Derby Student Runner-up in State Roadway Safety Contest



Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman with Sofia

Sofia's Poster

Derby Police Chief Jerry Narowski, Mrs. Rudus, Sofia
and Mayor Richard Dziekan

DERBY - This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 9-13 2018).

This year Sofia Rudus, a 4th grade Bradley School student received second place (grades 2-4) in this year’s statewide Roadway Safety Poster Contest. Students in grades K-6 were asked to design a poster to illustrate ways in which they think road users can impact roadway safety.

The winners were recognized by the Lieutenant Governor and the DOT Commissioner along with representatives from local public works depar...tments, the Department of Motor Vehicles, state and local police, and several public safety agencies.

We would like to congratulate Sofia for her award and for proudly representing Derby!

*Information shared from Derby Police Department 

Bus Trip to Mohegan Sun

Derby Aldermen Vote to Move Baseball Field to Chatfield Street

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

DERBY >> It’s a homerun for Derby sports, as the Board of Aldermen Thursday (Feb. 23) voted in favor of relocating the existing high school baseball field not too far from its home base, rather than across town.

The aldermen voted based on the recommendation from the Baseball Field Relocation Committee to relocate the baseball field, located next to the football field at the Leo F. Ryan Athletic Complex, to Chatfield Street, where the softball field currently is located.

The baseball field will remain on the school campus, which is what many people pushed for, rather than two other unpopular options that were on the table, Witek Park and Bradley School.

The baseball field, which is not regulation size, needs to be moved to make way for a major athletic complex makeover, which will include construction of an artificial turf field, multi-purpose field and eight-lane rubberized track at Ryan Field. The state Bond Commission approved $2.9 million in funding for the makeover.
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Club to provide program for Derby students

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley now offers a before-school program for students of Bradley and Irving Schools in Derby. 

The program will be held at the Raymond P. Lavietes Clubhouse, One Positive Place. Registration is all online at www.BGC-LNV.org/SheltonClubhouse.

Parents may drop their children off at the Clubhouse as early as 7 a.m. They will be transported to Bradley and Irving schools in time for the start of the school day.
The before-school van transportation fee is included in the cost of membership. The program will also open early to accommodate delayed openings, but parents must refer tothe Parent Handbook for important details and hours of operation. 
Membership discounts are available for siblings and for any kindergartner through 7 year old who will also attend our after school program. Van fees for after school programs are paid separately.

Parents needing van transportation must complete their child’s online membership application by Aug. 19 and come to the Clubhouse to complete a Transportation Application and pay by Aug. 21 if they would like transportation for the first day of school. 
Registration will be closed from Aug. 23-Sept. 3.

This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Bradley School in Derby holds field day, introduces new mascot

Bradley School Principal Mario Ciccarini poses Friday with the school's new mascot, Bradley the Bobcat. 

On Friday the school also unveiled its new motto,  PAWS Pride.
PAWS is an acronym for Persevere, Act Responsibly, Work and Play Safely, and Show Respect.

PAWS Pride T-shirts will be available at the start of the coming school year as a way to enhance school unity and spirit.

Students gather around Bradley Bob Friday to greet him with hugs.

Here's a panoramic view of Friday's Field Day festivities.



A big thank you goes out to Linda Gray, publicity director, for contributing this information and the photos.

Derby students' poetry published in anthology

Pictured from left, back row: Abby Kiraly, Joe Ferrigno, David Collazo, Danthy Nguyen, Jacob Boyko. 
Front row: Bella Bishop, Lana Drew, Pirnaaz Mekael, Della George, Cayla Cayer-McCarthy, Daemon Clark. / Contributed photo


DERBY - Bradley School third graders wrote Haiku poems that will be published in A Celebration of Poets.
Only selected student entries throughout the U.S. are chosen for publication. The purpose of this contest in is to inspire young writers in their creative abilities.
Joining the ranks of published student writers in this anthology is singer Taylor Swift whose work in fifth grade placed her in the Top 10.


This is a press release from Grade 3 teacher Anna Van Wyck.

Congratulations go out to the students and their teacher!

