Evan Simko-Bednarski
Stamford Advocate
Contact Evan
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Evan:
Eliot Brenner, head of Child Guidance Center
Eliot Brenner is the new president and chief executive officer of Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut Inc., a nonprofit that provides mental health and family services in lower Fairfield County. [...] research conducted by The Centers for Disease Control has shown that the prevalence of child mental health disorders is increasing. [...] because of financial pressures on public and… → Read More
Stamford teachers train in tongues
STAMFORD — Standing at the front of the Board of Education conference room in City Hall, Marisa Ferraro looked at the 33 Stamford educators sitting in groups around small work tables. Educators were about to get a crash course in something 2,000 Stamford students experience every day: trying to learn a lesson taught in a language they don’t speak. Ferraro, a language specialist, is part of a… → Read More
Stamford school board to appoint principal for new school
Interim Superintendent James Connelly said Thursday he recommended Frank Rodriguez to become the principal for the planned expansion of Rogers Magnet School, due to open in September. Kindergarten and first-grade students will enter in September with new grades added each school year. The school hopes to have kindergarten to eighth-grade students by 2019. The new principal will work with a… → Read More
Students for a Dream to hold Stamford meeting
The youth-led organization, which advocates for the rights of undocumented students statewide, has supported a bill to allow students without legal immigration status to be eligible for financial aid. Sanchez said the meeting, which is open to the public, will focus on educating the community about its political representatives and encourage them to reach out in support of the bill. → Read More
Stamford school board takes steps to protect whistle-blowers
STAMFORD — A group of school board members have taken initial steps to protect whistle-blowers after several accusations of retaliation and lawsuits filed against the district in recent years. The Board of Education’s Policy Committee began discussing a potential policy Tuesday night as part of the board’s ongoing efforts to address what has been called a culture of fear in the district, in… → Read More
Stamford’s Trinity Catholic to hold mental health forum
Stamford parents are encouraged to attend a panel on Wednesday, March 16, to discuss coping skills and strategies for fostering student mental health. “In order to have healthy kids we really have to teach our kids coping skills and stress management,” said Lorraine Olson, former Board of Education member and one of the panel’s organizers. → Read More
Stamford high school to hold fashion show
Westhill High School juniors and seniors will model the latest fashions on Thursday, March 17, in the school’s annual fashion show and school showcase, according to a statement. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $5 for students, $10 for adults, $15 for VIP reserved seating. → Read More
Stamford High student accuses classmates of sexual assault
According to the lawsuit, filed last month in state Superior Court in Stamford, the 16-year-old Stamford High student was assaulted in February 2014 by a male and female classmate. According to the complaint, the boy claims his two classmates forced him into a bathroom and locked the door. → Read More
Stamford names Teacher of the Year semifinalists
Sarkar, who worked as a programmer for Bell Labs before becoming an analyst on Wall Street, said he came to the teaching profession almost by accident. When his daughter’s middle school math teacher died unexpectedly, Sarkar stepped in as a long-term substitute. The five semifinalists must submit essays on their teaching philosophies, and will undergo another two rounds of evaluation before one… → Read More
Stamford continues search for new schools superintendent
Connelly took over in January for embattled former Superintendent Winifred Hamilton, who retired amid criticism of her handling of teacher sexual misconduct. A report issued late last year by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the firm contracted to guide the district’s search, said Stamford needs an “empathetic healer” to lead the school system. The district’s next superintendent “will need to… → Read More
Stamford High shows improvement, remains on warning
Stamford High School has been on warning with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since the organization’s damning assessment of the school’s leadership last spring. The organization has requested that update to include a description of efforts to stabilize the district’s central office, as well as an update on Manka’s instructional leadership. → Read More
City to vote on funding for Stamford High masonry repairs
STAMFORD — Emergency masonry repairs to Stamford High School could begin as early as this summer if the Board of Representatives approves transferring $1.5 million for the project. “Basically, the brick was falling off the face of the building,” Dominico Tramontozzi, of the city’s engineering department, told the Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives Monday night. [...] Al Barbarotta,… → Read More
Stamford string players set for big night
STAMFORD — On Thursday night, so the district’s student string players hope, the seats of the Cloonan Middle School auditorium will be filled with people. Dozens of cases, from small fabric shells fit for tiny violins to large, wheeled cases designed for a bass, were scattered throughout the auditorium. Zippers and clasps were undone as the instruments were brought to the stage for the final… → Read More
Lawmakers come to city, discuss schools
STAMFORD — Interim Superintendent of Schools James Connelly used a strong word to describe the false alarm that brought forty heavily-armed police officers to Stamford High School last month: “Terrorism.” Speaking before the state Judiciary Committee Wednesday afternoon, he joined city and state officials in calling for stiffer penalties for those who make threats against schools. “These aren’t… → Read More
31 people tested after suspected tuberculosis case at Westhill
STAMFORD — A total of 31 people have been tested for tuberculosis after a suspected case of the disease was reported last week at Westhill High School. Dr. Michael Parry, director of infectious diseases at Stamford Hospital, said the testing regimen was typical of suspected tuberculosis cases. City health officials said last week the chance of the suspected case spreading was “extremely low.” → Read More
Stamford funeral home keeps family tradition alive
“They were two crazy kids who bought a house because they wanted to make it into a funeral home,” Nicholas Jr. said. With a medical student’s knowledge of anatomy, the senior Cognetta took the advice of a cousin and studied funeral directing. The demographics of Stamford have changed significantly in the 60 years since Cognetta’s father started the funeral home, and the business has adjusted to… → Read More
Stamford group helps mentor high school students
Stamford group helps mentor high school students STAMFORD — A mentoring program started by a medical student who wanted to reach out to high school boys suffering from isolation is ready to expand. Jewish Family Service’s Achi program — Hebrew for “my brother” — is seeking new mentors and mentees. “It started little — Brian learned to play video games,” Amy recalled. “When Superman (the movie)… → Read More
State legislators to discuss abusive teacher law in Stamford
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Caroline Simmons, D-Stamford, would require applicants for teaching positions in the state to undergo more comprehensive background checks, and divulge if they have ever been the subject of a sexual misconduct investigation. The committee is also set to review bills on workers’ compensation, penalties for pedestrians struck in crosswalks and responsibility for… → Read More
Suspected case of tuberculosis at Stamford school
STAMFORD — The city and state health departments are investigating a possible case of tuberculosis at Westhill High School, according to city and district officials. In a Wednesday letter to the Westhill community, Stamford’s interim health director David Knauf said the possibility of exposure to the disease was “extremely low.” Interim Superintendent James Connelly said that the district… → Read More
Ex-principal files appeal in Stamford High firing
STAMFORD — Donna Valentine, the former Stamford High School principal who was fired last month for her role in failing to report sexual abuse at the school, filed an appeal of her termination Tuesday. The appeal to state Superior Court comes after January’s 8-0-1 vote by the Board of Education to side with an impartial hearing officer who recommended Valentine’s ouster. The two were accused of… → Read More