Education
Darien High School entrance

Darien High School, Middlesex Middle School Closed Monday Due to Teacher Absences; UPDATE: ROYLE, TOO

By |
Download PDF

UPDATE: Add Royle to the schools closed today, according to a 6:04 a.m. message from the superintendent of schools (full text below). A day after almost 700 Darien school teachers and staff received their second vaccine shot, and with a higher-than-usual number of district staff and students under quarantines, a “high number of secondary school staff absences” has left the district unable to open Darien High School and Middlesex Middle School on Monday, Superintendent Alan Addley announced Sunday evening. Elementary schools will remain open as usual, the superintendent said in a message to families and staff emailed to Darienite.com at 9:35 p.m.

There will be no remote learning or sporting events on Monday, and the school day will be made up at the end of the school year, the same way a snow day would, Addley said. “Given the number of secondary school staff illnesses and the District’s inability to cover classes and intervention services, the high school and middle school will be closed tomorrow,” Addley wrote. The number of positive tests for COVID-19 among school staff and students, and the quarantines of anyone near those who tested positive rose significantly in late March.

COVID-19 2021
Vaccinations Flu Shots COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine

Vaccines: Saturday is Jab Day for Teachers, Town Hall Continues Shots, Town Hopes to Organize Vaccines for Students

By |
Download PDF

Teenagers aged 16 and up can try to get a vaccine appointment now or as soon as they can, but town officials hope to organize a student vaccine clinic for late April or May, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in her latest COVID-19 update to the town. Schools Superintendent Alan Addley, in his COVID-19 update to parents and district staff, said the governor and state Department of Public Health have asked vaccine providers to wait until the secon half of April to schedule clinics specifically for high school students. With anyone aged 16 and older now eligible to get the vaccine in the state, Stevenson said in her Thursday message, “There are over 1 million people in this expanded age group so please be patient as you seek vaccine appointments.” Stevenson reported that the town has had a “significant increase” in pandemic cases over the past two weeks, with 101 new cases (one hospitalized), and 3.95% of town residents testing positive for COVID-19 (which is a percent lower than the state’s rate — 4.45%). As of Thursday, Stevenson said, there were 1,397 total cases from 885 unique households.

Healthy Living
Medicare Stethoscope laptop

Medicare 101: Online Presentation to Help You Understand Your Options

By |
Download PDF

Are you overwhelmed by the choices of Medicare? Let’s navigate this Medicare journey together! On Thursday, April 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Darien Library is hosting an online presentation where you can explore and evaluate Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. — an announcement from Darien Library

This program will simplify the choices you need to make, help you make more well-informed decisions and explain what Medicare means for you! Register for this informative event
About the Presenter
Jim Farnham, MS, MBA, has thirty years’ experience in insurance and financial services.

Connecticare 2021
Yoga

Free Online Yoga Classes Now Offered Three to Five Times a Week

By |
Download PDF

Yoga In Our City, presented by ConnectiCare, today announced the launch of free, virtual yoga classes for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and skill-levels to stay in shape and achieve peace of mind. — an announcement from Connecticare
Yoga In Our City typically offers free, outdoor yoga classes at parks in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury during the summer months. Due to its success and the current increased demand for programs that provide physical and mental health benefits, Yoga In Our City expanded to offer virtual classes from March through May 2021, when the outdoor program will resume for the season. “We encourage our members to practice self-care by making time for their physical and mental health. By sponsoring the virtual winter session of Yoga In Our City, we are continuing to bring the many health benefits of yoga to all Connecticut residents free of charge,” said Kimberly Kann, senior director, public relations and corporate communications at ConnectiCare.

