2026 Education Outlook (Jan)

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

bySusanShultz

bySusanShultz

The ability to be creative in the various mediums of art is just as critical to a well-rounded education as adding and subtracting, biology or grammar. Connecticut schools share their programs that offer students these outlets.

From the early education through Upper School, the Arts are woven into daily life at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Marnie McLaughlin, Arts Department Chair and Upper School Art Teacher said.

“Student artwork, ranging from early drawing and painting to advanced photography, reflects a program that values creativity discipline, and self-expression at every stage of development,” McLaughlin said.

Students engage in a wide variety of visual and performing arts, including theatre, music, chorus, dance, bell choir painting, and drawing, with opportunities designed to meet both emerging interests and advanced study.

“The Arts also intersect naturally with academic coursework, as teachers collaborate across disciplines to deepen learning and encourage students to make meaningful connections between creative expression and intellectual inquiry,” McLaughlin said.

Throughout the year, student work is shared through performances, exhibitions, and displays across campus, transforming Sacred Heart Greenwich into a living gallery and performance space. The arts also expand to music.

Art CONTINUES ON PAGE 15

Art rt aworkof

ART PROGRAMS OFFER STUDENTS CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY TO CREATE BEAUTY AND EXPRESSION

“unitedinfaith &community”

bySusanShultz

Since its inception in 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States

Connecticut has four Roman Catholic communities, including the Diocese of Bridgeport and Norwich, the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford. From Jan. 25 through 31, 2026 the state’s Catholic schools

bySusanShultz

Artificial Intelligence continues to infiltrate our lives in many facets While there are certainly cautionary tales to be aware of with its use, many schools realize that guided and regulated use of AI can offer benefits. Several CT schools have taken this approach

Pictured above: “Students have been, are, and will continue to

SACRED HEART

GREENWICH

Sacred Heart Greenwich believes one of the most transformative forces shaping education today, artificial intelligence, should be utilized with intention, responsibility, and transparency, Kevin Bailey, Associate Head of School for Teaching and Learning said.

“Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into the curriculum requires thoughtful platform review, >>

at Cheshire Academy preparing for the world of today and tomorrow,” said Young Kwon, Associate Dean of Academics,

Academy. Photo by Cheshire Academy

>>prioritizing tools designed specifically for education that offer teacher oversight, ethical frameworks, and strong safeguards,” Bailey said.

To remain current with emerging AI trends, Sacred Heart Greenwich Educators participated in professional development sessions this past year led by AI industry expert Eric Hudson.

Faculty engaged in meaningful discussions about the opportunities, challenges, and ethical responsibilities that come with this rapidly evolving technology. Educators continue to emphasize critical thinking, demonstrating how students can unlock learning opportunities with AI and enhance efficiency

The school noted that a check and balance system— by interrogating the information AI outputs—should always be in place.

Sacred Heart Greenwich has selected two educational AI platforms, MagicSchool and Flint, to empower their educators and bolster its curriculum. Both platforms were chosen because they are designed for K-12 education, include robust safety, privacy and content controls, support teacher oversight, and align with the school’s instructional goals and mission-driven values.

Educators at Sacred Heart Greenwich have been incorporating AI into their lesson plans in intentional and clearly defined areas

Dr. Bill Mottolese, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Upper School English Teacher, embraces AI creatively and

purposefully in his classroom. In Senior Seminar, students use AI to brainstorm counterarguments during the writing process.

For vocabulary assignments, he employs a “red/ yellow/green light” system to clarify appropriate AI use.

“AI writing, even at its best, is often generic, shallow, and formulaic—stylistically unlike student writing. Writing is as distinct as a person’s fingerprint,” Dr. Mottolese said.

“Developing one’s own voice, style, and expression takes time, commitment, and perseverance. Only authentic engagement leads to real growth as a writer,” he said.

Upper School English Teacher, Dr. David Smigen-Rothkopf, also introduces AI during College Prep in-class workshops providing students with exposure to the technology while establishing clear guardrails for responsible use

“My goal,” he said, “is for students to reflect honestly on both the positives and negatives of the technology, without compromising their own voices in the process of becoming better writers.”

