By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
Over the past six to seven months, a group of educators and administrators of the Technology Long Term Planning Committee banded together to revolutionize the way Southington Public Schools addresses and provides professional development for technology.
During a Board of Education meeting last week, Chris Richter, an eighth grade teacher at Kennedy Middle School and Karen Veilleux, the technology director of the Southington school district, shared an update the committee’s long-term plan to board members. Before creating a plan, the committee administered a district-wide survey to teachers to assess where they stood in the area of technology. From their level of computer skills to how often they use technology in the classroom to the availability of assistance in technological problems, the questions of the survey provided a wide range of data for the committee.
“We wanted to see as a whole where the district was at,” said Richter during the presentation. “We as a committee looked at each school and how they were doing, what we could do to try and address the issues.”
Richter said the results of the survey brought up three key issues for the committee to address: communication between teachers of different schools, “show and tell” among teachers district wide, and support systems for teachers who may not know where to turn to in the event of a technological problem.
“We wanted to create a system where you can show and tell,” Richter said. “When you show people things and talk about things, it creates discussion—it spurs innovation.”
The committee plans to address these issues through three initiative designs, which are still involved in the planning phase. The first design, called SPSTeachology.com, is a website that offers inside access to K-12 Southington teachers throughout the district, allowing them to load content for “show and tell,” to share ideas with each other.
Richter said the website is an innovative way to promote discussion since each post allows users to respond back, and users can also use social media to promote their posts.
“It is completely integrated with social media—if you post something to the blog, it can be automatically uploaded to your Facebook page, which allows a conversation,” Richter said.
The second initiative design, Google Docs, allows teachers to access their students’ work and to share documents back and forth.  Google Docs is a web-based document management application that users can create and edit both private and public spreadsheets as well as word processing documents. Users can store the documents on the Google cloud and/or on their computer. The committee plans to roll out the design to the district next August with a training day for teachers.
“We are really excited about this—we have been moving toward Google Docs this past year,” Veilleux said. “We have had a lot of trainings in our schools, in administration, and it allows the students to start work at school, log-in, and finish that work at home because it is all safe in the cloud.”
Both Veilleux and Richter said Google Docs will make it easier for teachers to correct assignments and quizzes more efficiently in less time.
“It is fascinating with some of the information you get back—you can see how the students all got question four wrong, and it leads to those discussions,” Veilleux said. “It really offers some new, innovative simple things that teachers can do to really increase the many aspects of their teaching,” Richter said.
Besides working with Google Docs to enhance their 21st century skills, students will also have the opportunity to become “Tech-Sperts,” the third initiative design that the committee plans to expand throughout the district. Currently, the program exists at Thalberg Elementary School, in which students teach, design, and problem-solve software and technology, using programs like Prezi and iMovie. Richter said next year Kennedy Middle School will have a pilot program.
“I think the program itself has incredible merit—it really is that project-based learning,” said Richter, who added that the committee also plans to partner with the Southington Education Foundation and STEM University. “We are trying to create a more technologically literate district because that is what the students need.”
These initiative designs are not the only ways in which the district will revolutionize technology in schools.  Recently, Governor Dannel Malloy awarded Southington a $237,923 grant for technology as part of a plan to bring more computers into classroom and increase Internet bandwidth. The state plans to fund over $24 million in grant requests to help students and teachers in Connecticut school districts to transition to the Common Core State Standards and the computer-based Smarter Balanced assessments. By the 2014-2015 school year, every public school district will administer these assessments, so schools may need new computers and technological upgrades, according to a press release from Governor Malloy.
“Part of the grant is really to get us ready for the state testing, so there is a report we are submitting regularly called tech readiness,” said Veilleux, who added that Derynoski School will receive a laptop cart and the high school will receive at least one or two laptop carts, most likely for Chromebooks. “We are required to submit to the state all our devices, [and] what rooms we are using for testing.”

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Southington Board of Education recently announced plans to partner with the town in the sharing of services, including technology, human resources and finance as well as purchasing.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi said the planning phase about sharing services started in August, with the goal of not only saving money, but also to work more efficiently. For instance, in the area of human resources, the Board would partner with the town in job training, advertising, and online job applications. The Board of Education uses a program called “AppliTrack” to receive online job applications instead of administering them via paper.
“We went paperless with our application process, and that saves hundreds of hours,” said Dr. Erardi during a recent Board of Education meeting. “AppliTrack will allow the town to partner with us.”
Besides job training and online applications, the Board and the town has also discussed sharing technology, especially in the area of professional development. For instance, school and town officials could learn new online tools together with the goal of enhancing their 21st century skills.
“As they build their technology staff, as we continue to build our technology staff, it just makes a lot of sense…to have combined professional development,” said Dr. Erardi, who added that the town and the Board could also share printing services for projects as well as office hardware and supplies.
Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback said that the intent of sharing services with the Board of Education is to “develop and create capability that currently does not exist,” to add an additional level of expertise.
“I looked at some things that the Board of Education had that we did not have-our goals align very closely with the Board of Education,” said Brumback, adding that enhancing technology serves as one common goal. “We are going to enhance capability.”
Brumback said one area of expertise that will benefit the town is purchasing. The Board of Education has a purchasing manager, who would have the knowledge and skills to assist the town.
“We purchase things by department,” Brumback said.
Besides sharing a purchasing manager, the town and the Board also plans to share banking services, to develop bid documents together, and to have consortium price sharing.
Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski said it makes sense for the town and the Board to join services together, especially since they share the Municipal Center.
“The town and the school system are not separate entities,” Goralski said.  “We are one.”
Although the town and the Board continues to discuss these plans further, focusing on the short-term and long-term goals, Goralski said this partnership will benefit this town as a whole.
“The more we do together, the better Southington is,” Goralski said. “I am excited about where this conversation could go.”

Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi is the “candidate of choice” for the superintendent position in Newtown, according to a recent email sent out to school faculty.

When reached for comment Wednesday morning, Erardi would only confirm sending the email.

Erardi became superintendent in Southington in 2007, replacing Dr. Harvey Polansky. He previously served as superintendent in Watertown and Bolton.

By Ed Harris
Editor
The Southington High School Cyber Knights team kicked off its 2014 season Saturday, with an all day kickoff event that included a new rookie partner team from Plainville High School.
The Cyber Knights team is now in its seventeenth year and currently consists of 65 students. The team is supported by more than a dozen mentors that donate their time to help teach the students.
Teams will now have six weeks to decide game strategy, design, prototype, design into CAD software, generate prints and manufacture, assemble, wire and program a 120 pound robot.
“Students join any number of sub-teams in these functions and work moves quickly, “ said Sandra Brino, a Cyber Knight mentor. “Students work seven days a week through this six week period.”
Each year the robots must be designed to accomplish certain tasks. The Cyber Knights just found out Saturday that this year, their robot must be able to play a game called Arial Assist. This game is about teamwork, with teams, in alliances of three, working together to score a large 24” ball across a field by passing it to each other.
Last year, the robots were required to throw Frisbees into scoring slots. The year prior, the robots had to play basketball.
The Cyber Knights will compete in two of the three competitions being held in Connecticut this year, including one being held for the first time in Southington, March 22-23.
The Knights will hope to score enough points to qualify for the New England District Championship, held in Boston in April and then the World Championships, held in St. Louis.
Over the years, the team has traveled the country, winning titles and creating a legacy of success. Last year, the team made a return trip to the world championships, held in Missouri. In 2006 the team finished second in the global competition.
Due in part to this success and the longevity of the program, the Cyber Knights were able to mentor the rookie team from Plainville.
“It is hard to start a program this technically complex and having a veteran team mentoring the first year is critical to successfully launching a program that can then be sustained,” Brino said. “Being a solid veteran team, it has always been a dream of team 195 from Southington to mentor a rookie team. When we heard that Plainville was starting a team we jumped right in to help.”
Representatives from Plainville did not reply to an email seeking comment.
Comments? Email eharris@southingtonobserver.com.

By Tammi Naudus
Southington High School Cyber Knight members Anthony D’Abramo, Mateusz, and Matthew McLaughlin work on creating a robot during an all day robotics practice on Saturday.

Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi plans to present his proposed budget before the Board of Education tonight during a workshop meeting.

According to the Superintendent’s Operating Budget report, the proposed budget for 2014-2015 is $87,259, 873—an increase of 3.59 percent over this current year adopted budget. The adopted budget for this current year is $84,233,204.

Dr. Erardi said in his report that his proposed budget includes initiatives that serve as “needed resources” due to the new teacher evaluation plan and the Common Core State Standards, as mandated by the state. According to Dr. Erardi’s budget summary, the budget also reflects the continued support of technology, as there are dedicated funds to the second phase of a three-year technology plan.

“It is my belief that this proposed budget represents the program priorities and the long term vision (Vision 2020) set forth by this Board of Education and also represents a plan that continues to maintain and enhance the needed resources for all children,” said Dr. Erardi in his report.

The Board of Education workshop, scheduled for 7 p.m., will take place at the Municipal Center Public Assembly Room.

Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi has resigned to accept the position of superintendent in Newtown.

“The Southington Board of Education is grateful for the positive impact Dr.

Erardi has had on Southington,” said Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski. “His leadership, vision and work ethic have put our school district on a rising trajectory of improvement in student achievement and a well-defined path to providing a 21st century education.”

Erardi became superintendent in Southington in 2007, replacing Dr. Harvey Polansky. He previously served as superintendent in Watertown and Bolton.

Dr. Erardi was the “candidate of choice” for the superintendent position in Newtown, according to a recent email sent out to school faculty.

“There is not another job in the country that I would be interested in other than in Newtown,” said Dr. Erardi in the e-mail. “Over time, as a school leader, you realize what you do well. I looked at what I believe were positive professional attributes within my personal skill set and became part of the search process.”

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Southington Board of Education voted 5 to 4 in favor of the new proposed school calendar for 2014-2015, providing teachers more time for professional development.
The new calendar displays nine early release days for professional development from September to May as well as full days for professional development in August, November and February.
“We know that next year is going to be a burdensome year with everybody in regards to professional development,” said Southington school Supt. Dr. Joe Erardi during the Board of Education meeting last week. “We have talked about time and anxiety, and that is still an issue across the district.
Students will not have to report to school on the full days of professional development, leaving teachers six hours to develop new skills and to work together. On early release days, students will leave school earlier, giving teachers 2 hours to collaborate, to share ideas and to work together as a team.
“I am in full support as is, providing that it is a one year, calendar that there are no assumptions that this will continue every year,” said board member Terry Lombardi, who voted in approval.
“It is very important, especially next year when we’re going to be getting into so many new things with Common Core—the new Smarter Balanced testing,” added school board member Terri Carmody. “The teachers need this.”
Board members Patricia Johnson, David Derynoski and Zaya Oshana did not vote in favor of the proposed calendar. Although they agreed that teachers in the district need more time for professional development, they expressed concern about the lost instructional time for students in the classroom.
“I understand how valuable professional development is,” said Johnson, during the meeting. “On the other hand, I think that perhaps some of these full days for professional development times could be given back to the students.”
Board member Patricia Queen, who voted in favor of the school calendar as proposed, said lost instructional time in the classroom on professional development days means students can learn in other ways outside the classroom.
“Direct instructional time is not the only time students are learning,” Queen said. “This could be a time for students to work on long-term projects…or pursue an individualized learning opportunity.”
Chairperson Brian Goralski, who did not vote in favor of the calendar as proposed, suggested before the Board to eliminate one professional development day for a compromise. However, the majority voted to keep the calendar as presented.
Goralski said the additional professional development days will compensate for lost time in the classroom, as teachers continue to strengthen their skills together.
“The lost instructional time will be made up with quality,” Goralski said.
Assistant Superintendant Karen Smith told Board members that she will keep track on how the additional days professional development are utilized, collecting data to share in the future. Smith said agendas will be developed for the professional development days and she will administer online surveys that will be tailored to each individual activity that the teachers take part in.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Southington Town Council voted unanimously for a proposal to put the Beecher Street property up for bid again—this time with restrictions.
Based on his conversations with the Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Attorney Mark Sciota said the 100-year-old property will have two potential uses: residential or office use. If used for residential purposes, the building itself must not hold more than a total of 12 units, or four units per floor, Sciota reported.
Sciota said advertising for the Beecher Street property will begin next month.
“If the proposals come in, we will give them the possibility to maintain a possible office use of the existing building, with the remaining land being residential or using the existing building as residential and the remaining land as residential,” Sciota said during a Town Council meeting on Monday.
The property, located at 49 Beecher Street, once served as the former home of the school system’s administrative offices. Late last year, residents of the neighborhood opposed the proposed sale of the building to Beecher Street LLC, which would have turned the property into 30 units of affordable housing for senior citizens.
Dean Zubko, a resident of Beecher Street who rejected the proposal of Beecher Street LLC, said he feels pleased with the restrictions now imposed on the property.
“I think it is a great situation,” Zubko said before the Council. “Whether it is an office or residential, it is a perfect situation for the neighborhood.”

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi presented his proposed budget before the Board of Education during a recent budget workshop.
According to the Superintendent’s Operating Budget report, the proposed budget for 2014-2015 is $87,259, 873—an increase of 3.59 percent over this current year adopted budget. The adopted budget for this current year is $84,233,204.
Dr. Erardi said in his report that his proposed budget includes initiatives that serve as “needed resources” due to the new teacher evaluation plan and the Common Core State Standards, as mandated by the state.
According to Dr. Erardi’s budget summary, the budget also reflects the continued support of technology, as there are dedicated funds to the second phase of a three-year technology plan.
“What is presented in front of you…is the core of what is needed to continue to go forward for the 14-15 operational plan,” said Dr. Erardi during his presentation to the board.
During his presentation before board members, Dr. Erardi reflected back on previous budgets, recognizing how the economy affected them from 2007 to 2013.
He noted how previous budgets included the reduction in certified literacy specialists, a reduction of middle school and freshmen athletic competitions and the elimination of dedicated enrichment staff. However, he also looked back on success, including the implementation of all-day Kindergarten and the Family Resource Center, the establishment of a K-12 science coordinator and the restoration of an enrichment program for gifted students.
“These have been very difficult times,” Dr. Erardi said. “Although we lost opportunity, we also picked up opportunity for students.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Erardi provided an overview of several core foundations in the proposed budget: the request for new staff, professional development, and a three-year plan of Phase II for technology. More specifically, the proposed budget includes an increase of $11,500 for professional development to meet the needs of the new teacher evaluation system as well as the new state assessment program.
The proposed budget also includes the restoration of lost staffing and programming with an expense of $54,150 for a library media specialist at both middle schools as well as math specialist at Kennedy Middle School and a literacy specialist at DePaolo Middle School. Dr. Erardi’s report has also requested additional staff within the technology department, including a management level position at a cost of $65,000 to oversee the Southington Public Schools K-12 network, and four additional teaching positions to take the role of Teacher Leader at a cost of $187,000.
“We simply need more hands to do the work,” said Dr. Erardi during his presentation. “We are overwhelmed at this point with teacher evaluations—we are overwhelmed with Common Core State Standards.”
Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski said the proposed budget mirrors three major priorities of the Board for the upcoming budget: the curriculum (Common Core State Standards), technology and teacher evaluations.
“The budget clearly shows where we need support,” Goralski said. “It is a very good reflection of our work.”

Comments? Email lcapobianco@southingtonobserver.com.

By Lissa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Southington Board of Education voted unanimously in approval of adopting a budget of $87,072,005, an increase of 3.37 percent from the current budget. The adopted budget for this current year is $84,233,204.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, board members revisited four items in the proposed budget of Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi, making several amendments before reaching a full agreement.
According to the Superintendent’s Operating Budget report, the proposed budget for 2014-2015 was $87,259, 873—an increase of 3.59 percent over this current year adopted budget.
Dr. Erardi’s proposed budget requested four additional teaching positions to take the role of Teacher Leader as well as a full-time position for a new administrative secretary. During the meeting, board members called for a reduction of a proposed number of teacher leaders from four to three as well as a request to change the proposed new full-time administrative secretary to a half-time secretary. The Board also voted to add a line item of $10,000 for new musical instruments for the district, as requested by Board member Colleen Clark.
“I just feel if we are doing that for athletics, musicians are athletes of a different variety,” Clark said.
Board members also debated whether or not to keep a proposed $25,000 for the up-keep of the turf field at Southington High School in the budget.
“I’d rather take this $25,000 and use it somewhere else in our education budget,” said Board member Zaya Oshana, who voted to eliminate the request in the proposed budget.
The majority voted to keep the request in the budget. Board members Terry Lombardi and David Derynoski said the item should remain in the budget for one year until the Turf Field Advisory Committee generates more revenue through fundraising.
“It is not a recurring line item—it’s a revisit item,” said Terry Lombardi who voted in favor of keeping the request in the proposed budget. “We need to redirect our efforts toward fundraising.”
“I think it needs to be looked at seriously by the committee, and start doing what the original plan was—to start generating outside funds and not taxpayer dollars,” added Board Member David Derynoski, who agreed with Lombardi.
The school board will present its proposed budget to the Board of Finance on Thursday, Feb. 13.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
With the resignation of Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi, the Board of Education has announced that Assistant Superintendent Karen Smith will serve as “interim superintendent” in April.
“We have asked her to consider serving as our Interim Superintendent on April 11,” said Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski, adding that April 11 serves as Dr. Erardi’s last day. “We are confident she will continue to guide as we have been in the past, and with her leadership and direction, and teamwork with us, we’re confident we are going to continue to do things the right way.”
“It is an honor,” responded Smith during a recent Board of Education meeting.
Also with the resignation of Dr. Erardi comes the beginning phase of the search process for a new superintendent, which Goralski calls an “in-depth” process that has begun immediately.
“We are going to get started right away,” Goralski said. “This is not a responsibility that any board member takes lightly.”
The first phase of the search involves hiring a consultant who will oversee and facilitate the process, to gather information and to screen likely candidates, ensuring that the applicants meet the needs of Southington. With the expertise of the consultant, the Board will create a further plan with how to proceed in the process.
“There is nothing more important than hiring a superintendent,” Goralski said. “We are going to do everything we can to keep in touch with the public.”
The process will also involve conducting focus groups with parents, faculty members and town leaders to create an open forum in determining the ideal qualities these members of the community would like to see in a new superintendent. In 2007, after Dr. Harvey Polansky resigned as Superintendent in Southington, the Board conducted Goralski said the search process involved speaking with nine focus groups.
Goralski said he would like to see this part of the process replicated again this time.
“The idea is to get the best representation of the public,” Goralski said. “The superintendent represents everyone.”
Comments? Email lcapobianco@southingtonobserver.com.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
From weather patterns, to cell mutation to great white sharks, fifth graders identified as gifted and talented in the Southington school district have currently worked on a variety of projects in partnership with Talcott Mountain Science Center.
Established toward the end of last year with the help of a $15,000 grant, the partnership serves as an enrichment program for a total of 29 students from the district. Every week students devote time in class and at home to work on an individualized project, connecting virtually with a scientist from Talcott Mountain for guidance.
“These kids are going to be your future innovators,” said Erin Nattrass, a teacher at Kelley School who serves as one of the district facilitators for the Talcott enrichment program. “We are developing the whole student.”
The enrichment program kicked off in October with a district-wide training for students and district facilitators, followed by a virtual online meet-and-greet with scientists. During the training, students learned how to use Canvas, a software program that allows them to communicate directly with scientists and also with each other. Through Canvas, students can log-in from both school and home to send instant messages back and forth. Building facilitators, who monitor the students when working on their projects, also received training for the program.
“Smaller schools like Flanders and South End where they only have two participants are able to communicate with students from Kelley School and Derynoski where there is a larger population of students which is great,” said Nattrass during a presentation at a recent Board of Education meeting.
About six scientists are involved in the enrichment program, guiding the students with their topics and answering questions throughout the experiments. Students submit a “blueprint,” which resembles a proposal for a science fair project, said Nattrass. Currently, one student has pursued a project that involves constructing robotics that can navigate around a house. Other students have worked on cell mutation and its effect on cancer, controlling the growth of algae and using various sources to create usable energy.
“It is really mind-blowing with what these kids are coming up with,” said Jonathon Cop, a special education teacher at Thalberg Elementary School, who also serves as a district facilitator with Nattrass.
Cop added that the students involved in the program have maintained a good balance between their projects and schoolwork. Although they allocate 30 minutes of “free time” into their schedules to work on their projects, students still have enough time to complete their assignments.
“This is not in place of their classroom core curriculum,” Cop said. “This is enrichment—it is an addition to their classroom instruction.”
Looking ahead, Cop said upon finishing their projects, students will share what they discovered during a “Recognition Evening” at Talcott Mountain Science Center later in the school year. After students present their projects, Cop and Nattrass will have a discussion with Talcott Mountain to determine how to tweak or change the program with the hope of rolling it out again.
“When we hear them talk about it, our heads are just spinning in awe every day, and the kids absolutely love it,” Nattrass reported to the Board of Education at a recent meeting.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Best Buddies Club at Southington High School fosters one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual disabilities. From bowling and mini golf to holiday parties and dances to athletic events, members of the Best Buddies Club at the high School take part in a variety of different activities with each other.
“We try to plan a lot of events,” said Chapter President John White, a senior at the high school.
With the planning of different events and activities come fundraising efforts. A recent $1,500 donation from New York Life Insurance will benefit these activities.
“I was ecstatic,” said Teacher Advisor Nicole Proffitt of the club, adding that the money will benefit transportation, food, activities, chapter dues.  “This is a great opportunity for us.”
New York Life agent and long-time resident of Southington Peter Ramsay decided to give back to Best Buddies last May during one of the club’s celebrations at YMCA Camp Sloper. Ramsay jumped at the opportunity to bring a group of volunteers from New York Life to the event when his niece, who served as the club’s president last year, asked him to help out.
Ramsay said employees of New York Life enjoyed volunteering at the celebration, and he hopes the donation will help the club in a variety of ways.
“I hope it allows them to do more things with the kids,” Ramsay said. “It has become such a good organization.”
Established in 1989, Best Buddies is a non-profit international organization that grew from one original chapter to nearly 1,700 middle school, high school and college chapters worldwide, according to its website. Currently, the Best Buddies Club at Southington High has 50 members, including students with and without intellectual disabilities.
White has been involved with the club since freshman year. He said getting involved with Best Buddies has served as a rewarding experience not only for himself but also for his peers.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” White said, adding that all members of the club have established lasting friendships with each other. “I think you appreciate the little things you see in friendships.”

By Tammi Naudus
Southington High School’s Best Buddy program recently earned a $1,500 donation from New York Life. Pictured above are, agents Bobby Bennett and Peter Ramsay of New York Life Insurance with John White, Chapter President of the Best Buddies Club at Southington High School and teacher co-advisors Nicole Proffitt and Alicia Soares.

By Ed Harris
Editor
A St. Dominic School fourth grader was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship for growing a 10 pound cabbage as part of a national program.
Last year, Vincent Rappoccio’s third grade class participated in the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program. The school’s entire third grade class participated in the program, which was overseen by teacher Amy Ronkese.
The program is a nation wide contest, with winners selected from each state.
“I was very surprised and excited when I found out I was the winner for Connecticut,” Vincent said. “I never thought I would. I actually forgot about the contest because I am now in the fourth grade and we submitted my entery in September 2013.”
The National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program was launched in 2002 and awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each participating state. A teacher from each partaking class selects a student that they think has the best cabbage and submits a digital photo. The student is then entered into a statewide drawing. The state winners are randomly selected by the state’s Commission of Agriculture.
According to a press release on the program, more than 1.5 million third graders in 48 states participated in the program this year.
Bonnie Plants donates the cabbage plants, known as O.S. Cross, or “oversized,” to the program. If nurtured correctly, the cabbages tip the scales at over 40 pounds.
“The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children’s interest in agriculture, while teaching them not only the basics of gardening, but the importance of our food systems and growing our own,” said Stan Cope, president of Bonnie Plants, in a release. “This unique, innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates, through hands-on experience, where food comes from. The program also affords our youth with some valuable life lessons in nurture, nature, responsibility, self-confidence and accomplishment.”
Vincent’s cabbage came in at 10.7 pounds and 27 inches in diameter.
Vincent said he started growing the cabbage from a seed at school. Once the cabbage started to grow, it was brought home and eventually planted outside once it hearty enough to put in the ground.
“Since we do not have a garden at our house, we planted the cabbage at my grandfather’s house,” Vincent said.
Once it was ripe, the cabbage found itself on the Rappoccio family dinner table. The family used the cabbage to make stuffed cabbage rolls, cole slaw and cabbage salad.
Since growing the cabbage, Vincent has been bitten by the gardening bug.
“Since I had good luck growing the cabbage, I would like to try and grow something else,” he said. “It was very exciting to see such a small see turn into such a large head of cabbage.”

Submitted
Vincent Rappoccio grew a 10 pound cabbage and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the National Bonnies Plants Cabbage Program.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
With the Southington Board of Education voting unanimously to adopt an official mission statement for the Veterans Committee, the school district has reaffirmed to “never forget” the sacrifices of military service members from the past and present.
“I see tonight as the exemplar for this entire country at every local level to pay attention to, to take notice of,” said Southington School Supt. Dr. Erardi, who formed the Veterans Committee several years ago. “I would like to send a copy of this to every federal delegate that we have in Connecticut, encouraging them to share this in Washington.”
During a recent Board of Education meeting, local veterans of the committee were honored and recognized as Southington High School Assistant Principal Richard Terino read the mission statement aloud. A member of the Veterans Committee, Terino said six members collaborated together on the mission statement before creating a final draft.
For Terino and other members of the Veterans Committee, the mission statement serves as a reflection of the partnership between local veterans and the school district, as it reminds students, faculty members and administrators to never forget the sacrifice that service members made to their country.
“We have to build that awareness, especially in the minds of our students,” said Terino, adding that anywhere from five to ten local veterans visit the schools during military holidays.   “Freedom isn’t free—there is always a price to pay.”
“It makes the future have brighter promise because the knowledge you learned isn’t in the textbooks, it’s not in movies, it is not on TV…it’s through your life,” added Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski, thanking the local veterans during the meeting for their service.
When Steve Pintarich, a local veteran who serves on the committee, read the final draft of the mission statement, he said nothing could be eliminated or added from the message.
“Nobody is going to forget,” Pintarich said. “It defines what the vets have done.”

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
Kennedy Middle School in Southington is one of over a dozen other schools in the state facing off in the National Science Bowl regional this weekend.
A team of four students from Kennedy will compete on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, answering a variety of questions in all areas of science and mathematics. If declared the winner, the team will compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Science Bowl, which will take place in Washington D.C. this April.
Created in 1991, the nationwide academic competition features a fast-paced question and answer format, testing students on biology, earth science, chemistry, math and physics. The winner of the national competition will win prizes for the team members and their schools.
Kennedy participated in the regional National Science Bowl last year for the first time, and came in fourth place, competing against over 20 other schools in Connecticut.
“I have high hopes,” said Katie Soltys, a science teacher who coaches the team members. “I just want them to have a fun time while learning science and math—I hope they learn to work together as a team and help each other out.”
Currently, the Science Bowl team has practiced for the regional competition once a week for an hour, answering sample questions with a timed buzzer system. They have also participated in a scrimmage against science teachers as well as two other schools, answering questions such as, “What is the name of the rock that makes up most of the ocean floor and volcanic ocean islands?” (The answer is basalt).
“They’re really excited,” Soltys said. “Plus the scrimmage has helped them feel more prepared for it.”
Soltys held an audition before selecting a group of students to participate in the regional competition. About 30 students auditioned, but the ones who answered the majority amount of questions correctly. Eighth graders Amisha Paul and Adam Gwara were two of the four teammates selected to compete regionally.
“I’m nervous and excited because we got fourth place last year—you never know how hard the questions are going to be there,” said Paul, adding that she plans on pursuing a career in the medical field.
“It’s a little scary cause this is the first year I’ve been in it,” added Gwara, who is thinking about pursing a career in chemical engineering. “But I’m really excited for it.”
The Office of Science reported in a press release that between now and March, 5,000 middle school students on more than a thousand teams will participate in regional competitions in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Regional winners will compete in the National Finals, scheduled for April 24 through April 28 in D.C. Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the competition encourages the development of future leaders in science and technology and also trains the next generation of engineers and scientists, according to the release.
Soltys said students will answer more challenging questions as time progresses during the regional competition. Although Soltys plays the role of team coach, students must work together independently without her help while answering questions on-the-spot during the competition itself.
“The students have to be very independent and take responsibility if something is wrong,” Soltys said.

*Updated

Students have returned to the school after it was deemed that the odor was not emanating from the school. According to officials, the gas leak was found to originate on Werking Street.

Original Story

Kennedy Middle School is currently being evacuated due to a gas order. The students are being placed on busses to stay warm while officials investigate.

Officials believe the odor is related to the construction going on onsite.

There is no further information at this time.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
The Southington Board of Education recently presented its proposed budget before the Board of Finance, requesting a total of $87,072,005 for the coming fiscal year. This reflects an increase of 3.37 percent over this year’s adopted budget of $84,233,204.
The budget comes with a reduction of $187,868 from the original proposal of Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi.
Sherri DiNello, the director of Business and Finance for the school district, highlighted the areas that contributed the most to increase of the proposed budget. She said salaries account for 50.5 percent of the increase, the request in personnel accounts for just below 10 percent, and health insurance accounts for 15 percent of increase.
“What is before you is a budget that is unanimously endorsed 9-0,” said Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski during the presentation before the finance board.
During a presentation before the Board of Finance, Dr. Erardi reflected back on lost programs between 2007 and 2013, referring to that period as a difficult time. Within that time frame, lost programs included an elimination of dedicated enrichment staff K-12, a reduction of middle school and high school freshmen athletic competitions, a reduction in certified library media specialists and instrumental music for third grade students.
“We designate the six-year period as times that have been very difficult in all communities and in this particular community, a community that I’m proud to represent the school board for, has done an outstanding job of trying to marginalize the reduction of programs even in the most difficult of times,” Dr. Erardi said during beginning of the budget presentation.
Assistant Superintendent Karen Smith said despite those challenges, the district was able to achieve new and lost programs over the last several years, including all-day kindergarten, the Family Resource Center, an elementary guidance and counseling program (funded with a grant of $1.2 million) and continued enrichment through partnerships with Talcott Mountain Science Center and Middlesex Community College as well as internship opportunities for high school students.
Under the proposed budget, professional development increased $11,500 to meet the needs of the new evaluation system and the new state assessment program. Health insurance costs are also proposed to increase 5.6 percent over the current funding level.
The proposed budget calls for the restoration of lost staff and programming, requesting a return of a library media specialist for both middle schools at an expense of $54,150, as well as a literacy specialist (for DePaolo Middle School) and a math specialist (for Kennedy Middle School) at an expense of $54,150.
“That request is based on data and student needs,” said Smith during the presentation before the finance board. “The library media specialist… is the restoration of what had been eliminated and with our state-of-the-library medias that are currently being built at DePaolo and Kennedy, it would be a shame not to house or staff them.”
The proposal also calls for proposed new support staff for teaching, learning and safety, including three additional positions to take the role of Teacher Leader at a cost of $140,250, an additional central office secretary at an expense of $22,000 as well as an additional paraprofessional support staff to enhance supervision in the in-school suspension room of Southington High School.
“With new initiatives that we are responsible for, which includes teacher evaluation, professional development as well, it is absolutely necessary for us to increase staffing in the area providing support and professional development to our current staff,” Smith said to the finance board.
Besides new staff members, the budget proposal addresses Phase II of the technology plan, which includes the ongoing lease program for computer replacements with an annual payment of $85,000 and an amount of $200,000 required to phase-in the second of a three-year technology infrastructure upgrade to refresh network switches and to install an enterprise Wi-Fi solution. There is also a request for a management level position at a cost of $65,000 to oversee the K-12 network of the school district in the area of technology.
“The board is truly committed to the movement forward with technology—we have a three-year plan,” Dr. Erardi said. “The total cost for our technology upgrade, including staffing, infrastructure, software, is $430,000.”
After the presentation, the school board answered over a dozen questions previously submitted by Board of Finance Vice Chairman Joe Labieniec and other members of the finance board. Questions addressed topics such as the Common Core State Standards, the cost of all-day kindergarten and the teacher/administrator evaluation process. Goralski answered the questions aloud on behalf of the school board.
“At one time there was an adversarial relationship between the Board of Education and the Board of Finance. I’m proud to be a part of seeing that diminish to one of teamwork and cooperation,” said Goralski in the beginning of the budget presentation, adding that communication has improved between the school board and finance board.
“We will do our best to ask the questions, be as informative as we can to make an intelligent fact-based decision as we move forward with the Board of Ed budget plus the town budget,” said Board of Finance Chairman John Leary after the budget presentation.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
Members of the Southington High School Cyber Knights recently unveiled this year’s robot—an innovation they created within a six-week time frame.
The Cyber Knights named the 120-pound robot “F-195 Knighthawk” in honor of the F-17 Nighthawk, a stealth ground attack aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, which decided to be sponsor of the robotics team for the first time this year. Students tweaked the name to fit the number 195, which is part of the team’s official name, “SHS FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team 195.”
Sandra Brino, a mentor of the robotics team, said the team wanted to honor military members for their service to the country. This year they decided to focus their community service outreach on local veterans.
“Our team is very focused on community outreach,” Brino said. “The Air Force was very honored.”
“We’re overjoyed we’re being looked at by the Air Force,” added Bailey Kahl, a junior at the high school who has served on the robotics team for two years now, working on the manufacturing side.
Now in its seventeenth year, the Cyber Knights team spent at least 30 hours a week building, programming, testing and designing the robot, creating an official one to be used in the upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and a “twin” robot to troubleshoot any difficulties.
Last month, the Knights kicked off its 2014 season last month during a kick-off event, where they found out the kind of task the robot must perform. This year the students designed their robot to play a game called Arial Assist, which involves two alliances of three teams each competing to score as many balls in goals as possible in a match lasting two minutes and 30 seconds long. They can earn additional points by robots working together to score goals.
Last year, the Cyber Knights designed the robot to throw Frisbees into scoring slots. In 2012, the robots had to play basketball.
“The teamwork is extremely important for this year’s game,” Brino said.
“There’s a strategy to it—you have to think about how you’re going to perform,” added Kahl, who said that creating a twin will help his team perfect the official robot.
In March, the Cyber Knights will compete in two competitions held in Connecticut, including one taking place for the first time in Southington from March 22-23. The FIRST competition will feature dozens of robotics teams from the state as well as other New England.
“I’m pretty confident in our robot,” said Kahl, adding that he likes how the design of the robot all came together.  “It’s truly exciting and awesome.”
If the Knights score enough points, they will qualify to compete in the New England District Championship, which will take place in Boston this April and then the World Championships. Over the years, the Knights have accomplished a legacy of success, winning titles and the traveling the country. Last year, the team competed in the world championships, held in Missouri. The team also came in second during the global competition in 2006.
“It turns into a full-time job,” said Kahl, who plans on pursuing a career in engineering. “It’s challenging, but we enjoy it.”

Submitted
The Cyber Knights built this robot in six weeks.

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
More than 60 percent of teachers at Southington High School who responded in a survey about the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program reported that they used their own technology at least six times last year, according to the results.
“That was a very encouraging sign right away,” said social studies teacher Rich Aroian, during a recent Board of Education meeting.
Aroian, along with another teacher from the Social Studies Department, Candace Patten, administered the survey to determine not only how often teachers utilized the BYOD program, but also to observe how they used it and why.
“The purpose of the bring your own device program that we started last year is to increase technology, the availability of the classrooms by allowing students to use their own devices as a learning tool,” Aroian said.
According to the survey results, 72 percent of respondents said they used BYOD as a “quick look up” tool while 64 percent responded they used it for dictionary purposes, and 55 percent of respondents said they utilized the program to access the internet for assignments. They answered the survey based on how often they used BYOD in the fall of 2013.
“Many teachers are using it, but for the most part, it’s been a quick look-up tool,” Aroian said. “For the most part, it was smaller assignments.”
During the meeting, Aroian and Patten showed the school board various opportunities of websites and apps that teachers have used in the classroom with the BYOD program, including Google Drive, which allowed students to work together on a presentation using their own devices. Patten said Google Drive also allowed her to monitor students as they answer questions, and to comment on what they write for instant feedback.
“This is a way for all students to be actively involved,” said Patten, who uses Google Drive in her own classroom.
The survey also reported advantages and disadvantages of BYOD. Teachers reported that through the program, they did not have to leave the classroom, thereby saving instructional time. Respondents also reported that the program made research fun and kept students engaged, providing instant access to information and enhancing 21st century skills.
“They didn’t lose time moving their classrooms from room to room,” Aroian said. “It’s fun, it’s engaging for kids and is certainly an example of those 21st century skills we want to put into play.”
However, teachers reported disadvantages of the program, such as the difficulty of monitoring student use of technology in the classroom accurately. Another problem dealt with equity, as teachers reported that there are still a large number of students without a device to use in the classroom.
“There’s still a handful of them in every class that doesn’t have something,” said Aroian, adding that students who lack iPads and smartphones often have to crowd around their peers who have a device.
Aroian added that a potential solution for this issue includes the purchase of more mobile carts for the high school as well as Chromebooks.
“To have three students looking on one student who has something…that’s troubling to me,” said school board member Terry Lombardi.
Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi replied that the Technology Long-term Planning Committee will address that issue within the next two months, and will report back to the Board of Education.

Comments? Email lcapobianco@southingtonobserver.com.