Category Archives: Schools

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Give Update on PK-8 Building Project

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Renovations at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School were included in the $57.6 million plan, which residents approved in a November 2022 referendum.

Project Costs for Three of Four Schools Now $119K Under Budget 
OLD LYME—The Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Board of Education has today given an update on the progress of the PK-8 Building Project for which voters approved $57,555,000 in November 2022. 

The project itself is, more accurately, two different projects as they are being supported by two different state grant programs.   

Prior to the referendum, the district received an Extension and Alteration Grant commitment from the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for Mile Creek School in the amount of $9,075,088.

Subsequent to the referendum, three district schools (Center School, Lyme School, and LOL Middle School) received a separate HVAC/Indoor Air Quality grant from DAS in the amount of $12,009,717.   

Only the first of these two grants was anticipated in the planning and informational materials provided to the voters at the time of the referendum. The additional $12 million in grants reduced the amount of local tax dollars necessary to fund the project. These additional grant monies, combined with the lower interest rate environment for bonds and notes, will save the Lyme-Old Lyme community around $16 million.  

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser said, “We are proud of these additional savings this early in the process yet remain committed to completing the project within the amount authorized at referendum.” He explained that In order to do so, the Board of Education’s Building Committee had taken action to address what were initially very high bid responses for some portions of the work.  Rebidding certain components of the project resulted in over $3 million of cost reductions.

In addition, the committee, with approval from the board of education, reassigned the proposed renovation work for the security vestibules at Lyme School, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, and Center School from the PK-8 project budget to the  board of education’s “rainy day” fund at an estimated cost of approximately $1 million, with such work to be completed on the same schedule as had been originally planned as a part of the PK-8 project.  

Upon the recommendation of the building committee, and with the endorsement of the fire marshal, the board of education also approved retaining the existing compartmentalized fire protection system in lieu of adding sprinklers at Lyme School and Mile Creek School. 

These decisions, along with a few other minor adjustments, have allowed the building committee to finalize project costs for Lyme School, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, and Center School that are $119,612 under budget. 

The committee expects to receive bid responses for the Mile Creek School project on or about Oct. 17, 2024. The portion of work relative to Mile Creek is estimated to represent about $25 million of the total PK-8 project cost. 

Neviaser concluded, “We share this good news to keep our communities informed and commend those involved for their commitment to completing these projects on time and within the approved budget.” 

Old Lyme Sports Round-up: Mix of Wins, Losses for Old Lyme Teams

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Boy’s Soccer
On Monday, Sept. 16, Old Saybrook defeated Old Lyme 3-0. Coached by Allyson Gleason, the Wildcats were playing at home and their record now stands at 2-4-0.

Casey DeAngelo, Reggie Duque and Christain Dutra scored for Saybrook. Carlos Velez Torres made four saves for Old Saybrook while Sam Edmed made 11 for Old Lyme.

Old Lyme’s record is now 2-4-0.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Granby Memorial defeated Old Lyme 3-1 at Granby Memorial High School. Charlie McEwen scored for Old Lyme off an assist by Judah Waldo while Calvin Olsen, Ben DeDegallo and Max Kantner scored for Granby.

Old Lyme’s Sam Edmed made 10 saves while Landon Filmore of Granby notched four.

Girl’s Soccer

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Granby Memorial defeated Old Lyme 4-2 with the Wildcats playing at home. Former Wildcat star player Caroline Wallace is now in her first year as Old Lyme’s coach.

Granby’s Cassandra Earl scored a hattrick with Sarah Slade contributing the fourth. Mia Crunden gave one assist.

Olivia Kelly in goal for the Wildcats made 16 saves.

Old Lyme’s record is now 3-2.

Girl’s Volleyball

On Monday, Sept. 16, Morgan defeated Old Lyme 3-0 with game scores of 21-25, 18-25, 13-25. Playing away, Wildcats Maya LeQuire had 8 kills, Stella Young made 4 aces and Sophia D’Angelo had 13 digs.

Old Lyme is now 2-4 in both the league and overall, Erin Crayton is the longtime girl’s volleyball coach.

On Friday, Sept. 13, Old Lyme beat Cromwell 3-1 with game scores of 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21. Playing at home, Wildcats Maya LeQuire had 7 aces and 11 kills, Katie Ferman made 11 assists and Molly Boardman had 14 digs.

Allik is Named Lyme-Old Lyme Schools ‘Teacher of the Year’, Karpinski is ‘Employee of the Year’

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After being announced as Lyme-Old Lyme Schools 2024-25 ‘Teacher of the Year’, Lyme-Old Lyme High School art teacher Will Allik (right) shakes hands with Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviasier.

OLD LYME—In time-honored tradition, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser announced the District’s Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year at the Convocation assembly held Monday in Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS.)

Longtime LOLHS art teacher William ‘Will’ Allik, who has been working for Lyme-Old Lyme Schools since 2004, was named Teacher of the Year.

Described by Lyme-Old Lyme High School Principal Jim Wygonik as someone, who has, “Gone beyond teaching the curriculum.,” Wygonik continued, “This extraordinary educator [Allik] has ignited a spark in his students, encouraging them to see the world through a creative lens and to think beyond the conventional.

