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May 24, 2007
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Upcoming Events
TONIGHT
Bridgeport Public Schools
Fine & Performing Arts Department
Presents the
26th All-District Concert
“Reflections of Bridgeport”
May 24 at 7pm
Klein Memorial Auditorium
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Sculpture Show at
Earthplace in Westport
10 Woodside Lane
Westport, CT 06880
Exhibit features the work
of Bridgeport high school students
Runs thru June 15
For more information call 203-227-7253
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** Please note that there are photos included in the Great News emails. Be sure to "enable content" to see the photos.**
United Way thanks Bridgeport Public Schools
On May 21, the United Way recognized Bridgeport Public Schools for its contributions to the 2006 United Way Community Campaign. The following awards were presented by Merle Berke-Schlessel, President of United Way, and Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr., Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools.
SPECIAL AWARDS
2006 Community Campaign Volunteer – Terry Dworkin
Highest Central Office Contributor: Mr. Robert Henry, Chief of Staff
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School/Principal
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Award
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Coordinator
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Bassick High School
Ronald Remy
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Highest Amount
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Ellen Rosoff
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Central High School
Alejandro Ortiz
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Highest Amount
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Mary Pat Underhill
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Harding High School
Hector Sanchez
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Highest Participation
Highest Amount
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Julie Solis
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Bryant School
Audrey Skoda
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Highest Participation
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Audrey Skoda
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Columbus School
Manuel Rocha
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Highest Amount
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Betsy Davis-Pereira
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Garfield School
James Hodge
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Highest Participation
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Melinda Styles
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Longfellow School
James Adam
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Highest Participation
Highest Amount
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Lauren Chisholm
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McKinley School
William Rice
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Highest Participation
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Stephanie Mitchell
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Park City Magnet
Alana Callahan
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Highest Amount
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Alana Callahan
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Roosevelt School
Carmen Perez-Dickson
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Highest Amount
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Frances Aponte
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Skane School
Michele Matera
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Highest Participation
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Joan Lipin
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Webster School
Marlene Roberts
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Highest Participation
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Kim Perillo
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Harding Students Perform "The Wiz"
Last weekend, Harding students performed their rendition of “The Wiz” in the school’s newly renovated theatre. Both the performance and renovation were a result of a two-year inter-district grant involving Harding and Monroe’s Masuk High School. A large portion of the grant has been put toward upgrading Harding’s theatre, providing much needed equipment and making lighting equipment repairs.
The purpose of the Musical Theatre Collaborative grant is to integrate students from both high schools through musical theatre. During the school year, the schools meet once a month for a workshop, to attend each other's productions or to go on a field trip. During the summer, the schools participate in a two week intensive program, which culminates in a production. For Harding’s production of “The Wiz,” Masuk students helped behind the scenes, running the stage and working on lights and sound.
“The Wiz” is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The production was written by William F. Brown, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The school production was directed by performing arts teacher Sheena Graham-Owens.
“I chose this production because the moral of this story is pertinent to all, my students and the audience alike,” Graham-Owens said. “We all have the ability to learn from each other despite our obvious outer differences, benefit from discovering and making use of our different strengths to achieve one goal, and benefit from learning that the ability to achieve and succeed lies within each and every one of us. We just need to tap into it.”
The lead characters were as follows:
LEADS
Dorothy - Antanette Myers, Grade 12
Scarecrow - Elisha Richards, Grade 9
Tinman - Anthony Whitaker, Grade 11
Lion - Jaiyson Lowery, Grade 12
WITCHES
Addaperle - Jodian Thomas, Grade 12
Evillene - Halimat Somotan, Grade 11
Glinda - Roberta Hardin, Grade 11
Congratulations to all who participate in this year’s production!
Roosevelt sows seeds for Community Beautification
-Submitted by Florence S. Pietrafesa, Roosevelt School
“Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together,” author Clare Ansbury wrote. Roosevelt Elementary School truly realized that phenomenon this spring. Our administrator, Ms. Carmen Perez-Dickson, highly endorsed such a project when Mrs. Janice Priest, a 4th grade teacher, requested that her daughter lead a Community Beautification Project at the school.
Ms. Kaitlin Priest, an Elementary Education major, currently studying Horticulture at Western Connecticut State University, loves to work with children and wanted them to appreciate the environment as much as she does. Mrs. Emily Cicale, one of our Physical Education teachers, grades pre-K-5, volunteered to coordinate the project; and so the seeds of collaboration were planted.
As luck would have it, the Kids Care Club, an extracurricular community service group, coordinated by Ms. Donna Vitulano, Social Worker from the “Wellness Zone,” and Mrs. Florence S. Pietrafesa, a 6th grade Special Education teacher, also had their students working on environmental friendly projects this year and had just received a mini-grant from The City of Bridgeport Youth Services. They also welcomed the opportunity to work beside their school colleagues to involve students in the hands-on event that could support the curriculum by also fostering a sense of community, encouraging environmental awareness and boosting students’ connection, respect, and pride in their school. It would be their final service project of the 2006-2007 school year.
The gardens needed quite a bit of restorative “TLC” and the students and staff were ready for the task. They sanded and painted benches, tables, birdhouses and the ornamental bridge. They pulled many weeds, planted, watered, mulched and wished for rain/sun, under Ms. Priest’s tutelage. Donations from other staffs’ home gardens poured in and “Wellness Zone” Nurse Practitioner Nancy Munn also donated her gardening expertise to help them make wise choices about plant preferences and optimal placement. Mrs. Cicale went to Treeland Nursery, where they too offered generous advice and financial assistance to Roosevelt’s modest urban setting’s beautification. The Town of Fairfield donated mulch.
The long-term goal of this project is to have future students continue to maintain what Kaitlin Priest and collaborators started. The final beautification of the gardens will still continue to provide community involvement and knowledge for future Roosevelt students, their families and staff. The seed of a single question, cultivated by students, staff and parents, will continue to nurture not only the gardens, but also the Roosevelt community.
An African Proverb says that “Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated it cannot be harvested." In “Expecting Great Things,” the Bridgeport District is cultivating the future leaders of society. At Roosevelt School we believe in what our crop will produce.
In addition to the funds received from its mini-grant, Roosevelt is also accepting donations to help further this project. Donations will be put toward the purchase of mulch, plants and a garden hose.
Harding on Showcase
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007 (Rain or Shine)
Time: 4:00pm to 7:30pm
Place: Harding High School's Hedges Football Field
On Thursday, May 31 Harding will host and sponsor their 2nd Annual Harding on Showcase. The showcase is a free event. It is a celebration of Harding’s school year success and a display of all that the Harding community has to offer. Elementary and grade school seventh and eighth graders and their parents are invited to this festive event. The showcase allows prospective parents and students to meet school staff and current Harding High students, as well as to get a glimpse of the opportunities available at Harding.
This event will showcase the variety of programs available to the Harding community, which includes academics such as the Medical Careers Magnet & International Baccalaureate Programs, athletic teams, clubs & extracurricular activities, and support services. In addition, businesses and organizations are invited to share in the festivities. There will also be a free health fair sponsored by Harding’s elite Medical Careers & Health Magnet program, food, music & entertainment.
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