The Big Assist

Fairfield County

Richard Kaufman

New York City Metropolitan Area

Darien

Connecticut

RJ Scofield

Norwalk

Stamford

New Canaan

Greenwich

Alfred Branch

Westport

Hayleigh Evans

Wilton

Westchester County

Port Chester

New York

Jeff Edwards

Bedford-Katonah

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Fairfield

Norwalk Public Library

Reservations are required. To reserve your spot please click on the QR CODE Or go to <a href="https://www.adcollegefunding.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.adcollegefunding.com</a>
Please join us for a free educational, college planning and financial aid workshop for parents of high school freshmen, sophomore, juniors and middle school students.
What to Expect at Our College Planning Workshop
Our free workshops are designed to give families the clarity and confidence they need to navigate the complex world of college admissions and financial aid.
During this powerful session, you’ll learn how to:
<ul><li>Unlock the hidden rules of the financial aid system — and how they really impact your eligibility</li><li>Discover how even high-income families can qualify for aid</li><li>Maximize your student’s financial aid package to get the best possible award</li><li>Make smart, affordable college choices without sacrificing quality or opportunities</li><li>Identify and secure valuable scholarship opportunities before they’re gone</li><li>Understand the complete college admission and financial aid timelines — and when to take action</li><li>Evaluate true college affordability using proven strategies and tools</li><li>Create a personalized plan to pay for college in the most tax-efficient, cost-effective way</li><li>Significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses</li><li>Protect your retirement and other financial goals while supporting your student’s future</li></ul>
Join us to take the stress and guesswork out of college planning — and make informed decisions that benefit your entire family.

Local Event: Free College Admissions & Financial Aid Workshop

Free College Admissions & Financial Aid Workshop

Reservations are required. To reserve your spot please click on the QR CODE Or go to www.adcollegefunding.com
Please join us...

Any adult who has helped a learner—formally or informally—has access to two useful voices: a “Teacher Voice” that provides instruction, information, and sometimes step-by-step directions, and an “Executive Function Coach Voice” that invites thinking, problem-solving, and&nbsp;ownership.
Both are important. The key is knowing which voice the learner needs in the moment — when to step in with direction and when to step back and make room for&nbsp;thinking.
Join Forman School's Cognition and Learning Teacher and Executive Function Coach Robyn Greenspan, Cognition and Learning Head of Department Brittany Bloom-Price, and Director of Cognition and Learning Dr. Kristin Simmers as they share research-informed strategies that work for learners of all ages, with a&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on:
<ul><li>A clear, plain-language understanding of executive function&nbsp;coaching</li><li>How to recognize when to use Teacher Voice and EF Coach&nbsp;Voice</li><li>Specific language shifts that encourage thinking, problem-solving, and&nbsp;ownership</li><li>Practical strategies that can be used at home and at&nbsp;school</li></ul>
Register here: <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D1qWlcZ4Sj-1heuQsg7ElQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D1qWlcZ4Sj-1heuQsg7ElQ</a>Located in Litchfield, Connecticut, Forman School is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 9–12 and postgraduates who learn differently. Through a highly personalized approach, Forman helps students understand how they learn, build self-advocacy skills, and develop the confidence and independence they need to thrive.

Local Event: LIVE WEBINAR: Building Your Child’s Independence: Executive Function Coaching at Home and at School

Litchfield County

Litchfield

LIVE WEBINAR: Building Your Child’s...

Any adult who has helped a learner—formally or informally—has access to two useful voices: a “Teacher Voice” that provides...

LIVE WEBINAR: Building Your Child’s Independence: Executive Function Coaching at Home and at School

