Darien Community Association
DCA Easter Egg Hunt 2022

Annual DCA Easter Egg Hunt Takes Place April 15

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Gather your Easter baskets and come out for an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn of the Darien Community Association Friday morning, April 15. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

This longstanding community tradition is a fun way for children to get into the spirit of the holiday. Please come early, as the egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp and takes only a few minutes. A special appearance by the Easter Bunny makes this a wonderful morning. Due to safety and parking constraints, advance registration and prepayment is required, and limited to the first 100 registrants/vehicles.

Parents & Kids
Toddler Time 2022 YWCA

Registration Now Open for YWCA Toddler Time Fall Registration for 2-Year-Olds

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Looking for a fun 2’s program? Now is the time to sign up your child for the YWCA Darien/Norwalk’s Toddler Time program. — an announcement from YWCA Darien/Norwalk

Toddler Time is a fun-filled two-hour drop-off program where children have free play, story time, learn new songs, create works of art and make new friends in a class of up to eight students, taught by two experienced teachers. It has served as the first drop off program experience for many children in the community. It takes place at the YWCA Darien/Norwalk at 49 Old King’s Hwy.

Healthy Living

Online Presentation, ‘The Dangerous Truths About Today’s Marijuana’ at 7 PM, Thursday

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New Canaan Cares is hosting a presentation by Laura Stack, “The Dangerous Truths About Today’s Marijuana,” at 7 p.m. Thursday over Zoom. — an announcement from New Canaan Parent Support Group

Laura, of Johnny’s Ambassadors, is described by New Canaan Parent Support Group as “a courageous and inspiring woman who tells both the story of her son Johnny and the story of today’s marijuana. She is a resident of Colorado. You can register here, online, and get the Zoom link.

Parents & Kids
wide for facebook Set boundaries for your child Darien TYTF

‘How to Set the Boundaries Your Child Needs to Thrive’ Online Workshop on March 9

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“Creating a Family Frame: How to Set the Boundaries Your Child Needs to Thrive,” a free virtual workshop, will be presented on Wednesday evening, March 9. — an announcement from the Darien Thriving Youth Task Force
Children and teens are eager to explore their world and test limits, but they also need their parents to set boundaries in order to keep them physically and emotionally safe. How do parents walk the line between respecting this important drive for independence with creating a family frame of expectations & rules to help them grow & thrive? Learn more about “creating a family frame” that can help parents navigate challenging conversations & situations around independence and substance use, helping build a strong & healthy relationship with their children. Georgette Harrison, a licensed professional counselor from the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, and Tracey Masella, licensed clinical social worker in affiliation with Silver Hill Hospital, will present the workshop.

Coronavirus 2022
Darien School Bus

Schools Superintendent: Students Not Required to Wear Masks on School Buses Now

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Darien Schools Superintendent Alan Addley told parents in an email early Saturday afternoon that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is no longer requiring that students wear masks when on school buses or vans. “[M]ask wearing will be optional in schools and on school buses on Monday, Feb. 28,” Addley wrote in the two-paragraph message. Here’s the full text of Addley’s message:

Dear Staff and Families:

This is a quick update to yesterday’s communication. Late afternoon on Friday the CDC exercised its enforcement discretion to not require that students wear masks on school buses and vans.

Healthy Living
In their shoes

You Can Learn About Teen Dating Violence in This Immersive, Interactive Presentation

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YWCA Greenwich is urging teens, parents, anyone who used to be a teenager and anyone who cares about young people to participate in an online, interactive presentation about teen dating violence on Monday, Feb. 28. — an announcement from YWCA Greenwich

This is an immersive event exploring teen relationships. Participants will find themselves “in the shoes of” characters experiencing various forms of relationship abuse. These forms range from sexting, pregnancy, homophobia, and stalking.

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‘The Positive Side of Social Media’ Presentation at Darien Depot

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YWCA Darien/Norwalk Parent Awareness invites parents of 5th through 8th grade students to attend an upcoming program entitled The Positive Side of Social Media, a free event at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 9 at the Darien Depot. — an announcement from YWCA of Darien/Norwalk

The program will show how teens can use social media for good. In an age where we primarily focus on the negative aspects of social media, YWCA Parent Awareness has invited three Darien High School teens to come and speak about how they have successfully used social media to make a positive impact on our community. During the event, parents will learn from them how and why they made their decisions, and also learn from them about different decisions they would make now versus when they were in middle school. This small roundtable-style discussion, moderated by teen psychologist Dr. Tara Levinson, is designed to teach parents that social media, used properly, can be a powerful tool.

Auditions

Young Composers Asked to Submit Music for the Young Composers Concert

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Attention Young Composers! The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools will be sponsoring the 22nd annual Young Composers Concert at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6 in the Darien High School Auditorium. The deadline for submissions is March 14. — an announcement from the Darien Public Schools Music Department

This program is open to all students currently enrolled in the Darien Public Schools. It is a great opportunity for students to compose their own original music and share it with an audience.

