🌱CT Schools In Need Of More Staff + Looking For A New Furry Friend

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today...

First, today's weather:

Thunderstorm. High: 88 Low: 68.

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

1. According to a Zip06.com article, "the Old Saybrook police officer who was suspended earlier this year for his reported involvement in a bar fight has resigned following an internal investigation showing he had admitted to participating in sexual acts while on duty and intentionally damaged department property. Earlier this summer, Old Saybrook Police Officer Tyler Schulz was reinstated following a 90-day unpaid suspension for allegedly choking one person and pushing another while intoxicated at an Essex restaurant in February. Schulz was cleared to resume his duties in July. However at the Aug. 22 Police Commission meeting, Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael Spera announced that Schulz had resigned from the department, and that the department and Schulz had entered into a separation agreement."(Zip06.com)
2. Schools throughout Connecticut are in need of staff! According to a ctexaminer.com article, "a statewide survey of Connecticut’s public schools by CT Examiner suggests numerous unfilled positions in city and suburban schools, rich and poor. Newington Public Schools are short 30 paraeducators. Newtown needs 17. Waterford has 15 openings. And Madison, 10. Clinton, East Lyme, Preston, Westbrook — all say that they are still looking for paraprofessionals classroom assistants and staff trained to work one-on-one with students needing extra help. Middletown Public Schools needs 14 interventionists — people who work with students on math, literacy and social-emotional learning — and 16 building substitutes. Other districts are looking for literacy tutors and long-term substitutes. And that doesn’t take into account the ongoing search for custodians, cafeteria workers, nurses and administrative assistants across the state." (ctexaminer.com)
3. Looking to add a new member to your family? Look no further than these Essex-Chester-Deep River animal shelters for a pet available for adoption. Many pound animals are still looking for their forever home and animal shelters are still working to place pets with families.
   Millions of companion animals are given to adoption facilities each year nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Shelters often look after other animals in search of a permanent home as well, including pigs, birds and even horses. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• River Valley Dance Project Open House (11 a.m.)
• End of Summer Reading Field Day! - Essex Library Association (noon)

From my notebook:

• Visit Chester CT: "This lovely dish is a part of the new menu at the @pattaconk1850. Apple Butter Burrata Crostini." (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Time is running out to buy a raffle for this beautiful quilt. Drop in! You can’t win if you don’t play (sorry, CT lottery)" (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Awesome event at Ocean Beach in New London!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Just signed and stamped these books for two visitors to the Ivoryton Library. They are on track to visit all 169 towns in the state, fill their book and receive the Leatherman patch. Here's the link for more information: https://martinpo..." (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

• Mammoth Security Inc. Old Saybrook — (Visit website)
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Events:

• The 40th Annual Spector Eyecare Greatest Bluefish Tournament (August 27)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! WISHLIST WEDNESDAY! (August 31)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a native of Connecticut, who currently resides in the Tri-Town community of Chester, Deep River and Essex. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town 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 Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com