
Contributed Photo
A new student and his mom meet Ansonia school staff.
The homes of more than 150 incoming kindergarten children were visited Aug. 7 by teams of school district staff and volunteers, who wanted to welcome the students and their families to the school district.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph DiBacco, who worked on the details for the first ever Ansonia Kindergarten Canvas book drop-off, said he participated in a similar event in his previous school district in Hamden, and it was very successful.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our Ansonia faculty to meet our new kindergarten families by going to their homes to drop off a book,” he said, holding a copy of the book, “Kindergarten, Here I Come!”

Contributed Photo
Dr. Joseph DiBacco, Superintendent (at right) is joined by kindergarten teacher Amanda Bartone, Assistant Superintendent Steve Bergin and Ansonia community volunteer Leonard Duffus in greeting an incoming kindergarten student and her sister at home during the Kindergarten Canvas book drop-off.
Staff and volunteers met prior to the home visits, writing personal messages in each book and getting the names and addresses of their assigned students to visit. A total of eight teams spent the morning knocking on doors and meeting children who will be starting their educational journey on Aug. 28.
“This initiative is an important step in forging a positive relationship with families,” Dr. DiBacco said. John LaRovera, the district’s math administrator, said one of the district’s goals is to increase family engagement. “Why not start, then, with our families who may be with us for another 12 years?” he added.
Amy Cosciello, principal of Mead School, said it was “a great community feeling.” She said some children were waiting for them to arrive. “The kids were so excited. We could hear them yelling, ‘Our teachers are here.’”

Contributed Photo
Dr. DiBacco, Len Duffus, Steve Bergin and Amanda Bartone meet a new student on her front porch!
Dr. DiBacco said families received prior notification of the visit through the use of the district’s automated calling system. All staff and volunteers wore light green t‑shirts, with “Ansonia Kindergarten Canvas” written on them.
In addition to Dr. DiBacco, 24 staff members and community volunteers participated in the Kindergarten Canvas. Staff included 12 teachers, of which five were kindergarten teachers; 10 administrators, and three community volunteers. Dr. DiBacco said he plans to make this an annual event.
“Being a product of Ansonia, it touched my heart to see these families and the smiles on the faces of their children,” LaRovera said. “It also brought our teachers together; they had fun! The Kindergarten Canvas was a creative way of saying, ‘Welcome to Ansonia.’”