Carver in the news: Norwalk learning pods ease child care burden amid hybrid learning

Norwalk Public School students including Sheldon Thomas, 10, join their learning pod at the Carver Community Center, October 2, 2020, in Norwalk, Conn.Photo: Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

See the entire article in The Hour here.

NORWALK — When Norwalk Public Schools announced their plans to have middle and high school students return to school in a hybrid model this fall, many working families were left wondering what to do with their children on days they weren’t in the classroom.

Last week, some found a solution: The district, in partnership with the Norwalk Public Library and the Carver Foundation, launched “learning pods,” where students can go on their virtual learning days to remain under the supervision of a paraprofessional during the school day.

Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said the learning pods were designed to serve families of essential workers and those who don’t have the means for private tutors or child care during the work day. The learning pods aim to provide that care, as well as tech and academic support for students…

Some 200 families applied for the learning pods before the district closed applications, of which about 115 are for middle school students. Families of essential workers are prioritized, and those in need of child care and those who were economically disadvantaged. The district hired specialized paraeducators to help the students during their time in the pods and to serve as an IT help desk for parents when the students are home.

Parents who would like to enroll their children in the pods, and in new pods being developed elsewhere, should contact their child’s school principal for more information.

International competition results in Carver receiving major grant for teaching robotics

 FIRST®, an international robotics community, awarded twelve grants to address inequities in access to science and technology. Carver was one of three grantees to receive the largest financial award of $50,000.

Carver’s FIRST robotics program will operate in nine Norwalk elementary schools and the Carver Community Center over eight weeks during the 2020-2021 school year. There will be six to eight third and fourth graders per team. Certified teachers and volunteer mentors will assist each team. Carver after-school students have participated in FIRST Lego League competitions for many years.

The other FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation Grant award winners include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Generator Makerspace (this project supported by the University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Science will serve the nearly two thirds of the state that live and work in rural, low-technology communities).

A Carver robotics team at West Rocks Middle School competes in a regional FIRST Lego League competition

FIRST launched its STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants program in 2016 to provide diverse students and disadvantaged communities with hands-on learning opportunities and outlets to creative problem solving. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with an average of $35,000, and evaluation criteria include community need, demographics, increases in diversity, execution strength, track record of reaching targeted students, and the value of the activities proposed. To date, FIRST has awarded 49 grants totaling $1.9M across the United States and Canada.

The grant is made possible as part of the FIRST® Equity, Diversity & Inclusion initiative, sponsored by The 3M Company, Apple, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bosch, Caterpillar, Inc., Cognizant Technology Solutions, Dow, Polaris Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated®, Raytheon Technologies, The Walt Disney Company, individuals, and anonymous donors. 

With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $80 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit FIRST organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; and FIRST® LEGO® League Discover, Explore and Challenge for Grades K-8. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to: www.firstinspires.org.

“Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, FIRST is proud to continue its commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM education. For a fourth consecutive year, we can offer FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants to several communities across the country, making STEM enrichment opportunities available to thousands of students from underserved and underrepresented communities,” said Nancy Boyer, Director of Evaluation and Impact and Interim Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at FIRST. “Now more than ever, we need to empower students of all different backgrounds and social circumstances to help solve the world’s biggest problems. We hope these resources will help so many more students build the self-confidence to do remarkable things for the greater good.”

COVID Procedures For Positive Tests And Possible Exposure in Norwalk Public Schools

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, Norwalk Public Schools (NPS) follows strict, state mandated protocols and guidelines in order to keep members of our community safe.

These protocols include contact and exposure tracing, self-quarantines, sanitization, and consultations with the local health department and medical director. 

NPS Chief of Operations Frank Costanzo is the district's COVID-19 Health and Safety Compliance Liaison. Below are some of the most common questions he and NPS have heard from families recently. 

Question: When there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a school, does that mean that the entire school closes?

Dr. Costanzo: For the most part, a confirmed COVID-19 case in a school building does not require that the entire school close. Contact tracing protocols identify anyone who has been in close contact, for an extended period of time, with someone who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19, and direct him or her to self-quarantine. Therefore, only the affected staff members and students will be required to quarantine for a 14-day period. 

If a large number of staff are affected and there is a challenge in providing substitute teachers, the school may temporarily close and shift to virtual learning. In most cases, the building remain open after it has been thoroughly sanitized.

Question: How are decisions made once a positive case has been confirmed?

Dr. Costanzo: Once a case has been confirmed, Dr. Estrella will work closely with the director of the Norwalk Health Department, as well as our medical advisor, Dr. Norman Weinberger. Contact tracing will begin immediately to identify who had close contact with the individual. Based on that information, decisions will be made about who will be directed to self-quarantine and what areas of the school need to be deep cleaned. 

Question: What is the contact tracing process? 

Dr. Costanzo: The Norwalk Health Department identifies anyone who has been in close contact with the person who tested positive. Per the Centers for Disease Control, a close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Following this process, NPS Health Services contacts those who may have been exposed. 

Any students who have been identified through contact or exposure tracing will be directed to their health care provider and may return to the school after a self-quarantine period of 14 days. 

Question: If contract and exposure tracing shows that a student has been exposed, how will this person be notified?

Dr. Costanzo: If a student is confirmed positive, those who were identified through contact and exposure tracing will be notified via phone call from an NPS Health Services representative.

Carver alumnus Coach Marcus introduces young people to the world of tennis

See all our alumni stories here.

Read about Marcus being elected to the USTA New England Board of Directors here in February 2021.

Marcus Hooks

There is no overestimating the quickening of mind, the stir of soul, and the swell of idealism that a good role model can spark in the young. Carver alumnus Marcus Hooks, or Coach Marcus as he is known today, is such a leader.

Marcus is Co-Founder and President of Six Love, a new nonprofit organization that offers tennis programs throughout Fairfield County. Though Six Love serves people of all ages, Marcus specializes in introducing young people, especially minority youth, to the joys and benefits of the sport. In addition to the Carver Community Center, Six Love partners with local town parks, Boys and Girls Clubs, and youth camps, among other partners.

Son of Tommie (known as Coach Hooks, who taught Marcus the sport of tennis as soon as he could hold a racket) and Donna Hooks, Marcus has been a part of Carver community since his days in elementary school. He played varsity tennis at Brien McMahon High School for four years, his junior and senior years as team captain.

Bethany College in West Virginia (NCAA Division III school) recruited Marcus to help rebuild their tennis program. Marcus received scholarships for both academics and sports. During his three seasons at Bethany College as team captain, the team achieved its best record in 43 years.

Marcus then transferred to Albertus Magnus College where he helped the team make the division playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

Marcus is a PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) certified professional, and is a “10 & Under Progression Tournament” Director. Since high school and during his college years, Marcus taught tennis locally at Slammer Tennis World, Stamford Parks and Rec, Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Shippan Racquet Club, KT Murphy Elementary School, and was Head Pro at the Stamford Youth Tennis Academy. 

Marcus currently works at Darien Kings Highway Tennis and is a tennis pro at the New Canaan Racquet Club.

Marcus sits on the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Connecticut Board and represents New England on the USTA National Diversity Immersion for Volunteer Engagement cohort.

“Tennis isn’t the most popular sport for urban kids,” Marcus said. “I am determined to open the eyes of the younger generation to the sport that gave me such great joy and opportunity in life. Many schools are eager to award tennis scholarships to minorities, and if these kids keep playing and really work at it, it’s amazing the opportunities they will get.” Many students pick up the sport for its agility and cardio benefits, but they stay with the sport because of Marcus.

During his high school years, Marcus gave the keynote address one year at the public Carver Board of Directors Annual Meeting. Along with his friends Chris Isaacs and Tomar Joseph, Marcus formed the Carver Steppers. Stepping is a percussive dance that combines footsteps, handclaps and spoken words. It isn't well known in the Northeast, though it has appeared in many movies. These three Carver students saw stepping performances during Carver spring break College Tours. They began stepping at home as a fun distraction, but Novelette Peterkin, Carver’s CEO, took their effort seriously and asked them to perform at Carver events. That led to other performances in Norwalk, such as at Norwalk Community College. Years later, Novelette supported Marcus in creating Six Love. 

Having found tennis too interesting to keep to himself, Marcus dedicated his life to sharing the sport. Growing up in Norwalk, he had no idea that this odd sport that most of his friends did not understand would animate him with a sense of purpose. Today, the ongoing and dynamic process of creating Six Love is based on core values Marcus learned from his many positive experiences and mentors. While he refines and enriches them, their elemental substance remains his center of gravity as he now magnifies the spirit of the young people he coaches.

Especially during these fraught days of public health, economic and racial justice upheavals, there is nothing more difficult yet more gratifying in our society than living with sincerity and acting from a place of large-hearted and constructive faith in the human spirit. This remains the most potent vaccine against cynicism. Today, Marcus is a shining example to the Carver community of courage and resistance.

USTA New England Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Chantal Roche, sits down with the founder of Six Love Tennis, Marcus Hooks, as part of the "In Their Own Words" series.

Online Health Screening App For Middle And High School Students

For Norwalk Public Schools middle and high school students, in order to maintain a healthy learning environment, all in-person learners must continue to complete a daily health screening form prior to entering school.

High School and Middle School students and/or their parents may now do so via the newly launched LiveSafe App. The LiveSafe App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. High School and Middle School students may also scan the LiveSafe QR code or access the form on ClassLink.

Once the form is submitted, students will need to show the “check mark” screen to a school staff member. Responses are monitored through the system and flagged if necessary. 

If a child or parent does not have a mobile device, the paper health screening form may still be used. Paper forms are available at each school should one be needed. Parents of elementary school students should continue to fill out the paper form each morning.

Educational Equity Survey & Focus Group Registration Available For NPS Families

Norwalk Public Schools (NPS), in partnership with Temple University, is launching the next phase of the districtwide Norwalk Educational Equity Initiative. 

There will be two opportunities for NPS families to share their thoughts on this important topic: a survey and focus groups. 

To get a deeper perspective from the NPS community on equity in education within our school system, a survey for families is now available. 

Focus groups for parents will also be held over the next several weeks to explore equity through facilitated conversations. To ensure effective discussions, sessions will be limited to six participants at a time. Conducted by Dr. Fergus and Temple University researchers, focus groups will take place both virtually and in-person at a variety of locations throughout the city. Focus group signups are also available online. 

NPS Survey Link: Temple University & NPS Family Survey on Equity in Education 

NPS Focus Group Link: Temple University & NPS -- Family Focus Group Volunteer Sign Up 

Input from the survey and focus groups will be utilized to develop the next Strategic Operating Plan. Separate surveys and focus groups for employees and students will also be available.

All parents and guardians, both who currently have students enrolled in the district and those who have had students enrolled in the past, are encouraged to volunteer to participate in both the survey and focus groups. Your input is vital to the development of the next NPS strategic operating plan.

The Rowayton Racketlon raises $2,000 for Carver kids

Carver advocate Drew Seath and his friends organized a new special event for the benefit of the Carver community: The Rowayton Racketlon!

This charity racket sports tournament involved participants playing paddle tennis, pickleball, badminton and ping pong, one sport after the other, while observing social distancing rules. 

They called the event the Rowayton Racketlon after the sport rackelton in which competitors play a sequence of the four most popular European racket sports: table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis.

One set is played in each sport, in the order from the smallest to the biggest racket. Each of the four sets are played with running score to 21 points, with a margin of two points needed to finish a set. The winner of a racketlon match is the player or doubles pair who has won the most points in total. When a player leads a match with more points than there are points left for the opponent to obtain, the match is over. All rules that apply to the four individual sports also apply for racketlon.

The sport originated in Finland and Sweden and was modeled on other combination sports like the triathlon and decathlon.

However these generous Rowayton Carver donors chose to set the rules for their fun and innovative Rowayton Racketlon, Carver students were the winners!

NPS Strategic Plan Listening & Learning Tour

Free Meals for All Norwalk Children

Carver alumnus Jeffrey Joseph inspires today's Carver students

See all our alumni stories here.

The clear-sighted earnestness of Carver alumnus Jeffrey Joseph is typical of Carver students, but Jeffrey’s story is uniquely his own.

Jeffrey is a third-year J.D. candidate at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Upon graduation he will be joining Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as a first-year Associate handling complex transactional and regulatory matters for the firm’s Energy Industry Group. Having just served there as a Summer Associate, he will be working in their Charlotte, North Carolina office next year.

How Jeffrey reached this point in his life and career involved his devoted Haitian parents, Carver summer and after-school experiences, and the insightful and determined advocacy of Dick Whitcomb resulting in a scholarship to attend St. Luke’s School. Jeffrey attended Emory University supported in part by Carver scholarships and the Boule Scholarship. Jeffrey’s success is a testament to what happens when education lives up to its highest potential to ennoble the human spirit.

Born in Norwalk, fluent in English and French Creole, bursting with athletic and academic ability, Jeffrey did not come into his own until a crucial parent-teacher conference at West Rocks Middle School. At that moment, Jeffrey fully accepted what his parents, teachers, and Carver friends and staff believed him capable of achieving.

Dick Whitcomb is an Advisor (ex officio member) to the Carver Board of Directors after serving as a board member for many years, and he is Headmaster Emeritus, St. Luke’s School. Dick has been there for many Carver students through the years.

St. Luke’s School opened the world to Jeffrey, especially as a football star traveling with his team. “Carver experiences gave me the confidence to succeed at St. Luke’s School, as one of the few Black students there,” Jeffrey shared with us. 

