Help Shelter Dogs and Cats

State Guidelines for CT Businesses On Re-Opening

Sharing Link from New Haven Biz Magazine:

https://www.newhavenbiz.com/article/biz-planning-to-reopen-may-20-must-self-certify-they-are-following-covid-19-guidelines?fbclid=IwAR02_sM_2ai1sU3zGlfrWro7mlinzI9AzlwJK4SnafThLoWdI7VXQbRKZ_c

Derby High School Registration Now Online

Sharing a Press Release from Derby High School's Assistant Principal Ray Coplin:

Some very exciting news for our Derby High School families during these less than ideal times of distance learning. With the end of the school year approaching, it is that time of year where students begin registering for next year's classes. 

We at DHS are particularly excited this year, as the course registration process for the 2020-2021 academic year will be completely navigated online through the use of the PowerSchool portal. What this means is no more tedious, week-long tracking down teachers to sign recommendation forms or trying to manage the jigsaw puzzle that is course selection. The new process is significantly more time efficient and streamlined in a way that allows more clarity for students and parents. 

DHS Principal Martin Pascale is raving about the much needed improvement as it will "allow for an uninterrupted continuation of promotion to the next grade level". Assistant Principal, Ray Coplin added "especially during a time when physical meetings with teachers and counselors cannot take place, it is essential to ensure students are still supported through this process."

School Counselors, Jen Ostrosky and Adam Baker both agree, the new online course registration has been a long time coming. "I'm so excited about the online course registration this year! Not only will it be more time efficient, but students will be able to work side-by-side with their parents/guardians throughout the selection process. This also prevents lost or misplaced forms and maintains confidentiality. It's a win-win", explained Mrs. Ostrosky. The online course registration portal goes live on Monday, May 11th. 

Mr. Baker adds, "We're really excited about the online course registration. Students and parents can review course offerings and prerequisites to easily select their course schedule for the upcoming school year. Moving forward, this will be the way DHS completes course registration. So we're very happy to roll out this new exciting process on Monday." 

Registration began May 11. Incoming 9th graders currently at Derby Middle School will be provided with a step-by-step tutorial via Zoom videoconference with Ms. Ostrosky and Mr. Baker to be held the following week on Monday, May 18th. Stay tuned for additional info on that upcoming webinar. In preparation for both of these dates, the 2020-2021 Program of Studies is available for students and families to review on the Derby High School website as well as being sent to all families via email.  

Finally, a Course Registration sign-up sheet is available in all grade-level Google Classrooms, allowing students to secure a time slot to meet with their counselor for assistance in selecting the most appropriate course load. Students should always feel welcomed to reach out to their counselors via email, and be on the lookout for relevant correspondence from them as well. And as always, the Derby High School website is a valuable resource to access much of this important information, including the 2020-2021 Program of Studies which will provide students the menu of courses and their respective credits and prerequisites that they can review prior to making their selections. 

Ray Coplin

Assistant Principal

Derby High School

Home of the Red Raiders

75 Chatfield Street

Derby, CT 06418

(203) 736-5032 [phone]

(203) 736-5056 [fax]

rcoplin@derbyps.org

Derby Public Schools      

Valley United Way Elects New Officers

 Newly Elected VUW Chairman Michael Gnibus 

SHELTON - Despite Valley United Way not being able to hold its planned public Annual Meeting on April 30, its Board recently elected new officers to serve until its next Annual Meeting and thanked a number of long-time directors whose terms have ended.

Members whose terms have ended include Jimmy Tickey, who served as Board Vice Chair; Jennifer Bull, CPA, (PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP); Peter Dagostine (First Group America); Michael Duncan (Edgewell Personal Care); Fred Ortoli (Ortoli Photography); Ramon Peralta (Peralta Design) and Janice Sheehy (Webster Bank).

On his departure, Tickey remarked, “The Valley United Way has made a real difference for people in our community. It has been a pleasure to serve on the Board for 10 years and lead our community campaign for 3 of those years - working to raise substantial funds to support the programs and agencies that thousands of families rely on in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  I know the Valley United Way will continue to focus on preparing youth to succeed, strengthening families, and helping people in crisis."

David Kennedy, Interim President and COO, commented, “Valley United Way has been gifted with decades of exceptional service from these Directors.  It was very hard to say “thanks” to them in a non-public forum for their care for the Valley through United Way. However, we look forward to doing that at our rescheduled Annual Meeting, whenever that will be.”

At its April 22 board meeting, directors elected the following officers for terms ending at the next Annual Meeting:  Chair, Michael Gnibus (Armstrong Teasdale); Vice Chair, Karen Stockla (Prudential Financial); Secretary, Dominick Thomas, Esq. (Cohen & Thomas) and Treasurer, Gregory DeStefano, CPA (Cherubino & Company, PC).

Gnibus is an intellectual property attorney and partner in the New York office of the St. Louis based law firm of Armstrong Teasdale. Before working there, he spent 10 years at the General Electric office in Shelton where he led the GE United Way campaign and multiple service projects that were run through VUW. He has served on the Valley United Way Board for ten years and has provided leadership support to the United Way’s Youth Leadership program.

“It is with mixed emotions that I acknowledge the United Way’s departing Board members,” Gnibus remarked.  “On behalf of Valley United Way I want to thank the departing Board members for their many years of service. We are grateful for their collective, tireless commitment to ensuring that Valley United Way’s support aligned with and met the evolving needs of area residents.  Although they will not be active on the Board going forward, I am pleased to let you know that many of the departing Board members have committed to remaining active by supporting our committees. I am looking forward to leading our dedicated Board, and continuing to evolve the organization to ensure that we maximize Valley United Way’s positive impact on the community.”

Board members continuing to give leadership to Valley United Way include Patrick Charmel (Griffin Hospital); Joy DeMarchis (DeMarchis Family Holdings);  Brian Diehl (Pitney Bowes); Jill Johnson (Iroquois Pipeline); John McFarland (Hubbell Incorporated); Mary Ann Miskowicz (Better Packages); Bill Purcell (Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce); Jeffrey Tracey (Mutual Security Credit Union) and Michael Wilson (Seymour Public Schools).

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. For more information about the organization, visit its website at www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO at 203-538-6341.

(This is a press release from Valley United Way)

'Seymour Strong' T-Shirts for Sale

Sharing from Town of Seymour's Facebook page:

Help support the community. All profitable proceeds will go to the valley community foundation Covid-19 response and recovery fund. Sale ends May 17th #seymourstrong #community #shirts #supportlocal #staystrong #screenprinting #customart

https://seymourstrong.itemorder.com/sale