Derby kindergartners mark Dr. Seuss' birthday

DERBY - Kindergartners in teacher Jenny Ames' class at Bradley School this week celebrated the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss.

Alanah, left, and Mantas show off their Cat in the Hat hats and bow ties.

Pictured from left: classmates Emily, Kobe, Kiara, Evan, and Robert appear to be enjoying the celebration.

Thanks go to Bradley School teacher Jenny Ames for submitting the photos.

Bradley School kindergartners in Derby mark fairy tale day

The girls in kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames' class at Bradley School Wednesday enjoy posing as fairy princesses.

Giancarlo Bartone portrays the Big Bad Wolf/Grandma.

 

Twins Dante and Logan Espin both dress as Prince Charming.

Christian Castellini and Kiara Cragwell portray Beauty and the Beast.




Many thanks go out to kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames for the photos.

Derby kindergartners get healthy lesson from mayor

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, a dentist, demonstrates proper brushing technique Friday to Isaiah Pierce in teacher Jenny Ames' kindergarten classroom at Bradley School in Derby. February is National Children's Dental Health Month. / Contributed photo

Derby schools to host open house events

DERBY - The elementary schools will be dismissing early Wednesday for the open house events.  

The open house at Irving School will start at 5:30 p.m. for the welcome address and introductions. 
The open house at Bradley School will start at 7 p.m.

On Thursday Derby High School will be dismissing early for its open house which will start at 6 p.m.  
There will also be a Senior Night meeting beginning at 7:45 p.m. in the auditorium.  
This meeting is sponsored by the Guidance Department to provide information for the members of the senior class and their parents.

Derby Middle School held its open house Thursday.



This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Sharing first day of kindergarten photos in Derby

Irving School kindergartner Harley Daniels, 5, shows off her 'rock star shirt' on the first day of school Wednesday.

Bradley School kindergartner Addison Brunetti, 4, waits to meet her new teacher with her dad, Joseph Brunetti, on the first day of school Wednesday. 


DERBY - The first day of school is always a big day for youngsters but for a kindergartner it must be overwhelming, with all those big people saying good morning and asking you your name, and more. 

I cried on my first day of kindergarten at High Plains School (now Community Center) in Orange. And I even had my best friend with me in the classroom. She wasn't scared at all.

I on the other hand was petrified, probably because I hadn't had any preschool experience.
Or maybe it was because I was an only child. My friend Suzy was the oldest of "many."

Here's to a great school year for students everywhere.

School bells ring, Derby kindergartner shows off bling

An adorable Ariana Nickle, 4, strikes a pose.

DERBY - I covered the first day of school festivities at Bradley and Irving elementary schools this morning and met several adorable kindergartners. With few exceptions the children seemed fine with the start of their new adventure.
As for the parents, I'll just say some looked anxious to send their little ones off to school.

I met kindergartner Ariana Nickle in the gym at Bradley School and she immediately asked if I'd like to see her earrings. I said sure!

Derby kids say goodbye to playground camp at Bradley School

Summer vacation is winding down.

Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri, center, joins participants in the Summer Playground Camp on the last day. Dennis O’Connell, Director of Parks and Recreation,  Lead Counselor Adam Coppola and five other counselors Friday concluded the annual summer playground camp at Bradley School. The six-week program starts in July and includes sports, arts and crafts and field trips. More than 100 children participated in this year’s program, which is free to all Derby residents. / Contributed photo

Kids, parents create butterfly garden at Irving School in Derby

Earth Day project brings families together

Pictured from left are Trevor Ceravone, Ash Lewandowski, and Christopher Coppola. / Contributed photo

DERBY - In honor of Earth Day, families from Irving, Bradley and St. Mary-St. Michael Schools in Derby joined together to create a butterfly garden in front of Irving School.

Families unite by ways of a FASTWORKS group organized by Valley Kids Belong (a project of the Parent Child Resource Center) in Derby. 

FASTWORKS focuses on maintaining positive relationships between families and the community. During this year FASTWORKS has held events such as a cleanup at Osbornedale State Park, bowling, picnics, pumpkin picking and are currently planning their next event geared toward cleaning the community. 

