The meeting will be held Feb. 9 5:30 p.m. at Addona’s Banquet Room, 72 Waterbury Road, Prospect, and feature two guest speakers.

Kristen Cicchetti, a nationally certified school psychologist who has worked in the Bristol public schools for the past 11 years, will address parents’ concerns about behavior and describe how to establish a behavior plan. Cicchetti has developed and coached a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program in her pre-kindergarten through fifth grade building for the past three years. Take-home materials regarding practical problem solving strategies to manage tantrums, defiance, and other childhood transgressions will be available at the meeting.

Peter MacDonald, a second-grade teacher at Algonquin School and reading specialist, will discuss early literacy and comprehension. MacDonald will provide information for guiding parents who want to help prepare their children for reading success and present an overview of the Readers’-Writers’ Workshop Project implemented by the Region 16 school district.
The event will include dinner. This event is free, however, a $5 donation would be appreciated. All preschool parents, teachers and community providers are encouraged to attend.

To register for the meeting, visit www.region16ct.org. For more information about the collaborative and upcoming events, e-mail Annette Shelbrack at r16prek@region16ct.org.

Winners of the Naugatuck Fire Department's 6th Annual Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest, from left, Kimani Grey, Hailey Russell, George Cruz, Raymond Lucarelli, Michaela Turecek, and Trey Generali, show off their certificates and prize bike following an awards ceremony Feb. 1 at the Naugatuck Fire Headquarters. The fourth and fifth grade first place winners will go on to compete in a state-wide contest.

Raymond Lucarelli from Hillside Intermediate School won first place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Michaela Turecek of Maple Hill School won second place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Trey Generali of Salem School won third place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Kimani Grey of Cross Street Intermediate School won second place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

George Cruz of Cross Street Intermediate School won third place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

George Cruz of Cross Street Intermediate School won third place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Trey Generali of Salem School won third place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Kimani Grey of Cross Street Intermediate School won second place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Michaela Turecek of Maple Hill School won second place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Raymond Lucarelli from Hillside Intermediate School won 1st place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Hailey Russell of Western School won first place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

The borough honored fourth and fifth grade winners of a fire prevention poster contest at the Naugatuck Fire Headquarters in a ceremony Feb. 1. Three winners from fourth grade and three winners from fifth grade received a bicycle and helmet from Walmart in Naugatuck as their prize. The first place winners for each grade will go on to compete in a state-wide competition for their poster to grace the cover of a Connecticut fire prevention calendar.
The winners were:

Fourth Grade

1st Place – Hailey Russell – Western School
2nd Place – Michaela Turecek – Maple Hill School
3rd Place – Trey Generali – Salem School

Fifth Grade

1st Place – Raymond Lucarelli – Hillside Intermediate School
2nd Place – Kimani Grey – Cross Street Intermediate School
3rd Place – George Cruz – Cross Street Intermediate School

Host Jon Gabrus quizzes high school students on an episode of ‘The Substitute’ last fall. Students from Naugatuck High School will get a chance to compete this year on the MTV game show. - CONTRIBUTED

What is Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter’s name?

MTV is offering Naugatuck High School students the chance to answer questions such as these on “The Substitute,” a nationally televised trivia game show.

Representatives from the network will meet Friday after dismissal with at least 60 upperclassmen at the high school, history teacher Matt LaPlaca said. The students received invitations Wednesday in their homeroom classes.

“To have the students be able to compete on a national television show in this way, I think it stimulates school pride,” LaPlaca said. “I think it gives the entire community a boost of morale. MTV’s famous, and it gives the kids an opportunity that not everyone would get.”

MTV will tell the students at the meeting what they need to do to qualify, LaPlaca said. Teachers and administrators are not sure whether borough students will definitely compete on the show, but network representatives have hinted that it is probable, LaPlaca said.

Brandi Albahary, a press representative for the show, could not provide more information as of press time.

In an e-mail to the school two weeks ago, the network expressed interest in recruiting borough students to compete, LaPlaca said. Science teacher Christine Gamari is coordinating the effort with the show’s producers, Embassy Row Productions of New York.

