Graduates from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., included Shelton students: Joseph Grebla was awarded a bachelor’s degree in accounting and Michael Mainiero was awarded a bachelor’s in management.
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Grebla and Mainiero graduate
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Shelton High newspaper receives national, regional awards
Gael Winds staff members being recognized at the Shelton Board of Education are, from left, Shelton High senior Carolyn Rennie, copy editor; junior Melissa Simons, staff reporter; junior Rebecca Zaleski, staff reporter; senior Timothy Maloney, technology editor: senior Maeve Holler, layout and photography editor; senior Colette Harley, co- editor-in-chief: and senior Joseph Stein, op-ed editor.
The Shelton High School student newspaper, Gael Winds, has won a First Place with Special Merit award from the American Scholastic Press Association.
The newspaper’s advisor, SHS teacher Carolyn Finley, said Gael Winds was the only paper from Connecticut in its category (1,500 students or more) to receive the honor.
Gael Winds also received a Best High School Publication award from the national association, one of four given across the country.
In addition, the newspaper and individual staff member won numerous awards during a recent New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA) conference in Boston.
School board recognizes the staff
The Shelton Board of Education recognized the newspaper’s staff members and advisor during a recent meeting.
“I am extremely proud of my students,” Finley said. “They continue to strive for excellence.”
She told BOE members that Gael Winds staffers spend “countless hours” working on the publication, which has won national and regional awards in the past as well.
School Supt. Freeman Burr said he always looks forward to reading Gael Winds cover to cover, closing his office door when eating lunch to do so on the day it comes out.
Online edition now available
Gael Winds also offers an online edition (www.sheltongaelwinds.com). Finley thanked co-Editors-in Chief Kristen Grabarz and Colette Harley, and other staff members, for their role in “bringing Gael Winds into the age of technology.”
“This year’s addition of an online version of Gael Winds is in line with the district’s technology and career pathways initiatives,” Finley said.
Regional awards
During the NESPA conference at Boston University, Gael Winds was one of only four high school newspapers asked to present a session. The co-editors in chief, Kristen Grabarz and Colette Harley, and Finley presented a session on effective advertisement selling for funding a school paper.
NESPA awards went to:
— Special Achievement for Editorial Cartoon to senior Olivia Marciano for a 2012 election editorial cartoon.
— Special Achievement for New Page Design to senior editors Maeve Holler, Stavros Koumbaros, Kelly Messemer and Sydney Spadinger for the front page of the Dec. 21, 2012 issue.
— Special Achievement to junior staff reporters Henry Feroce and Melissa Simons for a Shelton Seahawks advertisement.
— Highest Achievement Award to Gael Winds for scholastic writing and publishing in a print and online school newspaper.
Finley said students involved in Gael Winds “should be applauded for their hard work and dedication. In addition, we are appreciative of the continued support of the Board of Education.”
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Eisenman inducted to honor society
Shelton resident Cali Eisenman, a member of the Stonehill College Class of 2013, was inducted into the Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society.
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Shelton students learn financial skills through JA program
Shelton Intermediate School (SIS) students learned about economics and business during the “JA in Two Days” initiative, held in collaboration with JA of Western Connecticut.
Forty local business professionals, parents and community representatives taught two Junior Achievement interactive programs to almost 900 students.
Seventh grade students participated in JA Economics for Success, which explores personal finance and students’ education and career options based on their skills, interests and values, while demonstrating the economic benefits of staying in school.
Eighth grade students attended JA America Works, focusing on how business and entrepreneurship affected the economic development of the United States during the 19th century.
Teaching economic and financial skills
“Research has shown that too many young people reach adulthood lacking economic and financial skills to manage their personal finances or to meet the demands of the workplace,” said Bernadine Venditto, JA of Western Connecticut president.
Last year, 4,900 students in the greater Valley area participated in JA programs, and Venditto hopes to expand that number in the future.
Sponsors of “JA in Two Days” included the Valley United Way, a special needs grant award and the Pitney Bowes Foundation. Jack Walsh, president and chief operating officer of the Shelton-based Valley United Way, was one of the instructors.
Provides insight to students
Bob Ayer, SIS enrichment specialist, said JA programs have impact. “Junior Achievement has proven to be a successful extension of the classroom in providing our students valuable insight into the world of economics and business,” Ayer said.