The Children's School

Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime
The start of school highlights the importance of a child’s primary years. As they enter their classrooms, young children’s openness and inquisitiveness show us why this brief yet distinctive period of development is so foundational. It is a time to cultivate good habits of mind and character and to inspire a lifelong love of learning.<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/23260881/20260929/120418/bailey-girl-and-red-tower___29120417221.jpg" id="Bailey, girl, and Red Tower.jpg" data-image="Bailey, girl, and Red Tower.jpg"></figure>
“We believe in the importance of good beginnings because of the transformative changes we see in children every day,” says Maureen Murphy, Head of The Children’s School, which specializes in teaching and learning for students ages 3 to 8. “Our work has taught us that everything matters when it comes to ensuring that each child learns deeply and feels known, seen, and heard by teachers. That is what builds self-confidence, independence, and respect for others.”
“Everything matters” reflects the School’s belief in nurturing young children’s potential, a conviction shaped by more than 60 years of observing and teaching children and informed by the insights of child development pioneers John Dewey, Maria Montessori, and Jean Piaget. More recent research has further illuminated the importance of these early years, showing how experiences and responsive relationships help shape the developing brain and lay the groundwork for future learning.<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/23260881/20260929/120431/sandra-and-boy-art___29120430853.jpg" id="Sandra and Boy Art.jpg" data-image="Sandra and Boy Art.jpg"></figure>
Research into the developing brain offers remarkable insight into this formative period. The brain is extraordinarily flexible, with more than one million new neural connections forming every second during the first few years of life. Early experiences strengthen the connections used most often, while others are gradually pruned to make the brain more efficient. Responsive, back-and-forth relationships with caring adults are especially important in this process, helping to build the neural architecture that supports communication, social development, and future learning.
At The Children’s School, this understanding shapes children’s everyday experience. “Connection before content” is woven into the School’s approach, with teachers building relationships that create an atmosphere of respect and trust in which children feel known and understood. A carefully prepared environment gives children the order, materials, and freedom to explore with purpose. Individualized lessons in literacy, mathematics, numeracy, and problem-solving help children develop skills while learning how to learn. Purposeful play, independent exploration, and collaboration are balanced with guidance and structure, while experiences in music, art, Spanish, movement, and the natural world broaden children’s understanding and invite them to discover new interests. Teachers continually reflect on their practice and deepen their own learning so they can respond thoughtfully to the children in their care.<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/23260881/20260929/120442/boy-tracing-shapes___29120441581.jpg" id="Boy tracing shapes.jpg" data-image="Boy tracing shapes.jpg"></figure>
This is the foundation of a good beginning: a child who feels secure enough to explore, confident enough to try, and supported enough to persevere. These early experiences do more than shape a child’s days at school; they help build the neural pathways that support learning, relationships, and growth for years to come.
“Good beginnings last a lifetime,” says Murphy. “That is why we have created a learning experience that meets children where they are, serves the almost infinite universe of their curiosity, and supports their growth and boundless enthusiasm for deciphering the world.”
<a href="https://www.thechildrensschool.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Children’s School</a> serves children ages 3 to 8 and is located at 118 Scofieldtown Road in Stamford, Connecticut. Families are invited to tour the campus and meet the school community at an Open House on Friday, October 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 203-329-8815 or visit <a href="https://www.childrensschool.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.childrensschool.org</a>.<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/23260881/20260929/120453/outdoor-back-tcs___29120452660.jpg" id="Outdoor Back TCS.jpg" data-image="Outdoor Back TCS.jpg"></figure>

Local Event: Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime: Open House at The Children's School

Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime: Open House at...

Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime
The start of school highlights the importance of a child’s primary years. As they enter their...

Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime: Open House at The Children's School

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport

Please join us in welcoming Grammy-nominated baritone Sidney Outlaw for a special evening of music at <a href="https://uuwestport.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">UU Westport</a>. Accompanied by pianist Piotr Kozłowski, Sidney will present the Connecticut premiere of 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, with music by B.E. Boykin and poetry by Raymond Patterson. Admission is FREE and there is free parking and handicap accessibility. Doors open at 6:40pm, the event starts at 7pm, with a light reception to follow the music event. Sidney is an extraordinary artist whose career has taken him to some of the country’s most celebrated stages—but just as remarkable is the warmth, generosity, and humanity he brings into every room. This is an opportunity not simply to hear a world-class performer, but to gather around a deeply meaningful work that centers Black artistry, identity, and lived experience. Come experience an evening of exceptional artistry, powerful storytelling, and community. Bring a friend—we would love to fill the room for Sidney and this important work! 
About The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport&nbsp;
UU&nbsp;Westport&nbsp; is a diverse and welcoming religious community, free of creed and dogma, and open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome all&nbsp;who are in search of a non-judgmental, loving, safe community to come together to explore what it means to be human and alive in today's world, and how we can best serve one another and those around us, near and far.&nbsp;
About the Artists
Baritone Sidney Outlaw has been described by The Washington Post as a "generous &amp; expressive singer", The New York Times as a "terrific singer" with a "deep rich timber," and an internationally acclaimed vocalist for his "weighty and forthright" singing (San Francisco Chronicle). Since winning the Concurso International de Canto Montserrat Caballe in 2010, he has performed widely in the US and abroad. In the 2024/2025 season, Sidney performed recitals with pianist Warren Jones at the Brooklyn Art Song Society and The Manhattan School of Music. He debuted with the California Symphony, singing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and with the Bozeman Symphony, singing Mozart's Requiem. He also returned to the Jacksonville Symphony for Handel's Messiah. On the operatic stage, he reprises the role of Mozart in Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni with Pensacola Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Last year, Sidney released his album, Black Pierrot, featuring music by William Grant Still and Dr. B.E. Boykin, including the world premiere of 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, with text by poet Raymond Patterson (Commissioned by Merola Opera), which was recently nominated for a Grammy award. Sidney’s recent highlights include performances with Boston Baroque, Chattanooga Symphony, Toledo Opera, National Symphony and appearances at NYC’s Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. He currently holds voice faculty positions at the Manhattan School of Music, The Conservatory at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and Teachers College, Columbia University, where he is pursuing his PhD in Music Education.&nbsp;
Piotr Kozlowski is a versatile Polish pianist and educator with a strong focus on chamber and contemporary music. He is deeply committed to creative programming and to presenting classical and contemporary repertoire. A laureate of chamber music and solo piano competitions, Piotr has performed widely across Europe and North America. He studied at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and completed his doctoral degree in piano performance at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, where he also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant under the mentorship of Kevin Kenner. As an Erasmus scholarship recipient, he studied chamber music with Avedis Kouyoumdjian at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He held fellowships at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. Now based in New York City, Piotr maintains an active international freelance career. He has premiered works by Jonathan Howard Katz, Donald Scott Stinson, and other living composers. He serves as Staff Pianist at Manhattan School of Music, Piano Mentor at tonebase and has an affinity for Baroque, Classical and 20th-century repertoire.
For more information about this free event on October 2nd, and other events at UU Westport, visit uuwestport.org or contact UU Westport at 203-227-7250. Follow UU Westport on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uuwestport/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/uuwestportct/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.&nbsp;

Local Event: 26 Ways of Looking a Black Man: Free concert with Sidney Outlaw at UU Westport

26 Ways of Looking a Black Man: Free concert...

Please join us in welcoming Grammy-nominated baritone Sidney Outlaw for a special evening of music at UU Westport. Accompanied...

26 Ways of Looking a Black Man: Free concert with Sidney Outlaw at UU Westport

Get ready for an afternoon of fall fun for the whole family at our Pumpkin Parking Lot Party, proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.bmwdarien.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">BMW of Darien</a>! Join us for a festive day filled with fall crafts, photo ops, kids’ activities, free samples and more—plus plenty of pumpkins to get you in the autumn spirit.
🍂 What to Expect
🎨 Pumpkin Paint Party
Get creative and decorate your very own pumpkin! 
Pumpkins and paint supplies are available for the first 500 guests.
🐐 Petting Farm
Meet some adorable farm friends and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience for the whole family.
🍷 Beer + Wine Garden
Enjoy a great selection of beer +&nbsp;wine, brought to you by<a href="https://www.captainzig.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> Captain Zig</a>, <a href="https://www.thetowncellar.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Town Cellar </a>and <a href="https://hammerandnailsgrooming.com/location/darien-ct/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Hammer &amp; Nails</a>!
🍴 Free Samples
Stop by for complimentary samples from a few of your favorites including Chip City Cookies, NAYA, sweetgreen and Van Leeuwen!
🗓️ Event Schedule
12 PM — Paint Party
1 PM — Storytime with the <a href="https://www.darienlibrary.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Darien Library</a>
2 PM — Bubble Show
Plus, enjoy free giveaways while supplies last!

Local Event: Darien Commons Pumpkin Parking Lot Party

Darien Commons Pumpkin Parking Lot Party

Get ready for an afternoon of fall fun for the whole family at our Pumpkin Parking Lot Party, proudly sponsored by BMW of...

