The Cheshire Citizen

Volume 14, Number 52

cheshirecitizen.com

A pro salute

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Districts frustrated, supportive of reading program

Jets honor Drust as a High School Coach of The Week

By Greg Lederer Cheshire Herald staff

On Dec. 10, during the NFL contest between the the Houston Texans and New York Jets, the Jets organization recognized Cheshire football’s Don Drust for being one of their Tri-state Area High School Coaches of the Week this fall.

By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff

With fewer than half of third-graders statewide proficient readers, state leaders are implementing new curriculum requirements for school districts. But those changes, mandated in a 2021 Right to Read bill, aren’t universally popular with local school leaders.

Before the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Drust was given his own jersey and then came on the field to have his name announced to the crowd. Drust, along with his family and friends, were also able to watch the Jets win 30-6 over the Texans in the rain.

This month, the state Department of Education announced which districts would be granted waivers, allowing local school systems to continue with their current curriculum. Those without waivers can make changes to bring reading instruction in line with the science of reading methods or adopt reading curricula approved by the state.

For 10 weeks during the NFL season, the Jets and Gatorade honor a coach who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football, funda-

For the National Football League game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 10, Cheshire football’s Don Drust was honored as one of the New York Jets Tri-state Area Coaches of the Week this fall. Before the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Drust received a jersey and came out on the field to be announced to the crowd. Drust is pictured with his wife Kristine, son Brewer, and Submitted photo See Honor, A8 daughter Oakley.

Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire all applied for waivers earlier this year. Only Wallingford received one, affirming its current approach.

Berlin and North Haven districts also applied but were denied a waiver, while the Plainville See Reading, A10

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A2 Thursday, December 28, 2023

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•Friends invited me to go along to a tea party last year.

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•One “Around Town” column ventured into the realm of what we inherit from our parents — as in noses from our dad or the ability to fix anything, as was the example of Cindy’s parental unit.

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Coming to your home or business In order to continue delivery to your home or business, we need to have each resident or business let us know that, by filling out our online requester form at myrecordjournal.com/cheshire-requester.

Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return. Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your Cheshire Citizen to your home or business, will end. Cheshire Citizen will be delivered to anyone who is not already a Cheshire Herald or Record-Journal subscriber only.

ADVERTISING: Johanna Vicenty — Marketing Consultant 203-317-2324 | jvicenty@rjmediagroup.com NEWS / SPORTS: (203) 317-2245 | news@thecheshirecitizen.com

HELP US HELP YOU, CONTINUE RECEIVING “YOUR” LOCAL WEEKLY. The Cheshire Citizen (USPS 12210) is published weekly by Record-Journal, 500 S. Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450.

Periodicals postage paid at Meriden, CT and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Record-Journal 500 S. Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450

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•A mystery hole in a local street captured our attention in another month’s column.

Discovered by a friend, this hole seemed very deep, albeit very small in circumference. We thought it had been around for a long time.

The old paint on it was the giveaway. We never found out where it might have led — a secret entrance to Town Hall? Jimmy Hoffa’s final resting place? Leatherman’s cave? We’ll never know, as the town’s public works department fixed it as soon as my friend called it in.

•Other outdoor, nature-driven writing covers the local town open space properties.

I really appreciate walking unpaved, natural settings.

These areas offer me (and you) opportunities to observe nature – flora or fauna.

I am not the best (by far) in identifying most trees, but I am not the worst. I do love plants and grasses, mushrooms, ferns, mosses, and lichen. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy them.

They’re beautiful. Generally, I never catch a glimpse of woodland animals. No encounters with bears, thankfully. I have seen a glimpse of a fox. And while walking alone one day, I did a double-take when I found myself staring at a fawn settled in a wooded section, who was staring back at me. She was so close. Wow. Both the fox and the fawn were memorable encounters. Any time I get to spend time in nature is fine. I can go into the woods, sit by a stream, and watch the water tumble

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•The trials, tribulations, and terrors of vacation rental bookings was an “Around Town” column that more than one person had also dealt with and wanted to share about. From my own experience with a milliondollar beachfront property whose owner forgot to add one vital piece of information in its rental ad — namely the high-speed railway behind the house that shook every piece of China and every tooth in your mouth every 15 minutes — to the army of ants that overtook one friend’s “dream beach rental” in Maine.

few columns each year. Fireflies was the topic for a column that was fun to delve into over the summer. Who knew their socializations were so complex. It was quite eye-opening. To think of everything these insects are up against just to survive and reproduce — the lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and pesticides to name a few — it’s lucky we still have any.