Jeffrey could have easily leveraged his athletic accomplishments to gain entrance into an array of prestigious colleges, but he chose to attend Emory University for its academics alone. Though he initially chose Political Science over sports, Jeffrey takes his daily inspiration from his hero and role model Kobe Bryant: “Mamba Mentality is about prioritizing your professional goals over having a normal, balanced life. It is about playing without fear, mastering your craft and wanting not only to win, but to dominate.” The five pillars of Kobe’s Mamba Mentality are: Resilience; Fearlessness; Obsessiveness; Relentlessness; and Passion. This is the Jeffrey we know and love.

Few things are more heartwarming than bearing witness to one human being expressing deep gratitude for the profound, course-altering impact another has played in her or his life. This is what Jeffrey feels toward his parents, Dick Whitcomb, church communities, Carver, and so many others through the years. “I tell people all the time that my successes and accomplishments are not my own. I owe so much to those who have poured into me.”

Jeffrey is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, founded on the Howard University campus. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity remains “…on the front line, leveraging its power, influence and more than 100 years of commitment to the uplift of our people and our communities.”

Jeffrey transcended his challenges. In many ways, Jeffrey is still that middle school student who, despite the years, has never stopped being a grateful and eager pupil. He still embraces the Norwalk and Carver communities with all his heart. “The Carver has poured so much into my family. The success of my younger brothers Tomar and Isaiah, also Carver kids, are examples of this investment.”

“Sure, it takes a lot of hard work, luck, and God’s direction in life,” Jeffrey said. “However, I’d be remiss not to acknowledge the privileges I have been afforded along the way. I see and feel the inequities that affect our community every day and when advising Carver kids my approach is more nuanced that simply telling them, ‘If I can do it, you can too.’ I am merely one among many examples of what a Black kid from Norwalk can achieve. You can be a Kadeem Roberts, an up and coming politician, or Silas Redd, one of the best athletes to come out of this city. You just have to be willing to sacrifice and work for it. If anything, I simply want to inspire kids to seize even the slightest of opportunities even when the finish line isn’t readily apparent.”

Jeffrey continues, “I don’t know anyone else’s circumstances. There certainly are difficult and discouraging societal structures and barriers in place every step of the way. Despite the challenges, each young person can still exert control over her or his life. My message to Carver kids is to give your all to finding your individual paths to success. Find a way ahead that is bigger than your limitations. There is a wide-open world awaiting you that is bigger than your present-day circumstances. Fight for your dreams and don’t ever be afraid to advocate for yourself. Take full advantage of what you have access to; there will be good people ready to help you along the way.”

While preparing to become a lawyer, Jeffrey is presently a part-time Teaching Assistant for Professor Theodore Shaw's Social Justice Lawyering class at the University of North Carolina. His duties include research and preparation of source material for the class and legal analysis and writing of novel issues pertaining to voting, a particularly poignant subject for the nation during these fraught days.

As a Juris Doctor candidate, Jeffrey serves as treasurer for the school’s Holderness Moot Court and is a member of the Court’s Sports Team. Jeffrey is treasurer of the school’s Black Student Law Association, and serves as a member of the Transactional & Corporate Law Association. Jeffrey is also an intern with Oakhurst Energy, a provider of solar, solar storage, and other renewable energy development services. As a recent Summer Associate at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Jeffrey worked on complex transactional and regulatory matters for their Energy Industry group.

In 2019, Jeffrey worked for the North Carolina Department of Justice in their Revenue Section where he assisted attorneys in all aspects of investigations and litigation. From 2015 to 2018, Jeffrey worked as a Contracts Administrator for United Technologies in Houston. He also interned in their contracts department in 2014. Jeffrey interned in the General Counsel’s office at GE Capital Aviation Services in Stamford in 2013.

From the moment Jeffrey found his voice, even though he did not know the details of the journey that would unfold before him, every positive act tacitly invoked a value that would stay with him throughout his life. Awareness, no matter how confused at any moment, developed from those positive steps forward. Real generosity toward the future lies in giving your all to the present.

Jeffrey’s story shows how one person can mend what has been torn apart, make justice imaginable in a world so obviously unjust, and give happiness a meaning that Carver kids can believe in. Jeffrey reawakens our noblest nature with newfound poignancy today. As much as Jeffrey is grateful for the countless acts of generosity through the years that enabled him to fulfill his goals, we share his story with deepest gratitude to Jeffrey for his Mamba Mentality and for giving our youth today an inspiring example of the Carver mission in action.