Waterfront Living at its Finest
One casualty of today’s storm was a white Mercedes-Benz E63, which remained under several inches of Long Island Sound water as waves lapped against its undercarriage at its Old Mill Beach parking spot. WestportLocal.com photo
Fire Department High Water Rescue Unit on Tour of Compo Neighborhoods
The Westport Fire Department’s High Water Rescue truck was on tour this morning during the high tide that brought heavy surf and flooded streets throughout the Compo neighborhood. WestportLocal.com photo
Heavy Surf for Owenoke Park
A winter storm created heavy surf that battered the shoreline this morning as high tide hit the community at 10:42. Flood waters receded soon thereafter, though the waves continued to spray over the coastal sections of the roadways. WestportLocal.com photo
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain showers before 4pm, then a slight chance of snow showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Temperature falling to around 25 by 5pm. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 24 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 20. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 11. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Light and variable wind.
Tomorrow
A slight chance of showers before 1pm, then rain likely after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. East wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Temperature rising to around 50 by 4am. Breezy, with an east wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Westport Superintendent: “ students became ill after ingesting what appeared to be candy”
Press ReleaseDear Westport Families,
Last week, there was a school-related incident in which students became ill after ingesting what appeared to be candy. This is a terrifying sign of the times and a traumatic experience for the students and families involved. Last night at the Board of Education meeting, I made a statement on this matter.
I am not at liberty to share additional information and details about this specific incident due to federal laws that protect student privacy. Additionally, I cannot compromise the outcomes of ongoing investigations regarding this issue. However, I can take this as an opportunity to advance parent education on this topic, and to implore those who care for children to be vigilant about candy, chocolate, and other foods that could contain substances that may pose a health and safety risk to our children.
On January 10, 2023, retail cannabis sales will become legal in Connecticut. As a result, we expect cannabis to be more accessible in the community, making the necessity of our awareness and vigilance even more important.
As members of the Westport Prevention Coalition, the Westport Public Schools is collaborating with community agencies to raise awareness about the risks associated with the legalization of cannabis and its potential impact on children and adolescents.
In light of this recent incident, I want to emphasize to families that it is especially important for those caring for our youngest students to remind their children not to consume candy, chocolate, or other food from unknown sources. Children could become very ill, sometimes with fatal consequences, from consuming foods containing drugs or other potentially harmful substances.
In addition, all families should remind their children of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and that there can be serious school-related and criminal consequences for possessing, selling, or distributing drugs and alcohol on school grounds or at school-sponsored events. To be sure, the school district strictly prohibits the possession, sale, distribution, use, and consumption of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vapor products, and certain other substances on school grounds, on school buses, at school-sponsored activities, and at certain times outside of school. However, the reality is that these substances still exist in our community, and we must continue to educate our children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
This education must now include ensuring that our youngest children understand the importance of avoiding candy, chocolate, and other foods that they find at school, on a school bus, or somewhere else in the community, or that is offered to them by someone they do not know or do not know well.
Please click this link for additional information on this topic from the Westport Prevention Coalition and WPS Supervisor of Health Services, Sue Levasseur.
I encourage you to discuss this important topic with your children. To assist you in these conversations, I am attaching factsheets prepared by the Westport Prevention Coalition (www.westporttogether.org/prevention-coalition). More information on this important topic can be found at https://beintheknowct.org/parents/.
If you have any questions or would like support from school staff around this issue, please reach out to your child’s building principal who can share appropriate school resources.
Sincerely,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent
Westport Public Schools
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 23. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind.
Judge Wexler Sworn in for another Four Year Term
Court Clerk and Justice of the Peace Lisa Hayes (left) swore in Probate Judge Lisa Wexler to another four year term for the Westport - Weston District during a small ceremony at Town Hall this evening. Included in the ceremonies was Shaina, who comfortably occupied the judge’s left hand as her right hand remained raised for the occasion. Contributed photo
Staples High School Candlelight Concert Again Delights Sellout Crowds
One of Westport's most cherished holiday traditions, the Staples High Music program's Candlelight Concert took place on Friday and Saturday to the usual sell-out crowd for all three shows.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The annual Staples Candlelight concerts, a tradition spanning 82 years, showcased the exceptional musical talent of Westport's high school students, led by conductors Luke Rosenberg, Carrie Mascaro, Jeri Hockensmith, and Philip Giampietro pictured above.
The performances began with the recitation of the "Winter Song," a newly composed piece by Westport's Poet Laureate, Jessica Noyes McEntee. The Staples Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Choral Ensembles then took to the stage to perform a variety of Candlelight favorites, including the opening "Sing We Noel" and the grand finale, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," which featured the participation of over 50 music department alumni. The program also included Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" ("Trepak" and "Waltz of the Flowers"), music from the film "Home Alone" by John Williams, and the showcase piece "Jubilate Deo" by Dan Forrest. In addition, the chorus sang the unaccompanied "Shalom!," junior and senior choral members presented a comedic production directed by Don Rickenback, and small student ensembles performed self-arranged holiday hits, including a jazz sextet and a vocal duet accompanied by guitar on "Winter Wonderland."
Stephen Zimmerman, Music and Visual Arts Coordinator for the Westport Public Schools system said, "Following last year's concert, which introduced a new element of collaboration, this year's performance was carefully planned by the teachers over the course of nearly a year, showcasing their extraordinary effort, exemplary musicianship, and creativity. The collaboration brought together students from different musical groups and ensembles to create a cohesive show, adding an exciting new dimension to the already highly anticipated annual event. As a witness to the hard work and talent of the students and teachers, I am extremely proud of their efforts and have received an amazing response from parents and community members."
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
C'mon In, The Water Is…. COLD!
This pair of canine buddies were undeterred by cold temps and even colder water and enjoyed a romp at Compo beach on Saturday. One appears to be a Red Golden Retriever which is a natural variation of the Golden Retriever. Both are very similar in temperament, friendliness, socialness, health, and looks. They differ most in coat color, size, and energy. They are typically the smallest puppies of the litter and are more athletic meaning more energy to burn! His buddy is likely a Parti Labradoodle. Labradoodles are a cross between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. They were initially bred in Australia in the 1980s in an effort to create a hypoallergenic guide dog. The combination results in an intelligent, friendly, and low-shedding dog.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
