Education
DHS interns SoundWaters

Four DHS Seniors Wrap Up Internships at SoundWaters Education Center

By |
Download PDF

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

By |
Download PDF

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.

Education
Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Schools Superintendent: ‘Written Racial Slur’ Number Three at Middlesex Middle School

By |
Download PDF

For the third time in a week, a written racial slur was found at Middlesex Middle School, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said Friday afternoon in an email sent to staff and families of students. Addley’s announcement didn’t say where the writing was found, what the racial slur is or even whether it was in the form of graffiti. Addley mentioned the slur only in the first paragraph of a five-paragraph message that also discussed other topics. Darienite.com’s coverage of the other two incidents:
• Schools Superintendent: Another Racial Slur Found at Middlesex Middle School (Wednesday, May 21)
• More Racial Slur Graffiti Found in Middlesex Bathroom: Superintendent Urges Parents to Talk to Their Kids (Friday, May 16)

Full Text of the Message
Dear Families and Staff,
In the span of a week, Middlesex Middle School has experienced three incidents involving written racial slurs, two previously reported and another discovered yesterday. While these repeated acts are deeply disconcerting, they only strengthen our determination to confront hate and to continue fostering a school environment rooted in respect, empathy, and inclusion.

Education
Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Schools Superintendent: Another Racial Slur Found at Middlesex Middle School

By |
Download PDF

About a week after graffiti with a a racial slur was found in a Middlesex Middle School boys bathroom, another was found on a student’s desk, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said in an email to parents and staff. “As with prior incidents, both school administration and local authorities are investigating this matter,” Addley wrote. Addley’s announcement didn’t say what day the latest graffiti was found (the previous incident was found Thursday, May 15). As with the previous announcement, Addley didn’t say what racial slur was found (or whether it was the same one). “This repeated behavior is disheartening, and once again, I want to reaffirm that our commitment to confronting hate, promoting inclusion, and ensuring every student feels safe remains steadfast,” he said.

Education
Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

More Racial Slur Graffiti Found in Middlesex Bathroom: Superintendent Urges Parents to Talk to Their Kids

By |
Download PDF

Yet again, a slur was found written in a bathroom at Middlesex Middle School, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said in an email to student’s families and school staff. The latest of several similar incidents at Middlesex in recent years was found Thursday. “Sadly, this is not the first time we have had to confront such acts of hatred that are unacceptable in our school community,” Addley wrote. Other than calling it an “instance of hate speech,” he didn’t indicate which slur it was. Other incidents of racial or antisemitic graffiti were found at the school in late January (the “N” word), in early February, (same slur).

Education
Eric Byrne interim superintendent of schools

Board of Ed Appoints Interim Superintendent of Schools, Hires Search Firm to Find Next Superintendent

By |
Download PDF

The Darien Board of Education has appointed of Dr. Eric Byrne, currently superintendent of Rye City School District, as the interim superintendent of Darien schools, starting July 1. Byrne will lead the district for the 2025-2026 school year while the board searches for a permanent superintendent. — an announcement from the Darien Board of Education

Byrne replaces current Superintendent of Schools Alan Addley. He has served as superintendent of the Rye City School District since 2017. Byrne holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Fordham University.

Education
New Assistant Principals for Hindley start July 1 2025

Two Ox Ridge School Teachers Promoted to Assistant Principals at Hindley

By |
Download PDF

Two Ox Ridge Elementary School teachers have been appointed assistant principals at Hindley Elementary School, Superintendent Alan Addley announced. Cristina Bras Taylor and Mary Beth Giannattasio will start in their new positions July 1, Addley said in a news release. Christina Bras Taylor, Assistant Principal for Special Education
Taylor has served as the high school and middle school Special Education Department chair, interim assistant principal at Hindley School and a teacher in the Developmental Learning Center at Ox Ridge. She received a B.S. in history and secondary education from Western Connecticut State University, an M.A. in bilingual education from Fairfield University and a Professional Certificate in intermediate administration from Sacred Heart University. Taylor started her teaching career in the Danbury Public Schools in 1998.

Education
Darien Public Schools

Darien Board of Education Announces Plan to Hire Next Superintendent of Schools

By |
Download PDF

The Darien Board of Education plans to hire a firm to conduct a nationwide search for a superintendent of schools to replace Dr. Alan Addley, who recently announced he’s stepping down from the job after six years. An announcement from the board, emailed on Friday, also said an interim superintendent will be hired. The search process will be private initially, but public by the time a vote is taken to appoint a new superintendent. The search committee will be the Board of Education itself and will review candidates found by the search firm. “Community input will be a vital component of the search process,” the announcement said.