Kenneth D. Saranich, SIS headmaster, said the JA program has been implemented into student success plans at the school. “This correlation allows the school system to collaboratively work with our community in educating and planning for the future of our students,” Saranich said.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world’s nonprofit largest organization dedicated to teaching students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness.
It reaches nearly 9.9 million students around the globe, with more than 20,000 participating through JA of Western Connecticut in the lower Naugatuck Valley, greater Bridgeport and greater Danbury areas.
JA’s in-school and after-school programs are offered in kindergarten to 12th grade. Volunteers from the local business community teach programs designed to promote education and the free enterprise system through hands-on experience and the basic principles of economics and finance.
For information about local JA activities, call Bernadine Venditto at 203-382-0180, ext. 13.
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Springtime at St. Joseph’s School
The recent St. Joseph School first grade spring service project was planting flowers around the St. Joseph sign in the front lawn of the school. St. Joseph is a pre-K to eighth grade parochial school on Coram Avenue.
First graders took to planting flower’s at St. Joseph School in Shelton.
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Residents named to the dean’s list at Keene State
Keene State College had students from Shelton on its dean’s list: Robert William Castelot, Lisa Garamella, Alexander G.Howland, Rick Daniel Jordan, Nicole Marie Kondash, Katherine Joan McGarity, Johana Elaine Nieves and Stephen Joseph Vitko.
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Graduates from University of Vermont
Graduates from Shelton graduated from the University of Vermont: Connor M. Eaton, bachelor’s, ecological agriculture; Victoria A. Marini, Ph.D., psychology; and Samantha D. Soltau, bachelor’s, animal sciences.
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Soderholm on dean’s list at Worcester Polytechnic
Shelton resident Jeremy Soderholm was named to Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s dean’s list. He is a freshman majoring in civil engineering.
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Shelton resident gives valedictorian address at St. Joseph’s High
Matthew Immerso of Shelton, above, the valedictorian of the 2013 graduating class at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, speaks to his peers and others during the June 1 commencement. Matthew urged his fellow class members to “never stop growing. Never stop learning. Always move forward.”
Below, graduates throw their caps into the air to celebrate their achievement. This was the 48th graduating class at the Catholic high school on Huntington Turnpike.
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Shelton residents graduate from Quinnipiac
The following Shelton residents graduated from Quinnipiac University: Lizzie Ann Bahi, master’s, medical laboratory sciences; Shelly Campbell, master’s, business administration; Timothy Greer, master’s, business administration; Babak Hagh, master’s, interactive media; Jeremy Parkins, master’s, information technology; Lisa Porcelli, master’s, teacher leadership; and Melissa Warner, sixth-year, educational leadership.
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Musante and Yamnicky graduate
Graduates from Bucknell: Chelsey D. Musante, daughter of Douglas and Nancy Musante of Shelton, and Tina Null of Amherst, Mass., earned a master’s in biology. She is a 2006 graduate of Shelton High School. Robert W. Yamnicky, son of Robert and Maureen Yamnicky of Shelton, and a 2009 graduate of S.H.S., graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration, accounting.
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Shelton students graduate from ECSU
Graduates earning bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University: Drew Accomando, cum laude, physical education; Emily Kapostas, cum laude, environmental earth science; Ryan McCormack, history; Tricia Murray, cum laude, English; Meaghan Sharan, psychology; Lauren Tiberio, cum laude, English and elementary education; William Zern, magna cum laude, psychology.
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Hansen earns bachelor’s
Richard Hansen of Shelton was awarded a bachelor’s degree in television studies from Lyndon State College in Vermont.
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Bodyk and Pollack graduate
Students earned degrees from Merrimack College: Emily Bodyk, history and education, and Bryan Pollack, civil engineering.
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Shelton residents graduate from Providence College
The following Shelton residents earned bachelor’s degrees from Providence College: Christina Lavigne, magna cum laude, psychology; Tobin Sotil, management and Laura Witalis, health policy and management.
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School board reduces planned improvements
The Shelton Board of Education (BOE) has unanimously approved a revised 2013-14 budget to close an estimated funding gap of $341,500.
The revised budget, recommended by School Supt. Freeman Burr, should lead to a reduction in the number of tutors available for non-special education students and fewer part-time school secretaries.
No direct teacher layoffs will take place, but some teachers will not be added.
