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.

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Selectmen, BOE Honor Deceased NCHS Student

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Town officials this week have called for moments of silence at public meetings to honor the life and memory of a New Canaan High School student who died Saturday. During Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Chair Hugo Alves called for the elected body to “take a moment of silence to honor and remember Elliott Kropf, a beloved member of our school community who tragically passed away this weekend.”

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” Alves said at the start of the school board’s regular meeting, held in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School. 

New Canaan’s highest elected official, First Selectman Dionna Carlson, also asked for a moment of silence during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen at Town Hall. “I would just like to ask for a moment of silence in honor of Elliot, a senior at New Canaan High School who passed away on Saturday night,” she said. “It’s a tragedy for the community.”

NCHS started on a two-hour delay Monday, with buses running at regular times to give friends time to gather in support and speak to counselors and staff, as needed. 

A Zoom session held Tuesday morning with crisis expert Maria Trozzi filled up 500 slots very quickly, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi. The session, titled “Building Resilience in Kids when they Face Difficult Situations & Challenging Times: Coping Skills for Kids and Families,” will be held again at 7 p.m. Wednesday (there are 5,000 slots available) via Zoom link https://ncps-k12-org.zoom.us/j/93161919037 (Meeting ID: 931 6191 9037).