Newsweek magazine has released its annual list of the Top 500 high schools in the United States, and 13 Connecticut high schools, including one in Fairfield and Greenwich, made the list.

But Westport’s Staples High School, named by Newsweek No. 3 in the state two years ago, is not among them. (See WestportNow May 3, 2012)

Each year, Newsweek teams up with a research group to compile the list based on a tough set of quality guidelines. Officials from Newsweek said that the methodology for the list was stricter than ever this year.

On top of the list this year was Thomas Jefferson High School of Alexandria, Va. The highest ranking Connecticut high school on the list is Amity Regional High School at No. 112. Amity serves students from Bethany, Orange, and Woodbridge.

Parents met at Westport’s Kings Highway Elementary School today before dismissal to decorate the sidewalks with messages of kindness and support. The “Kindness in Chalk” effort started in the Twin Cities in Minnesota by Nicki Brunner (www.minnemamaadventures.com) and aims to lift the spirits of children and is part of the nationwide anti-bullying movement. “The parent chalk artists and the KHS students and staff all had their hearts warmed today by more than just the weather,” said one parent.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

More than 100 children, parents, teachers and staff members of Kings Highway Elementary School today participated in “International Walk to School Day,” a one-day event designed to promote physical activity and encourage children to walk to school, according to Jamie Viesselman, physical education teacher at KHS. Participants walked from the Westport Board of Education Technology Center on Riverside Avenue to Burr Road and up Burr to the school. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Kings Highway School physical education teacher Jamie Vesselman (r) leads Kings Highway School walkers to the school today as part of International Walk to School Day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Thirty-three Staples High School seniors have been named as Commended Students in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. Pirctured are (back row, l-r): Daniel Landy, Alyssa Gehb, Sage Vouse, Cadence Neenan, Lina Boehmer, Alexandra Benjamin, Nikhita Shankar, Frederick Hertan, Madeline Schemel, Griffin Lach, and Ryan Fanning; (second row) Griffin Haymes, Alexander Elias, Conrad Mera, Olivia Wiener, Noelle Adler, Terrie Yang, Monique Medina, Kana Higuchi, Rachel Doran, and Alexander Davis; (third row) Tyler Byrd, Jacob Nabel, Joseph Badion, ReniForer, Rachel Treisman, Kelsey Bobrow, Emma Boland, Julian Garrison, and Kari Flicker; (front row) Camille Shuken and Trevor Harken; missing from picture: Jonah Baughton and Jessica Shaw. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples High School Principal John Dodig announced today that 33 Staples seniors have been named as Commended Students in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, will be presented by the principal to the students who participate and excel in nearly every activity Staples High School offers.

They are singers, athletes, journalists, computer whizzes, piano players, artists and actors. They take Advanced Placement and honors classes, along with culinary, graphic design and are active in community service clubs.

The Commended Students include: Noelle Adler, Joseph Badion, Alexandra Benjamin, Kelsey Bobrow, Lina Boehmer, Emma Boland, Jonah Boughton, Alexander Davis, Rachel Doran, Alexander Elias, Ryan Fanning, Kari Flicker, Reni Forer, Julian Garrison, Alyssa Gehb, Trevor Harker, Griffin Haymes, Frederick Hertan, Kana Higuchi, Griffin Lach, Daniel Landy, Monique Medina, Conrad Mera, Jacob Nadel, Cadence Neenan, Madeline Schemel, Nikhita Shankar, Jessica Shaw, Camille Shuken, Rachel Treisman, Sage Vouse, Olivia Wiener and Terrie Yang.

The Westport Board of Education tonight honored Westport’s 2015 Teacher of the Year nominees during its meeting at Staples High School. Lisa Almeida (c., green dress), a Spanish teacher at Coleytown Middle School, as was previously announced, was selected for the honor. Joining her were (l-r) Eric Lawrence and Meg Stone (Saugatuck Elementary), Christina Zadravec (Coleytown Middle), Rick Quiricone (Bedford Middle), Almeida, Enia Noonan, Anne Fernandez, and Joel Kabak (Staples High School.)  Unavailable to attend were nominees Jennifer Benson (Kings Highway School), Michelle DeCarlo (Greens Farms School), and Kerry Jean Douglas (Bedford Middle School) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Contrary to a report from the town’s internal auditor, Westport’s Board of Education chairwoman insists her board did inform Board of Finance members two years ago about cost overruns for the mold removal project at Kings Highway Elementary School.

Elaine Whitney: Board of Education “is very concerned.” Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

It’s just that the school board had been kept in the dark about the amount of these overruns—$1.65 million—by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, says Elaine Whitney, board chairwoman.

“The Board of Education is very concerned that the administration did not disclose the magnitude of the cost overruns to the BOE, the BOF, the RTM (Representative Town Meeting) or the public in a timely and transparent manner,” Whitney said in an email to WestportNow.

According to Lynn Scully, internal auditor, more than $4.52 million was spent on the project that ran from 2007 though fiscal year 2013-14, but only $2.87 million had been approved—a $1.65 million overrun the schools managed via transfers within its own budget.