Superintendent's Updates

Greetings and Happy Holidays,

As we prepare to close out 2025 and head into Winter Break, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year.

My two oldest children are home from college, and along with their youngest brother, my house is loud and active, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!! Whether you are welcoming children home from school or still in the formative years of raising young children, this season has a way of bringing extra energy, excitement, and noise into our homes.

My wife, Kerry, has taught kindergarten for many years, and every December we brace ourselves for the stories and adventures that her five-year-olds bring to the classroom during this time of year. Teachers across our district face the unique challenge of channeling this energy while maintaining focus, and they do so with patience, care, and professionalism. Please join me in extending our gratitude and appreciation to our incredible faculty and staff as they guide our students through these final, high-energy moments of the calendar year.

Before we head into the break, I would like to share a few updates from around the district:

Possible School Closure Tomorrow

I knew this would get your attention!!!  We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for tomorrow. At this time, no decision has been made regarding a potential school closure.  Should conditions warrant a closure, families and staff will be notified as early as possible through our standard communication channels. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

District Strategic Plan and AI Podcast

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a podcast discussion focused on our district’s strategic plan and our work around being AI-Powered/Human-Centered. The conversation covers some current events in the world of AI, and highlights how the district is thoughtfully approaching the integration of AI in our work. I’m pleased to share the podcast with you and hope you find it informative and thought-provoking. Click here for the Spotify version, or here for the YouTube version.   

Message from the Westport Prevention Coalition – Parent Alert on Underage Drinking

The Westport Prevention Coalition and Westport Police Department are seeing a concerning increase in large, unsafe youth gatherings where alcohol and other substances are present. Since September, several parties involving more than 100 students have resulted in hospitalizations, arrests, and significant safety risks.

Parents are encouraged to talk with their children now about expectations, refusal skills, and clear exit plans if they find themselves in unsafe situations. In addition, families are reminded that Connecticut’s Social Host Law holds adults legally responsible when underage drinking or cannabis use occurs on their property.

The Coalition encourages families to partner proactively around prevention and offers free resources to support safe, substance-free environments at home. A link to the full parent alert and available resources is included here. 

Staples High School Graduation and District End-of-Year Ceremonies

Staples High School Graduation is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026, with a rain date of Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The district is committed to scheduling Grade 5 and Grade 8 stepping forth ceremonies in a way that avoids any conflicts with the Staples graduation ceremony, ensuring that families are able to attend all milestone events. Those dates will be announced by February.  

I wish you and your families a safe and restful Winter Break, and I look forward to all that 2026 will bring.

Thank you,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools