Education
Fairfield University aerial view building

US News Ranks Fairfield U One of Top 25 in Undergraduate Teaching, Among Other High Rankings

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U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings once again highlight Fairfield University among the nation’s top schools. Among nationally ranked private institutions, Fairfield placed in the Top 75. — an announcement from Fairfield University

The University also earned a spot in the Top 25 for Undergraduate Teaching – National Universities. The University was ranked No. 139 (tied with another university) overall in the National University category.

Education

What’s Happening in Darien School’s: Superintendent’s Weekly Report

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Three things students and parents should consider signing up for online: Aspen, personal results of state standardized tests and a survey on the search for a new superintendent. Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne touched on all those topics in his newsletter last Friday, along with: driving carefully near school vans and cars used to transport students; a DHS concert is coming; the Middlesex Open House again had a strong turnout from Darien parents. Oh, and Byrne met Riptide. The superintendent reports the DHS mascot is “an absolute mush.” Weekend events mentioned in the newsletter are now past, so we’ve cut them from this article.

Darien High Schoo 2025
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

UPDATE: Police: Threat on Instagram Against DHS Traced to Juvenile in Arkansas

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UPDATE, 11:59 a.m.

A juvenile in Arkansas posted the threat that caused Darien High School to be closed Tuesday, and that juvenile is being questioned, Darien Police Chief Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said in an 11:35 a.m. email. “[A]fter school athletics will run as scheduled,” Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne said in an announcement emailed at 11:42 a.m. Darien police will increase patrolling near schools and at homecoming events in the next few days, Byrne said. “Darien Detectives, collaborating with Meta Platforms Inc., the FBI, and the Connecticut Intelligence Center, were able to trace the account to the juvenile and we are now working with Arkansas Law Enforcement,” Marron wrote. “Currently there is no known credible threat to any school in Darien. As this investigation continues, we will provide an update if necessary.”

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Superintendent’s Newsletter: A Very Active First Full Week of the School Year

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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.

Darien High School 2025-2026

Do You Know Any of These Eight DHS Students Just Named National Merit Semifinalists?

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The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has named eight Darien High School seniors as semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships, the organization has announced. — an announcement from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) on Wednesday announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among them, these eight came from Darien High School:

Chenhui Gagliardi, Milana Melnick, Luke Mihopoulos, Akhil Polaki, Maya Pujara, Bo-Wen Qin, Neev Sahgal and Luka Zhou.

Education

Police: Expect Heavy Traffic Around Darien High, Starting at 6:30 PM Thursday, Sept 11, When the School Has an Open House

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Due to the traditionally large turnout for the Darien High School Open House, the Darien Police Department advises that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding Darien High School on Thursday Sept. 11, starting at 6:30pm:
— an announcement from Darien police
• All vehicles will be properly parked so as to facilitate and expedite the safe flow of vehicles at the conclusion of the event. • Vehicles will be parked on both sides of Nutmeg Lane and High School Lane, as needed, facing away from Darien High School. • Motorists are asked to pay particular attention to posted “No Parking” areas. Previous experiences have resulted in illegally parked vehicles blocking driveways or restricting access to emergency vehicles.

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
Blue Wave clothing

In His Newsletter, Interim Schools Superintendent Proposes Students and Staff Wear School Colors

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Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne, in his Friday newsletter to parents and staff, proposed that members of the school district community wear their school colors one day a week; discussed an incident where a young boy fell from his bicycle and got help from passers-by; and described what Byrne saw when riding a school bus with kids. The newsletter also mentioned that Byrne visited Post 53, upcoming sports games, open houses at the town’s schools, what’s happening with the search for a new superintendent and the Police Department’s open house this Saturday. Dear Darien Community,
It was another great week as our students, teachers, administrators, staff and families settled into the new school year. As a relative newcomer, I am continually struck by the amazing work and contributions happening across the district and wanted to share a few of those in this week’s update. Just yesterday I visited Post 53 and learned about this incredible resource and place where nearly 100 DHS students learn incredibly valuable skills while serving Darien.

Education
Darien Public Schools

Board of Education Wants Your Ideas on Qualities and Skills to Look for in Picking the Next Superintendent

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The Board of Education is asking parents of Darien students for advice on picking the next superintendent of schools, and it announced two ways parents can use to bring those ideas to the board. The first: Speak at a “community forum” being held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at the Board of Education Meeting Room at 35 Leroy Ave. The second: Respond to a survey that will be emailed to parents on the week of Sept. 15.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Back to School gift cards Darien Human Services

Darien Human Services: Help Struggling Families by Donating These Gift Cards at Town Hall Before Aug 27

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The Darien Human Services Department is accepting donations of gift cards for its Back-to-School Program. This program provides gift cards to purchase school supplies for students whose families have low incomes and are financially struggling. — an announcement from the Human Services Department on the Town of Darien Newsletter

Gift cards from Target and grocery stores are preferred and can be delivered to the Human Services Department in Town Hall, Room 109, Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., or mailed to Darien Human Services, 2 Renshaw Rd. Gift card distribution for eligible families runs through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. up until Monday, Aug. 27, 2025.

