DHS Orchestra in Orlando Youtube screenshot 4-12-16

Here’s What Darien High School Orchestra Looked (and Sounded) Like in Orlando

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Darien High School Orchestra performed Sunday and Monday at Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday and Monday, and you can now see them on a video. This Video of “Sing, Sing” was posted to Youtube:

According to the DHS Orchestra’s Facebook timeline, more videos are coming. On Sunday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m., DHS Pop Strings played at Epcot’s Melody Gardens at Walt Disney World Resort. On Monday, April 11, the DHS Orchestra played at 10 a.m. at Universal City Walk Stage.

‘Going for Green’ Town Environmental Awards for Student Graphic Designers, Businesses

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The Darien Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the award winners of the 9th Annual “Going for Green” effort to promote green choices of a variety of different ways in everyday living and doing business by taking the following pledge:

“I pledge to the community to make ‘Going for Green’ part of my way of doing business and making lifestyle choices in Darien. As I make decisions for my business, or my life, I will consider green options to help make Darien and the Earth, a safe and hospitable home for present and future generations.”

This year the “Going For Green” initiative is sponsored by First County Bank. Poster Contest

The first part of the initiative is the annual poster contest with the DHS Graphics Design Class, (taught by Dorine Bosler). The students are given an assignment to create a poster to be used in the Darien Community promoting green choices. This year, First Place went to Valerie Lee and Second Place went to Cheyenne de la Rivera.

Maker Faire Ox Ridge 4-4-16

Ox Ridge ‘Maker Faire’ Gives Kids Experiences in Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math

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Blending play, imagination, and creativity, staff and students at Ox Ridge Elementary School launched the school’s first Maker Faire this month. During the week-long event, the school’s 461 students rotated through a variety of stations in the school’s library that allowed them to experiment and explore. Exhibits included opportunities to make instruments, create short movies, build an electric fishing rod, drive programmable cars, use a Makey Makey programmable circuit board, and direct the school’s Sphero robots. Students from Darien High School’s Independent Projects in Engineering course ran a few of the exhibits. There were even stations to construct paper airplanes, and build with Legos and cardboard.

Scott McCarthy DPS Special Education 3-30-16

Darien Special Ed Official Named ‘2016 Outstanding Early Career Professional’ by UConn School

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Scott McCarthy, program director of special education and student services for Darien Public Schools, has been named the 2016 Outstanding Early Career Professional by the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education Alumni Society. McCarthy was recognized in March at the 18th Annual Awards Celebration of the Neag School of Education Alumni Society, held in Storrs. McCarthy earned four degrees from UConn, beginning with his bachelor’s of science degree in 2008 in psychology. He later received from the Neag School his master’s degree and 6th year diploma, followed by his Ph.D. in educational psychology with a concentration in school psychology. “Dr. McCarthy holds the distinction of being one of the most talented, hard-working, and knowledgeable psychologists I have had the privilege to work with in my career and has my highest regard as a professional,” says Mary Forde, director of pupil personnel services for Greenwich Public Schools.

Markus Zusak 3-12-16

‘Book Thief’ Author Markus Zusak Visits Darien High School

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Markus Zusak, author of the international bestselling book, The Book Thief, shared personal stories and insights about being an author with Darien High School (DHS) students. Zusak, who lives in Sydney, Australia, presented with a combination of  humor and seriousness about writing to more than 600 students in attendance in the school’s auditorium last week. “When you are a writer, you basically hate yourself all the time. You always have doubt hanging around your shoulders,” said Zusak. “There is only a 1 in 1,000 chance when you are a writer that you will ever be published.

Depot Logo

Presentation for Parents on Preparation for College Tests

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A free presentation on preparing for college tests, for parents of freshmen sophomores and juniors at The Depot, 25 Heights Road, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5. Join us for a presentation on navigating the world of college test prep. Find out the differences between the SAT and the ACT, when to take SAT Subject Tests, and how to prepare for these tests. For more information, see the CarnegiePollack.com website.

Young Student Leduc

How to Support Your Student to Finish the School Year & Transition to the Next

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Free Parent Seminar: Learn how to support your student as they finish the school year and transition into the next. In a one-hour highly dynamic, action-specific, and interactive seminar, parents are invited to learn how they can support their middle or high school student for finals, and prepare them for the next school year. Parents will learn seven practical tools they can implement at home. There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested. Bring a friend!

