putnam pg 3 1-27-22
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PUTNAM — Putnam School Superintendent Daniel P. Sullivan III announced the “Parent Connect Series” which started Jan. 13. It’s designed to educate families and help them identify resources and strategies they can use to help their children overcome the impact of the pandemic.
The program is through the combined efforts of Putnam, Thompson, Killingly, Plainfield, Brooklyn, and Canterbury public schools.
He said the Parent Connect Series is held via Zoom on the second and fourth Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each session will run for approximately 30 minutes and begin with a COVID-19 update provided by Dr. Kristen Xeller of Quiet Corner Family Practice in Pomfret. She will be followed by psychologist Dr. Ravit Stein from EASTCONN who will offer a tip / suggestion that can be employed at home to support students and families. The last half of the program will feature a rotating topic and guest to support students of all ages relative to academics, or social emotional learning.
Some of the key features of this program include the:
• Ability to use the chat feature to communicate with Dr. Stein and / or Dr. Xeller
• Opportunity for parents to request a future topic / guest
• Ability to connect with school / district personnel on the featured topic
• Ongoing support / resource vs a “one-time” event
Here is the Zoom link :
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87659698462?pwd=elMwUFRtKzRabVdOSl I3RXRjSVJRdz09
Passcode: 853726. Webinar ID: 876 5969 8462
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radon pg 3 1-27-22
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BROOKLYN — January is National Radon Action Month and exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers in the U.S.
You can’t see it or smell it, but an elevated radon level in your home may be affecting the health of your family.
The Northeast District Department of Health has a limited supply of radon test kits to distribute to district residents. Recipients will receive one free radon test kit per home with instructions for use and a radon fact sheet. Participants will receive a follow-up call from NDDH within two weeks to assure that the kit was put to use and returned to the manufacturer according to instructions for analysis.
NDDH is unable to reserve kits or mail them. Stop in to pick up a free radon test kit, while supplies last, at the NDDH office, 69 South Main St., Brooklyn. Visitors to NDDH must wear a mask to enter.
More info at: https://www.nddh.org/nddh-distributing-free-radon-test-kits-for-national-radon-action-month/ and https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Radon/Radon-Program.
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staton pg 3 1-27-22
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Staton gets
employee award
DAYVILLE — Kaylee Staton, a member of the dining staff at Country Living at Westview Commons, received the December 2021 Employee of the Month award.
In addition to bringing the residents their cuisine, she brings her upbeat, effervescent personality to each table.
She is a resident of Dayville and a graduate of Killingly High School’s Class of 2016. She is certified in CPR and general first-aid; having previously worked as a personal care assistant in clients’ homes.
She likes cooking and baking and a good afternoon outdoors.
Executive Vice President of Country Living at Westview Commons, David T. Panteleakos, said: “Kaylee has become another bright star among the stellar staff at Westview Commons. She lifts the spirits of our residents before, during, and in-between each meal with her kindness and outgoing nature. Even when wearing a facial covering, you can see Kaylee’s smile in her eyes! Her friendliness extends to everyone at Westview Commons. I greatly appreciate how she brings that same joy to all of her interactions among residents, visitors, and coworkers.”
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desmond pg 4 1-27-22
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Desmond
Claude
doesn’t mind
waiting
Whether it’s answering a question, improving his game, finding the right shot, Desmond Claude will not be rushed. And he didn’t rush into the biggest decision of his basketball life (thus far) when he made his commitment last week to play college ball at Xavier University in the fall.
“I would much rather wait and get it right, than rush and get it wrong,” said Claude, Putnam Science Academy’s 6-foot-5 combo guard. “I’m OK with waiting and taking my time to get it right, especially when it’s something that I really want to do.”
Claude chose Xavier, located in Cincinnati, from a couple dozen offers that came from all over the college hoops landscape, from the A-10, Big East, ACC, Big 12, and SEC. Currently ranked No. 20 in the country, the Musketeers are coached by Travis Steele, with whom Claude can be patient.
“I felt comfortable with the coaching staff helping me develop into a point guard,” he said. “It might take me two, three, four years to really pop off and get to the next level, but I believe and trust in them to help me get there.”
That development into the point guard role is something Claude takes seriously and knew was needed to help him get more college offers. He was able to showcase himself at a NEPSAC event in the early summer, then ran more point on the EYBL circuit with his Expressions Elite team. And he has continued to get the chance to play on the ball more at PSA, a team that has plenty of adept ballhandlers.
“It naturally takes times for guys to adjust,” said Mustangs assistant coach Dana Valentine, who has known Claude for four years going back to their days with Expressions. “Des is a thinker, very cerebral. He’s a worker and will always figure it out. There’s no reason to think he won’t keep working on this next phase of his game and figure that out too.”
Claude, who would like to major in business management or digital marketing, grew up in a basketball family. He said his mom and dad put a ball in his hands when he was little and they’d go find a hoop and play. It was around middle school, sixth or seventh grade, that he started to take it seriously.
“Even then, I knew it was going to take time,” he said. “I didn’t really pop off until this summer and coming into this year. My parents told me to keep working, keep believing, and you’ll be fine. That’s what I did.”
Once the all those schools – whether it was Xavier, Louisville, Kansas or any other – started calling, that’s when he knew that what he was doing was paying off.
“I was taught to never give up on anything, to just keep working and it would happen,” Claude said. “I think a lot of coaches noticed who I was and what I can be.”
And what does Claude believe he can be?
“An NBA point guard running a team,” he said. “That’s the big goal. I know there is a lot of work to be done, but nothing has ever been given to me. The way I was raised was keep working, keep working, keep working. That’s how I will approach everything going forward. I can be patient and work for it.”
By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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