cheshirecitizen.com
Volume 13, Number 37
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Sun, fun and tradition Dawn DeMeo earns at the annual fall festival district-wide honor
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff
Press Release
Dawn DeMeo recently was named the 2022 Teacher of the Year for the Cheshire School District. The announcement was made Aug. 25, during the public schools annual Convocation Ceremony.
More than a dozen food vendors kicked off the first day of the Cheshire Fall Festival at Bartlem Park with “Food Truck Friday.” The fun continued Saturday starting at 10 a.m. with the addition of vendors, crafters, more food, a car show, music and children’s activities. The event was capped with a fireworks display.
DeMeo, a Cheshire DeMeo High School English teacher, has been with the district for 24 years, beginning in 1999 when she started as a long-term substitute teacher. She is also co-educator of the Black and Latino Studies course and director of the spring musical.
Preparations for the 34th annual festival began in January, said Yetta Augur, chamber president.
DeMeo studied dance and theater during a semester at New York University and graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine with a teaching certificate. She has taught in Durham, Watertown and Madison, and also lived and taught in Brazil.
The festival is a collaboration between the Town of Cheshire and the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.
Cheshire High School English teacher Dawn DeMeo, center, is pictured with Assistant Superintendent Marlene Silano and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeff Solan. Photo courtesy of Cheshire Public Schools
DeMeo’s father, John DeMeo, a former math teacher at Coginchaug Regional High School; and her brother, Scott DeMeo, a math teacher at Amity High School; also have received teacher of the year honors.
“We’re so excited that it’s happening today,” Augur said, last week. “There were a few little hiccups, but it is going to be a beautiful day and most importantly, all these businesses are going to get exposure.” The festival lineup Saturday included 75 vendors, 33 crafters and 13 food trucks spread out across the park. The day also featured sunny, seasonable weather. Vendors included a variety of local organizations like Olympic Taekwondo Academy, the Cheshire Public Library, the Cheshire Pollinator Pathway, Cheshire Public Schools and JC Karate. See Festival, A8
School officials pleased with Smarter Balanced test scores By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff
While statewide Smarter Balanced test results were below those prior to the pandemic, Cheshire and Southington administrators are pleased with how their students tested last year.
Phase 2 Opening Soontests students in SBAC
Cheshire Public Schools ranked 11th out of the districts who serve grades three through eight when it comes to SBAC test results for the 2021-22 school year.
“So that’s pretty exceptionally high,” said Jeff Solan, superintendent of Cheshire Public Schools. “We had been fifth prior to the pandemic but you know I think to come through the pandemic performing where we are is something that we’re pretty proud of.”
Luxury Retirement Living Cheshire Living Luxuryin Retirement
grades three through eight
Phase 2 Opening Soon
and “is aligned to Connecticut Core Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics,” according to CT.gov.
See Test, A9
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