Hey Greenwich! Did You Know ... There Are Little Students Earning Big Achievements?

Today is Friday, June 1, 2012 and it's National Doughnut Day. (Dunkin' Dontus is offering a free doughnut with any beverage purchase today. Tell us what's your favorite sweet treat and where you like to buy it in the comment stream.)

This day in history:

The court-martial of Benedict Arnold convened in Philadelphia in 1779. After a relatively clean record in the early days of the American Revolution, Arnold was charged with 13 counts of misbehavior, including misusing government wagons and illegally buying and selling goods.

In 1942, a Warsaw underground newspaper, the Liberty Brigade, made public the news of the gassing of tens of thousands of Jews at Chelmno, a death camp in Poland—almost seven months after extermination of prisoners began.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in 1967 and the Beatles announced their intention to be seen "as artists rather than just performers," according to Sir Paul McCartney.

Today's birthdays:

• Heidi Klum, German supermodel, host of Bravo TV's "Project Runway," is 38.
• Rolling Stones guitarist and Weston resident Ron Wood, is 64.
• Actor Morgan Freeman in "Lean on Me," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption," is 74.
• Pop singer Pat Boone who had such hits as "Tutti Frutti," is 77.
• Mayberry sheriff Andy Taylor and father of Greenwich's own Ron Howard who played Opie in "The Andy Griffith Show," is 85.
• Had she lived, film siren Marilyn Monroe would have turned 86 today.

Things you should know

Congratulations are in order for the 30 students completed the 10-week English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at the (BANC).

The program, sponsored by the Byram Family Enrichment Program was  a collaboration between the Greenwich Department of Social Services (GDSS), The , Literacy Volunteers of Stamford/Greenwich, Inc., , and Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center. It was developed in response to a growing need for educational support services in the Byram Community.

The 10-week program began March 21, and culminated Wednesday evening with a graduation celebration. Classes were taught by trained Literacy Volunteer staff and offered free to participants.

“We see the large turnout as proof of the parents and residents desire to enhance their reading and language skills and reflects the Greenwich community response to improve the quality of life of Greenwich residents” said Dr. Alan Barry, GDSS Commissioner. Besides the classes, dinner, childcare and additional educational opportunities for children were offered. 

The ESL classes were held at the Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center at 289 Delavan Ave. For information about the fall 2012 session, call social worker Monica Bruning at (203) 622-7793.

Getting a Head Start on Art and reading

Also on May 30, ’ Head Start Preschool held its annual Art Show at the . 

More than 40 parents and friends gathered in the library’s Children’s room to view the colorful work of the school’s 38 students. Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei also attended the event, and admired the creativity and imagination of the students.

The Art Show, which is organized by the Friends of Greenwich Library, gives Head Start students the opportunity to showcase their talent and help combine the joy of literacy and art.  In addition to the art, students and parents were encouraged to tour the Children’s Room and enjoy the many books available.  The artwork will be on display in the library throughout the month of June. 

Operated by Family Centers, the Head Start Preschools offer education programs for three- and four year-old children of families residing in Greenwich public and subsidized housing. Head Start emphasizes parent involvement to encourage and support children’s educational and social development.

The annual Head Start Art Show is part of a longstanding relationship with the Greenwich Library. Throughout the year, the Friends of Greenwich Library works with the Head Start Preschool to plan literacy-related activities for the students. The library also holds a number of special events for Head Start students and their parents.  

No municipal meetings scheduled.

Traffic alert:

Connecticut Light & Power continues its power line and equipment upgrades around town. Drivers should expect some delays on:

• Fairfield Road, between North Street and Stanwich Road
• Stanwich Road, between Fairfield Road and East Putnam Avenue
• East Putnam Avenue, between Stanwich Road and Strickland Road
• Strickland Road
• Sound Shore Drive
• Station Road
• Loughlin Avenue

All work is taking place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Greenwich Community Television

If you prefer the clicker instead of being there or want to catch up on a Greenwich meeting you missed, there's Greenwich Community Television (GCTV) on either Fios Channel 24 or Cablevision's Channel 79.

And if you prefer the movies:

Sources: history.com; famous birthdays.com