Weekly News Jan. 9 - Jan. 13
January 17, 2017It's been another busy week in Hartford and I'm pleased to say that I have great news to share! This past Tuesday, I attended a meeting at Middletown Adult Education focused on Family Centered Learning for the 2Gen initiative. Pictured with me is Sarah Dudzic from Moveup!, To read more about Moveup! and their support the Greater Hartford Two Generation Pilot Project for School and Workforce Readiness, click here.
On Wednesday, I visited Hockanum School in East Hartford for the grand opening of their two-generation program hub site. This program will help 30 low-income families in East Hartford obtain the services necessary to receive quality early childhood education and workforce readiness. The program also assists with the attainment of high school diplomas or professional certifications, job placement, access to high-quality educational programs for children and development of new technology to assist families in meeting their educational and workforce goals.To read more about this East Hartford program, click here.
Sarah Dudzik, CT 2Gen Program Director; Richard Sussman, Director of the Early Childhood Investments; Heather Petit, Special Projects Coordinator Commission on Women, Children and Seniors; me; Veronica Rosario; Jamal Jimerson, Hartford Region 2Gen Program Manager, Nate Quesnel, East Hartford Superintendent of School
On Thursday, I attended the Working Cities Challenge forum meeting at Silver Lane Elementary School.This challenge is a grant competition that is designed to spark collaboration to improve the lives of people in mid-size cities in New England. and I am proud to say that East Hartford is focusing this opportunity on the Silver Lane neighborhood, including the Summerfield Townhouse.
Nate Quesnel, Superintendent; me; Marcia Leclerc, Mayor; Bryan Hall, BOE Chair; Lt. Josh Litwin, Executive Officer EHPD
Last week, I attended South Windsor's Board of Education meeting, where officials discussed updates for the 10-Year Elementary Facilities Master Plan, which will ultimately result in four new safe, engaging elementary schools being built.
The picture below shows the most up to date progress of the new Orchard Hill Elementary School, the first to be built in the 10-year plan! To view more pictures click here or visit the school's Facebook page: Support South Windsor Schools.
As part of the 10-year plan, Wapping School closed at the end of the 2016 school year. There will be new school assignments for those students in the Wapping District. Below is a map of some of these new assignments.To learn more about the redistricting or view more maps, click here.
EAST HARTFORD:
Experience Raymond Library's new creative work space on Tuesday, January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Share your art and connect with local artists at this open mic night! Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 1. Call 860-290-4329 for more information. This event is free and open to the public to attend.
To view the entire calendar of town events, click here.
SOUTH WINDSOR:
The South Windsor Human Relations Commission invites photographers of all ages to enter a community photo competition. An exhibition of all entries will be held at the South Windsor Public Library. To view the contest rules, submission details and prizes, click here.
The South Windsor Town Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 17 at South Windsor Town Hall in the Council Chambers at 7 p.m. To view a copy of the Town Managers Report, click here.
To view the entire calendar of town events, click here.
MANCHESTER:
The town's 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Celebration will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Manchester High School (Bailey Auditorium). The theme for this year’s celebration, “LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!” addresses Dr. King’s belief that “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” This event is free and open to the public. Any comments or questions, please contact the Manchester Youth Service Bureau at (860) 647-5262.
To view the entire calendar of town events, click here.
IN THE NEWS
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy announced on Monday the launch of his "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Challenge." Murphy has invited elementary, middle, and high school students from across Connecticut to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by submitting essays that reflect on Dr. King's dream and their own aspirations. You can find out more information here, but hurry the deadline to submit is January 16!
Cigna is one of many insurers and doctor groups taking steps to combat prescription drug abuse, which has become a crisis in Connecticut and nationwide. I am glad to see our insurers and doctors’ groups working to curb opioid abuse. We have more to do on this issue this legislative session. To read more about what Cigna is doing to combat prescription drug abuse, click here.
An annual ranking from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rated Connecticut among the top ten energy-efficient states in the country! Connecticut was noted for its financial incentives and energy efficiency investments. I have always supported programs that help your family or business switch to renewable energy and will continue to do so in the future.
South Windsor's based Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. (OPM), a leading advanced materials and additive manufacturing company, has been selected to manufacture 3D-printed structures for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. This spacecraft is designed to transport crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit destinations like the International Space Station. To learn more about the work OPM is doing on the Starline spacecraft, click here.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Monday:
31st Annual CT Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Reception and Awards Presentation LOBBYN, 11 a.m.
Wednesday:
House Session, House Chambers, 11a m.
Thursday:
CWCS: Trafficking in Persons Council Meeting, LOB 1B, 10 a.m.
To view a whole list of CGA meetings, click here.