Article from East Windsor/Windsor Locks Patch

Windsor Locks Schools Open Doors To A New Academic Year


Officials delayed opening schools one day because of power outages caused by Tropical Storm Irene.


By
Larry Smith
Email the author

August 30, 2011

After being delayed one day, Windsor Locks Public Schools opened Tuesday with faculty, staff and students happy to be back.

Tropical Storm Irene caused the delay as a power was out at South Elementary School until Monday night. Superintendent of Schools Wayne Sweeney said it was decided Monday afternoon to open school counting on the power to be restored before Tuesday.

While walking through the halls of Windsor Locks High School, Sweeney said the first day of school went off without a problem and everyone was happy to start the new year.

“Everyone is pleased to be here,” Sweeney said.

South Elementary School Principal James Moriarty greeted students dressed in a tuxedo with colorful vest and bow tie. He said he did it to keep the students guessing.

Moriarty said Tuesday morning that school had gone well with nary a tear from students. When asked what was the best thing about the first day of school

“This year, it’s the fact we’re here,”  he said, referring to Monday’s power outage.

Moriarty said it’s really fun to begin the year and see the students eager to be at school.

In his newsletter for the start of the school year, Sweeney said the school system is starting some new initiatives.

Those include: a new district long range plan which will guide the district’s work for the next 3 years;  a new district parent/community advisory committee is being established and existing PTA’s/PTO’s will be enhanced to provided parents an opportunity to contribute to school improvement discussions; and each school will be developing a school level long range improvement plan which will be aligned with the district plan.

Other initiatives: a PreK-12 PLC-time (Professional Learning Community) has been established to provide teachers with dedicated time to review individual student data and develop specific instructional plans to meet the needs of each child. That will be accomplished by releasing students one hour early on Mondays; and every school will have a staff school governance team providing staff with an important role and responsibility in improving our schools.
In response to concerns from some parents regarding the PLC time there will be fewer sessions, Sweeney said in the newsletter. There will be no PLC time on November 7, 21, or April 2, and the first PLC dismissal will be September 12.
The PLC is scheduled to be discussed at the board of education's September 8 meeting, Sweeney said Tuesday.

UPDATE: First Day of School Cancelled in Windsor Locks

NEW UPDATE FROM WLPS:
Emergency Announcement
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 30th will be our first day of school.  Welcome Back to School!
South Street School Parents: Power at South should be restored today, and the opening should not be affected. However, check back for updates. If power is not restored then the first day of school for South students only would be delayed until power has been restored.

—————————
Latest update from WLPS website (www.wlps.org) :
Emergency Announcement
August 29, 2011 ~  All of our schools are currently being assessed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  Currently, one school is partially without power. 
The Superintendent will be making a decision on the opening of schools later this afternoon.  Please check back for updated information!
_______________________________
Just received the call.... The first day of school, which was scheduled for this Monday, has been cancelled until further notice due to the impending Hurricane Irene and the chance for downed powerlines and trees.

Windsor Locks Aims To Bring Train Stop Back To Downtown

By KIM VELSEY, kvelsey@courant.comThe Hartford Courant

10:13 p.m. EDT, August 21, 2011

WINDSOR LOCKS ——

Bringing the train stop back downtown has long been a dream in Windsor Locks, but officials say that the relocation may finally become a reality with strong state and federal support for rail and transit-oriented development.

The town has applied for a $250,000 state grant to study transit-oriented development on Main Street. It is also working with the state Department of Transportation and Amtrak to address concerns about the relocation, which would involve moving the stop from an isolated area by the I-91 entrance ramp to an area with traffic challenges.

But despite the difficulties, First Selectman Steve Wawruck said that availability of federal rail funding and planning deadlines for theNew Haven-Springfield rail commuter line make acting now critical. As the home of Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks is expected to be a key stop on the line.

A downtown train stop and the redevelopment of the Montgomery Mill complex are seen as the catalysts of a long-awaited downtown revitalization. The area has struggled for decades after a 1970s urban renewal project took away its vibrancy along with its more undesirable elements.

The transit-oriented development grant would help the town relocate the train stop and plan for mixed-use development in the area, according to economic development consultant Patrick McMahon. The funds could be used to determine utility needs, prepare a concept plan for a transit center, develop new zoning regulations and determine market feasibility.

Wawruck said that recent meetings with Amtrak officials and the DOT have been promising. The town is hoping to buy or sign a long-term lease for the historic train station and site, restoring the station and placing a train stop near or on the site. Although neither entity has yet to agree to the move, their openness marks a shift from the past when they have resisted relocation.

