The Daily Five: Police Patrol Schools, Locals Give Generously to People and Pets

1. We're expecting another cloudy day today with showers in the morning, according to weather.com. The high temperature should peak at about 53 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low temperature of 37 degrees. 

2. There's been an outpouring of support for the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings from the towns of Old Lyme, East Lyme, and Lyme. On its web site, the town of East Lyme is directing people who wish to make donations to send contributions to Newtown Youth and Family Services. 

For the past five years, East Lyme town employees have been raising money for a variety of charities, typically choosing one a month to support. The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut recently thanked the town of East Lyme Workforce campaign for helping to raise $2,594.00 for its organization.

United Way is one of a number of organizations that is collecting funds to help the community of Newtown in the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

3. Yesterday, the new driveway around the East Lyme High School Athletic Field, Central Office and Flanders Elementary school officially opened. This news is no doubt going to be greeted by sighs of relief from the many drivers who had difficulty navigating around the construction at peak traffic times. School officials are recommending that you use the driveway entrance and exit located at the Flanders Fire Station on Boston Post Road. This, they say, will allow for the safest traffic flow.   

4. I heard from someone who said they didn't see a police presence at Mile Creek School in Old Lyme yesterday, so I thought I'd follow up. Both Old Lyme State Trooper Thomas Heinssen and First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said that there was, indeed, a strong police presence at every school in Old Lyme, particularly during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-ups.

State police had offered to stay at each school all day long but school administrators decided that random checks throughout the day would suffice. The intention is to make feel students feel secure but not to have such an overwhelming police presence that kids feel nervous.

"The police coverage that was requested and expected was met," said Heinssen. Police will continue to be on patrol at the schools until the holiday break and beyond if needed, he added, and they stand ready to respond to any emergency. 

5. Among the many charity drives that are happening this season is one intended to help pets. If you'd like to donate dry or canned pet food and treats, there are collection bins set up in Old Lyme at Old Lyme Animal Control, Old Lyme Town Hall, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and High School, Mile Creek School, and Lyme Academy through December 20.