Letters to the Editor
Back to school

Human Services Director Thanks Those Who Gave to the Back-to-School Program

By |
Download PDF

To the Darien Community,

On behalf of the Department of Human Services, we would like to thank everyone who supported our Back-to-School program with backpacks, school supplies, gift cards, and donations. Your support helped to send over 124 children back to school with much-needed supplies. A big thanks goes to the Darien High School Parents Association; and the chairs, Lori Olson and Joan Kanlian, and the co-chairs of the Spirit Wear Committee; Amanda Smith and Sheila Molly, who donated dozens of Darien High School Spirit Wear. Our clients were thrilled to receive the new sweatshirts, sweatpants, pajamas, and tee shirts. We were also overwhelmed with the generosity of the local elementary schools, Tokeneke, Ox Ridge, Hindley, and Royle.

Education
Darien High School entrance

REMINDER: First Two Mandatory Workshops TONIGHT, TOMORROW for DHS Students in Sports, Extracurricular Activities

By |
Download PDF

Darien High School students participating in sports or extracurricular activities must attend a workshop about illegal substances presented by the school starting in late August, and the schedule for the workshops has just been announced. Students participating in fall sports programs (or extracurricular activities in the early part of the school year) need to attend the workshops held on or before Sept. 10 (or before Sept. 9 for students in Grades 11 and 12). The workshops begin on Aug.

Consumer and Finances
Back to school

Connecticut Tax Free Sales Week Runs From Sunday, Aug 18 to Saturday, Aug 24

By |
Download PDF

You know school is starting soon when the state announces “Tax Free Week.”

Per statute the 19th annual Tax Free Sales Week, which begins on the third Sunday of each August, is right around the corner. This is a great opportunity for some back-to-school shopping and to prepare for the fall season. Certain clothing and footwear items under $100 will be exempt from the state’s sale tax during this time. This year the week runs from Sunday, Aug. 18 to  Saturday, Aug.

Consumer and Finances

Tips on Saving a Little Money as You Do Back-to-School Shopping

By |
Download PDF

Jeff Kreisler, editor-in-chief of PeopleScience and co-author of Dollars and Sense, offers five tips on how to avoid overspending on back-to-school items this fall. Don’t fall prey to marketing tactics; try to spend smarter. —This article, from an email sent by a publicist for Jeff Kreisler, seemed to us to have some sensible advice worth repeating, even for people who don’t have school-age kids. These tips probably won’t save you a lot — but they’ll probably save you a bit. Jeff outlines our unconscious decision-making biases and how they can lead us to make poor choices, whether through intentional “traps” set by retail stores or by our own volition.

Charity Events and Opportunities

Darien Human Services Dept Looking for Donations of Back-to-School Supplies

By |
Download PDF

Darien Human Services annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive will run from July 15 through Aug. 30. — an announcement from the Darien Human Services Department

The Back-to-School Program helps eligible Darien school children get off to a good start with backpacks, school supplies and gift cards for shoes or sneakers. Human Services is in particular need of new, large backpacks in blue or black which can be purchased at Costco or any major retailer. Gift cards to Walmart and Kohl’s are also greatly appreciated.