human intervention or manipulation. They taste better, are more nutritious, and help protect plant diversity.”
The seed exchange will run from 10 to 2 (or until all seeds are shared) Thursday, January 28th at Gilbertie’s, 7 Sylvan Avenue, Westport. Experts will be on hand to informally discuss the importance of seed saving.
*For a list of plants considered invasive in Connecticut, please visit the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group at UConn here: https://cipwg.uconn.edu/invasive_plant_list/#
Superintendent: 6 New COVID-19 Cases in 4 Schools
Data from the Westport Public Schools COVID-19 Dashboard 01/18/21
From Superintendent Thomas Scarice last night:
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 6 newly confirmed case of COVID-19 that came in over the weekend. The reports came from the following schools:
Kings Highway - 2
Bedford Middle School - 1
Coleytown Middle School - 1
Staples High School - 2
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.
Additionally, we want to remind families that students with pending Covid-19 tests should not return to school until receiving negative results. This approach is critical in helping us continue minimizing the potential for transmission in our schools.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools