I want to share some highlights including state and local updates.
In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
Joel Barlow, American poet and one of Connecticut’s most ambitious — albeit not always successful — learned men of the late-18th century, was born today in 1754 in the western Connecticut town of Redding. As a member of the Yale class of 1778, the bright young man found himself surrounded by an impressive crowd of scholars who would each make their mark on early American society: Noah Webster, creator of the first American dictionary; famous educator Timothy Dwight; future Revolutionary War general and entrepreneur David Humphreys; and aspiring poet John Trumbull (not to be confused with his cousin, the famous American painter of the same name).
While at Yale, Barlow developed a love and talent for literature, most notably poetry, and presented his first published poem as part of his graduation ceremony in 1778. Unlike many of his more-famous colleagues, however, Barlow struggled to find his place in the rapidly changing world of Early America. Brief stints as a Continental Army chaplain, bookseller, newspaper publisher, and lawyer all met with failure. Finally, Barlow took a promising job as a paid agent for a company selling parcels of land in the Ohio territory, traveling overseas to entice European investors, only later to discover that the company was a sham corporation that didn’t legally own any of the land it claimed to have.
A bust of Joel Barlow by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon, circa 1804. (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
In the midst of this series of frustrating professional endeavors, Barlow found solace in writing poetry, which he shared with a close-knit group of friends and fellow Yale graduates that came to be known as the “Hartford Wits.” The group, which included Barlow, Dwight, Humphreys, Trumbull, and a handful of other men, collectively wrote, shared, edited, and published some of the greatest and uniquely American literary works of the late-18th century. Barlow was one of the most active members of the Hartford Wits, contributing plenty of his own poetry to a collective catalog of several volumes with verses that ranged from biting satirical verses about Tories and aristocrats, to sweeping historical epics, and paeans to Enlightenment ideals. Barlow’s most famous work, the multi-volume epic The Vision of Columbus, became one of the United States’ first national bestsellers, and he enjoyed widespread success with other poems as well, including Conspiracy of Kings and The Hasty Pudding.
Barlow continued to pen poetry and even tried his hand at political essays — some of which were radical enough to be banned in Great Britain — in the midst of increasing global tensions at the turn of the 19th century. A supporter of the French Revolution, he aligned himself politically with the Democratic Republican politicians in America, who bestowed a number of diplomatic posts on the writer while the Napoleonic Wars were raging in Europe. After traveling extensively through northern Africa and western Europe in an attempt to promote and protect the economic interests of the young United States, Barlow passed away from pneumonia in 1812 while traveling through Poland in a futile attempt to hold a diplomatic meeting with Napoleon Bonaparte. His death in a distant land proved an anticlimactic end to a life full of promise and poetry, that began today in Connecticut history.
The legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee advanced a proposal Tuesday that would eliminate Connecticut’s tip credit, a long-standing policy allowing restaurants to pay a subminimum wage with the understanding that servers will make up the difference in tips. What do you think? email your thoughts to Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov.
The link below is a dynamic list of legislation I have introduced or cosponsored this session. Please keep checking back as I add to the list and, using the bill tracking function, you can sign up and receive alerts on the progress of legislative items.
Personal care attendants (PCAs) will have additional access to affordable health insurance after an agreement was reachedto expand the application deadline for PCAs to apply for the first round of the new premium assistance benefit.
PCAs, who provide valuable services and support to more than 7,000 of Connecticut’s Medicaid consumers so they can remain in their homes and communities, may now apply for the premium benefit through April 7. The special enrollment period for coverage through Access Health CT, the state's health insurance exchange, runs until May 15. For those who do not apply for assistance by April 7, another application period will be provided later this year with payment on or around September, in time for the traditional open enrollment period on Access Health CT.
Connecticut is one of the first states to do this, and I encourage all PCAs who are not enrolled in health coverage to sign up for this important benefit.
Access Health CT has a special enrollment period and dedicated telephone line with navigator assistance for PCAs so that they can easily find the best health insurance option for them and obtain enrollment support. The Access Health CT navigators also screen the PCAs for eligibility for the HUSKY and Covered CT programs.
PCAs will soon receive communication with instructions on how they can access this important benefit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
East Hartford Greater Together
Community Fund Advisory Committee
East Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee is now accepting applications for committee members. The purpose of the Greater Together Community Fund is to support the East Hartford community in taking ownership around town needs that will be most beneficial or have the greatest impact on residents. The Community Fund also strives to encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement. To be eligible, you must be a resident of East Hartford, at least 14 years of age and not a current elected official of East Hartford. Previous experience in community organizations or in grant-making is not needed.
The deadline for applications is April 28, 2023. After the application period is closed, the committee will schedule interviews for potential members.
Individuals who are interested in applying can visit the link below to find more information or to fill out the Google Form.
Manchester is in the process of workshops and meetings that will continue next week with the following schedule:
Thursday, March 28 at 5:30PM – Budget Workshop #7 (as needed)
The Town will hold a special meeting to adopt the budget on Tuesday, April 11 at 7PM. All meetings will be conducted in-person at the Lincoln Center Hearing Room and can be watched live on Silk City TV, Facebook Live, or Cox Channel 16.
Reminder: Free Learning Opportunity for East Hartford Residents
East Hartford Works and Goodwin University will host a 5-week Professional Skills Academy focused on manufacturing beginning Tuesday, April 18. Classes will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening from 4PM-9PM at Goodwin University. Participants will earn continuing education credentials from Goodwin in: Enhanced Shop Math, Introduction to Blue Print Reading, Enhanced Metrology and OSHA 10.
This is a free program for East Hartford residents. Participants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Supports will be made available for childcare and transportation. Registration is open now and space is limited so reserve your spot by calling Yadira Jeter at (860) 290-4345.
COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
Griffin Hospital has partnered with the Town of East Hartford to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics on the following date at Raymond Library (840 Main Street):
Tuesday, March 28, 3PM-7PM
Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J vaccines will be available to all eligible Connecticut residents 6 months and older. No insurance, ID, or appointment required. Additionally, Griffin will offer free health screenings including A1C (diabetes) and blood pressure checks at each clinic.
The East Hartford Health Department offers regular vaccination services at the Community Cultural Center. Both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent boosters, as well as Flu, will be offered for all ages 12+. Appointments are required and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10AM-2PM. To schedule an appointment, call (860) 291-7324 (option 1).
For any questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is needed to get to and from a clinic site, please contact the Health Department for assistance.
The White House relaunched the program making free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests available to every U.S. household. Just as before, you can order tests through COVIDTests.gov and enter your shipping information. Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.
The Administration will also make tests available to individuals who are blind or have low vision through this program. People who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call +1 (800) 232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8AM-8PM E.T., Monday to Friday and 8AM-5PM E.T. on weekends.
For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
Manchester Art Association's (MAA) newest exhibit is opening Friday, March 24, 2023 at the Manchester Town Hall located at 41 Center Street. This exciting exhibit is entitled “The Poetry Project” as it features artwork in a variety of mediums inspired by the poets of "Wit and Wisdom", a Manchester poetry club. The exhibit can be seen at Manchester Town Hall during normal business hours or online at https://www.manchesterart.org/poetry and will end on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Additionally, all are invited to a reception at Town Hall on Friday, March 24, at 4:30 pm where Wit and Wisdom poets will offer readings of the original poems that inspired the MAA exhibit. For information on visiting Manchester Town Hall, please see their website: https://www.manchesterct.gov/Home
Silk City Board Game Group- March 2023
Next date: Saturday, March 25, 2023 | 12:00 PM to 04:30 PM
Manchester Public Library, 586 Main Street, 06040, View Map
The Teen Center is Back!
Manchester YSB is opening the center on Wednesdays from 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM and Thursdays 2:30-6pm. Learn morehere!
Attend 10 or more times to be eligible for prizes! Pizza is served after group discussion. Read more here:
MARC, Inc. of Manchester has scheduled the 2023 Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser for Sunday, March 26 at Hall of Fame Silver Lanes East Hartford. Proceeds will benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through MARC's services.
Registration is open now for OAKC Together We Tee! This program is offered to local Black and Brown youth of all genders ages 9-12 and their parent/guardian to introduce kids to the game of golf. The Manchester Country club will be providing all participants with lessons by golf professionals, fee waivers, and equipment.
The program will run on the following dates: Wednesdays, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, August 9, and August 16 with golf instruction from 5PM-6:30PM, followed by a family style dinner from 6:30PM-7:30PM. The program is limited to 10 participants, so register today by clicking here.
If you have questions or would like additional information, call Senior Recreation Specialist Calvin Harris at (860) 647-3088 or Recreation Supervisor Taylor McBride at (860) 647-6039.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that we have more Teen & Adult Social Club scheduled hang outs.
There are a variety of activities to be held March 24th – May 12th. The club is for participants with special needs, ages 13 & up.
Our experienced staff will provide supervision at the activities, in addition to assisting group interaction and fostering positive behaviors. Staff are trained in the field of special education and are able to provide the necessary skills to facilitate the program. Prices and times vary based upon the designated activity. To sign up for our fun activities visit www.ehparks.org.
April Vacation Programs at East Hartford Public Library
Looking for something fun to do over April vacation? Check out our complete lineup of April vacation programs. We’ve got something for everyone, from toddlers to teens! For the full schedule and more information click here.
Do you have a business card? How about a website? Are you looking for help? At Drop-in Digital Navigation hours, the East Hartford Public Library will work with small business owners to develop the technology skills you need to make your business technology work as hard as you do. Business owners at every stage of development are encouraged to attend. Drop-in hours will be offered on Fridays from 10:30AM-12:30PM (March 3, 10, 24, & 31; April 14 & 27; and May 5, 12, &26). For more information, click here.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department’s Annual Egg Hunt at McAuliffe Park is on Sunday, March 26 at 1PM. There will be thousands of pieces of chocolates and stuffed plastic eggs for children ages 10 and younger (and their accompanying parent/guardian).
Participants will be grouped by ages and directed to designated areas: ages 3 and under, ages 4-5 and ages 6-10. Each child should bring their own bag or basket to collect eggs and candy. Please dress appropriately for the weather. In case of inclement weather or poor field conditions, updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
This is a free event for East Hartford residents. For more information, click here.
East Hartford to Host “Men’s Health is Community Health” Event
The Town of East Hartford is collaborating with UConn Health, My People Community Services, Trinity Health of New England, and other community partners to host a “Men’s Health is Community Health” event on Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 PMat the Community Cultural Center located at 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108.
East Hartford Appoints New Superintendent of Schools
The East Hartford Board of Education appointed Mr. Thomas Anderson, a graduate of East Hartford Public Schools, its new Superintendent of Schools at a special meeting on March 22, 2023. His role is effective July 1, 2023. Anderson has served most recently as Superintendent of Schools in New Bedford, MA (2018-2023; enrollment: 13,000 students) and Randolph, MA (2014-2018; enrollment: 3,100 students)
Mr. Anderson has spent many years in leadership roles in various states. Prior to moving to Massachusetts, he was Assistant/Instructional Superintendent of the 46,000 student District of Columbia Public Schools from 2011 to 2014. He also served as principal of schools in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland. In addition, he spent one year as Executive Director and Founding Principal of the Larry Hawkins Charter School in Chicago. For more click here.
Calling the young people in our community – it's not too early to be thinking about summer employment or learning opportunities! Gain valuable work experience and get paid this summer by signing up for the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP).
SYELP connects youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. Applications are open now! Sign up by clicking here.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
