Students ended year on a busy note

KENT — December was a busy month at Kent Center School according to Principal Florence Budge. She shared some of the highlights with members of the Board of Education (BOE) at their meeting Jan. 3.Students in grades five to eight performed in a Winter Concert which was presented in the afternoon Dec. 12 for the school and again in the evening for parents and community members. Five groups of students performed classical, traditional, jazz and pop music selections.Budge also reported on several Student Council programs. The Peers Educating Peers program offered five weeks of peer mentoring training, facilitated by Rebecca Cohen of Women’s Support Services and Erin Curry of the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau. Budge said the students who took the training “walked away with valuable skills they can utilize in their peer mentoring experiences with younger students.”From Dec. 5 to 14, the Student Council hosted a pajama and book collection effort to benefit children in need throughout Connecticut.On Dec. 20, Student Council members walked to the Kent Senior Center on Swift Lane to celebrate the holiday season with senior citizens. The students led everyone in singing holiday songs and then had lunch. Budge stressed it was an opportunity for students and seniors to engage each other in intergenerational conversations.Students in several homerooms created holiday cards that were sent to active duty servicemen and servicewomen and to veterans and their families. This was part of the Holiday Mail for our Heroes Program sponsored by the American Red Cross.Budge also announced the annual Mother/Daughter Basketball Game will take place on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. The snow date is Jan. 18. Roof In reporting on previously discussed roof maintenance issues, BOE Vice Chairman Allan Priaulx said, “We are trying to get a professional evaluation of the roof so we will know exactly what needs to be repaired. That will not happen until the spring due to the cold weather.”Priaulx also reported he has held discussions with Kent First Selectman Bruce Adams concerning the school’s roof repairs. According to Priaulx, Adams said both KCS and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department might be able to put out a joint bid, for their two roof projects, in hopes of saving some money.