At Sacred Heart Greenwich, the team is committed to leading thoughtfully in this space—not simply adopting new tools, but teaching students to use them with discernment, empathy, and purpose. In an ever-changing AI landscape, Sacred Heart continually assesses its role to ensure it serves its students with purpose, integrity, and care.

ai isapowerful tool, but not aninfallibleone.

CHESHIRE ACADEMY

“Students have been, are, and will continue to use AI in their classes at Cheshire Academy preparing for the world of today and tomorrow,” said Young Kwon, Associate Dean of Academics, Cheshire Academy.

“With the rapid changes in technology, our faculty are at varying stages of comfort with AI, and we have encouraged them to guide students so that they can use AI responsibly,” Kwon said.

To do so, faculty have reestablished the purpose of their assignments and assessments to determine when and how AI can be used.

Cheshire Academy utilizes a “traffic light policy:” Like Sacred Heart Greenwich, faculty have coded assign-

CHESHIRE

ments and assessments as green (AI use is permitted without restriction) yellow (AI use is permitted with guidance), or red (AI use is prohibited), according to Kwon

“With a ‘green’ project, we might want to see how a student has leveraged AI, their prompt engineering, process, and sources. A ‘yellow’ project is going to involve close mentorship with a teacher as students learn how to use the tools responsibly,” he said.

“We now have the framework in place so that as AI continues to develop and new technologies come along, we can use it to educate students on how to use these tools in their learning,” Kwon said. l

bySusanShultz

SACRED HEART GREENWICH

Across independent and public schools alike, traditional libraries have been reduced, relocated, or replaced altogether, Jillian Wolf, Director of Library Service and Middle School Librarian at Sacred Heart Greenwich said.

In many cases, shelves of books have given way to innovation labs and technology-centered learning spaces—reflecting a broader shift toward digital fluency, collaboration, and design thinking.

“At Sacred Heart Greenwich, the Library has evolved as well—but not by diminishing its purpose, Wolf said.

Instead, it has been intentionally reimagined as a central academic and intellectual hub, one that integrates technology, research, writing, and critical inquiry while preserving the depth and discipline that define a rigorous education, according to faculty.

Housed in a two-level, shared space, the Library serves Lower, Middle, and Upper School students, with each division supported by its own dedicated space and librarian.

“Multiple areas within the Library are intentionally designated by grade range and purpose, including library classrooms, a technology and media hub, a student success and writing center, and collaborative spaces that foster close partnership between librarians and classroom teachers for research and instruction,” Wolf said.

Rooted in the Goals and Criteria of the Network of Sacred Heart, the Library’s mission is to cultivate lifelong learners and engaged readers, according to the school

“Through scaffolded instruction and a carefully curated collection of print and digital resources, the Library supports the academic, social, and spiritual development of the Sacred Heart Greenwich community,” Wolf said.

The team at Sacred Heart said librarians select materials that are appropriate, engaging, informative, and challenging, ensuring that the collection reflects both curricular needs, student interests, and developmental readiness

“Through its intentional design and collaborative approach, the Sacred Heart Greenwich Library, strengthens the school’s academic community. By partnering closely with teachers and supporting students across divisions, the Library ensures that every learner has the resources, guidance, and inspiration needed to thrive,” Wolf said. >>

CHESHIRE ACADEMY

CHESHIRE

>>“In a world where students have access to all the information ever created by humanity, it is the responsibility of a school librarian to assist students in assessing this information, using it ethically, and understanding how to curate their own media consumption, said Kate Daly ‘05, Director of Library Services, Cheshire Academy.

The role of the school library, and school librarian, is now one of media literacy and research expert, a person who can teach a student the difference between fact, fiction, propaganda, misinformation, and commercial content hiding as journalism, Daly said.

“Starting in ninth grade, I work with students on source assessment,” she added.