Previously approved program improvements that now will not happen include hiring 3.5 new teachers at Shelton High School (science, career technology, special education, and half-time physical education), as well as hiring a Shelton High special education tutor and a districtwide computer technician for the I.T. department.
All part-time secretaries at schools will be given layoff notices effective June 30, but some then will be hired back, and other positions filled by secretaries now based at the BOE central office.
The BOE vote to approve the revised budget was 6-0. The vote took place at special meeting that began at 5 p.m. The 2013-14 fiscal year will begin July 1, and for education purposes covers the upcoming school year.
Over-budget tutors
Much of the discussion focused on funding for tutors, with the amount being spent on tutors in the current year expected to be as much as $600,000 over budget.
“We sort of see the tutors as a ticking time bomb in our budget,” said BOE Finance Director Allan Cameron, explaining the need to come up with a plan to reduce tutoring costs.
The district has budgeted $1.15 million for tutors for the upcoming fiscal year, with about 13% of that amount coming from federal funds.
Tutors are provided at schools for regular students needing help as well as special education students. There is little leeway in providing tutors for special education, but the tutors for other students are optional.
Burr said principals like to use tutors, which are assigned through academic support centers at the schools, because they can help students do better academically.
Reducing tutors
In the current school year, 71 students (this includes 47 regular students and 24 special education students) are tutored.
“We just can’t afford 71 tutors,” Burr said. “That’s why we have a cost overrun.”
For the upcoming school year, the system has budgeted for a total of 54 tutors. They will work an average of 25 hours per week and earn $21,250, with no benefits.
The number of tutors needed for special education is unlikely to drop, so this essentially means there should be fewer tutors available for other students.
Some BOE members questioned if, based on student needs, school administrators were being realistic in their 2013-14 tutor allocation.
Burr said any extra funds that become available during the upcoming fiscal year could be used to enhance the tutoring budget.
The budget gap
The BOE’s reductions in its requested 2013-14 budget were necessary based on the budget allocation approved by the Board of Aldermen, which generally reflected changes made by Mayor Mark Lauretti.
The aldermen added $200,000 to the BOE budget from Lauretti’s recommendation, but the school system still will receive $1.2 million less than it had requested.
The funding gap decreased due to savings from the city supplying its own school buses, smaller BOE employee health insurance coverage costs than anticipated, and having the city pay for $100,000 in technology improvements.
The BOE will get a 2.92% spending increase and had requested a 4.9% increase.
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UB students inducted to honor society
The following residents were initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at University of Bridgeport: David Wickes, James Housey and Melissa Sipos.
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Arena awarded at Ithaca College
Ithaca College’s Department of Physical Therapy awarded Madeline Arena with its Michael A. Pagliarulo Service Award.
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Harrington and Cooke graduate
Bachelor degrees from Clark University: Casey L. Harrington, art history, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society; Virginia R. Cooke, cum laude, global environmental studies, a member of Gamma Theta Upsilon.
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Shelton juniors get awards at Sacred Heart convocation
This year at the honors convocation at Sacred Heart Academy, juniors from Shelton were awarded with College and University Awards.
The Gettysburg College Book Award was presented to Molly Duffy, daughter of Dr. Thomas M. Duffy and Dr. Eva Marie Cekaitis. This award is presented to a junior who has distinguished herself in a program in American History and is an overall high-achieving student.
The Regis College Book Award was presented to Natalia Fronsaglia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benigno Fronsaglia. This award is presented to a junior who has demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, displayed outstanding academic promise and leadership qualities.
The Yale University Book Award was presented to Madeline Ross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Ross. This award is presented to a junior who exhibits a high academic standing in a challenging curriculum and has outstanding personal character and integrity and will be a serious candidate for a competitive college.
The Princeton University Book Prize was presented to Madeline Ross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Ross of Shelton. Each year, Princeton’s alumni association of eastern Connecticut holds an essay contest for their Book Prize.
The University of Rochester Xerox Innovator Award was presented to Olivia Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shawn M. Kelly of Huntington. Awarded jointly by the science, computer and math faculty, this award is presented to a junior who shows motivation in innovation and information technology.
The Bausch and Lomb Medal from the University of Rochester was presented to Madeline Ross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Ross. This award is presented to that junior, who in the opinion of the science department, has an outstanding overall academic record in science.
Sacred Heart Academy is located in Hamden.
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