WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

April 9, 2024


Dear Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, and Staff, 
 
Please see the message below regarding an incident that occurred at Middlebrook School today.  Out of an abundance of caution, neighboring Cider Mill School and Wilton High School were placed in "secure" for a short period of time.  

Dear Middlebrook Staff, Parents, Families, and Caregivers, 

As a follow-up to my communication at approximately 1:58 p.m. today, I am writing to share additional information about our initiation of the standard response protocol.  At approximately 12:47 p.m. today, we received a report of a potential weapon in a vehicle whose location was unknown at the time.  We immediately contacted police, and shortly thereafter the responding officer arrived on site and located a car matching the reported description and the driver of the car, who was immediately detained by the police.   The responding officers assessed the situation and advised us to initiate a “secure” protocol in our building while the matter was being evaluated further. The police department’s investigation led them to believe that there was no weapon and no threat to the school community; however, we moved into a “hold” protocol to keep students within classrooms and to avoid potential worry for anyone seeing additional police vehicles on site.  After their careful assessment, the police department gave the “all clear” at 2:05 p.m. for activity to continue consistent with the typical school day.  Students and staff were cooperative and adhered to our emergency procedures throughout this period of time. While I realize that a report of a potential weapon on campus can be unsettling, I want to reassure you that we encourage students and staff to report any potentially suspicious activity; we take all reports seriously; and we respond to all reports thoroughly in close collaboration with law enforcement.  

Sincerely, 

Jory Higgins

Principal Middlebrook School

Our district's Standard Response Protocol is include below for your reference.  

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Miller-Driscoll families,

Thank YOU for the book donations to the MD Green Book Fair.

On Monday April 8th, 2024, students will have the opportunity to shop for these gently used books.  All students will shop during their regularly scheduled weekly library class time. All books are $1.00 each. Should you want your child to shop at this Green Book Fair, please be sure to send them with up to $5.00 cash in a sealed envelope marked "Green Book Fair" with their name and teacher's name on it.  Money raised goes toward the purchase of brand new student requested books for the MD Library.

Sincerely,

Miller-Driscoll Library Learning Commons and the Miller-Driscoll PTA

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

Dear Parents, Families, Caregivers, and Staff, 

We write to inform you that, according to the US Geological survey, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in New Jersey at 10:23 this morning.  Due to our close proximity, we felt tremors within the school buildings for several seconds.  No injuries or damage have been reported, and students and staff are safe. 

Administrators made announcements in each building to allay any concerns students had about the event, and instruction continues.  We do not anticipate any disruptions to our school day but will keep you apprised should there be any further updates. 

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

	WILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 06897

Kevin Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Charles Smith, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Andrea Leonardi Assistant Superintendent Special Services

Maria Coleman Director, Human Resources and General Administration

Dawn Norton Chief Financial Officer

April 2, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers: 

As you may be aware, next Monday, April 8th, we will have the opportunity to experience a rare solar eclipse (the next solar eclipse Connecticut will occur on May 1, 2079!). The moon will start to move in front of the sun at approximately 2:13pm and maximum coverage (for our region about 92% of the sun will be covered by the moon) will occur around 3:27pm. At the peak of the eclipse, light levels will be comparable to dusk. 

In recognition of this unique event, lessons will be presented to students at each of our schools including information about safe viewing.  The district has purchased and will distribute on Monday solar eclipse glasses for all students and staff at Miller-Driscoll, Cider Mill, and Middlebrook, and a limited number for staff and students at Wilton High School. These are specialized glasses that meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2 to enable safe viewing. 

The timing of the eclipse makes it difficult to accommodate viewing at all of our schools. The eclipse will occur during dismissal at Cider Mill. Staff members at Miller-Driscoll and Middlebrook will bring students outside so they may view the eclipse using the glasses we are providing. Wilton High School science teachers are excited to teach about this event and will also take their classes out to experience it. 

Please join us in reinforcing the message for students that the only safe way to view the eclipse is through specialized glasses or a handheld solar viewer. 

We have no plans to alter our after school schedules and encourage you to reach out to building administrators with any specific questions. 

Below please find some additional resources about solar eclipses. We hope that you will also be able to take some time from your busy schedules to observe and appreciate this special phenomenon. 

• NASA Eclipse Resources

• NASA Eclipse Time and Path

• NASA Eclipse Safety

• OER Eclipse Resources

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyf5JF_VxwM  (Animated video)

• CSDE Eclipse Memo

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

From the ​Miller-Driscoll Library Learning Commons:

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER! Award winning author, Susan Hood, will be visiting Miller Driscoll students Prek-2nd grade on April 25, 2024.  

Should you wish to purchase an autographed copy of a book for your child, 
please do so at the following link prior to March 28th, 2024; https://susan-hood-book-order-copy-10886.cheddarup.com/   

No purchases will be allowed after this date. This purchase will help to benefit Miller Driscoll School. Happy Reading!

From the Miller-Driscoll ​Library Learning Commons:

Please see the attached flier for information about the upcoming Miller Driscoll Green Book Fair!

Memo to Families 

from the Miller-Driscoll Administrative Team 

March 2024

Celebrations

Thanks to the work of the classes in the Orange Core, our whole school learned so much during Black History Month in February.  The Orange Core students developed an ABCs of Black History display that classes came to visit.  In addition, the teachers also created a resource document so teachers could share even more information with their students throughout the month.  Take a look - ABCs of Black History