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It’s almost time to turn the page of the calendar, but before we do, I thought we’d rummage back through 2023. Here we go:

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was one of my favorite things to write about — namely because we have some feisty, and funny, residents who (in their words) “will be damned if they’re going to be cold in their house,” to the die-hards who refuse to turn on the furnace until the cat’s water dish in the kitchen freezes over.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 28, 2023

A3

The outside of the Cheshire YMCA facility.

Mariah Melendez, Cheshire Herald

Registration is now open for Healthy Habits, a free sixweek program designed by the Cheshire Community YMCA to help Dodd Middle School students and their families improve both physical and mental health through classes on exercise, nutrition and mindfulness.

This was the first year that the YMCA ran the program and, according to Doug Levens, “Healthy Habits was designed to reinforce information that Dodd students get from their health and P.E. teachers and to start creating habits that will help the students and their families live healthier and happier lives.”

Most class session run for an hour after school at Dodd Middle School. There is a 20-minute classroom discussion followed by 40 minutes

of exercise.

Two fieldtrips are incorporated into the curriculum that include the whole family.

A trip to the grocery store and an interactive cooking demonstration with the CHS culinary arts department are a key to success of the program.

“It is vital to get parental buy-in and participation in order make changes to eating habits since parents are generally the ones buying the food and cooking the meals” stated Kristin Champagne, health and wellness director at the Y and coleader for the class.

To learn more, contact Doug Levens at (203) 272-3150 extension 503 or dlevens@sccymca.org.

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A4 Thursday, December 28, 2023

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Library Programs

for a FREE virtual class

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Join our interactive info session to learn about: ● What it is and possible causes ● Common symptoms ● Latest treatment options available ● Plus, LIVE Q&A with the expert!

Tues., Jan. 9 | 5:30–6:30pm PRESENTER:

Brian Wong, MD Board certified in Neurology Neuroimmunologist Hartford Hospital The Hospital of Central Connecticut MidState Medical Center

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call 1.855.HHC.HERE (1.855.442.4373) or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/Events After you register, you’ll receive an email with easy instructions on joining the virtual class.

Saturday hours at the Cheshire Public Library, 104 Main St., for July and August will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For a complete calendar of programs and to register for those listed below, visit www.cheshirelibrary.org.

Open Art Studio – Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m., in The Loft, upper level. Bring your works in progress and supplies to this weekly drop-in art program, an opportunity to create in a collaborative environment with other artists. No formal instruction will be provided, but informal critiquing for those who want it is encouraged. Table covers will be provided, and there is a sink in the room for basic cleanup. (Please do not bring turpentine; turpenoid is an odorless agent to use in its place.)

us for a celebration of the new stories, new songs and a New Year perfect for your preschooler! Registration required. A limited waitlist is available in lieu of walk-ins.

Caregivers for children under 12 years of age must remain inside the library building during events Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on December 16.

Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on December 23.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

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Movie Matinee: “Air” (2023) – Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1 to 3 p.m., Mary Baldwin Room, Main Level. Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he The Amazing Library Race led Nike in its pursuit of the – Friday, Dec. 29, 2 to 3 p.m., greatest athlete in the histoMary Baldwin Room, Main ry of basketball, Michael JorLevel. This “Amazing Library dan. No registration is reRace” is loosely based on the quired. Please join us. Run television show “The Amaz- time, 1 hour 51 minutes. ing Race,” but in this game Chess program (Grades 1teams will complete chal6th) – Every Wednesday lenges based on the subject areas of the Dewey Decimal throughout January (Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24), 4 to 5 p.m., The System. For children and Loft, Upper Level. Calling all teens in grades 6-12. Regisbeginner and advanced tration is required for each chess players in grades 1stperson. Space is limited. A limited waitlist is available in 6th grades! Come learn and practice chess with local reslieu of walk-ins. You will be ident and retired educator, emailed in the event of a John Sherman. Boards, exweather-related cancellation. Caregivers for children planations and guidance provided. This is a class to under 12 years of age must teach the basics of chess and remain inside the library the rules of the game to bebuilding during events.

Sponsored by the Friends of ginners through advanced the Cheshire Public Library. players. This program is for children in grades 1st-6th.

