Newtown Middle School’s annual Eighth Grade Scarecrow Contest, which raises donations for local charities, will return to the front lawn of the school, 11 Queen Street, October 19 and 20.
The Newtown Marching Band & Guard hosted nine Connecticut marching band and guard ensembles at its Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival on Saturday, October 5, at Newtown High School’s Blue & Gold Stadium.
As leaves drifted in the day’s warm breeze, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School’s “dragons,” “trees,” and “angels” participated in a game on September 27 for its annual Michaelmas festival.
After roughly a three-year process and a two-year evaluation, the Board of Education heard results and plans from an English language arts (ELA) study at its meeting on October 1.
Newtown High School (NHS) students who earned Commended Student recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program were celebrated at the school on September 26.
The Newtown Marching Band & Guard performed its 2019 show “Life Sentence” at the September 28 USBands Marine Corps Invitational at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
Newtown High School students Milan Chand and Hannah Jojo began serving as the new student representatives to the Board of Education at its meeting on September 17.
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School (HVWS) students, staff, and invited guests gathered in a circle outside the school on September 19 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of international Waldorf schools.
After gathering outside Fraser Woods Montessori School on September 20, students and faculty sang “Light A Candle For Peace” in honor of International Day of Peace.
For Middle Gate Elementary School’s Constitution Day assembly on September 17, students and staff dressed in festive red, white, and blue attire: It was a day to celebrate the start of the school’s Constitution Week.
Dan was a real gentleman. I had the honor of knowing him for about 10 years from high school and into early adulthood. He was always upbeat and amiable. His love of golf was boundless. I remember him droning on about the type of wedge this or that professional golfer was playing at any given time. He loved to play also. Dan made the winning putt that clinched a championship for NHS men’s golf in 1984. It was a snaking, downhill putt that few people would have had the nerve or imagination to have holed at such a critical moment. It was magic!! You are a true gem, Dan. May your eternal reward be endless days of long, straight drives and the sound of difficult putts finding the bottom of the hole.
Congratulations John! This is quite a feat & shows a lot of perseverance, endurance, & commitment while becoming more healthy & having fun! The ultimate achievement! Wishing u a long healthy life!
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The 1st Amendment does NOT say "except when there's a budget problem, or when some people wish things would quiet down." There is no way a proposed ordinance can be construed as other than singling out RockthisDemocracy, and also no way the town does not get expensively buried in court should it be foolish enough to go down this path.
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.
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.
