School Redistricting, Outdoor Flea Market & More In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Talk of redistricting schools has moved to the forefront again as the Fairfield Board of Education has given itself a deadline of June 30, 2019, to come up with a comprehensive redistricting plan. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Toni Jones says the school board has "some very difficult decisions" to make as it examines redistricting to achieve racial balance and resolve overcrowding, according to the Fairfield Citizen. Fairfield has worked at achieving racial balance for the last decade but the effort hasn’t translated into significant results.

School systems in Connecticut are expected to maintain a minority balance at all schools that closely mirrors the minority balance of the school district as a whole. The threshold for compliance to the law, which was written in 1969, is defined in State Board of Education Regulations as “not exceeding 25 percentage points more or less than the comparable proportion for the school district,” according to the Fairfield Board of Education website.

“McKinley’s official minority percentage as reported at the end of the 2015-2016 school year was 47.90%,” reads a post on the Fairfield BOE website. “The school district as a whole was reported to have 20.70% of the student population in K-12 reporting as minorities. Hence, the difference between the school district and McKinley was 27.20% which put us out of compliance by 2.2%. The school district was required to provide an updated Racial Imbalance Plan as a result of this 2.2% difference.

“McKinley was first identified as racially imbalanced by the Connecticut Board of Education in April 2007. For a decade, the school district has consistently worked to comply with our submitted and approved plans. While the plans have not resulted in significant shifts in the percentage, the plan has made a difference and our percentage would be higher without our on-going efforts.”

Read more about the board’s plans, including documents dating back to 2007, at the Board of Education’s website here. The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at 501 Kings Highway East, 2nd Floor Board Conference Room.

Upcoming Fun Things To Do In Fairfield

Well, redistricting is certainly a complex issue and it’s not going to be figured out anytime soon… so might as well take a look at some fun things to do this weekend. Here's a sampling of some of the events you'll find on the Fairfield Patch Events Calendar. If you'd like to promote your event or gathering on the Fairfield Patch calendar, create a free user profile. As a Patch user, you can post articles, events, jobs, and announcements.

• Fairfield Uncorked Wine Festival – Saturday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield.

It’s wine o’clock somewhere! GoodWorks Entertainment and Pink Pledge To Benefit The Norma Pfriem Breast Center, in partnership with The Park City Honey Co, invite all wine aficionados to swirl, sip, and savor at their second annual wine festival, Fairfield Uncorked Wine Festival (FKA Flavour Wine Festival)!

The event will directly support Pink Pledge To Benefit Norma Pfriem Breast Center, a month long, community wide, awareness and fundraising campaign that enables the Center to continue to provide medical excellence and compassionate care to all women regardless of their ability to pay. Fairfield Uncorked Wine Festival will feature interactive opportunities to further benefit Pink Pledge. Click here for more details.

• Sacred Heart University Presents: Sing Out! A Concert Against Bullying – Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart University.

The Sacred Heart University Choirs present a concert with a powerful message against bullying. Throughout the performance, students will share personal stories of triumph and defeat over adversity. Click here for more details.

• Ari Hest at FTC StageOne – Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7:45 p.m. at Fairfield Theatre Company.

What happens when you mix the vocal style of an artist like Michael McDonald with the more modern passions of musical storytellers like Andrew Ripp or Matthew Mayfield? You get a rich, audible landscape where piano, guitar, strings and thoughtful lyrics collide with a voice that is distinctly his. Click here for more details.

• Fairfield Warde High School Outdoor Flea Market – Sunday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fairfield Warde HS (parking lot), 755 Melville Avenue. The rain date is Oct. 28.

The final Fairfield Warde High School Flea Market of the 2018 season is here… Multiple vendors, including the CT Pyrex & Kitchenware Swap & Tag Group, will have a wide variety of items available for sale, including, antiques & collectibles, hardware & electronics, clothing, jewelry & accessories, original art, records & CDs, videos & DVDs, toys, furniture & decor, and much more!

Food trucks will be there to quench your thirst & satisfy your appetite, as well. FREE admission for shoppers. Click here for more details.

• Housatonic Model Railway Show – Sunday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. at Bigelow Center for Senior Activities.

Sunday, October 21st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Housatonic Model Railway show will be held at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities in Fairfield, 100 Mona Terrace. There will be operating layouts and dealer tables.

Families: $15; Adults: $7; Children: $2, 12 and under; Kids 4 and under are free.

Click here for more details.

In Case You Missed It: Recent Fairfield Patch Headlines

Horse Dies On Beach In Fairfield: Report

The incident occurred over the weekend.

Fairfield Community All-Star: Jason Prevelige

He is a full-time physician assistant at St. Mary’s Hospital and chief of the Stratfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Tree Planted In Honor Of Late Fairfield Probate Judge Dan Caruso

Fairfield has been recognized as a “Tree City USA” for the 30th year.

Halloween Pet Parade At Pequot Library

Pets and owners are invited to come in costume for the annual event. You don’t need a pet to participate.

'Elegant' Waterfront Home On The Market For $6.5M In Fairfield

"The magnificent Agnes Clark designed gardens and pool are reminiscent of the French Riviera," according to realtor.com. See inside it here.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

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