Jennifer Leeper

It was a great weekend in Fairfield, where we braved the weather for the Memorial Day parade, honoring our fallen troops for all they sacrificed for our country. I'm grateful the town didn't cancel this parade, because it is just too important to cancel.

In this week's eblast, you can read about a graduate loan program, Connecticut Trails Day, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• EASTCONN Tour
• Targeted Violence Prevention Symposium
• The Missing Voice, Teachers on Children, Screens, and School
• CHESLA Graduate Loan Program
• Connecticut Trails Day
• Planet Fitness Teen Summer Pass Program
• Upcoming Local Events

I had a wonderful time recently taking a full-day tour of EASTCONN, a public nonprofit that serves the education needs of northeast Connecticut's schools and communities.

From listening to a student panel discussion on the middle college experience and dual enrollment, to a tour exploring regional childcare expansion efforts, to an incredible showcase of the arts and specialized programming, this was a jam-packed day that was extremely rewarding.

It is days like this that inform the work I do as House Chair of the Education Committee, and I want to thank all the wonderful folks at EASTCONN for taking the time to give me this tour!

You can read more about my visit here.

Yesterday, at the invitation from our Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, I went to John Jay College of Criminal Justice for an all day Targeted Violence Prevention Symposium with law enforcement, FBI officers, mental health professionals, and public health experts from across the entire northeast.

We discussed the pathways of individuals from grievance to radicalization and violence. Experts discussed how to identify those pathways so as to prevent and disrupt them. A lot of the conversation focused on the online spaces that foster and encourage violence, which was frightening to learn about.

I am grateful to have had this opportunity to learn more, so as to better understand the ways in which our schools can help prevent these pathways for vulnerable youth. If you know of someone who you have concerns about, please know that help is available.

And if your concern is urgent, call 911. You can also complete the Suspicious Activity Form

Please read below for a great upcoming event:

As the LMSD discussion about screens, Chromebooks, school issued devices, and EdTech receives national and international attention, communities across the country are asking the same urgent questions.

The people with some of the deepest insight into this issue are the educators who work with children every day. Teachers and school leaders see firsthand how screens and EdTech are affecting attention, learning, behavior, and school life. Yet their voices are often barely heard, especially compared with the depth of experience and perspective they bring!

Join four experienced educators, each with more than 20 years of classroom and education experience, for a powerful national Zoom conversation grounded in what teachers are actually seeing with children every day.

Featuring Jill Anderson, Randy Freiman, Randi Harris, and Dean Rosencranz.

*📅 Wednesday, June 3*
*🕣 8:30 PM*
*💻 Zoom webinar - registe here*
💵 *Free*
*📝 Registration required:*

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan, a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1.

CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs.

Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs.

Importantly, all approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure.

Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%.

Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.

Great news for teens ages 14–19: you can work out for free at Planet Fitness this summer!

With the High School Summer Pass program, teens can enjoy free access to Planet Fitness from June 1 through August 31.

This program gives young people the opportunity to stay active, prioritize their health, and build lifelong healthy habits while school is out for the summer.

Click here to register for the Summer Pass. Parents can also receive one free day pass to work out alongside their teens.

Please note: During the High School Summer Pass program, participants will only have access to the Planet Fitness location they select during registration.