Families from these three schools are happy to come together to continue to give back to their community.

For information about Valley Kids Belong call Lauren Jassil, Program Coordinator, 203-893-0402.


This post is taken from a press release from the Parent Child Resource Center.

Derby Middle School runners take part in benefit 5K

DERBY - The Derby Middle School Running Club participated Saturday in the Greenway 5K to benefit the Knights of Columbus. 

Runners Ejona Gjata, Kiley Rodriguez, and Jayce Curcio won their age groups.  

Other runners included Rocco Samoker, Rachel Fleischer, Casey Briggs, Samantha  Inthapanhya, Nicolette Tasi, Sara Gerckens, and Nicole Rizzo.

Kiley Rodriguez, Grade 8

  

Rocco Samoker, Grade 6

Thanks go out to Derby resident April Pruzinsky for contributing the photos.



This information is taken from a release from Bradley School kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames.
 

Derby Little League holds opening day Saturday

Pictured at the field with Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri are Bradley School fourth grader Cole Boulton, left, and Bradley School fourth grader Jake Cook.


Photo by Laurene Boulton


Thanks go out to Derby resident April Pruzinsky for submitting this information.

Bradley students in Derby take part in reading initiative

School to read 'The World According to Humphrey'

Kindergartners Madison Gallant, Arian Mohseni, and Yamilet Lopez waiting to meet Humphrey, a live hamster.

 

 Kindergartner Nicholas Sheridan at the reading initiative kickoff.

Kindergartners checking out Humphrey.

DERBY - Bradley School kicked off a school-wide reading initiative Thursday in which all 350 students and their families will read a book titled, The World According to Humphrey over a 15-day period at home and during school. 
The kick-off took place during an assembly when students were introduced to the book with a performance by teachers of a song especially arranged by music teacher Maureen McGovern for “Humphrey," a live hamster, who was also in attendance.

Students also saw a video of the hamsters travels around Bradley School and a message from author Betty Birney. 
For every chapter a child reads, he or she will receive a ticket for a drawing to win the real “Humphrey.”

Photos and information were contributed by Bradley School kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames.

Derby's Bradley School to launch reading initiative

    DERBY - Bradley School will kick off a school-wide reading initiative next week.
    All 350 students and their families will read “The World According to Humphrey,” over a 15-day period at home and during school.

    The kick-off will be held during an assembly at 1 p.m. April 4.
    During the assembly, students will be introduced to the book with a performance by teachers of a song especially arranged by music teacher Maureen McGovern for “Humphrey,” a live hamster, who will be in attendance.

    For every chapter a child reads, he or she will receive a ticket for a drawing to win the real “Humphrey.”



This information is from a press release from Jenny Ames, kindergarten teacher at Bradley School.

Derby kindergartners put imaginations to good use

Dr. Seuss story sparks creativity

To mark Dr. Seuss's March 2 birthday, Bradley School kindergarteners read some of his books, including Oh, the Places You'll Go!
To help her students make connections to the book, kindergarten teacher Jenny Ames asked them to come to school dressed up as their favorite occupation.
Pictured are "nurse" Samantha Caron as she listens to the heartbeat of "firefighter" Madison Gallant.


This information is taken from a press release.

Cat in the Hat, Derby officials visit Bradley School

DERBY - Mayor Anthony Staffieri and Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway read to students at Bradley School Friday as part of National Read Across America Day. 

The annual event is held in schools and libraries across the United States to celebrate the birthday of prolific author Dr. Seuss, also known as Theodor Geisel. 

He would have turned 109 on Saturday.

Staffieri and Conway were joined by Seuss' infamous character, the Cat in the Hat, a.k.a. Sam Pollastro of Derby.

Staffieri, center, listens to the Cat in the Hat speak to kindergartners.

Conway, seated, and the Cat in the Hat visit first graders.

Staffieri chats with kindergartners after reading to them. 

The Cat in the Hat made a surprise visit to pre-Kindergartners Alaina, left, and Chloe Richards, 4, twin daughters of Bradley School Grade 1 teacher Amanda Richards, holding Chloe.