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Join the 2022 CSDE Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge!

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Commissioner today launched the 2022 Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge: “Mathematics: Building the Foundation for Success,” offering three ways for students to participate.

MetaMetrics offers a FREE math skills maintenance program based on grade-level standards is designed to prevent summer learning loss. The program is targeted to students who have just completed grades 1 through 8, reinforcing math skills learned during the previous school year.

  1. Also for students in grades K – 8 is the Summer Math Passport, providing students with tasks related to summer activities, such as visiting the beach and hiking. By applying math beyond the classroom, students keep math skills sharp all summer long. The Summer Math Passport is offered in partnership with the Connecticut Council of Leaders of Mathematics (CCLM).

  2. High School students are encouraged to practice their math skills using the Official SAT Practice from College Board and Khan Academy. Students can link their College Board accounts to determine their skill level or use the diagnostic quizzes provided to get personalized practice recommendations.

All information and printable materials (e.g., math log, registration information, and information for parents and students) for the Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge can be found here. 

Please contact Jennifer Michalek at 860-713-6557 or jennifer.michalek@ct.gov if you have any questions about the Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge.

Today is the first Juneteenth federal holiday!

Today is the federal holiday honoring Juneteenth, the celebration of the announcement on June 19th, 1865, in Texas that enslaved Americans were free.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee had surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant of the U.S. Army, but it was not until June 2 that General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered the Confederacy’s Trans-Mississippi Department, the last major army of the Confederacy, to the United States, in Galveston, Texas. Smith then fled to Mexico.

Seventeen days later, Major General Gordon Granger of the U.S. Army arrived on Galveston Island with about 2000 U.S. troops. On June 19, Granger issued General Order Number 3, informing the formerly enslaved inhabitants of Texas that they were free.

A year later, the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing enslavement except as punishment for a crime had been added to the U.S. Constitution, and on June 19, 1866, Texas freedpeople gathered to celebrate the coming of their freedom with prayers, speeches, food, and socializing.

By the following year, the federal government encouraged “Juneteenth” celebrations, eager to make sure Black citizens had an opportunity to discuss the voting rights that had been put in place by the Military Reconstruction Act in early March 1867, and the tradition of Juneteenth began to spread to Black communities across the nation.

Beginning there in Texas, the Black Americans celebrating Juneteenth emphasized that emancipation in the United States meant not just freedom from enslavement, but also freedom to shape the nation’s future.

Carver campers begin their life changing experience at The Ecology School in Maine!

Thanks to the generosity and vision of The Grossman Family Foundation, rising Norwalk 6th graders left today from the Carver Community Center for The Ecology School in Maine, the renowned sleepaway summer camp. They will explore the woods, waters, and fields of The Ecology School at the River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre farm located on a scenic bend in the Saco River, just twenty minutes from the Maine coast. Next year, this initial cohort of students will return along with the next rising 6th graders that follow them.

This overnight camp experience is about our youth pushing boundaries, and becoming more independent. Sleepaway camp, especially at The Ecology School, is an incredible adventure filled with fun from start to finish. That doesn’t mean that homesickness won’t come into the equation now and again. The results will be newfound confidence when our young campers stick it out.

Drop-off day today was exciting yet daunting. There were no long emotional, and tearful goodbyes. Parents kept it together and gave their children a farewell that was full of excitement and hope. Very likely, however, a few of them shed a tear once they got back in their cars!

But not to worry. Our summer campers arrived safely today In Maine. They are prepared both mentally and physically and we all can be sure that they will have the time of their lives and make memories that will last forever.

P-TECH offers our newest Summer Transition Program!

The new P-TECH Summer Bridge Program will assist incoming 9th-grade scholars with their transition to high school.

Just like our other two high school summer transition programs, the new P-Tech Scholars will engage in academic and enrichment classes throughout the day this summer to help them prepare for a one-of-a-kind high school experience this fall while having fun! 

P-TECH Norwalk (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) is an independent high school located within Norwalk High School. P-TECH partners with Norwalk Community College and IBM to allow students to graduate from high school while simultaneously earning an AAS degree from Norwalk Community College.

P-TECH Norwalk offers three possible associate degrees in computer science: software engineering, web development, and mobile programming. Upon graduation, P-TECH scholars are prepared to join the workforce or they may transfer to a four-year institution to complete their undergraduate degree.

The P-TECH School Model is a pioneering education reform initiative created by IBM, to prepare young people with the academic, technical, and professional skills required for 21st Century Jobs and ongoing education. P-TECH Norwalk is a member of this worldwide initiative. The model combines rigorous coursework with workplace experiences that include industry mentoring, worksite visits, paid internships, and first–in–line for job considerations with a school’s company partner. P-TECH schools are at no cost to students and their families and are open enrollment, with no testing or grade requirements.

