There was an overflow crowd at Westport’s Bedford Middle School today as Westport educators got together for a district-wide meeting in advance of classes resuming next week. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A school bus parked on the median divider on Post Road East near Long Lots Road reminds all to be on alert as school opens next week. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Members of Westport’s Staples High School Class of 1959—the first class to graduate after the school moved to its present North Avenue location—made a nostalgic 50th anniversary return to the school today. Retired Westport educator Glenn Hightower played tour guide. The weekend festivities include a reception at Norwalk’s Shorehaven Club tonight and a brunch gathering Sunday at the Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Among the Staples High School Class of 1959 graduates returning to Westport today for their 50th reunion and touring Staples were (l-r) reunion co-chairs Nancy (Slingo) Pandolfi, a resident of Fairfield’s Southport section, and Westporter Kathy Calise along with classmate Dennis Grubb of Washington, D.C. Grubb recently returned from Kiev where he has been involved for the past six months in a government consulting assignment. About 75 members of the 183-member 1959 class returned to Westport for the anniversary. They were the first class to graduate after the school moved to North Avenue from its previous Riverside Avenue location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A video featuring the five nominees for Westport Teacher of the Year 2010 will be shown to all staff on Thursday, Aug. 27, the first day of school for teachers. 

The names of the candidates were announced to the staff at the end of the just completed school year.

All candidates will be honored,  and the name of the 2010 Teacher of the Year will be publicly announced at a Board of Education meeting in September. The public is invited to attend the meeting and a reception to follow. 

Candidates, all of whom must be tenured certified teachers who are in the classroom for more than 50 percent of their time, may be nominated by any certified staff colleague including teachers and administrators. 

Volunteers from Westport’s Staples High School PTA today assembled information packets that will be mailed to parents.  Pictured (l-r) are Amy Randich, Sandra Rappaport, Lee Saveliff and Sarah Kashetta. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon today urged families moving to Westport for the new school year and parents of entering kindergartners or children transferring from private schools to register their children as soon as possible,

“Please don’t wait until the last minute,” Landon said in a statement. “Let us know now that you are here so we may plan for the optimal education for your youngsters.”

Those who are not sure of their district elementary or middle school can find the information on the school district Web site or call the superintendent’s office, (203)341-1026. 

The superintendent said he monitors enrollment closely during the summer to avoid September surprises that could lead to excessively large class sizes or the need to divide a class after school has started.

Two seniors from Westport’s Staples High School—Ariel Steinglass and Dan Fishman—were among those recognized as the state’s top scholar-athletes at the 2009 Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Scholar-Athlete banquet. The event was sponsored by McDonald’s, a 26-year sponsor of the program. Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Mark K. McQuillan, state Commissioner of Education; Patrick Kelleher, McDonald’s; Ariel Stienglass, Dan Fishman, and Dr. Walter Harrison, president, University of Hartford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Grynn & Barrett Studios photo

Staples High School Class of 2009 members turn their tassels at the end of today’s graduation ceremony.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com