Cary Bell, interim principal of Westport’s Bedford Middle School, today joined students in singing “This Little Light of Mine” at a school assembly marking the school’s designation in September as a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning school. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a federal program that recognizes schools that are academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. Chris Coogan (l) provided the musical accompaniment. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Among speakers at today’s assembly at Westport’s Bedford Middle School marking its designation as a Blue Ribbon School was Baxter Stein, a world language student who made his presentation completely in Spanish. Interim Principal Cary Bell looks on. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Bedford Middle School teachers Fred Choromanski and Ann Radley told the students today what it was like in 1978 when they started teaching. The young audience shouted loudest with surprise when told that the “X-Box had not even been invented then!” The occasion was an assembly marking the school’s designation as a Blue Ribbon School. Cary Bell, interim principal, is at left. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The principal of Westport’s Staples High School said today he was “extremely pleased” with a discussion Wednesday night that focused on underage drinking.
John Dodig: will now confer with students. WN file photo

John Dodig, who had asked for parental input into the subject following drinking incidents at this year’s homecoming celebration, sent an e-mail to parents about the event co-hosted by the Westport Public Library and TEAM Westport.

“I was extremely pleased with last night’s Community Conversation at the Westport Public Library,” he said.

“Thanks to the skills of Nick Rudd, all of the more than 200 attendees had an opportunity to be actively involved and to share ideas on the topic chosen for the evening.”

Two members of Westport’s state delegation to Hartford today presented Westport school officials with a special commendation in recognition of Bedford Middle School receiving the designation as a National Blue Ribbon Award winning school. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a federal program that recognizes schools that are academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. Bedford is one of three Connecticut public schools to be recognized this year. Pictured (l-r) are: Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon; First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff; Principal Cary Bell, Senator Toni Boucher, and Representative Joe Mioli.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Seventh grader Sage Vousse (l) introduces today’s state recognition ceremony at Bedford Middle School to the school’s “Bedford A.M. (BAM)” television audience. Students broadcast live the event in which state legislators recognized Bedford’s federal selection as a 2009 Blue Ribbon School. (See WestportNow Sept. 15, 2009) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com