Scout helping to aid local camp
A safe place to discuss tough topics
By Nicole Zappone Town Times
By Nicole Zappone Town Times
For Ethan Bufford-Cournoyer, 17, giving back to the community is nothing new. From volunteering with the Middlefield Fire Department to raising funds for an Eagle Scout project, the high school junior is eager to help.
JoAnna Schmidt, a chorus teacher at Strong Middle School, has started a racial justice group for local students called C.A.R.E. The Coginchaug Alliance for Racial Equity is open to sixth through 12th graders in the district, and has some 30 members. “There’s a group in town full of community members committed to the same type of work, and when I saw that, I decided that we should have a school-based, student-led group and be student ambassadors,” Schmidt said. C.A.R.E. was formed in response to incidents of racism and bullying which have occurred throughout the district. The group gives students a space to speak freely about such matters. “I think everyone has instinct when something bad happens, to think how we can make things better and what we can do,” Schmidt said. “I’ve been a teacher in the district for 10 years now, and I believe in my students and the power of their voices.”
JoAnna Schmidt, a chorus teacher at Strong Middle School, has started a racial justice group for local students.
C.A.R.E. meets weekly, after school. “My door is always open to the kids to give them a safe place,” Schmidt said. Patrick Holden, co-chair of the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team, appreciates Schmidt’s efforts. “I wish there was something like that when I was there,” he said. nzappone@record-journal.com 203-317-2212
Stone named CRHS principal By Nicole Zappone Town Times
The “interim” tag has been dropped from Debbie Stone’s title. She is now, simply, principal of Coginchaug Regional High School. “It is an honor to be appointed as Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School,” Stone stated. “I look forward to working closely with our learners, staff, and families to create
Friday, May 13, 2022
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Volume 28, Number 19
a learning environment that is student-centered and accepting of all. I am excited for this opportunity.” Stone’s predecessor, Matthew Warner, was placed on administrative leave for undisclosed personal reasons on March 18 and resigned soon after. When Warner was placed on leave, Coginchaug assistant principal Katie Trainer stepped in to help before
Stone — Memorial School’s principal — was named interim principal at Coginchaug. RSD13 Superintendent Doug Schuch indicated that Stone has risen to the challenge. “Deb stepped into the role of Interim Principal about a month ago on very short notice and has done a tremendous job leading our high school through See Principal, A3
For his Eagle Scout project, Bufford-Cournoyer is raising $10,000 to help create a building at the John J. Nerden summer camp at 89 Powder Hill Road. The camp is a place for special needs children, offering swimming, arts and crafts, music, cook-outs, and special events. The camp’s basketball area is at the bottom of a hill where there is no shade. Bufford-Cournoyer wants to raise money for a building where players can sit and cool down. “There are not many places to sit, especially shaded ones, and this poses a problem,” he said. Part of the structure will be half-open for a seating area
Bufford-Cournoyer
and picnic tables. The other half will be enclosed and used to store sports equipment. “Ethan is an extraordinary young man and has done an unbelievable community service,” said Jess DaSilva, a scout leader in Middlefield. “He needs all the help he can get to get this project done.” To donate, contact the John J. Nerden camp at 860-3499826, or visit the Go Fund Me page gofund.me/ 1790423f.
Election leads to shake-up on BOE By Nicole Zappone Town Times
Regional School District 13 has a new-look Board of Education after local voters headed to the polls on Monday. See Election, A3