Free, digital learning is also available through Open P-TECH, which introduces students and educators to the tech skills of tomorrow, from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, to new ways of working such as agile and design thinking.

Celebrate Juneteenth Freedom Day

Juneteenth National Independence Day falls on Sunday, June 19, 2022, and is a federal holiday according to the Office of Personnel Management.

As with Carver staff, federal employees will receive next Monday as a day off of work.

Connecticut also made this a state holiday, but this year’s commemoration will not be a paid day off for state employees.

We have celebrated and written about Juneteenth many times here through the years.

The newest Federal holiday was signed into law on June 17, 2021, by President Joe Biden to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. following the conclusion of the Civil War.

The day has been celebrated annually around the country since 1865 when a Union General arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved African Americans that the Confederacy had lost the war and that they were free as per the Emancipation Proclamation, which was inked in 1863. In many parts of the country, the proclamation was not implemented until the army enforced it.

Texas was the first state to codify the date into law in 1980 and was the only state to have the day as a paid holiday for state employees in 2020. Since then, at least eight states — New York, Maine, Louisiana, Virginia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington and Illinois — have followed, according to AP.

The next federal holiday is Independence Day on Monday, July 4th.

New Canaan Community Foundation Renews its support of Carver kids

We are deeply grateful to the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) for all they do for the Carver community and for the community in general.

Carver is one of the 78 NCCF grantees that recently received a total of $635,299. These grant investments were made in New Canaan and neighboring communities.

See all the photos here from the NCCF grant awards ceremony.

The grantmaking process involves a thoroughgoing proposal and a team of NCCF volunteers and staff visiting with Carver staff at the Carver Community Center to discuss our proposal and Carver’s programmatic and financial health.

The Foundation’s annual grant process distributes funds raised from donors across the community, who give at all different levels to pool their collective resources and make their community a better place. Together, with the Foundation’s other grantmaking programs, NCCF will invest more than $2.8 million in the community this year.

Every year, NCCF’s grantmaking goal is to provide impactful funding for a range of programs serving the community. They support • Human Services – Community members are able to meet their basic needs • Arts, Culture & Community Resources – Community members benefit from New Canaan’s cultural, recreational, and other community resources • Youth & Education (that us!) – Youth have the academic, social, and financial support they need to succeed • Health – Community members have the information and access to services they need to stay healthy • and Seniors & Special Needs – Older adults and persons with special needs achieve and maintain a high quality of life.

This year, the Foundation chose to place additional focus on several key areas – including COVID-19 response and, for the fourth year in a row, behavioral health.

The Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund launched in March of 2020 and invested over $680,000 to: support the emergency financial needs of New Canaan families and workers; help nonprofit organizations adapt to changing client needs, as well as shifts in operations; and support critical services in lower Fairfield County. To date the Foundation has dispersed the entirety of the COVID-19 Response Fund, but continues to assess and include pandemic-related service needs in its overall grantmaking.

THANK YOU, NCCF!

Deloitte employees return for IMPACT Day at the Carver Community Center

We are deeply honored and grateful for Carver to be consistently chosen as a site for Deloitte’s IMPACT Day! Last Friday, U. S. Senator Richard Blumenthal welcomed the IMPACT Day team of Deloitte volunteers to the Carver Community Center.

Watch our THANK YOU VIDEO!

Every year, volunteers from Deloitte’s Stamford office devote their IMPACT Day activities to refurbishing, organizing, and beautifying the Carver Community Center. The volunteers help us organize closet space, paint doors, and go to work throughout the community center to help us get ready for our summer programs. We’re grateful to them for the gracious work they do for the Carver community each year.

Many, many thanks to Deloitte and their employees for generously volunteering their time and support each year at Carver! Learn more about the many priceless contributions Deloitte makes to the community all year long here:

Deloitte’s purpose is to make an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. Thank you, Deloitte, for your year-round commitment to collectively making an #ImpactThatMatters in the communities where your employees live and work!

Carver's 50th Annual Testimonial Dinner Awards and Scholarships

Our young people and their proud families came together yesterday evening for our 50th annual Testimonial Dinner at the Carver Community Center. Each year, we recognize our YDP students, and we award financial scholarships to graduating seniors on their way to college and to current college students.

See our Facebook album here with all the event photos.

The evening began with a keynote address by alumnae Sarah St. Surin followed by an elaborate dinner.

We recognized our High School Volunteers of the Year, Sydney Du and June Qin.

High School Volunteers of the Year, Sydney Du and June Qin.

Our 2022 high school graduates and scholarship recipients (noted with an asterisk) were:

Brien McMahon High School

Gaelle Louis Charles*; Cindy Dupiton*; Miryan   Fellien*; Nahla Jenkins*; James Lesko; Daniela Lopez; Adrianna Louis*; Rosie Marshall*; Josie Marshall*; Hazel Mendez; Woodmiya Mettelus; Daniel Mino; Mina Mykhakiv; Eymard Navarro*; Neishka Nerette; Sydney Osinloye*; Nicolina Sainthyle*; Chris Samayoa*; Monil Shah; Aleiyah Stanley; Anessa Varandas*; Nicolas Vaquiz Makayla Whittingham; and Shaniya Young.

Norwalk High School

Lamia Ashley*; Arianna Marie Armistead; Christen Carvente; Esefania Mayte Carvente; Ryan Davey*; Iviana Chanel Davis; Aaliyah lvi Decolline; Tania DelCid; Camryn Shaddi Edwards; Maria FeLuque*; Neelie Vanaika Jean-Charles; Eimmy Miguelina Jimenez Lozano; Sean Paul Joseph*; Jessica T. Lubin; Dwana Meshack*; Cassandra Lucinda Midy*; Aneris Morales-Pellot; Arian Daniel Ortiz; Mia Piacenza; Reneiya Romeus; Mysonne Sekhai; Frederick Pollard; Gabriel Ramon Vega; Angeles Gabriela Villa; and Olivia Walford.

Continuing College Students Receiving Carver Scholarships

Kayla Alvarado*; Lakia Brayboy*; Brianna Mendoza Carrillo*; Michelle Chacko*; Angee Cruz*; Samuel Emile*; Alexis Fazzino*; Luis Guaillas*; Evan Townsend Henry*; Dejanah Lorthe*; Nicea Nerette*; Carla Romeus*; Mandie Romeus*; Myles Russell*; Robyn Sky Simmons*; Sarah St. Surin*; and Jennifer Veliz*.

YDP Middle School Graduates

Carver Community Center: Christopher Grey; Shawn Kegler; and Alejandra Licea.

Nathan Hale Middle School (B.A.R.K.): Xiomara Davis; Cesar Diaz; Josiah Ebron Duncan; Daniel Gordienko; Zoe Pierre-Louis; Liam Luyanda; Harsleen Maldonando; Tylea McClean; Yulia Martinez; Ashley Ochoa; and Emmanuel Then Rojas.

Ponus Ridge Middle School (P.R.I.D.E.): Santiago Acevado; Kylie Aviles; Jordan Bagnara; Andres Bedoya; Daniel Andres Catalan;  Gabriella Frabrizio; Daniela Nicole Garcia; Zayra Henriquez; and Dulce Maria Garcia-Velasque.

Roton Middle School (R.A.M.S.): Adriana Abac; Kimberly Abubo; Anthony Austin; Angela Bari; Kieran Brady; Jaiden Caro; Max Ceja; Johanna Entzminger; Collin Evans; Alan Flores; Emily Forbes; Iker Garcia; John Garcia; Marcus Johnson; Denijer Lainez; Christian Lincoln; Mackenzie McGonigle; William Molina; Steven Morales; Norelys Moscoso; Alison Munive; Gabe Pote; Jeriangle Ramirez; Chris Richard; Krish   Shah; Calvin Talbert; Jasmin Valdovinos; Emmanuel Vasquez; and Elisabeth Vasquez.

Side by Side Charter School (R.I.S.E.): Ethan Alphonse; Nicole Flores– Rodriguez; Saniah Haynes; Glory-Anne Jean Marie; Ericson Joseph; Katherine Ruiz Isidro; Ethan Simpson; and Aliarah Target.

West Rocks Middle School (R.E.A.C.H.): Surrayyah Brown; Cameron Fieffe; Niarra Hall; Tania Labaze; Arianna Nembhard; Sharon Porras; Alana Remy; Karizma Reyes; Samuel Rosales; Serentity Spencer; Emmanuel Valle; Zoey Wilds; Diamond Wilson; Lizbeth Zecena; and Eddy Zhinin.

Carver Elementary School Scholars

Brookside Elementary School: Student of the Year: Jacob Palacios; Most Improved Student of the Year: Ma Papadakos.

Carver Community Center CASPER Program: Student of the Year: Miguel Potter; Most Improved Student of the Year: JoSarah Ruffin.

Fox Run Elementary School: Student of the Year: AIleen Recinos; Most Improved Student of the Year: Angel Velez.

Jefferson Elementary School: Student of the Year: Giovanny Ortega-Ruiz; Most Improved Student of the: Kimoni Jones

Kendall Elementary School: Student of the Year: Ashley Delcid; Most Improved Student of the Year: Albert Fernandez.

Silvermine Elementary School: Student of the Year: Melanie Evans; Most Improved Student of the Year: Eric Thigpen.

