School Under Evaluation

WINSTED — Northwestern Regional Middle School hosted a team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) this week to complete the second step of a three-phase process to earn accreditation from the association.

NEASC is the nation’s oldest regional accrediting association. The organization’s mission is to establish and maintain high standards of education at all grade levels in six New England states. The group has also accredited schools in more than 70 nations.

"We believe that we are a good school," said Principal Candy Perez. "We’re going through the process to look at strengths and areas we need to improve on."

Over the course of four days, 15 educators from throughout New England visited to evaluate the middle school on seven standards, providing feedback as to how the school is preparing students for high school. The team will also offer recommendations on what the school should do to better educate the student population in the final phase of the accreditation process.

For middle schools, the accreditation process is not necessary, but can be done on a voluntary basis.

"We get the accreditation to affirm what we are doing," said Perez, "and also because we want to stay ahead of the curve."

The accreditation process is particularly important for high schools because colleges take accreditation into consideration for applicants.

Northwestern Regional Middle School will be the 16th school in the state to receive accreditation once the process is complete. The high school has already earned accreditation and recently passed a five-year evaluation.

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Amelia R. Wright

Falls Village – Amelia Rosalie (Betti) Wright, 91, of Falls Village died September 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Kenneth Wright.

Amelia was born September 6, 1933 in Torrington, CT, daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Passini) Betti. Amelia worked at Camp Isabella Freedman as the Head Housekeeper. She was employed there for 35 years. She attended the Falls Village Congregational Church and had been very active at the Senior Center in Falls Village. She enjoyed collecting. She also enjoyed the craft classes offered by Adult Ed at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the Cape, Vermont and New Hampshire. An avid flower person, Amelia had traveled to the major flower shows in both Boston and Philadelphia.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Osborn and her husband David of Falls Village, her son, Robert H. Wright of Falls Village and her son, Donald Wright and his wife Kate of Millbrook, NY; her sister, MaryAnn Betti of Falls Village; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Katie Osborn and Jacob Wright. Amelia is also survived by her great grandson, Gunner Osborn. Amelia was predeceased by her brother, Donald Betti.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT. Calling hours will be held at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018 on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Falls Village Volunteer Ambulance Association, 188 US-7 South, Falls Village, CT. 06031

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Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

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Sarum Village is owned by the private Salisbury Housing Committee, Inc. SHC Vice-President Jocelyn Ayer set the stage, noting that there are 204 households in Salisbury who pay 50% or more of their income for housing.

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