St. Mary-St. Michael School Honors Alumni

 

DERBY - St. Mary - St. Michael School held its 7th annual Alumni Recognition Event at Villa Bianca on Saturday, March 25.  Alumni and community members were recognized for their commitment to St. Mary - St. Michael School, their parishes and the community. Pictured are:

(front)  Linda Coppola, Principal, Maryann Stochmal, Edla Saffo, Gloriann Albini and Reverend Christopher Tiano, Pastor of St. Mary Parish. (back) Reverend Joseph Karikunnel, Parochial Vicar, St. Mary's, George Pudimat, Tim Conlon, Michael Tracz and Reverend Rafal Kopystynski, Pastor of St. Michael Parish.

 

Staff at Shelton facility recognized

Bishop Wicke staff pictured from left to right: Deloris Gilliard, CNA, Loir Bauer, RN (Asst. Director of Nursing/Staff Education), Debra Samorajczyk, RN (Administrator), and Evelyn Rupsis, RN (Supervisor). / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing and rehab center located on the Wesley Village campus, was recently recognized for excellence by Qualidgm and the Connecticut Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative.

The 5-star rated facility was awarded recognition for their perfect attendance in all sessions of the Connecticut Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative, as well as their 2013-2014 achievement in consistent monthly submission of CARES Reports; project data gathered by staff to help promote quality improvement and person-centered care.

 Bishop Wicke is proud to be part of the Connecticut Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative (CTNHQCC), a national quality improvement initiative launched by Qualidigm, which focuses on improving the overall quality of care for nursing home residents. Qualidigm is a national healthcare consulting and research company providing innovative and scientifically-based solutions to transform care and improve care delivery and patient outcomes. (http://www.qualidigm.org/index.php/who-we-are/)

Bishop Wicke continues to maintain a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2014 and is rated a top facility in the nation, as reported by U.S. News and World Report. (http://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes).

For more information about mission-based healthcare services at Bishop Wicke, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or call 203-929-5321.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Ansonia mayor recognizes teen

  Ansonia resident Greg Coyle and his son, Sean Coyle outside of City Hall. / Contributed photo

NRA Youth Education Summit attendee Sean Coyle of Ansonia, a student at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School, recently was recognized by Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti for his outstanding citizenship, academic success and volunteer work for homeless veterans. 
Sean also was recognized for his attendance at the 2014 National Rifle Association Y.E.S. Summit. 


This information was submitted by Ansonia resident Greg Coyle.

Shelton AARP commends Kelly for support of seniors

Michael Klein, left, AARP Fourth District Advocacy Lead, joins Byron Peterson, right, AARP Advocacy Specialist, to present state Sen. Kevin Kelly with a legislative achievement award. / Contributed photo

State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, ranking member on the General Assembly’s Aging Committee, accepted the AARP Legislative Achievement Award at the June 10 Installation Luncheon of the Shelton AARP. 
The award recognizes Kelly’s efforts to support residents age 50 and over throughout 2013.

Kelly was recognized for his leadership in strengthening community services and caregiver supports that give individuals the choice to age with dignity in their own homes.

“We commend you for your outstanding advocacy on behalf of older adults,” said Nora Duncan, AARP State Director, in a letter to Kelly. “Because of your legislative work, Connecticut is better positioned to meet the fiscal and personal challenges of an aging population in a way that respects individual choice and personal dignity.”

Kelly is committed to addressing issues that impact quality of life for Connecticut’s seniors.  He supported new laws that help seniors age in place, remaining in their own homes or community settings regardless of age or disability.

New laws in support of aging in place require outreach to seniors about the supplemental nutrition assistance program, improvements to elder abuse reporting, and a public awareness campaign to teach seniors and caregivers how to resist aggressive marketing tactics and scams.

A “Livable Communities” initiative was also established in 2013, which serves as a forum for review of best practices and resources to help people age in place. 

This is the third consecutive year Kelly was honored with the Legislative Achievement Award. Kelly’s awards recognize his persistent dedication to expanding home and community-based options, enhancing training opportunities for long-term care services and enhancing family caregiver supports.

Kelly received his award recognizing his 2013 accomplishments at a meeting at Molto Bene Restaurant in Ansonia.
Connecticut has about 600,000 AARP members. For information visit www.aarp.org/ct. 


This is a press release from state Sen. Kevin Kelly's office. 

Seymour selectmen recognize cheerleaders

The 2013-2014 Seymour High School Varsity Cheer team was recognized Tuesday by the town  for winning the 2014 CIAC Class S Cheerleading State Championship in March. The Board of Selectmen presented each girl with a certificate. / Contributed photo

Congratulations on a job well done!

Derby School District names 1st Paraeducator of the Year

Paraeducator of the Year Maria Bowers

DERBY - The Derby Public Schools has selected Maria Bowers as District Paraeducator of the Year.

