Worthington Hooker returns to K-2 home

Students and parents joined Principal Carol Kennedy in returning to their newly restored K-2 home at Worthington Hooker School this morning. Under the Citywide School Construction Program, Worthington Hooker is the 23rd school to receive a full makeover, and one of the most historically interesting renovations.

Next up will be Beecher School, with students and staff scheduled to return April 23.

Youth Initiative

Mentor New Haven is taking shape, as 100 City of New Haven employees are being trained in small groups and then matched up with students to begin mentoring in the schools. We are working in partnership with the New Haven Public Schools Foundation on this initiative. Our city work force is setting a terrific example in volunteering their time to engage in the lives of young people and I hope many more will follow. We welcome additional volunteers. Contact the New Haven Public School Foundation at 946-6950.

Democracy School

I look forward to speaking Tuesday night at the opening session of Democracy School. We started this program as a way to provide New Haven citizens with information about their government and to keep open the lines of communication between City officials and residents. We have served 155 already through this unusual academy, many going on to serve their ward committees, community management teams, block watches, the Civilian Review Board and become more active with the Board of Aldermen. Congratulations to participants: Aaron Goode, Ami Parekh, Angela Watley, Barbar O’Brien, Beth Klingher, Carol Nardini, Cindy Mariani, David Goldberg, Diana Limoncelli, Edward J. Maher III, Elba Franklin, Jane Rushmore, Jay Sokolow, JR Logan, Kate Landon, Leanne Davis, Lori Kozlowski, Mercedes M. Soto, Molly Crichton, Moses Nelson, Norma Beamon, Richard K. Courses, Semi Semi-Dikoko, Seth L. Poole, Tia Blassingame, Tomi Veale

Congrats to Hillhouse and Career

Two big victories for city schools this weekend. For the eighth consecutive year, students from Hill Regional Career High School designed a robot and competed against the best in the region at the FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. The big news is – they won and are the UTC Regional Winners! They competed this past week at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Congratulations to the students and their teachers and advisors. In addition, the Academics at James Hillhouse High School beat East Catholic 55-39 in the CIAC Class LL boys basketball final. Congrats to Coach Carolina, his team and Hillhouse for a job well done!

I hope you have a happy and healthy week!

John DeStefano, Jr.

[3/19/2007]