The Staples High School campus will be completely closed this summer for construction activities beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday until the beginning of school in the fall, the district announced today.

The swimming pool will be closed. Field access will be on foot directly from Bedford Middle School, not through any Staples lots. Continuing Education offices have been relocated to trailers at Bedford Middle School, an announcement said.

New registrations for Staples High School will be at Bedford Middle School Aug. 2, 9, 10, 23 and 24 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 12:30 p.m. The district asks those interested to please call ahead for an appointment at (203) 341-1225.

The main office at Bedford Middle School will be the location for students in need of working papers.  Office hours at Bedford Middle School will be 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer months.

The Staples High School field house was packed as Francis “Frisk” Driscoll, master of ceremonies for today’s Staples graduation, welcomed the crowd. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

There were smiles and waves as the Staples Class of 2005 marched into today’s graduation ceremony in the Staples field house. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Staples Class of 2005 celebrated at the conclusion of today’s commencement exercises by tossing their caps into the air. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Members of the Staples Class of 2005 celebrate following today’s graduation ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Parents and family members took positions up front to get good pictures of today’s Staples High School graduation ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples Principal John Dodig (l) and Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon lead Board of Education members, faculty, and the 343 Class of 2005 graduates into today’s commencement ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The ceremonial turning of the tassels was a highlight of today’s Staples High School graduation exercise. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Westport school system is highlighted prominently and favorably today in a New York Times front page metro section story about Connecticut’s Project Choice.

The project allows 1,600 children from Connecticut’s poorest communities “to attend some of the state’s best performing—and wealthiest—schools,” the newspaper said.

The report showcased Alexis Miller, 7, one of 34 Bridgeport children chosen via lottery to participate in the Westport program. “For many parents, the dream destination is Westport,” the newspaper said, “Living in One Town, Learning in Another.”

“They say the district has paid for class pictures, field trips, test preparation, summer programs and $40 cabs rides home when participation in extracurricular activities means missing the bus,” the Times said.