
Obituary: Mary Ehrler, Beloved Mother, Grandmother, An Exciting Life, Full of Love

On Wednesday, June 10, the Amity Class of 2020 was honored with a mix of the live and a virtual commencement ceremony.
The first portion of this video shows the usual congratulatory speech from the school principal and superintendent, then a variety of surprise guests, some Amity Alum: Connor Deane and Scott Feinberg for example as well as unexpected celebrities who wish the graduates well. The Class speakers, followed by Jill LaPlante presenting the Amity Award of Distinction to Yale-bound Danielle Lee.
Then it’s time to see the graduates receive their diplomas in groups of four — this took place in shifts between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day.
It’s worth a mention to give credit to the chorus teacher who contacted her students and asked them to sing their parts of the National Anthem individually from their homes, then quickly spliced the whole thing together. It came out beautifully.
There are still about 40 Amity seniors who haven’t gotten their diplomas. They chose to graduate on the Football Field in small groups on July 7. We will provide more information on that event when it becomes available.
The Anti-Defamation League is celebrating the efforts that schools across the country are making to promote diversity, inclusion, and allyship through a nationwide viral campaign #noplaceforhate.
On Thursday, May 21st, Amity Regional School District No. 5 will be participating in this campaign by creating a post featuring one thing that has been accomplished in this area.
Amity is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. At this uncertain time, it is even more important to celebrate these efforts.
Principal Anna Mahon would be happy to talk with you about the work the school has been engaged in with creating a positive and inclusive school culture.
Please contact Michelle Pincince mpincince@adl.org, ADL CT Director of Education, for
more information about No Place for Hate.
The members of the Sacred Heart University Pioneers Men’s Ice Hockey Team gathered in a meeting room at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport to officially welcome their newest teammate on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
The team met Amity High School student Zakarai Schneider, 16, of Bethany, last season, and a few weeks ago he geared up and joined them on the ice.
“When we first met Zak, you could feel an instant connection between him and the players,”Coach C.J. Marottolo said.
Zakarai, who is well-known in the Amity High community, was passing the puck with the guys and blew Marottolo away when he scored a goal.
Now, you may think, big deal, high school players score goals all the time, what’s so special about this kid?
Well, Zakarai (I’ve always called him Zak) was diagnosed with a neurological disorder at birth. Doctors said he would never be able to walk, yet with hard work and determination, he not only walks but runs and ice skates. He is non-verbal, but his devoted father, Mark seems to understand every thought and emotion his son has and is quick to share them with you.
“You are all his heroes,” Mark told the team.
This opportunity was made possible by Team Impact, a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, MA that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,800 children with their dream teams.
The Schneiders and the Pioneers connected last season, but Tuesday was extremely special. Zak became the first young man formally connected to a Sacred Heart team through Team Impact,
Dressed in a suit, with shirt and tie to match the SHU school colors, Zak signed a letter of intent during the Team IMPACT “Draft Day” ceremony, surrounded by his teammates, coach, family and several members of the media.
Team Captain Jason Cotton, presented him with his Pioneers jersey, Zak seemed a little overwhelmed. Coach Marotolli led him to the locker room where he geared up, then Zak and his fellow players posed for a team photo. Then Zakarai, AKA “Zak Attack” led the Pioneers out onto the ice, where he was immediately at home.
It was so heartwarming to see this group of handsome, athletic young men treating their new teammate like an equal, and cheering for him when he made a goal during the beginning of their practice. Zak welcomed the fist bumps and cheers as the Pioneers surrounded him near the net.
“Zakarai is such an amazing kid,” said coach Marotollo. “The determination that he shows and the smile he has every time he steps foot on the ice brings great energy and will lift our spirit up as a team this season.”
Cotton led the team in welcoming Zak with open arms. “Zakarai is going to be a part of our team just like everyone else. He wanted the signing to be even bigger by having it in the middle of intermission at the UCONN game,” he said with a smile.
Marottolo watched his new player from the stands. He said Zak’s positive attitude, enthusiasm and dedication to the game make him a perfect fit for the Pioneers Hockey Team. “His smile just lit up everybody on the ice. That’s why you do this. That’s why you get involved,” he said.
As a team member, Zak will attend Pioneers practices, games, team dinners, events, and more.
Amity High School and the athletes on the Football and Hockey teams gave Zak his first taste of being an honored member of their teams. So the shift to SHU is a natural step up for one of our favorite Amity teens.
