Back to School, Labor Day, and more

August 30, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,
 
Happy Friday! And happiest first week of school to all our students across the district! I hope everyone has a wonderful year of learning new things, fostering passions, making new friends, and feeling supported and challenged.

Thank you also to all of our teachers who do the critical work of getting to know our children, what excites and challenges them, and fostering their love for learning. I’m so grateful for all you do to make our district so wonderful.

I appreciate the “A” rating from the CT Education Association for my record of working in collaboration with our educators and supporting them so that they can best serve our children every day. Working to improve our education system has been my life’s work and there is a lot of important work ahead.

I’m so excited to see all that the 2024-25 school year brings! Wishing all our students a very bright year ahead!
In this week's eblast, you can learn more about a discussion I had on our utilities and electric rates, our legislative internship program, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Labor Day
I want to start off by wishing you all a happy long weekend, and to celebrate Labor Day this Monday, Sept. 2.

Labor Day is a day to reflect on and thank all of the American workers who make our nation so strong. We have made great progress in crafting policies that protect working class residents in Connecticut and across the country, and I promise to continue advocating for this critical constituency. Thank you again for all you do, and happy Labor Day! 
 
Women's Equality Day
104 years ago this week, American women won the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, bringing us closer to living up to our Nation’s most fundamental values of dignity, fairness, freedom, and equality. 🇺🇸

On Women's Equality Day, we recognize the courage of generations of visionaries who fought tirelessly for the sacred cause of women’s suffrage and all those who continue to work toward a more equitable future for women and girls in America. 
 
"It's All in the Details" Discussion on Utilities
Thank you WICC600 and Paul Pacelli for having me on last week to discuss the problems with our utilities and work we can do to tackle these challenges. As a former policy analyst, getting into the weeds is my favorite and I’m grateful Paul was interested in going there with me.
 
You can listen to the entire interview HERE.
 
School Bus Safety

As students head back to school, let's all do our part to keep them safe!

Slow down in school zones, stop for buses, and stay alert. Safe driving in our community ensures our kids arrive at school and home safely.
 
International Overdose Awareness Day
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

Connecticut has dedicated many resources toward combatting this crisis in an effort to prevent, discourage, and destigmatize opioid addition. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services launched its LiveLOUD communications campaign in 2019 for those who are actively using fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids, as well as their families and communities, to learn about this complex issue, get connected to support and treatment options, and learn how to become a LiveLOUD partner to help spread awareness.

Addiction is a disease, and we should treat it as such without prejudice or judgement. Anyone seeking treatment for addiction can visit www.ctaddictionservices.com or call 1-800-563-4086 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to get connected to nearby services throughout Connecticut.
 
Apply for the Legislative Internship Program!

If you know a college student interested in getting a hands-on experience with our state government, then apply now for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program! The program allows students to get college credit while meeting face-to-face with legislators, learning about how the legislative process, taking part in a mock session in the House of Representatives, and so much more.

Learn More About the Internship Program
How to Apply
 

Here are some of the requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older by program start
  • Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
  • Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
  • Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
  • Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA
 
The application deadline is Friday, November 1.

 
 
Connecticut Youth Employment Program

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is an initiative designed to help young people ages 14 to 24 explore careers by providing opportunities to work alongside professionals who assist them in building career networks and receive on-the-job training while also covering participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work.

The program runs year-round. Youths who want to enroll can contact their region's Workforce Development Board by clicking HERE. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program webpage HERE.
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
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