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This week the ACES Internal Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists had an opportunity to participate in a professional learning session that was part of a grant funded by the ACES Education Foundation .
This one-day training provided physical and occupational therapists with a comprehensive understanding of the fascial system’s role in postural alignment, neuromuscular function, and overall body connectivity. Participants explored both gross and subtle fascial connections and learned practical assessment and treatment techniques that can be directly applied in school-based settings.
This workshop deepened clinical skills, enhanced therapeutic outcomes, and supported the complex needs of our diverse student population. By integrating myofascial release strategies, therapists can help reduce discomfort, improve engagement, and foster pain-free participation which are key elements for promoting student success in the learning environment.
Thank you to the ACES Education Foundation for their support and appreciation to Usha and Marcus for their wonderful instruction on this day! Everyone is looking forward to the second part of the training which will occur on October 22nd.
Village Staff Connection: Angela Green (Special Education Teacher) is this week’s Village Staff Connection. We are thrilled to highlight and recognize Angela, who has been an integral part of the Village School family since 1999. Angela’s dedication and compassion shine through in everything she does. She was nominated by a parent who shared, “She has a warm heart, kind, thoughtful, attentive, and caring. We love her dedication and big heart. We love and appreciate all you do for our baby girl.” Angela’s journey into education began unexpectedly when a neighbor encouraged her to consider teaching because of her natural way with children. One summer job with CREC changed everything and she fell in love with the population she now serves and never looked back. For Angela, the joy comes from seeing growth in her students and knowing how those small steps make a big difference for families. As she says, “You’re going to have tough days, but the reward in the end makes it all worth it.” Outside of work, Angela treasures time with her family. She and her husband have two beautiful daughters who both attend UCONN. She loves spending time with her sister and mom, going on day trips, trying new restaurants, and exploring new places. She also enjoys cooking and yes, according to her husband, shopping! Someday, she hopes to fulfill her dream of traveling to Ireland. When asked what keeps her at Village after all these years, Angela didn’t hesitate: it’s the people. She shared that Village feels like her second home. It is a place filled with supportive colleagues, lasting friendships, and a shared purpose. “You’re not just friends here,” she said. “You’re family.” Angela, your kindness, dedication, and heart embody true Village PRIDE. We are so grateful for the joy and care you bring to your students and to our entire community each day.
"On Wednesdays we wear PINK!"! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at Village we are proud to show our support by wearing pink each Wednesday and raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. By joining together in something as simple as wearing pink, and by contributing to our schoolwide fundraiser, we are helping to raise both awareness and vital funds for research, support, and education. Yesterday our hallways were filled with pink to support a great cause. Even Dr. William Rice (ACES Assistant Executive Director) supported the cause on his visit to Village School.
Mark your calendars: our Holiday Fair is happening on Friday, November 21st!
We’re aiming to make this year’s event the best one yet, and we’d love your help to make it happen! You can get involved by donating raffle items, contributing to the food area, volunteering your time, or simply joining us that evening to enjoy the fun and show your support.
Village Staff Connection: Trevor Teixeira (Individual Aide) is this week’s Village Staff Connection! Trevor has made a positive impression and impact as he wraps up his very first year at Village School. Trevor was nominated for the caring, supportive way he works with students each day, always stepping in to help staff and students without hesitation. He has quickly become a valued team member who brings positivity, laughter, and a steady presence to the classroom. Trevor joined Village last October bringing with him experience from having younger cousins and a natural ability to connect with kids. Over the course of the year, he has learned a great deal about supporting students with different needs, especially in moments of de-escalation. He shared that one of the best feelings is knowing he’s helped a student turn their day around which is something that lifts his own mood as well. Outside of school, Trevor enjoys playing soccer and basketball, training in martial arts, and spending time with his two dogs, a Husky-Pitbull mix and a Boxer-Shepherd. His long-term goal is to work in corrections, but for now, we are so glad he is part of our Village family. Trevor’s kind spirit, dedication, and support of both students and staff show every day what it means to demonstrate Village PRIDE!
To all of our Village Family past and present: This Sunday October 5th at 9:30am join the West Haven Special Olympics team for Ryan’s Walk at Bradley Point in West Haven. Ryan is a former Village School student and this annual walk is held in his memory. All proceeds benefit Team West Haven.
