Category: Education - Page 92

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Block Resigns from School Board, Replacement Sought

UPDATE With Republican school board member Paul Block’s resignation this week, the Democratic majority Westport Board of Education has begun working with the Republican Town Committee (RTC) to the fill the vacancy, board members announced tonight.

Paul Block: elected in November. Contributed photo

Jeannie Smith, school board vice chairwoman and a Republican, will lead the effort to find a replacement, said Michael Gordon, school board chairman and a Democrat.

Block, who was reelected to a four-year term in November, stepped down since he recently took a CEO position at a new company, and its demands would interfere with his role on the board, said Gordon.

The new appointment’s term will run through November 2019, “almost a four-year term,” said Gordon.

Monday, December 21st, 2015

Talking Education

Academy Award-winning director Michael Moore gets together tonight with former Staples High School Principal John Dodig at Westport’s Vespa restaurant following the screening of Moore’s new film “Where to Invade Next” at at Bowtie Cinemas Royale 6 in Norwalk. The film is an expansive, subversive comedy in which Moore, playing the role of “invader,” visits a host of nations to learn how the United States could improve its own prospects. In France, Moore marvels at the exceptional quality of the cuisine served in its public schools and in Finland he spotlights its education measures, including doing away with homework and seeking to educate the whole person, rather than merely training students to pass a standardized test. Dodig said he told Moore his entire career has been devoted to promoting similar goals for his students. Also in the audience and at the reception was Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Saturday, December 19th, 2015

Gallery: Final 75th Anniversary Candlelight Concert

Scenes from tonight’s final 75th anniversary Candlelight Concert at Staples High School. The evening began with a video produced by Staples ‘61 graduate John Brandt reviewing the history of the concerts. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Gallery: Candlelight Alums at 75th Anniversary Reception

Prior to tonight’s final performance of the 75th anniversary Candlelight Concert at Staples High School, some Candlelight alumni and guests gathered at the Inn at Westport for a reception. Here are some scenes from the event. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Friday, December 18th, 2015

Gallery: 75th Candlelight Concert Debuts

Scenes from tonight’s opening night of the 75th Candlelight Concert at Westport’s Staples High School. In an unusual twist, the Symphonic Orchestra was conducted by David Ohanian, Staples Class of 1963 and the son of John Ohanian, director at Staples from 1940 to 1974 and the beloved founder of the Candlelight Concert. In honor of David Ohanian’s presence, Choral Director Luke Rosenberg invited alumni to join in singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from “The Messiah,” something usually reserved for Saturday night’s closing concert. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Guest Conductor

Guest conductor tonight of the Staples High School Symphonic Orchestra at the opening night of the 75th Candlelight Concert was David Ohanian, Staples ‘63, son of John Ohanian, founder of Candlelight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

New Production Number

At tonight’s 75th presentation of the annual Candlelight Concert at Staples High School, students presented a program ending with a new production number, an entertaining updated “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” by Don Rickenback. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

BOE Names Weston Schools Head Superintendent Finalist

UPDATE Colleen Palmer, superintendent of schools in Weston, is the finalist candidate to replace Elliott Landon as Westport’s superintendent of schools, the Westport Board of Education announced today.

Colleen Palmer: in Weston since 2011. Contributed photo

It said it expected to make appointment in January. Landon is retiring in June after 17 years in the post.

Palmer, 61, named last month superintendent of the year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, became superintendent in Weston in 2011.

Following the Westport announcement, the Weston Board of Education issued a statement congratulating Palmer on being named the Westport finalist. It said her departure “will be a great loss” for Weston and that it is launching a search for her successor.

Tuesday, December 15th, 2015

Orphenians Entertain at Westport Rotary

The Orphenians of Staples High School performed holiday songs today at the Westport Rotary Club weekly meeting a Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Fourth Holiday Season for Rosenberg

Luke Rosenberg led the Orphenians today at a Westport Rotary Club performance. This is the fourth holiday concert season for Rosenberg since taking over as choral director at Staples High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com