Access Health CT Open Enrollment & Opportunity To Win $20K For Your Child's Education

November 3, 2023


As the calendar turns to November, I want to remind you that open enrollment for Access Health CT is underway. Please read below to find out how to enroll or adjust your plan.

All K-12 students have an opportunity to win up to $20,000 for their future education in a special contest. They need to submit an essay, drawing, or video. Keep scrolling to learn more, but you have to act fast because the deadline to submit is approaching quickly.

Orange Public Schools received a boost to help students with their academics. Keep scrolling to find out how a new tutoring program will make a difference for our kids!

Metro-North schedules changed this week on the New Haven Line. Check out the information below to see if your train is affected.

And, police are investigating the serious accident on Route 34 in Orange this past week that sadly resulted in the death of a 14-year-old who was in the crash involving a stolen car. I send my condolences to the teen's family and friends who are facing this tragic loss, and my gratitude that the driver of the tractor-trailer also involved in the crash wasn't seriously hurt. The Orange Police Department is conducting an investigation and asks that anyone with information contact Detective Denny Peterson at (203) 891-2138, X 8216. Ref Case #23-33433.
Below you will find the following sections and topics in this week's email:
  • Election Day is Coming Up
  • Access Health CT Open Enrollment
  • Opportunity To Win Up To $20K For Your Child's Education
  • Orange Public Schools Receives Funding for Tutors
  • Take Your Legislator to School Week
  • Veterans Informational Meeting
  • Veterans Day Ceremonies
  • Changes to Metro-North Schedule
  • Derby Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Events in Hamden
  • Orange Events and Community Calendar
  • Woodbridge Events and Community Calendar
 
Election Day is Coming Up
Municipal Elections are happening on Tuesday November 7, and polls are open from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M. You can check your voter registration status and find your polling location here: https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx.
 
Access Health CT Open Enrollment
You can now enroll, renew coverage, and explore the various policy options with Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment started on November 1.
If you are interested and have questions about the program, there are several ways to receive free assistance:
  • In-person: The closest enrollment fair will be in Hamden on Thursday, January 4 at the Keefe Community Center. CLICK HERE for more information.
  • Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
  • By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday,
    8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Click here to learn more.
 
Opportunity To Win Up To $20K
For Your Child's Education
Time is running out to participate in a competition giving students an opportunity to win up to $20,000 toward their future education. The CHET Dream Big! Competition asks all Connecticut students to answer a question in the form of a drawing, essay, or video.
 
You must act now because the deadline to enter is Monday, November 6!
 
The competition is broken up into three different age groups and questions.
  • K-4th grade: What is something you could do to make your community or neighborhood better?
  • 5th-8th grade: What is something you could do to help make the lives of others better?
  • 9th-12th grade: What is a lesson you've learned and how will it influence your future?
Official Contest Rules
Some amazing prizes will be awarded in the form of contributions to a CHET 529 college savings account and support for local schools.
 
·      3 Grand Prize winners receive $20,000 (one student from each age group)
·      24 winners receive $6,000 (eight students per age group)
·      336 winners receive $500 (112 students per age group)
·      10 randomly selected participating schools will win $7,500 in tech                          equipment
 
The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate.
 
Good luck!
 
Orange Public Schools Receives Funding for Tutors

Orange Public Schools received $142,000 to build and boost a high-dosage tutoring program for more than 70 students.

This is part of a larger $11.5 million investment to 46 school districts from the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to address learning loss following the pandemic, ensuring students have intensive, curriculum-aligned support to close academic gaps.

With this grant, Orange is taking a vital step in ensuring that all students have access to the individualized support they need to succeed. High-dosage tutoring is a proven intervention that can help our youth make significant gains in their academic achievement.

The Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program will allocate funding to schools for the 2023-24 academic year and the first half of the 2024-25 academic year.
 
Take Your Legislator to School Week 
I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Amity Regional High School last week as part of CEA's "Take Your Legislator to School Week" where I was able to speak with students and teachers during a Critical Issues class as well as AP Government. 

I was so impressed with the students, the level of curriculum discussed, and the commitment of the educators. 

Thank you to teacher Chris Borelli for having me in your classes!!! 
 
Veterans Informational Meeting
Our veterans have an opportunity to share their concerns regarding veterans affairs with state lawmakers. The Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee will host an informational hearing on November 8 from 1 P.M.- 4 P.M. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
 
The meeting is designed to gather feedback from veterans, military personnel, their loved ones, advocates, and other members of the public in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.
Sign Up to Speak In Person Or Online
 
Veterans Day Ceremonies
Many communities all over the country will honor our heroes next week for Veterans Day. It’s a day to thank and recognize the more than 19 million men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
 
The annual Woodbridge Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 10 at 11 A.M. in the Center Building gym at 4 Meetinghouse Lane.  
 
Dr. Barry Josephs, a U.S. Army Captain and Vietnam veteran will lead the program. The ceremony will include patriotic music, a memorial wreath presentation, invocation by Reverend Brian Bodt, the police honor guard, and remarks from local elected officials.
 
Derby will host its Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11
at 10:30 A.M. on the Derby Green. The flier below has more information.
Thank you to all our veterans for risking your lives to defend our freedom.
 
Changes To Metro-North Schedule

You may have noticed some tweaks in your train schedule on the New Haven Line this week. Metro-North made some adjustments to reflect today’s commuting patterns during the workweek.

CLICK HERE for a full list of schedule changes and alternative trains.
 
Derby Events Calendar
Check out the event below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar.
Derby Community Calendar
 
Upcoming Events in Hamden
Take a look and click on the fliers below to learn about upcoming events in Hamden:
More Hamden Events
 
Orange Events and Community Calendar
Check out the upcoming events in Orange by looking at the fliers and community calendar below.
Bring the kids to Case Memorial Library from Monday, November 6 - Saturday, November 11 from 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. to turn autumn leaves into a cute hedgehog family! You need to find your own leaves. No registration required.
Orange Community Calendar
 
Woodbridge Events and Community Calendar
Check out the event below and click the button under that to access the community calendar.
Woodbridge Community Calendar