Schools
Board of Ed Accepts Donations, Approves Police Officer at DHS
The votes came at Tuesday night's meeting.
The Board of Education accepted a $5,500 donation Tuesday from the Norwalk-based Grasso Construction Company to support a group of high schoolers working to construct a hydrogen-powered car.
The Fuel Cell Team in preparation for April's Shell Eco-Marathon in Houston. The team is the only high school from Connecticut entered in the competition.
Team member Rahul Datta described the group's efforts to board members at Tuesday's meeting.
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“We have designed a hydrogen technology fuel cell car,” he said. “I like to think of the class as a company.”
“We are on the cutting edge of technology, pushing the boundaries,” Datta added. “We are racing to build the most fuel-efficient car."
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Team member Matt Gentile said that the group had raised $10,200 in donations from individuals and companies — nearly enough money to travel to Houston and pay for the car to be shipped.
“We really appreciate everyone who has been helping us raise money,” Gentile said. “This project is important not only to our school, but to our town.”
DHS instituted the fuel cell curriculum seven years ago. Students in the class are called on to make engineering and financial decisions around the project. The team plans to use Grasso's donation to purchase a lightweight, high-efficiency fuel cell.
Board chairman Kim Westcott wished the scholars success in the competition.
“Good luck, gentlemen,” she said. “Let us know how you do in the competition.”
Those wishing to donate money to the cause care of the Fuel Cell Project Team.
Tokeneke PTO Donates Sound System
The board also unanimously approved a donation of $7,895 from the Tokeneke Parent Teacher Organization for a new sound system at .
Principal MaryLee Fisher explained that the school’s common room is not conducive to assemblies because its current sound system doesn't reach the whole space.
“We have an awful sound system,” Fisher said. “The new common room has a dead spot in the back of the room in which no one sitting in that part can hear anything.”
Police Officer OK'd for DHS
Board members unanimously approved a motion Tuesday as early as September 2011.
The school resource officer, if approved, would be funded out of the municipal budget rather than the school budget.
The final decision rests with the town side of Darien's government.