SHU hockey opens its 2019-20 campaign on Saturday, October 5 at home, versus UConn. The game will be played at Webster Bank Arena with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 pm.
Amity Athletes had a little break and now it’s back to business. Here is the Amity Varsity Sports schedule for this week.
Thursday, Dec. 27
Boys Swimming and Diving vs Sheehan Away at the Sheehan HS Pool at 10:00 a.m.
Girls Ice Hockey vs Avon-Southington-E.Granby-RHAM-Wethersfield Home at the Hamden Ice Rink 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling vs New Haven Wrestling Home at Amity High School at 6:00 p.m.
Girls Basketball vs Bethel Away at Bethel High School at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 28
Girls Ice Hockey vs Ridgefield-Danbury Away at the Winter Garden Ice Arena at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 29
Wrestling Trumbull Duals Away at 9:00 a.m.
Boys Ice Hockey vs Staples Home at Bennett Rink in West Haven at 1:00 p.m.
Girls Basketball Bethel Holiday Tournament – Champ/Cons, Away To Be Announced.
Girls Indoor Track Will Wright InvitationalAway at SCSU at 3:00 p.m.
Today, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides called the recent reports of anti-Semitic acts at Amity Regional High School unacceptable.
“These reported acts of hatred are unacceptable in any place and at any time,” Klarides said.
Klarides has reached out to school officials, including Principal Anna Mahon and acting Superintendent James A. Connelly, and has pledged her full support to local officials. “I am available to them in any capacity they deem appropriate,’’ she said.
“These young people need to be assured that they will be safe and protected,” Klarides said. “As leaders in our communities, our first priority must be protecting their rights and safeguarding their daily lives. This behavior cannot be tolerated.”
The Amity Board of Education and the Amity School District were shocked and saddened by the fears and concerns reported by the students and community members about the anti-Semitic behaviors they have experienced in both school and the community. The students feel unsafe because of these hurtful and hateful acts against them and their community.
The Amity School District will not tolerate this type of harassment and will investigate and take disciplinary action against students who demonstrate unacceptable behavior. We will also cooperate and coordinate with the local police department in some of these investigations.
The district will take a leadership role in partnering with the community, including religious leaders, elected officials, advocacy groups such as the Anti-Defamation League, state and federal officials, youth groups and other people of good will in a comprehensive effort to address this issue in our schools and community.
The most critical members of this partnership are the students, families, and staff of our schools. We sincerely welcome their involvement. Our goal is to make the Amity Schools and community the inclusive, tolerant, and safe community we all demand it should become again.
James A. Connelly
Interim Superintendent of Schools
The Lady Spartans Volleyball team hosted the Guilford Indians in Woodbridge on Monday night.
Guilford has a nearly flawless season record with only one loss and most of their victories being shut-outs, so Amity knew it would be a battle.
Amity fans were encouraged when the Lady Spartans won the first match 25-17, but that’s where it ended. Guilford dominated the court for the rest of the night. Taking the Lady Spartans for three consecutive matches, 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23.
GUILFORD 3, AMITY 1
Game Highlights
Amity: Two seniors made the grade. Abby Harbinson had 12 kills. Madeline Adzigian had 11 kills.
Guilford: Juliet Young had 13 digs. Emma Appelman had 19 kills and 12 digs. Eva Ott Hill had 28 assists.
Records: Amity 4-2, Guilford 7-1 (six of which were shut-outs)
When Amity Superintendent Dr. Chip Dumais announced his resignation last Spring, we knew that the search for a replacement would have to begin soon.
The Board of Education began its search and is seeking your input and opinion on what you believe are the needed characteristics and attributes of a highly successful district leader.
The Amity Regional School District No. 5 Board of Education, in partnership with JE Consulting, will be hosting a number of community forums to ascertain information from multiple stakeholders to appropriately complete the profile of the position of superintendent of schools.
The final two meetings will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Amity Regional School District No. 5 Presentation Room, at 25 Newton Road, Woodbridge, this week. Parents, students, staff, and community members are all encouraged to attend at least one meeting. There is no need to pre-register for a meeting.
Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, August 7
Thursday, August 9
Concurrently, community members and staff members are also able to share their opinion by completing the superintendent survey which is located on the Amity Regional School District No. 5 website.
Here is a direct link to the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/amitysuptsearch2018
The last opportunity to share your thoughts through this survey will be this Friday, August 10, 2018.
In addition, if anyone is unable to make any of the meetings their voice can still be heard by calling Dr. Joe Erardi of JE Consulting at 203-598-6986.