Malloy Defends Education Reform Plan at Town Hall in Middletown

Middletown residents got a first-hand look at how heated the debate is over education reform when Gov. Dannel Malloy visited the city for a Town Hall meeting on Monday night hosted by Shiloh Baptist Church. Malloy proclaimed the education reform effort in Connecticut was similar to a modern-day version of the civil rights movement.

The NAACP sponsored the discussion on the education reform bill, which has completely taken over the Capitol this year. The church was packed to the brim with engaged and concerned citizens looking for Malloy to further explain and defend his reformation bill, a task he took to with great vigor from his opening speech onward. The governor opened by highlighting how the poor scores of Middletown students on standardized tests reflected the humongous gap between the highest and lowest performing schools in Connecticut communities. Malloy then stated, “I am putting everything into reforming our education system. It would have been easier not to do anything about this issue. For a long time it was not on the hot burner.”

After State NAACP President Scott X.Esadaile opened the meeting, speakers were able to directly converse with the public and Malloy about the bill. In front of a crowd made up of both parents and influential people in education and the NAACP, a number of thought-provoking exchanges occurred.

NAACP Education Committee Chairman Dr. Benjamin Foster Jr. spoke on how he hoped the bill could promote more culturally relevant education, a viewpoint strongly supported by the crowd. “Teachers need to receive cross-cultural training and learn to use teaching material which is more culturally relevant,” Foster Jr. said. “Having this as elements of the bill would make it more cogent and relevant.”

Malloy largely agreed with the importance of cultural sensitivity between teachers and students and said he hoped to have teachers obtain professional, post-graduate training, similar to the programs Stamford teachers received when he was the city’s mayor.

Some of the town hall’s conversations were not so civil. Hamden High School Principal Gary Highsmith suggested the proposed bill was not supported by substantial research or studies, and argued that the bill should feature less reliance on standardized tests which placed undue accountability on teachers.

“It has been my experience that in absence of data,” stated Highsmith “people fall back on “let’s disband the unions” or “fire all the teachers”…or they attempt to vilify teachers. There is no evidence that dismantling collective bargaining will lead to improved student learning.”

Malloy took no time to counter Highsmith. He stated that the state was not taking away collective bargaining for teachers and pointed out that the Connecticut Education Association had agreed too much of the reform proposals they were now fighting. Malloy then broadcast one of his central messages of the reform debate.

“Accepting failure is not acceptable,” he said. “Why should we invest in schools that are going to continue to fail? You have to get out of the box because what’s in the box isn’t working.”

The dialogue between Malloy and Highsmith focused on two of the bill’s most significant components. Under the governor’s proposed bill, $39.5 million out of the $50 million for school funding would go to the 30-lowest performing schools in Connecticut. Malloy has repeatedly said he desires to have a multi-certification process for teachers, where they would keep the one certification they already have, but in which the most exceptional teachers would be recognized with additional certifications.

The second recurring theme of the night was the question of how much parental involvement could and should shape the performance of students, and the extent to which the voices of parents have been heard in the shaping of the reform bill. Attorney and NAACP member Michael Jefferson spoke on behalf of more parental involvement. He cited studies which claimed that family involvement had a larger effect on the performance of disadvantaged students than any one measure a school could take. Jefferson was extremely concerned with his belief that the governor and those shaping the bills had set out to blame and bash teachers. These observations set off a passionate reaction from Malloy.

“If you are intimating that I’m bashing teachers, you’re dead wrong,” he stated. “They (teacher unions) celebrated the bill on their website.” He then went on to say that the CEA did not inform their members of certification and tenure reforms in the bill, a statement which drew a sustained clamor from the crowd.

The governor said that he cannot mandate parental involvement but that there are ways for schools to work with parents in promoting it. For example, Malloy suggested schools should have open houses on weekends or holidays to accommodate the schedules of working parents. By doing this, parents can have a greater opportunity to be involved in their children’s education.

Capitol Prepatory Magnet School Principal Dr. Steve Perry concluded the town hall by fervently defending the reform bill while urging Malloy to remain devoted to reforming education.

“It’s not about charters, it’s about options,” he stated. “If there’s a choice and no one chooses my school, then shut it down. We lock these kids in these schools to die and then blame them for the deaths they die. Don’t let people squabbling other adult comfort get in your way. Go harder.”

FREE SCREENING AT MxCC OF “A CRUDE AWAKENING: THE OIL CRASH” ON APRIL 16 - MxCC President Signs Climate Commitment

Middlesex Community College kicks off Earth Week with a free screening of the 2007 film, “A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash," at 11 a.m. in Chapman Hall, Room 808 C&D.  The film discusses “how our civilization’s addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with geology,” and suggests we need to completely “re-imagine and overhaul our industrial society.”   Immediately following the film, MxCC President Dr. Anna Wasescha will officially sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.  A Peak Oil panel discussion will follow.  Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to Chapman Hall.

Catales Spring Fundraising Events

Spencer, a kitten at C.A.T.A.L.E.S., has severe damage to his spine and cannot move his back two legs. He also does not have bladder or stool control. He needs care every six hours to eat and go to the bathroom, and his medical bills are very expensive. Spencer’s paralysis is a birth defect. He has neurological issues related to cerebral hypoplasia and some kidney problems. Donations for Spencer and other cats in need of special care can be made to Catales.

Every year CATALES hosts this event to raise funds for their mission. A large portion is spent on the spay and neuter program. The remainder will be spent on rescued cat care until they are placed in loving homes or for the remainder of their lives at the shelter.

4/13/12 - Spring Spaghetti Dinner - Location: Fox Parish Center, Elm St, Middletown, CT 
Time: 6:30 seating / 7:00 dinner
$12/pp - includes pasta, meatballs, rolls, salad and a cupcake
Teacup Raffle and Silent Auction

4/28/12 - CATALES walk-a-thon/run - Location: Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT 
Time: 9:00-9:30 registration / 10:00 walk/run
Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a walker or runner for this event. 
Email: info@catales.org
http://www.catales.org/

Join the Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint

The Great Park Pursuit is a four-week contest that will have you decoding clues, discovering parks and forests across the state and participating in fun activities and challenges — all for a chance to win cool prizes. Hundreds of Connecticut families have accepted the challenge - will you be among the adventurous competitors to join the game this year? Decipher clues, visit beautiful State Parks and Forests, participate infun activities, win prizes -

it's all part of the 2012 Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

Over the past four years, families from all across the state have discovered the exciting opportunities available at Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests. If you missed the chance to explore these venues or you’re ready to experience the fun again, then get ready for the return of The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

With a whole new line-up of clues, hints and featured locations, you and your family will be journeying around the state to learn about new places while having fun in the great outdoors. Explore a forest on foot and in a canoe, try and set a new state record for the largest caught fish, celebrate 20 years of bird conservation, and “get wet”— all without leaving Connecticut!

If you can meet the “challenges” at each of the four game locations, then you’ll have a chance to win cool prizes.

Be sure to check out the Schedule and Rules to learn about eligibility requirements.

Ready for action? Then sign up now!

Think you have what it takes to come together as a team, travel to new sites across the state, enjoy the great outdoors, meet other families and have a good time over a four-week period? Then join the Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

For more information please contact Rachael Sunny, No Child Left Inside Coordinator at rachael.sunny@ ct.gov or (860) 418-5981

Easter Sunday at First Church

Ressurection.

Easter Sunday
April 8, 2010
10 am worship

First Church is an open and affirming congregation. Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome. Come worship with us on Sunday. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, sing hymns, and celebrate new life and new
beginnings.




First Church of Christ (UCC)

190 Court Street
Middletown, CT

Music

Prelude: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, arr. Douglas Wagner
  The Heart in Hand Bell Choir
Hymn: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Anthem: Sing Praise To Christ, J.S. Bach
   The Senior Choir and the Celebration Singers
Offertory: Thine Is The Glory arr. Bill Ingram
Hymn: Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
Hymn: The Day of Resurrection
Postlude: Toccata, from Symphony No. 5, Ch.-M. Widor
  * Michael Cho, Trumpet

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15, selected verses, Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon: What Direction is Resurrection?

Church School: Please gather at the beginning of worship to help carry Easter Lilies during the procession. K-5 ~ It's Easter Sunday--no church school. Child care is provided. 

A Busy Week

Reception for Senior Thesis Exhibition Week One (3/28/12).
Photo by Nam Anh Ta '12.

Center for the Arts Director Pamela Tatge reflects on the many events that have taken place this week in this entry from the CFA blog.

Monday, April 2, 2012:

I had some wonderful conversations, emails and phone calls from students and community members who attended Chunky Move over the weekend. I will say that I thought it was one of the most successful integrations of visual art and dance that I’ve ever witnessed, and I was particularly pleased that Gideon Obarzanek said he’s never seen Connected look better than it did in the CFA Theater. For those of you who were there, thank you for supporting this important performance.