Resident Jason Smith, who teaches in Enfield, addressed the selectmen Tuesday to express his support for the relocation and to ask what he could do to help it along. Smith said the stop relocation would draw development to the area and allow him to commute to and from work with the help of a folding bike.

Two town meetings will be held on the grant and the relocation. At the first, scheduled for Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m., residents will vote to formally approve the transit-oriented development grant application. On Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., residents will be able to discuss the pros and cons of moving the train stop downtown.

Child care to be offered during early dismissals; fees eliminated for upcoming year

More information about childcare during PLC and the reversal of pay to play :

http://www.remindernews.com/article/2011/08/25/child-care-to-be-offered-during-early-dismissals-fees-eliminated-for-upcoming-yea

The latest Race to the Top starts in pre-school

Interesting article......

With $50 million at stake, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration is devising a program to assess pre-school programs and the readiness of kindergarten students to start school, the federal government's latest emphasis in its competitive education grant program, Race to the Top.

"I think that's important," Malloy said of the assessments. "It will put us in a position where it would be more likely that students would be coming into a certain skill set." Read the rest of the story by clicking here http://www.ctmirror.org/story/13680/race-top-spurs-testing-kindergarteners

Update from WL Board of Education Meeting-8/18/11

Notes from Windsor Locks Board of Education Meeting 8/18/11

Facilities Update:
An update on the installation of the solar panels on the roof of North Street School was given by Erik Bartone from DBS Energy. Installation should be complete before school starts and be operational in October. The project is being funded in part by CT Clean Energy Fund and will save $12,000-$14,00 a year on the power bill. DBS Energy also discussed that they will be updating the outside lighting at all the schools with more up to date lighting technology. This update will cost approximately $205,000; $43,000 will be funded by utility rebates and the remainder will be funded by a 0% interest loan for 108 months. This lighting update will save approximately $403,000 in electricity expenses.

Steven Mills, Facilities Manager provided a presentation of all that has been done at the schools over the summer including HVAC and technology updates at all the schools, brand new sound system in the High School gym, blacktop paving and painting, and of course all the staff does to get the classrooms ready for the coming school year.

Personnel Report:
2 Science teachers at the Middle School have resigned and replacements are currently being sought.

CABE/CAPSS Conference:
The Board discussed their registration for the Annual CABE/CAPSS Conference. This is an annual convention that is attended by our Board of Education and is used to assist local and regional boards of education in providing high quality education for all Connecticut children through effective leadership. They will learn various ideas and strategies through networking with fellow board members and superintendents, attend clinic sessions, workshops, roundtables, speakers, and exhibitors. The convention will be held November 18 & 19 in Groton, CT.

Pay to Play:
At the last Board of Education meeting in July the Board was asked to reconsider their pay to play policy which would charge high school and middle school students to play sports or participate in activities such as band, Vocal Motion, cheerleading, math team, etc.

The Board has reversed their decision and has decided not to implement the pay to play policy for this coming school year. There have been several teacher resignations since the end of the last school year, and they feel the money they will be saving when hiring new teachers at a lesser rate of pay will cover the costs of these student activities. They will review implementation of the policy at a later date if they feel it is necessary.

Role of the Board Liaison:
Each Board member has "adopted" a school that they will visit throughout the school year with the Superintendent or the school principal to learn more about what happens in the classrooms and schools on a daily basis. Chairwoman Pat King and board member Andy Kulas will be going to the High School; board member Scott Storms will be going to the Middle School; board member Margaret Byrne will be going to South School and board member Michael Royston will be going to North Street School.

Other:
Superintendent Sweeney discussed how Professional Learning Communities (PLC) for the teachers will be implemented throughout the school system. Teachers will be receiving training on reading the student academic data and looking at student progression from week to week and learn how to adapt that information into their lesson plans for the next school week. Mr. Sweeney stated "using this data will allow teachers to really differentiate their instruction to teach to different groups of children, rather than just teach to the middle. The focus will be on kids achieving higher than you ever imagined before."

Superintendent Sweeney stated there will be articles in next week's Reminder News and Journal Inquirer inviting parents to become part of newly developed Parent Advisory Committees that will be at each school.

The Blame Game

By: Sue Caldon, 08/17/2011

I left the town hall on Tuesday August 16, 2011 saddened to hear the words spoken out loud that I had read in the Rudewicz Report just hours before. Clearly it was a lack of leadership that led to a number of mishaps in the investigation on that fateful night when the young and innocent life of Henry Dang was taken so tragically from his loved ones and his community. Our police chief failed to follow procedures and responding officers failed in the lack of effective leadership.

How far back does the failure go? We can lay some blame on the police commission; after all they did approve of hiring the personnel and appointing the chief of police. Why weren’t preventative measures taken? Why didn’t the commission ensure that policies and procedures were being followed by our police department? Is there also a lack of leadership within the police commission?

Let’s go back a little further with the blame game. Who does the commission report to? I’m thinking that the commission reports to us, the community that votes these individuals into their positions. Can it be that we, as a community failed? Kevin Brace, who is currently running for a seat on the police commission, stated that, “In the 2009 Municipal elections, Windsor Locks had a 30.1% voter turnout (2,375 voters).” (Brace) If you are even a little good at math, you’ll know that out of nearly 7900 voters in our town, very few showed up to vote. Why is it that our community is outraged and wants to play the blame game, but didn’t take the opportunity to get involved upfront?

As a community, we need to stop playing the blame game and start to remedy what has clearly not been working for some time. We need to get involved, by getting to know our elected officials and voicing our opinions and concerns. We need to pay attention to the upcoming election and most importantly, WE NEED TO VOTE. When we vote, it’s to convince elected officials to adopt and adapt to the will and ways of the people who elect them. When we don’t utilize our right to vote and speak our minds, then we truly have no one to blame but ourselves.


Works Cited
Brace, Kevin. Save Windsor Locks. 3 August 2011. 17 August 2011 . .

Windsor Locks Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, August 18

Hello Everyone! Please get involved in our children's education!! We can only make a difference for our kids if we all work together!!!!

This is just to reminder for those parents and residents who are able to attend, that the next Board of Education meeting will be this coming Thursday, August 18 @ 6:00 pm in the Windsor Locks High School Library Media Center.

I have included two links for your review. One is the minutes of the last meeting and the other is the agenda for Thursday's meeting:
http://www.wlps.org/site/files/7-14-11rminutes.pdf

http://www.wlps.org/site/files/8-18-11agenda.pdf

Hope to see you all there!!

Amy Mackey

Windsor Locks Officials Propose Hiring Someone to Handle Blight Complaints

It's come down to this...  What ever happened to neighbors helping neighbors?  A lot of these blight properties are seniors on fixed incomes.  Roll up your sleeves and help out your neighbors.  Let's not turn into the Blight Police.


The part-time person would help set up a system defined proposed changes to the town's blight ordinance.


The Windsor Locks Board of Finance is considering a suggestion to hire a part-time employee to oversee a proposed blight ordinance.

Officials have been revamping the current town ordinance to better define blight and make it easier for complaints to be handled. The board heard details of the proposal at its meeting Tuesday.

First Selectman Steven N. Wawruck Jr. said blight has become a central theme in Windsor Locks during the past four or five years and seems to come to a head in the past 10 months or so.


Read the rest of the story on the Patch by clicking here:  WL Blight Story

Dental Care Being Offered for Windsor Locks Public School Students

I have received e-mails asking about the history of this program.  Former State Representative Karen Jarmoc of Enfield worked very hard to get this program in Enfield.  This program will not cost the Town of Windsor Locks a single dime, and it will keep our kids healthy.  May residents of Windsor Locks are unemployed or without health insurance, and this is a great opportunity for our children to have healthy teeth.  

Community Health Center, Inc. of Enfield is offering School Based Dental services to Windsor Locks Public School students during their school day.  The services consist of a cleaning, exam, fluoride treatment, sealants and dental x-rays if needed.  Proper brushing and flossing techniques are also reviewed.

All children who enroll are eligible to receive services regardless of insurance status.

There is no charge for services for children insured by Husky or Medicaid.  Most insurance plans are accepted with coverage & costs dependent on the plan.  For patients with NO dental insurance, the cost for the services is $30, and the cost for sealants is $25.00.  All parts of the registration/enrollment form* must be completed, signed and returned to the school before a student may receive the dental services.

If you have questions, contact:
 
    Melissa Thibeault
    Dental Care Coordinator
    Community Health Center
    5 North Main Street
    Enfield, CT 06082
    Phone 860-253-9024 ext 2270
    Right Fax 860-638-6736
    thibeam@chc1.com

Information Regarding Childcare During Monday PLC Hour

UPDATE: If you plan on utilizing the one hour of childcare during Monday PLC, the first Monday for PLC begins September 12. Each school will be informing parents of the sign up process when school starts next week.


