FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008
NEW HIGH SCHOOL OPENS TODAY AT QVCC
Historic Bell Will be Rung Tomorrow
The first middle college magnet high school in northeast
Connecticut opened its doors this morning at Quinebaug Valley Community
College in Danielson.
Thirty-four students from six districts make up the first 10th grade class at the Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School. The current staff includes a teaching principal, Gino LoRicco, as well as two full-time teachers, a part-time guidance counselor, and one clerical support person.
An enthusiastic LoRicco welcomed the students to the new magnet high school. “What a great day!” he said. “What an occasion – the opening of a new school for the students of Northeast Connecticut!"
Any student may apply to the
school, with the limited number of spaces filled by a lottery system. Due to
the excellent initial response, a waiting list has already been started. The
current student body comes from Killingly, Putnam, Thompson, Plainfield,
Windham, and Mansfield.
On Thursday at 9:30 am, the official opening will be marked by the ringing of a century old bell belonging to Quasset School in Woodstock.
The bell was the property of Anna Nelson, who taught for several years at Quasset School in the early 1900s. She soon became the town’s “model teacher,” and all other teachers in town had to observe her in class at least once during the school year, taking back what they learned to their own classrooms. Nelson later moved to Hartford and continued to teach there for 32 years. The bell was given to Quasset School by her brother after her death.
The high school is currently
occupying several QVCC classrooms. Once a new facility is constructed, the
school will enroll 200 students in grades 10-12 on the Danielson campus.
QVMCHS will begin to accept applications for the 2009-2010 school year in
November. For more information please visit its website at
www.eastconn.org/qvmchs.
CONTACT
Margie Huoppi
Publications Associate
(860) 774-1133
mhuoppi@qvcc.commnet.edu