What are newtownbee.com readers reading? Each week we compile a list of the most read stories published to our site. Here is a roundup of the week’s top five stories, based on number of page reads.

Keep up with all the Newtown news by subscribing to the paper each week — click “Subscribe” at newtownbee.com or e-mail subscriptions@thebee.com — and check our website for updates. Along with the headline, date published, and a brief description of the story, a link to each story is below.

“BOE Approves Calendar Change, Discusses Returning To School,” by Eliza Hallabeck, published Friday, July 10. Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue updated Board of Education members at a meeting on July 7 about ongoing efforts by the Board of Education’s Re-Entry Subcommittee to plan and research reopening Newtown schools. She also presented a revision for the 2020-21 school calendar that will have students start school on September 2, which is later than originally planned, but still within state guidelines of having students attend school for 180 days per school year. Read more at newtownbee.com/07102020/boe-approves-calendar-change-discusses-returning-to-school.

“Labor Day Parade Canceled,” by Shannon Hicks, published Wednesday, July 8. For the first time in nearly 60 years, Newtown will not have a Labor Day parade. Melissa Kopcik, who has served as the Labor Day parade committee participant chair and lineup coordinator since 2017, contacted The Newtown Bee on July 8 to formally announce the cancellation of what would have been the 59th Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade. COVID-19 was the reason. Read more here newtownbee.com/07082020/labor-day-parade-canceled.

“Class Of 2020 Rolls Through Town In Celebratory Parade,” by Eliza Hallabeck, published Wednesday, July 8. Newtown High School Class of 2020 graduates waved from cars that drove through town on July 8 for a senior car parade, held as part of this year’s graduation ceremonies. The car parade began at NHS, wound its way through Newtown, and ended near the flagpole on Main Street. Read more here newtownbee.com/07082020/class-of-2020-rolls-through-town-in-celebratory-parade. See all Newtown Bee staff photos taken for the event at photos.newtownbee.com/journalism/july-10-2020.

“NHS Senior Car Parade Wednesday, Route Announced,” by Eliza Hallabeck, published Friday, July 3. Ahead of the July 8 Newtown High School Class of 2020 car parade, the route was announced by the school so residents could cheer on the graduates. Read more here newtownbee.com/07032020/nhs-senior-car-parade-wednesday-route-announced.

“A Special Graduation Gift, Seven Years In The Making,” by Shannon Hicks, published Monday, July 6. Newtown resident Mackenzie Page and Joplin, Missouri, resident Sandy King met in person just once, more than seven years ago, but that was all it took for Page to leave a lasting impression on King. It was Page’s act of kindness, and a continued project that raised funds for others, that led to a beautiful graduation gift for Page, a recent college graduate. Read more here newtownbee.com/07062020/a-special-graduation-gift-seven-years-in-the-making.