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Students showcase Project Lead The Way, ocean science and robotics; district names teacher, support-staff of the year
Summary
East Haddam middle- and high-school students presented leadership initiatives, Project Oceanology field trips and a student-built robotics car wash; the district also honored Mr. Michael Oro as district Teacher of the Year and Kimberly Chrysler as Support Person of the Year.
Middle-school students and staff used the Jan. 21 East Haddam Board of Education meeting to highlight several hands-on programs and extracurricular achievements.
Shayen Thod, an adviser to the Noise Makers leadership group, introduced four student presenters who described a leadership conference at Southern Connecticut State University, math-competition results (sixth-grader Berkeley Anderson won first place; eighth-graders Gigi Cusina and Cooper Valente advanced to a lightning round), and an ongoing reading challenge that students reported at about 1,300 books toward a 3,000-book goal.
Project Oceanology (in partnership with Global Academy) was presented as a fully funded series of eight field trips including boat-based sampling and lab work (students practiced measuring pH, salinity and turbidity). Organizers said participation is limited by boat capacity (25 students per trip) and that several hands-on experiences (squid dissection, seal and eagle watches) are planned.
Project Lead The Way instructors (Mr. Bala and Shayen) displayed a semester’s work and introduced three eighth-graders who demonstrated an automated model car wash built by students; the unit incorporated coding, sensors and collaborative construction. The presenters noted Project Lead The Way certification for teachers and that the program includes courses such as green architecture and robotics.
In district recognitions, Dr. Drito announced Mr. Michael Oro as the 2026 East Haddam District Teacher of the Year and Kimberly Chrysler as Support Person of the Year; both received brief remarks and applause from the board and attendees.
The board approved an elementary-school mural proposal and directed staff to present two approved designs to students for a vote. Separately, the business-and-planning subcommittee and other liaisons updated the board on the Rayboard (endowment) timelines and asked for future briefings on endowment constraints and coordination with the district budget process.
The superintendent reported the district’s strategic-plan work and noted a budget presentation will be brought to the board next month.
