James. S. Marpe, selected today to fill a vacant Republican seat on Westport’s Board of Education, said he’s long had an interest in some sort of public service in town and when the chance came to serve on the board, he grabbed it.
James Marpe: believes in “giving back.” WN photo

“The Westport schools are the centerpiece of Westport,” he said following his unanimous election at a special board meeting in Westport’s Town Hall. “It sets the tone for the community. For me, it’s exciting to be part of that organization.”

Marpe, 58, a retired management consultant who has lived in Westport 16 years, was one of five applicants to fill the unexpired term—until November—of Mark Owades. Owades announced his resignation in January due to the press of other business. His resignation became effective at noon today.

Three of the applicants, including Marpe, were recommended by the Republican Town Committee. Two others applied directly to the board. The board interviewed all five in executive session at their request.

Newly-appointed Board of Education member James S. Marpe accepts congratulations and a packet of homework material from Mary Parmelee, board chair, at Westport Town Hall today. Marpe, a 16-year Westport resident and retired management consultant, was unanimously approved to fill the unexpired term of resigned Republican member Mark Owades. Board member Steve Halstead is at center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Westport Board of Education today voted unanimously to name James S. Marpe, 58, to fill the unexpired term of Republican member Mark Owades who announced his resignation in January. Marpe will serve until November. Board members, voting in a special session at Westport Town Hall, were: (l-r) Steve Halstead, Linda Merk-Gould, chair Mary Parmelee, Sandra Urist, and Lewis Brey. Mark Mathias participated by telephone. Schools Supt. Elliott Landon is at right. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Parents of incoming kindergarteners are invited to an orientation meeting with the Westport public school officials Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at each of the town’s public elementary schools.

As this is an informational meeting with the principal, parents are requested not to bring children to this session, according to a school announcement.

A special program for children is planned for later in the school year after the official registration period, scheduled for Monday, May 2.

To be eligible for kindergarten in September, 2005, children must reach their fifth birthday on or before Jan. 1, 2006.

Westport’s Long Lots Elementary School families donated more than 600 toys this week to Bridgeport’s Evergreen Network, which works with low income families afflicted with AIDS or HIV. This is the third year that Long Lots has collected toys for the network’s Birthday Closet program. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Visitors to Westport’s Greens Farms Elementary School are seeing orange these days.
Seeing orange: Second-grader Arianne Goodell with Art Smart parent volunteers Margaret Allen (l) and Marianne Goodell (r) under “The Gates” at Greens Farms Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Students from a fifth grade class have created their own “The Gates” project at the school.

It is part of the school’s Art Smart program, a PTA-sponsored art education program in each of Westports five elementary schools run by parent volunteers.

Parents Marianne Goodell and Margaret Allen collaborated on the project with the 20 fifth graders last week. Permission was granted to place the gates on the front porch of the school by Principal Dan Sullivan earlier this month.

There was a large turnout tonight as the Westport Public Schools held a town-wide band festival at Staples High School in celebration of Music in Our SchoolsӔ month. Bedford Middle School sixth grader Eric Sawyer warmed up with his trumpet before the concert. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

The Westport-Weston Cooperative Nursery School turns 50 this year and will mark the occasion with a series of special events.

The Co-op was founded in 1955 by a group of eight families determined to provide a strong, supportive environment for the early education of their children.

On Saturday, April 30, the school will hold an anniversary celebration for families and staff of the school, both present and past. Alumni are also welcome.

For further information about The Westport-Weston Cooperative Nursery School or its anniversary celebration, call (203) 227-9318.