We sent out letters of acceptance to the Class of 2013’s Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance the same day we found out that the program will be receiving its first grant from the National Endowment for the Arts!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012:

I had lunch with Gillian Goslinga in Anthropology and Jill Sigman, Center for Creative Research Visiting Artist to hear about "Ritual, Health, and Healing", the course they are co-teaching in Dance and Anthropology as a part of the Creative Campus Initiative. It’s also a Service Learning Course and so they are taking their students to St. Nicks Alliance in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn on three Saturdays to conduct research with residents. It will culminate on Sunday, April 22, 2012 as a series of student performance works are presented alongside Sigman’s Thinkdance installation at St. Nicks. See a reflection by one of the students in the class, Hannah Cressy '13, here.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012:

I attended the opening of the beautiful exhibition, Provincial Elegance: Chinese Antiques Donated in Honor of Houghton “Buck” Freeman, a collection of objects donated by Anna Lee ’84, that’s at the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies Gallery through Sunday, May 27, 2012. I was so moved by Patrick Dowdey’s story of how Anna made the contribution to Wesleyan in honor of the great spirit that was Buck Freeman, whose family made, and continues to make, so many great things possible at Wesleyan. Jean Shaw, former director of the Center for the Arts, told me that not only did Anna graduate the same year I did, but that Anna worked at the CFA when she was a student!

I also attended the second week of the Senior Thesis Exhibitions in the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery. If you’ve never taken the time to attend one of the Wednesday receptions from 4pm to 6pm, then you are missing one of the great “scenes” at Wesleyan. Hundreds of students flock to Zilkha to see their fellow students’ capstone project. All of us have the great opportunity to feel the pulse of contemporary art on our campus in all of its many manifestations, from JoAnna Bourain’s video animation installation [sometimes its hard 2 b a woman (i c u looking at me!!)] to Alex Chaves' vibrant paintings [casual desire] in South Gallery. Exhibitions continue for the next two weeks, with receptions on Wednesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

Thursday, April 5, 2012:

Today I’m on a plane headed to Cleveland to do a site visit of Cuyahoga Community College’s Creative Campus project on behalf of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. The project features the prolific and generous violin virtuoso, Daniel Bernard Roumain (you may remember him downstage left playing solo violin for Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company’s performance in the CFA Theater in 2006). He’s written an opera based on Gilgamesh and the composition has been offered on the web to anyone who wants to create their own work using his composition. He has truly democratized the creation process and tonight I’ll have the chance to see his ensemble perform alongside faculty, students and community members.

And I want to wish our senior thesis students in dance the best of luck on their thesis presentations in the Patricelli ’92 Theater, tonight through Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 8pm. Click here for more information about the concerts.

It’s been a busy week.

Pamela Tatge
Director, Center for the Arts

The City of Middletown Urban Forestry Commission,

The Long Hill Estate Authority &

The Rockfall Foundation

Invite you to an

Arbor Day Celebration

To raise money for the restoration of trees at

the Wadsworth/Kerste DeBoer Arboretum

And the Wadsworth Mansion

Ted Esselstyn, co-founder of City Bench,

will be the guest speaker

Libations and hors d’oeuvres served

April 26, 2012

5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

$30.00 donation

RSVP by April 23rd

Wadsworth Mansion

421 Wadsworth Street

Middletown

                                                                    860 347 1064

Www.wadsworthmansion.com

events@wadsworthmansion.com

Storms Irene and Alfred left a trail of destruction throughout Middletown in 2011.

 The Wadsworth/Kerste deBoer Arboretum suffered damage or loss to over 20% of its  historic trees. The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill incurred thousands of dollars  in lost  trees, including 100-year-old oaks and pines.

The Wadsworth Legacy Tree Restoration Fund has been created to replant trees lost at these two historic landscape properties.  We will accept donations in any amount, with all funds devoted to planting and maintaining new trees at both sites. Donors can also select a tree from our wish list and dedicate it to an individual or organization.

Celebrate the start-up of this important fund with wine and hors d’oeuvres at Long Hill Estate on Thursday, April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Ted Esselstyn, co-founder of City Bench, will speak about his company, which recycles city trees from all over Connecticut into museum-quality furniture. Wood from the Arboretum and from the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill has been used in his furniture.   

How They Voted: Death Penalty Repeal

The Connecticut State Senate voted 20-16 last night to repeal the death penalty (The Connecticut Mirror has the full story). Here is how our two senators voted:

Paul Doyle (D, 9th district): NO
Len Suzio (R, 13th district): NO

Doyle was one of only two Democrats to vote against repeal.

The measure now goes before the State House, which voted overwhelmingly in favor of repeal two years ago. In that vote, Representatives Hamm and Lesser voted for, and Representative Serra voted against repeal.

The Governor has said he would sign the bill now under consideration.

Maundy Thursday and Easter Services at FUMC

If you're looking for a warm, family-friendly place to hold your Easter celebrations, check out the First United Methodist Church on Old Church Street near downtown Middletown. They are holding a traditional Maundy Thursday service today at 7PM and Easter celebrations will continue all day tomorrow and Saturday with a prayer vigil at the church. Then, on Easter Sunday be sure to go to their service at 10AM for a traditional Easter celebration which will be followed by complimentary snacks, coffee, tea, and a Easter egg hunt in the park for children at 11. 

The First United Methodist church has been a Middletown landmark for well over a hundred years and continues to serve the community from contributions to the food bank or school supplies/backpacks, to hosting the town's warming center and sending relief to victims of disaster overseas. It's a welcoming, inclusive community that personifies the United Methodist motto of "open hearts, open minds, open doors." Diverse in every way, they invite people in this Easter holiday to celebrate and learn. 

 

FREE PERFORMANCE TONIGHT: “ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN”

Middlesex Community College in Middletown will host a free performance tonight (April 5) of “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,” by the Middletown-based theater troupe, Vintage Players. This 1972 play was written by Eric Bentley and is based on the transcripts from hearings held from 1947-58 by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) following investigations on real and suspected communist members in Hollywood.  The event includes an introduction by Richard Kamins, member of the Vintage Players, as well as a Q & A discussion after the performance. The free event is open to the public and will be held in Chapman Hall, second floor, Room 808 C & D tonight from 6:30-9 p.m. 

South Fire Easter Flower Sale Starts Today

From the South Fire District
----------------
The South Fire District Firefighters Local #3918 will be holding their annual Easter Flower sale this week, April 5-7 at the firehouse from 8am -7pm.

Local charities such as the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Middlesex Cancer Center, Middletown Little League, Adopt-a-Family and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be some of the beneficiaries from the profits of the sale.

A wide range of beautiful potted plants will be sold, including tulips, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths and geraniums, and all profits will go to local charities.

Please come out in support of the cause.

Spring at Wadsworth Atheneum

Wadsworth Atheneum Erupts into Bloom!

Museum Presents the 31^st Annual Fine Art & Flowers

HARTFORD, Conn., March 18, 2012 – Celebrate spring with the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art at the 31^st Annual Fine Art & Flowers, presented by the Women’s Committee, starting Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29, 2012. Each year the committee invites area florists, garden clubs, floral arrangers and designers to create stunning floral interpretations and tributes inspired by masterworks from the museum’s collection. The resulting arrangements are both beautiful and clever, and lend a deeper understanding of the artist’s vision. In addition to the arrangements, Fine Art & Flowers will also feature a number of exciting events, tours and workshops suitable for art and horticulture enthusiasts alike.

On Thursday, April 26, practice the art of floral arranging with design instruction from the talented and entertaining floral designer Tony Palmieri AIFD, of Datura – A Modern Garden.

On Friday, April 27, Martha Stewart Living Editorial Director of Gardening, Stephen Orr, will conduct a garden talk in the Aetna Theater. Renowned author of Tomorrow’s Garden - Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening, Orr will offer tips and anecdotes, using stunning photographs and detailed case studies to help gardeners achieve their ecological best. With a focus on sustainability, he encourages gardeners to create gardens filled with traditional and exotic plants that are designed for both aesthetic and environmental appeal. A book signing will follow the luncheon. Orr has been published in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and appears regularly on the CBS Early Show, The Today Show and the PBS Series, Cultivate Life.

On Saturday, April 30, floral fashion will be featured in the Aetna Theater, showcasing one-of-a-kind spring couture designed exclusively for this event. A reception in the Museum Café will follow.

Other featured events include docent-led tours of the special exhibitions Andrew Wyeth: Looking Beyond andJames Welling: “Wyeth”, both on view March 24 – July 22, 2012, as well as a jazz brunch on Sunday, April 30^th, featuring live jazz in the Museum Café.

Admission is $13 adults; $11 seniors; $8 students with ID; $3 members. For ticket information for the Flower Arranging Workshop and the garden talk by Stephen Orr, please contact the below.

About the Women’s Committee

Created in 1950 to provide assistance to museum staff, the Women’s Committee is now an organization whose primary goal is to raise money while increasing community involvement, public awareness, and support for the museum.

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is located at 600 Main St., Hartford, Connecticut. The museum is open Wednesdays to Fridays, 11 am – 5 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 5 pm, and the first Thursday of every month 11 am – 8 pm. Please visit wadsworthatheneum.org for more information.

Contact:

Terry Gaudet

Women's Committee President

860.978.7688

Sarah A. Ferri

Communications Assistant

860.838.4081

sarah.ferri@wadsworthatheneum.org