Category Archives: Lyme

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Receive Over $12 Million in State Grants to Upgrade Air Filtration in Middle, Center, Lyme Schools

Posted on by
Reply

“We are so excited by this news. This will provide significant relief to our communities in helping to defray the costs of the approved updates to our PK-8 schools.” (LOL Schools Superintendent Neviaser)

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser

LYME/OLD LYME — On Wednesday, April 5, Governor Ned Lamont announced recipients of grants totaling $56 million under the the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools to improve air filtration and quality.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools received a total of $12.009 million through the program with Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School being allocated $6.24 million, Lyme-Old Lyme Center School $2.719 million, and Lyme Consolidated School $3.051 million for HVAC upgrades.

Asked his reaction to receipt of the grants, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser told LymeLine via email, “We are so excited by this news. This will provide significant relief to our communities in helping to defray the costs of the approved updates to our PK-8 schools.  We look forward to beginning construction in the very near future.”

The funds can be used for replacing, upgrading or repairing boilers and other heating/ventilation components; replacing controls and technology systems for HVAC operations; installing or upgrading air conditioning or ventilation systems; or other work approved by the Department of Administrative Services.

The grants program, administered by the state Department of Administrative Services, was created as part of the budget adjustment bill passed by lawmakers and signed into law in the spring of 2022. The law further requires schools to inspect and evaluate HVAC systems every five years, requires these reports to be made public, and requires the reporting of any corrective action taken.

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) and State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) also welcomed the announcement.

“Our students cannot thrive when they’re breathing in low-quality air,” said Sen. Marx, whose 20th District includes Old Lyme. “If you can’t take a deep breath of healthy air, you can’t learn to the best of your ability. Low air quality can have negative impacts on student health and well-being. Teachers and faculty cannot effectively help students learn without a clean, healthy environment either. This will benefit their health as well. I’m thankful the Lamont Administration is investing in the health and futures of our students.”

Sen. Norm Needleman, whose 33rd District includes Lyme, noted, “Last year, when elected officials approved legislation making adjustments to the state budget, we did so knowing that this funding would be included, and that it would directly benefit students around the state,.”

He added, “I’m very encouraged that it will aid students in Lyme and Old Lyme. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for investing in our community.”

Letter to the Editor: “Greatly Troubling” That Old Lyme RTC Has Endorsed ‘Parental Rights’ Agenda for LOL Schools, Something to Remember When Voting in November

Posted on by
5

To the Editor:

In March I received the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee’s (RTC) “request for support” letter. I am an unaffiliated voter, and as such I appreciate understanding what the local political parties are offering in terms of policy.  At first, the letter seemed innocuous, opening by noting that among the key values and priorities they would support is “maintaining the excellence of the Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools.” While we all agree that keeping our schools strong is vital for the future of our children, the RTC explicitly noted that they would be “standing up for parents’ rights in the town school system regarding the school’s curricula and student policies.”

It is greatly troubling to me that the Old Lyme RTC has joined in the national narrative being spouted by leaders like Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Greg Abbott.  In every instance where Republicans have pushed a “parental rights” agenda, what has followed has been book bans, censorship and thought policing. The ill-defined “policy” of letting parents decide what books a school can use, what words teachers can say, and how subjects should be taught, fosters a toxic relationship between educators and parents and encourages the foolish, misguided and sometimes violent clashes we’ve seen playing out at Board of Ed meetings from coast to coast. 

Science is science, math is math, literature is literature, and history is history.  Let’s leave educating to the educators; it’s a policy that has served our school system well for the last 200 years. 

In short, if we want to keep our schools strong, let’s make sure we don’t let them get strong-armed by partisan politicians. I hope that in November we will vote for candidates who understand that restricting information and discouraging freedom of thought undermines one of the primary functions of education: teaching students how to think critically and for themselves.

Sincerely,

Claudia Schmaus,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is a  a member of the Town of Old Lyme’s Ethics Commission.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Start Fundraising Campaign to Send Winning State Championship Mock Trial Team to National Contest

Posted on by
Reply
The Lyme-Old Lyme High School Mock Trial team won top honors in the state championship held at the Supreme Court in Hartford . Photo courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

LYME/OLD LYME — On Thursday, March 23, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Mock Trial Team competed and won the state championship at the Connecticut State Supreme Court.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser commented, “[It] was a great accomplishment for this program, which only restarted at the high school about five years ago after a brief hiatus,” adding, “Jim [Wygonik, LOL High School Principal] and I had the opportunity to watch them argue their case at the Supreme Court in Hartford to win the state championship.”

Nevaiser concluded, “These young men and women are incredibly talented, well coached, and put in countless hours on weekends to prepare their arguments.”

Winning the state championship earned the LOLHS team the honor of representing Connecticut at the National Mock Trial Competition in Little Rock, Ark. in early May.

