Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter, emailed at 2 p.m., Friday, described this week’s DHS open house, and noted next week’s Middlesex open house, what’s happening in the search for a superintendent, the Hindley Bash scheduled for Friday night and what sports teams are playing this weekend and next.
It also mentioned Darienite.com’s article on the eight Darien High National Merit semifinalists and linked to the article. (Darienite.com didn’t add any of that to the text — those were Dr. Byrne’s words and link — and we appreciate it!).
Here’s the full text:
Dear Darien Community,
And just like that we have completed our first five day week of school. As I have traveled across the District this week, I have seen students deeply engaged in their learning at all levels. It is so nice to see everyone back into the rhythm of school life. While I am sure many are still adjusting to school buses on the roads and busy fall schedules, the brisk mornings and routines of school are a wonderful sight to see.
Recognition
Darien High School seniors, Chenhui Gagliardi, Milana Melnick, Luke Mihopoulos, Akhil Polaki, Maya Pujara, Bo-Wen Qin, Neev Sahgal and Luka Zhou, were named as semifinalists for scholarships from National Merit Scholarships Corp. You can learn more about this esteemed recognition in this Darienite.com article . Congratulations!
Photo by Maria Farren
Darien High’s eight National Merit Scholarship semifinalists: Chenhui Gagliardi, Milana Melnick, Luke Mihopoulos, Akhil Polaki, Maya Pujara, Bo-Wen Qin, Neev Sahgal and Luka Zhou
Out in Schools
On Wednesday I spent most of the morning at Tokeneke School and while visiting, I was a guest reader in Ms. Foster’s First grade class. I enjoyed sharing Rachel Bright’s story Snail in Space with the children. Many thanks to Ms. Foster and her students for the invitation to read. I always include school visits on my weekly schedule and had the good fortune to spend time at Ox Ridge, Tokeneke and Hindley this week. I absolutely love stopping into classrooms and watching our teachers make magic with their students.
Back-to-School Open House
Thank you to our elementary and high school parents and guardians for attending open house this week. We are so grateful to see such a strong turnout from our community, and we appreciate your continued support of our students, faculty and staff. Dr. Fedigan and I enjoyed meeting families at the schools this week. There was such great back-to-school energy!
A big thank you to our teachers for their comprehensive presentations. I would also like to recognize and thank members of the Hindley, Holmes and Royle (HHR) Building Committee and staff from O&G Industries who attended the open houses and answered questions about these exciting projects. Open houses continue next week at Middlesex Middle School. The middle school open houses are on Sept. 15 (Grade 6), Sept. 16 (Grade 7) and Sept. 17 (Grade 8).
From the Board of Education – Superintendent Search
Community members are invited to provide their input to help develop the ideal candidate’s qualifications and skills by attending an in-person forum on Monday, Sept. 15, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 35 Leroy Ave., or by completing an online survey that will be emailed out the week of Sept. 15. Your participation is an important part of this process and appreciated. Community updates and information regarding the search can also be found on the District website.
Around Town
The Hindley Bash is tonight [Friday night] from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Hindley field. School spirit wear is encouraged and pizza, hot dogs, music, and the Kona Ice Truck will be available. New and returning families can attend the Tokeneke’s Back to School Bash this Sunday from 2-4pm on the Tokeneke playground.
Weekend DHS Sports & Homecoming Sept. 19
It is another busy weekend full of athletic events! Today our girls jv and varsity soccer teams play St. Joseph’s at home at 4 p.m. and the home opener for varsity football is tonight at 7 p.m. against Naugatuck.
On Saturday, boys and girls cross county will be running in the Wilton Invitational at 9:30 a.m. in Wilton, girls varsity field hockey plays at St. Joseph’s at 10 a.m., boys freshman soccer plays in Westport at 10:30 a.m., with boys jv and varsity soccer playing at home at 2 p.m., and JV football plays in Naugatuck at 11 a.m.
Looking ahead to next week, we will have the Homecoming football game at DHS on Sept. 19 with the Blue Wave taking on Brien McMahon under the lights at 7 p.m. Any New York Jets fans (I am one) or New York Giants fans may want to come on over for some high quality football. Many of our varsity teams will also play at home during homecoming week — we hope to see everyone there to cheer on our student-athletes! Go Blue Wave!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Byrne, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools