Community Organizations
Ox Ridge School holiday giving Darien Public Schools photo 911-29-16

Ox Ridge, Tokeneke Students Lend a Hand to Those in Need

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Backpacks and food were among the items collected recently to support local communities and organizations. At Ox Ridge Elementary School, the Kids Care Club collected enough supplies to provide well over the “50 backpack” goal that was set. The Ox Ridge Kids Care Club is an organization of students and parents who are dedicated to living the school code by engaging in community service projects. _______________

— This article is from the Darien Public Schools “News of the Week” newsletter. _______________

As part of the year-long celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary, the Kids Care Club held a “backpack” drive to collect, package, and distribute school supplies to families in need in neighboring communities.

Education
Hindley School 4-27-16

Board of Education Names New Principal for Hindley School

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The Darien Board of Education appointed DJ Colella as Principal of Hindley School at Tuesday night’s board meeting. The appointment is effective July 1. Mr. Colella is a graduate of Rutgers University, received a master’s degree in education from Manhattanville College, and a second master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education from their Future School Leadership Academy. ___________

— This is an announcement from Darien Public Schools. ___________

Mr. Colella was a 5th grade teacher for ten years, a 6th grade science teacher for five years and has served as the assistant principal at the Somers Middle School in Somers, N.Y. since 2010.

Education

Around the World Festival at Royle School

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Third grade students at Royle Elementary School took a trip around the world without leaving the building this month. As part of an interdisciplinary unit, all Grade 3 students researched a country of their choice. Using the information from the research, students created presentations – slide shows, poster boards — to demonstrate a “Day In The Life” of a student living in that special place. As a culminating activity, students put together a booth or station with artifacts and food to represent their country. They then shared their new learning with parents and staff (pictured above).

Education
Health

Tokeneke Aces Health Inspection ‘Retest’ & All Public Schools Now Inspected

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Tokeneke School cafeteria received a perfect score of 100 in its most recent inspection on Jan. 22 after the school received an uncharacteristic “Poor” rating on Jan. 12, when a health inspector found food not being kept at the proper temperatures. Health Director David Knauf later said an item of equipment wasn’t keeping food at the right temperature, so the equipment was relpaced. Darienite.com previously reported on that inspection:

“Hamburgers and tater tots weren’t hot enough at the Tokeneke School cafeteria on Tuesday when a Darien Health Department sanitarian showed up for an inspection, according to the department.

Community Organizations
YWCA Kindergarten 2016 thumbnail

Register Now for Tuesday, Jan. 5 ‘Kindergarten Readiness’ Talk

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Register now to attend a talk Tuesday by Dr. Susie DaSilva, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Darien Public Schools, and district staff members on Kindergarten readiness. “A Day in the Life of a Darien Kindergartener” is the subject of the presentation, which begins at 7 p.m. and continues to 8:30 p.m. at Noroton Presbyterian Church’s Horton Hall (2010 Post Road — park in the lot off of Noroton Avenue). According to the announcement on the website of the YWCA of Darien-Norwalk, a co-sponsor of the event: “Get answers to your questions regarding kindergarten readiness and some insight into what to expect with THE experts in Darien — the staff that work with the children every day and can get the inside scoop on what it’s REALLY like in a Darien kindergarten.” You can register online here (if the website isn’t working, contact the YWCA — which is closed until Monday morning — at 203-655-2535). Here’s the poster for the announcement: