Updates from State Rep. Chris Poulos - February 8, 2023

February 8, 2023

Last week, I was proud to testify during a public hearing for the Committee on Children alongside Southington residents, Steve Greenier and Robert Farler, in an effort to advocate for Connecticut’s adopted children and their families.

Steve Greenier, Robert Farler and State Rep. Chris Poulos

This session, I introduced HB 5852, which would give children adopted into Connecticut from other states the opportunity to receive the tuition assistance through a reciprocal agreement. This bill would help parents like Steve and Robert, who adopted their son from Massachusetts.

Children from difficult circumstances should get every benefit and opportunity, so that they can grow up into productive, happy, contributing adults, and this bill is a step in that direction.

Also, check out the great story in the CT Examiner by Emilia Otte HERE on Steve, Robert and the legislation. 

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks for taking the time to read them!

Pavement Marking Project on I-84 West in Southington

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a Pavement Marking Project will be performed on I-84 West at Exits 29 and 32 in Southington on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The project consists of installing safety marking reflectors on the I-84 West off-ramps at Exits 29 and 32 as part of ongoing wrong way driver mitigation measures.

Motorists can expect Exits 29 and 32 on I-84 West to be closed for two hours while the work is being performed. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to alert motorists. Detours are as follows:

Exit 29: Motorists will have to continue to Exit 28 (Route 322) and take a left on Route 322. Continue East on Route 322 and take a left on Clark Street. 

Exit 32: Motorists will have to continue to Exit 31 (Route 229) taking a left at the end of the ramp to redirect to I-84 East. 

For more information, please call 860-594-2560 or email DOT.CustomerCare@ct.gov.

CEA Legislative Breakfast

Last Saturday, it was great to be with Southington resident and teacher Kristen Keska for the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) Legislative Breakfast. I joined 18 of my legislative colleagues and more than 100 teachers – not including myself – from every corner of the state came together at the Legislative Office Building for candid conversations about the teaching profession and the challenges facing Connecticut schools.

Southington resident and teacher Kristen Keska with State Representative Chris Poulos and

Judges Needed for Connecticut History Day

The first contests for Connecticut History Day start March 4 and more judges are needed for each of the six regional contests that run through March 25.

Access the judges' portal HERE and scroll to a contest, click and sign up to judge. If you would like to judge at multiple contests, please create an account with one of the regional contests and use the Multi-Judge Contest Portal.

The regional contests are culminating events for the thousands of middle and high school students who are researching topics related to the theme of Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. Students use their research to create a project (paper, exhibit, website, documentary, or performance) that is presented to teams of volunteer judges. Judges meet with students, review projects, provide valuable feedback to participates, and choose the projects that continue to the State Contest on May 6.

Judges are vital in supporting and encouraging student scholars. Judges do not need to be history experts, but volunteers should enjoy learning new information, meeting amazing young people, and having an incredible day!

CT History Day staff prepares you for Contest Day with pre-contest virtual training. Judges work in teams of 2-3, with an experienced judge serving as captain. Judges arrive at 8 a.m. for coffee and a brief logistical meeting on contest day. Volunteers spend the day meeting students, reviewing projects, and completing evaluation forms for the students. Most judging teams finish between 1-2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch is provided. 

Email info@historydayct.org for more information.

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. More than 120 million Americans are currently living with a cardiovascular condition, so there is a need to educate ourselves on ways we can prevent and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

In the United States, heart disease contributes to 1 in 5 deaths, which the leading cause of death for both men and women.

Raising awareness of the risk factors attributed to cardiovascular conditions is an important part of the fight against heart disease and can save lives. You can find out more about risk factors here.
 
Understanding CPR could mean saving a life. Follow Damar Hamlin's #3forHeart CPR Challenge to learn how to perform hands-only CPR and to support the American Heart Association.

Please share the information below to ensure that friends and family understand the contributing factors to heart disease, and the ways that we can reduce our risk of developing cardiovascular conditions: