Acting principal sits at Thalberg School By ROBIN L. MIC_J L Since Aug. 15, Beecher Lajoie has been the acting principal of Thalberg Elementary School with the final appointment as principal expected this mo tth. But an error by the school board in parhamentsry procedure has not impeded him in performing all duties of a principal at the school which is located at 145 Dunham St. On the opening day of school, Laloie greeted all the childr x at the door as well as stopped in each classroom. He has been very impressed with the people he has come in contact with at Th.albe , he During the Aug. 15 school board meeting, members had voted to add the item regarding the appointment of the Thalberg School prmcspal to the agenda. But it was later determined that the item was not added with a m<strong>and</strong>atory twothirds vote. Lajoie was appointed unanimously but because of the proced ure error, his selection is not yet officmL Board members said they - peered Lalose would be unanimously selected fine dancers from a local cob demanslrnm their talents at the final canan the Tawn Green last w ek. The b<strong>and</strong> "Smokehouse" playM ta another large crowd as the 12-week series come to an end. OFFICIAL E STIMATE More than 13,000 attended concerts By ART ECONDO as a- n¢ eda0r The public's attendance at the weekly concern on The Green has surpassed all cxpect tion town offidal report- "It's been a wonderful prelect especiafiy m see the support of the business community <strong>and</strong> the enthusiasm of the residents," proclaimed W'dSam Maso, &roctor of recreation. The Park Depar -nent-sponsured concerts officially concluded Its 1996 series last week w th a perrefinance by Smokehous a country <strong>and</strong> western b<strong>and</strong> that attracted Masci said the 12 concerts drew more than 13,000 people <strong>and</strong> John Beardsley's recent performance with his "Mystery Train" b<strong>and</strong> again proved m be the highlight of the season. a special lighting dedication ceremony in June when the park Department officially unveiled 14 vintage lights that c trJe the Green. Park officials put the crowd figure at Beardsley's concert at nearly 2,000 people. Last summer the Elvis Presley impersonator wowed a large crowd estimated at the same number. "It's been great to see the respouse" Beardsley sa d after his recent <strong>and</strong> exhausung performance that we n,t beyond the usual cutoff time. I really like coming to <strong>Southington</strong> to do dus." Fans gave him a st<strong>and</strong>ing ovation that lasted for more than 15 minutes. Concert coordinator Jerry Limmer sasd he couldn't ask for better cooperauon than he's re- Beecher Lajoie, acting pfinc!pal of-Reuben E. Thalberg ementary School, st<strong>and</strong>s beside a portrait of the school's ceived. Limmer credited the volunteers who hdped with the weekly dasssc car shows <strong>and</strong> the numerous merchants who annually donate materials <strong>and</strong> money Limmer xs a veteran musscnn who helped m start the concerts. "At the final concert, people were telhng me they were sorry to see u end. they wanted st to connnue for several more weeks," noted Limmer. The concert idea was the braznchfld of Lsmmer who ssngs vocal wsth h s own, "No Name B<strong>and</strong>." Park officmls report that the concerts taught have been in-Fopsrdy for this year because mds were not readdy avadablc for pohce protection. Also, since each b<strong>and</strong> was pasd for by a weekly sponsor,' the Park Department's financsal commitment was limned to post-concert cleanup, pubhcsty costs, <strong>and</strong> a supend fee for Limmer. "Overall, these fvee concerts have proved to be the town's best attracuon In the summer," sasd Richard Eg dio, park supenntendent whose lob st was to keep the Town Green litter fi'ce the day ter each concer Volunteers needed Volunteers are needed for household hazardous waste collecuon day which wall be held on September 14, 1996 from 9.00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call the Southmgton Health Department at 276-6275 m volunteer CALL 621.3891 /f you know anything about gang activity. Cilizen involvement is an important weapon in Ihe war against gang violence. Pmsentecl as a Public Service by The Step Saver/<strong>Observer</strong> again for the principalship during a second vote scheduled for the Sept. 12 school board meeting. His salary is set at $75,622. "We're really happy," said Maryanne O'Brien, president of the parent teacher organization. "The response from the parents <strong>and</strong> kids has been great." O'Brien presented Laioie with a gift basket as he amved at the school on the first day of class. He's really into PTOs," she said. "He likes parental involvement." Lajose's position as pnncipal comes aker 18 years of teaching <strong>and</strong> five years as assistant principal of Walter A. Derynosh Elementa:V School. It h s been major change, he sued, from Derynoski, which is the largest elementsry school in the system, to Thalberg, which ss one of the smaHast schools. Derynoski had about 734 pupils last year, wtxile there are 249 at