The Board of Education (BOE) recognized retiring staff, CABE Student Leadership Award recipients, the top five percent of Newtown High School's (NHS) 2026 graduating class, and more, in several Celebrations of Excellence at its Tuesday, June 2, meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, BOE Chair Alison Plante said they were excited to have so many Celebrations of Excellence to recognize the amazing work and academic accomplishments of their students and staff.

The first Celebration of Excellence recognized the Middle Gate Elementary School (MGS) store, which opened at the start of the school year. Affectionately called The Eagle's Nest, the school store carries a wide variety of school supplies such as pencil sharpeners, erasers, and highlighters for students to buy.

MGS Principal Jenna Connors briefly spoke to the crowd before turning the microphone to MGS Counselor Melissa Arsenault and MGS Library Media Specialist Suzanne Hurley, who run the school store with help from student employees.

Arsenault said these student employees have done various jobs for the school store, from marketing to managing supplies.

MGS school store employees then got a chance to share testimonials about everything that goes into running the school store. These students included Bryn Beasley, Joseph Bedocs, Abigail Carmona, Landon Hafner, Jessy Hernandez Peralta, James Hyman, Mikaela Lovelace, Teagan Murray, Avery Pierzchala, and Caroline Plante.

The students talked about what it was like to write an application, go through their first interview, and the importance of acknowledging their mistakes and learning from them.

Following that was a Celebration of Excellence of Head O'Meadow Elementary School's (HOM) Grade Four School Community Team (SCT), a before-school club for fourth graders who want to participate in community service projects. The group focuses on responsibility and giving back to the community so as to support people in need and make a positive impact on the world.

Each month, SCT does a volunteer project for a charity organization. In addition, each student is required to complete a community service project of their choice outside of school.

After sharing information about their club, each SCT student got to share their personal community service project. Students who presented their projects at the meeting included Aniela Blaszczak, Ava Champagne, Jack Liberta, and Bella Mehra. These projects ranged from creating origami art with seniors to making cat and dog enrichments to support Newtown Animal Control Shelter.

Retirees

Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti said they had the pleasure of recognizing a remarkable group of educators whose collective contributions have left an enduring mark on Newtown Public Schools. Together, this year's retirees represent 160 years of service to the students and families of Newtown, and 224 years in education overall.

"While those numbers are impressive, they cannot fully capture the countless lessons taught, responsibilities built, challenges overcome, and lives changed throughout their careers," Uberti continued. "Each of these individuals has played a meaningful role in shaping the experiences of generations of students and helping our schools fulfill their missions."

She and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Frank Purcaro took turns calling each retiree's name and reading a short biography about their careers.

The first retiree recognized was Reed Intermediate School grade six math and science teacher Ellen Buckley. After a successful 15-year career in the business world, Buckley joined Newtown Public Schools in 2001 to pursue her true passion for teaching, according to Uberti.

She said Buckley's dedicated service began at Sandy Hook School (SHS), where she spent ten years teaching fourth grade. Buckley transitioned to Reed in 2011, sharing her love of STEM as a fifth and sixth grade math and science teacher.

"[Buckley] quickly became an invaluable member of our school community," Uberti read. "Respected by colleagues and administration alike, we extend our deepest gratitude to [Buckley] for her conscientious leadership, her unwavering professionalism, and her profound impact on our school district."

Next was Newtown Middle School (NMS) grade seven science teacher Judy Catanese. Purcaro said Catanese began her journey with Newtown Public Schools in August of 2001. Affectionately known as Mrs Cat, Catanese concludes a 25-year legacy as the leader of the 7 Orange team, a true master teacher, and the heart of NMS, according to Purcaro.

He added that her famous color-coded science lessons kept generations of students organized, while her quick wit and humor made learning genuinely exciting.

"Quite simply, [Catanese] made learning fun, meaningful, and memorable in ways students will never forget," Purcaro said. "The number of lives [she] has positively transformed is truly remarkable. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence, compassion, humor, and inspiration that will be hard to match."

After her was MGS and Hawley Elementary School art teacher Jean Griffin. Uberti said Griffin's time with Newtown Public Schools began in December of 2002, initially serving as a part-time teacher and then a long-term substitute at NMS. Griffin then transferred to MGS in February of 2012, where she quickly adapted to her young learners, according to Uberti.

She said Griffin became an indispensable asset to the MGS team by generously contributing ideas, expertise, and time to enhance the school's climate and learning environment.

Uberti added, "[Griffin] consistently embraced system changes with a positive attitude, inspiring her students to take creative risks and use artistic expression to solve problems. Newtown Public Schools extends its deepest gratitude to [Griffin] for her dedication and all you've brought to our district."

Lasting Compassion

Erik Holst-Grubbe, business/tech education department chair and teacher at Newtown High School, was recognized next. Purcaro said Holst-Grubbe came to August of 2013 as the department chair of the fine and applied arts department, bringing with him 22 years of exceptional experience from Sedgwick Middle School and Shepaug Valley High School.

Holst-Grubbe is known for his remarkable ability to wear many hats, but especially for stepping up to every challenge with grace, dedication, and a positive attitude, according to Purcaro. He added Holst-Grubbe's calm, peaceful nature instantly put students and co-workers alike at ease, and made sure every educator felt heard, motivated, and valued.

"Under his guidance, the BEAT department has made tremendous strides forward," Purcaro said. "[Holst-Grubbe], thank you for your outstanding leadership, your steady support, and your unwavering commitment to our school community.”

The next retiree honored was Reed and SHS English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Barbara Minutillo. Purcaro said it is rare for an educator to make such a profound impact in just one single year, but added that Minutillo is a rare teacher.

Minutillo came to Newtown for the final chapter of a stellar career that included 18 years in the classroom in Regional School District 15 and ten years as a teacher in Wallingford, according to Purcaro. He said in Minutillo's short time at Reed and SHS, she brought unfaltering dedication, contagious positive energy, and a deep commitment to the district's multilingual families.

"[Minutillo] is a true team leader, always willing to collaborate, offer insight, and support her colleagues," Purcaro said. “During her time with us, she created an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student felt seen, valued, and part of the school ... Thank you for going above and beyond for our students."

To Leave A Legacy

Following her was RIS grade six math and science teacher John Sicbaldi. Uberti said Sicbaldi is another one of their teachers who came to teaching after a second career in banking. Sicbaldi then discovered his true calling was in education. He joined SHS as a third grade teacher in August of 1998, later transitioning to fifth grade in 2001.

Sicbaldi went on to become one of the founding teachers who opened Reed in January of 2003. Uberti said he has a deep understanding that, in the early days of Reed and as a coach of the school's sixth grade math team, inspired a love and curiosity for numbers. Sicbaldi eventually switched from teaching fifth grade math to sixth grade math, enjoying the level of discourse and depth of skill he was able to reach with those older students, according to Uberti.

She added, "[Sicbaldi's] passion for details and precision led the team to success many, many times. He brought that same energy to class each day. Students could count on him to teach math and a tried and true way that even their parents could understand ... [His] teaching techniques stepped up to help his team, and he generously shared skills, expertise, and, of course, his trademark humor."

Uberti and Purcaro also wanted to acknowledge two other retirees who were unable to attend the meeting.

The first was NHS social studies teacher Candace Dietter. Dietter, who Uberti called by her nickname, Candy, joined Newtown Public Schools at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year as a social studies teacher at NHS.

Uberti said Dietter came to the district with a glowing reputation from Brookfield Public Schools, where her principal described her as an exceptional educator, adding that she did not disappoint. Uberti added that Dietter is the absolute definition of a master teacher, bringing youth, enthusiasm, creativity, and vibrant energy to NHS for nearly three decades.

"[Dietter] is an incredibly gifted educator, the rare kind whose passion, intellect, and the ability to naturally inspires everyone around her to be better at their craft," Uberti said. "We're incredibly grateful for all that she has given to our schools and community."

The second person who could not attend was SHS speech and language pathologist Connie Vigliano. Purcaro said Vigliano came to Newtown Public Schools in 2009, when she was hired as a speech and language pathologist at SHS. She brought with her 14 years of experience from schools in Ridgefield, Darien, and New Fairfield.

Purcaro noted Vigliano arrived with a reputation of relating to her young students and their families, as well as being an excellent collaborator with her colleagues. He said she excelled at SHS from her insight, creativity, and flexibility to the incorporation of technology, songs, and interactive activities, allowing her to foster strong connections with students and develop their communication and language skills.

"[Vigliano's] expertise and commitment to children will leave a lasting impact on the students, staff, and families of Sandy Hook School," Purcaro said. "We wish her all the best, and a well-deserved retirement."

Uberti shared a few words after every retiree was recognized. On behalf of the BOE, Uberti said they extend their deepest appreciation to each of their retirees for the school year. She added that they all have devoted themselves to serving students, supporting colleagues, and strengthening their school community.

"The legacy of an educator is measured not only in years of service, but in the lives touched along the way," Uberti said. "And it's on full display tonight, from our younger presenters to our seniors, who will be recognized shortly."

CABE Awardees, Demi-Decile Students

After that, Uberti said they were going to recognize students who earned a CABE Student Leadership Award, which is given by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. She said the awards program highlights seventh and eighth grade students, along with high school students, who exhibit exemplary leadership skills. Two students from each school in a CABE member district are eligible to receive the award.

Uberti noted that school principals are requested to ask staff for the names of students who exhibit leadership skills based on different criteria, including willingness to take on challenges, capability to make difficult decisions, concern for others, ability to work with others, and more.

This year's winners were NMS eighth grade students Alison Zhang and Teagan McMurdo, along with NHS seniors Claire DiNoto and Nate Hoag.

Uberti said DiNoto and Hoag are not only CABE Award recipients, but that they are also recognized for their outstanding services as their BOE student representatives for the 2025-26.

"Serving on the Board of Education requires time, maturity, and courage, and I have to say you guys have been amazing," Uberti told DiNoto and Hoag. "You're always willing to speak up and share your ideas, and even encourage our younger students when they're presenting, and we couldn't be prouder of you."

The fifth and final Celebration of Excellence honored the top five percent, or top demi-decile, students of the 2026 graduating class. Each student had their name called, and was asked what their plans were for college.

The list of the 2026 demi-decile students, including the valedictorian and salutatorian, can be seen in the Newtown Bee article "NHS Announces Class Of 2026 Demi-Decile Students," published online and in its Friday, May 1 issue.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.