Healthy Living
Sensory Friendly Evening Maritime Aquarium

Maritime Aquarium Offers a ‘Sensory-Friendly’ Night April 8 for Those Who Need It

By |
Download PDF

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is planning a special evening on Thursday, April 8 to give guests with sensory-processing differences a fun, comfortable and accepting environment. — an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium

During this “Sensory-Friendly Evening,” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., lights in the Aquarium will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off. Plus, admission will be discounted, and the aquarium will show movies in the new 4D Theater without special effects. Tom Naiman, the aquarium’s director of education, said the Aquarium created “Sensory-Friendly” events in 2016 to be supportive of children and adults with special needs who may find a visit to the aquarium too stressful. “We have been offering occasional ‘Sensory-Friendly’ events in recognition that some elements of our exhibits can present a challenge because the spaces may be seen as too bright or loud or crowded for some people,” Naiman said.

Coronavirus 2021
Darien Public Schools

COVID-19 Found in Four More Individuals in Darien School System, They and 39 Others Quarantined

By |
Download PDF

More individuals in Darien Public Schools have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in a total of 43 quarantines, including the 39 others who were in close enough contact to have caught the coronavirus, district officials said on Saturday. The school district’s COVID Response Team was notified about the new test results on Saturday, according to an email from schools Superintendent Alan Addley and Alicia Casucci, director of nursing services for the district. The email received by Darienite.com was sent at 8:45 p.m., Saturday. Three of the positive COVID-19 tests were for Darien High School individual, resulting in a total of 32 quarantines. The other positive test was for a Middlesex Middle School individual, resulting in 11 quarantines, including that individual.

Clock Time Organization

Organize Your Time with Ronni Eisenberg — a Darien Library Presentation

By |
Download PDF

Are you finding yourself with more and more tasks to do, yet there’s never enough time to get everything done? You are not alone! With patience, self-deprecating humor and understanding, Ronni Eisenberg, who’s giving the online presentation from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 31, will step you through practical solutions, that will motivate you and leave you thinking, ‘now, why didn’t I think of that?’

— an announcement from Darien Library

Register for this time management event
“Ronni Eisenberg is an expert among experts. Ronni brings to the table a wealth of charm, expertise and credibility that is difficult to find in three spokespeople, much less one!! Ronni gives us confidence and makes us look good each and every time we work together.

Healthy Living
Anthony Nave

Navigating Trauma Around the One Year Anniversary of COVID-19

By |
Download PDF

A year has now passed since the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in the United States.  Unfortunately, we are not out of the woods yet with the pandemic, despite progress with vaccine distribution. While most would agree that the coronavirus has added to their stress, the pandemic has affected certain groups more than others during the past year. — This article is from Mountainside clinics. The chain’s nearest location is in Wilton. Some may see the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 as a celebration of resilience.

Exercise for Seniors 2021
Building Muscle Mass

Seniors: Build Muscles in 4-Week Online Program from Stamford Hospital, Westport Library, Hospital for Special Surgery

By |
Download PDF

You can join a Westport Library webinar, “Building Muscle Mass: A Strengthening Series for Older Adults,” a special series running for the four Wednesdays of April. — an announcement from Westport Library

The series is run in partnership with Hospital for Special Surgery in Stamford (HSS) and HSS Rehabilitation Provided by Stamford Health designed to support the health and wellness of older adults. Do you find typical weight lifting and classes offered at gyms intimidating or unrealistic? In this four-week course, we will make building muscle mass accessible and attainable for older adults. We will cover the health benefits of building muscle mass, and each week will highlight the many ways you can achieve stronger muscles in your own home.

Sidewalk Installed Hoyt 910-30-16

DPW to Replace Sidewalks on Tokeneke Road

By |
Download PDF

Tokeneke sidewalks will be replaced between Great Hill Road and Cliff Avenue starting Monday, April 5, the Darien Public Works Department announced on Thursday. The replacement project covers about four tenths of a mile (according to Google Maps), starting several hundred feet east of Tokeneke School and ending several hundred feet west of the Darien-Norwalk border at Five Mile River. The project is expected to be done by mid-May, although bad weather could delay completion. A previous sidewalk project installed or replaced sidewalks on Tokeneke Road west of the upcoming project. With completion of this new project, people should be able to walk to downtown Darien all the way from Rowayton, almost entirely over new sidewalks.

