Boys Basketball in Action Tonight
The Haddam-Killingworth Boys Basketball team takes on North Branford tonight at 7:00 p.m. in North Branford.

Girls Basketball falls to Morgan
The Haddam-Kilingworth Girls Basketball team fell, 19-52, to Morgan of Clinton Friday. The one-sided contest dropped the Cougars to 1-3 for the season. Morgan is now 2-1. Kelsey Pratt was high scorer for HK with 8 points followed by Candice Webber with 6 and Kelsey Sokol with 4. Brit O'Neal was high scorer for Morgan with 12 points.

Dedication Stone in Place at Elementary School
The stone and plaque that will be dedicated to Mrs. Nancy Kelly, a retired KES teacher, was delivered from Haynes Materials, Deep River yesterday. The dedication ceremony scheduled for today was postponed but the stone now welcomes visitors to the Courtyard Classroom on the Elementary School campus.

Board of Education to Make Superintendent Decision Monday
The Region 17 school board will is expected to make its decision on which candidate, Gary Mala or Richard Johns, will be offered the position of Superintendent, Monday according to the New Haven Register. The new superintendent is expected to start in March. Dr. Robert Goldman will step down from the interim position Jan. 31 and Dr. Maureen Fitzpatrick, principal at Killingworth Elementary is expected to take over the interim job until the new superintendent steps in. Dr. Fitzpatrick is one of three principals who have recently resigned. Dr. Fitzpatrick has accepted a faculty position at Sacred Heart University effective Jan. 31, Robert Smalley, Burr Elementary principal is retiring at the end of the school year and Robert Chester, Haddam-Killingworth High School principal is taking a paid leave of absence that begins Jan. 1 and concludes with his resignation on June 30.

All-Area Cross Country Team Announced
The New Haven Register 2003 All-Area Cross Country Team includes Haddam-Killingworth senior Rob Palumbo, junior Danielle Funaro and senior Lauren Padula. Palumbo finished second in the Shoreline Conference, sixth at the Class SS State Championships and 38th at the State Open. He finished fifth at the Windham Invitational, fifth at the 'Going to the Sun' Invitational and was an All-State selection. Funaro finished third in the Shoreline Conference, sixth at the Class SS State Championships and was an All-Shoreline Conference selection. Padula finished fourth in the Shoreline Conference, ninth in the Class SS State Championships and made the All-Conference Team.

Superintendent Candidate Speaks on District Turnovers
The second finalist for the Region 17 District Superintendent position, Gary Mala, deemed the need to stem the turnover in the schools a priority according to the Hartford Courant.

Superintendent Candidate Addresses Public Meeting



The second finalist for the Region 17 Superintendent position met with parents and residents tonight in the high school media center. Gary Mala opened his remarks by proudly stating that, UConn and WNBA women's basketball star, Rebecca Lobo is a graduate of his region's high school and still participates in school events. Mala said his main reason for looking to leave the Southwick-Tolland Regional School District, where he has been Superintendent for three years, is the Massachusetts economy and the financial burden it has placed on the school systems. "It is impossible to realize dreams for children in that economic landscape." Mala said later that some of his schools did not have textbooks until this year and aid in capital projects has been put on hold for the next 15 years.

Mala said the hallmark of his approach to leading a school system is in "the relationship established as a community". He said he believes in a "unified effort". "What [he] carries in his briefcase everyday are honesty and integrity". Mala said part of the Superintendent's job was to "build the public trust in public education". He said he is very active in the "school to career" mentoring program and sees his District as a model for the state of Massachusetts thanks to his career-initiative team. Mala said his mission statement for the region would include "valuing employees as professionals and developing good people with moral character and values; strong academically but contributing back to the community".

Mala said his first actions in the position would be to address the elementary reading program, block scheduling at the high school and the instability and turnover in the District. He said he would endeavor to build a "leadership team" that would "attract attention for all the right reasons". He said he believes in empowering people by putting them into the process. Mala said block scheduling can be effective if preceded by professional preparation. He inherited a district using block scheduling and is currently examining its disadvantages and advantages.

When asked what changes need to be made in the public school system to meet the global job market, Mala said the system has to be a "more application-based system". He said integrated instruction is important but added that character building is vital. Teaching good work habits, problem solving skills, writing and communication skills is paramount.

Mala said the goals of the 'No Child Left Behind' legislation are noble and have "changed the landscape in education". "However, it imposes accountability without supplying a support system." He joked that one could also call the legislation, "No Educator Left Standing".

"Trying to do things too quickly for the right reason" was the biggest misconception people had of him, he said. "His over-energetic style might be miss-read at times" but, he is always looking to do what's appropriate for the student. Mala said he leads by making sure all employees have accurate information and a core set of policies. He said he believes in a "proactive supervision model" and a system of accountability.

Prior to his position in Southwick, Mass., Mala was the high school and elementary school principal in Naugatuck, Conn., and Director of Special Services in Bethany, Conn.
The Board of Education will meet to consider both candidates and then announce their decision on the position.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Library
The Chamber of Commerce sponsored, 'Pictures with Santa' took place tonight at the library. Rescheduled because of the Dec. 6 snowstorm, the Chamber Elves passed out juice and treats in addition to photographs with the jolly couple.

HK Boys Basketball in Action Tonight
The Haddam-Killingworth Boys basketball team takes on Coginchaug tonight at the high school. The JV game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the varsity for 7:00 p.m.

