Page 7 BONUS May 2011
On our Schools
By Mark D. Benigni, Ed.D. Superintendent - Meriden Public Schools Dear Friends, As we see softballs and baseballs in the air, we know spring has finally arrived. While we are now in the final quarter of our school year, it is important that our students continue to work hard and finish the school year strong. On April 14th, Donna Mik and Lysette Torres were honored by the Women and Families Center with 2011 Women in Leadership Awards. Donna was honored with the "Education Award" for her exceptional leadership of Platt High School. Lysette, Assistant Principal at Lincoln Middle School, was honored with a "Role Model Award" for all she has done to nurture and guide young men and women. The staff, students and families of the Meriden Public Schools are all very proud of Donna and Lysette. Congratulations on your well-deserved honors. Also on Thursday, April 14th, a Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held at the Platt High School cafeteria. This was a chance for our school system to say "Thank You" to the hundreds of volunteers who help our schools and children. These volunteers provide thousands of hours of their time and save our school system a substantial amount of money. A special thank you to all the volunteers and the following businesses that supported the event: Thurston Foods of Wallingford, Barkers Specialty of Cheshire, M&R Frosted Foods of West Haven, Wades' Dairy of Bridgeport, and Mansfield Paper of West Springfield, MA I would also like to congratulate Gary Maratea, Washington Middle School teacher, and Platt High School on receiving competitive grants to help improve student learning. Mr. Maratea received $2,195 from 3M for a "Beyond Questions" clicker response system that can be incorporated with a SMART Board. Platt High School received $1,989 from the Liberty Bank Foundation to purchase high-interest paperbacks to supplement the independent reading component of the READ 180 program. Thanks to 3M and Liberty Bank for their generous donations and for helping us provide the support and enrichment that our students need to be most successful. With the winter weather behind us, our last day of school is currently scheduled for June 20th. Thank you for all your support and enjoy the spring weather! All the Best, Mark D. Benigni, Ed.D. Superintendent - Meriden Public Schools
Heart Safe Community The Wallingford Health Dept. is in the process of reapplying for the Connecticut DPH Heart Safe Community Designation. This effort is based on the progress this community has made establishing and promoting the potential for saving lives of sudden cardiac arrest. The increased opportunities for CPR training, and public access to automated external defibrillators (Aids) have tripled the lives saved since our original designation as a Heart Safe Community in 2008. The Wallingford Health Dept. is anxious to recertify in 2011, but we need your help. If your company has offered CPR/AED training, and or have installed an AED, please contact the Wallingford Health Dept. at (203) 294-2065 or by e-mail at wlfdhealth@sbcglobal.net. If you are already a partner PLEASE let us know that we have your continued support, and if you have increased your CPR/AED training. If you are new to the partnership, we need you on board!! We will forward you a brief questionnaire so that you and you're company are fully recognized as being a partner in this truly life saving effort. Please join us as we strive to make Wallingford a safer place to live.
Roberta Ash Honored On April 7 2011 Roberta Ash received the Greater New Haven Red Cross Heroes Award for Community Impact for her work with the Brian David Ash Memorial Fire Prevention Fundraiser. Meriden Fire Chief, James Trainor, nominated her for the award. Chief Trainer indicated that he was always inspired by the effort Roberta had taken to promote fire safety, after losing her son Brian in a fire. The event was held at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. Roberta was one of ten recipients to be recognized by The Greater New Haven Red Cross. This September 9, 10 and 11 will be the 25th anniversary of the fundraiser. The fundraiser started at Walbaums as a simple hot dog sale, with a hot dog and soda selling for fifty cents. Over the years, the event has grown significantly, and moved to The Stop and Shop Supermarket on East Main St. We now sell a hot dog, soda and chips for $2.00, we have added raffles, and have tables, which have many give a ways, donated to the fund. Brian died in a house fire on October 14, 1983 in home that did not have smoke detectors, and Roberta and her husband felt the need to do something to keep others from a similar tragedy.
CHORALE CONNECTICUT PRESENTS "VOICES IN PRAISE" Chorale Connecticut will present its spring concert "Voices in Praise" at 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2011. This performance is a significant and ambitious undertaking for Chorale Connecticut. We are proud to announce that the venue will be Crowell Concert Hall at Wesleyan University in Middletown. The program will be a collaboration among several faiths - in particular those of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It will celebrate the universal voice of spiritual praise. The intent of this artistic collaboration is to build understanding by sharing the ways each faith expresses its spiritual praise through the arts, specifically through music (voice & instruments), art, dance and poetry. Performing groups will include art and dance students from the area's middle and high school population, community ethnic musicians/performers as well as the vocalists from Chorale Connecticut. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Cantor, Dorothy Goldberg, and Aida Mansoor for their guidance and support. Please plan to join us on Saturday, May 14th. A dessert reception will follow the concert. Tickets may be purchased from Chorale members or by calling the Wesleyan Box Office (860)685-3355. You may also order on line at boxoffice@wesleyan.edu, www.choralect.com, christinebalanda@sbcglobal.net or call
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