Education
safety course bikes etc depot 2025

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

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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.

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Superintendent’s Newsletter: A Very Active First Full Week of the School Year

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Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter, emailed at 2 p.m., Friday, described this week’s DHS open house, and noted next week’s Middlesex open house, what’s happening in the search for a superintendent, the Hindley Bash scheduled for Friday night and what sports teams are playing this weekend and next. It also mentioned Darienite.com’s article on the eight Darien High National Merit semifinalists and linked to the article. (Darienite.com didn’t add any of that to the text — those were Dr. Byrne’s words and link — and we appreciate it!). Here’s the full text:
Dear Darien Community,
And just like that we have completed our first five day week of school. As I have traveled across the District this week, I have seen students deeply engaged in their learning at all levels.

Darien Public Schools 2025-2026
Blue Wave clothing

In His Newsletter, Interim Schools Superintendent Proposes Students and Staff Wear School Colors

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Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne, in his Friday newsletter to parents and staff, proposed that members of the school district community wear their school colors one day a week; discussed an incident where a young boy fell from his bicycle and got help from passers-by; and described what Byrne saw when riding a school bus with kids. The newsletter also mentioned that Byrne visited Post 53, upcoming sports games, open houses at the town’s schools, what’s happening with the search for a new superintendent and the Police Department’s open house this Saturday. Dear Darien Community,
It was another great week as our students, teachers, administrators, staff and families settled into the new school year. As a relative newcomer, I am continually struck by the amazing work and contributions happening across the district and wanted to share a few of those in this week’s update. Just yesterday I visited Post 53 and learned about this incredible resource and place where nearly 100 DHS students learn incredibly valuable skills while serving Darien.

Education
Darien Public Schools

Board of Education Wants Your Ideas on Qualities and Skills to Look for in Picking the Next Superintendent

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The Board of Education is asking parents of Darien students for advice on picking the next superintendent of schools, and it announced two ways parents can use to bring those ideas to the board. The first: Speak at a “community forum” being held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at the Board of Education Meeting Room at 35 Leroy Ave. The second: Respond to a survey that will be emailed to parents on the week of Sept. 15.

Education
Eric Byrne interim superintendent of schools

Board of Ed Appoints Interim Superintendent of Schools, Hires Search Firm to Find Next Superintendent

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The Darien Board of Education has appointed of Dr. Eric Byrne, currently superintendent of Rye City School District, as the interim superintendent of Darien schools, starting July 1. Byrne will lead the district for the 2025-2026 school year while the board searches for a permanent superintendent. — an announcement from the Darien Board of Education

Byrne replaces current Superintendent of Schools Alan Addley. He has served as superintendent of the Rye City School District since 2017. Byrne holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Fordham University.

Education
New Assistant Principals for Hindley start July 1 2025

Two Ox Ridge School Teachers Promoted to Assistant Principals at Hindley

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Two Ox Ridge Elementary School teachers have been appointed assistant principals at Hindley Elementary School, Superintendent Alan Addley announced. Cristina Bras Taylor and Mary Beth Giannattasio will start in their new positions July 1, Addley said in a news release. Christina Bras Taylor, Assistant Principal for Special Education
Taylor has served as the high school and middle school Special Education Department chair, interim assistant principal at Hindley School and a teacher in the Developmental Learning Center at Ox Ridge. She received a B.S. in history and secondary education from Western Connecticut State University, an M.A. in bilingual education from Fairfield University and a Professional Certificate in intermediate administration from Sacred Heart University. Taylor started her teaching career in the Danbury Public Schools in 1998.