Friday was our September kick off dance party!!🎶 Our students were recognized for showing excellent PRIDE skills!!🏅
ACES Village School raised $145 for the Tommy Fund today with the annual Hats for Hope fundraiser. The Tommy Fund is an organization that supports pediatric cancer patients and their families at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. Our students and staff are happy to support them every year through this fundraiser. You can help increase our total raised by donating at this link: https://tommyfund.rallybound.org/hats-for-hope-2025-2026/Team/View/214829/Aces-Village-School-North-Haven
Village Staff Connection: Amanda Stigers (Special Education Teacher) has been recognized as this week’s Staff Connection. Amanda was nominated because her students are always engaged in meaningful learning activities. She brings a calm, respectful demeanor to her classroom, paired with creative ideas that reach students at all different levels. As one related service provider shared, it is always a joy to collaborate in her classroom. Amanda began her journey with Village in August 2013 and has been an EIBI teacher ever since. Her path to teaching was not a straight one as Amanda originally pursued mechanical engineering at UMass Amherst before shifting to psychology. It was during an internship in a first-grade classroom, where she worked closely with students with diverse learning needs, that she realized her passion for special education. She went on to complete her master’s degree in elementary education with a dual master’s in special education. Before joining ACES, Amanda worked as a resource teacher in Barrington, New Hampshire. When her (now) husband’s career took them to Australia, Amanda became a lead preschool teacher at a university childcare center while living abroad, supporting many children for whom English was a second language and collaborating with early intervention providers. Amanda and her husband loved their time in Australia so much that they got married there before returning to Connecticut, where she later taught at a private preschool. When Amanda learned about ACES, she knew right away this was where she belonged. She values the way all services come together as a true interdisciplinary team working for the good of every child. What brings her the greatest joy is seeing students arrive at school excited, ready to share their feelings, and knowing she and her colleagues are providing a safe, welcoming, and loving environment where every student can thrive. Outside of school, Amanda stays busy as a “taxi cab” to her two children, ages 13 and 8, shuttling them to activities and cheering them on. She enjoys time with family and friends, especially their annual summer vacation in Narragansett. Amanda also has a creative side and during the pandemic she taught herself to crochet, making blankets and scarves, and she is inspired to return to quilting. Amanda, thank you for your calm presence, creativity, and deep commitment to your students. You truly embody the spirit of Village PRIDE!
ACES Village School is pleased to announce a new partnership between ACES Village School and Linked- Autism Safety Project. This partnership is aimed at supporting our families and the safety of our students.
Linked is a community partnership with municipalities created to strengthen connections between first responders and the disability community. Through trainings, workshops, and resources, LINKED equips first responders with the awareness and tools needed to effectively communicate with individuals who may have difficulty understanding or responding to traditional emergency protocols. While autism is a central focus, the program extends to support individuals with a wide range of disabilities and needs.
As part of this effort, ACES Village School has partnered with LINKED to introduce the LINKED Voluntary Safety Alert Form to our student community. This form allows individuals and families to share important information, such as communication styles, medical needs, or diagnoses, directly with municipalities and first responders. It is open to people of all abilities, not limited to autism, and ensures that responders are better prepared when arriving to high-stress or emergency situations.
At its core, LINKED is committed to building strong partnerships between first responders, schools, and the special needs community, ensuring that everyone has access to the support, resources, and safety they deserve. At Village School, we are equally committed to supporting our students and families in every aspect of their lives. Building meaningful partnerships with community agencies like LINKED is one way we extend that support beyond our school walls, helping to create networks of care that promote safety, belonging, and well-being for all.
Village families should be on the lookout for more information coming home about this form and how you can access it.
We are deeply grateful to the Montowese Center for Health and Rehabilitation for organizing a Back to School Supply Drive in support of Village School. This generous effort, coordinated with the help of Serena Cosgrove (a former Village Individual Aide who is now part of the Montowese team), provided our students and staff with essential supplies including pencils, notebooks, tissues, and more. Their generosity and partnership ensure that our students begin the school year well-prepared and supported. Pictured here are Angela Green (Village Teacher), Serena Cosgrove (Montowese), Ginny Tagliatela (Village Principal), and Rose Spinelli (Montowese).
