Outstanding Professional Development Efforts in the Districts

As a result of our very first Summer Institute, many of our participating districts have taken pro-active steps at (1) creating a welcoming environment in their schools for Choice students and families and (2) becoming more familiar with the Choice program and Choice program “best practices”.

Here are some of their outstanding efforts:

• In August, Buttonball Lane School in Glastonbury kicked off its “host family” initiative with a meet and greet event at the school. Almost twenty “host” families and their partner families from Hartford were in attendance.
• Our newest Glastonbury receiving school “Nayaug School” welcomed three Choice program staff for one of their half day professional development workshops. In addition to sharing best practices, Choice staff was able to give some insight in to why voluntary integration programs are so important to both Hartford families and receiving districts. Nayaug is a beautiful school with many dedicated teachers and administrators on its staff. We wish the entire school community a very successful first year.
• Granby High School welcomed Choice staff for professional development training this September. Over forty teachers gathered to receive information and ask questions about the Choice program.
• Due in part to the distance between Enfield and Hartford and increased interest in the Choice program from Enfield administrators and teachers, Enfield has taken the following steps this year:
  • assigning a Choice liaison in each school
  • starting host family programs
  • offering parent teacher conferences in Hartford for families with transportation issues
  • offering special classes and enrichment opportunities for Choice students
• Avon High School also welcomed Choice staff for a presentation on November 14 during their staff meeting. Choice staff was able to give some insight in to the placement process and why voluntary integration programs are so important to both Hartford families and receiving districts.
• It takes a team effort (student, family and receiving district school staff and community) in order to truly make a difference in the lives of our Choice students and families. The Choice program is thankful for all of the people who go above and beyond everyday in order to ensure that all children are successful.