The Connecticut State Department of Education and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council has established the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the Paraeducator in supporting student achievement. 

The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Paraeducator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. 

Bowers has been a Paraeducator at Irving School in Derby for more than six years.  She has been chosen to receive this award because she has demonstrated excellent skill and dedication to the students, teachers, administrators, co-workers and parents.   

Bowers will be recognized at a ceremony Nov. 6. 

Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway said, “This is the first time a Derby Paraeducator is being recognized for this award honoring her dedication to the district and community and serving the needs of our children and parents.”

The District also recognizes Building Level Paraeducators of the Year: Cindy Joel at Bradley School; Annette Ochoa at Derby Middle School; and Pam Queen at Derby High School.

This post is taken from a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Congratulations go out to Bowers and the building level paraeducators on being selected for this honor.

Valley United Way recognizes volunteers

Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award winner Joseph Andreana, third from left, pictured with, from left, Valley United Way board chairman Fred Ortoli, his son Michael Andreana, and his daughter, Melissa O'Donnell. / Contributed photo

DERBY - More than 200 community leaders gathered at Grassy Hill Lodge Tuesday to celebrate Valley United Way’s 46th Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner.  
With the help of sponsors, Basement Systems, Inc., Better Packages, and Ion Bank, guests enjoyed a networking reception and dinner before the official business portion and award ceremony began.

Board Chair Fred Ortoli kicked off the meeting by announcing our newest Board Members, Ruth Parkins of Iroquois Pipeline Operating Co. and Deborah McGuigan of Prudential Annuities. 

Valley United Way would not be able to do the work that we do and support our partner agencies without the help of our donors, corporate partners and volunteers, to whom we thanked and awarded at Tuesday’s event. 
 Our guest of honor, Joe Andreana received the first award of the night, as we honored him with the 44th Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award, for his countless hours of service to our community with Griffin Health Services, United Methodist Frontier Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Katharine Matthies Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Town of Oxford, and Valley United Way. 

Another special award winner of the night was Energizer Personal Care which took home the #1 Overall Campaign Award for their hard work raising more than $170,000 for Valley United Way this year!  
To see all of the other award winners, visit www.valleyunitedway.org. 

Valley United Way gave a farewell to current Board Chair Fred Ortoli, as he passed the baton on to Janice Sheehy of Webster Bank who will lead the Valley United Way Board of Directors.   

Sheehy, along with returning Campaign Chair Tom Steeves of American IT Solutions, Inc. said they were excited to move into the 2014-2015 campaign year and eager to help those people in need in our Valley community. 
Ortoli was thanked for his dedication and years of service.

This post is taken from a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.

School in Derby honors alumni, residents

Honorees include Rose Brancucio Keller, oldest living graduate of St. Mary Class of 1934 (seated), and from left, Richard Slowik, St. Michael Class of 1952, Mike Kasinskas and Helen Ploski, representing the Catholic War Veterans St. Michael Post 1562, Deacon Robert Johnson and Jack Jurkowski, representing the Knights of Columbus Council 14611. Not pictured is James E. Cohen, who received the Guardian Angel Award./ Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby recently recognized alumni and members of the community for their service to the community, positive impact in their profession, and commitment to the school.
The recognition dinner was held at The Inn at Villa Bianca.


This is a press release from the school.

Nursing facility in Shelton wins honor

Employees at Bishop Wicke in Shelton show their pride. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center was recently selected by U.S. News and World Report to receive a Best Nursing Homes Ranking for 2014, a title they had also won in 2013. 
U.S. News rated nearly 16,000 nursing homes across the country in an effort to help caregivers and families find the best nursing home for their loved one. 

At the top of the Connecticut nursing homes list are those with a rating of five stars from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their overall performance in health inspections, nurse staffing and quality of medical care. 

About 32 percent of all nursing homes in Connecticut earned an overall five-star rating, including Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

To view the rankings by location, visit http://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.

Bishop Wicke offers short-term rehab and skilled nursing care, including specialized programs for surgical recovery, orthopedics, cardiac and respiratory rehab, heart failure and more. 

The newly-renovated facility is on the Wesley Village Campus at 584 Long Hill Ave. and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, not-for-profit organization. 

For information about relationship-centered care at Bishop Wicke, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or call 203-929-5321. 


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Clubs in Ansonia, Derby win plaudits

DERBY -The Human Relations Clubs of Ansonia and Derby will be recognized at the Valley Community Foundation's annual meeting at 5 p.m. April 3 at the Sons of Italy Banquet Hall, 73 High St.

Nick Collicelli, Ansonia High School's Human Relations Club founder and advisor, said Ashley Adams of Ansonia and Emily Borrelli of Derby will be guest speakers.
They will talk about the Human Relations Clubs and what being members of the clubs has meant to them. 