Darien High School entrance

Darien High School Guidance Dept Named State’s Outstanding Comprehensive Program of the Year

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Darien High School’s guidance department has been recognized as “The Outstanding Comprehensive School Counseling Program for 2016″ by the Connecticut School Counselor Association, the high school announced. “I am honored to accept this award from the Connecticut School Counselor Association,” said Paul Ribeiro, co-ordinator of the department, said in the announcement. The award given based on the department’s Guidance Seminar Program in which school counselors meet with students in different grade levels each quarter. In the program, first fully implemented in the 2014-2015 school year, counselors work through key skills with small groups of students, to improve their experience in school. Counselors work with different grade levels each quarter.

Jeromy Nelson CT

DHS Educator Jeromy Nelson Named ‘CT Technology & Engineering Teacher of the Year’

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Jeromy Nelson, coordinator of the Darien High School technology and engineering education department, has been named the “Connecticut Technology Education and Engineering Teacher of the Year.” The International Technology and Engineering Education Association gave Nelson the award at the group’s annual conference in Washington, D.C.

 

“This award is one of the highest honors given to technology and engineering education classroom teachers and is presented in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their students,” according to an announcement from Darien High School. The announcement quoted two unnamed students:

“Mr. Nelson is the teacher that in 20-30 years you will remember as the one who changed your life. He is devoted to the success of his students, not simply educating them but making them into positive, functioning members of society.”
“I have met few people in my life as supportive as Mr. Nelson. Each day he goes above and beyond to give his students every opportunity to be successful in exploring their interests and furthering their education.”

Nelson has taught in the department for 13 years.

Brenner at board 3-9-16

Superintendent Brenner Recommends Permanent Stadium Lights at DHS

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When Superintendent Dan Brenner started his job in Darien nine months ago, he said he initially wasn’t sure about supporting permanent stadium lights for night games at the high school, a controversial subject for years in town, but he now says that he wants them. “You know, I had started by saying I am not sure how I would weigh in, but in fact I’m here to say that this is the recommendation that I’m making,” Brenner told the Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday. The current town policy of limited use of temporary lights has led to Darien not being able to host some sports games, which is disappointing, Brenner said:

“It’s interesting to live through a season or two and to watch how that unfolded for a whole bunch of kids,” he said. “It’s interesting to see that because there were no lights that the kids were unable to benefit from being able to play in front of their hometown fans at their own school.” Lighting for sports fields at the high school has been limited because neighbors have complained that the lights are too visible from their homes.

Giselle Winegar Charlotte Simari 3-12-16

Human Body Information Fair at Middlesex Middle School

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Sixth graders on the Middlesex Middle School yellow team used knowledge and skills learned in both their English and science classes to research, write a report and create a visual model of one aspect of the human body. 

Their hard work and enthusiasm culminated in a Human Body Information Fair, where parents were invited to learn more about the students’ projects.

MMS spelling bee winners 3-12-16

Three Winners at Middlesex Middle School Spelling Bee

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The Middlesex Middle School Spelling Bee championship tournament was held  Monday, Feb. 22 to determine Darien’s best speller (aged 10 to 13). From a field of 28 contestants emerged the winning trio of Jacob Grimm (third place), John Phipps (second place), and the school champion, Alex DelVecchio. The event was organized by Social Studies teacher Joe O’Brien and was well-attended by family and friends of the competitors.  The field was strong and every grade level was well represented.

Darien Police Patch Green Jacket

Gun Brandished by Teen in Snapchat Video Still Not Recovered

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Police say they haven’t found the gun shown by a 16-year-old Darien boy in a Snapchat video that resulted in the boy’s arrest on Friday. The boy was taken into custody in Darien High School late Friday morning after the school resource officer met with him in an office to ask him about the video, according to police. The police officer had been made aware of the video and saw the boy, his face partly obscured by a bandanna and brandishing a handgun in it. The video was not shot at Darien High School. __________

— See Darienite.com’s first article: “Police: DHS Student Seen in a Video with a Gun Taken into Custody” (Friday, March 4)

__________

Police said the boy issued “taunts” in the video, but no threats.

Ginny Wright Scholarship 2016 3-7-16

Darien Arts Center Accepting Applications for Art Scholarship

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Applications are now being accepted for the Ginny Wright Scholarship, given in memory of Virginia Wright to a Darien High School senior who plans to continue his or her study of art in college. Applications & portfolios are due April 5, 2016. For application forms and more information, call the DAC office at (203) 655-8683. Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. ________

— an announcement from the Darien Arts Center

________

The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage.