Board of Education

Board of Ed Elects Officers in 5-4 Votes

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A divided Board of Education on Monday voted 5-4 three times in electing its chair, vice chair and secretary. Current Chair Hugo Alves was re-elected to a second year in the post. In nominating him, Board of Ed member Erica Schwedel said he has “led our Board with steadiness and dedication” over the past year, ensuring that “we all stayed focused on what is best for our students.”

“He has developed strong working relationships with the administration and staff, serving as a critical bridge to the Board,” Schwedel said during the meeting, held in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School. “He developed trust among Board members and fostered an environment of listening and collaborating.”

Alves also “dedicated significant time to representing the Board of Ed by speaking to groups such as other town bodies at countless budget meetings, our teachers at Convocation, and parents and students at graduation. In addition to serving as chair of the Board, and a member of the executive committee, Hugo also participates in meetings for all four of our Board committees.

Business

Four NCHS Juniors Launch ‘Study Buddies’ Tutoring Service

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The original idea that four New Canaan High School friends developed this summer was to give parents a chance to have their younger kids learn in a different, after-school-club-like environment. Then the friends—juniors Valentina Baldini, Victoria Greer, Saira Isfahani and Morgan Pitts—thought they may start a tutoring and homework club. In the end, they created a new business where each brings their unique knowledge and skill set to a tutoring service for New Canaan students K-6. “I feel like something that we add that or can provide that not a lot of tutors can do is that we can relate more to these children and understand more of what they want because we are of a younger age, while we still understand what they’re learning,” Greer told NewCanaanite.com during an interview Monday afternoon at The Farmer’s Grind café in New Canaan Library. WIth the newly launched business, called “Study Buddies”—here on Instagram and here on Facebook—the four 16-year-olds lean into their own backgrounds as students in New Canaan Public Schools (among them, they attended all three elementary schools) and participation in the school community to connect with K-6 kids and help them learn.

Business

Attention Local Businesses: Registration Open for NCHS ‘Senior Internship Program’

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Registration is open through Nov. 1 for local businesses and organizations seeking to participate in one of New Canaan’s most popular programs for high school seniors. Some 98% of New Canaan High School’s 324 seniors are expected to participate in the internship program that runs for the last three-and-a-half weeks of the academic year. The unpaid Senior Internship Program will see participating NCHS seniors earn .25 school credits for working 25 hours per week—typically between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.—from May 20 to June 13, 2025, organizers say. “This brings a wonderful opportunity not only for our students but also the hosts,” Senior Internship Coordinator Kelly Delmazio told NewCanaanite.com.

News

‘We Don’t Worry Alone’: NCHS To Launch Suicide Prevention Effort

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District officials are launching a suicide prevention effort at New Canaan High School this week that will include a special message delivered prior to the Rams’ football home opener on Friday. On Wednesday, NCHS will introduce the concept of “We Don’t Worry Alone,” according to an email that Principal Bill Egan sent Tuesday afternoon to the school community. “We believe it’s an important message for everyone, reminding students that no matter the size of their problems, they don’t have to face them alone,” the email said. The initiative follows the untimely passing of a beloved NCHS senior. School counselors continue to work with students seeking support, and this week will “introduce the theme and emphasize the importance of reaching out for help, supporting each other in times of distress, and overcoming barriers to seeking assistance,” Egan said in the email.

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Services To Be Held Monday for NCHS Senior Elliott Kropf

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The family of Elliott Kropf, a New Canaan High School senior who died last weekend, will hold a service and life celebration at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Aloysius Church. The service will be followed at approximately 12 or 12:15 p.m. for a Life Celebration at Weeburn Beach Club, 112 Roton Ave. in Rowayton/Norwalk. 

“Bring hockey sticks and/or golf clubs to Weeburn for a moment of silence and group photo of children on the beach,” family representatives say. “We encourage you to share your memories, stories, or anecdotes about Elliott at elliott22forever@gmail.com,” they said.