Coronavirus 2021

Superintendent Updates School District on COVID-19 Developments

By |
Download PDF

Schools Superintendent Alan Addley acknowledged in his Friday COVID-19 update that the increase in COVID-19 cases among individuals in the school district and the disruptions caused by contract tracing and quarantines have been difficult this past week. It’s all a “reminder that we are not out of the woods,” he said. “It is also a reminder that we should not become complacent about our everyday behaviors and commitment to keeping each other safe by exercising travel, and health practices” that authorities recommend, he said. He noted that some students have been quarantined “several times over the last few weeks, and sometimes consecutively.” But he added that the state requires the school district to quarantine.

Government & Politics
March 25 Covid report /5

First Selectman’s Update on Coronavirus in Darien: How Much of It, Vaccinations, Advice

By |
Download PDF

In the past two weeks, 65 new cases of COVID-19 have been found in Darien, one person was hospitalized and a total of 300 students and employees of the school district have been put in quarantine, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said Thursday in her CodeRed announcement to the town. Darien Health Department, in its latest Coronavirus Update, released Thursday, said a total of 2,209 vaccination shots have been administered in town, including 1,101 second shots of the Moderna vaccine and 200 Johnson & Johnson vaccines (which don’t require a second shot). The entire 10-slide report is published at the bottom of this article. “Local cases and students in quarantine are, unfortunately, on the rise,” she said. She pointed out that sine COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to seasonal allergy symptoms, when anyone in your family has those symptoms, “you should assume you have COVID-19, and all family members should get tested.”

Coronavirus 2021
Coronavirus illustration CDC wide for facebook

Eight Separate COVID-19 Cases Result in 94 Quarantines at Darien High School, Hindley School

By |
Download PDF

A total of 94 people have been removed from two Darien schools for 10-day quarantine after five students or employees at Darien High School and three more from Hindley School tested positive for COVID-19 between Friday and Wednesday, parents and school employees have been told. In addition to these cases, a sixth individual at Darien High testing positive on Wednesday, the school has been closed for Friday to allow for contact tracing, which may result in other people being put in quarantine. Schools Superintendent Alan Addley and Alicia Casucci, director of nursing services, sent out an announcement about the new cases Wednesday night. (The full text of the announcement is below.) Darienite.com received a copy of the announcement at 9:39 p.m.

Four individuals at Darien High School tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and a fifth tested positive on Wednesday. That resulted quarantines for them and 67 additional people being removed from the school and told to quarantine themselves.

Community Organizations

Americares Will Try to Reduce ‘Vaccine Hesitancy’ With a New $2.6 Million Federal Grant

By |
Download PDF

Americares announced today it has been awarded $2.6 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy at free and charitable clinics across the country. — an announcement from Americares

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes joined Americares President and CEO Christine Squires for the announcement at the Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic in Bridgeport, Conn. “Vaccine hesitancy, among other factors, is preventing low-income, immigrant and communities of color from getting vaccinated, even though these communities are most adversely impacted by COVID-19,,” Himes said. “I am proud to see Americares—a well-respected relief organization based in southwestern Connecticut—encouraging vaccination so that life can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

Stamford-based Americares will work with hundreds of clinics, the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and state associations to dispel myths and educate staff and volunteers about the importance of vaccination. “Free and charitable clinic staff and volunteers care for underserved communities, including some with deep-rooted distrust of the health care system.

Community Fund of Darien 2021
Moira Rizzo

‘Pandemic Parenting’ — Register Now for April 8 Online Talk by Family Therapist

By |
Download PDF

Family therapist Moira Rizzo will lead an interactive discussion on Thursday, April 8 at 10 a.m. on “Pandemic Parenting: Strategies to Keep You and Your Kids Sane Through Challenging Times.”
Her presentation includes how to effectively talk with teens about:
—mental health
—social connectedness and
—substance use. The discussion is the fourth in a series of The Community Fund of Darien’s “Our Darien” events this year designed to educate parents about the dangers of substance use, youth mental health and how they can best support their teens. If You’re Attending … Registration for this Zoom webinar, sponsored by The Depot Youth Center and YWCA Parent Awareness, is free and required at www.communityfunddarien.org