Connecticut
How a Connecticut school district improved elementary math scores amid a nationwide decline
Meriden, Connecticut — When Dan Crispino took the job overseeing the curriculum for elementary faculties in Meriden, Connecticut, it was 2019 and he had an enormous drawback to resolve. The low-income district, the place practically 75% of children obtain free or decreased lunch, was fighting math.
“After I would go into lecture rooms all around the district, I might see that children did not appear as enthusiastic about math,” Crispino mentioned. “And it did not shock me that our outcomes had been depressed in math.”
Crispino mentioned math courses had been 60 minutes then. They’re now 90 minutes, starting with a 30-minute lesson adopted by an hour-long block the place each minute counts. The category is made up of tightly timed segments, the place college students and the trainer rotate via small teams.
Each classroom is on the identical lesson, utilizing the identical math vocabulary. Nobody strikes on till everybody understands the brand new materials. For the primary time, tutoring is obtainable throughout the faculty day.
With the modifications spearheaded by Crispino, a outstanding transformation has taken place. Nationwide, scholar math scores plummeted throughout the pandemic, with the steepest decline ever recorded. However in Meriden, scores went up at practically each elementary faculty within the district.
“We’ll be trendsetters,” Crispino mentioned. “Persons are going to wish to know what we’re doing in math. It should be that good.”
Instructor Amalia Calafiore thinks it might be a mannequin for faculties nationwide.
“I believe it is one thing which may appear daunting to begin,” she mentioned, “When you get the hold of it, it is really a lot simpler.”
Scholar Colin Flynn might love recess however he now additionally appears ahead to addition, subtraction and division.
“What makes math enjoyable is that you just normally get to work with a accomplice or go one-on-one with a trainer,” Flynn mentioned. “As a result of then generally it is like competitors, or generally it is you simply reviewing and understanding what you probably did improper.”
Crispino says the brand new curriculum is creating extra alternatives for the scholars’ futures.
“Alternatives to do issues in school which can be related to arithmetic,” he mentioned. “You already know, giving children one other avenue of what their future can seem like.”
Connecticut
Connecticut couple arrested for $1 million Lululemon theft spree across multiple states | The Express Tribune
A Connecticut couple allegedly stole nearly $1 million worth of Lululemon merchandise during a two-month, multi-state theft spree, according to authorities.
Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested on November 14 for stealing high-end fitness apparel from stores in Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut since September, as detailed in a criminal complaint reported by multiple outlets.
The theft spree was uncovered after Lululemon investigators noticed significant losses, which escalated when the pair triggered a security alarm while leaving a store in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Richards reportedly accused store employees of racially profiling him, the complaint stated. However, a company investigator alleged the couple had stolen at least 45 items worth $5,000 from various stores the previous day.
Police apprehended the pair and discovered multiple credit and debit cards, along with a key to a Marriott hotel room. Inside the room, officers found 12 suitcases, three of which contained approximately $50,000 worth of Lululemon merchandise, as per the complaint.
The company investigator estimated the total stolen merchandise could be worth up to $1 million, though the complaint did not detail how this estimate was calculated.
Lululemon merchandise is known for its high price points, with clothing starting at over $50 and sweatshirts often costing more than $130.
“This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection told NBC News.
“We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue.”
The couple allegedly used various tactics to commit the thefts, including one distracting store staff while the other hid the fitness apparel under their clothes and jackets, according to the complaint.
Connecticut
Connecticut man arrested in Puerto Rico for allegedly killing 4-month-old and Massachusetts mother
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Connecticut
Connecticut man dies nine days after being struck by car in Wall
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WALL – A 64-year-old Connecticut man has died from injuries suffered when he was struck by a car on Route 35 Nov. 9, police said.
Michael Losacano, of Niantic, Connecticut, passed away on Nov. 18 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, police said. Losacano was hit by a Ford Explorer being driven southbound on the highway near Wall Church Road by a 72-year-old Farmingdale man at about 6:42 p.m. Nov. 9, according to police.
Losacano was taken to the hospital by Wall Township EMS. The accident is still under investigation and police did not reveal the name of the Explorer’s driver.
The accident is being investigated by Wall police Sgt. Andrew Baldino, the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART), and Detective Nicholas Logothetis of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information relevant to the investigation is asked to call Wall police at (732) 449-4500.
Jean Mikle: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
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