Village Staff Connection: Brenda Sylvester (Teacher Assistant Driver) is this week’s Village Staff Connection! Brenda was nominated by her colleagues for being a reliable and responsible team member who is always willing to pitch in wherever needed. Known for her steady leadership, friendly nature, and team-player attitude, Brenda sets the tone in the classroom by keeping the focus on what matters most: getting the necessary work done, keeping children safe, helping wherever needed, and making sure there’s fun along the way. Brenda’s journey with ACES began in 1983 as an Individual Aide, and in 1987 she stepped into her current role as a Teacher Assistant Driver. Over the years, she has worked with students of all ages, bringing consistency, warmth, and dedication to every classroom. Her passion for supporting children with special needs started early at the Powder Ridge summer program, where she worked with children and later continued in a home setting. When that child eventually came to ACES for school, Brenda followed as his Individual Aide cementing her lifelong commitment to this work. For Brenda, Village School has always been more than just a workplace, it is where her personal and professional worlds are beautifully connected. She even met her husband here while he was student teaching, and her two daughters grew up in the ACES community, attending ACES Daycare and spending time with their day on the workfloor at Whitney High School. Reflecting on her career, Brenda shares that she has stayed because the kids have taught her more about herself than she has ever taught them. Outside of school, Brenda’s faith plays an important role in her life, and she is active in her church community. She is also a proud mother and grandmother. Her two daughters remain an important part of her life, and she delights in cheering on her two grandchildren, ages 13 and 10, whether it’s on the field, the court, or wherever their passions take them. Brenda, thank you for your decades of dedication, your leadership, and the joy you bring to Village School. You truly demonstrate what it means to live out our Village PRIDE every day, and we are so grateful for all you do for our students, staff, and families.
Village Staff Connection: Allison Jerolmon (Lead BCBA) is this week’s Village Staff Connection. Allison was nominated by those that work with her for being a passionate and committed leader whose clinical expertise, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication have made a lasting impact on the growth and success of Village School. She is always willing to help, and her support for classroom leadership and her dedication to the program are truly unmatched. Her ability to guide both students and staff with compassion, clarity, and high expectations has strengthened the foundation of our program and elevated the quality of services across Village School. Allison’s journey with ACES began as an intern at Village and SAILS in 2010, followed by a role as an ABAT in EIBI in 2011. After gaining additional experience in home programming while completing her master’s program, she returned to ACES as a BCBA at SAILS in 2015. In 2018, she transitioned back to EIBI, and by the 2020–2021 school year, she had stepped into her current role as Lead BCBA. Her passion for the field started during a psychology class at Eastern Connecticut State University, where a single video in her Principles of Behavior course sparked her interest in Behavior Analysis. Working alongside Erin Carey, BCBA, during her internship further fueled her drive watching the impact Erin had on both students and staff helped Allison realize she wanted to dedicate her career to this work. For Allison, the students and families remain her greatest inspiration. She loves seeing the progress her students make, the joy in their families’ faces, and the trust families place in her. Building connections with families and helping them feel supported continues to motivate her every day. In her leadership role, Allison also finds joy in mentoring staff, watching them grow, and bridging the Village and EIBI programs to strengthen outcomes for all students. Outside of school, Allison is a proud mom to her 4-year-old daughter, with whom she loves taking road trips, visiting farms, and exploring children’s museums. At home, she enjoys time with her German Shepherd, XO, and their new kitten. Allison is also proud to be a military wife, supporting her husband who serves in the Air Force. Allison, thank you for your leadership, your expertise, and your deep commitment to our students, staff, and families. You truly embody Village PRIDE, and we are grateful to have you leading with heart and purpose every day.
What a beautiful night we had to celebrate Back to School with our families! Thank you to everyone who came out!
Village Staff Connection: Rachel D’Agostino (Individual Aide) is this week’s Village Staff Connection. Rachel has been a beloved member of the Village School community for the past nine years. She is an integral part of the Room 24 team. Every day, Rachel walks through our doors with a warm smile and kind words for both staff and students. She offers support without hesitation, often jumping in before anyone even needs to ask. Described as having a heart of gold, Rachel gives 110% to caring for her student and ensuring all their needs are met. She is steady, compassionate, and deeply committed to her work. Her Room 24 team shared that Rachel is the kind of person who lifts others just by being herself and that her work ethic, kindness, and genuine nature deserve to be recognized. Rachel shared that she was first drawn to this work out of curiosity. She had an eagerness to better understand this environment and the students within it. As a mother, the work quickly took on a deeply personal meaning. She says she learns something new every day, and that the joy on the kids’ faces and the support of the team make every moment worthwhile. "It’s all about the kids," she says. “Have a positive attitude, patience, and a desire to make a difference.” Outside of school, Rachel loves trail walks, playing with her three-year-old daughter, singing (her favorite hobby), and spending time with her family. Ocean City, Maryland is a go-to vacation spot for them, and she’s a big Disney fan, too! Rachel, thank you for your continued dedication, positivity, and compassion. You demonstrate your Village PRIDE daily and we are lucky to have you as part of our team
We are looking forward to welcoming back all of our Village families! Please remember to RSVP!