Commenting that Allik’s classroom is, “Not just the subject he teaches, but a powerful tool for expression, innovation, and critical thinking,” Wygonik added that the Teacher of the Year, “Has created an environment where every student feels valued and inspired to explore their unique talents.”

Commenting that Allik, “Challenges his students to push boundaries, to ask questions, and to develop their own creative voice,” Wygonik said, “He [Allik] teaches his students how to see and how to express their vision in creative ways.”

Noting that Allik’s, “Dedication to nurturing young minds is evident in every project he undertakes,” Wygonik stressed that this same dedication is also active in, “Every lesson he teaches, and the hours and hours he dedicates to mentoring our students.”

Finally Wygonik emphasized that Allik, “Understands that his subject is a vital component of a child’s education.”

Sarah Karpinski, who is the Library Aide at both Mile Creek and Lyme Schools, is LOL Schools 2024-25 ‘Employee of the Year.’ She stands here with Schools Superintendent Ian Neviasier after receiving her award.

Neviasier named Sarah Karpinski, who is the Library Aide at both Mile Creek and Lyme Schools, as ‘Employee of the Year.’ She has worked for Lyme-Old Lyme Schools since November of 2020 and is also an attorney.

Kelly Enoch, Principal, Mile Creek School, said in support of the announcement of Karpinski’s honor that she [Karpinski], “… is known as “the book whisperer.” The breadth of her knowledge of youth literature allows her to recommend the perfect book to each student who visits the library.”

Allison Hine, Principal of Lyme School, added that Karpinski is known by students and staff alike for, “Her generosity of time, resources, spirit and ready smile.”

Enoch added, “Sarah is a consistent, positive presence, who enhances the joy of learning for all of our students.  She brightens the days of so many with her positive presence, friendly demeanor, and “can do” attitude.”

Smiles Abound on Lyme-Old Lyme Schools’ Opening Day

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This family walked cheerfully into Lyme Consolidated School on the first day of the new academic year. All photos by LOL Schools.

LYME/OLD LYME–This past Tuesday, Aug. 27, was filled with hugs and smiles—and a few nervous steps and glances—as the first day of a new school year in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools unfolded.

More smiles outside Lyme Consolidated School as friends reconnected.

Asked how the day had gone, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser told LymeLine exclusively in a text message, “We were happy to welcome our students back to school for what looks to be another exciting year in the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.”

Teachers at Mile Creek School were all smiles too as they waited for their new students.

He added cheerfully, “We have lots of new faces, and many familiar ones, and look forward to everything this school year will bring.”

Smiles continued through the whole day.

Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme Opens ‘Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation & Discovery Center’

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 A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new ‘Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation & Discovery Center’ at CT Audubon’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center was held Wednesday, July 10. Pictured above are, from left to right, Alex Kelsey, David Kelsey, Dottie Kelsey, Tom Kelsey and Amanda Kelsey.

OLD LYME — Connecticut Audubon’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) has announced the opening of a new children’s education center on its five-acre property in Old Lyme. Funded by private donations, The Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation & Discovery Center is located in a renovated and expanded 1,632-square-foot cottage.

“The Kelsey family is fortunate to be able to support such a worthy endeavor of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center,” said J. David Kelsey of Old Lyme. He continued, “The commitment of the center to the nature education and growth of intellectual curiosity in our young kids is critical to the establishment of lifelong learning and coupling that with an introduction to conservation and an important understanding of the contributions of birds to our world is a wonderful thing of which to be a part.”

The center officially opened July 3 and will be the home of an array of new, specially-designed programs for children ages three and up. Program participants will have the opportunity to learn about conservation and the environment through stories and art, the use of scientific equipment, and explorations of local habitats.

The newly-renovated building includes classrooms, a studio and lab equipped with digital microscopes and other scientific equipment, an organic vegetable garden, and water and nature play area

The center features the following programs:
Little Naturalists, a weekly nature class for parents/caregivers and children ages three to five years old, encourages discovery, exploration, and expression through stories, hands-on activities, and art with themes such as birds, insects, soil, water, mammals, and fish.

Family Ecology Days invite children of all ages to participate in a morning of ecology exploration through seasonal activities including macroinvertebrate exploration with scopes, plant ID in the center’s pollinator garden, and searching for birds with binoculars.

Birding Basics teaches children ages 12 and up the basics of birding with an ID classroom portion paired with practice in the field. The program is offered seasonally in the fall, winter and spring.

“With the establishment of the new center, we are now able to provide innovative, hands-on, and experiential STEM programs both after school and during our summer sessions,” said Alisha Milardo, director of Connecticut Audubon’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

In addition to classroom programs, the center will also be available for private events, including children’s birthday parties.

Connecticut Audubon’s RTPEC dedicates itself to future generations through experiential education and conservation of the land, waters, and the species that inhabit them. Established in 2015 as a regional center of the CT Audubon Society, RTPEC focuses on protecting and conserving the dominant biosystems of southeastern Connecticut.

The Center’s programs reach over 8,000 students throughout the southeastern CT region.

For more information, visit www.ctaudubon.org/rtp-estuary-home

The CT Audubon Society protects Connecticut’s birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through conservation, education, and advocacy. Founded in 1898, CT Audubon operates nature facilities in Fairfield, Milford, Pomfret, Hampton, Sherman, and Old Lyme, and an EcoTravel office in Essex.

For more information, visit www.ctaudubon.org.