Governor, Education Commission Announce “High-Dosage Tutoring” to help COVID-19 Learning Loss
Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell Tucker today announced that the Connecticut State Department of Education is preparing to launch the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program – a new statewide program for students in grades 6 to 9 that will provide intensive tutoring in mathematics to accelerate learning and address learning loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support the creation of this program, the Connecticut State Department of Education is allocating $10 million from its share of federal COVID-19 recovery funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund. The dedication of this funding represents a continued commitment by the Lamont administration and the State Department of Education to invest in programs with a demonstrable and time-tested record of impact on student learning.
“The need for robust accelerated learning interventions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has never been greater, and by dedicating this funding to create an intensive tutoring program, we can provide school districts with greater support to identify students who are struggling and connect them with the resources they need to succeed,” Governor Lamont said.
“We know from established research and practice that high-dosage tutoring is one of the best investments we can make to elevate student achievement,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “Few interventions have had such an unequivocally positive impact on expanding learning opportunities and closing equity gaps. State and national assessment data have repeatedly demonstrated that middle school mathematics remains an area of significant challenge, so I am pleased to take this added step in implementing a proven strategy in support of our learners, educators, and families.”
An analysis of 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessment scores shows “declines in student proficiency of around 6 to 8 percentage points in English language arts and math.” Students in grades 6 to 8 “may be 5 to 7 months behind in English language arts and a year or more behind in math.” Additionally, recent National Assessment for Educational Progress results in Connecticut reveal significant declines in math scores since the assessment was first administered in 1990.
High-dosage tutoring is a nationally recognized education strategy for boosting student academic achievement. It is being implemented in states and districts across the country as they seek ways to address learning loss from the pandemic. When implemented in accordance with rigorous and well-tested design principles, research has found that students can learn as much as one to two years of math beyond what they might typically achieve in the classroom and experience reductions in failure rates by more than 50%. Elements of Connecticut’s model, which will be released in the coming weeks, will adhere closely to these research principles.
The State Department of Education is preparing to make this program available in Connecticut schools during the 2023-2024 academic year. The department will soon launch a competitive grant application for school districts that are interested in participating. In addition to grant funding, a vetted list of approved tutoring providers will be provided to school districts from which they can choose to augment their school’s tutoring capacity.
To prepare for the program’s launch, the State Department of Education is currently soliciting surveys from tutoring providers that are interested in participating. Tutoring providers that want to be considered can fill out the survey that is available online at portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/AccelerateCT/High-Dosage-Tutoring.
Additionally, the State Department of Education will soon release a request for a technical assistance provider to join the department in coaching schools on best practices for building high-dosage tutoring programs.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “This federal funding – enabling kids to catch up from pandemic learning loss – will be a great boost to our students and schools. Math tutoring in these crucial grades will be deeply impactful, enabling students to overcome obstacles caused by Covid. Teachers and students alike deserve this support to close gaps in math education.”
U.S. Representative John B. Larson (CT-01) said, “Studies have shown the effectiveness of intensive tutoring not only making up for learning loss but also putting kids on a path to exceed grade level standards. With students still struggling to catch up from lost classroom time, especially in math and reading, the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program is the right investment in student success.”
U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) said, “I have made it one of my top priorities in Congress to fight for our nation’s educational programs and get them the robust funding and federal support that they need. All across the country and here in Connecticut, we have seen the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on learning delays and students’ separation from the classroom and academic support. The Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program comes at a time when students and families, who are still recovering from the pandemic, need it most. We know first-hand how a supported education can serve as a great equalizer that opens doors and opportunities to jobs, higher wages, and a better life.”
U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-04) said, “COVID-19 forced our students out of schools, depriving them of the opportunity to socialize, collaborate, and, in many cases, reap the full benefits of Connecticut's excellent education system. The Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program, established with funds from the American Rescue Plan, will accelerate our children’s learning by providing one-on-one attention so that every student can crush algebraic equations and feel confident in the classroom.”
U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) said, "As we continue to chart a path to recovery following the academic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative we provide necessary tools for success. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Connecticut High Dosage Tutoring Program will help mitigate the harmful effects of the learning loss that has permeated so many Connecticut school communities. I am happy that American Rescue Plan Act funds continue to support our state in extraordinary ways, and I applaud Governor Lamont and Commissioner Russell-Tucker for their steadfast commitment to students.”
More information on the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program and updates on its development are being published online at portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/AccelerateCT/High-Dosage-Tutoring.
One Night Only: Broadway Star Patti LuPone graces the Westport Country Playhouse Stage
Broadway legend Patti LuPone will take the stage at Westport Country Playhouse for one-night-only, in her solo show, “Don’t Monkey with Broadway,” on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m. The three-time Tony Award winner will explore how her life-long love affair with Broadway began, and the unpredictability of the Great White Way. She’ll reflect on her theatrical career through interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes by the likes of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jule Styne, Stephen Schwartz, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.
“I can't wait to join you at the Playhouse for a special guest appearance by one of the most amazing Broadway stars ever, the incomparable Patti LuPone,” said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. “Since being chosen by legendary director Harold Prince to play the title part in ‘Evita’-- just shortly after she graduated from Juilliard-- this astonishing performer has continued to thrill audiences, bring them to tears of joy or emotional empathy, and always make her work both indelible and completely fresh. Like the greatest stars, she brings all of her distinctive, one-of-a-kind self to whatever she does, yet she constantly remakes herself to fit the role or the song or the show. This promises to be an evening of powerhouse entertainment you're likely never to forget.”
Lamos added, “Some wonderful sponsors and friends of the Playhouse, people who promote its continuing health during these troubled times for the performing arts, have come together to make this evening possible. Without them, we couldn't have brought Patti's blazing, now legendary, star to our stage.”
Patti LuPone recently won her third Tony Award for her performance as Joanne in Marianne Elliott’s critically acclaimed production of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical “Company.” In addition to her two previous Tony Award-winning performances in the original Broadway production of “Evita” and the 2008 Broadway production of “Gypsy,” her NY stage credits include: “War Paint” (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations), “Shows for Days,” “The Seven Deadly Sins” (NY City Ballet), “Company” (NY Philharmonic), “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC Award nominations), “Sweeney Todd” (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC nominations), “Noises Off,” “The Old Neighborhood,” “Master Class,” “Anything Goes” (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), “Oliver!,” “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” “The Water Engine,” and “The Robber Bridegroom” (Tony and Drama Desk nominations). London: “Company” (Olivier Award, What’s on Stage Award), “Master Class,” “Sunset Boulevard” (Olivier Award nomination), “Les Misérables” and “The Cradle Will Rock” (Olivier Award for her performances in both productions). Opera: “The Ghosts of Versailles” (LA Opera), “To Hell and Back” (SF Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny” (LA Opera-debut), “Regina” (Kennedy Center).
Film credits include: “Beau Is Afraid” opposite Joaquin Phoenix (opening April 2023), “The School for Good and Evil” (Netflix), “Last Christmas,” “Cliffs of Freedom,” “The Comedian,” “Parker,” “Union Square,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Witness.” TV: Marvel’s “Agatha” (upcoming), “Hollywood,” “Pose,” “Mom,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Penny Dreadful” (Critics Choice Award nomination), “Girls,” “American Horror Story” (“NYC” and “Coven”),” “30 Rock,” “Glee,” “Frasier” (Emmy nomination), three seasons as Libby Thatcher on ABCs “Life Goes On.” She is a founding member of both the Drama Division of The Juilliard School and John Houseman’s The Acting Company and the author of The New York Times best-seller “Patti LuPone: A Memoir.”
LuPone last appeared at the Playhouse in “The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim” in 2006, along with Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, and Barbara Cook. The performance saluted composer Stephen Sondheim, who began his theatrical career as an intern at the Playhouse in 1950.
Music direction for “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” is by Joseph Thalken. The production is conceived and directed by Scott Wittman.
Tickets are $75, $150, and $250. All audience members are invited to meet and mingle together at a post-performance party.
This fundraising event is underwritten by Judy and Scott Phares, Roz and Bud Siegel, and Marietta Battaglia White. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds from this event will support the non-profit, professional, producing theater, its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.