Collicelli, a retired educator, said the Valley Community Foundation has been very important to the Human Relations Clubs over the last seven years in terms of providing grant funding.

To register for the event call Beth Colette at the Valley Community Foundation, 203-751-9162 or go to www.valleyfoundation.org.

Registration deadline is Friday.  

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 school to recognize 5 at Seymour event

DERBY - Five alumni and friends of St. Mary-St. Michael Elementary School will be recognized from 6-9 pm April 5 at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

They are:

Knights of Columbus Council 14611: The Knights of Columbus was chartered as a fraternal benefit society in 1882.  The Knights follow four core principles which include charity; unity; fraternity, and patriotism.  Although Council 14611 is a young council, they have demonstrated time and time again their big hearts.

The council has supported every fundraiser and event held by the school.  When we needed air-conditioning in order to host our weekly Bingo, we looked to the Knights.
Sponsorships for our golf tournament, road race, Housy River Duck Race, and our Recognition Ceremony have continually been supported by Council 14611.  The time has come to recognize and thank this extraordinary council.

CWV St. Michael’s Post 1562:  The Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc. was founded in 1935.  Post 1562 has been instrumental in supporting St. Mary-St. Michael School.  Their members have attended and supported many of our events and fundraisers including our dinners, athletic events, and Housy River Duck Race.  Additionally, they have supplied our soccer and basketball teams with uniforms.  Thank you, CWV Post 1562.

Rose Keller:  Rose was born in Shelton to Andrew and Theresa Brancucio on March 11, 1921.  She is the only survivor of her six brothers and two sisters.
The family moved to Derby in 1924 and she was enrolled in St. Mary School.  Rose graduated St. Mary School in 1934 and Derby High School in 1938.  She worked the candy counter at Woolworth’s Five & Dime, went to Ansonia Business School and gained employment at Hershey Metal where she met her future husband Edward Keller.  Rose and Edward were married at St. Mary Church in 1944.   Rose has demonstrated a lifetime of volunteerism.  She volunteered in the office at St. Margaret Mary’s in Shelton, blood pressure clinics, and at the Derby Neck Library.  In 2007 she was awarded the Golden Treasure Award by the Valley United Way for her volunteerism.  When Rose learned that she was being honored tonight she wrote, “I would like to say God has given me a wonderful life.  I am thankful for my wonderful husband, two daughters, sons-in-law, two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.  I am very humbled by this recognition tonight.  Thank you.”

Richard Slowik: Rick was born in Derby and is a 1952 graduate of St. Michael School, and a 1956 graduate of Derby High School.  He received the Albarella Trophy while at DHS.  He attended the University of Bridgeport and the University of New Haven and retired as a Manager of Manufacturing Engineering after 40 years of service to Sikorsky Aircraft.  In his retirement he acts as a technical consultant for Oxford Industries.  He was a member of a team that won the Black Hawk helicopter program for Sikorsky; established a Pop Warner football program as a Jaycees project; past president of Derby Pop Warner Football; past officer of the Southern CT Pop Warner Football League; past president of the Derby Jaycees.
He has been married to Francis Baklik for 57 years and has five married children and 12 grandchildren.  He is proud of his loving and caring family and is a supporter of St. Mary-St. Michael School, Valley United Way, Albarella Memorial, Griffin and Yale New Haven Hospitals, and cancer and Alzheimer research. 

James E. Cohen:  Born in New Haven, Cohen is a 1964 graduate of Derby High School.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 and the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1971.  He has been an attorney and partner at Cohen and Thomas Law Firm in Derby from 1971-2008.  Cohen served as the President and CEO of the Valley Community Foundation in Derby.

Cohen has a long history of service to the community that has included:  Corporation Counsel, City of Derby; Attorney Trial Referee, Connecticut Supreme Court; Director, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven; Vice Chair & Director, Valley Community Foundation; President and Director, Derby Public Library; Charter Revision Commission Member, City of New Haven; Director, New Haven Symphony Orchestra; 2000 Award Recipient, Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award; Member & Board Chair, Oxford Board of Ethics; Director & Good Scout Award Recipient, Housatonic Council Boy Scouts; Life Member & John Ireland Howe Award Recipient, Derby Historical Society.
Cohen lives in New Haven with his wife, Frances.

A keepsake program book is being produced and advertisements, congratulatory and in memoriam messages are available by contacting the school office.
Admission is $40 per person with tables of 10 available at a cost of $350.

Reservations are requested by April 14; contact Linda Coppola at lcoppola@stmarystmichael.org or 203-735-6471.

St. Mary-St. Michael School was created in 1988 when St. Mary School (est. 1898) and St. Michael School (est. 1915) merged to form one school.


This is a press release from St. Mary-St. Michael School.