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According to US News, most of the schools within the top five are within the towns surrounding Staples High school and three of the five schools are public.
Staples High School ranks highly among other Connecticut schools
Westport parents, educators and residents attended the Board of Education meeting Monday night, contributing to conversations about the equity study on the climate of Westport district schools.
Board of Education equity report release from NYU causes division, frustration
The Westport Police Department will host Prescription Drug Take Back Day at the Westport Center for Senior Activities on April 30 from 10am to 2pm. Since its creation, the event has removed nearly 15 million pounds from circulation.
Westport Police partners with DEA for Prescription Drug Take Back Day 
“Employment is for Everyone” initiative attempts to improve the general quality of life disabled.
‘Employment is for Everyone’ initiative aims to create job opportunities for disabled
Acceptance rates for the class of 2026 reach an all time low due to miscalculated yields and over-enrollment.
Class of 2026 acceptance rates plummet
The Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade may be overturned, taking away necessary reproductive and human rights for millions of women across America.
Potential overturn of Roe vs. Wade wrongfully strips women of their human rights
Teachers should provide the class average for assessments in order to prevent students from sharing scores with one another.
Class averages foster a less competitive environment
As upcoming juniors decide where they will apply to college, it’s important that they don’t rule out colleges just because they’re “unrealistic.”
Advice for juniors: The 25-50-25 rule is not a universal mantra
Students wait in an empty classroom for a substitute to show up; however, at Staples, there is no reason for there to be a substitute for the class. Students should be allowed to work on their own without a substitute watching over them, benefiting both the school and the students.
The kids are alright: substitute teachers prove unnecessary
Some students tend to choose hobbies they are uninterested in, strictly based on how well it will appear on a college application or resume. Students must remember that in a competitive high school environment, having fun should remain as a top priority.
Students should explore true passions, abandon resume fillers
Nicholas Blanco ’25, Dylan Kurpiel ’25, Jack Srihari ’25 and substitute teacher Hannah Mata enjoy a game together after school on Fridays.
Cooperative video games club connects students through games
AP Chemistry classes watch “Indiana Jones” since the completion of the AP college board administered test on May 2.
End of AP classes leaves students relieved, allows for fun learning experiences
A longstanding Staples tradition, Senior Showdown is a nerf-shooting tournament during which participating seniors are given a target to “assassinate” while avoiding elimination at the hands of a foam dart themselves.
Seniors take aim at ‘Senior Showdown’
Students of the month receive a certificate of achievement.
Students reflect on ‘Student of the Month’ award impact
Books and a chalkboard represent all that teachers do for students, including picking course materials and covering what they feel is important for students to know.
Teacher Appreciation Week: Do teachers actually feel appreciated?
Sophie Alcyone ’22 (left) and Sasha Maskoff ’22 (right) attended the CAS Awards ceremony on April 5 in Plantsville, Connecticut. The CAS awards their Outstanding Arts Award based on demonstrated scholarship and leadership across the realm of visual and performing arts. Two students from each member school are awarded annually, and students must be referred by teachers.
Seniors Maskoff, Alcyone, win 27th annual High School Arts Awards
After getting ready, most students will take pictures before going to the prom.
Senior prom sets unnecessarily expensive standard of beauty
Released on April 22, 2022, Heartstopper provides relatable, loveable LGBTQ+ romance and journey. While season two has not been announced, season one has climbed the top-watched list in America and the United Kingdom.
Netflix’s “Heartstopper” illustrates heartwarming, intricate LGBTQ+ journey, romance 
Netflix released season four of Drive to Survive on March 13. Drive to Survive captures the behind-the-scenes moments of the Formula 1 race season, including team rivalries, driver lineups and the role of money in the sport.
Season four of ‘Drive to Survive’ delivers the behind the scenes of a thrilling Formula 1 season
The new Kardashians show excites fans across the nation.
The Kardashians on Hulu stylishly shifting to showcase real, raw life
The girls’ golf team has members from every grade; each player has different strengths that have helped contribute to the team’s victories this year.
Girls’ golf victorious in almost every match, leads state
Evelyn Chudowsky ’24 celebrates a goal from her team in a game against Bermuda on April 28.
Evelyn Chudowsky ’24 embarks on Dominican Republic national team
Club sport athletes at Staples do not get the recognition they deserve despite their immense dedication.
Inclusion of Staples athletes in club sports is a must
Students compete in a full speed gym class game.
Athletes forced to participate in gym class at the expense of their performance, health and academics
The boys lost the first set 28-26 but went on to win the next three sets in a four set game.
Boys’ volleyball defeats Norwalk in vital 3-1 victory
Summer activities to cure boredom
Summer activities to cure boredom
Bonkers Cupcakes opened this spring in downtown Fairfield. They serve a variety of cupcakes with different buttercream frostings.
Bonkers Cupcakes sweetens Fairfield County dessert scene
The Staples girls’ lacrosse team played under the lights on the football field for the first time in a regular season game.
Girls’ lacrosse finally plays under the lights
Staples seniors reflect on past high school memories and gear up to graduate and move onto their next chapter.
Seniors reflect on lessons learned, highschool experiences
The first round of Senior Assassin begins on Monday, May 23 and will end on Sunday, May 29 at 11:59 PM.
Senior Showdown sparks excitement
Bedford teacher Arthur Ellis (pictured above) turned himself in on April 27 due to sexual assault allegations. Ellis was officially charged with sexual assault in the fourth degree and risk of injury to a minor. Ellis has posted bail and is awaiting trial on May 6.
Bedford teacher turns himself into police after sexual assault accusations
Governor Ned Lamont plans to implement the most ambitious reopening plan in the tristate area since the pandemic started last year. Throughout March and April, all capacity limits for most businesses and personal retail stores are being lifted.
Connecticut’s transition to 100% capacity, eased restriction concerns among students
Increased flooding downtown threatens shops through costs and water damage
Increased flooding downtown threatens shops through costs and water damage
A COVID-19 vaccine is currently being developed.
Potential COVID-19 vaccine brings controversy
Two competing houses on Maple St. express opposing political viewpoints of the upcoming presidential election through banners, signs and flags. The WPD’s press release stated that signs placed on private property may not extend beyond the property line. In addition, it is recommended that residents remove their respective signs within two days after the election, or other specified event.
Removal of political signage around Westport prompts WPD response
Staples seniors reflect on past high school memories and gear up to graduate and move onto their next chapter.
Seniors reflect on lessons learned, highschool experiences
The first round of Senior Assassin begins on Monday, May 23 and will end on Sunday, May 29 at 11:59 PM.
Senior Showdown sparks excitement
Seniors announced college decisions by May 1, the decision deadline for many schools.
Seniors share college decision considerations
Many seniors have created their own internship plans catered to their personal interests or potential future career choices. Some examples include working with a psychologist, interning at a music school and teaching dance classes.
Seniors find value in creating self designed internships
While many students begin their college search before junior year, the bulk of the college process, including standardized testing and essay writing, takes place at the end of junior year and the beginning of senior year.
Students evaluate approach to college process
The Staples girls’ lacrosse team played under the lights on the football field for the first time in a regular season game.
Girls’ lacrosse finally plays under the lights
In 2017, the United States had the fastest growing squash population across the globe and saw junior participation grow fourfold, as per US Squash. In line with the national trend, Staples girls’ squash is seeing an increase in involvement, with 22 girls rostered this season compared to 16 last year.
Girls’ squash commences new season, grows in popularity
This past weekend, Gonzalez traveled to Tennessee to meet her All-American teammates and play in an East vs West game, which Gonzalez’s team won 5-0.
Soccer Star Gaby Gonzalez ’22 Scores All-American
Staples gets set to tip off at home against Fairfield Warde on March 28.
Staples Basketball Recap
Staples warming up before tip off against Brian McMahon with no fans in the gym.
The success of Staples basketball
Summer activities to cure boredom
Summer activities to cure boredom
Bonkers Cupcakes opened this spring in downtown Fairfield. They serve a variety of cupcakes with different buttercream frostings.
Bonkers Cupcakes sweetens Fairfield County dessert scene
While the pasta options range in caloric density, all are easy to make and delicious in their own way.
Trader Joe’s offers variety of gnocchi to satisfy pasta cravings
Bachelor Matt James and winner of this season Rachal Kirkconnel had clear tension between them at the after the final rose ceremony. Rachel shed many tears, as Matt was so heartbroken he could barely speak.
Bachelor finale shocks Bachelor Nation
These are all of the materials needed to cuff any pair of pants and sew exciting stitches to the linings of clothing articles. This will revamp garments in addition to providing pops of color.
Crafting clothes proves fun quarantine activity
Photo by Shira Zeiberg “Operation Varsity Blues” is a documentary investigating the mastermind behind the scheme to get kids of rich families into top colleges.
Netflix film ‘Operation Varsity Blues’ sheds light on college admissions scandal
Staples students are cautious to travel due to the looming threat of COVID-19.
Students traveling for vacation raises COVID concerns
Each year, students must receive recommendations from teachers to enroll in specific level classes. Though these recommendations are helpful, they also can restrain students from taking classes they know they can handle.
Teacher recommendations do more harm than good
After making our way through the towns best diners and delis, we found that the classic Sherwood Diner breakfast sandwich was our favorite.
Students search for Westport’s best egg sandwich
First Lady Biden brings education to forefront of American politics
First Lady Biden brings education to forefront of American politics
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All content by Allison Gillman '23
Through the shared experience of navigating a new environment largely independent of adult support, I learned to be a strong traveler and how to move around and live with a tight-knit group of peers.

Spain cultural immersion trip creates unforgettable experience, breaks barriers

May 3, 2022
With American-style handmade chocolates boasting European quality, the Bridgewater Chocolate Box Shop is hosting a pop-up on 11 Church Ln, open weekends until Dec. 19.

Bridgewater Chocolate pops into Westport for the holidays

January 8, 2022
From something as simple as garlic to more complex blends, spices serve as flavorful and beneficial additions to daily meals. Certain spices like masala can tease out stronger, more aromatic flavors, while others, including turmeric and trikatu, contain key health-promoting ingredients.

Spicing food offers practical and tasty approach to cooking

October 7, 2021
In MONTERO, Lil Nas X reveals his personal struggles with identity that had long travelled under the public radar, while also championing the hard work and perseverance that led to his success and stardom in the music industry.

Lil Nas X’s ‘MONTERO’ reveals artist’s personal journey, illuminating prevalence of identity in the modern world

October 2, 2021
As Connecticut welcomes summer weather, many of wild birds’ natural prey becomes more prevalent. However, we can still help birds fulfill their ferocious daily feeding schedules by getting crafty with household materials to make bird feeders.

DIY bird feeder serves as productive pastime, supplement to wildlife

June 11, 2021
Disney’s new “Raya and the Last Dragon,” which was released on Disney+ on March 5, 2021, demonstrates the complexity and capability of well-developed female lead characters. In addition to phenomenal storytelling, both the protagonist and antagonist in the film are skilled, nuanced women with passions, issues and strengths.

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ revolutionizes traditional portrayal of Disney princesses

March 24, 2021
For those who do not have a readily available selection of books at home, libraries are the best place to start. Not only do they offer books on virtually any subject imaginable -- including Westport’s own downtown public library -- but libraries create the perfect peaceful environment to dig into nonfiction or get lost in a magical storyline. Besides, removing environmental factors that shutter a teenager from reading is the first step in opening the heart to books.

Today’s teens must rediscover emotional, creative outlet provided by books

March 5, 2021
WandaVision kicked off Marvel Studios’ new bracket of television shows on Jan. 15, with episode five set to air on Feb. 5. Straying from the action-packed genre that characterized Marvel productions for over a decade, the beginning of the show harkens to the era of classic American sitcoms such as “I Love Lucy” and “Leave It To Beaver.”

Beguiling first episodes of Marvel Studios’ ‘WandaVision’ are worth the watch

February 4, 2021
Mexica Kitchen & Cantina opened its doors Dec. 5 on 221 Post Road W. The Osorio family owned Villa del Sol, a former Westport Mexican dining location, for a number of years, serving a plethora of traditional Mexican dishes and beverages. The Mexica team hopes to continue with an atmosphere similar to Villa del Sol’s, keeping with traditional cuisine and adding multiple new dishes to showcase a stronger sense of the food and culture of Mexico. Mexica follows appropriate social distancing guidelines and offers both curbside and takeout services.

Newly-opened restaurant Mexica achieves ideal dining experience

December 23, 2020
Two competing houses on Maple St. express opposing political viewpoints of the upcoming presidential election through banners, signs and flags. The WPD’s press release stated that signs placed on private property may not extend beyond the property line. In addition, it is recommended that residents remove their respective signs within two days after the election, or other specified event.

Removal of political signage around Westport prompts WPD response

October 15, 2020

Trump administration lacks transparency, misinforms public amid COVID-19 crisis

May 11, 2020
Lamont mandates face coverings in public areas

Lamont mandates face coverings in public areas

May 4, 2020
Westport’s first two official cases of the coronavirus were declared Friday, bringing the total number of infected Connecticut residents to 11..

Westport confirms first two COVID-19 cases

March 13, 2020
P.E. class records their stress level in mindfulness activity tracker.

Mindfulness curriculum garners positive response from students, teachers

March 10, 2020
Dobin-Smith smiles next to flag of Switzerland during a quick exploration of the Swiss Alps. The group house he would share with other participants of the Wisdom Accelerator for Youth program is located across the valley.

Dobin-Smith emphasizes push for climate action in community

March 10, 2020
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