Victoria Lorusso

The market is really starting to heat up and it feels great! I have 2 signed contracts today, offers on 2 of three condos and serious interest in the third. Looks like it's going to be a great second half of the year. How's your market?

Healthy Alternatives to Asbestos a Priority for Connecticut Home Owners

Used in millions of homes and buildings built prior to 1980, many civilians are still being exposed to asbestos in public facilities, restaurants, schools, shipyards and other industrial locations. As one of the small states in the country, it is ironic that Connecticut is one of the largest in terms of asbestos exposure risks. There are an estimated 600 locations in the state that have been known exposure sites. All of the known exposure sites occurred in the cities of Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield. There are many things to consider in the real estate industries.

Asbestos is often in old fireproofing, roofing, vinyl flooring, pipe and boiler insulation, and some roads and cement pipe and cement sheet products. Citizens of Connecticut should be aware that when purchasing or remodeling older homes, exposure to asbestos may potentially become a health concern.

Although exposure to asbestos does not always lead to related illnesses, frequent exposure greatly increases those odds. Asbestos exposure can cause a severe lung ailment known as malignant mesothelioma. This rare form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for nearly three percent of all cancer diagnoses in the country. Mesothelioma treatment is unfortunately almost always unsuccessful and physician prognosis is poor. There were 498 fatalities relating to asbestos in Connecticut between 1979 and 1999. Of those deaths, 249 can be attributed to mesothelioma. Needless to say, the mesothelioma survival rate is discouraging news to anyone who gets this cancer.

The removal of asbestos must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are specially trained in handling hazardous materials. It is highly recommended that those who believe they live or work in an area where asbestos are found to leave it undisturbed. Contractors come equipped with protective gear in case its fibers become airborne immediately after it is broken up.

The removal of hazardous materials must be performed by an abatement contractor who is trained and licensed in handling toxic substances. The Connecticut Department of Public Health administers an asbestos program that aims to reduce potential exposure to asbestos. Found in over 3,000 products in the state, they provide assistance in the safe inspection, removal and disposal of asbestos-contaminated areas by following state regulations.

With increasing technology and public initiatives, green alternatives exist which allow for an asbestos free environment. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. These asbestos alternatives will not only reduce energy costs, but allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials. To start your search for a home now, go to www.HomesofFairfieldCounty.com

S tamford's magnet schools offer educational choices to parents through innovative programs of theme-based instruction. While the programs at the magnet schools are described briefly here, more details on each program are available from the individual schools.

There are 12 elementary schools in Stamford. Four of these schools - Hart, International School at Rogers Magnet, Toquam and Westover - are magnet schools. These schools enroll students from all parts of Stamford by a lottery process. The other eight elementary schools enroll students based on residence.

There are also 5 middle schools in Stamford. One of these schools - Scofield - is a magnet school. This school enrolls students from the 4 middle schools by a lottery process.

Out of the three Stamford high schools, AITE (Academy of Information Technology & Engineering) is an Interdistrict Magnet High School attracting students not only from Stamford but also from the surrounding towns and communities.

Read on to see frequently asked questions about these programs.

Here you can find the answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stamford's Magnet Schools, Admission procedures, and Lottery process.

• 1. What is the purpose of the Magnet Schools?
  By Stamford Board of Education policy, the magnet schools exist to help the school district manage enrollment, balance and to provide educational choices for parents.
• 2. What is the difference between Magnet and Districted schools?
  The magnet schools enroll students from all parts of Stamford; the districted schools enroll students from designated attendance areas. All magnet and districted schools implement a state mandated curriculum and teach to the CT State Standards in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
• 3. How do students apply to the magnet schools?
  A parent applies for admission to the magnet school(s) by completing an application provided at orientation meetings held at the magnet schools. The Research Office manages the application process.
  
