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.


January 2019
Colt Dome
HOT TOPICS
What's New in Open Choice

Open Choice has a new Family Engagement Specialist? Yes, it's me, Curtis Porter III, a Hartford resident and new to CREC from Hartford Public Schools. Together we will strengthen our partnership through communication, connectivity, support, and empowerment. I look forward to meeting you and connecting in our community, allowing us to get to know each and partake in healthy conversations to improve our work for Open Choice students and families.

The following locations have been identified for our Hot Topic Cafés.
  • Zone 1- Backstage Café - 35 Westbourne Parkway
  • Zone 2- Spectra Café - 5 Constitution Plaza
  • Zone 3- Tisane Café - 537 Farmington Ave.
  • Zone 4- 451 Restaurant - 341 Franklin Ave.
These Hot Topic Café locations will serve as our meeting hubs. We will meet at a different location each month. I welcome you to come out and network with us as we check out the different locations. If you can only attend the Hot Topic Café closest to you that is totally understandable. Our first official Hot Topic Café will be a Meet & Greet at 451 Restaurant . These gatherings will allow us to kickback, connect, and support one another in Open Choice. Remember all families are invited to all Hot Topic Cafés, no matter the zone.


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.
Share Your Experience With 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 

Future Educators of Diversity, West Hartford
West Hartford Public Schools (WHPS), one of the five founding districts of the Hartford Region Open Choice Program, and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) announced the district's Future Educators of Diversity (FEoD) program and CCSU's Project Blue Devil Direct (BDD) partnership. FEoD is a "grow-your-own educator" high school to career program that provides training, mentorship & support for WHPS high school students of color to enroll in a CT teacher prep program w ith a goal to ensure that students are identified, mentored & encouraged to build relationships with those who can support them in their journey to becoming culturally competent educators. Students who successfully complete the program, meet higher education requirements, including teaching certification, will be guaranteed an interview for employment opportunities within WHPS. Several of WHPS students enrolled in Open Choice participate in FEoD.


Boys to Men, South Windsor
The "Boys to Men" group at Timothy Edwards Middle School in South Windsor is a structured environment where these young men, from Hartford & South Windsor, have an opportunity to openly discuss their role as males in society, their mission in life to attain success, and examine the differences and similarities of their cultural make-up. The boys are excited to share their thoughts & to be a part of this experience. 



Dr.  Robert Patterson, Glastonbury
Dr. Robert Patterson, an Open Choice alum from Glastonbury Public Schools established a scholarship fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to support Greater Hartford students who wish to pursue a college education. 

Here's a link to an article about it in the Hartford Courant:  
http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-hartford-foundation-giving-1209-story.html#share=email~story
OPEN CHOICE PHOTO CHALLENGE
Join us for the 28 Days of Open Choice Social Media Photo Challenge

Join Open Choice for our #28DaysOfOpenChoice Photo Challenge. Simply post your picture to any social media platform along with the theme of the day, each day in February, and use the hashtags #OpenChoiceHartford and #28DaysOfOpenChoice in every post. Join the fun!

1. Open Choice Para
2. Diversity
3. Rep your district
4. Accolades
5. Throwback
6. Fun times
7. Jr./Sr. prom throwback
8. Classmates
9. Profession
10. Studying
11. School
12. Library candid
13. School mascot
14. Travels

15. Selfie
16. First school picture in Open Choice
17. After-school program/club
18. Leadership
19. School sports
20. Family
21. Rep your flag/country
22. Open Choice alumni
23. #1 College Pick
24. Unity
25. Goal
26. Favorite teacher/staff member
27. Community service
28. Favorite food


#OpenChoiceHartford #28DaysOfOpenChoice
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.

We're also holding a Prom Attire Drive to supply this event. 

Help create a night to remember for our students by donating your lightly used formal wear!
The drive will be held on Saturday, February 23 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at the same location (Open Choice HQ). 

If you have questions please contact Roz Pace,  rpace@crec.org, 860-240-6612


Dine & Discuss - Moving to Action for Equitable Classrooms
Addressing equity requires a systemic effort that engages all stakeholders in shifting mindsets and implementing equity-focused classroom, school, and district practices. By collaborating to understand root causes of inequity through individual stories, equity can be addressed by understanding, planning, and acting. Changing long-standing mindsets and practices requires strong shared leadership, courage, and commitment. More info here.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Title
Date Time Location
Sheff v. O'Neill 30th Anniversary Celebration January 19 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Hartford Public Library
500 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Information Session for Prospective Families January 23 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. CREC Central
111 Charter Oak Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
RSCO Fair January 26 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Conard High School
110 Beechwood Rd.
West Hartford CT, 06107
Dine and Discuss:
Equity in School		 February 12 4 - 6:30 p.m. Irving A. Robbins
Middle School
20 Wolf Pit Rd.
Farmington, CT 06032
Information Session for Prospective Families February 12 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. CREC Central
111 Charter Oak Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
 
Events in the Community


  • UConn Men's Basketball
  • UConn Women's Basketball
  • UConn Hockey
  • Hartford Wolf Pack Hockey
  • Harlem Globetrotters
  • Paw Patrol LIVE!
 
Contact Me:

Family Engagement Specialist
860-509-3776
CREC logo