Thalberg this year. As the first administrative mtern in <strong>Southington</strong>, Laloie was acting vice principal at Fl<strong>and</strong>ers Lajuie said he has been verg fortunate to serve as both administrator <strong>and</strong> teacher in the local schools. His own method of administration is, "MBW, Management By-Walking, he said, exphining he regularly visits all the "I want to be visible, have good communication with parents, students <strong>and</strong> teachers," he said. "It's people during people time <strong>and</strong> papers after hours." The shelves of Laioie's office are lined with books, many displsyed to entice h arents. pupils, <strong>and</strong> staff members who may visit. My primt concern is reading, he said. I want to model that, emphasize it in school, read to the students. You have to model that to make it an enioyable experience." He explained he also is an avid reader, particularly of historical fiction. My second objective is writing." His immediate goals are to learn ewery hin he can about, Thalberg School. aright now I want to study, experience <strong>and</strong> live proced . <strong>and</strong> protocols, Lajoie said. He also has plans to implement several new programs, including R ding Recovery <strong>and</strong> the Earty Intervention _Program, at the facility. Lajoie said he selected teaching as a career because of his <strong>and</strong> Urhin T. Kelley elementary' family's love for education. The schools.Wu kia ,th d ,cc --- radinmats-don2t leave-you TM mer principals, Louis Fabri of said. He received his bachelor Fl<strong>and</strong>ers, Thomas E. Gramirt of <strong>and</strong> masters of science degree Kelley, <strong>and</strong> John Fiondeila of from the University of Hartford Derynoski, provided a valuable <strong>and</strong> is presently pursuing his doc- exp tience, Lajoie said. torate at the University of Connecticut. EX NSIV Though he misses teaching, EXPEPJENCE he said more immediate change His experience at Derynoski can be accomplished through be- provided him with a working ing an administrator. knowledge of discipline issues, special education, parent teacher organisanons, cultural arts, <strong>and</strong> special programs. In addition, When not on the iob, Laioie said he enioys jogging, biking <strong>and</strong> hiking, as well as worlang on environmental issues. "Being Lajoie has served on many edu- physically fit is as impo.r ...t as cation-related ?wn a¢o mittces, including the Spccia m he is a eucharistic mnuster Education Alternative Delivery Dominic Church. The <strong>Observer</strong>, Thursday'r September,, 1996_ Susan Phihr, fight, <strong>and</strong> James Brookins, look at some of the new fide that will be open in 1997 at the new Lake Compounce Theme Park <strong>and</strong> Entertainment Complex. ,, , r,. Lake Compounce sets sights on, '97 Area residents spent one last Labor Day weekend at Lake Compaunce .Ajn ment Park before consu'uction begins in earnest fur new tides <strong>and</strong> f=cil/ties. "] he abbreviated opening Saturday, Sunday, <strong>and</strong> Monday wag des/gned to help the park hang onto sts record of being the oldest continuously-operated amusement Among the rides <strong>and</strong> attrac- Wildcat roller coaster, the historic carousel, pirate ship, the lake front <strong>and</strong> beach area, as well as two kiddie rides <strong>and</strong> food booths. Park officials displayed drawings <strong>and</strong> plans for the new Lake Compounce Theme Park <strong>and</strong> Entertainment Complex that is scheduled to open around Memorial Day of next year. Renderings of the new Lake Compounce Theme Park<strong>and</strong>-Enterminment Comple strategically placed inside the main entrance, am-acted much attention fi m vlsi- J. Norton, whose family owned the .pm-k from its founding in 1846 to 1985, said he ss delighted the Compounce legacy will continue. operanon," he stud. He was qerring to Kennywood Entertainment, the firm that owns <strong>and</strong> operates Compouace <strong>and</strong> hree other Norton was busy showsng Richard Munch, a mamber of the American Coaster Enhhusiasts, xo',md the Munch said he h d come to s .h __P jldcat roller coaster_. Over the years, he has ridden about 300 miler coasters around the world. The first Wildcat was built in 1927, <strong>and</strong> it was ly rebuilt in 1986 from original phns. Norton proudly showed the hismtic carousal that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Norton said be is particularly cited about Kennywood's proposal m pat electric trnllcys in opera- Lake Compounce wasn't a t olley park," Norton said, ad.ding years before s reemar scrv c w established from Bristol in 189L Address: I CtW: qtate:.._ p: i '18.00 for a Yearly Sulm, lptlon :Southlngton, Plentsvllle, MIIIdale, Marion residents only. Fill out this order form <strong>and</strong> Insert into an envelope I I . lalong wRh your chock <strong>and</strong> m ll. ,Soon you v ll r_e_oolvo..S_o_uth_ln_Ot_ona_l _s_t h_o_meto_.wn__new s_p_ o_e_r._Th_e_O_bs_effe_rlJ P.O. Box 648, S0uthington, CT 06489
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