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Today we were proud to welcome the U.S. Marines to Village School for the pickup of our Toys for Tots donations. Thanks to the generosity of our students, families, and staff, we collected over 60 toys to help spread joy to children in our community this holiday season. Our students were especially excited to meet the Marines and see their truck arrive on campus. It was a meaningful and memorable experience for all. A special thank you to Kiki Amiker, ABA Trainer, for organizing this initiative for the second year in a row and helping our Village community continue this tradition of giving.
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Makayla Carranzo, one of our dedicated and passionate Special Education Teachers. Makayla was nominated by several of her colleagues, who commended her for her unwavering dedication, creativity, and the joy she brings to her classroom. Her colleagues describe her as someone who meets each student’s needs with a personalized approach that helps them grow and shine. Walking into Makayla’s classroom is always a fun and engaging experience, filled with laughter, learning, and connection. Her willingness to problem-solve and collaborate with both students and staff is truly exceptional. Makayla’s passion for teaching began early as she decided she wanted to be a teacher when she was just seven years old. By the time she reached fourth grade, her natural teaching abilities were already being recognized, as her teachers often asked her to assist with special education students in other classrooms. Makayla completed her student teaching at Village School and has now been a certified teacher for four years. She loves working with her students and feels inspired every day by the heart, passion, and dedication of her colleagues who share her mission of helping students succeed. Makayla and her husband are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child, a baby girl in March. She shared that she’s most looking forward to experiencing all the joys of lif, especially the holiday through her daughter’s eyes. She affectionately refers to her as her “mini me” and can’t wait to dress her up and make special memories together. In her free time, Makayla enjoys shopping and spending time outdoors with her dogs.
Makayla, your dedication, creativity, and warmth embody the very best of Village PRIDE. We are so grateful for the passion and heart you bring to our school community each and every day.
Reminder: Wear your PJs today for Connecticut Children's! You can send in your donations to school or donate through our link: https://give.connecticutchildrens.org/team/788552
Help us raise funds for Connecticut Children's Foundation!
We are so proud of Luis and Harrison, who were recognized today at the ACES Governing Board meeting for their outstanding artwork. Each year, ACES hosts a Holiday Art Contest featuring student creativity from across the entire agency, and they were selected as two of the many talented student artists honored this year. Their artwork brought joy, color, and holiday spirit to the celebration, and they represented Village School beautifully. Congratulations, Luis and Harrison, your creativity and Village PRIDE truly shine.
Please help us in celebrating two incredible Village School staff members who were honored as our very first HCD Coin recipients: Makayla Carranzo and Mike Meszoros! 💙✨
Each month, ACES recognizes staff who go above and beyond. These are staff who show up with heart, initiative, professionalism, and the kind of teamwork that makes our community stronger. Makayla and Mike embody all of that and more.
Whether it’s the way they support students, jump in wherever needed, or lift up their colleagues, their impact is felt every single day at Village. We are so proud to see them recognized by our Office of Human Capital Development for the incredible work they do.
Please join us in giving Makayla and Mike a big congratulations!
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Chalise Blue, one of our dedicated and passionate TSI (Training Support Interventionist). Chalise was nominated by her colleagues, who shared: “Chalise is great with students and passionate about the work she does. She is dedicated to students’ success and is very child focused. She builds unique relationships with all her students and is a great team player. Staff often reach out to her for guidance and support.” Chalise is also an active member of the Village community and contributes positively to the Climate and Culture Committee, where her energy and teamwork help strengthen the spirit of our school. Chalise began her journey at Village School 12 years ago, starting as an Individual Aide in Room 24 before becoming an ABAT and later transitioning into her current TSI role. Her passion for working with children began early when her mother was running a daycare. Chalise was in second grade and she loved spending time helping with the younger children. After studying early childhood education and working with adults for a time, she realized her heart belonged in a school setting and we’re so glad that decision led her to Village! Chalise loves everything about Village School, especially the strong sense of community and support among staff. She shared that there is always someone she can count on—whether for professional collaboration or personal encouragement—which makes Village truly feel like family. Outside of school, Chalise is a proud mom to an energetic 8-year-old son who plays just about every sport he can find! She enjoys spending time cheering him on, as well as cooking, which she finds both creative and therapeutic. Chalise, your dedication, compassion, and positivity embody Village PRIDE. We are so grateful for all you do to support our students, staff, and school community each and every day.
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving break, we want to wish everyone a warm and joyful holiday with your loved ones. We’re grateful for your partnership each day.
Please note: The Village School office will be closing early today and will be closed for the rest of the week for the holiday.
Enjoy the break, and thank you for being part of our Village!
Another Holiday Fair in the books and what a fantastic day it was! 🎄✨ Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, planned, baked, crafted, set up, cleaned up, and showed up. Your support and generosity make this tradition so special year after year. We are grateful for our incredible community… today was a great day! ❤️🎁 See you in 2026 for our first Holiday Fair in our new home on Bassett Road.