Explore Your Family Tree Register once to attend all 4 (Monthly Group) – Friday, sessions. Registration reDec. 29, 3 to 4:30 p.m., The quired. Space is limited. A Loft, Upper Level. Join us for limited waitlist is available in a monthly, fun, informal, & lieu of walk-ins. You will be informative genealogy emailed in the event of a group. All Genealogists of all weather-related cancellaexperience levels are weltion. come! Please feel free to Cheshire Residents: bring your own computer Cheshire residents may regbut computers will be proister starting on December vided (please bring a flash 20. drive to save work).

Noon Years Eve Party (Ages Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting 3-5) – Saturday, Dec. 30, 11 on December 27. a.m. to 12 p.m., Mary Baldwin Room, Main Level. Join

See Library, A5

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Library From A4

Caregivers for children under 12 years of age must remain inside the library building during events.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Open Art Studio - Cheshire Art League – Friday, Jan. 5, 12 to 2 p.m., The Loft, Upper Level. Bring your works in progress and supplies to this drop-in art program. No formal instruction will be provided, but informal critiquing for those who want it is encouraged. This is an opportunity to create in a collaborative environment with other artists. Table covers will be provided. There is a sink in the room for basic cleanup. Please leave turpentine at home and use turpenoid or another odorless solvent in its place.

RetroKID (Grades 6-12) – Monday, Jan. 8, 4 to 4:45 p.m., Teen Room. Do you miss fingerpainting? Show & Tell? and other activities you did when you were a KID? This is a throwback program to have fun with activities you might have done when you were in Kindergarten!

Bring your favorite item to share at Show & Tell, get ready to get messy and fin-

Thursday, December 28, 2023

gerpaint again and other activities. For kids in grades 612. No Registration required.

While supplies last. Snacks will be provided! Please note, there may be food items that could contain dairy, egg and/or nut items.

Caregivers for children under 12 years of age must remain inside the library building during events.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Baby Time (0-18 months) – Six Tuesday sessions (Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13), 10 to 10:30 a.m., Mary Baldwin Room, Main Level. Learn how to support baby’s growth and development through songs, rhymes, books, and playtime. For children ages 0-12 months and their caregivers. Register once to attend all to attend all 6 sessions. Registration is required. A waiting list is available in lieu of walk-ins.

You will be emailed in the event of a weather-related cancellation. Please register once for each child.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on December 26

Chess program (Grades 16th) – Four Wednesday sessions (Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24), 4 to 5 p.m., The Loft, Upper Level. Calling all beginner and advanced chess players in Teens Make: Mug Rugs grades 1st-6th grades! Come (Grades 6-12) – Tuesday, learn and practice chess Jan. 9, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Teen with local resident and reRoom. Customize your own tired educator, John Sherwoven rug to set your warm man. Boards, explanations drinks on all winter long. For and guidance provided. This teens in grades 6-12. Regisis a class to teach the basics tration is required. A limited of chess and the rules of the waitlist is available in lieu of game to beginners through walk-ins. You will be emailed in the event of a weather-related cancellation. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library. der 12 years of age must remain inside the library building during events.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) – Six Wednesday sessions (Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14), 10 to 10:45 a.m., Mary Baldwin Room, Main Level. A storytime for preschoolers to learn through talking, singing, reading, writing,and playing!

Registration required. Register once to attend all 6 dates.

A limited waitlist is available in lieu of walk-ins.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on Dec. 27.

Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on January 2nd.

Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on Jan. 3.

Caregivers for children un-

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICK-UP

advanced players. This program is for children in grades 1st-6th. Register once to attend all 4 sessions. Registration required. Space is limited. A limited waitlist is available in lieu of walk-ins.

You will be emailed in the event of a weather-related cancellation.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register starting on December See Library, A8

Atty. Robert A. Scalise, Jr. (860) 515-3399

A Fresh Look at Distributing Inherited Assets Even if an estate is left equally to all the children, fights can break out over who gets what.

Fortunately, there are some ideas that can help maintain harmony among heirs, even when there are no provisions for a specific item.

For example, the sale of a house and other liquid assets leaves $15,000 to each heir. One bids $1000 in an auction for an item and reduces their inheritance to $14,000, with the $1,000 divided among the rest of the heirs.

For items like jewelry or antiques an appraiser can set the value. There will be an agreement that a minimum bid must equal at least three-quarters of the appraised value, for example.

Cheshire High School Marching Ram Band

Or each heir is assigned "points" that can be used to "purchase" items from the estate. One may use 100 points for a couch, while another uses 50 for a set of dishes.

We will pick up your discarded Christmas Tree

One of the easiest ways to do it is to ask everyone ahead of time what they want and write it down.

This exercise can be especially helpful, as parents may be surprised at what their grown children really want. The ultimate goal is to not make the death of a loved one the excuse for family fights. An experienced Estate Planning attorney can help you work through these decisions.

Saturday January 13th, 2024 Place your tree roadside by 7am Requesting a Minimum $20 pre-paid donation per tree

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To schedule your pickup, go to www.ramband.com, click the TREE for ONLINE ordering, or email treepickup@ramband.com, or call 203-718-6721

A5

Scan the QR code to read this complete article online at esmlaw.com R264702

A6 Thursday, December 28, 2023

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Thursday, December 28, 2023

A7

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A8 Thursday, December 28, 2023

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Misinformation It’ll be great prolongs pandemics

For the National Football League game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 10, Cheshire football’s Don Drust was honored as one of the New York Jets Tri-state Area Coaches of the Week this fall. Before the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Drust received a jersey and came out on the field to be announced to the crowd. His family and friends attended the game to support him.

Submitted photo

to catch up it’s not too late to get caught up on routine vaccines on routine vaccinations

Honor

$1,000 check for his Rams program.

From A1

A 1999 CHS graduate, Drust has led CHS football for the last 12 years. This fall, CHS went 8-3 and qualified for the Class MM playoffs.

mentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by the way of dedication to his community, his school, and his student-athletes. Along with being recognized at last Sunday’s game, Drust is receiving a

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? “Health misinformation is a serious threat to public

4 million deaths worldwide are prevented health.

It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm byhealth, childhood vaccination every year people’s and undermine public health efforts.”

Library

Source: Global Immunization

— Dr. Vivek H. Murthy Surgeon General of the United States

From A5

20.

Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on Dec. 27.

Call your healthcare provider or The Meriden Department of Health and Human Services at 203-630-4234 to speak to a nurse and schedule your vaccination.

CallThe your healthcareHealth provider or TheisMeriden of Health and Human Chesprocott District availableDepartment for questions at 203-272-2761.

Services at 203-630-4234 to speak to a nurse and schedule your vaccination.

The Chesprocott Health District is available for questions at 203-272-2761.

Caregivers for children under 12 years of age must remain inside the library building during events.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Together We Can Do This.

This campaign is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a financial assistance award totaling $53,000 with 100% funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, not an endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the US Government.

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Together We Can Do This.

Virtual Reality (VR) experience, games, activities and refreshments! Make sure you wear your costume, we’ll have a Halloween Costume contest where you can win

In the 27th Apple Valley Classic on Thanksgiving, the Rams won 34-20 at Southington to secure their first rivalry victory since 2011.

prizes! Caregivers with children under the age of 12 years old must remain in the library building.

Mango Language Learning – Take your career to the next level, plan the trip of your dreams, or get in touch with your heritage. Challenge yourself to learn something new about the world we share by learning a new language. Mango even has English classes for non-native speakers! Visit www.cheshirelibrary.org to see the full list of the library’s online resources, then click “Mango Languages” to get started.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 28, 2023

A9

Fun ways to spend the first day of the new year New Year’s Day marks the unofficial culmination of the holiday season, which some feel begins months earlier with Halloween. Retailers have had all sorts of party and decorative goods filling shelves throughout the holiday season, and much emphasis has been placed on celebrating with friends and family.

The revelry that comes on New Year’s Eve is hard to match, particularly for those who attend lavish parties or venture to city centers to ring in the new year with others.

While January 1 may be a bit more quiet, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy this first day of the year.

Plan a hiking excursion

natural scenery during an entirely different season, with much lighter crowds at parks and on trails. If you’ve resolved to exercise more this year, hiking is a great start.

Ask household members to choose their favorite films, then spend the day binge watching movies. Eat leftovers or order in so no one needs to leave the comfort of the sofa.

Host a relaxing brunch

Adopt a new pet

With all the merrymaking the evening before, most people may need a little time to recuperate before heading out. Brunch is a great way to get people fed and help them shake off fatigue from a late night of partying. With a focus on conversation and food, rather than dancing and drinking, this can be an intimate way to set the tone for the new year.

Queue up the movies

There’s a good chance you have not been out hiking for awhile, with your most recent venture having been a leaf-peeping trip. Enjoy the

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be exciting yet exhausting. Take an opportunity on January 1 to slow down for perhaps the first time in at least two months.

Many charitable animal groups advise against giving pets as holiday gifts because the idea may be spontaneous and pets require a lot of care. For those who have been thinking of welcoming a pet into the family, this may be a good time to visit an animal shelter (if any are

open) or peruse online adoption postings. The slow pace of the post-holiday months might be the ideal time to help an animal get acclimated to a new home.

Go shopping It may seem like the average person has exhausted all of his or her shopping energy by this time, but post-Christmas sales are great ways to stock up on holiday decor for next year at reduced prices. If stores are open on New Year’s Day, shop around for ornaments, lawn figures, lights, and more at

steep discounts. Then spend the rest of the day sorting and organizing holiday items and discarding those that have seen better days.

Help at a nonprofit Volunteer time at a local nonprofit group that delivers meals to homebound locals or one that visits nursing home residents. Start spreading New Year’s cheer early on.

New Year’s Day is a good time to spend quality time and have fun with loved ones.

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A10 Thursday, December 28, 2023

Reading

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

‘Science of reading’

upcoming school year.

According to the state education department, 54.5% or about 19,500 third grade students weren’t proficient in School District was considEnglish language arts in the ered “transitional,” which means the district must “add 2022-23 school year. About 3,000 are Black, about 8,000 and substitute specific proare Hispanic or Latino, and grammatic or curriculum about 6,600 are white. components” to be approved.

Right to Read legislation requires school districts to imLocal school leaders had mixed reactions to the waiv- plement an evidence-based scientifically proven reading er request results. curriculum beginning in the From A1

“The science of reading highlights the importance of teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and language comprehension,” said Melissa Hickey, director of the state education department’s Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success. “When instruction is aligned to science, this opens the door to a boundless future for students, unlocking multiple pathways, deepening knowledge, and enhancing critical thinking.”

Districts could apply for a waiver earlier this year and show that the existing reading programs met the criteria of the legislation or were a “robust alternative.”

ing and grammar … It’s a lot more explicit phonics instruction.”

Adopting Amplify Education Inc.’s Core Knowledge Language Arts, one of the stateapproved programs, still requires approval by the Meriden Board of Education.

That curriculum was recommended by a group of local educators who evaluated several options.

Questioning need for change State officials rejected Cheshire’s request for a waiver, a result that frustrated School Superintendent Jeff Solan. He’s unconvinced that the approach taken by the seven approved curriculum programs would help Cheshire students. Threefourths of Cheshire thirdgraders are proficient in English language arts.

Hispanic and Latino population in Connecticut,” he said.

There is some funding available if Cheshire decides to pick one of the seven approved programs. Solan hoped legislators could change how the law is implemented.

“If we want (the state’s) assistance in how to meet the waiver requirements, we can set up a meeting and I will be pursuing that,” he said.

“The other option is legislative reconsideration.”

Denied a waiver Southington too was denied a waiver, although that didn’t bother School Superintendent Steven Madancy.

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“We would not have submitted a waiver if the state had provided better guidance and options for approved Withdrawn waiver curriculum/programs,” Meriden initially submitted Madancy wrote in an email a waiver but later withdrew “I don’t have confidence that Tuesday. “That did not exist it. The city’s schools are this is going to improve stu- at our time of submission close to choosing one of the dent performance. In fact back in February. Better opstate-recommended reading I’m concerned this is going programs and got more than to derail our student perfor- tions and guidance are now $400,000 to make the switch mance,” Solan said. “If these in place.” from the existing curricuprograms were a magic bul- Of Southington’s third grade lum. let to reading, we’d be using students, 64.2% are proficient in English language arts.

Earlier this year, the state ed- them by now, and the people who did use them would ucation department anIn the eight months it took have tremendous achievenounced $20 million in for the state to decide on the ment, but they don’t.”

American Rescue Plan Act waiver, Madancy said the (ARPA) funding to help district’s programs are “now Changing to a new curricutowns and cities implement better aligned with the scilum would cost Cheshire new reading programs. ence of reading.” about $700,000 in addition to the redirected training Dan Crispino, director of Affirming a school leadership for the el- hours for teachers such a change would necessitate. curriculum ementary schools, said the city has already been workSolan said Cheshire well ex- The one town in the area ing to align curriculum with ceeds the state average for granted a waiver was Wallthe new approach. The ingford. That town’s third English language arts profichange in the upcoming graders scored a bit below ciency, but that the town’s year won’t be particularly success wasn’t taken into ac- the state average at 48.7% dramatic but Crispino said count by state education of- proficient in reading. the new approach is promis- ficials. While proficiency daTammy Raccio, Wallingford ing. ta was used to prompt the Board of Education chairRight to Read legislation, “I think it’s going to make a woman, said the school disSolan said he was frustrated trict has reviewed “off-thedifference,” he said. that data isn’t considered shelf ” reading curriculum Just over 40% of Meriden when determining which options over the years but third-graders are proficient districts need to adopt a new found the one developed by in English language arts. approach. local educators better met Crispino said reading inthe needs of students.

Improving proficiency for struction has changed over Black and brown students is “This waiver confirms indethe years. a goal of the Right to Read pendent reviewers (who) legislation, Solan said. By “It was a lot of checking the concluded that our curricupictures, less about breaking that measure Cheshire was lum is outstanding and showing success using a cur- aligns with the science of down words,” he said. “This riculum it has created. is much more, in terms of reading, including compofocusing on those skills, “Last year in third grade, we sounds, letters words, writhad the highest achievement See Reading, A11

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 28, 2023

A11

Tips to rebound following a fun New Year’s Eve New Year's Eve is a popular night to go out on the town.

It's customary to usher in a new year with friends and family members, and such gatherings tend to run late as celebrants anxiously await the stroke of midnight.

The later a New Year's Eve celebration goes, the more likely revelers may have to battle a little fatigue on the first of January. With that in mind, celebrants can consider these ways to rebound after a fun New Year's Eve. n Make a concerted effort to

rehydrate. Though it may be best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption, many people throw such caution to the wind on New Year's Eve. If you went a little overboard

Reading From A10

nents necessary for student success,” Raccio said.

in your New Year's Eve revelry, make a concerted and consistent effort to rehydrate upon waking up on January 1. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that mild dehydration is one of the contributing factors to a hangover. The NIAAA notes that alcohol suppresses the release of a hormone called vasopressin, which sends signals to the kidneys causing them to retain fluid.

When a person is drinking alcohol, they tend to urinate frequently and, as a result, experience an excess loss of fluids. Rehydrating the following day can help the body begin to heal. n Do not consume more al-

cohol. Most people have heard of the phrase "hair of the dog that bit you," which refers to drinking more alcohol after waking up the morning after overindulging.

Though the NIAAA notes that this can provide temporary hangover relief, it also may prolong the hangover, the symptoms of which will

She said Wallingford’s curriculum meets the requirements of the Right to Read legislation without modification.

return once the "hair of the dog" wears off. n Engage in some light exercise. Various sources advise against sweating out a hangover, an approach that typically calls for individuals to engage in high-intensity, potentially lengthy exercise.

Such exercise can exacerbate

feelings of dehydration. A low-intensity workout can help, however. Such workouts, which may include light jogging, can still release endorphins, which an help to improve mood and inbetcrease oxygen flow to the brain.

See Rebound, A13

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A13

CHS Marching Ram Band tree pickup is back Alternatively, you may call the Tree Line at (203) 7186721 to speak with a representative or leave a voicemail, or you may send an email to treepickup@ramband.com.

Please place your order for tree pickup well in advance.

For this service, the band is requesting a donation, a

Medley named Cheshire Chamber Businesswoman of the Year

Medley

On Dec. 1, the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Businesswomen’s Alliance held its annual holiday lunch and awards. This year the Midstate Chamber, the Hamden Regional Chamber and the New Britain Chamber joined

with Cheshire Chamber for a 4 Chamber event.

The guest speaker was author and attorney Renee Bauer.

The 2023 awardee of the Cheshire Chamber Businesswoman of the Year was Katherine

Let us help you find the perfect place to eat.

From A11

Whether it’s a celebration, date night, or just grabbing a bite to eat, this list of local restaurants is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

n Take a nap. Alcohol con-

It’s unwise but not uncommon to overdo it when celebrating on New Year’s Eve. Though it’s always best to avoid overconsumption of alcohol, regardless of the occasion, some simple strategies can help people feel ter come New Year's Day.

Medley. Katherine was nominated for her outstanding support of other women entrepreneurs. You can find Smitten Kitten Beauty at 1097 South Main Street in Cheshire.

Welcome to On The Menu.

Rebound sumption adversely affects sleep quality. According to the Sleep Foundation, though alcohol can have a sedative-like quality that induces sleepiness, excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration. In essence, the sleepiness associated with overconsumption of alcohol can quickly wear off, interrupting sleep overnight. A New Year’s Day nap can have a restorative effect.

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The annual Cheshire High School Marching Ram Band Tree Pickup fundraiser will be on Saturday, Jan. 13.

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