Bosco's

Calling all Cardinal Alumni and Cardinal Parents! Come celebrate GHS Homecoming at Bosco's Bar &amp; Grill
in Old Greenwich on October 3rd! 

Live entertainment provided by DJ Pat Prisinzano and music by The Social Zoo. Grab your homecoming pic at the photo booth and join in on fun and games in support of Greenwich High School Cheerleading!

Local Event: Greenwich High School Homecoming Social

Greenwich High School Homecoming Social

Calling all Cardinal Alumni and Cardinal Parents! Come  celebrate GHS Homecoming at Bosco's Bar & Grill
in Old Greenwich on...

Bosco's Bar and Grill

New Canaan Country School

Join us for our All School Admission Open House. Experience our program through hands-on activities designed for 3 to 12 year olds. Parents and Guardians will have a chance to meet Head of School Aaron Cooper and divisional leaders, faculty &amp; staff and current parents and students. Take a tour of our campus. Children and walk-ins welcome! Interested in a future year? Come join us as well. New Canaan Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 9 co-ed, independent day school, currently serves 575 students from diverse backgrounds living in 21 different surrounding towns/cities in Connecticut and New York. Our mission is to create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose. We believe that childhood is in itself an integral part of life to be lived fully and happily. Our talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. Founded in 1916, the School has been a preeminent leader in early childhood, elementary and middle school education for more than 100 years. Learn more about the school:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.countryschool.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.countryschool.net</a>

Local Event: All School Open House

All School Open House

Join us for our All School Admission Open House. Experience our program through hands-on activities designed for 3 to 12 year...

Bristow Bird Sanctuary, entry via Mead Park: 241 Park St, New Canaan, CT, 06840

<h3>Overview</h3>
Immerse yourself in William Shakespeare’s timeless tales on a scenic stroll through Bristow Bird Sanctuary. Professional actors and musicians bring to life beloved scenes and songs inspired by Shakespeare’s greatest works. Visitors may encounter the romance of Romeo &amp; Juliet, the whimsy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the magic of The Tempest, and the dark intrigue of Macbeth—complete with witches and sword fights—along with sonnets, madrigals, and more. Join us on a journey through nature and story.
Performance Details: This is an outdoor promenade-style experience where audience members are led down a walking path and encounter various Shakespearean vignettes. The total distance is less than a mile on a smooth gravel path with light gradation. The full experience is ADA accessible.
Groups of 15–20 will depart every 15 minutes from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM for a 45-50 minute traveling experience. Tickets Limited!
All ages welcome.
Performance Location: Bristow Bird Sanctuary, entry via Mead Park: 241 Park St, New Canaan, CT. Convenient free parking is available.

Local Event: The Bard At Bristow - An Immersive Stroll

The Bard At Bristow - An Immersive Stroll

Overview
Immerse yourself in William Shakespeare’s timeless tales on a scenic stroll through Bristow Bird Sanctuary....

King School

<h2>Join us for our Open House on Sunday, October 4&nbsp;from&nbsp;1:00-3:00 p.m.</h2>
Discover the power of a King education firsthand. Learn about our engaging PreK-12 inquiry-based approach to education and immerse yourself in our vibrant campus community.&nbsp;We hope you'll join us!
The schedule and details for the day are below. Students of all ages are welcome.&nbsp;We can't wait to meet your family!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.kingschoolct.org/admission/visit/open-house" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Register Today</a>

Local Event: Open House - PreK-12

Open House - PreK-12

Join us for our Open House on Sunday, October 4 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Discover the power of a King education firsthand. Learn...

<a href="https://www.roundhillcommunitychurch.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Round Hill Community Church</a> presents The Student Talent Show 2026!Singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and all kinds of unexpected talent - local students have spent the summer rehearsing, and this is the afternoon they take the stage.Come cheer them on October 4th, 3:00 PM at Round Hill Community Church!Winners are announced live with $1,000 top prizes

Local Event: The Student Talent Show

The Student Talent Show

Round Hill Community Church presents The Student Talent Show 2026!Singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and all kinds of...

