Darien Depot

Blue Wave Golf's Winning Streak, Soccer Glory, Safety Guides — All in the School Superintendent's Newsletter

Register Now: The Depot Offers 90-Minute Bike and Scooter Safety Course for Middle Schoolers

New Programs for Middle School Students Start Sept 9 at The Depot Youth Center

Before Friday's DHS Jr Prom, Thriving Youth Darien and Police Publicize Law and Risks of Underage Drinking

Order Your Balloons for DHS Grads, Lawn Signs for Your Darien Fifth Graders and Middle School Grads

Smartphones, Social Media and Your Kids: See ‘Childhood 2.0’ Followed by Q&A Tuesday at Darien Library

Depot’s Largest Fundraiser of the Year, ‘Back to the ’90s’ Dance Party for Adults, Coming March 9

Abilis Expands Special Needs Services in Darien With Four Programs This Year, More Expected

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

Depot Youth Center Moves Online With These Webinars and Programs

Webinar: Academics and College Planning in Today’s New Environment

Thank You, Darien Police Officer Chris Jimenez, for Helping Those Shaken College Basketball Players

‘Stress and Pressure Surrounding Food’ Brown Bag Lunch at the Depot on Thursday

Parents Invited to Hourlong Seminar on Getting 9th, 10th Graders Ready for College

Depot Fundraiser to Recognize Individuals, Families Who Helped Open Its Doors 30 Years Ago

8th Grade Chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Starts Thursday at Depot

Red Cross Baby Sitting Course on Feb 2 at Depot Youth Center

‘Seven Ways to End Homework Battles’ — Free Parent Seminar Jan 23 at the Depot

Wear Your Jeans to the Depot Youth Center’s ‘Blue Jeans & Blazers’ Feb 8 Fundraiser

Let the Depot Elves Help You Wrap Christmas Presents This Friday Through Monday

Events Calendar

By DARIENITE.COM | September 26, 2025

Parents & Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | April 22, 2024

Back to the '90s 2024

By DARIENITE.COM | January 26, 2024

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | July 9, 2021

Community Fund of Darien 2021

By DARIENITE.COM | March 22, 2021

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | March 30, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | March 27, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | February 14, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | February 4, 2020

Darien Depot

By David Gurliacci | February 1, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By David Gurliacci | January 28, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 21, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 13, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 13, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | January 8, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | December 19, 2019

Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrnes’ Friday newsletter highlighted the student Unified Soccer Team, the recent concert by the DHS Band, Chorus and Orchestra and the 12 straight wins by the Blue Wave Boys Golf Team. “This very impressive start is our best since 2016,” Byrnes said of the golf team’s success. Byrnes also included reminders about emergency information guides, particularly for parents; reminded students and parents about e-bike and scooter safety rules and a 90-minute safety course for middle schoolers “including safety skills for pedestrians, bikers, e-bikers, and e-scooters.” He said a survey about the superintendent search has a deadline of Oct. 3 (next Friday) and more information about the search is available on the district website.

Bike and Scooter Safety Course The Depot

2024 Order lawn signs congratulating Middlesex Middle School grads heren

Issues confronting kids in the Digital Age, including cyberbullying, suicidal ideation and online predators, are the subject of a documentary, “Childhood 2.0,” followed by a question-and-answer session this Tuesday, April 22 at Darien Library. The event is jointly sponsored by the library, OK To Delay Darien, Darien Depot and Thriving Youth Darien this Tuesday evening, April 22. — an announcement from Darien Library
6 to 7:45 p.m. — Watch the documentary
The film, just under 90 minutes long, will be shown in the Community Room. If you are unable to attend the screening, you can watch the film ahead of time (see links, below) and attend the Q&A portion. The library’s announcement says “‘Childhood 2.0’ is required viewing for anyone who wants to better understand the world their children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age.

Bring your best ’90s clothes to what The Depot Youth Center calls its “largest fundraiser of the year” on March 9 — a dance party for adults with music from the 1990s at Woodway Country Club. There will be contests for the best clothing, and actively consider buying something in the event’s silent auction. Tickets are on sale now. Last year’s event sold out. — an announcement from The Depot Youth Center

The “Back to the ’90s” dance will have cocktails and food, but it’s a dance — Dee Jay Rob will spin 90s jams from Hip Hop to Hairbands, Britney to the Backstreet Boys to transport you back in time.

Abilis, a nonprofit that serves people with special needs and their families, will be expanding programs and services in Darien, starting with four programs in the areas of job training, life skills, employment and housing. — an announcement from Abilis

Abilis is now accepting applications for two programs: Abilis LEAP Transitions Program, which helps people acquire life skills, as well as Project SEARCH, a 10-month internship at the Darien YMCA to provide job training. Two other programs are still in the works: Sometime later this year Abilis will open Darien Library Café. Later this summer and early fall, the organization will run the supportive living program for 12 new, large studio apartments on East Lane, as part of the Corbin District project. “Having these four initial Abilis programs, and more to come, in the Darien community, will only strengthen our ability to help more individuals with disabilities or special needs,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis.

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

The Depot Youth Center is using the internet to connect with youth and parents, with three webinars coming up and various Depot groups now online, the organization announced. Programs for Youth
“Teen programs and clubs have been moved to an online platform, including Jesse Lewis Choose Love, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), GNO (Girls Night Out), The Garden Club, the Volunteer Club, Student Governing Board, Respect Works and more,” according to an announcement Darienite.com received Monday. “The hope is for the kids to better manage this crisis together and continue to have a forum in which to connect with one another to alleviate the natural rise of anxiety and depression that social isolation can bring,” the announcement said. Email links have been sent to Depot members. Webinars for Parents
From the announcement:

The Depot will remain a source of support for the parent community as well — we are focusing to provide webinars and online support on subjects that are top of mind right now.

In a live, online presentation, the founder and CEO of Carnegie Prep will discuss how families navigate the changing world of academics and college admissions amid school closures and standardized test cancellations. Starting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, Lynn Carnegie will discuss the importance of creating a plan for each student, from focusing on academics, online learning, and structure right now to preparing for the SAT, ACT, AP Exams, and Subject Tests this spring and summer. The event is sponsored by the Depot, Darien Youth Center and requires online registration. Register here and take a brief survey to help Carnegie tailor her talk to address your child’s situation. You will receive the link the our webinar upon confirmation of the online form.

Dear Chief Anderson,

This past Friday was a normal Friday night at the Depot; lots of kids, lots of noise. Officer Chris Jimenez walked in the door and came straight over to me and said there had been a bus accident on the thruway; would it be possible to bring the people on the bus to the Depot as it was bitter cold, and the wind was relentless. Within 15 minutes Officer Jimenez returned with the entire Merrimack College girls basketball team, state troopers, Post 53 and a host of responders. There are no words that can truly explain the faces of the girls that walked into the Depot Friday night. Every outlet in the building was being used to call parents.

Darien Depot Youth Center invites you to a brown bag lunch on Thursday with a discussion about “Stress and Pressure Surrounding Food — Where Does It Come From? And how to Destress.”

— an announcement from Darien Depot Youth Center
Daisy Blakney will be leading this lunch discussion from 11:30 to 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. She is a health and life coach, a mentor with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and a teacher/studio manager at Pure Barre, Diet Tech at The Center for Discovery. She’s a firm believer that what you eat is a big part of what you are on the inside and out.

The Depot Teen Center invites parents to a one-hour, free seminar on essential steps to get your 9th and 10th grader ready for school and college admissions on Feb. 27. The seminar, presented by S4 Study Skills, runs from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Depot Youth Center, 25 Heights Road. In the seminar, parents will learn the important steps freshman and sophomores should take for a successful path to college. There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested.

Wide Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser Darien Depot Youth Center 2020

Celebrating its 30th year, the Depot Youth Center — the oldest teen center in the nation — will be kicking the year off from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Country Club of Darien with its “Blue Jeans and Blazers” fundraiser. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The event will feature live music with Jump the Gunn, dancing and delicious eats. There will be a special tribute honoring Depot founders Edmund von Schmidt and Carol Bishko. Going forward, the inaugural “Founders Award” will be given each year to a person who best exemplifies and supports the original Depot mission.

The Darien Depot is introducing an 8th Grade SADD Program starting this Thursday, Jan. 23, but he Depot says students who can’t show up on that date or the next four should not sign up. The program will meet one Thursday a month after school, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

— an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

SADD’s mission is “to provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.”

The national program was founded on the simple philosophy that “young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention.” The Depot already sponsors the Darien Depot Chapter of the National Program. All Eighth Grade students, whether private, public or home-schooled, are encouraged to join.

Middle school students can learn the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly babysit younger children and infants at a Red Cross course being held Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The training takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

From the announcement:

“The training will help develop leadership skills […] and learning about basic child care, as well as basic first aid, “according to an announcement from the Depot. “Each class is limited to the first 20 who sign up. […] You may join a wait list if registration is full.

The Depot S4 Study Skills seminar for parents homework battles

Parents will learn how to motivate their student and end the homework power struggle in a one-hour, interactive free parent seminar on Jan. 23 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The seminar, “Seven Ways to End Homework Battles: Challenges and Solutons,” is presented by S4 Study Skills and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. Parents will leave knowing how to support their homework practice, and how to motivate them to action to get results without a meltdown. While there’s no charge for the program, registration is requested.

Depot Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser image 2020

You’re invited to shake off those winter blues, get into your favorite blue jeans and come to the Depot Youth Center’s annual winter fundraiser “Blue Jeans & Blazers” on Saturday, Feb. 8. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

Blue Jeans & Blazers takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at Country Club of Darien. The fundraiser supports programming at the Depot. The fundraiser features music by Jump the Gunn, “signature” cocktails and, of course, eats.

Have time to shop but no time to wrap? The Darien Depot Youth Center’s elves are back to wrap presents for residents just before the holidays. Drop off unwrapped and labeled presents at the Depot and we will handle the wrapping. A minimum $20 charge is required, but keep in mind that it helps the Depot run programs.

The “Holiday Wrap-Up” runs from:

3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, and 10 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dec.

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