Jamie Viesselman, Kings Highway Elementary School teacher, and First Selectman Jim Marpe led students on a walk to school today to mark International Walk to School Day.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

For the first time, the Westport Public Schools have established an Innovation Fund, with $50,000 available for students, faculty and staff, school officials announced today.

The money is earmarked “to energize projects that encourage new ways of thinking and doing that are not constrained and have promise of a positive impact,” the announcement said.

“Innovation and creativity are integral components of the core beliefs of the Westport Public Schools and our community at-large,” said Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer.

“Our goal is to inspire the imagination of our students, faculty, and staff to think out-of-the-box and pursue new ideas that make a difference in the lives of our students and our work. We are eager to foster this important work and learn from it.”

Westport Teacher of the Year Courtney Ruggiero, Bedford Middle School social studies teacher, told the Board of Education tonight that her award “is not about what I have done, but the people who have helped me do it.” She added: “I work with the best teachers, and I am honored to represent them.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Teacher of the Year Courtney Ruggiero posed tonight with peer nominees at the Board of Education meeting where she was officially introduced. Pictured (l-r) Michael Gordon (BOE chairman), Peter Alfano (Coleytown El and Middle), Tanya Kaplan (Coleytown Middle), Allison Beggs (Coleytown Middle), Cecilie Schachte (Long Lots), Linda McClary (Staples), Heidi Howden (Staples), Lisa Weand (Bedford Middle), Courtney Ruggiero, Bedford Middle,Teacher of the Year, Emily Soler (Greens Farms), Nicole Moeller (Greens Farms), Eric Lawrence (Saugatuck), Karen DeFelice and John Horrigan (Westport Education Association co-presidents) and Superintendent Colleen Palmer. Absent from the ceremony: Lenny Klein (Staples) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Greens Farms Academy opened its doors today for the school year. This marks the last “first day of school” for Head of School Janet Hartwell (r), who will retire in June. In her opening remarks to the student body, Hartwell announced that this year’s theme will be “empathy.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Head of Lower School Aléwa Cooper today welcomes students back to classes at Greens Farms Academy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Twins Ava and Ethan, 8, are welcomed home today to their Woodside Avenue home by mom, Tricia Lewis, after their first day in third grade class at Kings Highway Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s return to classes for the first day of school in Westport. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com and contributed photos