Village Staff Connection: Robin Moussa (ABA Trainer) has been nominated for this week’s Village Staff Connection. Robin was nominated for being a steady, dependable, and deeply kind presence at Village. Whether it’s volunteering for a committee, supporting a team member, or helping with anything that needs to get done, Robin is always the first to step up with intention and heart. Their quiet leadership, consistency, and positive energy have left a meaningful impression on colleagues and students alike. Now entering their second year at Village, Robin has quickly become a valued part of the community. They shared that they were drawn to this field out of a desire to do something impactful and something with purpose. That purpose is clear in the way Robin approaches each day: with presence, patience, and the belief that everything they do has the potential to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve. Outside of school, Robin is a distance runner, rock climber, tarot card reader, and all-around games enthusiast (especially when it comes to Dungeons & Dragons). Robin believes strongly in the value of communication, consistency, and collaboration. Robin describes this work as not just rewarding but fulfilling and shared that they truly intend to stay in the field. “Every day is different,” they said. “You have to be intentional and present, but it’s so worth it.” Robin, thank you for your heart, your energy, and your unwavering dedication to our Village. You exemplify what it means to show your Village PRIDE.
Welcome back, Village family! Here’s to a year of learning, laughter, and Lion-sized growth. Let’s ROAR into 2025–26! 🦁
This past week, Penny Bobarsky and Nicole Thomas from Village School and Jenn Chester from Whitney Academy rolled up their sleeves and dove into the important work of shaping our math curriculum at the ACES Summer Curriculum Writing Institute with ACES PDSI.
Together, they took math standards and conducted crosswalks between our Unique Curriculum and Illustrative Math, mapping out the skill sequences that will best support our students’ learning journeys and identifying concepts, lessons, and differentiation that can be implemented. Their thoughtful collaboration, attention to detail, and focus on aligning skills to student needs have set a strong foundation for the next steps in our curriculum development as we continue this process this school year!
ACES Village School families: ACES is holding a backpack giveaway! Check out this post for more information! ✏️📘
Our playground may be gone but our wonderful PE Teachers, Michaela and Tom, are working to ensure this space is an inviting area for our students to enjoy recess outdoors this school year. Thank you Michaela and Tom for your vision and work to bring this space to life! We can’t wait to see the finished product.
Wondering where the playground went? It has been moved to our future home on Bassett Road as part of the construction timeline! ACES Bassett Road School is scheduled to open for the 2026-2027 school year and will bring together ACES Village and ACES SAILS into one new school. Stay tuned throughout this year as we share what this next chapter will bring for our students, families, and districts. We’re not just moving to a new building, we’re building a new chapter in our shared story, with enhanced spaces and extended services designed to help every student thrive!
Today we celebrate Judy Grabert who is retiring from Village School after 42 years of teaching at Village School! An extraordinary teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend, Judy will be missed. She has been the first teacher for many families, the steady hand for our most complex students, and a comforting presence during life’s hardest moments. She’s taught us all so much, shared tears and laughter, and truly helped shape the heart of our school community. Judy, we wish you well in your next adventure and remember you will always be part of our Village!
Our transportation team (Tom, Michaela, and Jocelyn) brought some fun to the day today as we welcomed students on the final day of this school year and as we said goodbye! We hope everyone enjoys their break!!
Today is our last day of the 2024-2025 school year! We want to celebrate and wish our graduates all of the best in their next step in their educational journey. Remember to always carry your Village PRIDE with you wherever you go.
As a reminder, today is a 1:00pm dismissal. The Village School office will be closed from June 19th-June 30th and will reopen at 8:00am on July 1st. Our ESY program begins on July 1st. We will see everyone then.
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