The following stories highlight a few of the exciting events, programs and people that are part of the Discovery Initiative. To submit a story about the work in your community or organization, please contact us.
Meriden Parents Work with Seniors to Help Kids with Reading
January 28, 2010
We all know there are not enough resources to help students these days, but many of us just shake our heads and wish that things were different. Not Meriden parents Cathy Lewis and Donna Mordarski. Cathy Lewis was frustrated because her niece, who was having reading problems, was on a waiting list to get extra help in school. Help did not come quickly enough, though, and her niece was held back a grade. Rather than dwell on the lack of services, Cathy, a Meriden Parent Leadership Training Institute graduate, and Donna Mordarski decided to do something to help children who were struggling with reading.
This story was submitted by
Meriden.
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It Takes a County: Preparing Preschoolers for the “Big” School
October 22, 2009
Since the 1990s, parents and caregivers of Middletown’s preschoolers
have worked together in support of high quality early childhood programs to ready its children for kindergarten. The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (the Memorial Fund) has been an integral partner in this initiative, which over the years expanded from Middletown into eight neighboring towns in Middlesex County. Today, these children are entering kindergarten healthier and with better social and communication skills than in years past, critical components to a successful start to school.
This story was submitted by
Middletown.
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Communication Planning Helps Torrington Reach its Goals
September 1, 2009
Members of the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative (TECC) reflect on their journey through the strategic communications planning process prescribed by Discovery’s Three-Step Communications Tool Kit.
This story was submitted by
Torrington.
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Windham Parent Network: Giving Parents a Voice
September 1, 2009
“To support, educate and involve parents as active participants in improving the quality of life for the children of Windham” is not only the mission of the Windham Parent Network (WPN); it is a community way of life. Founded in 1997 by local parents, the WPN is supported by the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.
This story was submitted by
Windham.
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Lee y Seras
September 1, 2009
Originally funded by Discovery grant dollars to promote early childhood education through the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Lee y Seras is a successful parent program adopted by the Bridgeport public schools designed to help Latino children realize their potential as strong readers and learners.
This story was submitted by
Bridgeport.
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Enfield Firefighters Come to the Rescue
July 31, 2009
Jack Flanagan, chief and fire marshal of the Hazardville Fire Department and Don Ellis, a captain in the Enfield Fire Department are quintessential firefighters: dedicated, professional, and ready to respond to any fire crisis. Not many people would associate firefighters with the joyful faces of kindergarteners. But this is Enfield, where small town warmth leads to community involvement. To those who know Jack and Don, it’s no surprise that they and their fellow firefighters are part of a successful effort, initiated through William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund by Discovery grant dollars to promote early childhood education.
This story was submitted by
Enfield.
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Danbury Families Venture to Connecticut's Capitol to Voice Their Concerns
May 1, 2009
“Don’t cut programs that help our kids!” That was the message Danbury parents sent to legislators on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Fifty parents and children traveled to Hartford on a bus organized by Danbury Children First as part of a statewide Early Childhood Advocacy Day sponsored by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.
This story was submitted by
Danbury.
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Ready, Set, Read!
January 1, 2009
In a town bordering New York State, a community of parent leaders (and their children) meet to discuss how they can improve their schools and community. Greenwich, known for its wealth and history of celebrity homes and eye-catching mansions also cradles another community, one that is economically
disadvantaged. Many Connecticut natives are not aware that there are families in this town that are disadvantaged, let alone economically lacking.
This story was submitted by
Greenwich.
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Enriching the Community - Parent Leadership Community Benefits All
November 22, 2007
Article from The News Times - Informal chats for those learning English. Swim lessons for children with disabilities. Cultural classes on Vietnam. A book swap at the library. A support group of children with epilepsy. These disparate activities have one thing in common. All were started by graduates of the Parent Leadership Training Institute, which celebrates its 10th year in the community.
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Learning at ‘Truck Day’
May 4, 2007
From fire engines and Army trucks to school buses and talking robotic utility vehicles, the variety of vehicles on display this past Saturday made for an exciting day for children and parents who attended the first Truck Day event.
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Early Childhood Listening Forums Held Across the State
January 11, 2007
What is your vision for young children in our community? What are the most important community assets for children and families in our communities? How do these assets match the goals and strategies defined by the Governor’s Early Childhood Education Cabinet? What might hinder our progress in reaching the goals? What challenges do you foresee?
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CT Parent Power Hosts Candidate Debate
October 31, 2006
It was a beautiful fall day. Hundreds of participants from across the state, children and adults alike, streamed to the Middlesex Community College on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. The Middletown Marching Band was playing and a group of talented children performed for the audience while they waited for the main event. Did these hundreds of people come to attend a sporting event? No, they came to speak up about the needs of children and families and hear gubernatorial and congressional candidates talk about what they would do for children and families if elected.
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New Britain's Strategy: Focus on Access
July 24, 2005
New Britain, like many other communities across the state, felt the impact of the reduced funding for Care 4 Kids, which provides childcare support for moderate- and low-income families so parents can work. Creative Corner Childcare Center in New Britain closed in 2003 as a direct result of the reductions. Families who had previously used Care 4 Kids vouchers lost them and the center was unable to offset program costs. In a community already struggling to meet the early education needs of its families, the loss of a center was a major blow.
This story was submitted by
New Britain.
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Greater Hartford Literacy Council Hosts Dr. Janice Gruendel
March 18, 2005
Over 75 percent of Connecticut's kindergartners have attended preschool, nursery school or Headstart before entering kindergarten, but in some districts, particularly larger urban districts, this number shrinks to less than half of incoming students. Numerous studies and research reports have linked preschool experience and success in school and beyond. Quality early childhood education has been shown to improve language and literacy skills, problem solving and motor skills necessary to prepare children to learn in school. Lack of preschool education is believed to contribute to the achievement gap.
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Download “Seven Simple Things Connecticut Needs to Know about Early Childhood”
February 1, 2005
“Seven Simple Things Connecticut Needs to Know about Early Childhood,” an 8-page publication, is being distributed statewide.
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The Parent Trust Fund Provides Parent Leadership Grants
December 15, 2004
Parents have an important role to play on the local and state level as leaders with a voice in improving children’s health, safety and learning. The Parent Trust Fund was created to build this parent leadership capacity and provide parents with the substantive civic tools to be effective advocates for children and participate in the civic life of communities throughout the state. Communities can apply for these funds and receive $1,000 to $8,000 to support parent training programs.
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Ready, Set, Grow ... CT Kids! Mobilizes the Public to Support School Readiness
May 26, 2004
With the help of our “Friends of Connecticut’s Young Children” and “Children’s Champions”, the campaign seeks to inform parents and the public about the importance of children’s readiness for school and to persuade citizens to act in ways that benefit our young children. “Friends” are people who support the public goal and give us permission to use their names on our website. It’s an easy and free way for anyone in Connecticut to help make a difference for our young children.
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Plymouth’s Parents Meet the Challenge
December 6, 2003
“You have to start with building relationships. Parent engagement won’t go anywhere without them,“ said Family Resource Center coordinator Sue Vivian; “...the parents have become the face of the Discovery process in town.” Training opportunities like People Empowering People give parents useful tools. According to parent Tracy DuPont, PEP “has given me more confidence and heightened my awareness of the importance of early childhood education.”
This story was submitted by
Plymouth.
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