Education
Alan Addley Superintendent Darien Public Schools

Darien Schools Superintendent Alan Addley Announces Resignation After Six Years, Two Years Before His Contract Was to Expire

By |
Download PDF

Darien’s superintendent of schools, Alan Addley, announced in an email Thursday morning that he’s resigning his job with the school district. Last year, the Board of Education had extended his contract to June 2027. Addley began his announcement by saying: “After six years as superintendent of schools, I will be retiring from Darien Public Schools, effective June 30, 2025 or on a mutually agreed upon date.” He added, “I am committed to assisting the Board [of Education] in the transition to new leadership and leave with great pride in our collective accomplishments.” Last year, on Aug.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities Minds in Bloom gala logo

Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities Now Selling Tickets for It’s Benefit Gala, ‘Minds in Bloom’

By |
Download PDF

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, recently announced that tickets are on sale for its annual benefit gala, “Minds in Bloom: Cultivating Growth for Kids with Learning Differences.” The event will start at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt St. The organization will be celebrating 25 years of helping children with learning differences. — an announcement from Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities Inc.

“Minds in Bloom” will feature a cocktail reception with music from Norwalk guitarist Glenn Roth, dinner, and silent and live auctions. Christopher Bogart, Ph.D., executive director of Sasco River Center (and former Smart Kids with LD board president), will be the master of ceremonies and Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions will serve as auctioneer.

Education
2 of 3 pictures in the article, Rising reports of antisemitic acts

First Selectman: Increasing Hate Incidents Reported in Connecticut

By |
Download PDF

A “Superintendent’s Conversation” for school parents last Tuesday on the topic of acts of bigotry and the response to it was the focus of most of First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky’s fortnightly column in the latest town government newsletter. The meeting was held after graffiti with a racial slur (the “N” word) was found twice in a girls’ bathroom at Middlesex Middle School, once in January and again in February. In the Town of Darien Newsletter emailed on Friday, March 23, Zagrodzky passed on some of the information from the meeting and added some of his own comments. (Darienite.com has another article on the other part of the column, about the massive construction site downtown.)

Here’s the full text of the major part of Zagrodzky’s column and the pictures accompanying it:

At the invitation of Dr. Alan Addley, Darien schools superintendent, I had a chance to participate in his Superintendent’s Conversation for parents, which took place in the Middlesex Middle School auditorium this past Tuesday. The reason for the event was the discovery, again, of another racial slur written in one of the school bathrooms. As Dr. Addley said in his invitation to parents, “We must collectively and firmly stand against these actions, and I ask for your continued support in making this clear to our students.” The conversation was led by representatives from the area chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Education
Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Another Racial Slur Found in a Middlesex Middle School Girls’ Bathroom Stall

By |
Download PDF

A racial slur was was found sometime last week at Middlesex Middle School. It was discovered three weeks after a similar slur had been found in the same Grade 6 girl’s bathroom. Both times, according to Schools Superintendent Alan Addley, the slur was “the ‘N’ word.” In an email Friday to parents and the school’s staff, Addley said: This incident follows a similar occurrence that we addressed just a few weeks ago. I am deeply troubled that we are facing these incidents, and it is frustrating to witness this persistent hatred and intolerance in our school community.

Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Racial Slur Found in Middlesex Girls’ Bathroom, School to Discuss It With Students, Parents Asked to Do the Same

By |
Download PDF

After a racial slur (the “N word”) was found Thursday in a 6th grade girl’s bathroom, the school’s principal will discuss it with students, and a meeting for parents is being organized for late February, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said. “The matter is currently under investigation by both the school administration and the Darien Police Department,”Addley wrote in an email sent out at 6:36 p.m. to parents and staff. “We are taking this issue seriously and will address it with the necessary urgency.” “We are committed to addressing these situations swiftly and transparently, ensuring that our response is thoughtful and thorough, and that all students feel safe and welcome,” Addley said. Middlesex Middle School Principal Kate Dimoulas and school staff “will address this matter directly with students in upcoming classes and during Flex time,” he said “We also strongly encourage you to have open, age-appropriate conversations at home with your children about the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and the impact of words.”

Darien High School 2024-2025
Darien High School entrance

Police Chief Outlines Department’s Response to Student’s Online Statement That Set off DHS Lockdown

By |
Download PDF

Police Chief Jeremiah Marron recently announced how his department and other officials responded after the FBI notified the department that a Darien High School student had mentioned “a potential threat to public safety” in a social media post. Police spoke with the student, determined there was no threat to the school or community, he said. After the FBI notification, “extensive resources were dispatched to and arrived on scene almost immediately,” Marron said in an emailed statement. Students and teachers were told to shelter in place while police and school administrators helped secure the building

“Police department assets along with school administrators quickly identified and located the student in question and determined there was no threat to the school or the community,” Marron said. “Promptly but cautiously, school operations were then directed to continue per usual.”

Darien High School 2024-2025
Darien Police Transportation

Police Announce Traffic and Parking Regulations for DHS Open House Thursday Evening, Sept 19

By |
Download PDF

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. 19, starting at 6:30 p.m.:
— an announcement from Darien Police Capt. Alison Hudyma, from the department’s Field Services Bureau
• All traffic will enter the High School grounds via Noroton Ave. Vehicular traffic will not be permitted to enter the area via High School Lane, Nutmeg Lane, Holly Lane, or Libby Lane. Officers will be present to direct all vehicles to appropriate and designated parking areas. • All vehicles will be properly parked so as to facilitate and expedite the safe flow of vehicles at the conclusion of the event.