Derby’s Bradley, Irving schools honored for ‘exemplary’ programs

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
DERBY >> The city’s two elementary schools were recently recognized by the state for “exemplary programs” aimed at building a positive atmosphere for students.
According to Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway, several staff members at both Bradley and Irving schools received recognition from the Connecticut Association of Schools for their efforts to implement new programs.

Read more here. 

Bradley School students in Derby to read same book

DERBY - Detective Giancarlo Bartone, a kindergartner, meets Humphrey the Hamster Tuesday at Bradley Elementary School's 'One School One Read' kickoff.  

The entire student body will be reading the book Mysteries According to Humphrey with a live hamster being raffled off at the end of the initiative. 


Photo submitted by Bradley School kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames.

This sign hangs in the lobby of the school to remind students of the ongoing reading initiative.


Photo by Bradley School tutor Allegra Villers.

Ansonia, Derby school volunteers honored

Contributed photo

Mario Ciccarini, Principal of Bradley School in Derby, Joe Apicella and Sherrod McNeill, Principal and Assistant Principal of John G. Prendergast School in Ansonia, top row from left, are pictured with Anne Stankye, Richard Breeden, and Dora Olivera, from left, as they were honored March 11 at the Connecticut Association of Schools Volunteer Banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

 CAS proudly celebrates this event annually to publicly acknowledge the work of parents and other volunteers for their contributions to schools across the state.
More than 550 participants from 78 elementary, middle and high schools were treated to a four course meal and entertained by pianist Kim Quinn from Albert D. Griswold Middle School in Rocky Hill.

Honorees were presented with plaques and corsages to commemorate their service.
John Maziarz, Commercial Sales Account Manager for Connecticut Natural Gas and a volunteer for Junior Achievement was the keynote speaker.
In his remarks Maziarz stated that “Volunteers are the silent heroes of our schools.” He said,  “… they may be silent in what they do, but their impact is great.”

Dora Olivera was one recipient from Prendergast School.  She has become a regular grandparent volunteer at Prendergast School, helping in the main office.
Olivera began her volunteering this year when her grandchildren, Nyasia and Jacob began.  From making copies to distributing notices, Olivera helps make the school run smoothly.  Always willing to go out of her way to help others, she has taken over as “staff photographer” at many school events.

Rich Breeden was also recognized by Prendergast School. Breeden is another grandparent volunteer. He has been helping at Prendergast School for the past four years starting when his granddaughter, Viviana began school here.
Breeden can frequently be seen helping in our cafeteria with lunch duty. He has also become our “House Band” providing his musical talents at many of our events.
From playing his holiday songs during our December Pancakes with Santa, to playing his Halloween music at our Haunted Halls events, Breeden helps to entertain the children, parents and the staff of Prendergast.

Anne Stankye was recognized by Bradley School. She has been volunteering at Bradley School for many years. She works with Kindergarten students and their teachers, whether it is making copies, helping students with arts and crafts, or working with a small group of students at a station. Stankye is a lifelong resident of Derby and a role model for our students.

The Connecticut Association of Schools and its corporate partner, Horace Mann Insurance, along with CAS' official photographers, G & B Photography, celebrate the contributions of volunteers who share their time, talents, and commitment to quality education in Connecticut schools.


This post is taken from a press release from John G. Prendergast School.

Derby students mark 100th day of school

Emily Caron creates a fruit loop necklace to celebrate the 100th day of school Tuesday in Jenny Ames' kindergarten class at Bradley School in Derby. / Contributed photo

Bradley School in Derby to host fun fair

Music will be provided by DJ Fran.

Bradley School kindergartners in Derby learning about bears

Bradley School kindergartner Giancarlo Bartone of Derby creates a bear den from marshmallows and frosting, sneaking a taste of the materials in the process. 


Kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames submitted this photo. She said her class is studying bears during the month of January.

Derby students help needy, create mitten tree

Bradley School kindergartners in teacher Jenny Ames' class donated mittens and created a mitten tree outside their classroom. The items will be donated to needy Valley families.
Pictured from left are Colbie Drezek, Samuel Fragoso, Christian Castellini, and Emily Caron. They were dressed in pajamas Thursday for the school's Pajama Day. Photo by Allegra Villers

A warming tree decorated with hats, gloves, and mittens to be donated to needy families stands in the foyer of Bradley School. Photo by Allegra Villers

Students learn from veterans in Derby

Bradley School kindergartners listen to veterans speak during Friday's Memorial Day program in the gym. 

Derby resident Bernard Williamson, a Korean War-era veteran, speaks to students Friday at Bradley School.

Bradley School Principal Christine DiGrazia holds the microphone Friday for World War II Navy veteran Daniel Waleski of Derby.
Stay tuned for a story in Saturday's New Haven Register.

2 Derby students win state essay contest

Bradley School fifth graders Natalia Wysowski, left, and Alexis Enjem won first and second place respectively in a statewide essay contest. / Contributed photo

By Christine DiGrazia, Bradley School Principal

DERBY - Two Bradley School fifth graders were chosen as first- and second-place regional winners of a statewide essay-writing contest sponsored by the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office.

The contest is designed to support the fifth-grade curriculum of Connecticut studies. 
Its objectives are to stimulate pride in Connecticut; heighten awareness of the state’s many historical, cultural and entertainment offerings; encourage good citizenship; and reinforce creative writing skills or possibly their computer skills.

The contest provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

This year’s contest writing prompt was: "Discuss an important event or invention from Connecticut that has significantly affected the history of our state. How is the impact of this event or invention still felt today?"

First place for the region was awarded to Natalia Wyszkowski of Derby who wrote an essay about Noah Webster, who developed the dictionary in the early 19th century.  
Second place for the region was awarded to Alexis Enjem of Derby, who wrote an essay about Frank Pepe and his famous New Haven pizza and pizzeria.

During a recent school-wide assembly to celebrate the achievements both students were presented with a Certificate of Excellence and a gift card to Barnes and Noble book store.

Congratulations on your awards, Natalia and Alexis!

Derby students learn about blindness, history of Braille

On Wednesday afternoon I attended a program presented by Ellen Bedford, a retired Derby teacher of the visually impaired.

She spoke to third graders at Bradley Elementary School in Derby about the challenges faced by the blind, and taught them about the use of Braille.

 

Mary Montini, 8, checks out a book printed in Braille and regular type.

Stay tuned for a story in the paper about the presentation in the near future.