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City of Meriden Board of Education News

Web Site: http://www.meridenk12.org
22 Liberty St., Meriden, CT 06450
Tel: (203) 379-2601 Fax: (203) 630-0110

We will provide all students with educational opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to lead productive and self-sustaining lives in a democratic, multicultural society.

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Thomas Hooker Elementary School to Receive the CAS Elementary School of the Year

September 6, 2011

Thomas Hooker School has been nominated to receive the Connecticut Association of Schools' Elementary School of the Year Award. The purpose of the award is to give public recognition to an outstanding CAS member elementary school that deserves major recognition for its exemplary programs in meeting the needs of elementary school students. Our school recently completed a lengthy application that addressed six main areas. They include: a. An educational program which has demonstrated meeting the needs of all of its students. b. Student opportunities that go beyond those that are a part of a typical school. c. Evidence that the school's educational programs are consistently being reviewed and improved. d. Evidence that the school welcomes participation from all internal constituencies. e. Evidence that the school plays an active role in the community. f. Evidence that the school welcomes parent involvement.

Examining our school's programs and practices with these criteria in mind provided us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the positive things that we as a school, district and community are accomplishing. One particularly gratifying part of the application to complete was the section on community involvement. In particular, we would like to focus on three community partnerships - the YMCA, Community Health Center and Meriden Children First Initiative.

Our partnerships with community agencies provide a mutually beneficial foundation upon which to build programs to support our students, their families and the community. Partnerships with the YMCA, Community Health Center and Meriden Children First provide many opportunities for residents of the city. These opportunities span academic, social, emotional, health and leisure offerings. The YMCA provides before and after school programs on site for students. Last year saw the advent of an enrichment program for many high-performing and gifted students. The program drew accolades from students and their families and served as a pilot for what will grow into a city wide program.

Our school also houses a satellite office for the Community Health Center (CHC). This allows us to connect students and their families with needed medical, dental and counseling services. CHC will provide services to anyone regardless of ability to pay or lack of insurance making health care truly available to everyone in the city. The Meriden Children First Initiative (CFI) is a not-for-profit agency that helps provide support to schools through educational and informational programs. One program that has been in place for many years at Thomas Hooker is the Senior Buddy Reader program. Retirees visit weekly and read one-on-one with our children. Another program that we host for the community is "How Schools Work." Organized by CFI, it provides a forum for the community to meet with elected officials and board of education administration to discuss the school budget process. It includes presentations, a panel discussion and a public question and answer session. This annual event is always very well attended.

Thomas Hooker School is grateful to work with these community resources as we strive to serve the community as fully as possible.

 
 

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