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Amanda Rivera, one of our dedicated Individual Aides. In addition to being an outstanding member of our team, Amanda is bilingual and uses this gift daily to support students and families across Village School. Amanda was nominated by two of her colleagues, who shared: “Amanda is quick to help everyone, including staff and parents. Her ability to translate for parents helps put them at ease. She is always so cheerful and caring”, and “Amanda is always happy and positive and willing to help with all students. Her happiness is contagious”. Amanda has been part of the Village community since 2020. Before joining our team, she ran a daycare out of her home, where she developed strong skills in supporting young children. When her sister-in-law took over the daycare, Amanda decided to bring her passion for working with children into a school setting and we’re so grateful she did! Although she describes herself as shy, Amanda shares that she feels completely at ease with the students she supports. She loves working with the children at Village and deeply appreciates the caring, collaborative staff she gets to work alongside each day. In her words, she “loves everything about the school.” Outside of work, Amanda enjoys cooking and going for walks. She especially loves preparing Spanish dishes and spending quality time with her two children, ages 10 and 18. Amanda and her family are also excited to welcome a new baby in April, a wonderful surprise addition to their family! Amanda, your warmth, kindness, and positivity embody Village PRIDE. We are so grateful for the care and joy you bring to our students, families, and staff every single day.
Are you ready for the Holiday Fair tomorrow?! Set-up is officially underway, and it’s already shaping up to be our best one yet! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we are so grateful for the incredible support from our families, staff, and community. We can’t wait to see you there and kick off this festive tradition together!
It is Holiday Fair week!! Only 4 more days until the annual Holiday Fair. Who will we see there?
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Jeffrey Wilkins, one of our dedicated Applied Behavior Analysis Trainer (ABATs). Jeffrey was nominated by a speech-language pathologist who shared, “Jeffrey is kind, patient, and hardworking with each student he works with. He has a positive attitude every day, and it’s clear that students enjoy working with him.”
We are thrilled to recognize Jeffrey for his strong work and commitment within our EIBI program! He is a constant example of hard work and flexibility, and always ready to take on any task with a smile. Students are naturally drawn to his positive and calming presence, which creates an environment where they can learn and thrive. Jeffrey recently celebrated his 6th anniversary with ACES on November 11, 2025! He first joined ACES after being encouraged by a nurse at a day program who saw his natural skills and potential. Beginning as an Individual Aide, Jeffrey’s dedication and motivation led him to advance into his current ABAT role, where he continues to make a meaningful impact every day. Jeffrey loves the friendly, welcoming atmosphere at Village and appreciates the daily smiles that fill the building. A lifelong learner, he values the opportunity to learn from students, colleagues, and families alike. Looking ahead, Jeffrey hopes to continue growing professionally and one day become a Behavior Technician at Village. Outside of school, Jeffrey enjoys running,having completed several 5ks as well as playing basketball. He’s also a self-proclaimed taco enthusiast (“tacos, tacos, and more tacos!”). Above all, Jeffrey appreciates how family-oriented ACES is and values the supportive environment that make Village such a special place.
Jeffrey, your dedication, positivity, and compassion truly embody Village PRIDE. We are so grateful for your commitment to our students and school community—thank you for making a difference every single day!
Our Annual Holiday Fair is next week!! We hope to see you there! Help us make this fair the most successful one yet!
ACES - Area Cooperative Educational Services
Village Staff Connection:
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Claudia Lungarini, one of our outstanding Special Education Teachers. We are thrilled to recognize Claudia, who has been a wonderful addition to Village School! Her presence has been a true blessing to both students and colleagues. Claudia is highly organized and efficient in every aspect of student learning. She is a strong advocate for her students, ensuring that their needs are met on a day-to-day—and even moment-to-moment—basis. She embraces each student’s unique strengths and differences, creating a classroom environment that is supportive, inclusive, and full of meaningful learning opportunities. Claudia’s journey into education began while working at a daycare, where she discovered her passion for teaching after seeing children’s growth and behavioral momentum firsthand. Deeply committed to working with students with disabilities, Claudia previously served as a Special Education Resource Teacher in Newington and later as a Special Education Teacher in a behavior program in Chaplin. Outside of school, Claudia enjoys going to the gym, sewing, drawing, and reading, she even once made an entire pair of pants from scratch with thread! Since moving to the area from Vernon, she has been exploring local parks and enjoying time outdoors. Claudia also loves spending time with her family and friends, especially when they cook together. At Village, Claudia appreciates the wide range of services and supports available to students, as well as the fun, engaging activities that enrich their school experience. She finds great joy in watching her students grow each day and in seeing the friendships they build with one another Claudia, your dedication, creativity, and compassion truly embody Village PRIDE. We are so grateful that you are part of our Village family!
Yesterday, our own Mimi Washington (ABA Trainer) completed her 4th New York City Marathon! This is an incredible accomplishment that spans over a decade of dedication and grit! She first took on the NYC Marathon in 2013, returned in 2018, again in 2023, and now in 2025, proving that determination truly has no finish line. Mimi is always the one cheering others on in their running (and life!) journeys so today, it’s our turn to cheer for her! 👏💙 Let’s celebrate this amazing milestone and the inspiration she brings to everyone around her!
This month, Village School welcomed doctoral students from Quinnipiac University’s Physical Therapy program for a rich, hands-on learning experience. Guided by Quinnipiac Professor Michelle Broggi and our incredible Physical Therapy team of Kathy Hassen-Stack, Heather Silver, Kristyn Boscarino, and Ashlie Kipperman, the visiting students spent two afternoons engaging in hands-on examination, evaluation, and intervention sessions with our learners.
These future physical therapists, nearing the completion of their doctoral studies, gained invaluable exposure to working with students who have complex medical and developmental needs which is an experience rarely found in traditional training settings. At the same time, our own PTs benefited from the collaboration by sharing their expertise, reflecting on their practice, and engaging in dialogue with emerging professionals who bring fresh perspectives and new ideas from evidence based learning.
This type of partnership strengthens both programs: it builds the skills of future clinicians while deepening our own team’s professional growth. Most importantly, it celebrates Village School as a place where innovation, learning, and compassion come together to advance the field and enhance the care we provide to our students every day.
As we continue to plan for our new home on Bassett Road, we are actively working to enhance our partnerships with local universities to expand these meaningful experiences and deepen our engagement in this important work.
Happy Halloween from Village School! Eveyone is in the spirit today enjoying a special day. Have fun and be safe this evening. 🎃🍫
Village Staff Connection: Ashlie Kipperman (Physical Therapist) is this week’s Village Staff Connection. Ashlie was nominated by a parent for the incredible care and dedication she brings to her work each day. The parent shared, “We have had the blessing of having an amazing physical therapist for our girl. She goes above and beyond for her always. She is so attentive, loving, caring, and supportive. We love you so much and are grateful to have met you.” Ashlie joined Village School in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and heart. She began her career as a Physical Therapist in 2016, working across nearly every setting the field offers. Interestingly, PT wasn’t her original plan. She was pre-law until a life-changing car accident left her struggling to walk. The care and encouragement she received during her own recovery inspired her to shift paths and dedicate her career to helping others regain their strength and independence. Today, Ashlie feels fortunate to work with students from ages 3 to 22 as she works at both Village School and Whitney Academy. She enjoys supporting students as they grow both physically and developmentally. She says she still gets goosebumps seeing their progress and knowing she played a part in it. When asked what she likes about working at ACES she shares that “it’s a village, a family. You don’t get to go many places and work with this many therapists, all sharing their knowledge and passion for helping kids. It’s rare and so special.” Outside of school, Ashlie is a proud mom of two and an avid bowler. It’s actually how she met her husband! Ashlie was a Division I collegiate athlete in bowling and remains active in the bowling community, serving in both state and national USBC leadership roles and attending national conventions by invitation. Ashlie your compassion, professionalism, and commitment is a great example of Village PRIDE. Thank you for all that you do each day. We are so grateful to have you as part of our Village family!
Join us in congratulating our very own Colleen Moylan, Speech Pathologist, who completed her first-ever marathon this past Sunday! Colleen crushed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. This is an incredible achievement that showcases her determination, strength, and perseverance. We are so proud of you, Colleen!
Our Unique Curriculum theme this month is Science Fairs, and Room 4 is bubbling with discovery! From car racing to bubble painting, magnets to potions, and sink-or-float tests, Ms. Sandy’s young scientists are experimenting their way to wonder!
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Livia Talamelli, one of our exceptional EIBI ABATs. Livia was nominated by several of her colleagues, who shared: “Livia is kind, hardworking, collaborative, and a great addition to the EIBI behavior team. She approaches each of her students’ individual needs with care and consideration. Livia also exhibits a positive attitude toward all situations.” “Livia never hesitates to step in to help and is respectful of her students and fellow staff. She has a kind heart, which is reflected in her work with students and the relationships she builds with them.” Livia joined Village School in March 2024, bringing experience from West Haven, where she worked with special education students. She was drawn to Village by our strong sense of community and collaborative environment. Livia shared that the supportive atmosphere and the fact that so many staff members stay for years make Village a truly meaningful place to work and a place where people genuinely care about children and their growth. Currently, Livia is on track to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and will be taking her certification exam soon. We are so proud of her continued professional growth and wish her all the best as she takes this next step in her career. Outside of school, Livia enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. She loves nature, going for walks, working in the yard, and traveling to new places. With the holidays approaching, she’s especially looking forward to making new memories with family. Livia’s calm presence, strong work ethic, and unwavering dedication have a profound impact on both students and staff. We are so grateful that you are part of the Village family, Livia—thank you for the positivity and care you bring to our school community each day.
Don’t forget to RSVP for this FUN event!!
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