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.


February 2019 - Vol. I No. 2
Colt Dome
HOT TOPICS
What's New in Open Choice

Happy February, everyone! Hopefully, by the end of the month, we will have made it past the snow season and can start thinking about spring. Thank you for joining me at our first official Hot Topic Café Meet & Greet.


Did you know February is an important month for all students, especially our high school students? The second quarter marking periods are coming to a close for everyone. High school students should have received their SAT scores, completed financial aid (FAFSA), and applied to colleges. For those high school students that are not seniors yet, Mr. Julio Duarte suggests it is a great time to explore Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Early College Experience Programs (ECE), and College and Career Pathways Programs (CCP). 

Mr. Duarte is the Principal at Conard High School in West Hartford where he and I had the opportunity to meet last week. During our conversation we discussed the value of taking courses like these now while in high school in efforts to save you a whole lot of dollars later on. It is also a great way for students to start to get acclimated with college-level work and get a grasp on time management and dedication. Contact your high school and speak with the guidance counselors to find out more information about the program of studies and learn more about these important cost-saving opportunities that our students have access to.

Julio Duarte, Conard High Principal

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 

Shian Earlington, Canton
Congratulations to Canton Public Schools and Shian, an Open Choice Senior at Canton High School, for presenting her senior project, " Empowering the Masses: One Child at a Time," to  administrators and peers as part of the Connecticut Mastery Project. 































Janel, Wethersfield
Janel, a kindergartner  in the Open Choice program at Hanmer School in Wethersfield, joined his classmates in making "We Care" bags for the homeless. Students were happy to take part in spreading kindness and showing how at Hanmer School, "We Care!".


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
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
RESOURCES

Open Choice Resources
Scholarship Opportunities
Community Resources
Bruce E. Douglas Scholarship for Overcoming Adversity CREC Transition to Employment Services
Sibling Preference Letter Hartford Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Dental Services for Canton Open Choice Students
Choice After School Academy (CASA) Mary Carroll Kennedy Scholarship Wheeler Clinic Helpline
IEP vs. 504 Marjorie Little Book Award My Brother's Closet
Hands on Hartford

TAINTED, Inc.
Center for Latino Progress
True Colors


Census Jobs

Click here for an informative flyer about Open Choice's two scholarships, the Mary Carroll-Kennedy Scholarship and the Marjorie Little Book Award.
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 - February 12
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
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
Middle School Youth Empowerment Summit February 18 8:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m. Learning Corridor Campus
15 Vernon St.
Hartford, CT 06106
Open Choice Prom Dress/Suit Giveaway  March 16 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Open Choice Office
55 Van Dyke 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!


Connecticut Science Center 

Contact Me:

Family Engagement Specialist
860-509-3776
CREC logo