Daly said this includes:

y sharing the library’s well-curated and balanced database access;

y showing them where to begin finding information for assignments;

y thinking about the purpose behind the information they are consuming

“We use the CRAAP analysis, Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority and Purpose to think critically about everything from Peer Reviewed Journals, Primary Sources, Instagram Posts and The Onion headlines,” she said.

By spending time in classrooms, partnering with faculty on Assessments, and Running the IB Extended Essay Program at CA, Daly said she is able to help students grow their skills and develop Critical Thinking skills.

“Helping them learn that personal opinions backed by facts are stronger and that opinions can change with new information—and this is a good thing—is one of our primary goals in the CA Library,” she said.

In addition, Daly said in the current world a sense of belonging is the primary function of the library.

“By curating a space surrounded by good books they are encouraged to reach, cozy couches, board games,

puzzles, and adults who care about them as people, we are encouraging them to put down their phones, socialize, and take academic risks in a safe, supportive environment,” Daly said.

She added that with a direct correlation between reading for fun and standardized test performance, the staff constantly advocates picking up something aligned with their interest and taking a 30-minute break from scrolling to read.

All of this aligns with the library’s mission of “Student Led Engagement, as this is a space for them and the faculty wants their voices heard and highlighted in every facet of this space.

“My goal in taking over was ‘What did I need as a Cheshire Academy student in 2005, and how does that look today?’” she said. l

“In a world where students have access to all the information ever created by humanity, it is the responsibility of a school librarian to assist students in assessing this information, using it ethically, and understanding how to curate their own media consumption,” said Kate Daly ‘05, Director of Library Services, Cheshire Academy.

Spost-grad rad

SCHOOLS HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE

OPTIONS

bySusanShultz

enior year can add a tremendous amount of stress to students and parents who often feel pressured to make a decision that feels like it impacts a lifetime before they are ready. Many high schools in Connecticut have robust programs to guide these students to their best post-graduation choice, whatever it may look like or path that is chosen >>

WOOSTER SCHOOL

>>Wooster School provides comprehensive support to help students navigate their post-high school options, primarily through its robust College Guidance program, according to its staff

“Wooster’s purpose is to offer individualized, deliberate, and student-focused support to ensure students enroll in a college that is a great fit for them, where they can be challenged, grow, and thrive,” the team said.

School staff said Wooster School assists students in several ways, including:

y Provides family and one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as curriculum-based seminar courses for students.

y Students and families receive guidance in creating a list of schools that align with the student’s unique talents, interests, and are a good fit academically, socially, and financially

y Wooster advises students and parents on various aspects of the application process, including standardized testing, college essays, interviews, college visits and financial aid

y Seniors receive close support and assistance as they complete their essays and applications, with an emphasis on meeting deadlines and submitting

DANBURY

high-quality applications.

y Wooster hosts over 100 college and university representatives on campus, allowing students to meet them and learn about different programs and communities.

y Wooster’s approach is designed to encourage reflection, minimize stress, help students and parents stay ahead of deadlines, teach transferable skills applicable to future endeavors (like grad school, med school, study abroad, internships, and jobs), and maximize application results.

y As part of the Annual College Fair, Juniors participate in one-on-one mock interviews with designated college representatives, receiving constructive feedback on their interviewing skills.

y The annual College Application Workshop is an event where the entire Wooster community, including faculty, staff, and representatives from colleges, helps seniors put the finishing touches on their college admission materials.

To learn more about the College Guidance process at Wooster School and how your student will be challenged, grow, and thrive, visit WWW.WOOSTERSCHOOL.ORG/UPPERSCHOOL/COLLEGE-GUIDANCE

CHESHIRE ACADEMY

At Cheshire Academy, its Postgraduate Program is not just a fifth year of high school, according to Madeleine Bergstrom, the school’s Director of College Counseling and Postgraduate Program.

“Rather, it’s a carefully designed cohort that encourages continued academic and personal growth,” Bergstrom said.

