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Happy Back-to-School Week to all our Stratford students, families, teachers, and faculty! I was honored to attend the Stratford Public Schools Convocation on Monday, August 25th. It was a truly inspiring event! All of the speakers emphasized a consistent theme: creating and fostering an environment to help our children find and use their voice.
We were lucky to have SPS alum, Brandon Sherrod, as the keynote speaker, who shared his incredible journey and experience paying homage to the SPS teachers and the impact they had on his life. We also heard from the SPS 2026 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin, who has dedicated 30 years to teaching music in SPS. I am wishing all of our SPS educators, faculty, staff, and especially our students an incredible school year. Thank you for all that you do for our children, families, and community!
In this week’s email, you will find back-to-school bus safety tips, CT DOT updates for Stratford, and state and local resources from various agencies. As always, if my office can be of service to you or your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out. |
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This Tuesday, August 26th, I joined members of the Stratford and Bridgeport delegations to meet and discuss future conservation plans for the shared land site called Lake Success, formally referred to as Remington Woods. Currently, Bridgeport and Stratford have a combined open space of 10.5%. Adding this site in conservation land increases our open space land area by 16%.
From 1905 until 1989, Remington Arms used the Lake Success property to test large- and small-caliber munitions manufactured in Bridgeport. Today, the property is owned by Sporting Goods Properties, Inc., a subsidiary of Corteva Agriscience, the successor to DuPont and Remington Arms. I sincerely appreciated the Lake Success tour and opportunity to meet with my colleagues, Rep. Gresko, Senator Gaston, Rep Baker, Rep. Gee, Corteva staff, and others to review next steps and future community meetings. I will keep you all updated throughout this process to learn how you can get involved.
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| This Friday, August 29th, I had the pleasure of attending the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s Annual Labor Day Breakfast. This annual event is an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the labor movement and the incredible workers across Connecticut. It was an honor to get together with workers from across the state to recommit to fighting for worker protections and union-backed policies that will strengthen the workforce for future generations, and to take the time to recognize the remarkable work being done by our local unions across the state. |
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Friday Afternoon, August 29th, I joined members of the Public Safety and Security Committee for Dispatch Day with the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications (DEST), a division within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). This was a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at Connecticut’s leadership in 9-1-1 services and public safety communications. We had the chance to see the latest deployable emergency assets and learn more about the future of 9-1-1. We also heard directly from dispatchers about their success stories, but also the many challenges they face while on the job, including recruitment and retention of staff statewide.
We must continue to strengthen our 9-1-1 system to ensure residents receive emergency assistance and dispatchers can perform their duties effectively. Dispatchers are the first person that people interact with when calling for help, and they play a vital role in coordinating triage and connecting the necessary personnel, departments, and resources to save lives. I am incredibly grateful for their dedication to protecting and supporting our communities every day of the year. |
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| School Bus Safety as Kids Return to School |
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It's an exciting time of the year for our kids and educators who are back in the classroom! I hope every student had an amazing start to the new school year.
This is also a time to remind drivers that Connecticut law requires you to slow down for school buses in your neighborhood. Here is the breakdown for any driver who fails to stop when a school bus is displaying its flashing red signal lights:
- First offense: $450 fine
- Following offenses: $500 - $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
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Labor Day is deeply rooted in the fight for workers' protections and the right to organize in the workplace, and to many, it's a reminder that the protections and rights we have in the workplace now were hard fought by the workers who came before us.
The holiday was first celebrated by union workers in 1882, during a time when work conditions consisted of 12-hour days and 7-day work weeks in unsafe environments and low wages, and by 1894, Labor Day was established as a federal holiday to recognize the contributions of workers across America. Today, workers across our country continue to fight for similar workplace protections that are now under threat and are at risk of being dismantled.
At a time when we are witnessing and feeling the impact of federal labor protections being rolled back, I remain fully committed to ensuring that Connecticut workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment, workplace protections, fair wages, strong benefits, and a dignified retirement. We owe it to the generations before us who fought and died for these rights, and the generations to come who will depend on them.
This Labor Day, let's honor and recognize the contributions of working people everywhere, recommit to protecting their rights, and continue building stronger workplaces for all. |
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| Stratford Transportation Updates |
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I am so excited to share that the Greater Bridgeport Transportation (GBT) bus shelter on East Main Street has finally been replaced. Over a year ago, there was a terrible accident at this location, and the bus shelter was completely destroyed. This bus stop is arguably the busiest in all of Stratford, and since I’ve been in office as your State Representative, I have been in regular contact with GBT, advocating to get it replaced as soon as possible. The people who use this bus stop are our friends, neighbors, and workers who deserve to have a safe and dry area to wait for the bus every day. This fight took a while, but I was thrilled to see it being rebuilt this week and available for people to finally use.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be reconstructing the driveway and intersection at the Barnum Avenue entrance to Stratford Square Plaza from September 3rd through the 19th.
