By Theresa M. Bibeau

Head O’ Meadow Elementary School is proud to present… Mrs Cartoun! She is a wonderful substitute teacher for Mrs Marshall’s class until she comes back after being gone for a few months.

She finds it very exciting and energizing to come to school and see 27 smiling faces and she really likes to watch young minds learning. She says that she, too, learns every day. Mrs Cartoun became a teacher because it seemed quite natural, since she likes to learn and loves kids.

The most challenging thing about being a teacher for her is being able to keep track of everything she needs and wants to get accomplished each day. Mrs Cartoun thinks that the Newtown School System is an excellent school system, especially because she has two daughters who graduated at the Newtown High School.

An idea that she would like to bring to HOM is to use each student’s personal interest in a greater way to the curriculum.

Mrs Cartoun is a great teacher, and we are proud to have her work here at HOM.

By Libby Feltch

Fresh from 17 years at the Shelton school district, Mrs Donna Perugini is our new art teacher at Head O’ Meadow School. She has been in Newtown for six weeks. She is married with three children. Mrs Perugini grew up in Watertown, and graduated with a BS and MS from Southern Conn. State College in New Haven. She won the award “Celebration of Excellence” from the State of Connecticut. Her sixth grade teacher inspired her to become an artist. She loves shiny and sparkly colors in her artwork. Her advice to young artists is to be flexible, passionate, and to love what you do. We all welcome Mrs Perugini to our school.

By Julie Kalt

On October 13 I interviewed HOM 5th grade aide Mrs Zaruba. I asked her five questions about her job. Mrs Zaruba’s favorite thing about her job is getting to know the children better. She wanted to become an aide because she used to be a sub and she wanted the opportunity to be in one classroom. She also wanted to observe the changes that take place over the year. The most challenging thing about her job she said is “remembering 5th grade math.” She thought that the Newtown school system had wonderful teachers and children. She thinks that HOM should have some kind of program that would make children more interested in geography. Mr Hull says he thinks Mrs Zaruba is great because she helps him out a lot.

By Lauren Villodas

Teacher Profile

Name: Carol Lippnick

Age: 40

School: Head O’ Meadow Elementary.

Marital Status: Married with three children.

Position: Fifth grade para- professional.

Years at Head O’ Meadow: One month.

Education: Mrs Lippnick has received a BA degree from Duke University and an MAT degree from Manhattanville University.

Residence: Newtown.

Background: Mrs Lippnick worked in banking. After that, Mrs Lippnick had children and decided to stay home more often. She was a part-time tennis coach for three years. She has done a lot of volunteer work.

Reason for becoming a para – professional: To work with children.

The key to successful teaching: To try to help everyone.

Most memorable moment in teaching: When she saw that her tennis team was becoming motivating.

Interests: Tennis, hiking, gardening, playing with her dog, and being active.