More information at https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/patti-lupone/
All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Francis Gage Mason, Former Westporter, Army Veteran, Died
Francis Gage Mason of Groton Long Point, CT. passed away peacefully at home with family by his side February 13th, 2023. Born in Paris in 1928, Frank grew up in Westport, CT. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1950; and was promptly drafted into the Army. He served at Fort Dix, NJ, where he taught radio communications and repair to troops deploying to Korea.
He married Phebe George of Mystic, CT in 1951. He and Phebe built a house in Weston, CT, where they raised their children, Catherine and Christopher. He started his own electronics company when the children were young and employed one other engineer. Over the years, Mason Engineering, Inc. grew, eventually employing as many as thirty people. Frank designed and manufactured sophisticated audio countermeasures equipment for the U.S. and its allies. After buying a shore cottage at Groton Long Point in 1969 he and the family spent summers at the beach, cruising his sloop near and far.
After his retirement and upon the death of Phebe in 1992, Frank continued his lifelong love of sailing the New England coast. He found a kindred spirit in Cynthia Buffinton, a longtime Westport resident. The two were happily married for twenty-six years, sailing and traveling the world together. Their primary residence was "Spindrift" at Groton Long Point, but also shared a nearby home at Mystic Run and spent every winter in Florida at Sanibel Island. Throughout the years, generations of family members and friends met for holidays, birthdays and soirees at Spindrift.
After Cynthia passed away in 2020, Frank remained at the Point and continued many of his interests, including his painting and photography. Under the umbrella of Spindrift Arts, he exhibited his work at the Mystic Art Museum, the Noank Historical Society, Noah's restaurant in Stonington Borough, The Big Arts Gallery in Sanibel, Florida and the Groton Long Point Arts and Crafts Show.
He is deeply missed by his family and many friends in the community. Anyone wishing to express tributes and condolences is encouraged to post them on Legacy.com
Published by Westport-News on Mar. 22, 2023.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 60. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 13 to 16 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
No April Fools: Dog Days at Westport Beaches End March 31st
Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava reminds residents and visitors that as of April 1, no animals are allowed at Compo, Old Mill, or Burying Hill beaches, in or out of vehicles. This regulation is in effect until October 1. Parking emblems will be required on all vehicles entering town beaches beginning May 1.
For the safety and well-being of our athletic field users, Ms. Fava asks for assistance from the public to help us keep our fields in good playing condition by keeping animals off of our ball fields year round.
Ms. Fava also states, “Although we have regulations in place for animals at the beach from April 1 to September 30, dogs are welcome at Winslow Park year round.” Winslow park is located at Compo Road North and Post Road East, and has posted on-leash and off-leash areas.
For more detailed information regarding Parks policies, please visit www.westportrecreation.com
Longshore Course Slated to Open Next Week, “weather permitting”
Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava announced today that the anticipated opening date for the Longshore Golf Course is March 28, weather permitting.
Ms. Fava states, “We are looking forward to the 2023 golf season. Our Head Golf Professional Jon Janik and our Golf Course Superintendent Brad Brown have been working hard to make sure the pro shop, staff, and course are ready for this new season.”
For golf course information, advanced and same day tee time bookings go to www.longshoregolfcourse.com. Please note the Pro Shop phone number is (203) 221-0900 or (203) 226-9785.
If you are a Westport resident and would like to purchase a golf Handpass, or if your golf Handpass has expired, you can renew or purchase online at www.westportrecreation.com or in person, Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at the Parks and Recreation Department, located in Longshore Club Park, 260 Compo Road South.
Ms. Fava says, “We hope you have a great season on the course.”
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 61. Light west wind becoming southwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
“Damn Tall Buildings” Heads to Voices Cafe; “one of the country’s hottest bluegrass/indie/Americana bands”
Voices Café is thrilled to bring Damn Tall Buildings to our music-loving audience for a lively evening with one of the country’s hottest bluegrass/indie/Americana bands, on Saturday, April 1st at 8pm.
