NCC President to retire; Ireland to lead parade; NPS opens lottery for magnet schools

NORWALK, Conn. – Some Norwalk announcements:

• NCC President Levinson set to retire
• Bill Ireland to lead St. Patrick’s Day parade
• Silvermine and Columbus magnet schools accepting lottery applications
• Christmas tree collections

Levinson retiring June 30

David L. Levinson, Ph.D., is retiring from his positions as President of Norwalk Community College (NCC) and Vice President of Community Colleges for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system (CSCU), according to a press release.

CSCU President Mark Ojakian has selected Cheryl DeVonish, Esq., NCC’s Chief Operating Officer, to oversee  the campus’s day-to-day operations as the NCC Interim Campus Chief Executive Officer beginning July 1.

Levinson will continue with CSCU for a year as a Presidential Fellow at Ojakian’s request, contributing to CSCU’s Students First initiatives.

“Dr. Levinson has been an exemplary leader at Norwalk for the past 15 years and served a critical role in the CSCU system since its formation in 2011,” Ojakian is quoted as saying. “I am pleased he will be staying on to help implement our critical student success efforts.”

Levinson will be releasing a statement this week, NCC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Madeline Barillo said.

DeVonish has more than 14 years of public service experience and was previously NCC’s Chief Diversity & Equity Officer & Special Advisor to Levinson, the release said.

Ireland to lead Irish through SoNo

“The Norwalk Police Emerald Society proudly announces William Daniel Ireland III as the 2019 Norwalk Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Congratulations Grand Marshal Ireland and thank you for all you do for our great city,” a press relese from Norwalk Police Lt. Terry Blake said.

Ireland is Norwalk’s Chief Building Official. The parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sat. March 9 and expected to step off from Veteran’s Park and proceed through South Norwalk.

Ireland is a lifelong Norwalk resident, and has served as chief building official since 1994.

“Like many Irish Americans’ stories, Bill’s family emigrated from Ireland starting in the 1800s during the great Irish Potato Famine and through the early 20th century,” the release states.

More biographical information:

• Ireland graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1966 and received an Associate Degree from Hartford State Technical School in 1969 before joining the United States Navy from 1969 until 1971.  He earned a B.S. in Public Administration from Trinity College in 2003.
• He was the owner and President of Ireland Plumbing and Heating before joining the City of Norwalk Building Department in 1992 as an Assistant Building Official.  In 2011, he was the recipient of the Home Builder Association’s Inspector of the Year.
• Ireland has been a member of the American Arbitration Association since 2004.  He is currently Treasurer of the District 8 Building Officials Association and has served as past President of the organization.
• He has also been President of the Norwalk High School Touchdown Club for 23 years and is a member of the South Norwalk Boat Club and Laurel Athletic Club.
• The Ireland family has been a part of the City of Norwalk for the past few generations.  His uncle, Ralph Ireland, was Norwalk Finance Director and a Fire Commissioner.  His grandfather, Alvin Sayre, was Plumbing Inspector and a Norwalk Police Commissioner.

Silvermine and Columbus

“The Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School and Columbus Magnet School are now accepting lottery applications for the 2019-2020 school year. Information sessions for both programs will take place starting in mid-January and will run throughout the next few months,” according to a Norwalk Public Schools press release.

The release states:

Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School:

• Applications: Available online or from the school
• Eligibility: Norwalk residents grades K-5
• Final application deadline: March 8
• Lottery drawing: April 11 at 6pm at Silvermine
• Additional information: Dual language coordinator Damaris Cruz at 203.899.2950 ext. 44156 or [email protected]

Columbus Magnet School:

• Applications: Applications will be distributed after attending a mandatory evening informational session or daytime guided tour. Reservations required
• Eligibility: Norwalk residents entering K-8
• Final application deadline: March 21
• Lottery drawing: April 11 at 6pm at Columbus
• Additional information: Parent Coordinator Terry Lakin at [email protected] or call the school office 203.899.2840

“A full immersion dual language school, Silvermine teachers plan and coordinate instructional programs in a team teaching environment at each grade level: one instructs in English, and the other in Spanish. Students zoned for Silvermine and siblings of current students have priority; however, an application must be submitted for all students.

“Columbus Magnet School offers families a Progressive Bank Street/H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) model of learning. The mission of the school is to develop passionate, lifelong learners who strive for academic excellence by cultivating their creativity and imagination through hands-on, integrated units of study and arts infusion.

“Students may only apply for one NPS magnet school program. Duplicate applications will not be eligible for participation in either lottery. Separate applications must be completed for siblings. For questions or more information, please contact the school.”

Christmas by the curb

Norwalk is picking up Christmas trees this week, from residents who have their garbage collected by the City.

Have your tree by the curb by 6 a.m. Monday and make sure it’s just the tree, no plastic bags, decorations or lights.

You could also take your Christmas tree and/or yard waste to the Yard Waste Site from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at 15 South Smith St.

Otherwise, winter hours for the Yard Waste Site are:

•  Monday through Friday:  7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (The scale closes for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. approximately)
• CLOSED Saturday & Sunday

The Yard Waste site may close for inclement weather, at the discretion of the Department of Public Works. For more information, visit www.norwalkct.org or contact the Customer Service Center at (203) 854-3200.