Academy expands alternative school

DEEP RIVER — In a written statement, the Connecticut Transition Academy at Deep River (formerly Mount St. John school), announced that it has expanded to make its alternative school services available to more Connecticut students. The academy’s Day School and corresponding programs are now all co-educational, and cover Grades 1 through 12 and beyond.

The Connecticut Transition Academy is a Connecticut State Department of Education-approved school, serving students with a variety of special challenges; including autism, emotional disturbance, language-based learning disabilities, and ADD/ADHD.

Students are referred privately by their parents/guardians, or by their local school districts due to social, emotional, and educational challenges requiring specialized instruction and behavioral health support, according to the statement.

“Our new name is truly reflective of the services we provide,” said Chief Administrator, Dr. Pamela L. Potemri in the statement. “Our highly individualized programs harness the strengths of the young people we work with, ensuring them the opportunity to transition to the next phase in their life.”

In addition to academic instruction, students receive developmentally appropriate social and therapeutic support. For young students, this encompasses becoming comfortable in social situations and learning relationship-building. Older students focus on completing high school requirements and building job readiness and independent living skills.

The Connecticut Transition Academy offers extended day and extended year programs, including summer camp and other enrichment opportunities, to allow students to maximize their progress. Students from every district are welcome, and the school also accepts private tuition.

“We emphasize restorative practices and renewed opportunity,” Potemri said. “Our students really own their progress. It’s a very respectful and healing environment. We’re grateful to be expanding our programs because the need for this kind of specialized instruction is evident everywhere.”

The academy is located at 135 Kirtland St., on more than 80 acres overlooking the Connecticut River. For more information or to schedule a private tour, visit http:// cttransitionacademy.org or call 860-343-1300.

Nominations sought for service award

MIDDLETOWN — nominations for the William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award will be accepted at the Middlesex Chamber’s office until Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m.

The William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award is presented to a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces in recognition of his or her distinguished service to the citizens of Connecticut, and selfless commitment to public service. To qualify for the nomination, the candidate must have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and continue to promote Veterans Affairs, she must participate in local and state community organizations and/or initiatives, and must live in either Chester, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland or Westbrook. The award is presented annually at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s Support the Troops & Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting. This year’s event will take place on Monday, Nov, 5 at the Red Lion Hotel Cromwell, with guest speaker Kevin Brown, Chairman, Mohegan Tribal Council and Retired U.S. Army Colonel

To nominate a candidate for this award, please submit the name of the individual, a detailed resume and/or a biography, supporting documents detailing their military and community service, and any other information you believe the committee should have. Send to Jeff Pugliese, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, 393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 0645, or email: jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com

Requirements: He or she must live or work in the following Middlesex County towns: Chester, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland or Westbrook; must have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and continues to promote Veterans Affairs; and must participate in local and state community organizations and/or initiatives

Applications can be found at MiddlesexChamber.com/pomfret or the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Office Questions or concerns can be directed to Jeff Pugliese at 860-347-6924 or jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com

Literacy volunteers needed, training provided

WESTBROOK — Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore, CT, Inc. is a private non-profit organization. Its mission is to train tutors to help residents of the Valley Shore area who wish to improve their reading, writing or speaking English to improve their life and work skills. This one-to-one instruction is held confidential and is completely without charge to the student.

Tutor training is a 14-hour program conducted over seven sessions at the office in the Westbrook Library. The next training session begins Sept. 20 and runs through Nov. 14. Potential tutors choose either the morning sessions from 9:30-11-30 a.m., .or the evening sessions from 7-9 p.m. A $25 donation is requested of each trainee to help offset the cost of materials.

If interested in becoming a tutor, contact the Literacy Volunteers office in the lower level of the Westbrook Public Library by phone at 860-399-0280 or by e-mail at jargersinger@lvvs.org . Tutors are registering for the fall session.

Flynn Concert Series continues

CLINTON — The George Flynn Classical Concerts will present a concert featuring The Hot Sardines on Sunday, Aug. 19, 4 p.m. at the Morgan School Route 81, Clinton

The concert is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to The George Flynn Classical Concerts, P.O. Box 473, Clinton, CT 06413, or you may call 860-669-1208, leaving a name, phone number and the amount of tickets required and they will be saved to pick up the day of the performance. State the number of tickets required and leave a phone number.