It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic North Haven Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in North Haven, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael,”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. ”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. ”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael, Michael has now been caring for my Dad for a few months now, totally reliable and such a peace of mind for the family that he's there. Dad just loves him. I don't think we could have found a better fit for Dad. Michael cares about Dad as if he was family. Thank you for making this time in Dad's life so much happier and giving his family such peace of mind. Linda Lee”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation was quite desperate when I contacted them to provide a live in care giver for my mother in law. Denise, more than understood our situation when I called. I contacted ABC earlier in the day and by evening, she was at my mother in law’s home and matched us with a wonderful care giver! Rosina immediately bonded with my mother in law!! The professionalism and compassion Rosina showed was beyond measure. She never left her side and kept us well informed as my mother in law was unfortunately and quickly approaching end of life…..Rosina even stayed with us through the process as my mother in law left her home one last time…….Much Appreciation from The Cotrona Family!!”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. Sky and Ruth were amazing, patient, kind, and caring with my father during a very difficult time at the end of his life. I know my dad appreciated it, and the entire family says a big "THANK YOU" for the tremendous care that you provided. Having your help made things so much easier on my mother and the family.”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano and to witness the care, attention and professionalism she provides to her clients. Cynthia represents her company with pride and truly provides services to her clients with their needs above all else. Anyone in need of services for their loved one will be fortunate, pleased and grateful to work with Cynthia Montano and Always Best Care.”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She is very caring and understanding with my 94 year old single uncle. Not an easy job , but she is able to help him in so many ways. Carol is very reliable, trust worthy, and compassionate. We are lucky to have her! I would also like to give Tia in the office a huge compliment! She is really on her game if an issue comes up she is on top of things. It is hard to find good help, she foresee problems and handles things efficiently. Our experience has been very positive!”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate Yolanda. She comes to our home weekly for light cleaning and she is a breath of fresh air. Every Friday she brightens our home with her presence. Yolanda also does a wonderful job taking care Of our home. Please let her know how much we appreciate her. Brad Nelson”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I have ever worked with my husband is disabled and she is so kind and treats him and both of us like family. She makes sure he eats properly cleans, and spend special time with my husband. You are very, very lucky to have such a great worker I know because I work with other agencies for my mother and you can’t find someone who cares for someone like Nellie does. She should be recognized and rewarded for her efforts. She is never late never calls and is always positive and friendly. I look forward to seeing her every day and consider her family, thank you Beth and Scott Albertson”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for their loved ones. Within 1 hour of initial contact, Denise was at my home to gain an understanding of my needs. The very next day, Sharon began working with me and I couldn't be more pleased. Sharon is friendly and helpful and I will miss her now that I no longer need home care services. If you are looking for a home care agency that assures skilled aides and good communication and oversight, look no further than Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. Angela , my mom's home health aid has been so patient and caring - just what we were hoping and looking for! Would highly recommend!!”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our prayers ????”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to my brother and me in helping us transition our mother from independent to assisted living. Cynthia educated us about the various “models” of assisted living communities in an effort to ascertain the appropriate level of support required for our mom. She was sensitive to finances and lifestyle preference. Cynthia has a network of relationships among assisted living facilities, and always did hands on research before presenting us with options to tour. She is truly a professional. Cynthia has generously made herself available to brainstorm, as we begin to think about eventual next steps. Thank you, Cynthia.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things I can't do, they help me. I like that they are prompt and always on time.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always Best Care provides!”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly the kindest, caring, compassionate competent care giver there is. You’ve treated my father and my whole family with a loving heart. We will forever be grateful for making this difficult time easier. We love having you a part of our family.”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him from being depressed and she's always asking if he took his medications. I would like to see more consistent communication.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling and checking in on us. I like that they're always able to find someone for us.”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on vacation, they reached out to me. I like their caregivers they send.”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There were a few bumps in the road, but we have hit the jackpot with two of our caregivers. Melissa Pericas and Jordene have been amazing! My mother has been struggling with having strangers in her home and letting someone else take care of her husband, but these two lovely women have melded into the family and put her completely at ease. They are both very experienced and are doing and amazing job. My mom is able to put the caregiving into their capable hands and focus on being his wife and spend valuable time with him. These ladies both deserve 5 stars!! I rated the agency with 4 stars because we had some scheduling issues in the beginning and had one caregiver that was problematic, but he was removed from our schedule as soon as I reported the issue.”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional. She quickly became a family member and friend.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting better. He is happier than he has ever been. I like that they are very responsive.”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and us with this transition process. She has been wonderful explaining everything. If we had questions or just needed to talk about what is going on with the parents she was there to help. She goes above and beyond. She has help us tremendously. I feel blessed for having Cynthia during this time. Our family would like to say thank you for everything. We couldn't have done it without her.”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is what we call her. Shay is a life saver without her I'll be running like a chicken with my head cut off. She has stepped in and saved the day numerous times between changing her schedule to work with ours, to even making sure Steve visits his wife grave. We appreciate her please don't take her from us steve would be devastated. She's amazing”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hansen Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ludal's Italian Restaurant or visit Pines Bridge Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in North Haven, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in North Haven, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in North Haven, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
NORTH HAVEN— The new Bubbakoo's Burritos, a fast-casual restaurant chain that infuses a Mexican-style menu with American-inspired flavors, has officially opened inside the North Haven Crossing shopping center.The restaurant is locally owned and operated by Hiren Patel, a multi-unit operator who recently opened the Meriden location, according to a press release. It officially opened at 410 Universal D Store #01B on Sept. 26.“Following the excitement of our Meriden opening, we’re thrilled to be expanding just so...
NORTH HAVEN— The new Bubbakoo's Burritos, a fast-casual restaurant chain that infuses a Mexican-style menu with American-inspired flavors, has officially opened inside the North Haven Crossing shopping center.
The restaurant is locally owned and operated by Hiren Patel, a multi-unit operator who recently opened the Meriden location, according to a press release. It officially opened at 410 Universal D Store #01B on Sept. 26.
“Following the excitement of our Meriden opening, we’re thrilled to be expanding just south in North Haven,” said Patel in the press release. “This community is a great fit for the Bubbakoo’s experience, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to enjoy the creativity and flavor the brand is known for.”
This is the brand’s sixth location in the state. The Mexican fusion chain opened its first Connecticut location in Orange in January 2023 and gained momentum, opening in Norwalk, Stamford and Oxford then after.
“The North Haven opening marks another strong step for our growth in Connecticut,” said Bubbakoo’s Burritos CEO Chris Ives in the press release. “Building on the success in Meriden, this location gives us the chance to share our creative menu and commitment to hospitality with even more guests nearby.”
Customers can build their meal with fresh ingredients and a wide variety of options. The classic menu offerings include the newly renamed papi hibachi (hibachi-style steak and shrimp) burrito, saucy snack wraps, the Nashville burrito, the crispy buffalo chicken quesadilla and more, according to the press release.
The New Jersey-based company was founded in 2008 by Paul Altero and Bill Hart. Bubbakoo’s Burritos currently has over 130 locations across 16 states. The company says it will continue to open new restaurants in neighborhoods "where they can build bridges with residents" as the opportunities arise.
Four schools have been named as CT Blue Ribbon Schools, which was created after the Trump administration terminated the national program.NORTH HAVEN, CT — A North Haven elementary school is among the four public schools to receive the newly established Connecticut Blue Ribbon Schools distinction.In response to the Trump administration’s recent termination of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday that the Connecticut State Department of Education was establishing the Connecticu...
NORTH HAVEN, CT — A North Haven elementary school is among the four public schools to receive the newly established Connecticut Blue Ribbon Schools distinction.
In response to the Trump administration’s recent termination of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday that the Connecticut State Department of Education was establishing the Connecticut Blue Ribbon Schools Program to “continue the tradition of recognizing and highlighting schools that are excelling in academic success.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program had “honored and celebrated the top performing schools across the United States” for more than four decades before being terminated by the Trump administration, according to Lamont.
Four Connecticut public schools have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the honor. Each of the schools were nominated by Connecticut State Department of Education earlier this year for the national program before USDE announced that it was being discontinued, according to a news release.