Teachers and club advisers were asked to recommend high-achieving, well-rounded and mature juniors and seniors to meet with MTV.

“It was amazing how many of the same names came from multiple sources,” LaPlaca said.

Any chosen students will go to New York for the taping, LaPlaca said.

“The Substitute” premiered last fall as an ambush game show, in which host Jon Gabrus would walk into a high school class as its “substitute teacher,” show the unsuspecting students a briefcase with $5,000 in cash and ask the students pop culture and educational questions for a shot at money to help pay for college.

Teachers were told the format has changed this year, but not exactly how, LaPlaca said.

Classes at Derby High School were ambushed last spring to appear on the show months later.

To be eligible for kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year, a child must turn 5 years old before Jan. 1, 2013. Registration forms are available in all elementary schools. Parents should call the school their child would attend and arrange to pick up the necessary forms. At that time, an appointment will made for Feb. 7, Feb. 8, Feb. 9 or Feb. 10 for parents to return the registration forms and have their child receive a vision and hearing test.

Parents who are unsure which school their child will attend can call the superintendent’s office at (203) 720-5265.

All students must have the proper immunizations before entering school. At the registration appointment, parents must present the child’s birth certificate along with proof of immunization. A completed physical on Aug. 31, 2011 or later will be acceptable. The state Department of Health also recommends that students have a blood lead level and a tuberculin test before entering kindergarten.

The following information must be provided to register a child: A mortgage statement or copy of deed showing ownership of property where child resides or copy of signed lease or rental agreement for the property the child lives or copy of signed lease or notarized statement from the owner of the property where child is residing listing all family members who are residing on the property; a copy of a current utility bill from CL&P or Yankee Gas or, if the landlord is supplying utilities, a notarized copy of the lease or rental agreement indicating the landlord is supplying utilities; a copy of another bill, cell phone, car insurance, car registration, credit card statement, etc. confirming residency; a copy of valid Connecticut driver’s license for either parent indicting address where the child resides.

In addition, the guardian of any child attending borough public schools must provide proof of guardianship.

For more information, call the school the child will be attending or the superintendent’s office at (203) 720-5265.

Woodland senior Chloe Campbell is looking to raise $2,000 for the Special Olympics of Connecticut through the penguin Plunge in March as her senior project. Campbell has taken the plunge every year since sixth grade for her younger brother Matthew, who has autism. - CONTRIBUTED

Now, as a senior at Woodland Regional High School, Campbell has made it her focus this year to get as many people as possible to brave the frosty waters of Lake Quassy for the Special Olympics of Connecticut’s Penguin Plunge.

The Penguin Plunge is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition and opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. “Penguins” receive donations to take the plunge and all of the money raised goes to the help fund activates run by the Special Olympics.

For her senior project, Campbell is working to put together as large a team of “penguins” as possible to take the plunge in March at Lake Quassy in Middlebury.

The project holds a special place in Campbell’s heart because she’s been doing the plunge yearly for her younger brother Matthew. Campbell said her brother, who’s 13, has autism and it’s difficult for him to find a place where he’s comfortable.

“My brother, it’s really hard for him to fit in,” Campbell said.

Several years ago, Campbell said, her mother found out about the Special Olympics. The non-profit organization has given Mathew a place where he fits in, and Campbell said the opportunity to do all the things he wanted to do.

“The Special Olympics of Connecticut has helped my brother achieve goals that we never thought he would be able to reach,” Campbell said. “My brother is my reason for all of this.”

The Penguin Plunge is scheduled for March 11 at Lake Quassy in Middlebury. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the plunge begins at 12 p.m. It costs $75 to take the plunge, which can be paid for through pledges.

Along with seeking “penguins” for the plunge, Campbell is also accepting donations. Her goal is to raise $2,000 for the Special Olympics.

For more information, to sign up to be part of Campbell’s team or to donate, e-mail Campbell at chloecampbell31@gmail.com.

The association represents 11 administrators in the district, including principals, assistant principals and three positions in the central office. The new contract runs from the current fiscal year through the 2013-14 fiscal year.

