Downtown Dinosaur: April Fools? Perhaps.
A siting of a dinosaur yesterday from the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge may be a sign of tomorrow’s April Fools. Photo by Barbara McDonald.
Staples High School, Westport Public Schools Presents: “America’s Voices” to 3rd-5th Graders
Coleytown Elementary School students stand with their yard sign artwork among a field of signs from the other Westport elementary schoolsPress ReleaseThe Staples Amati Chamber Orchestra pre-records “American Landscape”The Staples High School Music Department and Westport Public Schools will present “America’s Voices” to Westport students Grades 3-5, April 5-9. “America’s Voices” celebrates and showcases the diverse population of musicians and artists within our country and our schools. After several months of immersive studies of varied music and art, elementary students will view a video series spanning from April 5-9 featuring:
Staples music ensembles pre-recorded pieces from diverse American composers
Westport public school student art grades 3-5 and 9-12
A traveling town-wide lawn sign exhibit, beginning at the elementary schools on April 3, visually expressing the Voices of our public school students, in partnership with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee and Poet Laureate, Diane Lowman
Family folk song submissions celebrating Westport’s diverse cultures, recorded at home by elementary students and families
This collaborative effort, previously called the Westport Youth Concert, has been renamed the Westport Youth Arts Collaborative to encompass the cross-curricular involvement in the making of this production. Not only does the program expose students Grades 3-5 to the exemplary musicians at Staples High School, but also builds their understanding of diversity and the uniqueness of global cultures. The multi-discipline initiative has developed partnerships in our community with organizations such as the Westport Library, Westport Arts Advisory Committee, WestPAC and PTA Cultural Arts.
For more information about this collaborative event and Staples Music go to staplesmusic.org.
Youth Commission Needs Adult & Student Members for 2021-2022
Press ReleaseThe Westport Youth Commission (WYC) is seeking students currently in grades 8-11 and adult members to serve for the 2021-2022 school year.
“The Youth Commission serves as a public forum for youth issues and advocates for youth needs and concerns in the community,” Human Services Director Elaine Daignault said. “Its 30 members, 15 students and 15 adults, are appointed by the First Selectman. Incoming Freshmen are invited to join the Freshman Committee prior to applying for appointment as sophomores.”
There are limited vacancies available. If you are currently a rising sophomore, junior or senior, or an adult who is interested in discussing youth issues on a monthly basis while making a difference in your community, we invite you to join. The appointment process for youth and adults includes completing an application and submitting at least one letter of recommendation on behalf of the candidate by May 14, 2021. The application link can be found at www.westportct.gov/youthservices.
All WYC meetings are open to the public and are usually scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. Appointed WYC members commit to participate in at least one advocacy group and other tasks as needed throughout the year, which may involve additional meetings.
To learn more about the Freshman Committee or for further information about the Youth Commission, please contact Kevin Godburn at 203-341-1155 or via e-mail at kgodburn@westportct.gov.
About the Westport Youth Commission
The Westport Youth Commission, appointed by the First Selectman and staffed by the Department of Human Services, is comprised of 15 Westport high school students and an equal number of Westport adults. It serves as a catalyst for programs and activities that promote the positive development of youth in their families, schools, community and among their peers.
Westport Police Participate in U Text, U Drive, U Pay Campaign
Press Release
The Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office is launching U Drive. U Text. U Pay., a national high-visibility enforcement campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up enforcement efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws between April 1 to April 30, 2021.
Distracted driving is an activity that diverts attention from driving. Not surprisingly, texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions. Sending or reading a text takes one’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds and at 55 m.p.h., that is like driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed. Additionally, according to the NHTSA driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than intoxicated driving.
Operating a motor vehicle requires the driver’s full attention and even a momentary distraction can lead to disastrous results. In Connecticut in 2019, more than 6,600 crashes were contributed to distracted driving and the NHTSA reported that between 2012 and 2019, 26,004 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver.
“Every trip on Connecticut’s roadways—no matter how long or short a trip—should be a safe one,” said Commissioner Joseph Giulietti of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. “We want drivers to focus on the most important task: hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Violating Connecticut’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed are fined $150 for the first offense, $300 for the second offense, and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation along with the Westport Police urges you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. Should you need to text prior to reaching your destination, please pull over to a safe location first.