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Donna Christopher

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dchristopher@dailyvoice.com

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Schools
Around Fairfield Schools: Drug-Free 'Free' Dinner, Lockdown Drill, Senior Citizenship Around Fairfield Schools: Drug-Free 'Free' Dinner, Lockdown Drill, Senior Citizenship
Around Fairfield Schools: Drug-Free 'Free' Dinner, Lockdown Drill, Senior Citizenship Sadly, a generation of children has now grown up with lockdown drills, so it will come as no surprise to parents that their kids in Strawberry Hill School in Stamford had a  "shelter in place" drill onThursday, Feb. 27. Principal Frank Rodriguez sent out a notification letter on Thursday morning and posted it on the school's website, saying "a building shelter in place drill" was planned.  The notice explained procedures, which are basically standard for any school in Fairfield County. It noted that the standard safety procedures practiced are similar to a fire drill or an ev…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
Westchester Residents Must Complete Census For Vital Federal Dollars Westchester Residents Must Complete Census For Vital Federal Dollars
Westchester Residents Must Complete Census For Vital Federal Dollars Don't throw away that census form when it comes in the mail on April 1. Westchester County officials are ramping up their efforts to let citizens know that failing to complete it can cost your community millions of dollars in key funding for vital programs. Last month, Westchester County Executive George Latimer introduced a countywide marketing effort, which includes various public announcements and appearances at Pace University. The 2020 Census Campaign (in English and Spanish) launched a  public service announcement on Monday, Feb. 25 and can be seen here.  Executive Dire…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
Officials Urge Fairfield County Residents To Complete Census For Vital Funding Officials Urge Fairfield County Residents To Complete Census For Vital Funding
Officials Urge Fairfield County Residents To Complete Census For Vital Funding A poor response can cost municipalities millions in key federal dollars, which is why states and local officials have been ramping up public efforts around Fairfield County to urge residents to complete the 2020 Census. The campaigns also remind residents that there is still time to apply — note the April 1 (Census Day) deadline — for the 3,000 census jobs, some paying as much as $25 per hour in Connecticut. By April 1,  an invitation will have arrived in the mail for residents to complete the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. Census data is used to distribute more than $675…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
19-Year-Old Running For Senate To Honor Slain Brother, Make Schools Safe, Address Mental Health 19-Year-Old Running For Senate To Honor Slain Brother, Make Schools Safe, Address Mental Health
19-Year-Old Running For Senate To Honor Slain Brother, Make Schools Safe, Address Mental Health Most college sophomores are planning spring break, but University of Connecticut sophomore JT Lewis spends his class-free time campaigning for the Connecticut state senate in the 28th district, which includes Easton, Fairfield, Lewis' hometown of Newtown, Weston and Westport. Lewis, whose platform is school safety, is challenging Tony Hwang (R), a third-term state senator in the primary. A Republican who supports President Trump, Lewis expresses disappointment in Connecticut's political leaders. "They show up, pose for pictures, and that's it," he told Daily Voice Plus. "I decided to run fo…

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by Donna Christopher
Schools
Around Fairfield Schools: Safe Grad Night, Teachers Shine, Dollar For Hats Helps Puerto Rico Around Fairfield Schools: Safe Grad Night, Teachers Shine, Dollar For Hats Helps Puerto Rico
Around Fairfield Schools: Safe Grad Night, Teachers Shine, Dollar For Hats Helps Puerto Rico Adults feel helpless watching a calamitous earthquake rock Puerto Rico and seeing footage of how bushfires are burning millions of acres in Australia. Imagine how kids feel. One Ridgefield school came up with a fun way to support relief efforts in both countries earlier this month. The East Ridge Middle School Student Council raised $1,600 by collecting a dollar donation from students wearing hats and hoodies to school. The effort is just one example of what's happening around Fairfield County schools this month. Norwalk And McMahon Post-Graduation Committees Receive Gifts In Norwalk,…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
Clergy Offered Emergency Preparedness Training In Fairfield County's Largest City Clergy Offered Emergency Preparedness Training In Fairfield County's Largest City
Clergy Offered Emergency Preparedness Training In Fairfield County's Largest City Communities everywhere look to their houses of worship in times of disaster. Days after Hurricane Michael hit Florida's pan handle in October 2018, trained emergency volunteers from the statewide Florida Baptist Disaster Relief and Recovery Ministries partnered with churches in the affected communities to help recovery efforts. Connecticut religious groups plan to be ready for the unexpected, too. Clergy in Bridgeport, the largest city in Fairfield County with a population of  145,000, plan to lead the way. Bridgeport’s religious leaders will have a chance to receive emergency trainin…

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by Donna Christopher
Schools
Around Westchester Schools: Outstanding 20 Compete In Science, Art Draws Prestigious Attention Around Westchester Schools: Outstanding 20 Compete In Science, Art Draws Prestigious Attention
Around Westchester Schools: Outstanding 20 Compete In Science, Art Draws Prestigious Attention Einstein gets credit for saying "Imagination will take you everywhere," but the phrase is perhaps best espoused by a pair of Bronxville High School art students, whose works drew prestigious favor recently. The seniors, Ruby Howell and Victoria Vigorito, won multiple awards at the regional Scholastic Art & Writing awards competition. Ruby won eight for her drawings and paintings, and Victoria, one a piece for her pen drawing and an animation. Their commitment is significant, according to art teacher Courtney Alan.  "Their artwork stood out among thousands of submissions," she…

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by Donna Christopher
Politics
Maloney: FY 2021 Budget A 'No Go' For Hudson Valley Workers, Families, Seniors Maloney: FY 2021 Budget A 'No Go' For Hudson Valley Workers, Families, Seniors
Maloney: FY 2021 Budget A 'No Go' For Hudson Valley Workers, Families, Seniors Cuts to students loan programs, wiping out the Students Loan Forgiveness Program and 8 percent less for the Department of Education has State Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney worried for "hard-working New York families." This week, the Democrat from Cold Spring detailed in a statement how President Trump's fiscal year 2021 budget proposal is a "no-go" for citizens of Hudson Valley. In it, Maloney addresses concerns over cuts to federal funding for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, among others. “The president’s budget shows his willingness to put his campaign promises before the needs …

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by Donna Christopher
Schools
11-Year-Old Classical Pianist From Fairfield County Says Music Takes Him To 'Different World' 11-Year-Old Classical Pianist From Fairfield County Says Music Takes Him To 'Different World'
11-Year-Old Classical Pianist From Fairfield County Says Music Takes Him To 'Different World' Beethoven. Chopin. Haydn. Mozart.  Eleven-year-old Fairfield County pianist Cary Wang of New Canaan has a musical repertoire so long that when you get to the end, you've forgotten where you started.  Cary made his piano debut at the age of six with Claude Debussy's Le Petit Nègre at Carnegie Hall in December 2015 and hasn't looked back.  He's gone on to win first prize in national and international piano competitions, and, in December 2018, he won a competitive Manhattan School of Music Annual Concerto Competition — the youngest performer in the 10-to-13-year-old age group — w…

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by Donna Christopher
Lifestyle
Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. CURE Shows How Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. CURE Shows How
Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. Cure Shows How How young is too young to talk about race? And is 15 too late?  By kindergarten, children have already picked up attitudes about other races and ethnic groups. They're influenced by media and friends, but it's  parents who play a pivotal role in shaping these values. And many parents  just don't know how to start the conversation — or when. Thus, an organization in Westchester is providing training for parents to have these dialogues. Next month, the Coalition for Understanding Racism Through Education (CURE) is sponsoring Talking About Race For Parents: Raising Children for …

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by Donna Christopher
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