Damn Tall Buildings, hailing from Brooklyn NY, bring together an engaging, creative trio with unmatched energy and enthusiasm, for a formula that promises to infectious, toe-tapping, hand-clapping bluegrass and so much more! Bluegrass, roots rock, old time, and vintage swing are among the influences on this acoustic Americana trio. Whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the three members of Damn Tall Buildings—multi-instrumentalist and primary lyricist Max Capistran (guitar and banjo), bassist Sasha Dubyk, and fiddler Avery Ballotta—delight in entertaining.
“If you like your bluegrass served with a little punch, attitude, grit and gravy, [Damn Tall Buildings brings]… bluegrass at its heart, but pulling from a wide range of influences including swing, ragtime, jazz, and even a hint of contemporary perspective in the songwriting, they offer virtually unmatched energy and enthusiasm, underpinned by intelligent songs that don’t skimp on the infectiousness...” — Savingcountrymusic.com
Damn Tall Buildings shares, “Our innate desire is to connect with people on a level that’s beyond day-to-day interaction. Our hope is that the joy that making this music brings us will somehow get passed along to the people listening, which they can then take with them to pass along to someone else. It’s a shared celebration of positive energy, and that’s what keeps us cooking.”
Enjoy café-style seating (at tables) or individual seating, bring your own beverages and snacks, or buy a snack from our sweet treats table. General admission: $25 per person. Groups of four or more can reserve table space. (Doors open at 7:30pm.) Livestream is also available. Tickets and Info at voicescafe.org
Voices Café and the artists share a deep commitment to social justice and a portion of this concert proceeds are dedicated to the support of social justices causes in our community, under the guidance of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport’s Social Justice Council.
Voices Cafe is located at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport CT.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind around 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. West wind 11 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. West wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wheels2U Westport Asks Public to enter Haiku Contest
Wheels2U Westport, the Westport Transit District’s on-demand, group ride, door to train platform shuttle service, is launching its second annual poetry contest to help promote the use of its Wheels2U commuter shuttle.
This year’s contest features haiku poetry. Sample haikus appear throughout this release. The first two are by Diane Meyer Lowman, Westport’s Poet Laureate Emeritus.
Haikus, which originated in Japan, are unrhymed poems consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively.
(Diane Lowman)
Leave the car at home
Leave the driving all to us
Door to door service
Gift certificates to Westport restaurants of their choice will be given to the top seven entries. One first prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate, two second prize winners will receive $50 gift certificates, and four third prize winners will receive $25 gift certificates.
Peter Gold, Director of the Westport Transit District, stated “Wheels2U Westport provides many benefits. It’s easy, inexpensive, and convenient to use. It comes when you call it, picks you up right at your door, and takes you right to the train platform at the Westport and Greens Farms stations. No more walks from the parking lots in the cold and dark, no more need to scrape snow from the windshield in winter. And it’s a greener way to get to the train.”
(Diane Lowman)
Wheels2U for you
We ferry you to the train
Worries left behind
Westport residents and commuters to Westport can use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 AM and 10 AM and between 4 PM and 9:30 PM and be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform and their front door anywhere in Westport. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station. The fare is $2.00 when paid with the Wheels2U app.
(Diane Lowman)
The bus to the train
Take Wheels2U for the ride
Easy, no hassle.
For more information about Wheels2U go to www.wheels2uwestport.com. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities go to www.WestportTransit.org
Official Rules
The contest is open to all residents of Westport. Enter as often as you like. Entries should be sent to Peter Gold at pgold@westportct.gov no later than March 27, should have Haiku Contest in the subject line, and must include the sender’s name, address, and email address. Winners will be chosen by Diane Meyer Lowman, Westport’s Poet Laureate Emeritus, and Peter Gold, the Director of the Westport Transit District, in their sole discretion. All entries become the property of the Westport Transit District. Entrants give the Westport Transit District permission to use their entries without compensation to promote the operations of the Westport Transit District and Wheels2U Westport as the Director of the Westport Transit District sees fit, including, but not limited to, using the entry as an advertising poster at the Westport and Greens Farms train stations or using it in marketing emails. The Westport Transit District may modify entries if necessary to meet the needs of the Westport Transit District.
Wheels2U—the bus
Goes door to train, train to door
No need for parking