She said that as a choice that is thoughtfully and carefully made, a PG year at CA is designed to foster continued academic, emotional, and social growth

“Students who choose this unique path (less than 150 programs in the U.S.) are making a bold investment in their future. We see athletes, artists, academics, international students, and more, all students who

CHESHIRE

have chosen to give themselves the gift of time,” Bergstrom said.

There are many reasons students choose Cheshire Academy’s PG program prior to college, she added.

Bergstrom said some want to strengthen their academic profile and prepare for the college application process. Others want the opportunity to hone their athletic skills with another year on the field or court.

“For the international student, the postgrad year at Cheshire academy offers a chance to acclimate to the different learning and living environment in the United States. And all benefit from the rigorous curriculum, including the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme,” she said. l

No Ceiling On Learning

will celebrate the traditional Catholic Schools Week, with this year’s theme of United in Faith and Community.

Schools will observe the week with open houses, Masses, assemblies, events, and other activities that allow students, families, parishioners, and community members to join in the celebration of what makes Catholic schools exceptional

By shaping the future these schools empower students to dream big, grow in their talents, and make a lasting impact on the world During Discover Catholic Schools Week, explore how Catholic schools in Fairfield County inspire the next generation.

The dioceses will also celebrate with open houses, allowing visitors to experience all these schools have to offer.

As one example, the Catholic Academy of Stamford, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport, will celebrate Catholic School Week with an open

Catholic education is about more than academics —it is about preparing students to LEAD WITH FAITH, INTEGRITY, AND PURPOSE.

house on Sunday, Jan 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other events that week include a career/vocation day, a breakfast cart for teachers, buddy/ grade level activities, crazy sock day, student appreciation day, Mass, and other fun events.

“Each day, our educators prepare the soil by creating classroom environments rooted in faith belonging, and high expectations They plant seeds through rigorous instruction, prayer, and witness; and they tend the field through ongoing

formation, innovation, and care for the whole child,” said Diocese of Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Stacie L. Stueber.

By shaping the future, these schools empower students to dream big, grow in their talents, and make a lasting impact on the world. During Discover Catholic Schools Week, the community is invited to explore how Catholic schools in Fairfield County inspire the next generation.

Catholic education is, at its core, a ministry of cultivation, Stueber said.

The Diocese of Bridgeport serves students and families in 26 schools in and around Fairfield County. Families are welcome to book a tour and learn more.

Stueber added that through tuition assistance, special education services, and mission-driven investment, the diocese strives to ensure that Catholic education remains accessible to all families who seek it.

“Together, we continue to farm the faith with hope, trusting in God’s promise that when we plant and water with love, He will bring the growth,” Stueber said.

More information about the diocese’s schools, Catholic School Week events, and more is available at WWW. DOBCATHOLICSCHOOLS.COM

The Diocese of Norwich is made up of 13 schools and educates just under 3,500 students. >>

>>Diocese leader Bishop Richard F. Reidy recently addressed the diocese community on the importance of Catholic Schools Week.

“During these two weeks a year, Catholic schools focus on the value of a Catholic education provided to young people and their contributions to the church, communities, and our nation,” he said.

“Parents and guardians are the first teachers of their children. Catholic school communities acknowledge the crucial role that they play Teachers, staff, administrators, students, parents, and guardians ignite the torch of faith by assimilating faith and culture into everyday life,” the bishop said.

Bishop Reidy added that Catholic school alumni are living examples of

PUBLISHER

2026

Ashley Sanderson SPECIAL SECTIONS DESIGNER

the Catholic school product. Whether students have moved on to high school or matriculated into college, he noted a large part of their formation and readiness was established in their prior Catholic school experience instilled in them by dedicated teachers, administrators and religious orders.

“Pope Francis said, ‘Catholic education gives soul to the world,’” Bishop Reidy added.

For more information on schools in the Diocese of Norwich, visit WWW. NORWICHDIOCESE.ORG

The Archdiocese of Hartford will also be celebrating National Catholic Schools Week with its community.