Access to the plaza will remain available through Veterans Boulevard. Detour arrows posted to guide drivers to the Veterans Boulevard entrance will be posted, as well as signs reading “Business Open – Use Veterans Blvd” will be placed at the Barnum Avenue entrance and along Barnum Avenue before the left turn onto Veterans Boulevard. The Stratford Police Department will be on-site daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, including weekends, to help manage traffic. |
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On August 26th in 1920, the 19th Amendment was certified - giving women the right to vote...but the fight was not easy. It took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win that right after a massive, peaceful civil rights movement.
It must be acknowledged that the women’s suffrage movement failed women of color. It took many more years before Black, Latina, or Native American women could vote.
Every year on this date, we honor and reflect on the significant contributions made by the suffragettes and celebrate Women's Equality Day.
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| Save the Date: VA Stand Down 2025 |
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The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Stand Down event is set for Friday, September 19th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with six separate locations in Bridgeport, Southington, Danbury, Norwich, Rocky Hill, and Stamford. This statewide event will provide one-stop access to services and programs offered to veterans by state and federal agencies, veteran-support organizations, and community-based nonprofits. Click here for more details
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| Nominations for the Veterans Hall of Fame Now Open |
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Connecticut residents are encouraged to recognize veterans who continue to make lasting contributions in their communities by nominating them for the 2025 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates veterans who, after their military service, have shown exceptional leadership and community service.
Nominations for the Class of 2025 are now open and must be submitted by September 25th, 2025. To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or national level, and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large. The focus of this honor is on the veteran’s service to their community after leaving the military.
To download the nomination package, visit: portal.ct.gov/dva/pages/ct-veterans-hall-of-fame.
Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 15th, 2025. They should be delivered either by email to lindsay.jesshop@ct.gov or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:
Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: CT Veterans Hall of Fame
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Detailed instructions and information on eligibility criteria can be found within the nomination package.
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| Generation Power CT Emergency Energy Assistance Program |
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The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program is set to open on Tuesday, September 2nd, through September 10th! This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses 🏠💡
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
All GPCT energy programs are accessible to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the highest likelihood to be approved, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for this emergency energy assistance when you are most in need.
GPCT has four Energy Assistance Application Cycles:
- September 2-10
- November 2-10
- January 2-10
- March 2-10
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: https://gpct.org/gethelp/
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| CT Paid Family and Medical Leave Expansion |
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| This session, I was a proud co-sponsor of legislation that expands Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave coverage to as many as 50,000 public and private school employees, such as paraeducators, library support staff, and custodial and food workers. This change will go into effect later this year on October 1st, 2025. The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority is hosting a series of informational webinars throughout July, August, and September to help school staff prepare. Check the flyer below for upcoming session dates and details. |
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| Register for Fall Fun! Stratford Recreation Fall Session 1 Registration begins September 2nd. Register for a variety of programs, including basketball, dance, cooking, soccer, track, and more! |
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| Stratford's Parent Place is forming a Special Education PTA of Stratford. This is your chance to be involved with the Stratford Public Schools and help shape the future of special education support in our schools. If you are interested, contact Melodylehrman@gmail.com or fill out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU6Qhm699N-f6STWQNh5rW99GvHxK-iW0j5ToL6T0L2wcruA/viewform?usp=send_form |
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The Sterling Down and Dirty 5K Obstacle Race is an annual family-friendly 5k obstacle-filled run through Stratford Short Beach set to take place this year on September 6th.
Run, walk, skip or dance your way to the finish line - as you get sweaty, sandy, dirty, and wet along the way! Perfect for all fitness levels - you can race your way through 18+ obstacles or just have fun with it.
Best of all you are in it to win it for Sterling Community Center!
All proceeds will benefit our programs and services, as well as members of our Resource Connection Program.
Register here: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/104206/2025-sterling-down-and-dirty-5k
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The Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee is proud to be celebrating our 20th year! The Latin Music Festival will take place on Sunday, September 14th, from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. (with a rain date of September 21st).
You're invited to join the fun on Paradise Green, located between Main Street and Huntington Road in Stratford. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and all the activities planned for you and the family!
All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
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It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.
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| Stratford/Trumbull Continuing Education online registration is now open for the Fall 2025 session. The program offers FREE courses for town residents. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.stratfordk12.org/page/continuing-education |
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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