Fire dept.
'schools'
kids on
fire safety
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock fire marshal and members of the Muddy Brook Fire Department, Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, Bungay Fire Brigade and an ambulance from the Woodstock Emergency Medical Services recently held Fire Prevention & Safety Day at the Woodstock Elementary School.
Woodstock Fire Marshal Dick Baron said this event has been an annual event at the school for many years. “Unfortunately we were not able to provide this event last year due to COVID-19, so it was great to get back with the students to go over basic principles of fire prevention and safety.”
Students from grades Pre-K through 4th interacted with the fire marshal along with members from the fire departments and the ambulance on important fire prevention information and life safety skills such as stop, drop and roll, stay low under smoke, knowing two ways out of their house, having a family meeting place, smoke detectors, knowing what a firefighter looks and sounds like with all of their fire gear on and what it is like inside an ambulance.  The students also go home with fire safety information based on their grade to discuss at home.
Baron said this year approximately 447 students took part in the event which the school staff strongly supports. “Without the approval from the superintendent, principal and assistance from the teachers, we would not be able to provide this very important service.
We are all looking forward to next year in working with the students on Fire Prevention & Safety Day,” he added.

.
 

The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.

Nov. 5
Adam T. Eldib, 39, Kennedy Drive, Putnam; violation of protection order.
Nov. 7
Elizabeth Foss, 20, Pomfret Street, Putnam; first-degree failure to appear, second-degree failure to appear, second-degree failure to appear.

.
 

They say the middle-school years are the toughest.
The certainly appeared to have made Lilly Krysinski tougher on the basketball court.
Krysinski, playing in her first season with the Putnam Science Academy girls’ Prep Red team, dominated the team’s season-opener Nov. 6, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a 78-58 win over Monroe Community College.
“I’ve always gotten most of my points on (offensive) rebounds,” said Krysinski, who is from nearby Thompson.
 “When I was in middle school, I was always taller than everyone else. Now it’s weird because I’m one of the shortest ones, but back then I was always one of the tallest ones and I was supposed to get all the rebounds.
“I just got used to playing like that, playing hard, under the basket. I think a lot of people are scared of contact or getting hurt or getting hit. But you have to do it if you want the ball.”
The first half went back-and-forth as PSA jumped out to a quick seven-point lead, only to go down by seven with about five minutes to go in the first half, before then closing with a flourish to lead by three at the break.
Things changed after the half and the Mustangs opened the second half with a 21-4 run that put things out of reach.
Head coach Sabrina Browne said the halftime message was to move the feet on defense and move the ball on offense.
“Foul trouble was the biggest problem in the first half,” she said. “We told them on defense they needed to move their feet and stop using their hands. On the other side, we had to control the ball better, have fewer turnovers, and play as a team more. I thought there was too much individual stuff in the first half."
Said Krysinski: “I think we were all a little bit nervous before the game and kind of let the nerves get the best of us. Once we got into it and got used to the feel again, we have so much talent so we just pushed the lead and didn’t stop.”
Anna Kitch had a big game of her own for the Mustangs, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Zoe Bayer scored 16 of her 18 points in the first half, dialing it in from long-distance with four 3-pointers, while Zuza Komor had all 13 of her points in the second half.
“Everyone is so talented on this team,” said Krysinski, who is set to graduate in the spring.
“When I came, I knew everyone was going to be good but I didn’t expect them all to be so talented. It was a big shock but it’s been a great experience to have. You obviously can learn so much and get so much better when you’re playing against talent like this every day in practice.”
Kitch said Krysinski is exactly the kind of player you want on your team because of her desire to get better.
“She is hard-working, determined, a great listener, super-coachable,” Kitch said. “I am not surprised one bit she had as good of a game that she did. She has been working her butt off and gets better every day. She comes ready to work and never complains. She knows her role on the team, she knows what she is here to do, and it showed in the game.”

By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy