The Danbury School District has hired two new principals for elementary schools.  Carmen Vargas-Guevara will start at South Street in July while Christopher Roche will lead the Academy of International Studies magnet school. 

Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella says with her experience working with diverse groups of students, including English Language Learners, Vargas-Guevara brings a blend of building leadership and experience to the South Street School community.  Pascarella says Roche impressed them with both his strategic vision for cultivating continued success at AIS and his willingness to work alongside teachers for the benefit of all students.

A patch of grass behind Park Avenue School in Danbury has been turned into a community garden.  United Way parent liaison Maria Vargas helped organized the garden, which was planted in April.  It was funded by United Way and the Graustein Memorial Fund with plant donations by Agway of New Milford and the Ridgefield Garden Club.  Parents helped construct the sidewalk, install fencing, build boxes and plant vegetables.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned before the end of the school year.

Four students from Westside Middle School in Danbury, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 50011, have presented a “Buddy Bench” to Shelter Rock School.  Julia Wiblishauser, Ani Krolian, Kaya Faysbender, and Kaitlyn Klampert earned a Girl Scout Silver Award, the organization's second highest award, for building the bench. 

The bench was designed, built and painted by the four girls and is a place where children can find friendship as part of the district’s “Start with Hello” anti-bullying campaign sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise.  Principal Dawn Bartz noted that the girls are graduating eighth grade this year and were her students at Westside in 6th grade.