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This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Alyssa Singh, one of our dedicated Individual Aides at Village School. Alyssa was nominated by a speech-language pathologist who shared: “Alyssa is a problem solver and a true team player. She has created materials for students with visual impairments to help them access learning more effectively and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to learn communication strategies to better support all the students in her classroom.” Alyssa began her career with ACES in August 2025, bringing valuable experience from Marrakech, where she worked in an adult care setting. While she appreciated that work, Alyssa knew she wanted to transition into an educational environment where she could support students during a critical and formative stage of development. Initially hesitant about working with younger students and their high energy levels, Alyssa quickly realized how fundamental this stage of learning is to students’ overall growth. She now finds great joy in seeing students’ progress on a day-to-day basis and is continually amazed by the visible growth she observes from one day to the next. Alyssa shared that she truly loves Village School and is deeply grateful for the support she receives from those around her. She feels there is always someone available to guide her and has never felt alone in her role. Through this experience, Alyssa has discovered that she is meant to be here, feeling supported, safe to ask questions, and encouraged to continue learning. She spoke highly of the teacher she works with and expressed appreciation for all that she has learned through their collaboration. Outside of school, Alyssa enjoys painting, sketching, sculpting, and creating art in many forms. She values the way messages can be communicated and interpreted through art, sharing that art touches people in different ways and holds deep meaning. Looking ahead, Alyssa’s dream is to return to school to pursue art therapy, as she believes art is a powerful outlet and an essential tool for expression, connection, and healing. She hopes to continue using this passion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Alyssa, your creativity, dedication, and reflective approach truly embody Village PRIDE. We are so grateful to have you as part of the Village School community and look forward to watching your continued growth and impact.
Village Families Save The Date!!!!
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Beverly Cifarelli and Anna Amendola, our two wonderful cafeteria team members who bring warmth, care, and healthy meals to Village School every day. We are so grateful for the essential role they play in supporting our students and school community. Bev began her journey with ACES in 2017 as a floater and became a permanent and much-loved member of the Village School team in September 2019. Anna also began her ACES career as a floater at Leeder Hill School before joining Village School in 2022. Together, they have become a steady, welcoming presence for students and staff alike. Both Bev and Anna share a deep love for our students and consistently express how wonderful the Village staff are to work with. They delight in the students’ unique personalities, describing them as not only adorable, but also funny and engaging. One of the most meaningful parts of their work is witnessing students’ progress especially seeing students who initially arrived without communication skills begin to express themselves over time. These moments are deeply rewarding and reinforce why they love what they do. Outside of school, Bev enjoys caring for her farm, which includes pigs and a thriving vegetable garden. She especially treasures spending time with her grandchildren. In her free time, Anna enjoys reading and visiting the library, with a particular interest in books about animals and nonfiction topics. As the Village community prepares for the upcoming move to Bassett Road School, Bev and Anna shared that they are excited about having a new kitchen, while also feeling a bit nervous about the transition. They are looking forward to seeing their new space and beginning this next chapter together. Both shared how grateful they are to be part of ACES Village School, with Anna adding, “This job is the highlight of my life.” Bev and Anna, thank you for the care, kindness, warm meals and joy you bring to Village each day. You are a valued part of our Village family, and we are so thankful to have you both!!
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Penny Bobarsky, a remarkable Special Education Teacher whose dedication to Village School spans nearly 42 years. Penny has been part of the ACES Village School community since May of 1984, an extraordinary milestone that speaks to her deep commitment, passion, and love for the students and families she serves. Penny completed her student teaching at Village School and knew immediately that this was where she wanted to build her career. Over the years, she has taken on many important leadership roles, including leading the Village Curriculum Committee and serving as an active member of the Bassett Road Strategic Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her thoughtful leadership and institutional knowledge continue to shape the direction and growth of our school. Throughout her career, Penny has worked primarily with middle school students with multiple and complex needs. This year, however, she embraced a new challenge by transitioning to work with our youngest learners and she is loving it. Penny shared that having the opportunity to make such a meaningful impact early on in students’ educational journeys has been incredibly rewarding. She especially enjoys providing rich, multisensory learning experiences and witnessing the remarkable growth of her students each day. Penny’s favorite part of Village School is the strong sense of community that defines it. She values the “family” atmosphere that exists among classroom staff, service providers, and administrators, and she deeply appreciates the collaboration and unwavering support of her colleagues. Outside of school, Penny enjoys walking, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Penny, your dedication, leadership, and heart for students truly embody the spirit of Village PRIDE. We are profoundly grateful for your decades of service, your ongoing commitment to growth, and the lasting impact you continue to make on the Village School Community! Thank you for all you do!
Some special visitors and a little fun before the break!🎅🐾 Happy Holidays from everyone at ACES Village School!🎄☃️
Reminder for our families that today is a 1:00 PM dismissal. We wish you a joyous holiday and a wonderful, restful break.
This week’s Village Staff Connection spotlight shines on Kristen Leddy, one of our exceptional Teacher Assistant Drivers in the EIBI program. Kristen was nominated for being a strong, reliable, and truly amazing Teacher Assistant. Colleagues shared that she is often the “glue” that holds the classroom together. With a natural ability to connect with students of all personalities and needs, Kristen has an incredible knack for drawing students out and helping them be their very best. Her kindness, caring nature, sense of fun, and admirable work ethic make her an invaluable member of the Village team. Kristen has been part of ACES for three years, all within the EIBI program. She holds a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire and previously worked in group homes supporting juveniles. A close friend first encouraged her to apply to Village School, and after interviewing, the rest truly is history. After spending six years as a stay-at-home mom to her two sets of twins, one set now 22 years old and the other 10, Kristen was ready to return to the workforce. When Kristen first joined Village, she didn’t expect to fall in love with working in a school classroom, but it was an instant connection! Inspired by the impact she was making, Kristen decided to return to school to earn her master’s degree in Special Education so she could make an even greater difference. She is currently in her second semester at Quinnipiac University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and loving every minute of it. Kristen’s goal is to become a teacher right here at ACES, and she will be ready to take that next step this summer.
Kristen’s favorite part of Village School is the unique relationships she builds with students and seeing the difference she makes in their lives every single day. She loves her team and especially enjoys creating crafts with students and proudly displaying their work throughout the classroom.
Outside of school, Kristen’s time is largely devoted to her family. She is an active and supportive parent at her children’s sporting events, including soccer, football, and lacrosse. And when she does find a quiet moment, she happily enjoys catching up on some well-deserved sleep!
Kristen, we are incredibly lucky to have you at Village and so proud of all that you have accomplished and all that is still ahead. Your dedication, heart, and passion truly embody Village PRIDE. Thank you for all that you do for our students and school community every day.
On Friday we participated in PJ for Kids Day. This was a fun and meaningful way for our Village community to come together in support of a wonderful cause. This statewide initiative brings schools across Connecticut together, with 100% of towns participating at some level, and we were proud to do our part. Students and staff enjoyed wearing their pajamas to school while helping raise $255 for Connecticut Children’s Foundation. The day was filled with smiles, comfort, and a shared sense of purpose which reminded us that even small acts can make a big difference for children and families beyond our school. A special thank you to Melissa Sullivan (Room 23 Teacher) for organizing this day, and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and helped make it such a success.
Monday, December 15, 2025: ACES Village School will operate on a two-hour delay schedule today.
The school day will begin at 10:30am today. Stay warm and travel safe!
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!
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