  Parents may apply to one or more magnet schools but are required to rank their choices. Admission to each of the magnet schools is treated independently. A child receives a lottery number for each of the magnet schools for which an application is made. A lottery number will either admit a student to a magnet school or place the student on a waiting list. Once a parent accepts a seat in a magnet school, the child's name will be withdrawn from the waiting lists of other magnet schools to which he/she applied.
• Timeline for applications?
  All applications for the 2009-10 school year are due by 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009. Applications are available at the magnet schools at the orientation meetings. Completed applications should be returned to the magnet schools. Within three weeks of parents' filing magnet applications, the Research and Evaluation Office mails letters home to parents to let them know that their applications have been received.
  
  For the Elementary Magnet Schools:
  
  On Tuesday, March 24, 2009 lottery numbers will be drawn. By the second week of April, letters will be mailed to invite students to the magnet schools. Parents will have until Monday, April 20 to respond.
  
  For Scofield Magnet Middle School:
  
  On Monday March 23, 2009, lottery numbers will be drawn. By the first week in April, letters will be mailed to invite students to Scofield Magnet Middle School. Parents have until Friday, April 10 to respond.
  
  Is it necessary to come to the lottery drawing?
  
  No, parents can also learn their child's lottery number by calling the Research Office at 977-4198 or 977-4201 after the lottery drawing.

4. How does the lottery process work for the elementary magnet schools?
Student applications are divided into two groups - Educationally Disadvantaged and Educationally Non-Disadvantaged. Educationally Disadvantaged students: For the Elementary Magnet Schools:

• Are Eligible for the federal lunch program or
• Are English language learners or
• Reside in income restricted housing.

Selection for magnet school admission is based on a lottery number as well as category considerations. This combination enables the district to regulate enrollment and balance. The order of admission by category is described below: I. Students residing in the attendance area of a magnet school II. Students with a brother or sister in the magnet school III. Students residing in the "preferred area" of a magnet school (streets close to a magnet school) IV. Students residing in the attendance area of a district school identified for "targeted admission" to the magnet schools V. All other students

What is the meaning "targeted admission" to the magnet schools?

"Targeted admission" is offered to incoming kindergarteners from district schools with enrollments that are expected to exceed school capacity. In this way, "targeted admission" is used to anticipate potential crowding. By February 15, the Superintendent will advise the Board of Education of the need for "targeted admission" for 2009-10. Parents of incoming kindergarteners will be informed of which elementary schools, if any, have "targeted admission" status for the coming school year.

5. Do all students have the same chance for admission to a magnet school?

No. The lottery process is controlled and works with specified enrollment categories, as described above. For example, a student from a district school identified for "targeted admission" will be accepted to a magnet school before students with lower (i.e. better) lottery numbers from district schools not identified for "targeted admission."

Also, students residing in the attendance area of a magnet or district school will likely remain in their assigned schools if their departure will create imbalance. By February 15, restrictions on admission of students from selected schools to the magnet schools will be determined and announced

6. How does the process work for Scofield Magnet Middle School?
Seats to Scofield Magnet Middle School are proportionately allowed to Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, and Turn of River. In addition, student applications are divided into two groups. Educationally Disadvantaged and Educationally Advantaged as described above. There are therefore eight lottery lists for Scofield - an Educationally Advantaged and Educationally Disadvantaged list for each of the four districted middle schools. Students are selected from the eight lotery lists to fill 210 seats in the sixth grade at Scofield. Students are added in grades 7th and 8th as space becomes available.

I wish I had a very clear answer but lacking the crystal ball I can only tell you what I know and am experiencing. The huge projected job loss for Fiarfield County this quarter has everyone on edge. And it's very real. Are we at the bottom? Could these job losses create many more foreclosures? The answer I believe is yes, and yes. We won't reallly know we hit bottom until we are on the way back up and I think that's very close. What I am seeing by tracking closely our internet sites is that we have alot of pent up demand, horses at the gate so to speak, with smart money ready to spend on real estate. So, recognizing the great deals out there, this pent up demand may readily absorb the new supply thus stalling any fiurther sharp decline. I have never in my 15 years of real estate seen so many amazing buys in real estate. If you are thinking about jumping in, stop thinking and get to it. I wouldn't advise sizing down right now but the opportunities to size up or take on investment property are huge. Curious? Call me and let's talk about what your opportunities might be! 203-324-9600.

Start your opportunity search now by going to www.HomesofFairfieldCounty.com