The honorees include:
“Congratulations to this year’s honorees on earning this well-deserved distinction, which highlights the extraordinary teaching and learning taking place every day in their classrooms,” Lamont said. “I also want to thank Commissioner (Charlene) Russell-Tucker for ensuring that this important recognition continues here in Connecticut, even as the federal program has come to a close, so that we can honor and uplift the great work happening in our schools.”
Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner (CSDE) Charlene Russell-Tucker said, “This announcement provides the opportunity to highlight what is possible when educators, students, families, and communities work together effectively. Their collective efforts serve as the foundation for student success.”
Read more from the news release below:
CSDE used data from the Next Generation Accountability System to nominate schools for the award. Current recipients were nominated based on 2023-2024 accountability results. All selected schools in Connecticut were designated as Schools of Distinction. There are two categories of schools for this award: Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Three of Connecticut’s four schools earning the Connecticut Blue Ribbon School award were identified in both categories.
Green Acres Elementary School (North Haven) – Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing
Green Acres is one of four elementary schools in North Haven. There are 404 students enrolled in Grades PK through 5. About 40% of students are students with high needs. In 2023-2024, the school earned an overall accountability index of 85.6, the highest value earned by this school since 2015-2016. The accountability system includes subject performance indices (SPI) for English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. The SPI target for all schools and student groups is 75, which is an indication that on average students are performing solidly in the desired achievement level. In 2023-2024, Green Acres students exceeded SPI targets for the all students group in ELA, math, and science. Students with high needs are closing in and achieving at least 95% of the SPI target in all subjects. Given the strong overall performance and particularly strong growth in ELA, Green Acres earned School of Distinction status for three consecutive years.
Green Acres credits their success to collaboration and consistency. They work to build and maintain strong partnerships among students, families, teachers, administrators, curriculum coordinators and instructional coaches. These relationships have supported the challenging shift toward a structured literacy approach to instruction. Each day there is an instructional routine that gives students what they need. Students requiring extra support are provided Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) services by interventionists while classroom teachers and coaches are providing targeted instruction and enrichment to small groups of students. Interventionists and classroom teachers monitor student progress carefully and communicate results to parents regularly. The process is designed to be fluid so that students can enter and exit support as needed.
House of Arts, Letters, and Science (HALS) Academy (New Britain) – Exemplary High Performing
HALS Academy is a small middle school serving 152 gifted and high-achieving students from New Britain. This school enrolls students in Grades 6-8, more than half of whom are eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Students at HALS have demonstrated consistently high performance over many years, earning HALS School of Distinction status every year since 2016-2017.
The school’s accountability index, which is a percentage of possible points earned, was 87.9 in 2023-2024, the highest index value for the school since 2015-2016. The accountability index value is driven in part by mathematics, English language arts, and science achievement that exceeds the state target for all students and students with high needs. Academic growth in mathematics also was its strongest to date in 2023-2024 with students on average achieving nearly 90 percent of their growth targets. Finally, less than 3% of students were chronically absent, a rate lower than every year reported for this school since 2016-2017.
HALS Academy meets the needs of their middle school learners by creating a small learning community where students feel increasingly connected to the staff and their peers during their time at HALS. To this end, educators loop with their students, meaning teachers follow their students through the middle school grades. This allows teachers and students to forge strong relationships and avoid some of the transitions experienced by students during this important time. The counseling office is situated in the middle of the main hallway providing visibility and accessibility for all students. School counselors work in partnership with the social worker and school-based health center staff to support the whole student, creating the conditions for students to reach their full potential.
Gildersleeve School (Portland) – Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing
Gildersleeve School serves Portland’s 253 students enrolled in Grades 2-4. Forty-three percent of students are considered students with high needs, defined as students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and/or from low-income families. This school was identified as a Focus school in 2018-2019 based on mathematics growth for their students with high needs. Since that time, academic growth in mathematics and English language arts for all students and students with high needs has increased significantly. The school credits this success to professional learning teams formed with the purpose of refining instruction and implementing evidence-based strategies to meet the academic needs of all students. This has led to Gildersleeve’s identification as a School of Distinction in multiple categories in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
The Gildersleeve community also tends to the social-emotional development of their students. Each month, there is a whole-school assembly led by students that introduces a new social-emotional learning (SEL) topic. These monthly meetings are the springboard for weekly SEL classes led by the school social worker and reinforced by classroom teachers throughout their lessons. The Gildersleeve mascot is a bee. Students earn “Way to Bee” cards for demonstrating SEL skills during their daily interactions with peers. The program fosters positive behaviors and a strong sense of belonging. Gildersleeve students want to be in school, and the data support that. Chronic absenteeism rates improved from 13.3% in 2021-2022 to 3% in 2023-2024.
Weston Intermediate School (Weston) – Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing
Weston Intermediate School (WIS) enrolls 478 students in Grades 3 through 5. Approximately 18% of students are students with high needs. The school’s accountability index of 88.5 in 2023-2024 was the highest recorded for WIS since 2015-2016. For three consecutive years, WIS has been identified as a School of Distinction, but 2023-2024 was a particularly strong year with WIS earning School of Distinction status in all possible categories. In terms of academic achievement for all students, the school exceeded the SPI target of 75 in ELA, math, and science, and the trendlines are on an upward trajectory post-pandemic. Students with high needs earned their highest SPIs in ELA and mathematics compared to all previous years.
The data suggest that WIS students are thriving. The expert educators of WIS believe that “students thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” In every classroom, teachers emphasize student voice and the student’s active role in learning. This is evident in the high degree of choice students have when selecting books to read and topics to research. In mathematics, students are at the heart of problem-solving with teachers serving as facilitators who encourage rich discussions. Science lessons are inquiry-driven and unit design for social studies prioritizes student curiosity, engagement, and voice. WIS describes what sets their school apart as their “commitment to innovative and creative programs that enhance the educational experience” while valuing student interest.
In prior years, schools that received the National Blue Ribbon award would have attended a convening in Washington, D.C. to celebrate their accomplishments with the USDE secretary and exchange ideas with educators from across the country. Though such a national convening will not occur, CSDE will instead host an awards recognition and celebration luncheon for the four schools on Oct. 8 in North Haven.
The 2025 Connecticut high school football season continues with a non-conference matchup as the North Haven Nighthawks face off against the Southington Blue Knights on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The game will take place at Southington High School in Southington, CT, with both teams eager to start their season on a high note.? Matchup: North Haven (CT) vs Southington (CT)? Date & Time: Sa...
The 2025 Connecticut high school football season continues with a non-conference matchup as the North Haven Nighthawks face off against the Southington Blue Knights on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The game will take place at Southington High School in Southington, CT, with both teams eager to start their season on a high note.
? Matchup: North Haven (CT) vs Southington (CT)
? Date & Time: Saturday, August 30, 2025 – 2:00 PM
? Location: Southington High School, Southington, CT
? Live Coverage:
Follow live scores on MaxPreps
Fans can attend in person by purchasing digital tickets on GoFan or stream the action live on the NFHS Network (subscription: $13.99/month or $79.99/year).
North Haven enters the game ranked #1,438 nationally, #7 in Connecticut, and #1 in their class. After a strong opening win, the Nighthawks are looking to continue their momentum and improve to 2-0.
? 2025 Record: 1-0
? National Rank: #1,438
? State Rank: #7 (CT)
? Class Rank: #1
? Strengths: High-powered offense, strong defense
? Key to Win: Maintain offensive consistency and shut down Southington’s attack
Southington enters the season ranked #3,307 nationally, #26 in Connecticut, and #6 in their class. With their season opener ahead, the Blue Knights are eager to make a statement and prove themselves against a tough opponent in North Haven.
? 2025 Record: 0-0
? National Rank: #3,307
? State Rank: #26 (CT)
? Class Rank: #6
? Strengths: Strong team cohesion, balanced offensive attack
? Key to Win: Execute a solid game plan and capitalize on home-field advantage
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Class Rank | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Haven Nighthawks | 1,438 | 7 (CT) | 1 | 1-0 | 73 | 28 |
| Southington Blue Knights | 3,307 | 26 (CT) | 6 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
The North Haven native is opening a shop where musicians can not only buy, sell, trade, & get repairs, but also hang out & chat about music.NORTH HAVEN, CT — Long before he became a musician, Andre Roman used to ride his bike around his hometown of North Haven, past the green and the small row of shops lining Linsley Street.Many years and bands and guitars later, Roman is opening a shop where musicians can not only buy, sell, trade, and get their guitars and amps repaired, but also hang out and chat about music....
NORTH HAVEN, CT — Long before he became a musician, Andre Roman used to ride his bike around his hometown of North Haven, past the green and the small row of shops lining Linsley Street.
Many years and bands and guitars later, Roman is opening a shop where musicians can not only buy, sell, trade, and get their guitars and amps repaired, but also hang out and chat about music.
The shop, Roman Electric Guitars, located at 4B Linsley St. in North Haven, will open its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday. Its proprietor is hoping it fulfills his lifelong dream of having his own storefront while offering musicians a new place to recreate some old-time vibes.
While the shop itself is brand new, the idea for the shop has been percolating in Roman’s mind for quite some time.
“It was always there in the back of my head for years how cool it would be to have a store,” he said, especially one in his hometown. Earlier this year, he was driving down Linsley with his mother and said to her, “You know if I was ever to have a store, those little spots would be perfect.” Two weeks later they were driving by once again and saw a sign on the door of the former North Haven Shoe Repair shop that said “business closed.” Soon after Roman was touring the space and then renting it. Renovations proceeded with the help of a multitude of family and friends to update what was needed while retaining some of the charm of the previous shop.
Stocking the store with gear was not an issue in the least.
“I’ve hoarded instruments forever,” said Roman with a laugh. “I’ve always had way too many, but not enough.”
Ant Reckart — Roman’s bandmate in rock trio Pinto Graham and fellow guitar aficionado — will be co-curating the selection of primarily electric guitars (though there are also a few acoustic guitars currently available). Amps, pedals, strings, drum heads, and drum sticks will also be for sale.
The space will also operate as a full repair shop — any kind of instrument repair from set-ups to refrets to refinishing, according to Roman. Sean Hannah of Heavytone Amplifiers will be handling the shop’s amp repairs while Roman will be handling all of the guitar repairs with the goal of keeping it affordable as well as affable.
“We’re all musicians who were broke forever,” he said with a laugh, “so I want it to be a place that people can come and feel like we’re not pricing musicians out.”
The initial inventory consists of guitars from Roman and Reckart’s personal collections, and they want the shop experience to be personalized as well.
“We want musicians to come in here — local, traveling, touring — and be able to comfortably buy an instrument that’s play ready,” he said.
One of those instruments is a 1965 Harmony Rocket that Roman referred to as a “classic American-made guitar.”
“If a musician came in and played it they would say, ‘Wow, this is a great guitar.’ It plays great, sounds amazing, it’s just a great guitar,” he said.
Other guitars in the shop right now include Fenders, Gibsons, a Univox Hi-Flyer, and a “super rare” matching pair of guitars from 1972 by Hagstrom. The selection of amps available include Vox, Fender, Orange, and Ampeg. Roman plans on keeping a mixture of vintage and new pieces available and, judging by the amount of people who have already been contacting him about consigning, he thinks the inventory stay in rotation.
He wants to keep the consignment percentages “fair” and is also open to swaps.
“I’d rather people be happy with what we can give back to them,” he added.
Roman — who can currently be seen and heard around the New Haven area playing live with the bands Pinto Graham and The Danglers — got his first guitar at age 10. A Dinosaur Jr show with his father and brother a few years later — “I was like, that was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard,” he recalled — cemented his “total obsession” with guitars. After playing in a few bands in high school he ended up playing bass in Murdervan, a well-known and highly revered New Haven-based band that toured “a lot.” He honed his guitar repair skills while doing all of that touring, getting used to fixing “unpractical problems” with guitars on the spot with limited time to do so, getting better at it as he went along. It got to the point where people started bringing him their instruments to fix when he was home as well.
Living and working in New Haven also helped Roman develop long lasting friendships and connections in the local music community, specifically his job at now-closed Cutler’s record store where he worked for around 12 years, calling it an “amazing place to work” where “everyone was like family.”
“Working there introduced me to not only people in the New Haven music scene who then became lifelong friends, but to a world of music I hadn’t tapped into or even thought about at the age of 21 or 22,” he said.
