These fishermen on Westport’s Saugatuck River had a relaxing time today as they put up their feet and had a few beers. Meanwhile, roadways were busy and trains were crowded as people got an early start on the Labor Day weekend. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Westport Students Do Well in CAPT Tests
UPDATE Westport students performed well in the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) this year, well surpassing state levels and on par with neighboring suburban districts in Wilton and Weston, according to the state Department of Education.
According to data released Thursday, of 10th grade students tested at Staples High School, 96.3 performed at proficiency level or above in math; 97.4 percent were at least proficient in science; 98.4 in reached that level in reading; and 97.9 percent in writing.
In Weston and Wilton the comparable numbers were 98.5 and 96.6 in math; 98.5 and 96.9 in science; 98.0 and 97.2 in reading; and 95.6 and 97.5 in writing.
The state said this year’s test was a new one with changes in content, format, length and scoring and therefore its data cannot be directly compared with the first two versions of the test.
Nature’s Colors
Friday, August 31, 2007
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – Group Show II
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Westport Public Library – Friday Fun Films
7 p.m. – Toquet Hall – Guitar Hero Tournament
8 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – “Being Alive!”
Parental Health Concerns Persist at King’s Highway
By Linda Alvkall
UPDATE Although Westport’s King’s Highway Elementary School opened on schedule Wednesday, some parents said today they are still concerned about the health of their children.
The parents expressed their concern at a meeting of the Special Kings’s Highway Elementary School Maintenance Committee in Town Hall.
First Selectman Gordon Joseloff appointed the committee in July to investigate parental complaints about air quality at the school. The committee uncovered mold in the school gymnasium and oversaw its remediation.
“I think that what you are hearing among the parents…is that I don’t feel from Nancy (Harris, assistant superientendent) and Elliott (Landon, superintendent of schools) yet that the administration is really willing in a systemic way to validate, you know, the fact that there are air quality issues that need to be followed,” said Lauren Tarshis, a King’s Highway parent and committee member.
Former Westport Teacher Gets 10 Years on Child Porn Charges
A federal judge in New Haven today sentenced retired Westport middle school teacher Paul Held to 10 years in prison on federal child pornography charges.
Paul Held: collected photos of former students. File photo
U.S. District Judge Mark R. Kravitz also ordered Held, 69, to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and pay a fine of $30,000, according to U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor.
When he pleaded guilty last March to one count of receipt of child pornography, federal officials called the former Bedford Middle School art teacher “one of the most prolific collectors of child pornography” ever seen in Connecticut. (See WestportNow March 26, 2007)
During today’s sentencing proceeding, it was also revealed that Held had taken and collected voyeuristic photos of young girls, including his former students, the U.S Attorney’s Office said.
Helping Keep Westport Beautiful
Members of the Westport Garden Club were out today weeding and clipping bushes and edging at the Westport Public Library helping to keep Westport beautiful. Elena Brynes (l) and Nancy Stewart spent several hours around the library, one of many Westport areas the club helps maintain. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Seatbelt Helps Merritt Motorist Avoid Serious Injury
Firefighters are crediting use of a seatbelt and airbags for helping a driver avoid serious injury early today in a one-car rollover on the Merritt Parkway near Exit 42 in Westport.
The department said they received a call about the accident at 1:25 a.m. about a mile north of Exit 42. On arrival, they found a car which had been southbound had crossed over the median and rolled over.
The southbound driver, who was not identified, narrowly missed a car driving northbound. He told police he swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway.
The driver was wearing his seatbelt and the side airbags activated preventing serious injuries, said Assistant Chief Larry Conklin. He suffered minor scrapes and bruises and did not require transport to the hospital.
Party Time
Mothers of students at Green’s Farms Elementary School held their fourth annual “First Day of School Party” Wednesday at Westport’s Compo Beach. Moms dropped their children off at Green’s Farms and then drove to Compo for the social event and to “catch up” after summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Thursday, August 30, 2007
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – Farmers Market
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – Group Show II
2 p.m. – Westport Public Library – Sizzling Summer Film Series: “Atlantic City”
5 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – Special Kings Highway School Maintenance Committee (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)
7:45 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Ordinance Committee
8 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – “Being Alive!