The contract includes a 1.5 percent wage increase for the current year, no increase for the second year, and a 1.75 percent increase in the third year. After step increases are factored in, the overall salary increase goes up to 2.62 percent in the first year and 0.15 percent in the second year but remains the same 1.75 percent in the final year of the deal.

Joseph Nuzzo, Community School principal and president of the association, explained seven of the 11 administrators in the union are already at the maximum step level. Under the last agreement, Nuzzo said, the union agreed to a freeze on step increases. He said the union felt it was only fair the four administrators who didn’t receive step increases under the last contract will receive them under the new deal.

The only major change in the contract is the option of a new healthcare plan.

Under the deal, the board will provide a High Deductible Health Care/Health Savings Account (HDHP/HSA) Plan option to administrators beginning July 1. Currently, administrators have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health plan.

Current administrators will have the option of either plan come July without having the pay more. Under the contract, any employee in the union hired after July 1 will have the option of either plan, but will have to pay the difference if they choose the more expensive PPO plan.

The HDHP/HAS plan includes a deductible of $2,000 for individuals and a $4,000 deductible for families. Under the plan, the board will pay 50 percent of the applicable deductible. The board will pay 80.5 percent of the health insurance benefit. Beginning July 1, 2014 the board’s share will drop to 80 percent.

The health care issue proved to be a sticking point during the negotiations.

Nuzzo said the union wanted to ensure it could keep the current PPO plan.

“It was something that we really felt strongly about. … It was a big negotiating factor,” he said.

Priscilla Cretella, chair of the school board, said the board favored the HDHP/HAS plan because it will be cheaper for the board. If all 11 administrators choose the new plan the board would save $16,000, she said.

Cretella said it won’t be known until July, when administrators choose their plan, what savings the board will realize.

In all, Cretella said she felt good about the new deal.

“There was give and take. I do feel good about (the contract). … They’re administrators, we rely on them heavily. We wanted to make it agreeable to both parties,” Cretella said.

Copies of the contract are available for public viewing in the town clerks’ offices in Beacon Falls and Prospect.

Junior James Barrett, right, serves his mother Sue Barrett hors d’oeuvres for a culinary class at Woodland Regional High School Monday morning.

Junior James Barrett, left, and sophomore Rebecca Moscato, serve hors d’oeuvres for a culinary class at Woodland Regional High School Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

Woodland junior Semra Zekiri serves parent Sue Barrett hors d’oeuvres for a culinary class at Woodland Regional High School Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

From left, senior Patrick O'Dell, teacher Catherine Mirabilio, and junior Hailey Filippone show off hors d’oeuvres they prepared for a culinary class at Woodland Regional High School Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

Culinary teacher Catherine Mirabilio, in hat, and her classes prepared hors d'oeuvres for parents and teachers for an event Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

Students prepared hors d'oeuvres for parents and teachers for an event Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

Students prepared hors d'oeuvres for parents and teachers for an event Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

BEACON FALLS — Woodland Regional High School culinary students served up plates of hot hors d’oeuvres and bite-sized desserts Monday morning despite weather-related delays.

About 25 students from Culinary 1 and Bakeshop 2 classes demonstrated their skills for parents and teachers at the event in the culinary room at the high school.

“It was fun and everyone was so nice. They looked like they enjoyed the food we made,” sophomore Jess Brown said.

Brown said her culinary class taught her sanitation, cutting skills, and proper use of equipment, among other things.

Culinary teacher Catherine Mirabilio said the event replaced a traditional Thanksgiving buffet that her students put on for the past five or six years. This year, she said, she didn’t have time to put on the annual feast because her position was cut to part time and she only teaches two classes. However, Mirabilio said she wanted to show the community what her students can do.

“It gives them a chance to really collaborate. … I try to let my students take leadership rolls in the class as well,” Mirabilio said.

Besides learning how to cook, Mirabilio said her class teaches students to be critical thinkers and work well in groups.

“It’s not just a fun class,” Mirabilio said.

Students started preparing for the event shortly after winter break, Mirabilio said. She said they had to learn how to plan ahead and schedule when to prepare dishes that could be frozen for later in order to have everything ready at the event.

Students worked on sanitation, preparation, as butlers, greeters, and chefs for the big event.

“Good manners and being polite and patient can get you a lot of gratitude. Everyone said the food and service was good,” junior James Barrett said of his experience acting as a server for the event.

Mirabelio said she was proud of her students.

“They really stepped up to the plate,” Mirabilio said.

Woodland junior Semra Zekiri serves parent Sue Barrett hors d’oeuvres for a culinary class at Woodland Regional High School Monday morning. - LARAINE WESCHLER

Mid-term exams begin this week at Naugatuck High School.

NAUGATUCK — Mid-term exams are slated to begin Jan. 26 at Naugatuck High School.

The exam schedule is as follows:

Jan. 26, periods 1 and 2.

Jan. 27, periods 3 and 4.

Jan. 30, periods 5 and 6.

Jan. 31, periods 7 and 8.

Students should arrive by 7:30 a.m. for the first session or by 9:30 a.m. for the second session. Busses will be available for dismissal at 11:30 a.m. If school is canceled, exams will be pushed back a day. If there is a two-hour delay, exams will be pushed back two hours and school will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Students who report to school and don’t have an exam scheduled must report to the Resource Center or cafeteria for a supervised study hall.

For more information visit www.naugatuckhigh.naugatuck.k12.ct.us or call Naugatuck High School Principal Jan Saam at (203) 720-5420.

Registration is open to those children who will turn 5 by Jan. 1, 2013 and are residents of Beacon Falls for Laurel Ledge School and Prospect for Algonquin School. During the week of Jan. 23 through Jan. 27, parents can register their child and pick up a packet of forms that must be filled out and returned by Feb. 17. Proof of residency is required to register for kindergarten.

The following information must be provided to register a child: A mortgage statement or copy of deed showing ownership of property where child resides or copy of signed lease or rental agreement for the property the child lives or copy of signed lease or notarized statement from the owner of the property where child is residing listing all family members who are residing on the property; a copy of a current utility bill from CL&P or Yankee Gas or, if the landlord is supplying utilities, a notarized copy of the lease or rental agreement indicating the landlord is supplying utilities; a copy of another bill, cell phone, car insurance, car registration, credit card statement, etc. confirming residency; a copy of valid Connecticut driver’s license for either parent indicting address where the child resides.

For more information or questions, call Laurel Ledge at (203) 729-5355 ext. 202 or Algonquin at (203) 758-4408 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“I think you’re always going to have issues and complaints and late buses,” James Jordan said. “There are constant complaints about everything under the sun, but we’re not seeing consistent complaints about one thing or another. … I think things are better.”

The school board in April asked for a legal review of whether the company had breached its contract with the board following complaints that buses were running more than an hour late and concerned parents could not reach anyone at STA’s borough headquarters on South Main Street.

That review was never completed because many of the complaints were not documented, Jordan said. In most cases, parents complained to school principals, who often handled the problems themselves without being required to report to the board’s central office, Jordan said.

“Most of the information we would get is, people would call us, and you have to verify that stuff,” Jordan said.

The board is no longer hearing complaints that managers are absent, and is hearing fewer late bus complaints, Jordan said.

A new operations manager, Ron Tymula, replaced former manager Tasha Priar near the end of the summer, Jordan said. Tymula did not return a message seeking comment.

As a result of last spring’s issues, the board has streamlined the complaint process, Jordan said. Parents are encouraged to contact the school board’s central business office, run by Business Manager Wayne McAllister, with concerns about the buses.

If parents do not like the business office’s decision, they can come before the transportation committee for a hearing.

The business office now keeps a district-wide bus complaint log, which is reported on monthly, Jordan said. The business office also fills out a report that has all the contract’s major points, including evacuation drills and maintenance, to make sure the bus company is in compliance, Jordan said.

“I think that’s worked out rather well,” Jordan said. “You don’t want seven or eight different people handling it, you want one centralized office.”

This year, the board used a new mapping system called Versatrans to plot bus routes, which generated several complaints at the beginning of the school year from family members who were not happy with new bus stops. Many of those complaints have been resolved, Jordan said.

The bus company, which runs more than 40 vehicles on school days in the borough, has a $2 million-per-year contract with the school board that expires in 2013.