Tracey Elementary School: Students of the Year: Valeria Ochoa and Hisham Vahora; Most Improved Students of the Year: Ian Cardenas and Claudia Hackshaw.

Naramake Elementary School: Students of the Year: Isabelle Frey and Melvin Garcia Rivas; Most Improved Students of the Year: Moises Xitumul Raxcaco and Abagail Calderon Baharian.

Carver's After School Program Leaders

  • Ms. Martini - Manager of School Based Programs

  • Ms. Massucco - Director of School Based Elementary Programs

  • Mr. Ramsubhag - Carver Community Center Education Manager

  • Ms. Kingwood - Assistant Program Manager, Carver Jr. YDP

  • Ms. Baskin - Program Coordinator, Norwalk High School

  • Ms. D'Onofrio - Program Coordinator, Brien McMahon High School

  • Ms. Mitchell - Future Readiness Coordinator, Brien McMahon High School

  • Mr. Casimir - Future Readiness Coordinator, Norwalk High School

  • Mr. Vaccarro - Program Coordinator, Roton Middle School

  • Ms. Counts - Program Coordinator, Nathan Hale Middle School

  • Mr. Giandurco - Program Coordinator, Ponus Ridge Middle School

  • Ms. Shagoury - Program Coordinator, Side by Side Charter School

  • Mr. Jackson - Program Coordinator, West Rocks Middle School

  • Ms. Lisle - Program Coordinator, Kendall Elementary School

  • Ms. Watkins - Program Coordinator, Naramake Elementary School

  • Ms. Leal - Program Coordinator, Brookside Elementary School

  • Ms. Bernier - Program Coordinator, Tracey Elementary School

  • Ms. Signorie - Program Coordinator, Jefferson Elementary School

  • Ms. Lopez - Program Coordinator, Silvermine Elementary School

First County Bank Foundation renews its generous support of Carver kids!

Wendy Macedo, Bank Manager, First County Bank (left) and (right) Sheila Content, Bank Manager, First County Bank, present this year’s grant award to Novelette Peterkin, Carver CEO

Carver is grateful for the First County Bank Foundation renewing its support of Carver kids with a check for $5,000!

The First County Bank Foundation, which was established in 2001 to honor the bank’s 150th anniversary, contributes generously to nonprofit organizations that support community and economic development; increase the availability of affordable housing and programs that support quality of life and educational enrichment for families and children.

Its giving reflects the dedication and charitable inclination of First County Bank, its Directors, Corporators, Officers and Employees. As a mutual community bank with no shareholders, First County Bank considers contributions made by the Foundation a means of paying dividends back to the local communities it serves. Since 2001, the First County Bank Foundation has awarded over 1,000 individual grants, worth nearly $10 million.

Carver is grateful that First County Bank is able to give back to the community not only through their Foundation grants and donations but also through their giving of the time and talents of the men and women that work for the bank. 

“This most generous gift is a great boost to Carver’s efforts to ‘Build Lifetime Achievers’ as Carver prepares for the summer and for the 2022-2023 school year,” said Novelette Peterkin, Carver’s CEO.  “The First County Bank Foundation is vital to the continued health and growth of Carver’s work.”

Carver’s core principles include high expectations with the goal of graduating high school on time and college-ready; academic rigor focused on project-based learning and individualized learning; building healthy relationships; student voice and taking responsibility; building community through defined structures of cooperative decision-making; and a youth development approach to instruction that recognizes individual strengths, needs, and learning styles.

Carver thrives because of the tremendous investments people and institutions like First County Bank make in the lives of Carver kids. THANK YOU!

Avery Cotton returns to Brookside to teach birdwatching to our 5th Grade Scholars

As we recently reported here, Miss Lauren Leal, 5th Grade Teacher at Brookside Elementary School who also is Carver’s Lead Program Coordinator for our 5th Grade Scholars Program there, has been sharing with us the wonders of birdwatching that Avery Cotton, a New Canaan High School volunteer, is introducing to her students.

In addition to music, Avery Cotton is passionate about birdwatching, conservation, and nature. He is an active volunteer at the New Canaan Land Trust. Avery is also sharing his passion for nature with our after-school kids.

Avery returned today to conduct a birdwatching journey all around the Brookside Elementary School campus.

Avery teaches that birdwatching, or birding, is the observing of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science. A birdwatcher may observe by using the naked eye, by using a visual enhancement device like binoculars or a telescope, or by listening for bird sounds.

Birdwatching often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists, who engage in the study of birds using formal scientific methods.

Bird songs show us that we need a combination of many visions of nature to make sense of the whole. Avery is inspiring our students to have a more engaged interaction with the natural world.

Our students come to realize that we do not feed the birds because they need us; we feed the birds because we need them. Professional birdwatchers may observe a thousand species, but we will be grateful if our students spend quiet time simply being present to them.