Cutler’s was also where the seeds of the bands he played in were germinated.
“I was able to hang with people who had been around the scene for years, talking guitar, songwriting,” he said. “I’d get invited to jams, to fix people’s guitars…just being and living in New Haven at that time was super important to me.”
And speaking of jams, Roman is planning on hosting intimate live shows in the space, focusing on “acoustic, more mellow stuff” for now. The first of those is scheduled for Oct. 18 to celebrate the newest Ponybird album release with sets by Ponybird (aka Jennifer Dauphinais) and Lys Guillorn.
Roman is also interested in eventually hosting workshops where he can teach something like basic setups and/or instrument repair and maintenance.
“I’m grateful that people will pay people like me to do it [the repairs], but I think spreading the love is where it’s at,” he said. “It’s such a customized thing. We could have the same guitar, and I hand it to you and you would want it to feel different than I would.”
The shop will have a few non-instrument offerings as well. Musician Brian Harris, who also plays in the band Pinto Graham with Roman, will be curating a small selection of used vinyl. Roman has even put a call out to his visual artist friends with an interest in hanging some of their work on the walls along with the guitars. With the addition of records and art to browse, he hopes it helps make the shop a place where people want to spend time.
“We just like to sit around and BS about guitars,” Roman said. “If people want to do that, great. If people come in and want a set up and they have some time in the middle of the day, they can hang out here while I do it. I want people to be able to come in and feel comfortable.”
From the Dinosaur Jr playing in the background to the cozy sitting area near the entrance, it felt like Roman was already well on his way to making this spot a home not too far away from home.
Roman Electric Guitars has an Open House scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 30 from 12 to 4 p.m. They are conveniently located on the bus line and free street parking is available as well. More information about the shop and its offerings can be found on their Facebook and Instagram pages. A website is coming soon.
The New Haven Independent is a not-for-profit public-interest daily news site founded in 2005.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.This free event is open to students, healthcare professionals, individuals with disabilities, families and members of the public.Press releaseNORTH HAVEN – Quinnipiac University's Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education, in collaboration with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut, will host the first-ever Adaptive Sports and Recreation Exploration Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept....
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Press release
NORTH HAVEN – Quinnipiac University's Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education, in collaboration with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut, will host the first-ever Adaptive Sports and Recreation Exploration Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 6, on the North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Road.
This free event is open to students, healthcare professionals, individuals with disabilities, families and members of the public. The event highlights a wide range of adaptive sports and recreational opportunities available in Connecticut and encourages participation in inclusive and accessible physical activity.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the broad and exciting range of adaptive recreation options available in our area,” said Julie Booth, director of Quinnipiac’s Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education and clinical associate professor of physical therapy. “Think about it, whether you have a disability or not, what do sports and recreation do for you? It improves your health, but it also builds self-esteem, confidence and a sense of community. All those same benefits apply to people with challenges. This event helps make those opportunities visible and accessible.”
About a dozen vendors will be on site, including:
More Than WalkingGaylord Sports AssociationSpecial Olympics ConnecticutAdvanced Wheels (adaptive vans)Achilles International (adaptive running teams)LOF Adaptive SkiersA variety of fitness programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesThe event will feature:
Live demonstrations of wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugbySpecialized equipment will be on display, including specific sports wheelchairs.Sign-up opportunities for future recreation programs and eventsThe event will take place in several locations on Quinnipiac’s North Haven Campus, including Room SLE 401 on the fourth floor of the School of Law, the campus basketball court and the first floor of the parking garage.
Students from Quinnipiac’s adaptive sports and recreation course will also be volunteering as part of their interprofessional education training, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the event’s success.
“Adaptive sports are essential,” said Elizabeth Wescott, clinical associate professor of occupational therapy, who helped plan the event. “They promote empowerment and physical well-being, can help to build confidence, develop social connections and foster independence. As an occupational therapist, adaptive sports have played a huge role in many of my clients’ lives, and I am excited to share with our students the importance of advocating and educating their future clients on involvement in adaptive sports and recreation.”
Visitors can park in the parking garage and enter through the School of Law. Click here to register.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
203-269-1522