Christ Church Greenwich

"The Race to Superintelligence — and the Fight for Our Humanity”One of the most popular voices in tech today, Kevin helps millions make sense of the AI revolution. In The AGI Chronicles, he exposes the high-stakes race to build artificial super-intelligence and posing the question that may define our future: What happens to humanity when machines can out-think us.&nbsp; 
$45 (includes talk, book, wine &amp; charcuterie)

Local Event: Courage & Faith Presents: Author Talk with Kevin Roose, NYTimes Tech Tech Columnist

Courage & Faith Presents: Author Talk with...

"The Race to Superintelligence — and the Fight for Our Humanity”One of the most popular voices in tech today, Kevin helps...

Courage & Faith Presents: Author Talk with Kevin Roose, NYTimes Tech Tech Columnist

A casual, come-as-you-are concert with a live band, students from around the state, and the staff and volunteer singers of FCC&nbsp;Darien!&nbsp; BYOB, and bring a snack to share while we hear timeless favorites from Broadway’s greatest hits!
Free and open to the Public, childcare available, donations welcome!

Local Event: Opening Night: A Celebration of Broadway at FCC Darien

Opening Night: A Celebration of Broadway at FCC...

A casual, come-as-you-are concert with a live band, students from around the state, and the staff and volunteer singers of...

Opening Night: A Celebration of Broadway at FCC Darien

Westport Library Café

Calling all mental health professionals!Understanding the emotional, legal and financial issues clients face when contemplating or navigating divorce.Clients often begin talking about divorce in the therapy room, before they fully understand what the path ahead may involve.This program brings together an interdisciplinary team of professionals trained in mediation and collaborative divorce — Jennifer Luise Champagne, LPC; Rosemarie Ferrante, JD, collaborative attorney and mediator; and Hollis Hardiman, CDFA®, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst to provide clinicians with a broader understanding of the emotional, legal and financial dimensions of divorce.Through discussion and practical examples, the program will explore emotional readiness, divorce process options, financial considerations, and the distinct roles of professionals who may support individuals and families through the transition. The goal is to help clinicians understand who does what in the divorce process and which professional resources may be appropriate for their clients’ particular needs, while maintaining clear professional roles and boundaries.&nbsp;
October 23, 2026
9am- 12 pm
Westport Library
Please email Rferrante@divorcemediationct.com to reserve your spot!

Local Event: The Space Between: A Clinician’s Guide to Divorce, Emotional, Legal and Financial Readiness

The Space Between: A Clinician’s Guide to...

Calling all mental health professionals!Understanding the emotional, legal and financial issues clients face when contemplating...

The Space Between: A Clinician’s Guide to Divorce, Emotional, Legal and Financial Readiness

Join us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation with Todd Bartels, co-writer of TONY, the new film starring Dominic Sessa as a young Anthony Bourdain and Antonio Banderas, as his mentor. Inspired by Bourdain’s bestselling memoir, Kitchen Confidential, the film explores the experiences that launched his remarkable career—and helped shape the candid, curious, boundary-pushing voice the world came to love.
Todd will share how he walked in Bourdain’s footsteps in Provincetown, what it took to get the script greenlit, how the film came together, and stories from behind the scenes in Hollywood.

Local Event: Neighbor to Neighbor and Dogwood Books present: “TODD TALKS TONY”

Neighbor to Neighbor and Dogwood Books...

Join us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation with Todd Bartels, co-writer of TONY, the new film starring Dominic...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

The Big Assist, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Free College Admissions & Financial Aid Workshop

LIVE WEBINAR: Building Your Child’s Independence: Executive Function Coaching at Home and at School

Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime: Open House at The Children's School

26 Ways of Looking a Black Man: Free concert with Sidney Outlaw at UU Westport

Darien Commons Pumpkin Parking Lot Party

Greenwich High School Homecoming Social

Greenwich High School Homecoming Social

All School Open House

The Bard At Bristow - An Immersive Stroll

Open House - PreK-12

The Student Talent Show

Courage & Faith Presents: Author Talk with Kevin Roose, NYTimes Tech Tech Columnist

Opening Night: A Celebration of Broadway at FCC Darien

The Space Between: A Clinician’s Guide to Divorce, Emotional, Legal and Financial Readiness

Neighbor to Neighbor and Dogwood Books present: “TODD TALKS TONY”