The Archdiocese of Hartford comprises 38 Catholic Schools, with a total

Susan Shultz SPONSOREDCONTENTPRODUCER

OntheCover:Housedinatwo-level sharedspace,theLibraryatSacred HeartGreenwichservesLower,Middle,andUpperSchoolstudents,with eachdivisionsupportedbyitsowndedicatedspaceandlibrarian.Photo bySacredHeartGreenwich.

Advertising Information: (203)330-6238

301 Merritt 7, Floor 1, Norwalk, CT 06851

©2026 Hearst Connecticut Media Group

of 9,077 students. Students represent a variety of cultures, ethnic groups, and faith backgrounds.

All of the elementary, middle, and high schools of the Archdiocese of Hartford are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a prestigious accrediting agency that sanctions such esteemed New England institutions as Harvard and Yale Universities.

Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford are dedicated to providing an exceptional education rooted in faith and Gospel values. They combine a rigorous academic curriculum with spiritual and moral development to nurture the whole student. Visit WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD. ORG for more information. l

Wearenowacceptingenrollment applicationsforgrades6-12for the2026-2027schoolyear.Joina vibrantcommunitydedicatedto academicexcellence,character development,andpreparing studentsforcollegeandcareer success.

Don’tmissyourchancetobepart ofatransformativeeducational experience.Enrolltodayandhelp shapetomorrow’sleaders! Visitgobpt.orgtolearnmore andsecureyourspot.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT THEIR IMPACTFUL TEACHERS

One special teacher can truly transform a student’s educational journey and leave a lasting impression Here two Connecticut schools share their experiences

MARYANN FONCELLO

Alum’70, Science Teacher, Science Department Chair, at Immaculate since 1982

Even before he hit the world stage, Immaculate High School teacher MaryAnn Foncello could not forget student Ian Smith ‘87.

“I clearly remember him expressing his interest in becoming a doctor early on,” she recalled. “I would describe him as highly motivated and focused. He was always driven to get good grades and to push himself.”

But that doesn’t mean Foncello didn’t push him even more. She did. >>

>>Now, Dr. Ian Smith is not only a doctor, but a national television personality and the author of 15 books, eight of them New York Times Bestsellers. They include The Clean 20 Blast the Sugar Out SUPER SHRED: The Big Results Diet, SHRED: The Revolutionary Diet, The Fat Smash Diet and Extreme Fat Smash. He also wrote the critically acclaimed novel The Blackbird Papers.

Smith, a native of Danbury, is currently the medical contributor and co-host of the nationally syndicated television show The Rachael Ray Show He is a former co-host of the Emmy award-winning daytime talk show The Doctors and served as the medical/diet expert for six seasons on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club.

An alumnus of Harvard College, the Teachers College of Columbia University, Dartmouth Medical School, and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Smith credits Immaculate and Foncello for laying the foundation. The two are reunited whenever Smith comes back to Immaculate to speak or attend an alumni event. In November 2025, he joined students for a Book Club discussion about his newest book release, Beyond Midnight, and shared stories about his time there.

“Mrs. Foncello was tough, but she was passionate about teaching and wanted us not to just do the work but she wanted us to learn how to learn,” Smith said. “That was high-level teaching and it served me well at Harvard, through grad school, and even today. I will always appreciate her for that.”

“I do tend to want to push them a little bit to stretch what they think they can do,” she admitted. Foncello had Smith for Biology 1 Honors and Advanced Biology where

she remembers him always fighting for extra points on tests. But she was also the faculty moderator for the National Honor Society when Smith and his brother, Dana, another high-achieving student, were there.

“Ian was very academic and intellectual,” Foncello said, noting these were qualities she supported Smith in developing further. “We had a ceremony, and he volunteered to speak on the quality of scholarship, which I encouraged and was well beyond what most high school students would have written.”

“All of these years later, I often think about my days at IHS and invariably my thoughts include Foncello and her rooms upstairs and all the fun I had learning from her,” Smith recalled. He also played basketball at IHS and formed a lasting friendship with then Coach Bobby Plumb.

