🌱Congratulations To The VRHS Robotics Team + JWMS Was On Lockdown

Hello, everybody! Karena Garrity here with your fresh copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's going on locally, including updates on:

• John Winthrop Middle School placed on modified lockdown.
• VRHS has a new volleyball coach.
• Congratulations to the Robotics Team!

But first, today's weather: Hazy sun. High: 66 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories in Essex-Chester-Deep River today:

1. According to an announcement that was sent out by Region 4 Schools,"[Yesterday] morning the John Winthrop Middle School administration received information of a potentially unsafe situation at JWMS. As a precaution, we followed our emergency procedure by placing our school in a modified lockdown, during which all students and staff sheltered in place. We consulted with law enforcement, and it was determined quickly that the building was safe and secure. There was no cause for concern, and our students and staff are safe. The modified lockdown lasted 4 minutes." (Region 4 Schools)
2. Valley Regional High School has a new volleyball head coach, Jamie Bickelhaupt. Welcome to our schools! (Valley Regional High School)
3. Congratulations to the Valley Regional High School Robotics team who placed eighth out of 39 teams in the qualifying rounds at the NE FIRST Robotics Waterbury District Competition. This was a personal best for the small but mighty team. Great job students! (Zip06.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (8:30 AM)
• RiverFire Glass, Gorgeous Glass Garden Art (6:00 PM)
• War in Ukraine: Update with Peter Rutland (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex-Chester-Deep River Area: "Check Out 5 Local Houses on the Market." (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
• Essex Library: "Meet up with other genealogy aficionados, talk about resources, share your own genealogy journey, ask questions, and more! Meetings will now take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 2:30-4 p.m." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Great Decisions Discussions meets Thursday, May 25, 6 p.m. in the Program Room Reading booklets are available at the Essex Library. The topic for the May 25 meeting is 'Economic Warfare.' Future meeting dates TBA." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com