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May 17, 2013
Greetings Once Again:
I hope you have enjoyed a productive week and are looking forward to a restful weekend.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272, will begin its Annual Poppy Drive this year in the communities of Avon and Canton on May 17th. Local Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq will be distributing Buddy Poppies at the Avon Wal-Mart from May 17th to May 26th.
The following are some facts which many people are unaware. Additional details are included on the document attached to this message.
- The need to support veterans this year is greater than ever as the number of severely wounded veterans and returning veterans without jobs has overwhelmed virtually all veterans’ programs.
- All funds collected (100%) go directly to benefit veterans.
- There is no veteran cause that you can donate to that distributes a greater percentage of its funds to veterans than the Annual Poppy Drive. This is in stark contrast to some highly suspect veteran groups which have solicited funds in the Farmington Valley in recent years.
- Since fewer disabled veterans from the local VFW post were available to assemble poppies this year, the members of the Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272 volunteered & assembled over 10,000 poppies for the Annual Poppy Drive.
- Last year, the VFW raised $22,500 during 10 days in May from public donations in this community and distributed the entire amount to the veteran charities listed below:
The veteran causes which were contributed to during the last year included: Blinded Veterans Association (Avon-founded in 1945), Give-To-The-Troops (care packages), Soldiers’ Angels (care packages), USO (service centers), Operation Uplink (phone cards), Fisher House (free housing for families of wounded soldiers), Unmet Needs (deployed soldiers family assistance), Rocky Hill Veterans Home (Christmas gifts & care packages), VFW National Home – CT House (widows & orphans), Operation Stand-Down (benefits for homeless vets), Post Care Packages (Connecticut-deployed veterans), Wounded Warrior Projects – initiatives for severely-wounded vets, Army Emergency Relief Fund, Air Force Aid Society, Navy/USMC Relief Fund; CT national Guard Fund, CCSU Veterans Fund; 43rd Div Memorial Fund, Veteran Grave Markers (local cemeteries), Funeral Wreaths (deceased veterans), Memorial Donations (deceased veterans) and Fruit Baskets (hospitalized veterans).
Please take this opportunity to share your thanks and appreciation to members of our local VFW post for what they and others like them have sacrificed for all of us.
Additionally, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272 has requested my assistance with seeking out names of residents who served in the War on Terror that commenced on September 11, 2001. Details about who to contact with this information is contained on a document attached to this message.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bill Newman, Poppy Chairman at 860-676-0037 or me at 860-404-4700.
Thank you for your continued support of your schools and for always remembering how we continue to enjoy a democratic society. Please also remember all those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.
Enjoy a great weekend.
Very truly yours,
Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of Schools
gmala@avon.k12.ct.us
May 16, 2013
Dear Avon Parents and Residents:
It is with much gratitude and appreciation that I send this message to thank you for your support for the 2013-2014 budget. As announced last evening, the Town of Avon budget, which includes the Board of Education operating budget, was passed at referendum.
I appreciate and encourage your continued participation in our democratic process by taking time to vote each and every time you have an opportunity to do so.
As the work of the current school year concludes over the next month’s time, we look forward with a sense of great hope and optimism for all that is yet to come for the upcoming school year. The approved budget supports a number of initiatives that will contribute to the excellent public education system, which we are fortunate to realize as a valuable resource in our community.
As always, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (860) 404-4700.
Thank you for your support of the Avon public schools and all of us who serve the needs of students and families.
I remain very truly yours,
Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of Schools
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTES CHRISTOPHER TRANBERG AVON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
At a special meeting held on the evening of May 13, 2013, the Avon Board of Education appointed Christopher Tranberg to the position of Principal of Avon High School.
Mr. Tranberg's career as a public school administrator began in 2008 as the Director of Performing Arts in Simsbury Public Schools and was appointed in 2010 as Assistant Principal of Simsbury High School. Mr. Tranberg is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Ohio, where he received his Bachelors' of Music degree in Music Education and Performance and received his Masters of Music Education at the University of Hartford. Mr. Tranberg also earned his Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration and Supervision at Sacred Heart University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Gary S. Mala, Avon Superintendent of Schools stated, "We are fortunate to have Christopher join us in Avon. He has proven to be an effective leader in the Simsbury Public Schools and brings with him a great wealth of knowledge, a proven track record for establishing meaningful, productive relationships with the many groups associated with leading a high performing high school. Christopher will contribute the energy, enthusiasm and commitment necessary to continue to assist our high school, and its faculty and staff, toward a common vision." "We are very pleased to have another educational leader who shares a common vision and passion for the success of all children," Mr. Mala added.
The appointment of Mr. Tranberg by the Board of Education was the final step in an intensive search and selection process that began in March. Following the establishment of a thirteen-member Search and Selection Committee consisting of faculty, staff, parents and members of the Board of Education, a community survey was developed and administered publically. Based on the survey results and a paper screening process, the Committee identified six candidates to advance to the interview stage from an applicant pool of twenty-five. The Committee subsequently held three rounds of interviews and a full day where each semi-finalist met with district administrators, the current high school administration, students, parent representatives and a cross section of members of the Avon High School faculty and staff before moving Christopher forward to the Board of Education for the finalist interview.
Mr. Tranberg is expected to begin his position as Avon High School Principal on a date to be determined.
