An important component of School Change and a vital factor in student success is parent engagement. And an opportunity is coming up for New Haven residents to volunteer a few hours of time in support this cause!

We’re getting ready to hit the streets for the upcoming Kindergarten Canvass where we welcome New Haven’s youngest students into the school system - and we can’t do it without you. We’re looking for volunteers to join the fun as we knock on doors August 17th, 21st and 22nd and offer welcome packets to parents and families of incoming kindergartners.* Each household will receive, among other things, a children’s book thanks to the generosity of local business Higher One.

Those who volunteered last year told us they loved being out in the

community, connecting face-to-face with New Haven’s youngest students and their families, and making families feel welcome into the school system. Volunteer Lee Cruz said during last summer’s canvass, “This much fun should be illegal!”

The canvass is a joint effort of City of New Haven, the New Haven Public Schools and the United Way.

Please consider offering a few hours of your time and help us spread the word among your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors who may be interested in joining us.

To sign up to volunteer for the Kindergarten Canvas, go

here

New Haven has new Flood Maps and Revised Regulations

New Haven has received updated coastal flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) effective July 8, 2013, and the City has updated its Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance accordingly to accompany the new maps.

Due to extensive changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which include the gradual elimination of subsidized flood insurance rates for Pre-FIRM structures (older homes built before the flood maps), the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and the CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) will be hosting three public outreach meetings to discuss flood insurance and coastal map changes. The meetings will allow residents to view the new maps, understand the changes that are taking place to flood insurance rates, and learn more about financial steps that they may need to take to protect their investment. Staff from FEMA and the CTDEEP will be available to answer questions and provide a short presentation.

Locations and times for the meetings are as follows:

• Thursday, August 8, 2013 - CTDEEP Marine Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371

• Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - Town of Fairfield, Ludlowe High School Cafeteria, 785 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

• Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - Town of Branford, Fire Department, 45 North Main Street, Branford, CT 06405

All meetings are 5:00 pm-8:00 pm and open to the public.

Events

Aug 8. Curated Vignettes - Art Nouveau Set. Project Storefronts. Live model drawing. Contact artabru@gmail.com

Aug 9. WRAP Arts on the Avenue. Free drop-in arts activities & open mic. 535 Winchester Ave. 2-6pm. Cityseed Mobile Market 4-5pm.

Aug 9. Yale Carillon Concert Series.Branford Courtyard. 7-8pm. http://carillon.sites.yale.edu/

Aug 10. Field Walk w/the Farmer. Common Ground. 10:30am. www.commongroundct.org

Aug. 14. Belly Dance Class #LipglossCrisis @ Project Storefronts. $12. 6pm

Aug. 15. Carl Testa. Project Storefronts. 7pm. Exhibition by Andres Chapparro August 15-17.

www.projectstorefrontsnewhaven.com

Aug. 15. Film: Japan Across the Seas. Ives Main Library. BYO snacks! 5 pm. 203-782-4308

Aug. 15. Film: Whisky. Ives Main Library. BYO snacks! 6:15 pm. 203-782-4308

Aug 16. An Evening with Giacomo Gates. Firehouse 12. 7-9pm. firehouse12

[8/7/2013]