High School Telethon to Benefit Local Guard Families
The Haddam-Killingworth High School Holiday Show Telethon will air live Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 8:30-11:30 a.m on HKTV, Comcast Channel 18. Donations this year will benefit the Connecticut National Guard Family Program. To make a pledge call 860.345-4547 or for more information call Chuck Lewis at 860.345-8541. The telethon will be rebroadcast every night at 7:00 p.m. until Jan. 4.

Girls Basketball Cruises to First Win
The Haddam-Killingworth girls basketball team defeated Hale-Ray, 48-27, for its first win of the season tonight. Kristen Hetsko was the high scorer with 19 points followed by Jenna Webber with 13 and Candice Webber with 7. Coach Tom Capello said "the kids worked very hard". "They are starting to work the system, knowing the offense and defense." He was particularly pleased with Jenna Webber, who made her first start tonight and scored in double figures for the first time. Capello also credited the seniors on the win for "supplying a lot of leadership". HK is now 1-2.

The Cougars are back in action Friday, Dec. 19 in an away contest against Morgan, Clinton. The JV game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity at 7:00 p.m.

Images From the KES Winter Holiday Concert

Retired KES Teacher to be Honored
An engraved stone will be placed in one of the gardens of the Courtyard Classroom to recognize the dedication and work of Mrs. Nancy Kelly, a retired KES teacher. Nancy was a key visionary in making this outdoor classroom a reality. The dedication will take place on Friday, Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Courtyard Classroom at KES.
< Unfortunately this event has been cancelled, posted by editor, 12/17/2003>

Elementary School Winter Concert Tonight
Under the direction of Musical Directors Joel Spineti and Irina Rubalsky, Killingworth Elementary School presents its Winter Concert tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the High School Auditorium. The 5th Grade Band and the 4th and 5th Grade Chorus are scheduled to perform. Admission is free.

Board of Education and New Officers Meet with Superintendent Candidates
The newly elected members of the Board of Education elected their board officers at their Dec. 9 meeting and met with the first of two superintendent candidates yesterday according to the Clinton Recorder. The Board of Education will meet with the second candidate Wednesday, Dec 17.

Inland Wetlands Committee Conditionally Approves Middle School Site
The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approved with conditions the permit application of Jeter Cook & Jepson of Hartford, architects for the new intermediate/middle school for Regional School District-17 according to the Clinton Recorder. The Dec 9 vote was split 4 to 1 with several conditions attached to the approval.

Arts Center Founders Support Aspiring Artists
Arts Center at Killingworth founders Barbara Nair and Marsha Couture have bonded as neighbors and bonded as supporters of the arts. They have organized several new art programs in the area including a mentoring program at the high school, the origami program at the library and Nair has offered her home to a German exchange student who is a budding artist and organizer of youth and teen theater. The Clinton Recorder has a complete profile on the co-founders and their goals for the Art Center.

Lions Club Tree Sale
The Clinton Recorder reports on the annual Christmas tree sale going on each weekend at the traffic circle of Routes 80 and 81.

Four Top Education Jobs Open in Region
In addition to the search for a new superintendent, Region 17 is also looking to replace principals in three of the district's five schools in Haddam and Killingworth according to the Hartford Courant. Haddam-Killingworth High School Principal Robert Chester is resigning effective June 30. Robert Smalley, principal at Burr Elementary is retiring at the end of the school year and Killingworth Elementary School principal, Dr. Maureen Fitzpatrick announced that she is resigning effective Jan. 31 to take a position at Sacred Heart University.

Superintendent Candidate Introduced at Public Meeting



Region 17 Superintendent Candidate Dr. Richard N. Johns met with parents and residents at a public meeting at HK High School tonight. Dr. Johns emphasized in his opening remarks that he is "tenacious at keeping kid's needs centerstage". When asked about elementary school curriculums, Johns replied "the best answer he ever heard was, when in doubt, teach them to read". He said though "he was not married to any particular reading program...everything else hangs from that communication piece".

Johns responded to a question on his communication skills and political savvy by saying that "good educational leaders don't play politics". "They admit and define problems, then find solutions". He said that credibility is the most important thing to establish. He also emphasized this later in the discussion when speaking about the relationship between the superintendent, the Board of Education and the Chief Financial Officer of Schools. He spoke about respecting what he referred to as "the thin blue line". This, he said, allows the superintendent to be the education expert and the Board of Education and CFO to manage their responsibilities with respect and credibility.

When asked about the costs associated with the new middle school, Johns said he would not only look at the new costs, but also examine the old costs and what all spending is yielding. Johns, not a fan of the legislative "No Child Left Behind" guidelines, commented that he could "see massive failure based on the standards of NCLB". He said the job of a superintendent was to literally leave no child behind but, the legislative standards are setting school systems up for failure.

Johns said his first course of action would be to get a comprehensive understanding of the region's issues and open up lines of communication. He said the region should feed on its successes rather than dealing with "monkey business". In a final question on drugs in the schools, Johns replied that he thought the police should always be notified, that it was important to give the child support but he was hard-nosed on those types of issues.

Johns who prefers to be called "Nick" is currently the Superintendent of Schools in Newburgh, N.Y. He was a superintendent in Iowa and Michigan before moving to the East Coast. Johns said he would look forward to spending more time in Connecticut with his wife who is a professor at Saint Joseph's College in Hartford.

The second candidate, Gary Mala will be introduced at a public meeting Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 7-8:00 p.m. at the HKHS Media Center.

What A Difference A Day Makes!

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect
The National Weather Service has issued a wind and weather advisory for our area. Snow will start early this afternoon and be heavy at times. Accumulation is expected to be 4-6 inches by tonight. Snow could possibly mix with sleet or rain on and off through Monday. Wind speeds will likely average 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph.