Bethel's St Mary School Recognized With Blue Ribbon Status

By ELIZA HALLABECK

Published: Oct 17, 2008 12:00 am

Bethelâs St Mary School Recognized With Blue Ribbon Status

BETHEL â On September 8, St Mary School was named one of 320 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education, recognizing this Catholic elementary schoolâs record for academic achievement.

St Mary School, which is attended by a number of Newtown residents, is one of just 50 private elementary schools nationwide to receive this distinguished award in 2008, and the only elementary school in the state of Connecticut, public or private, to be so honored.

This coveted achievement reflects the collective character, talents, energy and mission-centered commitment of the entire St Mary School and Parish community. St Mary, an accredited elementary school in Bethel, consistently ranks among the top ten private elementary schools nationwide in student math and reading assessments.

âThere is no doubt that St Maryâs Catholic School received the Blue Ribbon Award because of Sister Anne McCarthyâs leadership and the high quality of instruction provided by every teacher,â said Dr Margaret Dames, superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.

âEqually important is the tremendous support of the parents and the energetic, motivated students who achieved in the top ten percent of the nation on nationally normed tests. As a Catholic school, St Maryâs former pastor, Monsignor Edward Karl, and current pastor, Father Corey Piccinino, added another tier of commitment and resources for the students of St Maryâs,â added Dr Dames.Â

School Principal Sister Anne McCarthy will travel to Washington, D.C., to formally receive the award at the 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools ceremonies to be held on October 20 and 21.

The Town of Bethel also plans to honor this singular achievement. First Selectman Robert Burke has proclaimed Tuesday, October 28, âSt Mary School Dayâ in Bethel. On that day, a parade of students, school staff and other supporters will march at 10 am from P.T. Barnum Square to town hall, where Mr Burke and other dignitaries will join in celebrating St Mary Schoolâs success.

(For information about the school, 744-2922 or www.stmarybethelct.org.)

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The Editor suggest a meeting between the "Rock This Democracy " and the Police Commission. As a former Police Commissioner the Chief should have followed the chain of command and discussed this with the Police Commission. The Chief reports to the Elected Police Commission not our Republican First Selection. Can't help but feel this is Republican politics again making an issue out of a non issue.

Assembly Ordinance?

I support Chief Kullgren’s request to explore permitting, and cost-sharing for large gatherings. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I fully support the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. However, where and how often these protests occur matters. Main Street is not just a symbol — it’s a vital artery for daily life in town. When events are held there monthly, and at increasing scale, they cause disruption to residents, businesses, and traffic. While the Rock This Democracy group may describe these protests as unique or urgent, the frequency — roughly once every two weeks this spring — suggests more of a recurring series than a singular, spontaneous moment of civic expression. This isn’t about silencing anyone. It’s about fairness, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Every time a protest happens, our police department is forced to assign resources, often on overtime. That expense adds up quickly. If any group wants to use public space regularly, particularly in a way that impacts traffic and requires police presence, then it’s reasonable for the town to consider permitting and cost-sharing — just as we do for other organized events like races, festivals, or parades. Let’s protect everyone’s rights — including the right of the community to function smoothly and the right of taxpayers not to bear undue cost for repeated events. I trust the Council to consider a reasonable path forward that balances speech with responsibility.

David, your passion for transparency would carry more weight if it weren’t routinely wielded like a cudgel. Let's set the record straight: no one is against easier access to documents or better online availability—we all want an informed public. But there's a difference between constructive advocacy and the kind of grandstanding that costs this town time, morale, and taxpayer money. You cite Ridgefield’s practices—great. Let's talk about that like adults. But instead, what we see is a steady stream of accusatory posts, legal challenges, and FOIA blitzes aimed less at solving problems and more at creating headlines. It’s not “slander” to point out that your approach often does more to divide and exhaust than to help. I’ve been at the very meetings you claim are inaccessible or opaque. I’ve seen your group turn logistical hiccups into conspiracy theories. I’ve watched as staff—who already work overtime—are dragged into another fishing expedition while real civic needs are left hanging. You’re not just pushing for access; you’re using the tools of open government to grind its gears to a halt. That’s not progress. That’s obstruction dressed up as advocacy. And the people paying for it—literally—are your neighbors. Let’s stop pretending it’s just about uploading PDFs. The issue here is how we engage. We can have real conversations about modernization without constant accusations, FOIA skirmishes, and Facebook pile-ons. Until then, I’ll continue to call out tactics that undermine, not uplift, our town.

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The bottom line is this: costs are up, and no group—including teachers—is exempt. Ignoring Anthem’s recommended 22% increase last year may have directly caused the $2 million shortfall. Everyone has to share in the fix. That might mean higher premiums and leaner benefits. Complaints alone won’t solve the problem—realistic solutions will. I urge all Newtown Teachers to email their Union leaders and express their support for higher premiums.

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Its really easy to make assertions and cast doubts from behind a keyboard....a little too easy aparently. You might try conducting the actual research BEFORE doing it next time. If you do, you too will find that there's no need to imagine such a policy to improve public transparency and participation. Take a look at Ridgefield's P&Z meeting agendas on their website for starters. They are just one town that provide links to electronic copies of applications and other public documents, so that their commissioners and residents can easily access them and be well-informed, before meetings and public hearings occur and without making them drive to town hall (during business hours) to ask their land use staff to pull the files and make copies of them, saving everyone time (time is money), and gasoline, and missed work. Most applicants alrleady submit electronic copies, and for those who don't, it's a lot easier for a staffer to scan them once, than to have to make copies every time someone asks for them. And please don't misrepresent or slander those who advocate for smart, low impact & sustainable development policies and practices as 'anti-development'.

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Bethel's St Mary School Recognized With Blue Ribbon Status

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