For those parents who may have childcare issues every Monday for the hour early release due to teacher PLC, I have communicated with Superintendent Sweeney and childcare will be provided by the schools during that one hour session. He said a newsletter is being mailed next week with each school's summer parent letter and it will contain all the information you need to enroll your child. Paraprofessionals will be providing the childcare and there may also be some high school students helping out as well.

Mr. Sweeney also informed me that the number of early release days has been reduced by three days. The weeks there is a holiday that does not fall on a Monday, the early release will not take place for that week. The dates that PLC will not occur and will instead be a full day of school are as follows:

-Monday, November 7 - School is closed Tuesday for Election Day

-Monday, November 21 - School is closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving

-Monday, April 2 - School is closed Friday for Good Friday

I hope this information is helpful to you in planning your work and childcare schedules.

Thanks!

Amy Mackey

Clarification to Parents for Windsor Locks Education Post

I would like to clarify my intentions of contributing to this blog so there is no confusion. Yes, my introduction did indicate my stance on education issues I feel very strongly about. Some may agree with my stance and some may not; and that is ok.

I am hoping to get the parents and community more involved in our children's education. I know it is difficult for some people to attend meetings, so I felt I could bring the information to them. My intent is to state the facts of the meetings, not to speak badly about the Board of Education or Superintendent Sweeney; doing that will get us nowhere.

That being said, this is a blog and people can put their comments for the positive or negative as to what is happening in the town's education system. The more dialogue we have, the more we can work together as a community to give the children of our town the education they deserve.

Thank you for your time!

Amy Mackey

Town To Apply For State Grant To Study Possible Development Connected To Train Station

Town officials want to relocated the current station back to downtown area. They also want to renovate the shuttered historic station in downtown as part of economic development in the area.

Windsor Locks officials are applying for a state grant for a study on what kind of development could occur around a relocated train station.

The state has allocated $5 million for communities with major transit stops to see what kinds of mixed use development could be developed around the stations, Patrick McMahon, economic development consultant for the town, said. With Windsor Locks being a stop on the New Haven to Springfield train line and a proposed bus from that station to Bradley International Airport, it could be a good opportunity.

The board of selectmen Tuesday endorsed making the application, which must be submitted to the state by Thursday. A town meeting must also be scheduled by September to approve the application, McMahon said.  Read the rest of the Patch article by clicking here: http://windsorlocks.patch.com/articles/town-to-apply-for-state-grant-to-study-possible-development-connected-to-train-station

When voices go silent in elections

by Kevin Brace

I have often wondered why more people don’t vote in the Municipal elections?  Municipal elections in my opinion are more important than the Presidential elections. 

Municipal elections in Connecticut help decide the leadership in your town, and most importantly affecting how much your property taxes are.  It’s very easy for people to go and talk to their Municipal Leaders, try making an appointment to talk to a President. 

This is your chance to have the loudest voice in Town Government. 

In the 2008 Presidential election, Windsor Locks had 77.51% voter turnout (6,166 voters).  In the 2009 Municipal elections, Windsor Locks had a 30.1% voter turnout (2,375 voters).

November 8^th is our Municipal election.  Seek out the people running for office, these people live in Windsor Locks.  Ask them the tough questions, and please vote.

Parents for Windsor Locks Education

I am blogging on "Save Windsor Locks" to keep the parents and the taxpayers informed on what is happening at the Board of Education Meetings and getting more parents, families and our community involved in our declining public education system in Windsor Locks. Some of you know that I (and a few others) have been involved in trying to get Superintendent Sweeney and our Board of Education to change their stance on the 1 hour early dismissal that will be taking place every Monday beginning this 2011-2012 school year due to teacher Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Due to this early dismissal our children will now be losing 33 hours of education time every school year and parents will need to rearrange their work schedules or find alternate childcare so someone can care for their child for that 1 hour.

PLC has been instituted in many other communities and has been known to increase student achievement. However, I do not think this change should cut into our children's classroom time. Unfortunately, after attending Board of Education meetings and expressing my concerns, along with other parents, our comments have fallen on deaf ears and the early dismissal is moving forward. I have been assured by the superintendent that he is looking into childcare alternatives for parents and will be contacting him shortly about the status.

I encourage everyone to please get involved in improving our children's education in our town. Our CMT and CAPT test scores have fallen to embarrassing lows and our children need us to stand up for them so they can get the education they deserve. I will be attending as many Board of Education meetings as I can, going forward, so I know what is going on with our children's education and the decisions being made by our Board of Education. I know it is difficult for some people to be able to do this, so I will be reporting back via this blog after every meeting to keep everyone informed.

Thank you for your time and support!

Amy Mackey