Daily Five: Groton’s School Readiness Program Expands

1.  Today is Thursday, July 19. The National Weather Service forecasts partly sunny skies, a high temperature of 84 degrees and a 20 percent slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. The low temperature will fall to 64 degrees tonight.

2.  Groton will receive 20 more seats in the school readiness program to provide early childhood education during the coming school year. The seats are as part of the state’s education reform package and among 1,000 slots statewide, designed to provide preschool services for children, ages 3 and 4.

During the last school year, the program in Groton served 13 children, and there has been a waiting list.  For more information, call the at (860) 449-8217, ext. 1101 or 1124; or at (860) 445-8151.

3.  The Groton school department is working on a community-wide book club for the coming school year, according to a briefing memo by Interim Superintendent Randall Collins.

The proposal, outlined by Assistant Superintendent Sean McKenna ould compile a reading list on various topics, then allow faculty and staff to sign up for discussion groups. Parents and community members would also be able to take part in discussion groups with school staff in the evenings at Groton Public Library, the memo said.

4.  An award has been named for Eric Morrison, the superintendent of in Groton, for his service to the Connecticut Senior Open. The first “Morrison Medal” was given to Morrison at the 30^th Connecticut Senior Open Awards Ceremony earlier this month, according to a report by the town manager. Morrison has provided service to the Open for 12 years.

5.  If you have hazardous waste to dispose of, this weekend may be the time to deal with it. A regional household hazardous waste collection day will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday and the Flanders Road Transfer Station in Groton. The region offers other disposal days for hazardous waste, but this is the date in Groton, so it might be more convenient.