New director plans healthy growth for Housatonic Child Care

SALISBURY — She’s a new face at Housatonic Child Care Center, but she’s certainly not new to the game. Kathleen “Kate� Dziedzic, who took over the child-care center July 1, has more than 20 years of child-care experience.

“I’ve had home day cares since I started having children, and my oldest is 30,� she said. “It was a way that I could contribute to the household while I was still with my children. Through that I learned that this was my calling: to work with families and work with children.�

Dziedzic comes to Housatonic from the YMCA in Torrington, where she had been the youth program coordinator and a head teacher since 2005. She was also the director of Camp Torymca.

“I worked at the Y with people from a huge range of socio-economic and language backgrounds,� she said. “I am an advocate of children and families.�

Dziedzic said she has done advocacy through the Susan B. Anthony Project in Torrington, which works with battered women and their families, and through the United Way. She has also worked with parents to help them through difficult transitions.

“Sometimes you just need to reassure parents that what their child is going through is developmentally appropriate,� she said. “Parents are the first teachers. By supporting parents, you are better able to serve the whole family.�

At Housatonic, Dziedzic is responsible for overseeing the child-care center’s three programs: infant, toddler and preschool.

“I am part of every program — I schedule myself into the toddler, infant, preschool programs,� she said. “I want to know all of these children. To get to where I want to go with the center, I need to be on their level.�

Her plans for the center include a lot more of what’s made the center a success. She wants to continue and expand the center’s collaborations with Salisbury Family Services, Town Hall, Noble Horizons and the Region One School District. She also wants to foster what she sees as an amazing relationship between the community and the center.

“This is a community that donates time or money or toys,� she said, citing an older gentleman who showed up at the center with a truck full of toys and a donation of wood chips from Salisbury Garden Center.

“I want the community to see and interact with the kids. I want them to think of this center as professional and to really be proud of us.�

But more than anything, Dziedzic said it’s about the children and their families.

“You’re not just registering a child. You’re registering a family that is trusting you to care and be an advocate for their child,� she said. “I fall in love with each and every one of these kids. I love my job. It’s so easy to be proud because you know your work is purposeful.�

Latest News

Salisbury ski jumpers put on show for students

Gus Tripler prepares to jump from the new 36-meter jump.

Margaret Banker

SALISBURY - With the Winter Olympics just weeks away, Olympic dreams felt a little closer to home for Salisbury Central School students on Feb. 4, when student ski jumpers from the Salisbury Winter Sports Association put on a live demonstration at the Satre Hill Ski Jumping Complex for more than 300 classmates and teachers.

With screams of delight, student-athletes soared through the air, showcasing years of training and focus for an audience of their peers. The atmosphere was electric as the jumpers soaked up the attention like local celebrities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - February 5, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Scoville Memorial Library: is seeking an experienced Development Coordinator to provide high-level support for our fundraising initiatives on a contract basis. This contractor will play a critical role in donor stewardship, database management, and the execution of seasonal appeals and events. The role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to the local community and skilled at building authentic relationships that lead to meaningful support. For a full description of the role and to submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Library Director Karin Goodell, kgoodell@scovillelibrary.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - February 5, 2026

Legal Notice

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2026-0307 by Amber Construction and Design Inc for vertical expansion of a nonconforming structure at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville, Map 36, Lot 09 per Section 503.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The Owners of the property are Joseph Edward Costa and Elyse Catherine Nelson. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.

Keep ReadingShow less
Putting a stamp on Norfolk

Antonio Alcalá

Provided

As part of the Norfolk Economic Development Commission’s campaign to celebrate the Norfolk Post Office and the three women who run it — Postmaster Michelle Veronesi and mother-and-daughter postal clerks Kathy Bascetta and Jenna Brown — the EDC has invited USPS art director and stamp designer Antonio Alcalá for a visit.

Postage stamps designed by Antonio Alcalá.Provided

Keep ReadingShow less