Westport Police: Frightened Mother Nearly Scammed out of Cash over Hostage Hoax
On March 23rd, 2023 Westport Police responded to M & T Bank on a report of a possible scam. Responding officers located a victim in the bank who reported that she received a call from a male advising that he and the victim’s daughter had been involved in a motor vehicle accident. The male claimed to have taken the victim’s daughter hostage and demanded that she withdraw as much money as she could in exchange for the safe return of her daughter. The victim was told not to text anybody or call anyone. In the background, the victim could hear a female voice screaming and crying. The victim went to the bank as instructed and attempted to withdraw all of the money in her account. An alert bank employee felt that something was wrong as the victim was obviously upset. The bank employee questioned the victim about the withdrawal and immediately recognized it to be a scam. The bank contacted the Westport Police Department, we responded and ultimately had the victim contact her daughter who advised that she was fine and at work.
We have seen this scam, and one’s similar, increase over the past few weeks. Alert bank employees, like the one at M & T, have aided and prevented at least three scams in the last week alone. The Westport Police Department would like to thank the alert bank employees at our local banking institutions for being alert to these potential scams and asking the appropriate questions to prevent their customers from being victims of fraud.
We remind individuals to be cognizant of these scams and provide the following tips:
Do not send any money or gift cards to an unknown person.
Make contact with family who claim to be in danger prior to sending money.
Call the police if unable to contact family members.
Report any potential scam.
Westport Seeks Next Poet Laureate
The Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC), has announced a search for the town’s second Poet Laureate, whose 2-year term will begin on July 1.
WAAC initiated the Town Poet Laureate position in 2019. The inaugural Laureate, Diane Lowman, will have served a 3-year term on June 30, extended a year due to the pandemic. During her tenure, Diane recited and curated poetry at Town ceremonies and events, the schools, the Center for Senior Activities, the Library and arts events. Early in the pandemic, she launched a lawn sign campaign with haikus and images, to help raise spirits in town.
The Town of Westport Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for both the town and the literary form, helping to celebrate and continue the town’s vibrant literary history. The First Selectwoman’s office appoints the Poet Laureate; WAAC administers the program.
The Poet Laureate’s objectives are, but are not limited, to:
· Promote poetry as a form of communication, inspiration, and entertainment for local residents.
· Participate in the Connecticut Poet Laureate group to create and participate in programs throughout the state.
· Expand access to and create connection through poetry.
· Elevate awareness of and appreciation for all forms of poetry.
· Advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts.
· Contribute to the town’s literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events.
Candidates should be 21 years of age or older, live in Westport, and have a wide range of relevant knowledge and experience. They must be comfortable with public speaking, and willing to work collaboratively with the town school district, library, and other cultural organizations to develop and present poetry-related activities and events. The candidate must have adequate time and flexibility to complete these and other requirements of the position. The Town of Westport Poet Laureate is an honorary, non-compensated two-year position.
For more information and the application packet, please visit: https://www.westportarts.org. Direct inquiries to waac@westportct.gov with the subject line POET.
The deadline for submitting applications and supporting materials is Friday, April 15. A committee made up of representatives from the Westport Schools, the Westport Library, and WAAC will review the applications and interview finalists as part of the selection process. The new Poet Laureate, whose term begins July 1, will be announced on June 1.
Westport Arts Advisory Committee was established by the RTM in 1997; its members are appointed by the First Selectwoman. WAAC is committed to increasing public awareness of all of Westport’s artists, arts organizations and cultural resources.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Rain and sleet, becoming all rain after 9am. High near 44. East wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.
Tomorrow Night
Rain, mainly before 2am. Steady temperature around 44. Northeast wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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.