Dear Open Choice Family Member;
To keep you informed regarding services, events, and information for the Hartford Region Open Choice program we have started an email newsletter, which you will receive on a monthly basis. Please share this with other interested friends and contact us if you would like any additional information or assistance.
|
|
|
Family Network Newsletter
|
|
|
|
March 2019 - Vol. I No. 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
HOT TOPICS
What's New in Open Choice
Hot Topic Café
Last month's Hot Topic Café at Tisane was great. Thank you to all that were able to come out and enjoy great people and rich conversations. If you couldn't make it, that's OK, we will save a seat for you at the March Topic Café being held at Backstage Café located at 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford. RSVP here.
Open Choice is now on Instagram
Thank you so much participating in our first ever 28 Days of Open Choice photo challenge. If you didn't get to participate, you still can. Follow us at @OpenChoiceHartford and help us surpass 100 followers.
What's your credit looking like?
Now that we are in the month of March, some of you may already be clearing up your finances from the holiday season. For others, it is also the time when many of you are planning your spring and summer vacations. Just the thought of racking up another bill for me is nerve-r
acking. That's why I thought it was important to put out there the importance of being mindful of you
r credit score. Your credit score is an important part of your financial picture. Lenders combine your credit score with the information in your credit report to assess your risk as a borrower. If your score is
high, you are less of a risk; if your score is low, lenders may question your ability to pay what you owe. According to Experian one of the three major credit bureaus, a good credit score is between 700 and 800.
 |
|
|
|
This is why Open Choice parent Rosaline Dennis (right) feels it is important to educate Hartford and its surrounding communities on credit empowerment. Through Credit in the City, Rosaline, an account executive, shared with me that she wants other families to feel empowered and not let their r
ocky past or current situations dictate a less than positive future.
Credit in the City
focuses on credit repair and budgeting. When I asked Rosaline what drives her to do this work she was confident in replying, "Educating my community and helping others through education is what drives me. Families may have the finances, job, and credit but not the knowledge."
Join Rosaline at the next Credit in the City event Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at 45 Wintonbury Ave., Suite 107, Bloomfield, CT 06002.If you have questions, you can contact her at (860) 929-6780 or
healmycredittoday@yahoo.com
International Social Media Concern
CREC and Open Choice want to make sure you are aware of a worrisome social media trend called the "
Momo Challenge
" that has caused concern both across the country and internationally. Through the apps Facebook or WhatsApp, children are being lured by a fictional character called "Momo" that tells them to do dangerous acts to avoid being 'cursed' and then asks for pictures documenting these acts. We encourage you to take this opportunity to monitor your child's social media activity, and to also talk to them about safe practices while using any social media account. For helpful parenting resources on social media safety, see below. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact CREC Assistant Superintendent Sarah Vocca at
svocca@crec.org
All the best,
Curtis Porter III, Family Engagement Specialist
|
|
|
|
OPEN CHOICE SHINES!
We would love to share your Open Choice experiences. Click the link below to inspire others.
Have a special milestone or recognition that you would like Open Choice to share here and on social media? Email it to Curtis at cporter@crec.org
Choice After School Academy (CASA)
These young ladies were treated to a Valentine by our CASA Social Worker as a reward for excellent persistence in their academics.
Jeffrey, a kindergartner enrolled in Cherry Brook School in Canton through the Open Choice program has made impressive academic strides. Cherry Brook's strong reading program has helped Jeffrey learn his letters, letter sounds, sight words. "My favorite thing in the classroom is that I like to read books!" Jeffrey enthusiastically shared. As part of his academic program, he brings books from school each day to practice at home. His teacher is pleased with the support Jeffrey's parents so importantly provide.
We would love to share your Open Choice experiences. Click the link below to inspire others.
Have a special milestone or recognition that you would like Open Choice to share here and on social media? Email it to Curtis at cporter@crec.org
|
|
|
|
|
FEATURED OPEN CHOICE EVENTS
Open Choice Prom Dress/Suit Giveaway
Not prom ready? No worries! New and gently-used prom attire will be available, FOR FREE, on a first come, first serve basis for Open Choice Students at our first ever Prom Dress/Suit Giveaway. March 16, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Open Choice Office, Conference Room 310, 55 Van Dyke Ave. in Hartford. Students should see their school counselors to sign up.
If you have questions please contact Roz Pace,
rpace@crec.org
, 860-240-6612
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Event Title
|
Date |
Time |
Location |
| Open Choice Prom Dress/Suit Giveaway |
March 16 |
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
Open Choice Office
55 Van Dyke Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106 |
| Hot Topic Café |
March 23 |
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Backstage Café
35 Westbourne Parkway
Hartford, CT 06112 |
|
|
Events in the Community
- UConn Hockey
- Travis Scott - Astroworld Tour
- Hartford Wolf Pack Hockey
- 2019 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship, Rounds 1 & 2
- Hartford CT Spring Home Show
Connecticut Science Center
|
|
|
|
|
