BY SUSAN SHULTZ
ON the popular 1990’s show“BeverlyHills 90210,” the high school newspaper,the West Beverly Blaze, playedapivotal role in manyofthe show’s plots. Erstwhile staff/cast members BrandonWalsh and
Andrea Zuckerman were oftendoing in-depth investigations, such as uncovering steroid use on the trackteam,orofferingcontroversial editorials on administrativedecisions. >>
Catholic.Co-Ed.College Prep.JoinUsOnOur MissionFor More. APPLICATIONS NOWOPEN!
St.JosephHighSchool educates andmotivates youngwomen andmen to live purposeful livesasethical leaderscommitted to the common good of all.
Fall Open House
September28, 2025,1:00pm-3:00pm
Shadow Days Begin September22, 2025
High School PlacementTest PreparationCourse October4,2025
FirstLook- High School Search &Admission Summit October16, 2025,6:30pm-8pm
High School PlacementTest October25, 2025 or November 8, 2025
Priority ApplicationDeadline November 12,2025
St.JosephHighSchool
2320 Huntington Tpke,Trumbull, CT 06611
www.sjcadets.org admissions@sjcadets.org
What will your path look likefromhere to higher education? Howwill youmake themostofyourhighschool years? What will youdiscoverabout yourself, your passions, your potential? Whowill youimpactalong theway?
At St.JosephHighSchool,wehelp youngmen andwomen make themost of theirhighschool experience.That’s whywesay ourstudentsare On A MissionFor More.Morechallenges. More celebrations.Moreunique experiences. More opportunitiesto servetheir community.
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everything from navigating academic processes, to choosing extracurricular activities, to the social and emotional evolution they are experiencing.
Students meet in group advisory sessions as well as individually with a designated first-year counselor throughout their first year with the focus being on a smooth transition that provides a foundation for future success.
“As I transitioned from middle school to high school, one of the best supports I had was Immaculate’s dedicated freshman counselor,” said rising sophomore Arlis Arias-Paulino.
“Throughout the year, having someone who focuses solely on one grade helps students adapt to their new environment, especially if that person is as well informed about the school as my counselor was.”
From the middle school vantage point, high school looks
Morehouse Road,Easton,CT 06612 •203-268-5530
like a destination. When students arrive at Immaculate, they discover that they have begun another journey—and the FOALS program helps them make it a positive, happy, enlightening one.
“Our FOALS program is the foundation of student success at Immaculate,” said Tim Nash, Dean of Counseling and Student Services.
“By supporting freshmen from day one, we’re setting the tone for a productive and meaningful high school journey— one that helps students set goals, stay on track and ultimately gain admissions to top colleges and universities. We’ve found it’s a proactive, innovative approach to guidance that makes a lasting difference,” Nash said.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.IMMACULATEHS.ORG >>
At King,questions arejustthe beginning.Our inquiry-basedmodel turnscuriosity into meaningful discovery, helpingstudentsmakeconnections across subjects andcultures. With astrongglobalfocus,we're notjusteducating scholars -we're shapingengaged citizens of
Register foryour StudentVisit Day, Family Campus Tour or a Fall Admissions Event at NotreDameHS.com/VisitND.
What will theNDAdvantage mean to you? Find outthisfallat an AdmissionsEvent,where our campus becomesyours forthe day. We can’twaittowelcome youinto ourdynamic school community g Admission &Financial Aid InformationSession September25at6:30pm g Fall Open House October19at10:00am
StartyourNotre Dame journey with your admissionapplication. EarlyActionPriorityDeadlineis November 15,2025 Go to: NotreDameHS.com/Apply
BY SUSAN SHULTZ
arents and families arevital
According to 2022–23 data shared by the state, 54.5 percent (approximately 19,500) of third grade students were not proficient in English Language Arts. Over 8,000 of them were English/multilingual learners or students receiving special education, and the remaining 11,400 are identified as non-English language learners or students not receiving special education. Over 3,000 are Black/African American, over 8,000 are Hispanic/Latino, and over 6,600 are White.
According to the Northwest Evaluation Association, a model in early reading research is the simple view of reading. It says that reading comprehension (RC) is the product of decoding (D) and language comprehension (LC), or RC = D x LC
The research shows that what matters to teach in early literacy instruction: phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary and oral language comprehension, and text comprehension.