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise the required funds to send the team and its coaches to Little Rock to compete. The school administration explains on the campaign site, “Normally we would utilize traditional fundraising methods. These, however, take time.”

The statement on the website continues, ” Our window to commit to the national competition is just a few weeks. We hope that you will consider donating to our trip fund so 12 aspiring attorneys and their two coaches can continue this exciting journey.”

Visit this link for further information and to donate in support of these talented students and their coaches.

Lyme-Old Lyme HS Mock Trial Team Wins State Championship, a ‘Great Accomplishment’

Posted on by
Reply
The Lyme-Old Lyme High School Mock Trial team won top honors in the state championship held at the Supreme Court in Hartford . Photo courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

‘These young men and women are incredibly talented, well coached, and put in countless hours on weekends to prepare their arguments.’ LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser

LYME/OLD LYME — On Thursday, the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) High School Mock Trial team won first place in the highly competitive State Championship.

The team is coached by Sarah Hylas, who is assisted by Emily Kelly. Their legal advisor is Captain Ben Karpinski of the US Coast Guard.

Asked his reaction the result, LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser responded by text, “[It] was a great accomplishment for this program, which only restarted at the high school about five years ago after a brief hiatus.”

Neviaser added, “Jim [Wygonik, LOL High School Principal] and I had the opportunity to watch them argue their case at the Supreme Court in Hartford to win the state championship. These young men and women are incredibly talented, well coached, and put in countless hours on weekends to prepare their arguments.”

He concluded, “We wish them the best of luck as they move on to the national competition in Little Rock, Arkansas.”

Here at LymeLine, we send hearty congratulations to the whole team and their coaches on this terrific achievement.

Death Announced of Ronald “Ron” Rose, 82, Former Lyme Fire Dept. Chief, Longtime Lyme Building Official/Sanitarian; Services Thursday

Posted on by
3
Ronald “Ron” Rose

HADLYME — And so ends peacefully an adventurous life. Ronald “Ron” Rose, 82, of Hadlyme, died Friday, March 17, 2023, at his home (as he wished). It is a sad day, we have lost the patriarch of the family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally Rose; his five children: Donna (Steve) Coulombe, William (Katherine) Rose, Jane (Jerry) Rose, Rebecca (Frank) Bocian, and Elisabeth (Christopher Gorski) Rose; as well as 12 grandchildren; and a growing number of great-grandchildren; his two brothers, John (Mary) Rose and Edward Rose; and many nieces, nephews and special cousins. An extra thanks goes to his cousin Billy Angier. He also leaves behind numerous friends, whom he considered family. He is predeceased by his best canine buddy, Wes, who crossed the rainbow bridge a few weeks ago.

Ron was born in East Cambridge, Mass., the son of Edward and Mary (Campbell) Rose. He grew up jumping from roof to roof, stealing warm pies out of the bakery and “borrowing” his Uncle Harold’s car with a group of mischievous friends – often facing the wrath of his very strong single mom. His childhood stories will continue to entertain family and friends.

The exploits continued when he, as a young man, joined the military; had three children; and met the love of his life followed by two more children. The U.S. Army took this young family to Italy, and Germany, until returning to the United States in 1967. During his time in the Army, he participated in Operation Dominic and was exposed to atomic radiation which contributed to his poor health later in life.

In the next chapter, Ron earned his private pilot license even though he only had vision in one eye – an example of his determination. He had a variety of occupations including bar owner, construction expert, mechanic, boat captain and real estate broker. In 1977, the family moved to Hadlyme, his wife’s hometown. The city boy loved it here! He found many mentors who led him to a career as a building official and sanitarian for local municipalities including acting as a long-serving town official in Chester and Lyme. Many know him from his service as the chief of the Lyme Fire Department and EMT for the Lyme Ambulance. Ron loved and cared for all people. He excelled at taking the lead in challenging situations where others would shy away. His innumerable acts of service for others touched many lives throughout decades. His selflessness is an inspiration.

He will be remembered for his patronage of many local eating establishments, shout out to Teddy’s Old Lyme Pizza Palace and Illiano’s Grill, as well as his generosity in sharing his love of food with others, and his special sayings. Most recently he would say, “We’re so lucky, Sal; we’re so lucky!” “Thanks, Dad. We feel the same way.”

We ask everyone to take a page out of Ron’s playbook and find beauty in nature, especially the songbirds; take time to volunteer; and bring pastries wherever you go! Our family would like to take the time to thank all of those who have been so generous with their time and thoughtful gifts, especially during Ron’s last months.

Calling hours will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme. A Celebration of his Life will be held later, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Filomena’s Restaurant, 262 Boston Post Road, Waterford. Burial will be private. Please visit www.fulton-therouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes and directions. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Lyme Volunteer Fire Company and Lyme Ambulance.