Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrnes’ Friday newsletter highlighted the student Unified Soccer Team, the recent concert by the DHS Band, Chorus and Orchestra and the 12 straight wins by the Blue Wave Boys Golf Team.
“This very impressive start is our best since 2016,” Byrnes said of the golf team’s success.
Byrnes also included reminders about emergency information guides, particularly for parents; reminded students and parents about e-bike and scooter safety rules and a 90-minute safety course for middle schoolers “including safety skills for pedestrians, bikers, e-bikers, and e-scooters.”
He said a survey about the superintendent search has a deadline of Oct. 3 (next Friday) and more information about the search is available on the district website.
Full Text
Here’s the full text of Byrne’s Friday newsletter:
Dear Darien Community,
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit practice for our Unified Soccer team. If you are not familiar with Unified Sports, athletes are students with and without disabilities on the same team.
Unified athletics was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. It is an incredible experience for all of the student athletes and one of the most impactful experiences you can have as a spectator. There are some things that are bigger than sports and Unified is one!
Music to my Ears
Congratulations to the DHS Band, Chorus and Orchestra students and their directors who presented the first concert of the year last evening. The Autumn Showcase Concert featured all DHS performance music students and was an exciting way to kick off the 2025-2026 school year for the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Click here to watch the concert.
Fore!
The Blue Wave Boys Golf Team is off to a great start this Fall opening up the season 12-0 with wins over Norwalk, Warde, New Canaan, Wilton, Ludlowe, Danbury, McMahon, Ridgefield, Greenwich, St. Joseph, Staples and Westhill. The Blue Wave will take on defending FCIAC champ Trumbull on Monday, Sept. 29 at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. This very impressive start is our best since 2016 when the team went undefeated and won the FCIAC Championship. Swing into your best game boys!
Safety & Security
We are committed to providing a safe environment for students, staff and visitors. In the event of an emergency, it is important for parents/guardians/students/staff to be familiar with the way the district prevents and manages emergencies.
This summer we developed a series of emergency information guides. These guides outline key information and terms that are helpful to know in the event of an emergency situation. The guide for families is especially helpful and I suggest that you print a copy to keep it handy and accessible in your home.
We hope that you will familiarize yourself with the valuable content and have a discussion with your children. You may also find the guides on the safety and security page of the website.
E-bikes & e-scooters
It’s impossible not to notice the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters around town, which makes it more important than ever to emphasize safety for riders, pedestrians and drivers alike.
Please take a moment to read this e-bike and e-scooter informational brochure from the Darien Police Department and familiarize yourself with the updated laws that go into effect next week.
Additionally, the Depot Youth Center is offering three opportunities to take a 90-minute safety course designed just for middle schoolers! This fun and engaging class will teach essentials for sharing the road, including safety skills for pedestrians, bikers, e-bikers, and e-scooters, through both classroom learning and an outdoor obstacle course where students can practice what they’ve learned. Register here
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 completing this brief survey by Oct. 3, 2025. 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.
Weekend DHS Sports
Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Soccer Team for bringing back the Rivals Cup to Darien after an impressive 3-1 win vs. New Canaan! And a shout out to the Girls Varsity Soccer Team for a holding firm against a tough New Canaan team, ending in a 1-1 tie.
Looking ahead, it is another busy weekend for our student athletes. Today at 4 p.m. Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey Team plays New Canaan at home, Girls Varsity swimming has a meet in Ridgefield, Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity soccer play Greenwich at home at 4:30 p.m. with the freshman team playing at Greenwich at 5 p.m., Girls Varsity Field Hockey faces New Canaan at home at 5:30 p.m. and the Boys Varsity Football team and Girls Varsity Cheerleading head to Monroe to face Masuk at 7 p.m.
Can’t make it to the game — tune in to Darien Athletic Foundation Media (DAF) for some great coverage by our student broadcasters. Tomorrow (Saturday) playing at home we have Girls Freshman Soccer and Girls Varsity Volleyball at 10 a.m., Boys Junior Varsity Football at 10:30 a.m., and Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball at 11:30 a.m., with Girls Freshman Volleyball heading to Westport at noon. Go Blue Wave!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Byrne, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools