Parent University’s Continued Success A Group Effort

To the Editor,

It is with deep gratitude and humility that we extend our thanks to all 14, wonderfully gifted Parent University presenters who spent their Saturday, March 19th, helping to educate and enlighten so many parents: Heidi Rankin and Kelly Mullins, Dr Charles Herrick, Charlie Manos, Jeff and Mandy Tolson, Dr Bessie Montesano, Tom Janette and John Fournier, Alex Boianghu, Lauren Wolfe, Greg Jones, Susan Troupe and Kali Rohr (and their Internet-savvy Brookfield High School students), and Sharon Guck. In this, our fourth, year we were joined by wonderful, new friends from the Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition and SMART (Southbury/Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together). This collaborative effort produced our most successful Parent University yet!

Speaking of gratitude, taking on an endeavor of this magnitude would not be possible without the efforts of so many. Parent University Committee members Joan Ponsky, Terry Laslo, Rob Ryder, Joe Hemingway, Kathy Moonan, Roseanne Loring, Renee Cull, Charlie Manos, Cathy McCrory and Corina O’Dey, thank you. To Jim Loring, Graphics Design and Technology; Reggie Cernick, Hospitality; Sarah Hemingway, Kids’ Program; Connie Eaton, Resource Library; Brookfield High School Peer Leadership Members for the Kids Program; Brookfield Police Sergeant Jeff Osuch and his canine partner, Bruno, who wowed the kids with their training demonstrations; Tommy Santella, Joey Santella, and Troy Frangione who so capably handled the public address announcements throughout the day, many, many thanks. To Newtown Middle School staff members and custodial staff Cheryl Arendt, Bruce Moulthrop, Don Roos, Lenny Campanale, Tommy Carapezza, Roberto Rodriguez, Jeff Fuller, and Scott Kovack, thanks for all the assistance. So much of the day’s success is due to their efforts! A thank you, as well, to the teachers, who so graciously offered the use of their rooms.

Appreciation is offered to The Newtown Prevention Council and Newtown Savings Bank who so generously sponsored portions of our program, thank you! Rob “Coach” Frangione and Bagel Delight’s culinary contributions should also be acknowledged as well as Kevin Koschel’s entertainment for the Kids Program. We are very grateful! Sherri Baggett, Shannon Hicks, and John Voket from The Newtown Bee were so supportive. Thank you.

Region 15 Superintendent Dr Frank Sippy; Brookfield’s Superintendent, Dr Anthony Bivona; Brookfield High School Principal Bryan Luizzi, in addition to several Brookfield High School teachers; Brookfield’s Police Chief Robin Montgomery, and Newtown School Resource Officer Leonard Penna all attended and offered their assistance. We so appreciate the gift of your time!

On behalf of the Newtown Parent Connection Board of Directors and the Parent University Committee we would like to express our deepest gratitude to presenters, attendees, volunteers, and town and school officials who contributed, in ways we can inadequately express, to the overwhelming success of Parent University. We shall return in March of 2012. Please plan on joining us!

Gratefully,

Dorrie Carolan & Donna DeLuca

Co-Presidents, Newtown Parent Connection

PO Box 187, Newtown                                                        April 2, 2011