Education
Measles vaccination shot 2433

Back-to-School Health and Safety Checklist from Darien Health Department

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As students across our community prepare to return to school, the Darien Health Department would like to share these important health and safety reminders to help ensure a smooth and healthy start to the school year:

— an announcement (slightly edited) from Darien Health Department (in the latest Town of Darien newsletter)
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Routine immunizations protect children from serious but preventable diseases. Please check with your child’s healthcare provider to ensure all required vaccines are current before the first day of school. Schedule Health Checkups
Annual physicals, vision, and hearing screenings are all key components of a child’s overall well-being and academic success. Don’t forget dental visits — oral health plays a major role in overall health. Practice Healthy Habits
Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick, help reduce the spread of illness in schools
Support Mental and Emotional Wellness
Back-to-school transitions can bring anxiety or stress for some students.

Back to School 2025

CT Officials: Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed When Shopping for Back-to-School Items

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Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli are warning Connecticut families and students to be on the lookout for potential scams during the back-to-school shopping season, particularly when shopping online. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

“Consumers should always be mindful anytime they shop and wary of bad actors who are trying to take advantage of them, especially during busy shopping seasons like the back-to-school period,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut offers many protections for consumers, and we encourage everyone to know your rights and protect yourselves.”

“August creates a shopping frenzy for back-to-school supplies, from elementary school backpacks to college textbooks and dorm essentials, and unfortunately scammers will look to capitalize off last-minute shoppers seeking high-demand products,” Commissioner Cafferelli said. “The safest thing families can do is shop in-person, Cafferelli said. “Inspect or test out the item, keep your receipts, and clarify the store’s return policy.

Education
Eric Byrne interim superintendent of schools

Interim Schools Superintendent Issues Updates on What’s New in Darien Public Schools

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Darien Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Burns on Wednesday morning sent out a long email describing changes the school district is making for the upcoming school year, including policy changes and progress in various renovation projects. His email also gave parents information on upcoming dates when school bus routes and bus assignments will be available online (and links to the web pages), how to use the  Aspen online service for school district information, new Darien High School regulations for cellphone use. “[K]eeping our families and community  informed is a top priority,” Byrne said in the email. “My personal style is to be generous with information. You can expect more frequent and transparent communication from me […]”
Full Text:
Dear Darien Community,
The school district has been busy over the summer!

Education
Dr. Jennifer Falcone director of elementary education

New Elementary Education Director Appointed for Darien Schools

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The Interim Superintendent of Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Falcone has been appointed director of elementary education, Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne announced. Falcone, who starts her job in Darien in August, will replace Julie Droller, who retired in June. “Dr. Falcone brings a wide range of experiences that will serve her well in her new role as director of elementary [education] in Darien,” Byrne said in an announcement emailed Tuesday morning. Jennifer began her teaching career in Norwalk Public Schools, where she served as a fourth grade teacher at Tracey Elementary School. Jennifer next worked in Brookfield Public Schoolsin a variety of positions, including elementary classroom teacher,  remedial reading teacher at Whisconier Middle School, English language learner coordinator (K through 12), literacy and social studies curriculum coordinator for Grades 5 through 8 and district elementary literacy specialist for Grades K through 6.

Education
DHS interns SoundWaters

Four DHS Seniors Wrap Up Internships at SoundWaters Education Center

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Five Darien High School students made waves this spring as interns at SoundWaters, an organization for hands-on climate science and environmental education. — an announcement from SoundWaters

Cooper Anderson, Julia Den Dooven, Anastasia Grytsenko, Joely Lozada and Jacqueline Thomas spent five weeks immersed in the day-to-day operations at SoundWaters Coastal Education Center at Cove Island Park in Stamford. Instead of attending traditional classes in the final stretch of their high school careers, they chose to step outside the classroom and straight into Long Island Sound. These Darien students were among a select group of high school interns from several area high schools, who gained hands-on experience in environmental science. Working alongside professional SoundWaters educators, SoundWaters interns assisted in science programs for more than 2,000 regional students, ranging from preschoolers to middle schoolers.

Education
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

Racist Graffiti Found in Two School Bathrooms, This Time at Darien High School

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Graffiti described as “discriminatory, racial and hateful language” was found Wednesday in two Darien High School bathrooms, school district officials said. “We are confident that this was the act of a small group of students, and it is being thoroughly investigated,” DHS Principal Ellen Dunn said in an announcement to students Thursday morning. “Serious consequences will follow for those involved.” Schools Superintendent Alan Addley excerpted Dunn’s comments in his own announcement to families and staff Thursday evening, adding, “The administration, along with the Darien Police Department, are actively investigating the matter, and appropriate consequences will be applied.” The incidents have occurred much more often at Middlesex Middle School.