Immaculate prides itself in fostering personal connections between faculty and students. With a 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Mustangs receive individual attention and support. Niche gave the school an A+ rating and ranked it the #3 Catholic High School in Connecticut, making it the #1 Co-Ed Catholic High School in the state.

“Ian continues to be incredibly supportive of our mission at Immaculate,” said Head of School Wendy Neil, “and a great example of the kind of rigorous education we provide, that’s combined with the development of the whole student emotionally, physically and spiritually.”

Foncello couldn’t agree more–and it’s why she’s been a teacher, assistant principal and interim principal at Immaculate. She even came out of retirement to return to the classroom again.

Teachers CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

“Ithink thereal connection isn’t the building. It’s the teachersand

theattentioneach student gets here that formrelationships which last alifetime.”

HAILEY CLARK

Lower School Library, Media, and Technology Specialist at Sacred Heart Greenwich

Before joining Sacred Heart Greenwich, Hailey Clark served as an Upper School Media and Library Specialist at Loyola School in New York City. Her role began in the library, where she taught research skills, but expanded when Loyola launched a STEM track.

As a member of the founding team, Clark trained at Tufts University and later Carnegie Mellon University, then developed and taught a ninth-grade STEM course centered on LEGO EV3 Robotics and Mindstorms software. She spent six years building and leading this program before bringing her expertise to Sacred Heart Greenwich, where she now adapts those skills for Lower School students. All students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 have Technology class with Ms. Clark.

The curriculum includes digital citizenship and literacy through Common Sense Media, typing lessons beginning in Grade 1 using EdClub and introductory coding with Scratch, an MIT-designed, block-based programming language. Students also participate in hands-on STEM challenges that build problem-solving, collaboration,

and persistence

Kindergarten students begin coding with BeeBots, and Clark hopes to eventually introduce older students to VEX Robotics, used by Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Upper School Robotics Team Together, these experiences prepare students to navigate a future shaped by technology with confidence, creativity, and discernment.

Clark also supports the production of News from the Heart, a monthly news segment created by Grade 4 students.

Through roles such as anchors, camerapersons, and editors, students develop teamwork, flexibility, and patience while learning the basics of broadcast production and sharing the good work that is happening in our Lower School with the wider community.

From digital citizenship to robotics and broadcast, these experiences all build skills that help our students develop into lifelong learners who are ready to transform the world, one girl at a time. l

The Upper School presents a fall play and winter musical; the Middle School stages a winter musical and a spring play in collaboration with Brunswick School; and the Lower School presents two spring musical performances, McLaughlin said.

Middle and Upper School musicians, including members of orchestras, bell choirs, dance groups, and vocal ensembles, share their talents during the muchanticipated Christmas and Spring Concerts. Upper School students in choir, bell choir, and dance participate in biennial Arts Immersion trips that combine cultural exploration with performance opportunities.

“This year’s destination is Italy, where students will visit a fellow Sacred Heart Network school and perform in historic churches. Past destinations have included Austria, France, England, Ireland, and Spain,” McLaughlin said. l

Pictured clockwise: At Sacred Heart Greenwich, student artwork, ranging from early drawing and painting to advanced photography, reflects a program that values creativity, discipline, and self-expression at every stage of development. The school also publishes a quarterly magazine of the performing and visual arts called “ArtBEAT.” Photos by Sacred Heart Greenwich.

•Specializinginearly education, age2-grade 5

•Nurturing intellectual curiosity, collaboration, andcreativeexpression

•Inquiry-based,experientiallearning

•Individualizedinstruction

•Low studenttoteacher ratios

•A globally inclusivecommunity

•Nestled in NorthStamford—stepsfromBedford, PoundRidge,Greenwich,and NewCanaan

The Long RidgeSchool setthe standard forthe rest of my children’s educational journeys.Heretheydeveloped the love oflearningand how to respect andbe respected.

Alumni Parent

Where young students grow,thrive, and developa lifelong love of learning