What’s happening in Fall 2018 Washington, CT Next Generation School Leadership TOWN OF WASHINGTON Comes to Washington From the By Dan Sherr Heart University, is to create changemakers by Assessor’s Office challenging them to develop their own learning Washington enjoys a reputation for remark- models and encouraging students to make their Delisse Locher able schools, private and public. Two words own choices. are frequently heard in conversations with the The 2018 Revaluation of all properties new leaders of the Montessori and Region 12 Megan. Welcome to Washington and Region 12. in Washington is scheduled to be effec- Schools – Communications and Community. tive for the upcoming assessment date Washington Montessori School – of October 1, 2018. This ‘full physical Shepaug Region 12 – Megan Carney O’Brien – Head of School Revaluation’ requires that properties that haven’t been visited within the last Carney O’Brien’s career as an educator started at Bennett – Superintendent ten years have property data updates, or Mizzentop Day School, an education inno- Born, raised and schooled in Rocky Hill, CT, have owner verification of site im- vator in Pawling, NY. Schooled at Dutchess Megan Bennett graduated from Siena College provements. Often owners are unaware Community College and Vassar, with an M.A. with a degree in psychology. Her internships that a site inspection has occurred but from Marist College in Educational Develop- focused her on emotionally-challenged children are aware that property data has been ment, she immersed herself in the psychology with the goal of trans- collected and verified in conjunction of learning. Her career has involved a rich mix forming their lives. with permit inspections for the last five of teaching and administration with a focus on She started her career years. Some inspections will be on-go- student social skills and school admissions. in education at a ing through the fall of 2018. Hartford elementary While at Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, school, improving stu- CT, 2010 – 2014, as Director of Secondary With correct data, properties can then dent reading skills and School Advising and Ninth Grade Dean, be re-valued for the next five-year teaching math. Megan Carney honed her skills in the development period, based upon what the current was recruited to the of individual students and their relationship fair-market sale prices of comparable Central office as a with their communities. Recruited in 2014 to properties are. Notices to property math coordinator, leading 28 coaches chartered Chatham Hall in southern Virginia as Director owners about new values will be mailed to improve math teaching skills in Hartford. of Enrollment, she advanced the all-girls school in November. There’ll be opportunities With her husband’s business move to Massachu- with a sharp increase in admissions. for owners or their agents to come to an informal hearing with revaluation setts, Megan joined the Taunton school system as O’Brien’s educational supervisors to ask questions or express the Kindergarten-12th grade math coordinator. She philosophy recognizes, disagreement about data or values was subsequently promoted to Principal of the Ben- “In only a few years, before the final 2018 grand list is signed nett Elementary School. Returning to Connecticut a student has to learn in January. in 2011, she joined the Rocky Hill school system as most of what they Principal of West Hill Elementary School. need to know for life. The October 1st assessment date is also Recruited to the Southington Connecticut School And in the first few important because military veterans System in 2012, Megan joined as Principal of grades they need to seeking exemptions for Honorable ser- Reuben E. Thalberg Elementary School. Over her learn how to learn.” vice on the 2018 grand list and future six-year tenure, Megan won a number of major Carney adds, “It’s years, must file their Form DD-214 awards. She built a privately funded playground, about students discov- service record with the Town Clerk by established a school store run by the students, ering the connections that produce change… the prior September 30 – if they haven’t supported the students love of the arts with drama change to their knowledge base and producing previously done so. There’s more tax clubs, introduced students to computer program- change to their personal communities.” benefit information for Totally Dis- ming through robotics and initiated a personalized Year one goals at Montessori: A commitment abled, Blind and/or Elderly individuals, learning program that encouraged each student to listening and learning…listening to the staff, as well as other topics of interest at: to develop a detailed learning plan for a subject of students, parents and the larger community washingtonct.org/assessor. Questions great personal interest to them. and refreshing the Washington Montessori’s for the assessor can always be left by Megan’s educational philosophy, refined with a private-public partnerships. voicemail at 860-868-0398, or by email masters degree from Central Connecticut State Carney O’Brien, welcome to Washington. at [email protected] University and a master’s degree from Sacred Spotlight on Business: Institute for American Indian Studies Pilobolus & Washington: Presents… WIGWAM ESCAPE This October, Washington’s Native American Museum, the Institute Four Decades of Creative for American Indian Studies, is opening a new escape room, Wigwam Escape, and invites players to experience how native people lived in Collaboration these local woodlands for thousands of years before European contact. By Dan Sherr In this themed puzzle challenge, participants will live for a day in the Washington is the center of gravity for Pilobolus. Birthed at year 1518, using collective knowledge and teamwork to overcome the Dartmouth College in 1971, it was formally organized as a challenges necessary to survive. nonprofit dance company in 1976 in Washington. With a passion The full experience is 90 minutes in the museum’s Research Center. for innovation and a creativity centered in physical connection, This includes a pregame orientation, the one-hour puzzle centerpiece, Pilobolus achieved international acclaim early in its life with tours and postgame popcorn and discussion when your team returns to the of Europe, the Middle East, the Virgin Islands and an extended 21st Century. The game is set for three to seven players and the cost is run on Broadway. $25 per person, or $20 for our museum members. For more information, call 860868-0518 or email the Wigwam Escape Program Coordinator, Lauren Bennett, [email protected]. International Archaeology Day Saturday, October 20, 10:00am - 5:00pm Dig into the fun with IAIS staff as they uncover what makes archae- ology such an interesting subject of study. Archaeology is the study of the objects that people leave behind. It’s how people today figure out what life was like in societies and cultures of the past. Participate in games and activities; connect with cultural items and objects. Do you have a question for an archaeologist? Archaeology Day included in the price of admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 children; IAIS members free. 13th Annual Native American Archaeology Roundtable Con- As its reputation grew, the company realized rural New Hamp- ference: Decolonizing New England Archeology and Museum shire did not provide ready access to the audiences they served. Studies Pilobolus prides itself on its ethic of collective decisioning, which Saturday, October 27, 9:00am - 5:00pm included not only choreography, but where to live. The dancers “Decolonization” is a growing movement in academia and museums. agreed none wanted to live in New York but needed convenient It includes removing the biases of the dominant culture from histori- access to national and global markets as they evolved as an inno- cal interpretations to allow a more accurate presentation of a country’s vation contributor to the international dance scene. A collective past and present. Additionally, it includes efforts to involve members decision brought them to a recognized rural creative community – of marginalized peoples in all aspects of historical study and program- Washington, CT. ming. Please join us for another rousing Native American-Archaeolo- gy Round Table with outstanding presentations and panel discussions Pilobolus has created 120 dance works, performed in 64 countries from a diverse group of researchers and museum studies professionals. around the world before a cumulative audience of six million. This conference will be held at Shepaug Valley High School, 159 Breaking new ground, Pilobolus appeared at the 2007 Oscars as South Street, Washington, CT, whom we thank for their support. live performers at the 79th Academy Awards. Done in silhou- Open to the public, pre-registration required, call 860-868-0518 or ette behind a white translucent screen, they performed various visit www.iaismuseum.org. $10 conference fee. Light refreshments figures including the Oscar statue itself. The introduction to the will be served. television audience opened them to marketers who brought their Veteran’s Day, Native American Military Members shadows art form into the advertising world. Saturday, November 10, 12:00pm Pilobolus Dance Theatre has three main branches: a touring com- Each year IAIS honors local Native Americans who have served in pany, Pilobolus, that creates new works through the International the United States Military. Join us in honoring and