Sign in Subscribe
The What

The What: Back to School in SW CT, ICE Updates, and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of August 25.

The What: Back to School in SW CT, ICE Updates, and more
We cannot believe it's back to school time already! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, August 25

Happy Monday and happy back to school for many families across the region. We’ve got some of the latest school news for you below. One note, we will be off next week for Labor Day (and for Kelly’s birthday!) so we’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday, Sept. 8. Have a great week. 

Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

  • Last week, we explored the impacts of ICE arrests and their presence in southwest Connecticut. CT Mirror reported that the efforts were part of a four-day operation that resulted in 65 arrests. According to ICE, 29 of the 65 people it arrested had been either charged with or convicted of “serious crimes.”
  • It’s back to school for most districts across southwest Connecticut. From a new school in South Norwalk to restored bus service in Bridgeport, explore the latest school news.
  • Bridgeport’s Board of Education will meet on Monday, August 25 and receive an update on the state’s intervention work, which began earlier this year to address budget deficits and poor student outcomes.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Students across southwest Connecticut are returning to school over the next few days. From restored bus routes in Bridgeport to a new school in South Norwalk, here’s some back-to-school highlights from across the region. 

New School in South Norwalk

The long awaited neighborhood school in South Norwalk officially is opening its doors to students this week as Norwalk returns to school on Monday, August 25. This marks the first time in more than 40 years that there’s a new school in South Norwalk. The goal of the Pre-K through 5th grade building is to provide a community school for one of the most diverse areas of the city that has been lacking that facility. 

The school was projected to cost $76 million and it received a 60% reimbursement rate from the state to help fund it. 

Learn more about how bus service was restored in Bridgeport and why Darien has a new cell phone policy. You can also check out our video highlighting ongoing school construction in Norwalk and Darien. 

This Week at a Glance

This section aims to highlight the most important meetings and news taking place each week.

  • In Bridgeport, the Board of Education will meet on Monday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. and receive an update on the state’s intervention work, which began earlier this year to address budget deficits and poor student outcomes.
  • Also in Bridgeport, the Charter Revision Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. to review and finalize recommendations for the proposed city charter. 
  • In Stamford, the Legislative and Rules Committee of the Board of Reprsentatives will meet on Wednesday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. and explore establishing a comprehensive tree preservation and urban forestry program. The city has been working to increase its tree canopy and tree planting efforts over the past few years. In addition, the committee will discuss a proposed ordinance that would require “net zero construction” for all new buildings and major commercial renovations.
  • In Norwalk, the Harbor Management Commission will meet on Wednesday, August 27 at 6 p.m. and continue reviewing the proposed plans for 108 Water Street, which call for a 4.5 story, 59-unit, mixed-use building on the site.
  • In Fairfield, the Town Plan and Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 26 at 6 p.m. and continue reviewing two proposals for Biro Street. The first would be “a new 100-unit residential development” at 108 Biro Street and the second would be “a 48-unit residential development” at 105 Biro Street /300 Castle Avenue.
  • In Greenwich, there’s an E-Bike Rider Safety Session on Monday, August 25 at 6 p.m., which was organized by the Active Transportation Task Force, Bax Cycles, and the Greenwich Fire Department, as part of an effort to educate riders on the skills to operate an e-bike or scooter as well as safety information.
  • In Darien, Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne will give a summer recap presentation featuring information about special education, student services, curriculum and instruction, enrollment, and more at the Tuesday, August 26 meeting of the Board of Education at 7:30 p.m. 

Plan Your Week

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Norwalk

Fairfield

Greenwich

Darien

Westport

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Sunday night. Meeting times and agendas may get adjusted throughout the week.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times

Read next