Staples High School Senior Nick Greene tries out a distracted driving siimulator as a part of today’s anti-distracted driving assembly for all seniors and for any students not taking the PSAT (practice SAT) exam. The assembly is put on by the Safe a Life Tour—an international entertainment group that presents high school assemblies to combat and prevent teens from distracted driving. The event was sponsored by the Staples TAG (Teen Awareness Group), which coordinates similar events throughout the school year. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

The person replacing Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, set to retire in June, should be a good communicator, have a record of success, “a high degree of emotional intelligence” and offer mutual respect, according to q leadership profile released today. 
Elliott Landon: retiring after 17 years. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Board of Education has posted the leadership profile on its website http://www.westport.k12.ct.us/

Topping the list of qualifications is a candidate who is a good communicator with “well refined writing and speaking skills.”

“Timely and effective communication concerning budget, facilities projects, program initiatives, emerging trends and critical issues facing the Westport Public Schools are essential,” the profile says.

Mark A. Karagus, interim principal of Staples High School, told the Westport Rotary Club today that the most important part of a principal’s job is “to hire wisely.” In a wide ranging talk, the 40-year educator who visited Staples frequently while officiating at basketball games, said, “As an experienced high school basketball referee, I always found that meeting with the teams and staff in the locker room before a game told me more about the quality of the community than anything else.” Kargus said the atmosphere at Staples “is one of respect and trust—an honor system that the students do not abuse.” He said if he had one word to sum up his experience in Westport it was “honored” -– honored to be here, adding: “I never felt more welcomed anywhere than I have been in Westport.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Linda Lantieri, director f New York-based The Inner Resilience Program, addresses a packed workshop today in the Westport Town Hall auditorium. The program was founded by Lantieri in the spring of 2002 in response to the effects of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 on New York City schools. The aim was to equip school staff and parents with the skills necessary to build back their inner strength and resilience, and to model this way of being for the children in their care. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

One of the late baseball legend Yogi Berra’s scratch-your-head witticisms was, “If you can’t imitate him, don’t try to copy him.”

Interim Staples Principal Mark W. Karagus:“I’ve made a pretty good dent introducing myself,”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

That Yogi-ism could best apply to die-hard Yankees fan Mark W. Karagus, the interim principal who just finished up his first month at Westport’s Staples High School.

“I’m a little bit different from John,” Karagus says about his style compared to that of former principal John Dodig, the beloved administrator who retired in June after 11 years at the helm. “I don’t want to copy his style. You have to be yourself. It’s what I do.”

Described as personable, if not garrulous, Karagus, 65, can be found mornings, greeting students in the school’s lobby, but not standing center stage there like Dodig. He also makes sure to walk the halls, to visit the cafeteria, to chat with students.

By Jaime Bairaktaris

Staples High School seniors Daryl Choi and Max Hammer have started a Westport chapter of Tutors for Opportunity (TFO), an international, nonprofit, all-volunteer tutoring service.

Staples tutors include (l-r) Timothy Chiang, Douglas Raigosa, Max Hammer, Daryl Choi, Julia Schorr, and Annie Gao. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

“The not-for-profit organization aims to educate more people to create a better tomorrow, believing that educating people today will help create a new generation tomorrow that has the ability to solve and prevent our most common worldwide issues,” says Choi.

In its first six months, he says the new organization has tutored more than 100 students worldwide and about 20 in Westport.

Tutoring is available in all subjects for elementary, middle and high school students. Math and physical science are subjects most commonly requested.

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon announced today that 25 Staples High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A letter of commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation will be presented by the Staples Interim Principal Mark W.  Karagus to students “who participate and excel in nearly every activity Staples High School offers.,” Landon said.

“They’re singers, athletes, journalists, computer whizzes, piano players, artists and actors,” Landon said. “They take advanced placement and honors classes, along with culinary, graphic design and are active in community service clubs.”

The commended students are: Jordan Adler, Nicolas Amato, Rees Chang, Claudia Chen, Devon Debalsi, Jason Garland, Aliza Gross, Joshua Hauser, Halley Jonas, Charles Krawiec, Maya Lawande, Yevgen Lensky, James Lewis, Jackson Livingstone, Arianna Markel, Vignesh Namasivayam, Joseph, Pravder, Douglas Raigosa, Julia Saveliff, Julia Schorr, Audrey Seo, Ethan Shenhar, Arun Soni, Jimmy Ray Stagg and Angela Yu.

Students, parents, teachers, and administrators had fun tonight at the annual Kings Highway Elementary School fall beach bash at Westport’s South Beach at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com