TOPS Events Provide Entertainment For All Grades
By Katherine M., Blue Team

Beyond just simple academics, the Darien community offers loads of extra-curricular activities. One of the most widely known is TOPS, a program supported by the Depot.

TOPS stands for “Teen Options.” Anyone from Middlesex can join; it's open to all 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th graders. In order to do TOPS, however, there is paperwork that needs to be filled out and signed by a parent.

Members can either pay everything up front or sign in at the door for each activity. Joining is simple and can be done online by going to the Middlesex website and selecting the TOPS option.

There are different events for each grade that take place throughout the year. They include dances, bowling, the movies, and swimming. At the end of the school year, everyone is allowed to go to the Hindley Happening the Friday night before it is open to the rest of the public.

For those who are interested in participating, here is a calendar of events:

TOPS 6th Grade Events

October 27th	Bowling Party	3:30 - 5:00 PM	Rip Van Winkle ( Norwalk )
January 26th	Gym and Swim Night	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Darien YMCA
March 2nd	Clash Bash Party	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
April 27th	My Three Sons	6:30 - 8:30 PM	My Three Sons ( Norwalk )
May 11th	Hindley Fair Night	5:00 - 6:30 PM	Hindley School

TOPS 7th Grade Events

October 20th	Fall Fun Dance	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
November 6th	Movie	4:00 PM	Darien Playhouse
December 1st	Mistletoe Magic	7:00 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
March 15th	Ice Skating Party	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Twin Rinks ( Stamford )
April 27th	Spring Fling	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
May 11th	Hindley Fair Night	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Hindley School

TOPS 8th Grade Events

September 22nd	Beach Party	6:30 - 8:00 PM	Weed Beach
November 3rd	Oldies Night	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
December 1st	Mistletoe Magic	7:00 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
February 9th	Valentine's Dance	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Town Hall Gym
March 15th	Ice Skating Party	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Twin Rinks ( Stamford )
May 11th	Hindley Fair Night	7:30 - 9:00 PM	Hindley School