Bayberry Lane Bridge over Aspetuck Closed through November for Replacement
Town Engineer Keith Wilberg: Town Engineer Keith Wilberg has announced that the project to replace the Bayberry Lane Bridge over the Aspetuck River begins today. The scheduled closing date of the roadway is Thursday, April 28, and is expected to continue through November 30.
Local traffic be directed through the designated detour route - Easton Road to Coleytown Road to North Avenue to Lyons Plain Road to White Birch Road, or the reverse, as necessary. Proper road signage will be in place prior to the road closure date. Residents adjacent to the bridge have been notified of the road closure and detour.
Emergency services in Westport and Weston will be notified, as will the Westport Public Schools Busing Representative.
Motorists are advised to drive with additional caution, allow extra travel time, and obey all detour and safety signals.
Please direct any questions about the project and detour to Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at 203-341-1128.
Westport Country Playhouse Announces Podcast Series
Westport Country Playhouse: “Stories from the Playhouse,” a new podcast series produced by and for Westport Country Playhouse, was launched this week on Spotify and Libsyn classic feed, and on the Playhouse’s website at https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/nexttonormal/
Hosted by Liam Lonegan, Playhouse assistant artistic director, the podcast was created to inspire artists, audiences, and community members. The monthly series will feature guests from all corners of the theater world sharing their stories.
“The idea of creating an audio platform was enticing at first, and then irresistible,” said Lonegan. “With everyone as busy as ever, it felt necessary to create an opportunity for our community to engage with the Playhouse while constantly on the go. This podcast builds an avenue to dive deeper into the work on our stage, by telling stories that changed the way our guests look at themselves and the greater American theater. These stories are the single most powerful way we can connect with our artists, and with each other.”
The podcast’s first episode is “Redefining Normal,” with guest Marcos Santana, director and choreographer of the award-winning musical, “Next to Normal,” currently at the Playhouse through Sunday, April 24. Santana tells his story, from growing up in Puerto Rico to performing on Broadway, and sheds light on bringing the pop/rock musical to the Playhouse stage.
Each podcast is approximately 35 minutes. Upcoming guests will be announced soon.
Governor Announces the State Department of Education’s New Model Curricula
Governor Ned Lamont’s Office:Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced the release of phase one of Connecticut’s new model curricula for educators statewide. The first phase includes math curriculum for grades 6 to 8, and financial literacy curriculum for grades 6 to 12. These resources will be available to all Connecticut educators at no cost through GoOpenCT, Connecticut’s digital library.
Last year, Governor Lamont signed into law Public Act 21-2, which requires the Connecticut State Department of Education to develop, for the first time, age appropriate and rigorous model curricula to supplement existing local curricula. Model curricula development is done through collaboration with the State Education Resource Center, subject matter experts, district officials, educators, and additional stakeholders. With this implementation, Connecticut becomes one of 19 “open education resource” states in the nation.
“Connecticut continues to be a leader in public education, and the accessibility and evidence-based nature of these curricula are no exception,” Governor Lamont said. “These curricula will supplement the amazing work already happening in our school districts and promote student success.”
“Connecticut has a beautifully diverse student body of more than a half-a-million students,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “The monumental rollout of this model curriculum will strengthen our schools and improve outcomes for students. Whether in an urban, rural, or suburban district, all educators will have free access to high-quality curricula and instructional resources. Thank you to the department staff, educators, district officials, and stakeholders involved in this ongoing work.”
“This is a historic moment for the department and all Connecticut teachers and students,” Connecticut State Department of Education Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi said. “We are designing an ecosystem created by teachers for teachers, where everyone will have access to high-quality academic content to match the diversity and need of their classroom anytime, anywhere. Students will have increased opportunity to engage in deeper learning that is focused, rigorous, and relevant.”
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 9; State Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Up
The State Department of Public Health reported 9 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 7.68% while hospitalizations were up 15 patients, with 165 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,336 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 7.68% [up from 7.35%]
State Hospitalizations: 165 patients [+15]