During the rollout process, the state offered a masterclass for districts that launched in June 2022. These masterclasses were possible due to an investment by the Connecticut State Department of Education of over $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
3. 75 HR |$ 27 8 YOUDESERVE A
Melt your tensionawaywithaSpa Pedicure,Spa Manicure,and 80-minute Swedish Massage complemented by the aromatherapy oil of your choice
Awarm,joyfulandcaringenvironment
Agentlestarttoachild’smostformativeyearsoftheireducationalexperience Low4:1studenttoteacherratio;smallgroupsize Awelcomingandinclusivecommunity
TheBeginnersprogramhasbeenawonderfulexperienceforourchild.Beingpartof aschoolwithauniquefocusonearlychildhoodandelementaryschooleducation offerstheadvantageatproviding,theseyoungeststudentswithwiderresources, includingmusic,libraryandphysicaleducation,whichformaregularpart oftheprogram.Outdoorplayandexplorationofthewoodedcampus arealsoanintegralpartofthedailyroutine
Accordingto Right to Read CT,the Center forLiteracy Research andReading Success, thestate’sdepartment that oversees the newcurriculum implementation, offeredgrants to schooldistricts during the fiscal year 23/24
The Rightto Read grantswerethe resu of $20 millioninAmericanRescue Plan Actfunding.
Total grantawardsineachdistrict have ranged from $10,000-$1,078,000, Righ to Read CT reported, contingent upon recipients’establishment of adistrict leadershipliteracy team that participat in statetrainingprograms and executes an approved districtliteracy plan.
As of May2024, Right to Read CT said the statehad reported175 out of 180 public school districts and charterschools were on trackfor theJuly 2025 deadline.
The masterclass wasastatewide professional learning opportunity, co-createdwith the Connecticut Association of School Superintendents (CAPSS) to developlocal capacity for ScienceofReading andcomponents of comprehensiveK-3 literacyinstruction. Such components include phonics, phonemicawareness, fluency,vocabulary,and comprehension.
In September2022, the CT Department of Education listed the approvedreading curriculum models that aligned with the newlaw.Districts were also able to apply forwaiversby providing their current curriculum model.
The deadline forsetting acurriculum wasJuly1,2024, with fullimplementation expected by July1,2025. >>
>> The state DOE issued its waiver determinations in December 2023. As a result of its waiver determination, the list of approved curricula was also expanded
Most of those applying for the waivers either weren’t approved or were approved partially or transitionally, meaning they had to add additional components At the time, some districts pushed back on those decisions, according to an article from the CT Mirror
Darien Board of Education Chairman Jill McCammon said the board appreciates “the good intentions behind the new K-3 literacy initiative.”
“While the goal of improving reading skills is commendable we believe the focus should shift from prescribing specific programs to prioritizing outcomes,” she said
McCammon added that Darien is “proud of the work we have already done to analyze and pilot various reading curricula, which has given us valuable insight into what truly works for our students.”
“Empowering educators to use this expertise to choose the best methods, while holding them accountable for measurable results, is the most effective path forward,” she said.
McCammon said in order to ensure realistic timelines and long-term success, “we urge a more collaborative approach, strengthening partnerships between legislators, the state Department of Education, and local districts.
Michelle Klee, who serves as literacy instruction coach for teachers in grades K through five in New Milford, said that her district knew the reading curriculum needed to change, and it may not have happened without the new legislation.
She added that Megan Sylvester who serves as the K–5 literacy curriculum specialist, “spent countless days and weeks researching” the two possible state-approved curricula
“The state provided a list of approved choices, but beyond that did not provide much support in choosing curriculum, which is where Megan had to focus her analysis, she said. Klee also noted that Sylvester pushed the district to get enrolled in the first masterclass offered by the state.
New Milford staff opted to learn as much as possible before making a final commitment to the new curriculum, which in turn helped its teachers understand the need for the change.
Essentially Klee said the legislation opened the door to allow for learning and change, which will be better for all children
“But it would have been helpful if the state had a clearer vision before imposing the legislation upon districts,” she said.
At King School, in Stamford, literacy instruction in the Lower School is grounded in research and tailored to each student’s needs. Teachers provide direct instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, building the strong foundation necessary for lifelong learning, the school said.
Daily reading and writing lessons are supported by smallgroup instruction, one-on-one conferences, and targeted word-study work, including grammar, spelling, and decoding. Using formative assessments and differentiated instruction, teachers ensure students grow at their own pace, receiving personalized guidance within their zone of proximal development. The result is a responsive and engaging literacy environment that nurtures confident, capable readers and writers, according to the school.
BY SUSAN SHULTZ
The first dayofkindergartencan be excitingbut usuallynot without afew tears –for both children and parents. Connecticut’sOfficeofEarly Childhood offers resourcesfor families to help prepareatcteoc.org. Localschools alsohaveprograms as well as tipstopreparefamiliesfor their little one’s first day.
CONTINUE KINDERGARTEN ON PAGE 22
● PLTW Biomedical Science, Computer Science, andEngineering Pathways
● Recognized as aPLTWSchoolof Distinction
● Highly qualifiedfaculty,including 2 SPSTeachersofthe Year and1 PLTW National Teacherofthe Year
TangoFlightAviationProgram
Only Connecticut high school offering theCIEEGlobalNavigator Program
High graduation ratesand college acceptance to 2- and4-yearschools
Saturday,November15• 9:30 am -11:00 am Thursday,December11• 6:00 pm -7:30pm Allapplicationsare duebyJanuary 15,2026at4:00pm AllOpenHousesinclude apresentationbyAITEAdministrationand tour of thebuilding
Everystudent learns so differently, buttraditional schoolsteach them allthe same.AtFusionAcademy, our1-to-1classes matchyourstudent’s pace and preferences. They’lllearn better,divedeeper,and neverget left behind.
WelcometoNew Canaan PediatricDentistry, LLC,whereDr. Anna Simonisand her excellent team arededicated to your child’s healthy smile
Ourspaciousoffice is outfittedwithall thelatest technology to provideyou with excellent care andefficient,family-friendly service.
Thecheerful andfun waitingroom hasactivities andgames forkids, abeverageand coffee bar, as well as wireless Internet access.
11a.m.–1p.m.,Sunday,Oct.5
JoinusforourAllSchoolAdmissionOpenHouse.Experienceourprogramthroughhands-onactivities designedfor3to12yearolds.ParentsandGuardianswillhaveachancetomeetHeadofSchool AaronCooperanddivisionalleaders,faculty&staffandcurrentparentsandstudents.Takeatour ofourcampus.Childrenandwalk-inswelcome!Interestedinafutureyear?Comejoinusaswell.
10a.m.,Wednesday,Oct.15:EarlyChildhoodOpenHouse 10a.m.,Wednesday,Oct.22:LowerSchoolOpenHouse(Grades1–4) 10a.m.,Wednesday,Nov.5:MiddleSchoolOpenHouse(Grades5–9) Getafirst-handlookatourclassrooms,meetourteachersanddivisionalleaders,andlearnmore aboutouracademic,athleticandartprograms,whicharedeliberatelydesignedtomeetthe needsofstudentsateachstageoftheireducationaljourneys
9a.m.,OfferedmonthlyonThursdays
GrabacupofcoffeeandjoinusonZoomforaninformalconversationwithschoolleaders,parent andstudentambassadors,andanadmissionrepresentative.Learnmoreaboutourprogram intentionallydesignedforstudentsages3throughGrade9.
9:30a.m.,OfferedonFridays
JoinusforagrouptourofourcampusledbyourparentvolunteersandseeourPre-KthroughGrade9 programinaction.Thisisagreatopportunityforyoutoaskquestionsandlearnmoreaboutwhatyour child’sexperiencecouldbeatNewCanaanCountrySchool.Tourslastapproximatelyonehour
635FrogtownRd,NewCanaan,CT|(203)801-5608 countryschool.net|@nccountryschool
Aco-eddayschoolforstudentsinPre-K(ages3&4)throughGrade9. Dedicatedtohonoringchildhood|Committedtoacademicexcellence Arts&Athletics|Full-daycoverageoptions|SummerCamp|BusesserveCT&NY