Darienites
Fifth Grade DAR American History Contest Winners 2022

Six Students Recognized Monday in Darien DAR’s Fifth Grade American History Contest

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Ox Ridge student Elizabeth Abelson has won the Fifth Grade American History Essay Contest sponsored by Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was one of six Darien students who won recognition in the essay contest. — an announcement from the DAR Good Wife’s River Chapter

Seren Samy also an Ox Ridge student won second place, and Pavana Attonito, a Hindley student placed third. The runners-up are Cole Coghlin from Tokeneke; Tory Brupbacher from Hindley and Simona Sordoni from Ox Ridge. This year’s topic, “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” celebrated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. on Nov.

‘Embracing Gender Identities’ Online Presentation for Parents Coming Feb 15

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YWCA Parent Awareness and Middlesex Middle School Parent Association are sponsoring an online presentation, Embracing Gender Identities at Home and in School, at 8 p.m., Feb. 15. This program is for parents of school age children who wish to learn more about gender diversity and fluidity. Studies have shown that when students feel safe to express their identities across the gender spectrum, they will be more prepared to learn and thrive in life & school. A presentation on Zoom.com will be made by Renee Reopell, director of Gender, Diversity and Resilience at The Child Guidance Center.

COVID-19 2022
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Total New COVID-19 Cases in Darien Schools at 49 for Tuesday — Monday’s Figure Revised Upward

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There were 49 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday among students and employees in Darien Public Schools, district officials said, and Monday’s total of 55 was revised upward to 65. In related COVID-19 news, the Darien Health Department released its weekly update on Tuesday, showing 63 new COVID-19 cases reported in the seven-day period from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3. Numbers for COVID-19 new cases reached a high point in the six days from Dec.

Coronavirus 2022
COVID-19 Coronavirus

Total of 195 COVID-19 Cases Reported to Darien Schools Over Holiday Break, 5 Days of Self Isolation for Each

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There were 195 Darien school district employees and students who tested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break, school district officials said in an announcement Monday night. The district now has a five-day mandatory self-isolation policy, and about a fourth of the total, 55 people, whose positive-test results were reported to the district on Monday, have been told not to come to school within that period. Of those 55, a total of 39 who tested positive were already vaccinated, the announcement said. “Without doubt, the Omicron variant of COVID is affecting our school community,” said the announcement from Schools Superintendent Alan Addley and School Nursing Director Alicia Casucci. On Monday, the district was informed of 31 Darien High School students or employees who been tested positive, and 22 of them (more than two thirds) had been vaccinated, the announcement said.

Community Organizations
Ox Ridge students cards for foster care kids

Ox Ridge Students Give Time; Their Parents, Gift Cards to Foster Care Program Kids

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For the 20th year in a row, Ox Ridge Elementary School in Darien again this holiday season supported Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) and the young people in the organization’s Foster Care program. — an announcement from Family & Children’s Agency

FCA provides services for children, families, adults, and seniors, including specialized foster care, which is designed for children with serious medical, emotional, and behavioral disorders. More than 60 kids from Ox Ridge School’s Kids Care Club gathered before school to create holiday cards for youth in Foster Care using colored paper, stickers, crayons, and other art supplies. “It has been our privilege to work with Family & Children’s Agency for the last 20 years,” said Lauren Stisser of the Kids Care Club. “Through Ox Ridge Elementary School’s Kids Care Club and Hope Chest, we have been able to teach our kids the importance and true joy of giving back, and that even small hands can make a big difference,” Stisser said.

Noon Year's Eve 2021
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‘NOON Year’s Eve’ Kit for Families at Home Offered by Darien Library

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Want to celebrate the start of 2022? Darien Library invites you and your kids (ages 3 and up) to host your own “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration at home during this holiday season! — an announcement from Darien Library [with a bit more info from Darienite.com within brackets]

Though Darien Library won’t be offering an in-person program [or an online program, it appears], you can sign up [there were six spots available as of early Sunday evening] to receive one of our NYE kits that you can use to enjoy your own stellar celebration with your family. Caregivers, please note confetti will be included in these joyous kits. Participants can pick up their activity kit from the Children’s Library starting on Wednesday, Dec.

Education
Kids playing instruments Play, Sing, Listen!

Stamford Symphony Launches Program to Engage and Educate Kids About Music

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Stamford Symphony is launching Play, Sing, Listen! The Education Fund of Stamford Symphony, a new initiative focusing on education and youth engagement across Fairfield County. 
The program is meant to ensure that all youth in local communities have access to high-quality music education opportunities encouraging them to explore, appreciate, perform, and create music. At the same time the program should nurture important life skills, including creativity, listening, problem-solving, and self-esteem. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony 

One of the program’s goals within the next five years is to “have at least one educational program (instrument bootcamps, chamber performances, masterclasses, etc.) in every town across Fairfield County.” Stamford Symphony is continuing to raise money for the project.