Education
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

Racist Graffiti Found in Two School Bathrooms, This Time at Darien High School

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Graffiti described as “discriminatory, racial and hateful language” was found Wednesday in two Darien High School bathrooms, school district officials said. “We are confident that this was the act of a small group of students, and it is being thoroughly investigated,” DHS Principal Ellen Dunn said in an announcement to students Thursday morning. “Serious consequences will follow for those involved.” Schools Superintendent Alan Addley excerpted Dunn’s comments in his own announcement to families and staff Thursday evening, adding, “The administration, along with the Darien Police Department, are actively investigating the matter, and appropriate consequences will be applied.” The incidents have occurred much more often at Middlesex Middle School.

Education
Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Schools Superintendent: Another Racial Slur Found at Middlesex Middle School

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About a week after graffiti with a a racial slur was found in a Middlesex Middle School boys bathroom, another was found on a student’s desk, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said in an email to parents and staff. “As with prior incidents, both school administration and local authorities are investigating this matter,” Addley wrote. Addley’s announcement didn’t say what day the latest graffiti was found (the previous incident was found Thursday, May 15). As with the previous announcement, Addley didn’t say what racial slur was found (or whether it was the same one). “This repeated behavior is disheartening, and once again, I want to reaffirm that our commitment to confronting hate, promoting inclusion, and ensuring every student feels safe remains steadfast,” he said.

Education
Darien Public Schools

Darien Board of Education Announces Plan to Hire Next Superintendent of Schools

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The Darien Board of Education plans to hire a firm to conduct a nationwide search for a superintendent of schools to replace Dr. Alan Addley, who recently announced he’s stepping down from the job after six years. An announcement from the board, emailed on Friday, also said an interim superintendent will be hired. The search process will be private initially, but public by the time a vote is taken to appoint a new superintendent. The search committee will be the Board of Education itself and will review candidates found by the search firm. “Community input will be a vital component of the search process,” the announcement said.

Darien Public Schools 2024-2025
Darien Public Schools

Superintendent Addley: Darien Schools Opening a Smooth Success

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Schools Superintendent Alan Addley said in his first newsletter of the school year that the schools opened smoothly, even with renovation projects still underway at three elementary schools. Even the Pikmykid software the district has just started using and changes in special education transportation didn’t make the school opening rough. Addley added: “Typically, bus issues for general education and/or special education settle down by the end of the first week of school.” He didn’t say whether or not there were any problems this year. Here’s the full text of Addley’s email, with subheadings added by Darienite.com:

Dear Families & Staff :
Thank you for making this first week of school a tremendous success for the students.

Darien Public Schools 2024-2025
Katherine Dimoulas Middlesex principal

New Middlesex Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal Among New Darien Schools Appointments

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Katherine Dimoulas, previously an assistant principal at Darien High School, has been appointed principal of Middlesex Middle School, the superintendent of schools announced. These five other new Darien school administrators were also appointed: Timothy Monahan as assistant principal at the school; Meghan Emanuelson, assistant principal at Darien High School; Keith Keeler, another assistant principle at DHS; Jaclyn Welsh, assistant principal at Oxford Elementary School; and Kristen Colonies, English Department chair for Grades 6 to 12. — an announcement from Darien Public Schools

Except for Monahan, all the officials will start work this Monday, July 29. “Kate’s teaching experience as a middle school teacher and administrative experiences as well as accomplishments and skills as a Darien High School assistant principal for the past seven years will help ensure continuity of leadership and a smooth transition for our Middlesex Middle School students, staff and families, Schools Superintendent Alan Addley said. “We offer Kate congratulations and wish her much success in her new position.”
Kate Dimoulas began her teaching career in 2009 as a high school English teacher at the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich after graduating from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in narrative studies and from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a master’s degree in the teaching of English.

Chris Melillo
Two principals named Chris Melillo Ross Cooper Ox Ridge Hindley

Two New Principals, One a Current Superintendent, Named Heads of Hindley, Ox Ridge Schools Starting July 1

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New principals, including one who is leaving his post as a superintendent of a Connecticut school district, have been appointed to two Darien elementary schools — Ox Ridge School and Hindley School. Each appointment is effective July 1. Chris Melillo, appointed to run Ox Ridge School, is leaving his current position as Newtown superintendent of schools. Ross Cooper, an educator with experience teaching in and administering elementary schools, research into technology in education and the author of two books on “project based learning,” has been appointed the next principal of Hindley School, effective July 1. — This article is based on an announcement from Darien Public Schools

“I am beyond excited to join Darien Public Schools and to return home to Fairfield County,” Cooper said.